“Rider through an onyx brume atop a pallor mount.“
Festival season is a time of particular focus for singles. Whether or not a band has released an album recently, building buzz with a new track just before you hit the road is now close to being a standard technique. Plus, it provides a metric of the ‘true fan’ – look out for those that know the words to a track even when it’s just a few days old, and you’ll know who the real ones are. Most of the bands we discuss below are still working towards such festival spots, but let it be known there’s so much potential here.
Torment – Muladhara Compromised (Independent)
Torment Muladhara are crafting a joyous blend between eras of hardcore. On the one hand it’s a sound that makes you want to stomp a mudhole into the earth right now; on the other, it’s streaming right out of a 2013 YouTube video performing in someone’s front room. With a rough production that sounds like it was recorded on the same device that video was, Torment capture an old styling that is packed with tough posture for the present day. – Joe E
FFO: Times of Desperation, The July Creek & Tripper
Asidhara – On Death’s Pale Horse (Independent)
Quickly becoming a site’s favourite, the latest drop from Asidhara, “On Death’s Pale Horse“, further reinforced that. Thrashy and expansive riffs that yearn to be heard within the charge to battle, with commanding vocals that give the fighting edge, backed by the clanging of metal on the drum’s crash. It’s a sound that will happily please both sides of the divide, across the hardcore scene and the metalheads, with hopefully more to comes from the South Wales unit in the future. – Joe E
FFO: Despied Icon, Still In Love & Faced Out
Murals – they’re there (Equal Vision Records)
Formed by members of Hail The Sun, I the Mighty, and Sufferer, Murals blends elements of all these bands to create an engaging experience on “they’re there“. An intricate blend of progressive rock and post-hardcore, the influences of each member involved collide into a sound that is as harmonious as it is unpredictable. – Jonathan Tan
FFO: Hail The Sun, Eidola & A Lot Like Birds
HVN – Tether (Independent)
With “Tether“, HVN crafts a heavy piano driven ambience that’s undoubtedly haunting. The progressive metalcore trio display a level of technical skill that’s impressive for a group this new. Their riffs, drum work, and vocals already rival that of many more established contemporaries. – Jonathan Tan
FFO: Invent Animate, ERRA & early Architects
Judgement – Forsaken (Independent)
Last month, this San Antonio unit dropped one of their meanest tracks. A sound that feels ready to reach out and grab the listener by the scruff of the neck, Judgement is pure fight music, with crunchy riffs and barked vocals that will command a room into violence. This track comes from their now released EP, Judgement Day, so can be enjoyed in situ along with the fully realised release. – Joe E
FFO: Fifty-Fifty Clown, Grael & Blood On My Hands
Blue Deputy – Agoraphobe (Under The Rolling Y)
Belfast based emo boppers Blue Deputy impressed us with “Agoraphobe“. The song has the sort of mix you wouldn’t expect, abounding with bedroom studio warmth and woozy haze, leaving plenty of space for Andy Bunting’s lovely vocals. The track will be a key part of their upcoming EP Reeling, their first fully assembled release since they relocated from Philadelphia to Belfast. – Dobbin T
FFO: The Beths, Pool Kids & Soot Sprite
daisy graves – willow (Independent)
After two years away since their last release, daisy graves are back with new single “willow“. Sitting between pop-punk mannerisms and indie rock stylings, daisy graves produce a joyous and captivating track with jangely riffs, combined with expansive and uplifting vocals. Imparting the air of a crisp autumn morning, there is much to be embraced here, and hopefully the start of more to come from daisy graves. – Joe E
FFO: VIOLENT VIRA, Superheaven & Trophy Eyes
Fox Womb – Sing Of Ruin And Let Sunflowers Grow From Your Mouth (Independent)
Ridiculous chaotic hardcore out of Sweden that is quickly over but leaves a lasting impact. Escalating panic chords and vocals that are sent to the limit conjure a tangible vision of the hyperactive performance driving the sound. This is a must for longtime fans of Converge and the like who desire to feel the bleeding edge of the genre. – Dobbin T
FFO: Cult Leader, The Sawtooth Grin & Missouri Executive Order 44
Negatives – Zero hero (Independent)
Punchy, frantic and choatic comes the latest Negative single “Zero Hero“, and it is the kind of shock to the system that feels an ever lost art in metal. Akin to the gnawing jaws of a tiger in the face while on acid, what Negative have cooked up here drives itself at the senses, while delivering some grand riffs and vocals that will gnaw at the ear. All round great and unforgettable stuff from the Tyneside unit. – Joe E
FFO: Froniterer, Silent Planet & Polaris