It’s very tempting to “call” the year in music when December rolls around. 2024 has been a year that has changed our minds on that. Although all of these singles arrived too late to be considered for our best of the year list, we were floored by the lot of them and felt it was important to highlight the ambition on display from the heavy underground. This issue of Releases You May Have Missed is possibly the most indicative of quality LPs and EPs coming in 2025, so if you’re wondering where “ahead of the curve” is, it’s right here.
Lacerated – Stitching Torn Wings (WORMWOOD RECORDS)
Ahead of a run of shows in December, Lacerated added another menacing track to their discography with “Stitching Torn Wings”. It creates a field of suspense and horror that’s akin to an early Silent Hill game: visceral screams, backed with frenzied guitars itching out their panic chords. It looks like the release of “Stitching Torn Wings” is the final chapter of their discography, as they’ve announced an indefinite hiatus, but we hope that doesn’t dampen your interest in the track, and what could be cooking from the parting members of Lacerated in the future.
FFO: long.way.down, .giffromgod & gun to god’s head
Wren – Metric Of Grief (Church Road Records)
Taking inspiration from the current forefront of slow and esoteric metal (Sumac, BIG|BRAVE, and Divide And Dissolve, to name a few), Wren step into 2025 with a refreshed sound. By dispensing over over-layering and focusing on careful songwriting, a human touch is expertly transmitted through “Metric Of Grief”. It’s so effective that you can feel the lurid gaze of the eight eyes of the band upon you. It’s a track that marks Wren as chasers of something more unnerving than your average garage sludge project.
FFO: Light Bearer, Fall of Efrafa & BIG|BRAVE
Crossfire – The Final Boss (Middle Management Records)
Crushing and pounding in every sense, on “The Final Boss” Crossfire are playing their instruments within an inch of their lives, with slamming crashes, snares, and chainsaw riffs. The snarl of the vocals give it a commanding edge that cuts through, offering a massive upgrade from their already tasty debut.
FFO: God’s Hate, Guilt Trip & Judiciary
MUD – A Garbage Heap of Losers (Independent)
Brisbane unit MUD made their noisy return after over two years of absence with “A Garbage Heap Of Losers”. Abrasive vocals, yelled with a relentless manner, are given an essential tinge of reverb. This interplays with the toe-tapping groves of hardcore punk, making for a coordinated frenzy that will draw the ear into its slightly mad and rumbling nature. We hope to see more from MUD in 2025.
FFO: Bib, Buggin & Destiny Bond
Gnasher SC – Canvas Made From Scar Tissue (Demo) (Independent)
Gnasher SC dropped a gift of a with B-side from To Guard What Remains – “Canvas Made From Scar Tissue” – just before the year closed out. Their emotive sound is loaded with anguish, packing an absolute shotgun breakdown that will move a room. With the chapter closed on one era, what the next one holds for the South Carolina group is highly anticipated.
FFO: smother, Total Loss & Eight Count
With Sails Ahead – Y.E.R. (Your Eternal Ring) (Independent)
Not content with simply dropping the widely popular post-hardcore album Infinite Void in 2024, With Sails Ahead decided to don their heavy hats and release rager “Y.E.R (Your Eternal Ring)”, channeling an energy akin to that of A Lot Like Birds’ material. Sierra displays their ability to throw down which should make for a barnstormer for those lucky enough to see With Sails Ahead live in the near future.
FFO: Foxing, Harm & Hail The Sun
Blossom Decay – Fragments Of A Life I Will Never Know (feat. Clemens Dethroned) (Independent)
Blossom Decay showcase a juxtaposition of vocals on their single “Fragments Of A Life I Will Never Know”. Obliterating heavy screams are contrasted with the mournful delivery of “will I ever find peace?”. It’s a track that is packed with emotional weight and perfect moments of heaviness. If this is a sign of what is to come from Blossom Decay, they will become a breakthrough act in 2025.
FFO: Dying Wish, Balmora & Durendal
Airline – Bloodspiller (Independent)
Following on from “Coma”, Airline’s latest track “Bloodspiller” showcased that they are a shoegaze band that everyone with an ear for the genre should be keeping tabs on. A unique vocal sound that floats above the guitars, allowing the lyrics to tell their story while the instrumental have free range to shred and soar. In the closing section the bass leads the charge, crafting Airline‘s most emotive moment yet.
FFO: Trauma Ray, Post Heaven & Gloam
Erythh – girl (Independent)
In what has been a standout year for breakcore, with the likes of Nedaj, DEVILGIRL and MANAPOOL elevating the quality of the genre, Ertythh has delivered a series of gems in 2024 including latest effort “girl”. A heartfelt and subtle track that captures the ear at every moment. While brief in nature, closes out another year for one of the genre’s finest artists.
FFO: Trashii, AKIBA & Ftflframe