Column Releases You May Have Missed
RELEASES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Singles, July 2026
Returns from TOAST, Coma Witch, spill. and Invasion HC ensured that July was already a month full of singles that captured the eye and drew attention away from the hefty album release schedule. Festival season always brings an array of new singles, and this year saw the likes of unpeople drop “Friends” alongside their album announcement, and Employed To Serve impress on “A Moment Gone Too Soon” ahead of a string of appearances on the continent. In amongst these were some gems, which we now take a look at.
Sandbroker — Butterfly
GRIT
Taking their rock-infused alternative sound and sprinkling it with elements of nu-metal, Sandbroker have crafted a soundscape that rewards the attentive ear on “Butterfly”. Vocal melodies with a swagger to them sit alongside riffs that stick, while turntable squeaks and electronic pings in the background give the whole thing a subtle atmospheric edge. One of the many standout vocal performances across this feature, Sandbroker are a band who could make ripples both in their native Australia and in the UK. – Hayley
FFO: Eat your Heart Out, Press Club & Ómoia
Clearframe — The Weight
Independent
Clearframe channel that paced and grand feeling found in post-hardcore from the 00s that has almost become lost in time. It’s one that usually came with a slightly overdramatised music video, yet its emotive drive always made them memorable. The soaring vocals that are present across “The Weight”, driven by energy and emotion, make for an unshakable listen. Tracks like this are filling a place in the post-hardcore scene that has been yearned for, with lyrics to be scribbled away on blogs or the front of notepads, like many used to do. – Joe
FFO: Cul(ture), Future Palace & Dayseeker
Doll Cutter — Deliver Me
Independent
Californian alt metal band Doll Cutter‘s second release with their new vocalist (Lauren Woomer) is another step in a very promising direction. “Deliver Me” is accompanied by an unsettling but illustrative and weighty music video that is a must-watch for any listener of this track. Informed by the band’s personal lives and professional experiences in the mental health field, “Deliver Me” supports the healing process of anyone who has suffered from any sort of childhood trauma, with the added bonus of being embellished with powerful vocals. – Hayley
FFO: Sixth Wonder, KNIFE BRIDE & Evanescence
STATIC — Split
Independent
STATIC appear to have popped up in the Brisbane and Gold Coast scene in early 2025, with their social media accounts indicating that they are a reasonably regular fixture at small venue and dive bar shows in the region. Now, they’ve dropped their very first single “Split“, and we’ve been fortunate to stumble across it on the other side of the world. “Split” is an intense and head-bopping alt metal track, packed with fierce screams that are complemented by more ethereal vocals. STATIC have made a striking first impression with this one – hopefully we will get to hear more. – Hayley
FFO: Band, Band & Band
Filthbound — Ash Lingers Where Light Once Stayed
Hellbound Records
Indonesia continues to put out some of the best metalcore going at the moment that the likes of xHELLRAZORx and Ornament have shown. Filthbound are now the latest addition to that roster. They are taking big metallic riffs and harsh vocals that could be a battle march on “Ash Lingers Where Light Once Stayed”. These then bleed into the soaring melodic breakdowns that Killswitch Engage perfected back in the 00s. With the production and stylings down to perfection, Filthbound have tapped into something special here. – Joe
FFO: Long Goodbye, Four Winds Away & Faced Out
Laughter — Slime
Venn Records
There’s the grunge-meets-indie rock style to Laughter that the genre has sorely missed, and with an added slice of dreamy nostalgia, “Slime” makes for something truly enchanting. The noisy time-signature changes, plucked chords, and reverbed riffs ensures that “Slime” isn’t one-dimensional; it’s these moments that subtly blend together to reward repeat listens. These moments are layered in with vocals that float through the track with a haunting force that draws the ear in. Laughter seemed primed to be the next act to breakthrough in this genre. – Joe
FFO: Nostalgia Bias, Fanchon & Superheaven
Featherfall — monochrome
Independent
As the Cheltenham local scene continues to blossom, July saw Featherfall join the ranks. We’re deeply impressed with their debut “monochrome”. It’s channeling the post-hardcore sound of yesteryear with its MP3 player styled production, blending in visceral screams and melodic cleans. Feartherfall’s sound will add to what is an already broad palette within the scene, and much like their contemporaries, is packed with quality. We look forward to catching them down The Swan on the 14th August alongside other local bands. – Joe
FFO: Flyleaf, spill. & rozemary
Dance — Two-track
CDG Records/Beyond Alive
One of Australia’s finest exports, up-and-coming metalcore titans Dance dropped a two-track single to celebrate their co-headliner with California’s Anvilchandelier. Honing their craft, Dance have doubled down on their melodic element, leaning into their namesake and commanding carnage. Sing-along choruses, shout-back gang vocals, and a barrel load of memorable riffs, there’s nothing not to love here. Show off your style, throw some fists, and dance your heart out. – Jack W
FFO: Ends In Tragedy, IMISSYOUALREADY & Postal
Fleahouse — As The Chain Falls Loose
Independent
Sheffield duo Fleahouse continue their impressive run of singles, with “As The Chains Falls” showing their penchant for their technically proficient metalcore sound. Blending the grit and heaviness of metalcore, with noodling riffs that crescendo into a chugging breakdown, the mainly instrumental sound that Fleahouse have one is that is eerily captivating. – Joe
FFO: 156/Silence, Living Weapon & Mouthbreather
