“This persistent sense of permanence is all I have.“
For many of us here at Boolin, Ones To Watch is a favourite feature, allowing us to dig into the DIY scene and spotlight many up-and-coming and on-the-cusp artists that you may not have heard of. You may have noticed us doing just that through our New Music Friday and Releases You May Have Missed features; however, the Ones To Watch piece is a definitive space for us to target these newer artists, allowing us to provide a more focused insight into some of the best new music. We’re in a lucky position here, being able to discover these newer artists through a variety of means, whether that be through catching their set live, being recommended to them by a friend, or, for some of us, purely by being perpetually online.
As you might imagine, it’s remarkably tough for us to narrow things down to twenty-five bands only, but it’s absolutely one of the most satisfying processes we have. We’ve been lucky enough to witness the rise of many bands over the years, such as Spiritbox, whom many of us had followed from inception due to members migrating from previous projects. Some will have fond memories of Turnstile performing in tiny rooms across London, Leeds, and Sheffield, and will still be following them now, selling out massive rooms such as Alexandra Palace. Being able to witness an artist rise and grow is something remarkable, and it’s all the more special when you’ve formed a connection with them early on in their careers. That is why, for us, this piece is always one of the most exciting to write. Being able to shout out bands who we firmly believe will make it big someday, and letting you, the reader, get in on the ground floor and be along with them for the journey.
Over the years, we’ve featured many familiar names, with the likes of Indifferent Engine, False Reality, Lake Malice, and Heriot all gracing our lists over the last few years. Whilst many of these bands may still be on their journey, they’ve all gone on to become UK mainstays and have begun to make waves internationally as well. We’re in a particularly privileged spot, and have been able to cover many of the bands we’ve included in these lists, with a handful going on to place in our album/EP of the year lists at the back end of the year. We’ve got some fantastic examples of this, such as Wounded Touch, who took a coveted spot in our Albums Of The Year piece for 2025, Shooting Daggers, who we had the pleasure of catching live all across the country including a huge set at Burn It Down, or Static Dress, who we’ve been on the forefront of covering since their inception, with Jack’s lore post being a fan-favourite. Our criteria for this list are strict, and we try to target bands who appreciate the support, are doing something different, and set to give those who follow them sheer enjoyment. We steer clear of gimmicks, industry-backed clowns, and self-proclaimed “revivalists” preaching that they’re looking to “bring back gigging”. We’re not sorry for any of this. If you think putting on a mask makes a band interesting, then you won’t find much here. We care about substance above all else, and if you cared about the scene, you would too.
In all honesty, this year’s list has proven to be one of the most challenging yet for us. Much of the musical hierarchy is settling now, after plenty of disruption at the turn of the decade. This challenge has put us in a position to actually sit down and dig through our suggestions, leading to many heated internal debates. The result, we think, is our most stringent Ones To Watch lists to date. We firmly believe that every artist here brings something unique to the table. Without further delay, please enjoy our picks for Ones To Watch for 2026.
concealer.
Anthony: concealer. have been making a name for themselves around the Florida scene since they dropped their stellar first EP dissonance [all that keeps me away] in July 2024. While the EP made waves when it dropped, the double single [ tarnished | ableedingsky ] was like a tsunami. Their blend of old school metalcore had them tour across the east with labelmates and contemporaries withpaperwings and Postal, and sign with the heavyweights in Zegema Beach Records and Ephyra. They have since released the powerful “…And the Sunlight Spoke” to instant success amongst their core fanbase and fans of the genre. With promises of more on the way, whatever the band does will surely be a triumph for metalcore.
FFO: Holder, I Promised the World & Elden Ring
Juicebox
Jack W: Texas is rife with talent, playing host to some of the country’s best up-and-coming talent with the likes of Fromjoy, Omerta, and Bleed seeing huge success already. What’s been lacking is a forerunner to showcase pure, unfiltered hardcore from the state, and that is exactly where Juicebox comes in. Bringing their raw, riffy, unfiltered sound to the scene, every moment is inherently danceable and demands that you shout along with vocalist Jess. There’s so much to be said for not overcomplicating things, and Juicebox gets that, keeping it simple and doing it damn well. With a smattering of tracks out now across a few releases, we’re confident that 2026 is their year to seize, and they’ll undoubtedly see themselves on lineups across the country in no time.
FFO: Jivebomb, Gouge Away & Regulate
Afraid To Die
Dobbin T: When it comes to hardcore, Boolin Tunes loves beatdown-mosh music as much as the next spin-kicker (admittedly, we’re mostly retired from actually moving by now). However, many have noted the modern wave can be a bit too obsessed with crowd-stirring moments, endlessly alternating between two-step patterns and riff-gets-slower-please-start-crowdkilling fury. There’s plenty of room for a more balanced diet; bands that can’t be described using fret numbers like “0-1-2-1” alone. Some strong examples of 2025 are Still In Love and Wounded Touch, who inject a dose of the classic 00s sound into their moves. The first single from Afraid To Die, “Stigmata Bleeds”, fits perfectly alongside these acts. The band proudly names the Belgian ‘H8000’ hardcore scene, a reference that will send most hxc kids scrambling to the history books (ourselves absolutely included). If you need any more oldhead certification, know that the band is composed of members who have bounced around all sorts of projects, with Svalbard and Devil Sold His Soul being the major household names. Whether it’s more singles, an EP, or simply just a new staple for the UK’s live circuit, we are hereby seated for a schooling from the old guard.
FFO:
Soap Box Derby
Joe: As the deathcore and metalcore revival has over the past few years, 2026 will surely be the year that the screamo revival gets the flowers it deserves. While many screamo bands such as For Your Health and Boneflower have begun to cut through, there hasn’t yet been a screamo act that has towered across genres like many of their counterparts in other genres have, such as PSYCHO-FRAME and Killing Me Softly. Yet it feels that, given the foothold the genre established in 2025, this might just be the year it happens, and the band to be at the forefront of that will be Soap Box Derby. Blending old school screamo shrieks with gorgeous ‘gaze-esque that yell an emotiveness that rattles through the soul, the contrast between these two vocal styles makes for a captivating listening experience and one that is yearned to be returned to. If their dual single of “a window between us / bitter apparition” is an indicator of what soap box derby have on the horizon, they might just be the act that breaks through and sees screamo capture the wider audience it has long deserved.
FFO: at first, at first, my point of you & Rosasharin
imissyoualready
Jack W: We’ve seen the metalcore revival slowly chugging away for some time now, with 2025 seemingly being its seminal year. Included in that was the inception of North East outfit imissyoualready, who found themselves quickly jumping on many star-studded lineups despite having no studio recordings released. Supporting False Reality, Kaonashi, and God Complex, to name a few, imissyoualready quickly built up a reputation within the UK scene, which was then followed up with an announcement of a full release being in the works to be released via The Coming Strife. Whilst this is yet to surface, we do not doubt that, given their already incredible live presence, this release will be huge for the band and will shoot them to the top of the scene along with the likes of Killing Me Softly, Long Goodbye, and Crowquill. There must be something in the water up North, and whatever it is, it’s leading to a lot of exciting new music.
FFO: Buggin, Mortality Rate & Hands Of God
Federal Death Alliance
Shane C: Revalist newcomers Federal Death Alliance dropped audible nukes on listeners in August of last year with Leave No Trace of Human Life. Unforgiving and fifth-gear deathcore front to back, Federal Death Alliance are among the few revival acts that can make every second sound like a full-fledged breakdown, and keep monotony non-existent to boot. With their follow-up EP, Ashen Paradise, set to drop on February 6, Federal Death Alliance could potentially reduce us to cosmic waste before 2026 truly takes off.
FFO: Mauled, Rev3rent & PSYCHO-FRAME
Monroe.
Joe: Drawing on the post-hardcore strain of the early 00s, most notably of My Chemicals Romace’s I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, Monroe are the latest UK act to prove that the sound is alive and well within the UK scene. Emboldening the sound with heavier screamo and ‘core elements, Monroe has pieced together a sound that will have a room spin-kicking and throwing hands one minute, then singing along to whined emo-esque choruses the next. With two tracks already pencilled in and every detail dialled in, from production to artwork, the quartet are locking onto the UK’s blossoming post-hardcore scene, and we’re convinced they’re on track to become its next major force.
FFO: Sunday Best, Static Dress & Slut Intent
Black Mould
Jack W: If you know Boolin Tunes, then you already know that we love a good, straightforward hardcore band. There’s something to be said for mastering the basics and keeping things fresh without needing to throw in random experimental sounds, and this is exactly where Black Mould shines. Inherently groovy, everything they touch is an instant earworm, wriggling its way into your subconscious and forcing you to move. DIY done right, they wear their hearts on their sleeves. There’s no gimmick, no silly jokes, just pure, unfiltered hardcore here, and it’s performed impeccably well. Having caught them live a few times now, we’ve seen them improve show after show, gaining confidence and fully leaning into their craft. With little more than an EP and a handful of singles to their name, Black Mould are already proving to be contenders for the next up-and-coming hardcore stars, and with the prospect of new material being on the horizon, we eagerly await their next move.
You can catch Black Mould at the upcoming GLHC Show @ The Frog and Fiddle on February 7th, tickets can be found here.
FFO: Hour Of Reprisal, BIND. & Nothin’ But Enemies
xHELLRAZORx
Mais: Formed in 2023 in East Java, Indonesia, xHellrazorx blends hardcore punk energy with heavy, metallic riffing and dystopian aesthetics, drawing on influences across nu-metal and brutal metallic hardcore sounds. Last year saw the band release two debut singles, “Frozen Paradise” and “Wear Your Mark”, before joining with xDerisionx on a two-track split. Both have artwork reminiscent of early 2000’s video games complimenting the sound of the band, and if straight edge is defined by strength and conviction, their sound delivers both through every riff and breakdown. With the early releases already making a huge impact, xHellrazorx have already established themselves as ones to keep an eye on, straight edge or not.
FFO: straight edge, PlayStation pause menus & xApothecaryx
chrryobsessed
Anthony: chrryobsessed burst onto the metalcore scene last May with their demo EP A Simple Turn of Events, instantly causing a stir throughout Texas as they performed with other genre-pushing acts like crossways.3000, fallfiftyfeet, and Rosasharin. With the release of As the Clock Spins Backwards, the band pushed their sound to new heights, and now, promising its inclusion on an upcoming EP, we do not doubt that chrryobsessed will be making a massive, emotive mark across the scene this year.
FFO: SeeYouSpaceCowboy, old Wristmeetrazor & Crowquill
LILA
Anthony: It’s few and far between that a band’s debut can strike such a chord amongst fans, but with LILA, that’s exactly what happened. After releasing their equally depressing yet powerful debut EP, you can’t fix everything, last year, the band immediately went back into the studio to write a follow-up, something which had fans excited immediately. Having teased us with studio teasers throughout 2025, along with releasing the downtempo powerhouse “I Destroyed My Own Home” on December 1st, our hopes are unbelievably high. One thing is certain: LILA will undoubtedly release yet another genre-defining release, and with it, introduce more and more people to their soul-crushing sound.
FFO: SABELLA, Sworn In & Villains
hereswhereitallends
Shane C: Self-proclaimed jamcore quintet, hereswhereitallends, unleashed debut single “We Bare Bears!” in mid-2025 with everything scene kids had been reminiscing of for a long time: Staple metalcore riffs, warped production, and a soft, spoken word bridge. Many argue that the resurgence of the early-era sound may result in an explosion of popularity that dwarfs the early 2000s. Given how much the revival era extended beyond the niche underground in 2025, there’s a lot of merit to the aforementioned notion. hereswhereitallends, with potentially more material to bestow upon us in 2026, will play a massive part in exacerbating what already feels like incalculable infatuation with the core renaissance.
FFO: Any last words, As we lose blood & Broken By Silence
car underwater
Jack W: Self-proclaimed Los Angeles Emo outfit, car underwater, quickly found themselves on our radar with the release of their debut single, “Calling This Healing”, back in December. A supergroup of sorts, comprised of current and past members of Momma, Stick To Your Guns, and Militarie Gun, the band effortlessly captures the nostalgic sound of early 2000s post-hardcore a la The Used. Whilst we’ve seen many attempt this sound over the last few years, few capture it so effortlessly, and given this is a debut single, there’s undoubtedly more to come. We’ve seen many genres undergo a renaissance over the last decade, and now, more than ever, feels like post-hardcore’s time to shine once again. Static Dress were ahead of the curve with this when they started a few years back, and it now feels that others are ready to step up to the plate, with car underwater being a clear breakthrough contender already.
FFO: The Used, Underoath & tight-fitting jeans with graphic print band tees
Viatorem
Joe: After years of writing heavy hitters, culminating in their 2023 debut, And Yet The Earth Remained, it was last year’s “Nakba” that Viatorem truly showcased their potential. It would appear that in the years since their debut EP, they’ve been enhancing their songwriting, as “Nakba” conveys the grief and sense of injustice still blazing out from the track’s lyrics, delivered with a snarl and anger. The haunting vocals from Zeli only add to this atmosphere, with a chanted chorus that feels straight out of the 00s metalcore sound. Each instrumental and riff work has also been taken up to a different level, all of which only confirms a band now fully confident and sure of their sound. This can only lead to Viatorem crafting further singles and hopefully a record that will showcase Viatorem as one of the UK’s strongest metalcore upstarts.
FFO: Fit For An Autopsy, Lowen & The Acacia Strain
Vivarium
Shane C: Two’s company, concerning the number of New Music Friday features Vivarium found themselves on for us in 2025. Pitch-forked triad, “MERCILESS”, “BRUTALITY”, and “DEAD EYED”, put us through the wringer at every turn, with bass drops that could blanket the earth in cyanide-laced fog. Throw in some Mortal Kombat samples, and we are truly bringing it back to the old days. Deathcore of this abrasive sort is becoming an increasingly hot commodity to almost counteract modern fatigue, and Vivarium are primed for a dominant run in 2026 should they decide to release another slew of singles or a full-length debut.
FFO: Digest The Womb, Backbone & Root
Antrisch
Kieran: Atmosphere is the key component of great black metal music, as much as raw aggression or despair combined with crusty production are key pillars of black metal, none of that matters without atmosphere. Antrisch has a unique approach to this ideal, with their lyrics, image, and music all embodying historical expeditions to the most brutal and extreme parts of our planet. The band name Antrisch, a word used by Reinhold Messner in his book The Crystal Horizon, meaning eerie or strange, became the foundation of the band’s running concept. The latest example of this is 2023 debut album EXPEDITION II: Die Passage, with its lyrics a retelling of Franklin’s Lost Expedition, a failed Arctic expedition in which the entire crew had perished after becoming icebound. A concept as unique as this one, alongside incredible songwriting, makes for an uncompromisingly cold and bleak atmosphere in which this story relishes. With Antrisch’s first foray into UK territory coming soon after being booked for Fortress Festival and their third expedition being triangulated for a 2026 release, we are eagerly awaiting their arrival at the Boolin Tunes basecamp.
FFO: Rotting Christ, Agalloch & Deafheaven
Prodigal
Joe: A determined and passionate following has emerged around Prodigal this year, whether it’s clamouring nu-metal fans online, or the following they’ve amassed primarily in the South West, which saw them win Cheltenham’s Metal to the Masses and perform on Bloodstock’s New Blood Stage. While Prodigal do explore the grungaze side that touches on nu-metal influences on their latest single “Sleepwalk”, it is on “Forever//Forgot” that they flex their true prowess. A track that wouldn’t be out of place on Kerrang TV back in the 00s or a promo video during WWE’s Ruthless Aggression era. Their sound has a rough and grazing edge that you could be mistake it as a release from the era it’s influenced by. Seemingly amping up their production and tightening their songwriting, 2025’s successes opened up the path for Prodigal, and this will now be the year that they walk through it to become one of the UK’s most exciting and unique acts.
FFO: Edgewater, Deftones & Bleed
Fucked With Rats
Shane C: Deriving your namesake from a Devourment song bears a lot of weight in terms of living up to even a fraction of that amount of sonic tonnage, and Fucked With Rats answered the bell in 2025 with dual-single “Rodent Rot” and “ABSORBED BY ANGUISH”. As unfetteringly raw as scabbed brutal death metal goes, perhaps this is the BDM equivalent of intercourse with disease-ridden vermin. With no signs of resting on their laurels, given how this slew of tracks turned out, Fucked With Rats appear primed for another pest-plentiful, saucepan snare and pinch-filled rendezvous in 2026.
FFO: Devourment, Gamma Sector & Visceral Disgorge
Convey
Joe: Convey is a band that we’ve mulled on putting in Ones To Watch in previous years, as all the signs showed they have the potential to become a mainstay of the UK heavy scene. With plenty of shows under their belts and a showing at the Bloodstock New Blood stage in 2024, their nu-core sound has evidently cut through at a local level. Yet now, with the recent single “Eternal” off their forthcoming EP, A PLACE IN HELL FOR US BOTH, Convey are showing they have what it takes to cut through across the UK, and beyond. The production work of Sam Bloor has levelled-up their nu-core sound, giving it the weight akin to the likes of Break Fifty, whilst infusing a flair of the 00s nu-metal sound akin to Black Coast. Once their sophomore EP drops on February 18th, we do not doubt that their path to UK icon status will be set in motion, and it’s just a matter of time ’til we see them on lineups all across the country.
FFO: Graphic Nature, Black Coast & Starve
Sugar
Anthony: Sugar has been making quite a name for themselves in the Texas scene over the last year, seeing themselves perform with powerhouses like Girl of Glass, Kaonashi, and The Callous Daoboys before even releasing an ounce of music. In mid-December, the band finally shared a Google Drive link of demos, finally giving us a more concrete look into the potential they have with their masterful blend of screamo, breakcore, and that beloved Texas sound. Moving into 2026, with the promise of a full EP on the way, we fully expect Sugar to be a household name for the breakcore and screamo scenes by the end of the year.
FFO: Soulkeeper, Fromjoy & OG Xbox games
Dogs Out
Joe: There is quite the hardcore scene brewing in Europe, with the likes of Sorcerer in France, Rescüe Cat in Italy and Desorden in Spain all blowing up as of late. Now Germany looks to join these ranks, with the likes of MINUS Youth and Defiance HC already coming to the forefront of the country’s scene. It’s a scene that is beginning to thrive, if not already, which is leading to plenty of bands emerging as part of this. One of these is Dogs Out, who run out of Cologne, and have developed an abrasive hardcore punk sound that will punch the ears awake. Packed with riffs that will have a room stomping and moving to their rhythm, alongside fighting vocals that inject a adrenaline to swing and dance to their command. Dog’s Out prove that German hardcore is becoming a force to be reckoned with, and we all better start packing our bags to go visit it.
FFO: Days Spent, Step 2 This & Bad Beat
Wildernesses
Joe: Blending the genres of shoegaze and post-rock, Wildernesses have already proven themselves as a stalwart act, with debut singles “Four Hour Drive” and “English Darkness”, which blew us away. This stems from their rich pedigree, including members of We Never Learned To Live, Earth Moves, and Late Night Fiction. This experience is shown through the rich and seasoned songwriting, thick with emotive heaviness and ambient textures. These tracks are only further tug at the emotions with their lyrical content, as vocalist Phillip Morris draws on their experience as a mental health nurse in the NHS, and explores the realities of psychiatric admission. As each release passes, it further proves the brilliance of Wildernesses, and their upcoming debut record will undoubtedly continue to prove this.
FFO: October Drift, Enemies & Bear’s Den
Glasshaven
Zena: Out of the ashes of Blind Summit come metalcore newcomers Glasshaven, who may only have two singles released in 2025, “Poisoning The Well” and “Sacrifice”, but are already garnering plenty of intrigue and anticipation. Pairing haunting, melodic vocals from vocalist Alexandra Angelini with crushing instrumentation, Glasshaven leans into dynamic drumming and reverb-soaked guitar riffs to craft a sound that feels both heavy and atmospheric.
FFO: Holding Absence, PAVÉ & Spiritbox
Slighted Hand
Joe: Now and then, a band pops up that captures our interest, despite not having a single piece of material out as of yet. Last year, this was Timepeace, but we’ve already seen the likes of Calm & Secure in 2026, who we clocked from teasers and lineup alone. Another band to add to this list is the South Wales unit Slighted Hand, whose teaser material hints at them being a promising new hardcore upstart for the region. Given there’s no material released yet, it’s hard to say exactly what they have planned, but with the quality of material being hinted at, we’ve got full faith that they won’t disappoint, and with them set to support Akuma in Swansea later in the month, we very much look forward to seeing what Slighted Hand are all about.
FFO: Perp Walk, Dry Socket & Concrete Jungle
Sawtega
Joe: Self-described Nettle-Core unit, Sawtega, have certainly impressed with their initial singles “Tower” and “Revenge”, with their nu-metal sound reminiscent of Kittie’s early 00s styling, yet with hints of grunge added in to give it a fresh edge. Brimming with grooves that you can’t help but latch onto, and vocal hooks which worm their way into the mind, the South Wales unit has an absolute knack for songwriting. With three EPs already planned, each of which is set to showcase a different side of their sound, Sawtega already hold bold ambitions, but with the talent they clearly possess, we have little doubt they will more than pull it off.
FFO: Monochrome, Thornhill & rozemary