From the depths of expressive symphonic metal, a sound uniting the guttural intensity of hard rock, with the euphoric lightness, passion and fluidity of opera. Divine Martyr celebrate ten years as a band, and the sublime arrangement of Bride In Waiting marks a bold and beautiful introduction to their 2026 album Fidem.
Hard Rock
WAZZARA capture a sound that’s both beautiful and unsettling, somehow both fierce and deeply calming, with the evocative depth and darkness of their new album ARBOR.
“Nullus Rex Means, “No King”, in Latin. The project was born after our president posted an image of himself as king. Knowing we would be a voice for political change we thought the name fit perfectly.”
Skilfully uniting darkness and optimism, genre-fusing multi-instrumentalist and rapper Jordan Patros delivers a deeply immersive and consciously captivating new album.
Alternative rock performer, storyteller and multi-instrumentalist Primordial Alien reaches the pinnacle of his creative output this year, delivering an album of conceptual weight, musical diversity, skill, playfulness, genre-fusion and cool but cutting narratives, as we dive into the brilliantly eclectic pop-punk and progressive rock vibrancy and shadows of Casus Belli.
Fiercely delivering a slice of iconic indie hard rock, with a twist of alternative grunge and something evocatively soulful, New Zealand four-piece Powder Chutes achieve a near-orchestral fullness with their heavy riffs, guitar solos, and faultless structural unity.
From the UK creative who dropped the intense genre fusion of Internal Combustion earlier this year, SEDATIVE is an explosive new blend of heavy metal and drum and bass, with haunting hard-rock vocals and intense distorted guitars, all leading through a truly intoxicating realm of terror and inner turmoil.
“All over the world people are used to being silenced, both in their personal lives by family and others who seek to control in subtle and unsubtle ways, and under the brute force of government, whether democratic or dictatorship. It’s a good time to be brazen and lose the fear impulse.”
Personification, metaphor, and all-round powerful songwriting elevate the appeal of an indie band well and truly paving their own way. Glasgow’s Revelation 23 have that something fresh and fascinating to their sound, something topical and piercing about their sense of purpose, their rebellious intrigue, and Veal is a fine dedication to the craft.
The spider, the web, the build up, the choreography, the drum playing – Ok Goodnight are great then sensational with this release, and the latter half is unmissable as the song evolves and ultimately peaks; noting a kind of hard rock crescendo at the finish that’s no doubt phenomenal in the live setting.
Brilliant punk-rock writing and a passionate all-together-now recording introduces the timeless and aptly-titled volume of French band GRINFAITH’s intoxicating anthem RIOT.
The brilliant Lion Drome continue their climb, this time briefly softening the mood with something sultry, funky, but ultimately dark and intense in its commitment to concept. Featuring lush vocals, expressive and fluid, with long-form verse melodies that descend and satisfy with charm and character, Goodnight Sleep Tight is a compelling taste of the upcoming … Continued