Half Me – Quitter Talk
Release Date: 19th January 2024
Reviewed By: Alex Boyd
Half Me have delivered us another instalment of punishing riffs with ‘Quitter Talk’ via Arising Empire. This new single follows on from previous song ‘Concrete Ceiling’, offering the listener relentless drums and guitar lines that walk a fine line between modern metalcore and deathcore. Like other upcomers in this style, they have adopted a melodic and soaring clean chorus to contrast with the crushing heaviness of the rest of the track. Towards the end of the track the band drop a ridiculously heavy breakdown, sure to send limbs flying at their live shows. Half Me combine sounds we’ve heard from Thrown and HEAVENSGATE, presenting a fresh take on modern metalcore and proving they are one of the ones to watch in the modern heavy music scene this year.
STAR6IX – LIP$TICK
Release Date: 19th January 2024
Reviewed By: Tommy Rogers
The nu-metal revival continues as an ever-growing wave of new bands take to nostalgia in the modern landscape. Since their first release in 2022, SWARM6IX have been looking to take a slice of the pie.
The band’s latest single, LIP$TICK, looks to change up the formula up. Interlaced between the layers of nostalgia, elements of trap, grime and an overall sense of aggression, particularly evident in the verses is a chorus that breaks into a classic nu-metal melody. Catchy and effective throughout, backed by heavy drop-tuned guitars with a djentier rhythmic approach.
The cherry on top of this release, a tasteful breakdown reminiscent of modern Architects that is a guaranteed pit starter. SWARM6IX shows great maturity in this release for a band as young as they are. LIP$TICK could quickly become a stand out song for new and old nu-metal fans alike.
Profiler – Operator
Release Date: 19th January 2024
Reviewed By: Dan Arthur
Operator is the brand new single from Bristol’s own nu-nu-metallers, Profiler. Depending on whether or not you grew up on the Linkin Park’s and Limp Bizkit’s of the 00’s will play a part on how you take Profiler in. Though their no-nonsense approach to providing an instantly recognizable sound here is to be respected.
Operator offers just under three minutes worth of thumping riffs, bouncy jump-along drums and catchy as hell vocal melodies, which fall in line perfectly with the familiar nu-metal formula (record scratching included). There is also a slight change-up in the latter part of the track, which does include somewhat of a breakdown to up the pace for an extra kick.
It could be said that Operator plays like just another good nu-metal song, however the sound Profiler are putting out there is extremely tight, well crafted and sets out to be exactly what they want it to be. Regardless of whether or not the genre resurgence on display here resonates with you, it’s obvious that they’ve mastered the craft and do it well.
A Sight In Veracity – Grace Illustrator
Release Date: 18th January 2024
Reviewed By:Dan Hemming
Australian electronicore / metal mob A Sight In Veracity have released their latest single, Grace Illustrator, a four-minute march through a variety of genres.
Kicking us off with a variety of enticing beats that wouldn’t have gone amiss introducing a Mad Capsule Markets track, the two-piece then lay onslaught to the preconceptions that some have when ‘electro’ elements are brought into metal. Though those opinions are waning these days, track like this will help as the pure ferocity at which the lyrics are thrown out in the verses is spectacular before soaring chorus vocals are backed up with pounding industrial-style riffs and drums.
An overall triumph and proof that you don’t need eight band members to make one hell of a noise.