As the end of the year draws closer, we spend a little more time focusing on some underground tracks that we missed first time round.
39th Gate of Hell – LOVE HEARTS
Release Date: 1st August 2025
It’s nice to be taken by surprise by a song sometimes and ‘Love Hearts’ from UK-based but multicultural outfit 39th Gate of Hell does just that. An energetic opening 30-odd seconds of good old garage punk is dismissed by a swift 180° as Turkish-born spoken word artist Ayse Balkose takes centre stage, feeling like a mate talking to you in a bar. It’s these verse sections that really make the song check out, with the chorus acting as catchy respite.
Ryan Butler – We’re Not Lovers
Release Date: 8th August 2025
If you’re looking for a full blown rock track that brings fuzzy guitars together with hard-hitting lyrics, Ryan Butler is your guy. Released in the summer, ‘We’re Not Lovers’ is a proper, classic rock style song that is wrapped up in a contemporary blanket.
Hell Hotel – promises.
Release Date: 11th September 2025
Modern alt-rock has evolved in almost all ways, but it feels like the biggest development has been the insanely huge choruses. ‘promises.’ is a great example of this, starting out slowly and growing into itself over the course of the first minute before exploding into the first of those soaring centrepieces. Stunning vocals throughout drive this song.
One of Many – Synthetic
Release Date: 29th August 2025
With a band name that can summarise so much of the metalcore genre, it’s nice to hear that One of Many don’t just sound like a copy/paste job. A booming intro is supported by progressive, electronic elements to make ‘Synthetic’ a song that stands out against a tepid backdrop. Simple cleans, support controlled screams and come together to form a delightfully heavy yet danceable track.
KC Blackwater – Machina Vult
Release Date: 12th September 2025
A unique name and sound in the indie punk scene in the UK, KC Blackwater are forging a niche as all good bands need to do these days. Melding together the frustration of modern day life with funky guitars and a mixture of hard and alt rock, tracks like ‘Machina Vult’ are a perfect example of how modern punk has split into so many subgenres, but at its heart is raw and real.
Ahsoka – Godless Country
Release Date: 4th September 2025
Ahsoka continue to release banger after banger and are a band for whom it is a matter of when, not if, they will explode. ‘Pretty Machine’ from earlier this year is the perfect intro to the band, but ‘Godless Country’ feels like their marker in the sand. The track’s primary intention is venting their frustrations at the UK government’s lack of interest in human suffering, but as a by-product it showcases the range of vocalist Rhiannon John. For the band at least, the future is bright.
Black Budget – Grump
Release Date: 12th September 2025
Frenetic punk from North America sees Canadian outfit Black Budget romp through a couple of minutes of pure energy. Starting off snarling and frenetic, moving through stomping and with a funky little guitar lick towards the end. ‘Grump’ may be the stoner-tinged-punk surprise of the year.
Ramonda Hammer – Hush Money
Release Date: 12th September 2025
With an intro that sometimes feels like Paramore mixed with Stevie Nicks’ ‘Edge of Seventeen’, Ramona Hammer are a band that clearly have influences but, thankfully, are using them to create something unique. Vocals that range from huge notes to conversational, drums that implore you dance supported by gritty guitars. You’ll be singing along to this in no time.