Suffer UK – Pendulum of Vengeance
Release Date: 13 March 2026
Some utter filth arrived last month from British metal outfit Suffer UK. ‘Pendulum of Vengeance’ is the first release for the band following some changes to the line-up and it seems another level has been found. Thumping drums, pulsating guitars and piercing vocals are contrasted for the most part buy a delightful synth to back it up. That is until the breakdown slows everything down to see the track out. Get yourself stomping along to this one.
Droll Man – Have a Tolerant Evening
Release Date: 1st February 2026
Pulling in a bit of rock, a bit of post and huge chunk of grunge are British rockers Droll Man with ‘Have a Tolerant Evening’, a delightfully warm sentiment that many in the world just don’t seem to be able to manage. Showcasing the timeless ‘quiet-loud-quiet’ technique but with the quieter sections being almost dreamlike is a wonderful combination that gives the song an intimate feeling. At least until that unleashing in the chorus.
Sugar Horse – Ex-Human Shield
Release Date: 12th March 2026
Remember the days when bands had song titles that were actually interesting? Granted that was mostly in the pop-punk arena but still, we’re grateful that Sugar Horse continue their trend of being consistently interesting. ‘Ex-Human Shield’ is their latest release, one that continues to meld together contrasting elements in a way that can’t be confined to a genre. Where you’re expecting melody, it jumps to chaos, where you’re expecting to be led down a dark alley, sunshine erupts. One of very few bands that implore multiple listens.
Cranked – Seductive
Release Date: 19th March 2026
Over to the U-S-of-A to take in a bit of Cranked, a band with a name that screams 70s punk, but a sound that delivers something entirely different. Hardcore vocals, post-metal elements and then sections where all hell breaks loose mean that ‘Seductive’ is a track that keeps you on your toes – or more importantly banging that head and screaming along.
Desk Job. – Maybe Someday
Release Date: 27th March 2026
Taking a very different path next is Desk Job. and ‘Maybe Someday’ (not a sequel to that Stereophonics song). A delightfully quaint voicemail from ‘Mum and Dad’ to open the track before delicate vocals over and the nostalgia sets in. This isn’t a track you’ll be bouncing around to, more likely one that will have you welling up before you’ve even worked out why. Good luck singing along to this through the flood.
Unsafe – Foam
Release Date: 23rd January 2026
Some French metalcore sends us off into the night with ‘Foam’ from Unsafe, a track that will have your neck hurting by the end of its relatively short run time. Despite the opening feeling very ‘early KSE’, the track develops from its initial groove through atmospheric to a breakdown led headbanger, all in two and half minutes. Lovely.