In their new single "Midnight Stars", Indiana emo outfit Mega Manhattan seeks to use varying time signatures, colorful lyrics, and just a touch of sampling to create an ethereal, dreamlike feeling, and they achieve it admirably. Equal parts romantic and restrained, this one manages to be a heartstring-tugger without losing its listenability. You feel the longing but you enjoy the experience, and that's not an easy thing to do. Catchy and cerebral, this one is a must-listen fo

Man, I sure do love dynamic music. So often love songs, songs of longing for "the good old days" are arranged in slow, sad tempos. Painful and depressing, they serve a purpose and I'm not disparaging that, but I'll also submit that it sure is nice to hear an uptempo, rocking love song every now and again too. With their new offering "Lincoln Ave", Slow Drag proves they're anything but what their name implies. Sentimental, romantic emo delivered by a very capable group of tale

Well, Harker is a helluva good band. There's so much anger, dissent and aggression in today's punk and metal, and it's most welcome and more necessary than ever. But with their new song, "No Radio", Harker hones in on some emotional elements that many others miss. Passion. Heart. Inspiration. Reminds me of another oft-overlooked UK band from a bygone era: Snuff. Bouncing Souls a bit too, but more in feeling than literal similarity. In a sea of galloping skate-punk beats and m

Undulating time signatures collide with dual male and female vocals to create a song that is equal parts heavy and soft, sour and sweet. It's as if the listener alternates between a really good massage and a speedbag pummeling, and that's a compliment. Her Name Was Claire's new single, "Battered and Broken" (I prefer mine battered and deep fried. Ba-dum-pish.) utilizes considerable tools and talent to create a sound that's not quite emo, not quite hard rock and not quite hard

On the surface, the new offering from punk/rock outfit STAGE FRIED is a good song. Catchy chorus, driving rhythm, slightly subdued vocals that actually juxtapose quite well against the rock backdrop. If you dig a bit deeper, however, you get a band who is utilizing music in a way that I think is primary to the point of music in the first place: to stand up for something. In this case, as in many others lately, that something is political. The songs conveys the performer's dis

A dash of Against Me, a scoche of Face to Face, and sprinkle the slightest bit of emo on top, and you have the new track "Romeo" by the DIY punk rockers Lady Susan. Upbeat without being saccharine, heavy without being pummeling, this one checks a lot of boxes, and I really enjoyed it. Good production for a DIY project and some great gang vocals, what's not to love? These days, with recording technology being what it is, it's my opinion that DIY is the way to go unless you've

Trickstate deliver a pounding, pummeling metal sound with impressive dual-screamers and a big, anthemic sound with their new single, “Static Truth”. This one would be just as applicable in the gym or while training as it would in the chaos of the pit. Booming drums, a baseline so low that you almost feel rather than hear it, subtly political and brashly defiant lyrics and screams and growls that peel paint off the walls, this one checks all the boxes for Metal Core/Hardcore

Ya know, sometimes I feel like a real asshole. Here are The Inkreats, a very talented Street Punk band singing and playing their hearts out about an unnamed someone who has clearly upset them greatly, and I catch myself bouncing up and down like I'm listening to the frickin' Go Go's. The subject of the song, according to the lyrics, has destroyed their future and all I'm doing is having fun and smiling like an idiot. Is this wrong? Was this the plan all along? I have no idea,

"MONO" is a new single released earlier this Summer by Germany-based metal band Shapes in the Mirror. Coming fully equipped with ripping instrumentals, powerful vocal flows, and spot-on production work, this is a wild ride that any fan of the genre is going to love. We added the single to our Heavy Heavy Heavy playlist on Spotify. You can jam along to the new tune below. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow the band so you can stay on top of what else they have goin

"Subliminal" is a single released at the beginning of the Summer by Sixty Lumens. Boasting a dynamic blend of styles rooted in the world of Alt-Rock, Metal, and Hard Rock, this track stands out by delivering a refreshing sound that any fan of the genre is going to love. Whether it's the powerful vocal flows, hypnotic songwriting, or the heavy-handed and melodic instrumentals, "Subliminal" will pull you in and leave you wanting more. What a release! We added the single to our

"Bridge Burner" is a single dropped earlier this Summer by El Paso based hardcore band Cnvct. Pulling you in with a heavy handed and melodic instrumental, this track boasts powerful vocal flows, spot-on production work, and a viciously infectious energy. Unique transitions keep you engaged from start to finish as listeners are handed an anthemic display of songwriting that any fan of the Metal world is going to love. You can check out the new tune below. We also added it to o

SCUM FU won't be played during any ballets, or featured in any Rom Coms any time soon, and I have a feeling they're just fine with that. But if you're in need of a grimy, guttural, driving hardcore number with death metal growls, look no further than "I hope You Like what I've Done with the Place", the new offering from the Australian duo. It's mean, a little cheeky and scummy as all hell and sometimes, that's just what the doctor ordered. We added the single to our Undergrou

Juxtaposition. That's a word, right? Damn right it is, it's a great word. Want me to use it in a sentence? Fine, smarty pants, check this out: In their new song, Pluto The Racer finds a beautiful juxtaposition between melancholy and hope. Sorrow and elevation. Ha! And my 8th grade English teacher said I'd never amount to anything. Suck it, Mr. Daniels! Jangly, full guitar sounds combine with a dissonant but very listenable melody and tempo to create an ethereal but strangely

There are a ridiculous number of geese who have recently taken up residence in my neighborhood lake, and they are a constant source of dismay. Their bowel movements can only be described as 'unsettling'. They are ornery, identical, hissing little cobra chickens and every day they cross a very busy intersection in droves, to the further dismay of myself and other motorists. (I could make a reference to the term 'goose stepping' here but I won't, you're welcome.) We all wait pa

In the band's own words, "Thanks To You" (Feat. Saph) is the focus track of the new Feelbacks album that celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the band's first record, and it tells the story of the strength of true love, capable of saving and uplifting a life during its darkest moments. Did I copy and paste their own words because I'm lazy? Normally the answer would be yes but for once, I simply couldn't have summed up the song any better myself. Could that be a small glimmer o

Sweden-based death metal band Toxaemia recently unleashed their new single, "End of the World". Pulling you in with heavy-handed instrumentals, this track wastes no time delivering powerful vocal flows, infectious energy, and impressive songwriting. What a release! You can jam along to the new single below. We also have it added to our Heavy Heavy Heavy playlist on Spotify. Make sure to follow Toxaemia so you can stay on top of what else they have going on. Enjoy! Toxaemia -

Hailing from Queens, NY, post-hardcore band At Risk just released their new track, "Lorazepam". One of the two songs from their debut release, this is a raw and emotional ride that boasts heartfelt lyrical work, ripping instrumentals, and anthemic songwriting. Unique transitions keep you on your toes, and before you know it, you'll find yourself smashing the replay button to experience this wild ride again. You can check out the new track below. We also have it added to our U

Sweden based band RESCAPE recently delivered their new single, "The Game Of Love". Boasting a bright and infectious punk rock energy, this is an inviting new tune that any fan of the genre will love. Whether it's the anthemic vocal performance, the ripping instrumentals, or the spot-on production, this track has something for everybody. What a release! You can check out the new single below. We also have it added to our Underground Punk playlist on Spotify. If you like what y

Germany-based band Seven Blood recently unleashed their latest single, "Burst in Flames". Coming fully equipped with anthemic vocal flows, heavy-handed and melodic instrumentals, and impressive songwriting, this is a wild ride that's tough to take off repeat. What a release! You can check out the new single below. We also have it added to our Heavy Heavy Heavy playlist on Spotify. If you like what you hear, we highly suggest you take a deep dive into the rest of their growing

"Beneath The Frost" is a single recently dropped by Norway-based metalcore band Posthuman Code. Boasting a dynamic sound that's equipped with ripping instrumentals, powerful vocal flows, and spot-on production work, this is a wild ride that any fan of the genre is going to love. What a release! You can check out the new single below. We also have it added to our Heavy Heavy Heavy playlist on Spotify. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow Posthuman Code so you can sta