Here at Revolver, we’re always on the hunt for new songs to bang our heads to — indeed, it’s a big part of our jobs. With that in mind, here are the tracks released this week in goth metal, metalcore, post-hardcore and more that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we’ve also compiled the songs in an ever-evolving Spotify playlist.
Darko – “Blood Host”
The terror of Darko’s new “Blood Host” hits you twofold. On the musical side of things, the deathcore duo’s Tom Barber (Chelsea Grin) and Josh Miller (Spite, Emmure) splatter up face-pulping blasts aplenty before running through a grotesque run of technical riffery, goblin shrieks and psyche-slicing chainsaw samples.
Its accompanying NSFW horror short film builds a lot of uncomfortable tension before racking up a body count in the woods — much of the stone-swingin’, pick-shivvin’ display of force delivered by a totally two-faced antagonist, who oddly may not actually be the most despicable character.
Neon Nightmare – “It’s All Over (For You)”
While some internet sleuths had suspected as much the past few months, Spirit Adrift’s Nate Garett officially confirmed this week that he, indeed, is the mastermind behind the Type O-lovin’ Neon Nightmare project, a full-blown sonic love letter to the Drab Four’s iconic sound.
His Fade Dream debut LP takes on multiple Type O hallmarks — from slow-gloom romanticism to horn-dog moto-metal — though he might be hitting the vibe best while leaning into a depressive dirge.
“It’s All Over (For You)” overwhelms with its aqueous riffage and vocals delivered in a crestfallen, Peter Steele-like croon. Despite the concluding nature of Garrett’s lyrics, it seems like things are only just beginning for Neon Nightmare.
Havok – “Death Is an Illusion”
Nothing ever really dies. That’s one of the major takeaways of Havok’s new “Death Is an Illusion” single, which kicks off the surprise New Eyes EP the veteran Colorado thrashers dropped today (November 1st). Another big thing we learned? The song fully rips.
The track is a demonic ass-beater full of punishingly-fast, palm-muted savagery and a killer solo. David Sanchez, meanwhile, screams out a thermodynamics-respecting set of lyrics about how energy can neither be created, nor destroyed.
Another way to put it? Havok’s thrash is eternal.
Bite Down – “Life Sentence”
You might want to lock down and spend some serious time with Bite Down’s latest single, which follows the Swedish metalcore combo’s Decolorized EP from earlier in the year.
It’s generally a bruising display of steely riffage and blunt-force breakdowns, but like the veritable nailfile in the cake, the band likewise smuggle in a few twitchy jungle beats to spice things up.
While it’s a lyrically anxious scream sesh about the fear of getting put in a chokehold by your troubled past, we can’t help but “fuck with this nightmare.”
Leaving Time – “Choke”
Jacksonville, Florida, post-hardcore quartet Leaving Time are doubling-down on new releases today. First up, the group have just issued their hypnotic and hefty debut LP, Angel in the Sand. You can pair the album with a bold cup of their own signature coffee, too: the Ethiopian and Costa Rican “Angel Blend” they drummed up in partnership with Flamingo Coffee.
While early album highlight “Choke” doesn’t quite speak to the highly-caffeinated cross-promotional item, Leaving Time’s thick and syrupy, melancholic groove — in which you might detect subtle hints of Hum, Narrowhead and even a sprig of Nineties U.K. shoegaze — sure does go down smooth.
Strict – “Say It”
Quicksand’s Sergio Vega just wrapped a prolific week. While his longtime band just surprise-released a new tune and a Hot Water Music cover, what may have been most shocking was the industrialized bang of his debut single as Strict — a new joint project between himself and his wife (and former Revolver Social Media Manager) Annette Rodriguez.
A leanly swerved electronic rhythm undulates beneath the constant hop of Vega’s distortion-frenzied bass melody. Rodriguez, meanwhile, goes for the throat – or is that from the throat — as she serves up a simply-stated, but furiously-screamed warning to some unknown foe: If you’re going to talk a big game, you’d best say it to her face.