The Daily Drop: April 2nd 2026 (Late Edition)

Welcome to The Daily Drop, your roundup of the latest news from the rock, metal, punk, emo, hardcore, and alternative scenes.

Today’s round-up sees The Callous Daoboys and Defects debut new singles. Jamie Lenman returns from retirement with new material. While Sparta and Shooting Daggers share details of new releases.

There are also new additions to our ‘Newish Music’ playlist, including tracks from Lord of the Lost, Sevendust, Mimi Barks, and Ecca Vandal.

Here’s everything you need to know for the evening of April 2nd 2026.

The Callous Daoboys Debut ‘Gigantic Parasite Tongue’

The Callous Daoboys have debuted a new single, ‘Gigantic Parasite Tongue’. It arrives less than a year since the alt-metallers released their acclaimed ‘I Don’t Want to See You In Heaven’ album.

As always, the Atlanta group don’t hold back, going 100MPH with their brand of dense and dynamic mathcore being intersliced with drum n’ bass beats. It then evolves into a towering, almost cathartic, number with vocalist Carson Pace bellowing, “I saw it in your eyes, Like a broken light.” 

On the track, vocalist Pace states, “This song is going to change the world.” Guitarist Dan Hodsdon describes the track as “Meshuggah playing Future Breed Machine live at Download 2005.”

It comes with an unsettling video,  directed by Sam Hahn. Its story follows a modern angel who is mercilessly kidnapped and dragged away. Bound and powerless, he becomes the victim of a brutal ritual, his wings torn from him in a desperate attempt to transfer divinity to another. You can view the video below.

The Callous Daoboys will be back in the UK in November as support for Enter Shikari on their UK tour alongside Holding Absence.

November
13th Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
14th Utilita Arena, Cardiff
15th Connexin Live, Hull
18th OVO Hydro, Glasgow
19th Co-op Live, Manchester
20th Alexandra Palace, London
21st Alexandra Palace, London

Jamie Lenman Shares New Single (‘Not Likely’)

Jamie Lenman has returned with a new track called ‘Not Likely’.

It marks Lenman‘s first material since retiring in 2024.

“I never intended to retire from music itself, just the machine that surrounds it. I’m always writing and recording, and this new tune is one of my favourites from over the last couple years. I felt like it would be good to come to Arc Tan Gent with some new material instead of playing the same old stuff, so this is a part of that. There’s more where this came from.”

‘Not Likely’ is a rumbling, punk-fueled number that captures Jamie in a bleak mood. “I wanted to channel early US punk like Fang, like a bunch of kids in a room who don’t really know what they’re doing. That’s why I played everything myself, for that slightly messy vibe,” says Lenman. “Lyrically it’s a very pessimistic piece, similar to my tune ‘The Future Is Dead.’ I don’t usually like to put negative vibes into the air like this, but sometimes that’s just how you feel, and that’s OK.”

The track is available as a ‘pay-what-you-want’ purchase on Bandcamp.

Jamie Lenman will be appearing at the Arctangent Festival on Saturday, 22nd August.

Shooting Daggers Announce Mini Album and Share New Single featuring Dennis Lyxzén

London-based punk band Shooting Daggers have revealed plans to release a mini-album. ‘The Real Life Thing’ will be released on 5th June via New Heavy Sounds.

Consisting of seven tracks in 20 minutes, it promises to “express the full range of our emotions through various sounds and genres. From cheerfulness to anger and hopefulness. From hardcore punk, to shoegaze, to post hardcore and riot grrrl.”

“It’s a crucial time to focus on what really matters. Be present, be aware of real things happening in the world, with integrity and love we can make a difference as a community. There is hope out there, and if we all start treating nature, people and animals with respect and empathy we will be able to become better humans and coexist,” the trio shared in a press release. “We embrace our authentic self, with sensitivity in response to injustice, we act out, and all the while savouring every moment, being unapologetically yourself, empowering ourselves and each other.”

The announcement also sees Shooting Daggers teaming up with Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, Backengrillen) for their new single, ‘GLOW’. “This track is about denouncing gender roles and respecting gender identity. Self-liberation, embracing femininity and fighting internal misogyny. Feminine isn’t weak, and masculine doesn’t have to be stereotypically strong,” explained Shooting Daggers. “It doesn’t matter if you want to express strength in a more masculine or feminine way, anything is valid as long as you feel powerful from within. When we wrote this song we knew who we wanted to have a feature on it and we were just back from opening two shows for punk legends Refused, and all of us were mesmerised by Dennis Lyxzén’s stage presence.”

Defects Reveal Ferocious New Single (‘Artificial Icons’)

UK metallers Defects have returned with a raging new track titled ‘Artificial Icons’. It builds on themes of 2024’s ‘Modern Error,’ tacking wider socio-political issues. Amid its thunderous rhythm, savage screams, and soaring chorus, Defects deliver a rallying call against oppression.

“Look around. I wanted to write a song that pushes you to think outside the box,” says singer Tony Maue. I was faced with religious teachings when I was younger. I felt fear, I felt rage, and I wanted to fight back. Believe in what you choose, not in what others force on you for their own agendas, profit or control.”

The track marks a crossroads for the band, with it being the final material written with Harry Jennings (drums), Luke Genders (guitar), and David Silver (bass). The trio parted ways with the band late last summer. It left Maue and guitarist James Threadwell with a difficult decision to continue or not.

“It was incredibly tough. They’re my friends. I love those guys to pieces. When we wrote together, there was a real bond,” Maue says, before adding, “There were moments when I didn’t know how to piece this together to walk forward.”

Nevertheless, Maue and Threadwell have since welcomed Taylor Brown (guitar), and Rowan Jack (drums) to Defects.

New Sparta Album Announced (‘Cut A Silhouette’)

Texan alt-rockers Sparta have revealed details of their new album, ‘Cut A Silhouette’. It will be released on May 29th through Equal Vision Records, Dine Alone Records, and Rude Records.

Led by Jim Ward (At The Drive In), the album was written over the course of a year, during which Ward rekindled his love for music. It was then recorded with J. Robbins at his Magpie Cage Recording Studio in just seven days.

“This is a love record,” Ward declares. “I want it to leave an impression, and at this point in my career, that’s what I yearn for. I’m working so hard to make something meaningful to me, and I really want people to get a chance to feel it as well.”

As a preview, Sparta have shared a track called ‘Crater’. It’s one of two tracks from the record that were co-written with Frank Iero (the other being ‘Mouthbreather’). ‘Crater’ punches with wide guitars and an assured rhythm section.

With the main band completed by bassist Matt Miller and drummer Neil Hennessy, ‘Cut A Silhouette’ features contributions from Kemble Walters, Adrian Borgeois, Brooks Harlan, Carlos Arévalo, and producer J. Robbins himself.

Today’s New Songs

Here’s a rundown of the latest additions to our ‘Newish Music’ playlist.

Holding Absence – Whisper of a Dream
The Callous Daoboys – Gigantic Parasite Tongue
Defects – Artificial Icons
Lord of the Lost – Es Gibt Nur Einen Gott
Shooting Daggers – GLOW
Sparta – Crater
Sevendust – Threshold
Mimi Barks – Dreamstate Of Hell
Ecca Vandal – SORRY! CRASH!
Weird Nightmare – Where I Belong
Nerves – N26
Armed For Apocalypse – Spellbound
Sugar Spine – Chained To Your Garden
Vomit Forth – Prophecy of Defilement
Mork – ØDELAGT
Plume – Furious Icon
Nervosa – Impending Doom
Boy Witch – Echolalia
Midscale – 𝟬-𝟭

Keep up to date with all the latest rock, metal, punk, and beyond, by following AlreadyHeard‘s ‘NewishMusic’ Playlist.

Find the playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.