#NewMusicFriday: June 20th 2025

With temperatures rising here in the UK, #NewMusicFriday offers up another handful of noteworthy releases. While many will be paying attention to albums from Yungblud and HAIM, for metal fans, the return of Malevolence is hard to ignore. Having become one of the genre’s must-see live acts, their fourth album, ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken,’ promises to take them up the food chain. I shared my thoughts on the album below. You can also read my take on ‘newviolenttrends,’ the new EP from emerging post-hardcore trio En Masse.

Today also sees Midlands crossover crew Last Hounds bring together their recent singles in the form of ‘Growing Pains’. Showcasing their blistering angst with the occasional nu-metal groove, the Birmingham quintet deliver five cuts of infectious hardcore. If you want even more bruising heaviness, then there’s Bay Area heavyweights Mugshot. The San Jose metalcore/hardcore juggernauts deliver their second album, ‘All The Devils Are Here,’ today.

Meanwhile, Nashville-based rockers Badflower drop ‘No Place Like Home,’ exploring relatable topics such as paranoia, regret, and loss. Ukrainian Riot Grrrls, Death Pill, continue to overcome all adversity by delivering a stellar second album in ‘Sologamy’. With the trio living in different countries due to the ongoing war with Russia in their homeland, Death Pill persisted to create a diverse record that blends thrash, punk, emo, and the occasional pop melody.

For those wanting some instrumental might, there is the debut album from Hiroe (pronounced hero-way). ‘Wield’ by the Philadelphia-based quintet has found an ideal home on Pelagic Records. Their brand of post-rock/-metal seamlessly slots into the Berlin-based label’s expansive catalogue. As for the album itself, ‘Wield’ provides a triple guitar dynamic, exploring soft and loud tones with a punching percussion.

There are also releases from Anthony Green, Jamie’s Elsewhere, Hotline TNT, OSMIUM, and more.

Malevolence – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken

As they deliver their fourth album, it feels like Malevolence are stepping up their game. After all, only certain bands are given a secret spot at Download. For the Sheffield metallers, the fifteen years of grinding away are paying off. Without a doubt, ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ arrives with expectations of elevating Malevolence. Thankfully, it’s a task the Yorkshire quintet take head on, and without ever sacrificing what has taken them this far.

On the surface, it’s a 46-minute onslaught of crushing metallic hardcore. Yet, if you delve a little deeper, you hear a band utilising their meaty influences and pairing them with technical proficiency. Whether that be Charlie Thorpe’s rampant drumming assault on ‘So Help Me God,’ or Josh Baines’ riveting guitar solo on ‘Counterfeit,’ or him tag teaming with Konan Hill on the thrilling ‘Demonstration Of Pain’. Meanwhile, bassist Wilkie Robinson aids the band’s melodic groove. At the forefront is Alex Taylor. Fueled with rage, Taylor’s words are commanding and bite with plenty of grit, only for Hall to counter with the occasional emotional weight.

As for evidence of Malevolence “going big,” you don’t have to look too far. ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ is riotous and dizzying with chugging guitars and an anthemic chorus. Throw in a scorching hot solo, and Malevolence‘s intentions are clear. Later on, ‘Heavens Shake’ and ‘Imperfect Picture’ capture the bold brutality that they do so well to a tee. Likewise, ‘In Spite’s crushing density spirals with confidence (and a helping hand from Lamb of God‘s Randy Blythe).

‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ is musically and lyrically intense. Take ‘Trenches’ for example. It’s a frantic, hardcore pit-ready number that is accompanied by Taylor’s venomous words of unwavering self-preservation. Throughout, Alex paints a raw narrative of lived experiences. From grief and regret (‘Salt The Wound’) to unwavering determination (‘With Dirt From My Grave’), he lays it out there, unfiltered.

Like many bands at a crossroads, Malevolence have doubled down on their integrity. With the help of seasoned producer Josh Wilbur, they’ve refined their sound without smoothing out the edges. ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ is the sound of a band levelling up on their own terms – ambitious, grounded, and uncompromising.

En Masse – newviolenttrends

When you’re a relatively new band delivering your second proper release, you want to leave an instant impact that leaves the listener wanting more. That’s exactly what En Masse do on ‘newviolenttrends’. The outfit’s new EP is four cuts of sonically impressive post-hardcore that wear its influences with pride.

Sure, there’s a clear comparison to Glassjaw and Deftones in what Zack Santiago (vocals), Jari Javier (guitar) and Peter Parkes (bass) produce. However, they are more than merely imitators. ‘justthisonce’ launches like a rocket with its soaring vocals, widescreen guitars, and a crisp rhythm section. ‘masq’ sees Santiago’s versatile vocals effortlessly lead with erratic aggression and serene melodies. It’s aided by a relentless urgency and a sharp groove, which is just a joy to hear.

The pacing is reined in on ‘taketwo’. Floating in with shoegaze guitars and hazy words of isolation and self-destruction. It allows En Masse to produce a more structured offering, compared to energetic rushes that make up the majority of this EP. It closes with ‘celine’. Charging with volatile energy, it twists and turns before heading skywards with its melodic drive. As Santiago’s final piercing scream fades away among a sea of feedback, you can’t help but feel hungry for more.

‘newviolenttrends’ achieves its aim of showcasing a band with urgency, planting the seed to sonically expand. En Masse have delivered a sharp and cohesive EP that allows each track to stand out on its own, gifting them with plenty of potential.

What is out on #NewMusicFriday?

Malevolence – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken
Yungblud – Idols
HAIM – I Quit
Badflower – No Place Like Home
Last Hounds – Growing Pains
Mugshot – All The Devils Are Here
Death Pill – Sologamy
En Masse – newviolenttrends
Hiroe – Wield
Anthony Green – So Long, Avalon
Jamie’s Elsewhere – Alchemical
Scyla – Redacted
Already Dead – I Think It’s Time to Leave…
Hotline TNT – Raspberry Moon
OSMIUM – OSMIUM
Behold The Beloved – Harsh Realities
Overthrone – Lunar
Mission Jupiter – Aftermath
Destroyer Destroyer – Void
Caspar Brötzmann Massaker – it’s a love song
Freeze The Fall – The Red Garden
University – McCartney, It’ll Be OK
Layto – Feed Me Amnesia
M.U.T.T. – Toughest Street In Town
REDD. – RAUNCH.
Reflection – The Battles I Have Won
Water Machine – God Park
Bleeker – Fuck You I’m Leaving
Walt Hamburger – …And Louie!
Upon Stone – End Time Lightning

If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here.

If you’re looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our ‘Newish Music’ playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.