Content Breakdown
Greyhaven – Where The Light Leaves Us
Unprocessed – Beyond Heaven’s Gate
Drain – Scared Of Everything And Nothing
Conjurer – Let Us Live
Blood Command – Mariah’s Song
Wicca Phase Springs Eternal – Meet Me Anywhere (feat. Ethel Cain)
These New South Whales – GODSPEED
Spiritual Cramp – Automatic
Venus Grrrls – Ivy Tree
Thornhill – Mercia
False Reality – FROZEN
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Newish Music Playlist Update
After a lengthy summer break, Already Heard Recommends: Songs of the Week is back!
Every week, our inbox is flooded with new singles from across the alternative scene, and while we’d love to highlight them all, there’s simply too much great music to keep up with. That’s where Already Heard Recommends: Songs of the Week comes in. We sift through the latest releases to bring you a handpicked selection of the standout tracks you need to hear.
Whether it’s rock, punk, emo, hardcore, metal, or something in between, we cut through the noise and bring you the songs that deserve your attention.
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Greyhaven – Where The Light Leaves Us
Louisville quartet Greyhaven are preparing to release their fourth album, ‘Keep It Quiet’. The latest teaser of it comes in the form of ‘Where The Light Leaves Us’. Since we were introduced to Greyhaven with 2018’s ‘Empty Black,’ their sound has evolved melodically. However, the emotional heaviness, both lyrically and musically, remains intact.
‘Where The Light Leaves Us’ exemplifies their growing sonic palette as cathartic guitars erupt with Brent Mills’ soaring emotion. While Ethan Spray’s drums crash with Johnny Muench’s rumbling bass. In the later stages, Nick Spencer thriving guitar work battles for centre stage with Mills’ towering voice.
For Greyhaven‘s vocalist, it allowed him to reflect on a difficult period. “Last year was a bit of a struggle for me. I dealt with a lot of things, and I was dealing with them poorly,” shares Mills. “It’s a conversation I was having with myself. I’m saying, ‘You’ve got to dial it back. It’s not going in the right direction.’ The moment we wrote it in the basement, I knew it was special.”
With imminent UK and European dates with Better Lovers, ‘Where The Light Leaves Us’ and ‘Keep It Quiet’ give Greyhaven plenty of momentum.
‘Keep It Quiet’ by Greyhaven is released on October 10th on Solid State Records.
Unprocessed – Beyond Heaven’s Gate
German metal outfit Unprocessed have been winning over audiences for the best part of two years. Thanks to slots at Download and ArcTanGent, as well as opening for the likes of In Flames, TesseracT, and August Burns Red, their status as one of metalcore’s brightest prospects has grown. Now they’re preparing to release a new album, ‘Angel,’ on Halloween (October 31st).
Its second single, ‘Beyond Heaven’s Gate’ showcases vocalist Manuel Gardner Fernandes and guitarist Christoph Schultz’s instrumental versatility, while drummer Leon Pfeifer and bassist David John Levy maintain a familiar heaviness. It ultimately blends djent elements with a cinematic metalcore. With the aim of ‘Angel’ to showcase a broader sound, ‘Beyond Heaven’s Gate’ achieves just that in abundance.
Lyrically, captures a feeling of yearning for something (or someone) who isn’t here anymore. “We can believe in things beyond heavens gate – bats communicate with ultrasonic waves, dogs can smell diseases before they break out, cats can see in the night… so wouldn’t it be foolish to think that we can sense everything there is?” Unprocessed explain. “This song represents a longing for something more than we can see, an answer to our internal questions about life and death. If you wish for it, you can be in touch with those who aren’t physically around anymore, and connect with a world ‘Beyond Heaven’s Gate’.”
‘Angel’ by Unprocessed is released on October 31st.
Drain – Scared Of Everything And Nothing
Santa Cruz hardcore trio Drain continue to preview their upcoming ‘…Is Your Friend’s record, with ‘Scared Of Everything And Nothing’ being the album’s final single ahead of its early November release.
The two-and-a-half-minute onslaught of pounding drums and crushing guitars sees Drain anchor down on their hardcore tendencies. The slashing guitars are made to be two-stepped to with Sammy Ciaramitaro’s rallying call of “Shut the fuck up and remember who you are” made to be shouted in unison.
“‘Scared Of Everything And Nothing’ in short is a song about my experience as a human trying my best to reflect as I navigate through this world and this life. It’s a song where most of the words literally walked from my brain right out my mouth. I was taking a step back and thinking about the fact that I have everything and have done everything that I wanted a decade ago,” reflects Ciaramitaro’s when discussing the track. “I had big dreams and without even realising it, I had managed to turn them all to reality. Make something of myself and do it my own way, get married, lead a life of healthy choices…etc. This song is a reminder to enjoy the present and to just focus on the now. It’s a reminder that no matter what people see on the outside, there’s always a fight on the inside. While that could sound bad – I think that any life worth living is going to be full of hurdles – it’s up to us to fight and push through adversity and make our realities what we want of them. As much as I’m running away from old problems, I am also running into new hurdles, and ya know what…I’m stoked to break them down too and keep on charging to the next one.”
‘…Is Your Friend’ by Drain is released on November 7th on Epitaph Records.
Conjurer – Let Us Live
Last month, British underground metal heroes Conjurer revealed they would be releasing a new album in October. Ahead of the release of ‘Unself,’ the quartet have shared ‘Let Us Live’. Brooding with delicate guitars, monstrous instrumentations awaken the track, weaving in sludge and post-metal elements during its six-minute run time. During its more sparse moments, there is a haunting quality that makes the heavy blasts more effective.
Lyrically, it sees Conjurer confront the hostility faced by trans and gender non-conforming people. Framed as a conversation between the oppressed and their oppressors, the track becomes a powerful plea for acceptance and the right to survive. “Even though [we] have existed for thousands of years, in all cultures, of all races, we are considered a blight on the earth and don’t deserve the rights that every other human being should be allowed upon birth,” comments co-vocalist and guitarist Dani Nightingale. “We try to educate people about our situation, to make people aware of our existence in the hopes that we (and anyone who questions their sex/gender) will be accepted and understood, yet are demonised as predators, corrupting and indoctrinating everyone around us.”
‘Unself’ by Conjurer is released on October 24th on Nuclear Blast Records.
Blood Command – Mariah’s Song
Our favourite Adidas-wearing Norwegians are back! ‘Mariah’s Song’ is Blood Command‘s second single of the year. It serves as a reminder of their self-styled “death-pop’ prowess with razor-sharp guitars and vocalist Nikki Brumen’s fiery energy. Its anthemic chorus is emotionally charged by the euphoric and damaging feelings that being in intoxicating love can have.
Very little else is known about the track. We can only presume Brumen and company are cooking up more bangers as they look to follow up 2023’s ‘World Domination’.
Wicca Phase Springs Eternal – Meet Me Anywhere (feat. Ethel Cain)
On Wicca Phase Springs Eternal‘s new album, ‘Mossy Oak Shadow,’ the Pennsylvania-
Gentle, plucky guitars softly play underneath Andrzejewski’s vocal twang, with Cain adding a crystallised beauty to the delicate number.
‘Mossy Oak Shadow’ by Wicca Phase Springs Eternal is out now on Run For Cover Records.
These New South Whales – GODSPEED
Blending post-punk, hardcore, and Britpop sensibilities continues to be a winning combination as Australia’s These New South Whales return with ‘GODSPEED’. The title track from their upcoming fourth album exemplifies the range of sounds the quartet explores.
‘GODSPEED’ adds a new wave gloss to TNSW‘s brand of indie punk. Its infectious harmonies and lucious guitars complement vocalist Jamie Timony’s introspective words, having left Alcoholics Anonymous after nine years. “I, like many artists, don’t particularly like to prescribe the meaning of any song. But for me personally, the lyrics to ‘GODSPEED’ were drawn from my experience of how joyous it felt to leave Alcoholics Anonymous after nine years inside of it,” says Jamie. “When you land in AA, they tell you you’re terminally ill. They say you’ve got a “disease” that only a spiritual experience can fix – and that you’ll never fully recover. Sure – but what if people were just told the truth? That they do have the capacity to make different choices? That they’re not broken, not diseased, not doomed unless they become lifelong spiritual messengers of the 12 steps?”
‘GODSPEED’ by These New South Whales is released on November 24th.
Spiritual Cramp – Automatic
San Francisco’s Spiritual Cramp has delivered one final taste of their forthcoming album, ‘RUDE’. ‘Automatic’ wouldn’t sound out of place at a 2000s indie disco as it sees the quintet embrace a dance-punk sound. With Michael Fenton’s distinct bassline and vocalist Michael Bingham’s pop-like melodies, Spiritual Cramp serves up a neon-lit glimpse of ‘RUDE’ without sacrificing their punk roots.
‘RUDE’ by Spiritual Cramp is released on October 24th on Blue Grape Music.
Venus Grrrls – Ivy Tree
Northern-based group Venus Grrrls have gradually been building momentum. After dropping ‘Eighteen Crows’ and a strong showing at June’s Download Festival, they’ve returned with the ambitious ‘Ivy Tree’. Sweeping with gothic new wave guitars and a sturdy alt-rock drive, ‘Ivy Tree’ sees Venus Grrrls at their most alluring and intense.
Lyrically, ‘Ivy Tree’ is described as “a battle cry for fury and redemption,” with Venus Grrrls explaining it is “a song of reclamation and sisterhood,” referencing the strength and unity between the coven-turned-band. They expand on this by stating, “Painting a dreamscape of a matriarchy where there is liberation, it is a juxtaposition of a danse macabre that so often is the reality for women. Siphoning paganistic imagery and nods to the divine feminine”
The release of ‘Ivy Tree’ comes as Venus Grrrls prepare for headline shows next month in Dublin (Whelans – Oct 3rd), London (Oslo – 16th) and Leeds (The Key Club – 17th).
Thornhill – Mercia
Currently supporting Sleep Token on their US tour, Thornhill have followed this past April’s ‘BODIES’ record with a new track called ‘Mercia’.
It sees the Aussie group continue to expand their sound, while maintaining the visceral emotion of their last album. Equally searing and sorrowful, ‘Mercia’ weaves in a devastating exploration of love and loss, with the emotional wreckage left behind. Its penetrating drums, wall of guitars, and fuzzy bass showcase Thornhill‘s versatility. At the same time, Jacob Charlton’s soaring vocal lead shows plenty of convincing emotion.
“‘Mercia’ is a song about loving someone lost in their own abyss. It speaks to the ache of giving everything—warmth, devotion, even the hope of carrying their pain—only to be met with silence and defences, by ‘vaults’ and ‘ice’,” says Jacob on the meaning behind ‘Mercia’. “At its heart, the song is about the futility of trying to heal what resists healing, and the way that struggle leaves you altered, hardened, and haunted. By the close, the speaker admits they are sinking under the weight of their beloved’s spectre. They’ve been hardened by the experience — so much so that they can’t offer mercy anymore.”
False Reality – FROZEN
London-based False Reality have been turning heads in the UK hardcore scene for quite some time now. However, their mix of NYC hardcore, thrash, metal, grunge and shoegaze is sure to get plenty of attention with the release of ‘Faded Intentions’ in November. This past week saw them unleash the album’s second single, ‘Frozen’.
The bruising number thrives with a tough, hardened base, with thrashy guitars and a riveting solo. Overall, it highlights False Reality‘s brutal heaviness and technical ability, making them an exciting prospect.
‘Faded Intentions’ by False Reality is released on November 14th on Hassle Records.
Newish Music Playlist Update
Over the past week or so, we have added over 100 tracks to our ‘Newish Music’ playlist. As well as tracks featured above, there is new music from Aerosmith & Yungblud, Atreyu, Bearings, The Bouncing Souls, Dream Theatre, Don Broco, HEALTH, Karnivool, Mouth Culture, Of Mice & Men, Soen, Taylor Acorn, Waterparks, and much more.
| abandcalledlove. – The Love I Can’t Let Go Aerosmith & Yungblud – My Only Angel Agriculture – Dan’s Love Song aldn – crocodile eyes Alkaline Trio – Bleeding Out All Time Low – Butterflies Arch Enemy – Break The Spell Artio – The Devil You Know (feat. Cody Frost) As Everything Unfolds – Point of View Atreyu – Dead AVTT/PTTN – Eternal Love Bearings – Float Away (feat. State Champs) Beauty Sleep – Send It Out To Sea Bed Bug Guru – Cut Down Big Ass Truck I.E. – Back-Wheel Stomp Biohazard – Death of Me Black Stone Cherry – Neon Eyes Blood Command – Mariah’s Song Bloom – Tongue Tied (feat. Yours Truly’s Mikaila Delgado) The Bouncing Souls – POWER Boys Night Out – 100% Ghosts Bratakus – Tokened brutalligators – Hold Fast Calling All Captains – A New Type of Grey Captain Kaiser – DANCEFLOOR Cardinals – Masquerade Cavetown – Rainbow Gal Cocktail Slippers – Back Where You Belong Conjurer – Let Us Live Coroner – Symmetry Curious Volume – Try Deaf Havana – Tracing Lines Des Rocs – This Land |
Des Rocs – This Land Don Broco – Disappear Drain – Scared If Everything and Nothing Dream Theater – Overture 1928 / Strange Déjà Vu (Live à Paris) epoimóriromiope – coma False Reality – FROZEN Finger Eleven – Last Night On Earth Flycatcher – Flood Footballhead – Hesitate Foxhaunt – A New Beginning Friends of Friends – Skin Frightful Places – Third Wheel Gates To Hell – Disfigured GG Magree – Wet Dreams Good Luck – Timelapse Greyhaven – Where The Light Leaves Us The Halo Effect – I Wanna Be Somebody HEALTH – ORDINARY LOSS The Howling – Little Promises Hudson Freeman – If You Know Me Human Fortress – The Abyss Of Our Souls It’s Irrelevant – I’m Very Feel Ivory Daze – Corset Karnivool – Aozora Kite Thief – CHOKE Kneel Before The King – Crownbreaker Last Hyena – Surfer Like Ghosts – Wish You The Best Lost in Hollywood – Pretty Skin Love Side RX – Slip Away Maxwell Stern – Stay Close To Me |
Mouth Culture – Picking Wings Off A Butterfly NYOS – Lo4 / Pepe-Pepe Of Mice & Men – Troubled Water Pabst – twenty three (feat. Blush Always) Pavey Ark – Yesterday Is Done Petey USA – Anything In Between PONY – Superglue Pretty Inside – The Person That I Hate The Pretty Wild – PARADOX Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Pyre Royal Republic – Stayin’ Alive Royal Sorrow – Survival Complex Sadlands – Bad Idea Sick-Day – Aniseed Slash – Oh Well (Live at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival) Slug Boys – The War Smiling Man – Divergent Snooper – Pom Pom Soen – Primal Spiritual Cramp – Automatic Stay The Course – Post Traumatic SUDS – Quietly feeling Taylor Acorn – Crashing Out These New South Whales – GODSPEED Thornhill – Mercia TV Cult – Overpressure Unprocessed – Beyond Heaven’s Gate Varials – I’ll Find The Dark Venus Grrrls – Ivy Tree Waterparks – IF LYRICS WERE CONFIDENTIAL We Three Kings – Nothing Without Me Wicca Phase Springs Eternal – Meet Me Anywhere (feat. Ethel Cain) XCOMM – Reasons |
The ‘Newish Music’ playlist is also available on Apple Music.
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