With gray skies overhead and showers threatening throughout the weekend, that may solely imply one factor: Obtain Competition is upon us. However come rain or shine, the UK largest rock and metallic fest is bound to supply up loads of probabilities to find good new bands, and whilst we hit the primary stretch of competition season new launch bulletins are coming thick and quick.
Earlier than we get caught into that although, the outcomes of final week’s vote! There was a wholesome exhibiting from energy metallic’s elite and it is mirrored within the closing three, with Battle Beast securing a wholesome third place within the ballot. Breaking apart the plastic swords and horns brigade have been returning doom metallic legends Paradise Misplaced, whose return with Silence Like The Grave took second place, however our total winners – and also you’d not wanna argue after they’ve obtained a tank to again them up – was Sabaton. Huzzah!
There’s extra energy metallic enjoyable to be discovered this week, with our prime line of Helloween and Burning Witches representing two very totally different eras of the style. However that is not all we have got; there’s nu metallic flavours from Code Orange guitarist Reba Meyers and Gore., stoner/doom brilliance from Citadel Rat, symphonic metallic from Blackbriar and a lot extra apart from.
As ever, we’d like you to inform us which songs excite you most, so remember to forged your vote under – and have a superb weekend, come rain or shine!
Helloween – This Is Tokyo
There is a confirmed observe report for energy metallic love in Japan, but it surely seems that love goes each methods. German energy metallic legends Helloween are pinning their colors to the masks with new single This Is Tokyo, a loving tribute to the Japanese metropolis delivered with typical gusto and fist-pumping choruses. Taken from new album Giants & Monsters, due August 29, it is a vibrant first style of what could lie in retailer.
Burning Witches – Inquisition
Sticking to the realms of energy metallic for a second, Switzerland’s Burning Witches have introduced their sixth studio album Inquisition for an August 22 launch. The title observe and lead single lays their stall out ably: basic heavy metallic motifs with thumping beats, wailing leads and despairing howls of “Inquisition!” that come off like a head-on collision between Warlock and King Diamond. It is ace, naturally.
Orbit Tradition – Dying Above Life
2025 is shaping as much as be a severely massive 12 months for Orbit Tradition. In January, they have been openers on the epic Trivium/Bullet For My Valentine double-bill, and so they’ll be opening the Predominant Stage of Obtain on Sunday earlier than limbering up for extra tour dates in direction of the tip of the 12 months. Apparently not content material with simply popping up on large payments, the Swedes have additionally introduced new album Dying Above Life for an October 3 launch, the title-track and lead single all pummelling beats and large melodeath grooves.
Drain – Nights Like These
Hardcore is on an actual tear proper now. Outbreak is perhaps bringing Turnstile and Knocked Free again to the UK this weekend, however there’s a lot to be enthusiastic about later within the 12 months with the announcement of a brand new Drain report in …Is Your Good friend, which comes November 7. Lead single Nights Like These is precisely what you’d anticipate of contemporary hardcore: chunky riffs, bouncy beats and throat-shredding vocals that command complete pleasure.
Ho99o9 – Upside Down
It is exhausting to consider it has been virtually a decade since Ho99o9 launched their debut album. The LA/New Jersey group are nonetheless proving unattainable to neatly classify on new single Upside Down, a observe which mixes crunching industrial guitars, hip-hop flows and flecks of electronica to create one thing dirty and thrilling. The primary single for brand spanking new album Tomorrow We Escape, out September 9, it is a useful reminder that this band are nonetheless pushing boundaries.
Witch Fever – The Backyard
Encroaching dread guidelines the day on Witch Fever’s newest single The Backyard. Sometimes immersive melodies drift beneath slamming alt/doom riffs, providing an introduction to the band’s upcoming second album Fevereaten with a refinement of the weather that made their debut so good. Maintain your eyes out for Fevereaten on its oh-so-appropriate launch date of Halloween.
Cemican – Táan Ti Le Xibalbá
And now for one thing fully heavy. Self-styled “Aztec-metallers”, Mexico’s Cemican mix lurching grooves, explosive blast-beats and lightweight flute work on new single Táan Ti Le Xibalbá, taken from their forthcoming new album anticipated later this 12 months. It is a good and distinctive combine, but extra proof that excessive metallic continues to thrive as its sound diversifies and it attracts in numerous cultural influences.
Reba Meyers – Clouded World
Whereas it is anybody’s guess what’s taking place on the planet of Code Orange proper now, guitarist Reba Meyers actually is not standing idle. Clouded World is her third solo single and was recorded by legendary noise rocker Steve Albini earlier than his passing in 2024; do not let the Albini credit score idiot you although, this is not a departure from the nu metallic impressed bent Reba explored with each Code Orange and her earlier two singles.
Gore. – Sepsis
Talking of nu metallic influences… Gore. supplied up a captivating mixture of metalcore and R&B with their debut EP, however new single Sepsis appears to be pushing their sound in a heavier route that really feels akin to what Code Orange have been doing with Beneath, albeit with Gore.’s personal sonic footprint stamped throughout it. Making their Obtain Competition debut this weekend, this lot are value maintaining eyes out for.
Sturle Dagsland – Galdring
The world of Nordic people has typically intersected with metallic, making the likes of Eivor, Wardruna or Heilung popping up at a competition like Obtain or Bloodstock really feel fully pure. Cast in that very same spirit is Norway’s Surle Dagsland, a extra frenetic tackle the type that seems like the people equal of leaping from Black Sabbath to Napalm Dying. Taken from new album Desires And Conjurations, due October 10, it is an brisk showcase that Nordic people may be simply as sonically various because the metallic world it so typically crosses over with.
Blackbriar – Harpy
Rising stars of symphonic metallic, Netherlands’ Blackbriar are spreading their grandiose imaginative and prescient on new single Harpy. There is a pure inclination to bombast throughout the style, however its the refined swells of what appears like decidedly Celtic people affect and vocal melodies that would come from fellow Dutch symphonic forebears Inside Temptation that assist promote this as one thing actually epic.
Citadel Rat – Wizard
Everyone knows that heavy metallic loves a little bit of theatricality. It does not come far more epic in scope than newcomers Citadel Rat although, the excessive fantasy heavy metallers totally dedicated to the bit with dwell exhibits that embrace a lurking grim reaper and a sword battle. Newest single Wizard exhibits their music is simply as grand as their present; Sabbathian riffs and rhythmic struts that decision again to the stoner/doom greats.
Pinkshift – Anita Journey
Clattering, hammering riffs and hovering vocals make for a potent brew in Pinkshift’s new single Anita Journey. Taken from new album Earthkeeper, due August 29, it is an explosive first style of what the band are aiming to do that day trip and an ideal introduction if you happen to’re not already acquainted. Stick it on loud and hav at it.
