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Claw Machine, a newly formed midwest-emo inspired duo, are defining the new era of emo with their brand new debut single ‘that’s too much, man!’. Consisting of Gabrielle Michael (vocals) and Joshua Tchatchanidze (Guitar), who bonded over their love of the genre, Claw Machine draws on the “poppier side of the midwest-emo scene and bands like Hot Mulligan, Riley! and Summerbruise. ‘That’s too much, man!’ gets its name from TV-show 'Bojack Horseman', and is described as being a

Looking for a brand-new song that sounds right from the ‘Queen of The Damned’ soundtrack? Y’know, the sexy bloody vampire movie from 2002 where Lestat becomes a rockstar? Well look no further because Major Arcana definitely have this one covered with their latest single "Bloom". "Bloom" cover art Major Arcana are a four-piece alt noise metal band originating from the Southern Highlands in NSW. These guys are entirely committed to their DIY roots, with "Bloom" being entirely r

What are they putting in the water up in Brisbane? In the last few years some incredible alternative emo bands have been popping off out of Brisbane. Bad Neighbour, Talk Heavy, and Semantics to name a few. Garden Eyes have been working the Brisbane scene for a couple of years now and they seem primed to fucking explode. Garden Eyes shot by Will Johnstone Garden Eyes have (at long last) released their first EP. Selfish Art is an accumulation of releases that Garden Eyes have b

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and those of you who identify as neither, please take your seats, the show is about to begin. Slothrust have returned. Highly anticipated new album, What They Grow In The Garden, is finally hear via Equal Vision Records and Civilians. Slothrust by levi price Slothrust return for their sixth full length album in fourteen years. Off the back of 2021’s Parallel Timeline, the band spent time working hard on some smaller projects. 2023’s EP

If you’re looking for a sonic assault on the senses that brings major 80’s vibes into the modern era, B.F. Raid (Boston’s Final Raid) have you covered with their latest album ‘Combat Zone’. Official Album Cover Art B.F. Raid is a band that began in the early 1980’s and made their way around the Boston local scene of that era. Taking influence from traditional metal, punk energy, progressive rock and psychedelic grooves, these guys have a sound that has stood the test of time.

Anonymous four-piece NYCTALOR have announced their debut EP titled "EP I: The Collapse", due to be released August 24th 2026. Hailing from the 'ACT', NYCTALOR are a newly-formed band with a sound which they describe as: “the sonic collapse of existence through, atmosphere, dissonance and crushing heaviness”. What makes NYCTALOR so intriguing is that Everything about these guys is crafted with intention. Their choice to hide their identities is stated as being a deliberate way

Who doesn’t love finding new bands? let alone getting on at the ground floor before they (inevitably) take off! Sydney’s pop-punk scene’s newest band are here. Facelift have announced their arrival with their debut single, ‘Ceiling Fan’. Photo by Gabrielle Michael Driven for a desire to return the pop-punk scene to its pre-2020 former glory, Facelift are on a mission. 'Ceiling Fan' is a great jumping off point. catchy, relatable and the perfect amount of emo. The band cite in

Rising from the innermost parts of Lebanon’s underground music scene, Borrowed Time are hitting hard in 2026 with their newest single 'Withered'. 'Withered' takes existential dread plus those questions that keep us awake at night, and provides a haven for anyone weighed down by a heavy mind. Did I make the right decisions? Have my sacrifices in life been worth it? 'Withered' deals with these feelings of burnout and turns them into something worthwhile. By entwining elements o

Citizen are back. Tell your mum, tell your cousin, tell your dog. Halcyon Blues has finally dropped. Photo: Atiba Jefferson Three years on from their last album, Calling the Dogs, Citizen are letting everyone know they aren't slowing down. Album six comes off the back of celebrating ten years of Everybody is Going to Heaven in 2025. Since breaking onto the scene with debut album Youth in 2013, Citizen have only pushed themselves from strength to strength. Youth is one of thos

Torn From Hope are a newly formed modern metalcore band from Brisbane. There is definitely something in those Queensland waters, because Torn From Hope deliver sheer and relentless brutality with ease and authenticity with “Lights Out”. This aggression serves as a backdrop to raw and honest lyricism that demonstrate Torn From Hope’s core mission to give a voice to those fighting battles that often go unseen. "Lights Out" is unapologetically heavy right from the very first not

Adelaide five piece, Sørrøwstate, are not resting on their laurels. Following up April’s release of My Own Grave, they’re back with new single, Same Old Pain.

Eight albums and twenty years deep, Southampton’s very own, Bury Tomorrow, are still vying to be known as metalcore’s hardest working band.

Brisbane based post-punk six piece My Friend Chloe are back in 2026, with a mesmerising new track that explores the very idea of what it means to grieve. Described by the band as “post-punk for the dance floor”, 'Grief' is like if The Prodigy travelled back in time to the 70’s for song inspo. Taking listeners through a psychedelic post-punk haze, a hypnotic bassline is layered with dual floating synths and distorted guitars that weave into the sonic texture. The vocals in thi

If you’re looking for a song that perfectly encapsulates that nostalgic feel of 2000s alternative rock, while still feeling modern and relatable, Vinewood Rally have you covered with their brand new song ‘Lydia’. From the outskirts of Western Sydney, Vinewood Rally are a three-piece rock band that take inspiration from the rawness of post-grunge and the attitude of early 2000s alt-rock. With ‘Lydia’, these guys draw from the sounds of bands like Violent Soho, Grinspoon, Linki

Here is the May edition of our new monthly blog sharing some of our newly discovered favourite bands and artists!! You can check out our picks for last month here! Read on for more info about each band, as well as our top tracks, hand selected by the Hot & Heavy team ♡ Nausicaa Naarm / Melbourne For fans of/ sounds like: My Bloody Valentine Sonic Youth Elysian Fields Members: Kristen - Vocals/ bass Dave- Guitar Cam - Drums Tia's Top Pick!! Desperate Cry Darkinung ngur / Centr

Jinjo are a four piece metalcore band, hailing from the Central Coast of NSW. These guys state that “some feelings must be screamed” and through ‘Bone Shovel’ they absolutely practice what they preach. ‘Bone Shovel’ is Jinjo at their ultimate form, with this track telling a story of survival and resistance in the face of overcoming personal battles. Grinding riffs, haunting guitar melodies, racing basslines and dynamic vocals form the backbone of this track, coming together w

A split Review by Zoe Aitchison & Madisun Manyweathers I first heard about Basement a month or two ago while tuning in to FBI radio. The presenter broadcast their single ‘Covet’ from their 2012 Album "Colourmeinkindness". As soon as I heard it, I was eager for more and what a pleasure it is to find them at the perfect time with the drop of this absolute gem! It's been a long 8 years between drinks, but Basement are finally back with their brand new album “WIRED”, out now via

'A TASTE OF CHAOS' is the latest chapter in Scott Middlin’s discography, demonstrating some of his heaviest and most self-assured music yet. Scott Middlin is a solo Australian artist previously known for his involvement with bands including Emecia, Emerald City, and Against the Atlantic. He has also published a book and works as a tattoo artist, which makes him just that much cooler. 'A TASTE OF CHAOS' seamlessly blends the sounds of modern metalcore, alternative rock, and di

Acclaimed UK metalcore band Polar are back with their first music drop of 2026, and it was definitely worth the wait! Following up from their 2024 album ‘Five Arrows’ , ‘JOHATSU’ is a marker of Polar’s new era entering 2026. Consisting of a revitalised line-up and renewed positivity, Polar are on a path of worldwide domination. The literal meaning of the title ‘ JOHATSU’ stems from the Japanese word for “evaporation”, however it also has a heavier connotation and is used t

Haunting female-fronted alt-metal band Twisted Lullaby have just dropped a blood-chilling new single, and it is definitely their darkest song yet. ‘Murder Me’ is thematically harrowing, told from the perspective of a man who brutally murders his lover. Through powerful lilting vocals, lead singer Shay conveys the sheer horror and despair of this story. maintaining a late 90’s/early 2000’s nu-metal vibe and sound, ' Murder Me' features heavy chugging riffs and adrenaline in