10 SMALLER INTERNATIONAL BANDS YOU NEED TO KNOW

we talk about smaller Australian bands on a daily basis here at hot & heavy, rightfully so, but, now it is time to introduce you to 10 smaller international bands that you should definitely be listening to right now, in no particular order.

1. Soul splitter -  France - 6k SPML

soul splitter are a four piece metalcore band with six singles released thus far between 2023 and 2025. 'deceptive serpent' is the latest single, finding its way onto the scene on May 16. if you like hard hitting metalcore, this is definitely a band for you to check out.

you can find soul splitter on: spotify, apple music, facebook and instagram

for fans of: the Ghost inside, Polaris and like moths to a flame

2. Soothe - Greece - 96 SPML

soothe would have to be my favourite accidental find so far. the five piece metalcore band may only have three songs released right now, with 'frostbite' being debuted on May 30, but don't let that cloud your judgement; you will not be disappointed and they will definitely end up on a playlist. 'scythe of death' in particular has the most stunning vocal tunnel I have heard on a barely known band, lasting from 1 minute 54 seconds to 2 minutes 09 seconds and containing a clean break, to say I am a fan is an understatement.

you can find soothe on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

for fans of: make them suffer, to the grave, paleface swiss and left to suffer

3. Depression Island - czech republic - 199 SPML

depression island Is a post hardcore-metalcore band from the czech republic. amongst an abundance of singles they have two eps under their belt, 'misery' released in 2020 and 'lockdown session 2021' which is an entirely live EP. 'broken' would have to be my favourite song of depression island's and is very reminisce of 'I killed the prom queen'.

you can find depression island on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

for fans of: I killed the prom queen, parkway drive, thy art is murder

4. Ashes of Betrayal - Switzerland - 132 SPML

five piece metalcore band, ashes of betrayal's debut EP 'burning from the inside' hit the scene in 2023. vocalist Robin gives the band a unique flare with his 'bullet for my valentine' style vocals over a swiss accent. 'tabula rasa' is the bands newest release single.

you can find ashes of betrayal on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and tiktok

for fans of: bullet for my valentine, trivium and atreyu

5. Deadset (pnhc) - Aotearoa (Nz) - 64 SPML

deadset (pnhc) is a five piece groove metal with hardcore influences band formed in 2013. they released their debut EP 'the pigsloth' in 2019 followed by full length album 'seasonal ghosts' in 2023.

you can find deadset pnhc on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

for fans of: hatebreed, lamb of god and fear factory

6. Sweet reaper - usa - 2.4k spml

sweet reaper will hit all of your californian surfer punk needs. sweet reaper have released four full length albums, 'street sweeper' (2017), 'side kick' (2018), 'closer still' (2020), and 'street sweeper vinyl version' (2022) with one ep 'microdose' (2021) throughout their career.

you can find sweet reaper on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram and youtube

for fans of: minor threat, hideous sun demon, the living end and the pinheads

7. Vaaska - USA - 6.6k SPML

vaaska blend Spanish punk with d-beat to create their Harcore punk sound. the band formed in Texas in 2009. their debut full length albums 'todos contra todos' released in 2015, followed by eps 'futuro primitivo' in 2016 and 'inocentes condenados' in 2019.

you can find vaaska on: spotify, apple music and YouTube

for fans of: black flag, dead kennedys, rancid and minor threat

8. kardinal punch - Andalusia - 43 spml

   
   

   five piece crossover metal band, kardinal punch have released one ep 'sorrow' in 2022, as well as several singles, including my personal favourite "the dance" released in September 2024.

   
   
   
   

you can find kardinal punch on: Spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, tiktok and their website

for fans of: stray from the path, GOJIRA and meshuggah

9. Kaali - Vietnam - 35 SPML

"Drawing inspiration from genres such as black metal, hardcore and post rock, Kaali's vision has been to blend the sounds that have inspired the band through harsh times." - via spotify

kaali released their ep 'alone' in 2017 alongside several singles between 2021 and 2023.

you can find kaali on: spotify, apple music, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

for fans of: as blood runs black, whitechapel and the black dahlia murder

10. infernal grave - Singapore - 30spml

"Infernal Grave is a deathcore band formed in 2023 in Singapore, quickly establishing themselves as a powerful force in the metal community. Comprising four passionate musicians, they deliver an intense sonic experience marked by crushing breakdowns, intricate guitar work, and aggressive, spine-chilling vocals." - via spotify

infernal grave only have two singles to date, 'perpetual abyss' (February, 2024) and 'netherrealm' (September, 2024), however they are well worth the listen and I cannot wait for more music to come.

you can find infernal grave on: Spotify, apple music, Instagram, YouTube and tiktok

for fans of: lorna shore, slaughter to prevail, job for a cowboy and to the grave

did you find any new bands from the list? who was your favourite? do you have any smaller international bands you would recommend?