Hope Scars is an incredible triumph and another sensational UK post-metal debut album.

Rich and powerful atmospheric post-metal which really deserves to be heard. This could be one of the best in 2025.

These five offerings strike a keen balance between tradition and modernity, emotional weight and raw power, making II one of early 2025’s standout metal releases.

With The Grand Scheme Of Things, Sugar Horse continue to sound peerless and it’s another majestic release in a growing catalogue of perfection.

It is the EP that’ll take repeatable listens to sink in, and how they proven themselves that they’re more than just the bands that they’re known for, and take it up a notch.

Post-metal’s most vital and unique voice delivers a flawless second album that will be a favourite for decades to come.

Mastiff has made one of the grimmest albums of recent times, a dense sludgy atmosphere of hopelessness and pain and it is absolutely glorious.

A gothic romance for those that love to stand atop moonlit hills, overlooking barren chasms in suitably billowing clothing.

Gary Davidson caught up with Joe Clayton to hear all about Pijn, No Studio and Floodlit Recordings and the triumphant Curse These Metal Hands 2023 Arctangent set.

A classic European mix of screamo and post-hardcore with flashes of black, serves up seven passionate tracks to get the blood pumping.

A perfect accompaniment to a weekend morning waking up with the morning brew to embrace the day ahead, and a reminder to oneself to live in the moment.

Calligram have crafted a claustrophobic, unnerving but occasionally beautiful record.

Sigh truly is defined by a strong sense of identity: no other band sounds quite like them.

The unexpected return of one of the most extreme bands to ever crawl out from under the rock labelled doom – time for the most desolate atmospheres conjured in slow motion.

Black metal tackling weighty emotions, with a dash of levity. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s angry, but they appear to have a lot of fun cajoling it all into a single story.

A record that leaves the listener exhausted, scared, but most of all enthralled by the sheer malevolence displayed.

An exciting new band crashing into the doom scene with a fresh twist on the expected cornerstones.

If there is any justice in this world, POPNOTPOP should put Rookes up there alongside Billynomates & Self Esteem as one of the pop icons of our time.

Dead Cross II impresses. It is a powerful, no holds barred sonic rumble, that in spite of its monstrous, almost combative ferocity, still manages some gratifying melody and intriguing experimentation.

Doom mixed with black metal that provides a rewarding and massively enjoyable album.

Sometimes the only way to rid yourself of the rage is to expel it and for that I can’t prescribe this album fast enough.