Formed in Cardiff in 2015, the band is working as a three-piece since long-term drummer Ashley Green departed the band in 2024. The current lineup consists of vocalist Lucas Woodland, guitarist Scott Carey, and bassist Benjamin Elliott. After signing with Sharptone Records in 2017, the band released albums ‘Holding Absence’ in 2019, ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’ in 2021, and ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’ in 2023.

Their general sound is a more modern, polished take on 2000s emo, taking a framework of contemporary post-hardcore and packing it with emotional lyrical depth and atmospheric moods. Woodland’s impressive vocal talents balance the heavy and soft sections equally, which made him a natural candidate when Welsh emo royalty Funeral For A Friend needed a stand-in vocalist in 2023. He has since split time playing live shows with both bands, with no new music appearing since he took on the role until this week.

The trio announced vague plans on New Year’s Eve 2025, with a simple Instagram post reading “Holding Absence will return in 2026”, before leaving a trail of breadcrumbs on social media throughout March. The hints culminated in the reveal on the 31st of March that the new single ‘Whisper Of A Dream’ would come out on the 2nd of April. The single came with the news of the change in label – American label Sumerian Records are best known for their endorsement of metal bands, but Holding Absence will be accompanied by their musical peers Bad Omens and Static Dress.

‘Whisper Of A Dream’ maintains the band’s classic emotional post-hardcore styling, while incorporating glitchy electronic stabs and robotic vocoder vocal cuts, providing the voice for their new mechanical mascot who stars in the video. Frontman Lucas Woodland states “Lyrically and conceptually, the song draws heavily from cyberpunk media. Contemplation, sentience and dreaming in an ever-evolving world. The music video also introduces our robot mascot Y4-BB0, a character you’ll be seeing more of in the coming years.” Speaking of where the song fits into the grand scheme of their return to the fray, Woodland also says ‘Whisper Of A Dream “felt like the perfect song to return with. In many ways, it represents everything Holding Absence has always been, while introducing new elements to our sound and opening the door to what comes next.”

This cyberpunk-inspired rebirth of Holding Absence ironically follows the dystopian news last year that an AI band trained on their music had overtaken them on Spotify streaming figures. Woodland spoke out on social media site X about the AI-generated music released by “Bleeding Verse”, which openly listed both Holding Absence and US group Dayseeker as its influences, and how it had surpassed his band’s listening statistics for the year in just two months. In the thread of his musings, Woodland commented “It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting – most importantly – it’s a wake up call. Oppose AI music, or bands like us stop existing.”

‘Whisper Of A Dream’ is available now on streaming platforms, with more music likely to arrive via Sumerian later in the year. Catch Holding Absence on Enter Shikari’s tour this November, as it hits the UK and Europe with The Callous Daoboys opening. Dates for the run are here:

NOVEMBER
• 3 – Sporthalle, Hamburg
• 4 – Zenith, Munich
• 5 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig
• 6 – Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Düsseldorf
• 7 – Columbiahalle, Berlin
• 10 – Forest National, Brussels
• 11 – 013 Poppodium, Tilburg
• 13 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
• 14 0 Utilita Arena, Cardiff
• 15 – Connexin Live, Hull
• 18 – OVO Hydro, Hull
• 19 – Co-op Live, Manchester
• 20 – Alexandra Palace, London
• 21 – Alexandra Palace, London

New music, two new tracks in fact, out now.

Victim / The Bear.https://t.co/9OA01XKkJz pic.twitter.com/FSuutiIjrg

— Lonely The Brave (@lonelythebrave) September 14, 2023

What We Do To Feel is set to hit the shelves on 10th November and Lonely The Brave are busy ramping up the excitement ahead of the date with the release of two singles, together with ‘The Lens” that was shared last month. Lonely The Brave have also given their UK fanbase reasons to earmark February in the calendar, as the band plan to tour the country throughout the month.

Vocalist Jack Bennet has described “Victim” as an anthem for those who feel that the world is against them while guitarist Mark Trotter has weighed in on “The Bear,” saying the song “alludes to discussion around the anxiety and fear associated with potential loss of a loved one, and the release of that emotion when that comes good.”

The new album promises to showcase the band’s continued growth as musicians and collective, allowing listeners to hear the development of the band’s maturity over the course of their career to date. Elaborating on the process of making the record, Trotter explained, “you can plan it out as much as you want, but you’re just along for the ride. That’s the most exciting part, seeing what it decided to be. With this album, we’re certainly more mature as people and as a band. That make sense with everything that has happened since our last one.”


Forming in Cambridge in 2008, Lonely The Brave quickly set about making a name for themselves with their debut album The Day’s War achieving almost instant success, arriving at number 14 on the UK charts. The band’s follow up effort, 2016’s Things Will Matter received widespread critical acclaim, with many commentators citing it as the band’s best work thus far.

The band was rocked with the news that original vocalist David Jakes was leaving the band two years after the release of Things Will Matter. The singer cited ongoing struggles with mental health as his reason for stepping down, which were exacerbated by the touring and live performance lifestyle that challenges many bands.

Lonely The Brave were determined to continue however, drafting in Bennett to take over full time vocal duties. The band released their third album, The Hope List to favourable reviews with many critics citing the band’s transforming abilities of tough experiences into powerful, emotional art.

Lonely The Brave will begin their UK tour in Brighton on 7th February. Tickets can be found here. A pre-order of What We Do To Feel can be purchased here.

Lonely The Brave UK Tour:

10/11/2023 – Pryzm – Kingston Upon Thames
11/11 – Truck Records – Oxford
13/11 – Portland Arms – Cambridge
14/11 – Crash Records – Leeds
07/02/2024 – Chalk – Brighton
08/02 – The Fleece – Bristol
09/02 – The Globe – Cardiff
10/02 – The Garage – London
14/02 – Rescue Rooms – Nottingham
15/02 – SWG3 – Glasgow
16/02 – Gorilla – Manchester
17/02 – Cluny – Newcastle
29/02 – J2 – Cambridge

pic.twitter.com/V7WUO4Tafv

— Bring Me The Horizon (@bmthofficial) August 23, 2023

Fans of the Sheffield based band were eagerly awaiting the next few weeks, before beloved metalcore band Bring Me The Horizon’s next effort in the Post Human chapter was set to be released. Now, frontman Oli Sykes has had to dash expectations as he announced via social media that the band have had to postpone the release until sometime in the near future.

Sykes cited that the band has had to push back the release due to the album not quite achieving the lofty standards the band have for it, due to unforeseen circumstances. The singer acknowledged his fanbase’s patience over the setbacks the record has had and has promised them that the album will be released some time very soon.

The news will undoubtedly come as a disappointing surprise to Bring Me The Horizon’s legion of fans, but they will also indubitably take heart that the delay is only temporary and many will be pleased to hear that the band is unwilling to comprise on their music-only deciding to release the album when they are satisfied it is of the most perfect quality.

ahh yall let’s be real i think you know we would rather wait longer for another certified banger than want you to stick to deadlines — Earth (@0xEARTH_) August 23, 2023

Oh no, our concerns became reality We all already thought it will be postponed But as long as you’re not happy with it – we can wait But I hope it won’t be long, I am too excited

— annie / makeupheadz (@alexandriaannie) August 23, 2023

I thought this to myself yesterday, that it would be delayed; because we haven’t heard anything in a while. And so it has. A shame from a fan’s perspective but I appreciate the transparency and can’t wait for the amazing piece of ART you will give us. — JD (@bmthcult) August 23, 2023

The disappointment will certainly be felt by the band as well, with Bring Me The Horizon enjoying a huge amount of success over the course of the year-the band’s relentless efforts culminating in a triumphantly successful headlining slot at this summer’s Download Festival, where the group began intensifying the marketing campaign for the new album.

Set to be the second instalment of four in the planned Post Human series, Bring Me The Horizon have already released two singles from the upcoming album, “Lost” and “Amen,” featuring guest spots by hip hop artist, Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw.

Sykes has often expressed his excitement over the new material, saying recently, “we’re definitely tapping into bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Glassjaw. There is not that much difference between a metalcore song and when you get into that world of like post-hardcore and stuff, but its more about the freeness and the kind of frantic energy of it, which was really fun to tap back into, because I always feel like even when we’re heavy, we’ve become quite a polished band. And it was very fun to kind of just throw all that out and just be, like, rough and ready again.”

Fans will be hoping Post Human: Nex Gen is not delayed too long but in the meantime, the band has released the finished version of the album’s cover art-shared by the band on social media accounts. Tickets for Bring Me The Horizon’s upcoming UK tour can be found here. Post Human: Nex Gen can be pre-ordered here.

Bring Me The Horizon Tour:

09/01/2024 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
10/01 – BIC – Bournemouth
12/01 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham
13/01 – AO Arena – Manchester
14/01 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
16/01 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
17/01 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
19/01 – Flydsa Arena – Sheffield
20/01 – O2 Arena – London
21/01 – O2 Arena – London
23/01 – 3 Arena – Dublin

Our new single How To Swim Down is out now, alongside an incredibly moving music video directed and animated by Boy Tillekens.

Watch here: https://t.co/L3xl29kMWJ” pic.twitter.com/HKciGko1rR

— Svalbard (@Svalbardband) August 15, 2023

“How To Swim Down” is the third single Svalbard have shared in anticipation of the album’s release, after previous sharing “Following Eternal Spirits” (a song written in tribute of ex-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison) and “Faking It.” The song presents frontwoman Serena Cherry opting for a complete clean vocal performance and, for the first time, guitarist Liam Phelan featured on violin. The song represents a departure in sound for what the band are usually known for and offers a perfect glimpse into what The Weight Of The Mask has to offer.

Svalbard have also released a beautifully animated video created by Boy Tillkens to accompany the new single. Cherry has stated that the animation captures the emotions of the song delicately and is a moving creative piece to watch.

Speaking of the song, Cherry said, “this song is about the exquisite pain and sorrowful beauty of unrequited love. I think it’s the saddest, most heartbreaking song we’ve ever written. Lyrically, the starting point of the verse is about concealment of adoration, before the chorus gives way to realising and accepting a fate of loving someone quietly from afar.”

Never a band to shy away from challenging the parameters of their genre, Svalbard have nonetheless ventured into parts unknown with “How To Swim Down,” with Phelan taking a starring turn on violin for the first time in the band’s 12 year history. Cherry’s is also a notable performance on the song, as the singer decided to abandon the harsh screams for a more straight forward clean approach.

Cherry explains, “musically, ‘How To Swim Down’ saw us dive into uncharted waters with Liam adding many layers of mournful violin parts onto the track. Finally, violins-for the first time in Svalbard history! It feels so exciting to have new instruments on a song. Another first is that ‘How To Swim Down’ features only clean vocals, no screams….It’s a private, selfless love song, where only the listener knows of my heartache.”

Svalbard were formed in Bristol in 2011 and quickly made a name for themselves, blending the ferocity of hardcore and metal with existential reflections of black metal and shoe-gaze. The band will release The Weight Of The Mask on 6 October via Nuclear Blast Records and will feature on October’s Cult Of Luna’s Beyond The Redshift Festival. Tickets can be purchased here. Pre-orders of the new album can be found here.

Svalbard Tour:

13/10/2023 – Soulcrusher – Nijmegen, Netherlands
15/10 – Helios 37 – Cologne, Germany
16/10 – Urban Spree – Berlin, Germany
17/10 – Chemiefabrik – Dresden, Germany
18/10 – Stummsche Reithalle – Neunkirchen, Germany
19/10 – O’Sullivan’s Backstage by the Mill – Paris, France
21/10 – The Key Club – Leeds

.@STATICDRESS is now a part of the ROADRUNNER family!!!!! (@RRUSA) https://t.co/3oXF7gaRh4

— johnnyminardi (@johnnyminardi) May 18, 2023

What better way for the group to announce their big news than with a re-issue of their debut album Rouge Carpet Disaster, titled Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux). The band have been making a considerable splash on the hardcore/metalcore scene with their ambiance building brand of emo, metalcore and electronic rock. Notable for their penchant for world-building through thought provoking lyrics and sonic resonance, the band have been favourably compared to such scene legends as My Chemical Romance and Underoath.

Formed in Leeds in 2018 by vocalist Olli Appleyard, guitarist Tom Black, bassist Connor Reilly and drummer Sam Kay, Static Dress had its roots in hardcore punk but soon evolved into incorporating many different styles from a profusion of genres within heavier rock music.

Like many up and coming bands just beginning to find their feet, Covid-19 shut down the live music scene as well as the world and Static Dress found themselves having to not only adapt, but survive. Determined to be as active as possible, the band continued to release studio tracks as well as lockdown- safe music videos to accompany them, keeping interest in the band alive.

An ambitious band not content to rest on their laurels, Static Dress announced themselves, post-lockdowns, in the best way possible by landing a slot on the second stage at the all British led Download Pilot-the first large UK based festival to earn a ‘trial’ run during the second phase of UK restriction easing. In what was critical exposure for the band, Static Dress resumed heavy touring, providing support for heavy hitting bands such as Knocked Loose and Higher Power.

The hard work has now paid off for the four piece, as they have taken a giant leap forward signing to American based metal label Roadrunner Records. Roadrunner is perhaps most familiar to metal heads as being the record label that Slipknot found a home on, releasing all of their current studio records to date on the distributor. A prestigious label, Static Dress will count bands such as Gojira, Turnstile and Trivium as label mates.

For their expanded release, Static Dress have included all original songs from Rouge Carpet Disaster as well as four remixed versions which includes a new rendition and video of song “Courtney, Just Relax” featuring World of Pleasure. The re-release also features brand new artwork to mark the band’s exciting new era.

Static Dress will be taking part in Slam Dunk Festival in Hatfield Park and Leeds later this month, as well as Download in Donington Park. Unfortunately for fans who didn’t have a chance to grab tickets, the festivals are sold out.

The band first announced the tour in July 2020, with hopes they’d be able to take to the stage back in April. However as the month approached with very little change in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the band decided in February to hold off until January 2022. Now, as the Omicron variant has begun to spread quite rapidly Funeral For A Friend have once again decided to push back the dates even further.

Funeral For A Friend said in a statement on Facebook, “Whilst this news is disappointing, you can rest assured that we’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure that these shows WILL go ahead when it’s safe and feasible to do so, and we have already confirmed new dates for this run starting at the end of February and into March.”

“We appreciate you sticking with us, and would appreciate you sticking with us just a few more weeks as we aim to finally get this tour over the line, and in the safest of circumstances. Thank you, and wishing a wonderful Christmas and holiday season to you and your loved ones.”

The band will now kick things off again with two back-to-back shows in Cardiff on Monday, February 28, and Tuesday, March 1. They’ll head to Manchester next, before rolling through London, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol and Bournemouth. From there, they’ll return to London for one last gig at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. New shows for Glasgow and Newcastle are yet to be announced, but according to their statement, fans can expect news on those gigs to come soon.

This latest run will be Funeral For A Friend’s first full tour since their 2019 reunion when they played two charity shows in Cardiff and another in London. To celebrate their return, the band will perform material from their first three albums 2003’s Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation, 2005’s Hours and 2007’s Tales Don’t Tell Themselves.

Tickets for the dates that haven’t fully sold out yet (in Leeds and Bournemouth) are still on sale now.

Funeral For A Friend UK Tour Dates:

02/28/22 Great Uni Hall – Cardiff
03/01 Great Uni Hall – Cardiff
03/02 Manchester – Academy
03/04 Electric Brixton – London
03/05 Electric Brixton – London
03/06 O2 Academy – Leeds
03/07 O2 Academy – Birmingham
03/11 O2 Academy – Sheffield
03/12 O2 Academy – Bristol
03/13 O2 Academy – Bournemouth
03/15 O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London

FUCK EVERYTHING

Pre-save that shit rnhttps://t.co/Ch3BbPuU1w pic.twitter.com/XQ1EXDJD4X

— Death Blooms (@dthblms) February 10, 2021

Earlier last year, Death Blooms announced they signed for the independent label Adventure Cat, a division of KMGMT who have been involved with the likes of Neck Deep, Tonight Alive, Creeper, As It Is, and many more. Following the news, the Liverpool dropped the furious tirade ‘Life Is Pain‘, with frontman Paul Barrow talking about the track: “This song, as with many of our songs, looks at the daily struggle. We, as a species, experience many things: pain is something we all know only too well”. 

Back then Death Blooms hinted at a debut full-lenght album on the pipeline but with the chaos and delays of 2020, an album is currently expected later this year, hoping for an official announcement soon. In August 2020, the band dropped the second promotional single ‘Anger‘, building on the momentum and making a clear statement with their raging blend of nostalgic early nu-metal mayhem and modern post-hardcore charge. Steadily making a name as one of the most exciting rising UK bands, Death Blooms recently got the attention of Radio 1 and MTV Rocks’ very own Jack Saunders:

“They’re another spawn of Slipknot, without a doubt. Seeing a post-hardcore band in a small venue, the sound needs to be really abrasive yet coherent and engaging at the same time, and they absolutely smashed it. Their lead singer’s voice is unreal, too – they’ve got the whole package. It’s early days with them, but there’s potential for them to break through. I’m a big fan.”

Since their formation not too long ago, Death Blooms have dropped two self-produced 4-track EPs – Death Blooms (2017) and You Are Filth (2019), before signing to Adventure Cat and building a solid foundation for a hugely awaited debut album. Undoubtedly a band to keep an eye for, and one with magnetic stage presence, it would have been an even bigger year for the Liverpool outfit if it wasn’t for the ongoing government restriction on live event.

Back in November, as we were slowly adapting to the new world of online gigging, Knotfest started their new Pulse Of The Maggots virtual festival delivering the most promising acts from across the globe and rightfuly including Death Blooms. Making the absolute most of their 20-minute “festival” slot, the post-hardcore outfit delivered a memorable mini set, boldly standing out from the crowd with their performances of ‘Life Is Pain‘, ‘Sick‘, ‘Filth‘, ‘Crosses‘ and ‘Anger‘, available to catch up here.

Despite the chaos surrounding pre-Christmas tier systems, curfews and constantly changing guidelines, Death Blooms managed to sneak a few socially distanced shows in London’s New Cross In supporting Wargasm UK and reminding us once again how much we all miss live gigs. Hoping to see more of the Liverpool quartet this year, follow their socials for more updates on ‘Fuck Everything‘ and their upcoming new record.

Вижте тази публикация в Instagram.

Публикация, споделена от Death Blooms (@dthblms)

Having made a return to their post-hardcore roots with their two most recent albums (2010’s Welcome Home Armageddon and Conduit, released earlier this year) the Bridgend quintet will be playing three dates in Cardiff, London and Leeds. They will be supported by fellow post-hardcore troupe BoySetsFire, who themselves released their new album While A Nation Sleeps… this year, their first album since their reunion in 2010. You can find the dates below.

Friday 25th – O2 Islington Academy, London

Saturday 26th – Cockpit, Leeds

Sunday 27th – Solus, Cardiff

They will also be releasing a special edition of their first E.P Between Order And Model, which will feature live tracks as well as remixed and remastered versions of some of their much loved early music. The re-issue will be on sale from November 17th, and for the first time ever be available on vinyl, although this is limited to 1000 copies. Everyone who pre-orders via www.impericon.com will receive an acoustic version of Red Is The New Black as an MP3 download. You can find the tracklisting for the re-release below.

1. 10:45 Amsterdam Conversations

2. Juno

3. The Art Of American Football

4. Red Is The New Black

5. Storytelling Pt 2

6. Grand Central Station

7. The Getaway Plan

8. 10:45 Amsterdam Conversations (Live)

9. Juno (Live)

10. The Art Of American Football (Live)

11. Red Is The New Black (Live)

Meanwhile, they have also released a live video for Juno, which was shot during their recent European tour. Busy set of lads.

With a sound inspired by the likes of Poison The Well, Thrice and LA Dispute, the end result is the kind of raw, emotive post-hardcore that touches the hearts of so many. Think back to early From Autumn To Ashes but with a ballsy northern attitude and you have Cold Summer. They’re a breath of fresh air to the UK music scene, and they are not just restricted to the post-hardcore sound. In Waiting during the more melodic parts, there is a massive Brandon Boyd of Incubus vibe going on, with vocalist Dan Feast sounding incredibly similar to the Californian crooner. There is also a special treat as there is a beautiful alternative version of the track on the album, proving to outsiders that post-hardcore is not all undecipherable screams and throaty roars.

On Car Crash (In Progress) there is an element of funk, in the delicate riff that opens each verse at least. It shows yet another angle to the group, with their musical versatility shining through brightly. It is clear that they have picked up a lot from recent gigs supporting acts like Funeral For A Friend, Lemuria and Nai Harvest, and following the release of Cold Summer it would appear that the sky is their limit. With a strong wish to be touring all the time and embark upon a journey through the UK and potentially further, you’re going to be hearing a lot about Cold Summer in the coming years. Quite rightly, too.

Peace is very much a classic Kids In Glass Houses track. Big poppy melodies, a dashing of post-hardcore before building up to a massive climax that would leave Ron Jeremy jealous. The video follows the story of a group of three people, two lads one lass. One’s romantically involved with the girl, while the other yearns to be. I think you can guess where this is going, but it all finishes a little bit heated.

It is the second single to be taken from Peace, following the release of Drive in June. Judging by the tracks that we’ve already heard, it can’t be too long before Kids In Glass Houses become the titans of Welsh rock, a fiercely competitive title.

Kids In Glass Houses go on a mammoth tour in support of Peace, which is released September 30th, this September and October. Dates are below.

September

Wednesday 25th – 02 Academy, Liverpool

Thursday 26th – Waterfront, Norwich

Friday 27th – Engine Shed, Lincoln

Saturday 28th – Asylum, Birmingham

Sunday 29th – Peel, Kingston

October

Tuesday 1st – Concorde 2, Brighton

Wednesday 2nd – Electric Ballroom, London

Thursday 3rd – Great Hall, Cardiff

Friday 4th – Academy 2, Manchester

Saturday 5th – Garage, Glasgow

Sunday 6th – Warehouse, Newcastle

Tuesday 8th – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

Wednesday 9th – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Thursday 10th – 02 Academy 2, Oxford

Saturday 12th – Academy 2, Dublin (Ireland)

Sunday 13th – Cypress Avenue, Cork (Ireland)

You can check out the video for Peace below, to get an idea of what the new album’s going to be sound like.