Outlander - The Bookhouse Sessions

Labels: Self-Released/Pelagic Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 12 Jun 2026

Tracklist:

1. Lye Waste / Habituation (Live)

2. Want No More (Live)

3. Sinking (Live)

4. Orbit (Live)

Today has been one of those days where I've just wanted to sink into something more instrumental, and more spacious maybe? It started very differently though, as my walk to work began with the new Holding Absence album, which will take some adjusting to after what I've heard of it so far. Switching onto Slow Crush soon after was a good choice and set me up for the day. This is where Birmingham, UK's Outlander came to mind. 

I first came across them thanks to the Pelagic Records pressing of their 2019 LP The Valium Machine (in early 2025). Their combination of post-rock, shoegaze and glorious instrumentals captivated me, so to see that they had released a special live session earlier this year was a treat. Containing one song from their 2019 release and three (but actually four) from 2024's Acts of Harm, it stands as a showcase of their sound.

This feels so perfect this evening, as the night draws in around me. Beginning with ‘Lye Waste / Habituation’ (which is two songs into one essentially), Outlander build instrumentally from pensive to cinematic, while vocals sit amongst the swirling tones without breaching them. Even when the dual-vocal melodies float in and out, they don’t threaten to overtake the music itself. Percussion, bass and guitars working as one whole, beautifully in a live setting. I only wish I was there to experience it.

There’s a slightly different feel to ‘Want No More’, which sways from indie, to post-rock/post-punk and toward heavier pastures too. It’s a strikingly catchy song, which is an odd thing for me to say maybe, but it’s mainly down to the melody created by the lead guitar(s). Either way, it’s another great piece of music delivered with true sensitivity.

Listening to this release is really encouraging me to get my music room sorted out. I need a bigger place first though! ‘Sinking’ is the only song here from The Valium Machine so it represents an earlier point in Outlander’s career. A point where they were developing their cinematic sound and honestly, it’s as grand as you’d expect, especially here. There’s so much warmth on this recording, where years ago it would have sounded muddied.

The aptly titled ‘Orbit’ closes out this live session in dream-like fashion, as Outlander let their instrumentation take full control, creating an atmosphere that’s truly spellbinding. It does sound like there are some harsh vocals backing things up, but that could be a trick of the senses. Whether my description of the song is right or wrong, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that this release exists.

I really hope this gets a physical release of it’s own at some point, as not only does it showcase an extremely talented band from the UK, but it also gathers together a great set of songs. Outlander make special music that deserves a wider audience.

Right now, you can stream and purchase the release digitally via Outlander's bandcamp page below:-

Outlander Instagram - @outlandertheband 

Pelagic Records Instagram - @pelagic_records

The Names Of Our Friends/Poetry Of Torch - Split

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 24 Jul 2026

Tracklist:

1. The Names Of Our Friends - All For You

2. The Names Of Ours Friends - Just For Us

3. Poetry Of Torch - 泥濘

4. Poetry Of Torch - 呼んでいる

What a difference a couple of days make! Honestly, I was floundering a bit towards the end of last month but after a couple of reviews already this month, I feel the excitement again. July was the month that Zegema Beach Records released this split between US band The Names Of Our Friends and Japan's Poetry Of Torch, on tape and also digitally.

Both bands play post-hardcore/screamo. If you were following the blog back in 2025, you might have read my review of Poetry Of Torch's split with Gil Cerrone. The Names Of Our Friends are once again another new band to me (I must get round to finishing that list of every band featured here!).

Today has been a day to forget work-wise. I’m drained and all I yearn for is some kind of escape. Nothing screams “escape” like screamo and The Names Of Our Friends, who provide such a blistering performance on their first track ‘All For You’. Piercing vocals that almost leap into emoviolence territory, alongside blistering percussion, off-kilter tempos and dramatic guitar work. Obviously, it’s over pretty quickly but it leads into their second track ‘Just For Us’ instantly, which is more introspective, while showing different sides to the band. Melodic vocals, chugging riffs and nods to The Mars Volta are all present. It’s a real treat and a great way to round out their side of this split.

Poetry Of Torch start their side with ‘泥濘’, which is short and sharp. Starting with a mix of warped noise and samples before exploding into the kind of crazed emoviolence that Japanese bands do so well. It’s short, so getting a true feel is hard but it’s not long before their second song ‘呼んでいる’ begins. It’s longer, so might be a better representation of their sound overall, which is fast, quite raw but also post-hardcore leaning. The vocals are shouted, the percussion sits deeper in the mix and the guitars provide a cacophony of different styles. Another example of Japan’s unique and brilliant approach to heavier music.

Even just listening to these four songs has reset my brain and I’m grateful for it. I wish this release had gone on longer though as both The Names Of Our Friends and Poetry Of Torch are fantastic song-writers/performers.

You can stream and purchase this split digitally from ZBR below:-

You can buy physical tape copies from ZBR here - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/tnoofxpot

The Names Of Our Friends Instagram - @the.names.of.our.friends

Poetry Of Torch Instagram - @poetry_of_torch

Zegema Beach Records Instagram - @zegema_beach

Pleb - Grease Trap

Labels: Human Worth

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 07 Aug 2026

Tracklist:

1. Clods Of Shit And Bone

2. The Bruises Mean It's On The Way Out

3. The Eyes Melt First

4. Put It Back

5. Evolutionary Roadblock

6. The Streets Aren't Reliable In The Slightest

7. You And Me Baby Ain't Nothing But Cannibals

8. Belly Up

I've been well out of sync with the DIY community/scene in Leeds for years now. When I worked in the city it was great to be able to stick around, see bands and then get the last train home. I watched more than I can remember. Recently, thanks to Owen at Human Worth, a band called Pleb was sent my way. Turns out Pleb includes a member who I saw play many times back in the day.

Grease Trap arrived as the duo's first release earlier this month. Featuring the guitar and feedback of D. Fraser, as well as the drums and vocals of S. Myles, Pleb delivers sludge but with a punk mindset. Exactly what Leeds has always been about.

It feels kind of weird to be writing about a release within the same month that it was… released. Well nearly, as it was the same month before I decided to re-write this. It’s a good one though and after reading the bio about the album on Pleb’s bandcamp page, we’re in for a treat. Noisy, feedback-laden sludge fills the air on opener ‘Clods Of Shit And Bone’. Guitar, percussion and vocals that remind me of the diverse richness of the city’s musical underbelly. Subtle hints of the slower end of powerviolence join punk and sludge.

‘The Bruises Mean It’s On The Way Out’ is just filled with layer after layer of chunky riffs and screechy feedback. It’s bloody good, and way noisier than anything a duo should be making! Coming in pretty much equipped (with nastiness), ’The Eyes Melt First’ sees Pleb hitting a dangerous stride. One that completely justifies their recent appearance at ArcTanGent, which unsurprisingly went down a storm from what I’ve read.

‘’Put It Back’ continues with the feedback left by ‘The Eyes Melt First’. As I write this, there is thunder and lighting crashing outside my window but even that isn’t heavier than Pleb at their heaviest.  It’s not only about the slow stuff on Grease Trap as ‘Evolutionary Roadblock’ brings a pacier tempo, which adorns its shortest track. 

Maybe describing the streets of Leeds (or something/somewhere entirely different), ‘The Streets Aren’t Reliable In The Slightest’ is a murky, off-kilter slice of sludgecore that epitomises the grim realness that we face up north. I was going to draw comparison to this next song’s title and Bloodhound Gang, but that was till I watched the video and read the lyrics to ‘You And Me Baby Ain’t Nothing But Cannibals’. It was the lyrics that really did it. Both stark and beautiful up against the instrumentation.

Closing with ‘Belly Up’, Pleb give it everything. From deep, stomping sludge riffs to grinding drums and those vocals, which by now are buried deep in the memory receptors. Pleb sound energised and fresh, while maintaining the grittiness and warmth that’s always been there in Leeds musically. What an ace album Grease Trap is!

You can stream and purchase Grease Trap digitally below, where you can also pre-order tape copies (it's already on it's 2nd pressing!):-

Here's the video for 'You And Me Baby Ain't Nothing But Cannibals' for your viewing pleasure too, courtesy of Human Worth:-

Pleb Instagram - @pleb_slow

Human Worth Instagram - @humanworthmusic 

Depredation Netra - Third Eye Predation

Labels: Iron Bonehead Productions

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 18 Nov 2025

Tracklist:

1. I, Eye, Ayin (Lifting The Blindfold)

2. Netra Drakonis: Vajra-Ophidian Opening Of The Black Diamond Eye

3. Third Eye Predation Befalls The Foul Pillars Of Formation

I have been writing about a release in the background but honestly, it's felt forced. Not because the band is bad, far from it. I'm just not happy with my writing so I'm going to re-do it. In the meantime though, a kick up the proverbial is much needed and it will duly be given by some black/death metal from India.

Released late last year via Iron Bonehead Productions, Third Eye Predation is the debut demo from the newest member of the Kolkata Inner Order, Depredation Netra. The Kolkata Inner Order is a group of bands (for want of a better phrase) who are spreading their own extremity throughout the underground. Join me and venture into the unknown.

Demo opener ‘I, Eye, Ayin (Lifting The Blindfold)’ is an ambient, cosmic intro that gives very little away about what’s to come from Depredation Netra. That’s a good thing in my opinion, as it keeps that air of intrigue high. It’s too easy to get swept up in expectation sometimes. 

‘Netra Drakonis: Vajra-Ophidian Opening Of The Black Diamond Eye’ is where things become clearer. You might think that’s a misnomer given the rawness of the song, but this is a demo after all and the first murmurings from a new underground trio. I would much prefer something with an honest live-sound, than something that’s overproduced.  

The percussion very much rules over everything else here, while the guitar and bass offer both merciless thrash, and subtle bluesy tones too. The vocals have a blackened rasp to them, though they are used more sparingly than you might expect.

The demo’s closer ‘Third Eye Predation Befalls The Foul Pillars Of Formation’ is another barrage of cold extremity. Its tempos shift throughout, from properly blasting to the unexpectedly brutal (almost slam-like) passage after the two-minute mark. I was about to say this wouldn’t drop to the slowest depths and then it almost did!

That was definitely the kick I needed. Depredation Netra have gained a fan here and yet more appreciation should go to Iron Bonehead Productions for giving such bands a home. Black/death metal is alive and well in Kolkata, and long may it continue!

You can stream and purchase Third Eye Predation digitally from Depredation Netra below:-

Tape copies can be purchased from Iron Bonehead Productions here -https://shop.ironbonehead.de/en/ibp-releases-/33026-depredation-netra-ind-third-eye-predation-tape.html

Depredation Netra - https://www.facebook.com/depredationnetra

Iron Bonehead Productions - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

Coup D'etat - Coup D'etat The Band The Promo The EP

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Lathe/Digital

Release Date: 13 Jul 2026

Tracklist:

1. Survivorship Bias

2. Losing Meaning

3. On Staying Put

I've taken a two-week break from the day job to re-decorate. Been putting it off for way too long, which means time spent in close proximity to noxious cleaning/painting materials. Needless to say, I'll be glad when it's all over and I can relax. It has its plus side though, as I get a lie-in each day and I can listen to more music (I need to do more of the latter).

Sticking to my self-made commitment to cover every 2026 release from Zegema Beach Records, I'm covering the new Coup D'etat EP this evening. The Canadian quartet released it digitally (as three tracks) and on super-limited 7" Lathe (as two tracks) with the help of ZBR.

For some reason I feel out of practice. Maybe it’s the fumes! As mentioned above, only two songs from this EP made it to the 7” lathe, the first one being ‘Survivorship Bias’. What strikes me first is how familiar it sounds, with guitar riffs that rip with intensity but are also very melodic. Dave’s promo write-up draws comparisons to Alexisonfire and Boysetsfire (the latter being my favourite band full stop), and he’s not wrong. Coup D’etat have semi-clean vocals up top and harsh ones backing them up, while the bass and drums provide a backdrop of sheer class. This is awesome!

‘Losing Memory’ is the lathe’s second song and a dramatic version of modern-day emotional hardcore. It’s pretty damn good as well. It definitely feels like a generation of bands that I grew up with are coming full-circle again through bands like Coup D’etat, which is great honestly. I’d add Funeral For A Friend to the list of comparisons as well, though loosely. I mention them because I picked up a 7” single of theirs that I already own, over the weekend. 

Ending with digital-only song ‘On Staying Put’, Coup D’etat deliver their most concise and ferocious take on emotional hardcore. As that previous sentence suggests, their approach is both a mixture of heaviness and tempered emotion, thanks in part to laid-back instrumental passages. Goddamn, I need to get back into some sort of writing rhythm! This EP is such a great way to discover Coup D’etat, if you haven’t done so already. I’d recommend you go back and listen to their earlier releases too, as they’re all golden!

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally (with all three songs) via Coup D'etat's bandcamp page below:-

Surprisingly, 7" lathe copies are still available to grab from ZBR here:-http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/coup-ep

Also, for anybody who has missed the announcement, Persistent Vision Records are now the US store for ZBR. Check out what they have available here (with more due shortly):-https://persistentvisionrecords.com/collections/zegema-beach-records

Coup D'etat Instagram - @coupdetatbc

Zegema Beach Records Instagram - @zegema_beach

Threat Signal - Revelations

Labels: Agonia Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 27 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. The Great Tribulation

2. Non-Essential

3. Exercise The Demon

4. Fire At Will

5. Death Will Find Us All

6. Paralysis

7. Revelations

8. NME

9. Hell And Back

10. Live For You

I didn't think I would ever get the opportunity to review an album by Canadian metal band Threat Signal, until I wrote about their 2017 album Disconnect that is!. My introduction to the band stretches right back to their 2006 debut album Under Reprisal. They've steadily released albums ever since and earlier this year they released their fifth full-length Revelations via Agonia Records. This is still one of those pinch-me moments for both 20 year-old and 40 year-old me!

It’s time to put the stresses and strains of everyday life to one side for a bit. To escape, to reflect and to enjoy. That’s exactly what I intend to do with Threat Signal’s newest album Revelations. This is what I remember from Threat Signal. Epic technical/thrash metal with heaps of melody on opener ‘The Great Tribulation’. I’ve always heard much more European influence in their sound. The tempo of the music here is more mid-paced, but it works perfectly alongside the instrumentation and vocals. Think of bands like Textures and Soilwork as a reference.

As with my initial listens to Under Reprisal back in 2006, Revelations builds with every track. The excellent melodic layers of ‘Non-Essesntial’ provide an approachable warmth, which tempers the heavier passages. Threat Signal have never truly been about outright heaviness and that’s worked for them, even if they have floated under the radar slightly. ‘Exercise The Demon’ opens with riffs that sound like djent before djent was a thing (if that makes sense?). Add symphonic elements and harsh/clean vocal interplay, and there’s plenty going on. The lyrical content and use of samples paint a serious image, but the twin-leads towards the end make it all about the music again.

We all have our favourite albums by certain bands and at least for me, they tend to tie into when I first discovered them. That means that I’ll always compare newer albums to them, which is a bad habit and one I’m trying to break. ‘Fire At Will’ fills me with excitement as dramatic strings carve out an intro that leads to what is probably the album’s biggest anthem, in may opinion. Yes, it has a more traditional song-structure than the progressive structure Threat Signal are known for but there’s definitely room for that on the album.

Saying that though, the first half of Revelations ends with ‘Death Will Find Us All’, where thrash metal meets modern technicality, dialling up the heat once more. Heavier, gnarlier and full of riffs. Mid-points of albums can be a bit wishy washy but not here!. ’Paralysis’ opens with a pop/hip-hop intro before prog-metal takes the reins. The harsh vocals are a little lower in the mix, to match the instrumentation before the volume increases soon after. It’s Threat Signal delivering their version of tech/melo-death with a dollop of virtuoso instrumentation, much like they’ve always done. 

Threat Signal strike hard again with their title-track ‘Revelations’. Thrash metal is where it’s at here, coupled with a lot more urgency and expertly used melody. The fact that they’re able to weave together so many different elements without sounding disjointed is pretty damn impressive!. I’m not sure if this is a nod to the UK music magazine institution of the same name, but whatever, ’NME’ sees Threat Signal once again going about their business in a way that’s filled with epic song-writing and instrumentation that’s dripping in beautiful melody. 

The album’s penultimate song ‘Hell And Back’ continues with it’s own melodic approach, as dramatic piano leads into an orchestral/almost nu-metal song that’s punctuated by the band’s more familiar heaviness at times. Maybe it’s shining a light on Threat Signal’s future musical direction, but maybe it isn’t. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Closing out Revelations, ‘Live For You’ is both their most expansive and most accessible song (maybe?). I’m not saying the latter is a bad thing as they’ve always been a band that I thought would break through to wider audiences.  Honestly, it’s a great ending and a signal of intent from a band that have gained so much experience over the last twenty years. 

Throughout my time following and writing about bands, I’ve always covered those who have forged their careers on DIY/indie labels before jumping to larger ones. Threat Signal forged a different path as they started out on Nuclear Blast Records (with licensed pressings beyond Europe), before finding a home on Polish indie metal label Agonia Records. The move has done a lot of good for them though. Starting with 2017’s Disconnect and now Revelations, Threat Signal have proven that they’re in it for the long haul. Purist or not, I defy you to find anything wrong with this record.

You can stream Revelations and purchase it on vinyl, CD and digital formats via Agonia Records here:-

Threat Signal - https://www.facebook.com/threatsignal

Agonia Records - https://www.facebook.com/agoniarecords