Barren Womb/Hylko - Split-Single 7"

Labels: Fucking North Pole Records/Captured Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 20 Mar 2026

Tracklist: 

1. Barren Womb - The Perils of Self-Improvement

2. Hylko - Green Spa (Cold Region Version)

I still love a good 7" single. I’ve been steadily picking them up, even though all of my record storage is taken up by LPs and they're now relegated to a crate (will be looking to change that soon!). That's what drew me towards this little split single from Norwegian noise-rock duo Barren Womb and Japanese stoner trio Hylko. It features one song by each band and was limited to just 100 copies, 50 on black and 50 on white vinyl, released by Fucking North Pole Records (or FNPRecords for short) and Captured Records.

It’s been quite sometime since I last reviewed a quick-fire release like this one. Barren Womb is a name I’ve seen pop up in various places over the last few years, though I didn’t realise they have been making music since 2011! Their song here ‘The Perils of Self-Improvement’ is a surprising mix of pop/melodic hooks and thundering heaviness. Dual-clean vocals, shouts, mid-paced percussion and guitar riffs that pivot between classy rock, and harrowing stoner-metal. The ending is especially worth waiting for, as Barren Womb literally grind their way to a halt.

Hylko are a completely new band to me and as they’re from Japan, I don’t know what to expect (apart from something unexpected!). The trio features a drummer, a vocalist who also plays a djembe drum and a bassist. Japan has a long history of producing great psych/stoner/noise bands and as the rumbling bass riff hits on ‘Green Spa’, another one is born in Hylko. Simple but noisy with beguiling Japanese lyrics that really bring out the psych influence, alongside the sounds of what is apparently a hot spring! 

Two totally different bands sharing a love for noise and rock, but interpreting both in their own way. Barren Womb show a lot of maturity but also a fraught side. Hylko are relatively new still (this is only their second release) but show great promise and ingenuity with their music. There’s a lot to like here.

You can stream Hylko's half of the split via their bandcamp page below, where the track is also available to purchase:-

You can also stream/download the full split from Barren Womb's site here - https://barrenwomb.org.

Barren Womb Instagram - @barrenwomb

Hylko Instagram - @hylko.stonerrock

Physical vinyl copies can be purchased via the pages below:-

FNPRecords - https://www.facebook.com/FNPRecords

Captured Records - http://captured.web.fc2.com

Dying Realm - Siege The Walls EP

Labels: Self-Released/Cavernous Records/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Digital/CD/Tape

Release Date: 12 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. Graves Of Gods

2. Villainous Incantation

3. Mace Buried Deep

4. Abundant Mutilation

Why does it feel so right to be reviewing this EP during the hellish inferno that is this early summer heatwave? Maybe it's the baying skeleton army and the backdrop of the burning castle, or it might just be that everything feels on fire today. I like the heat, but we're not geared up for it at all.

Birmingham, UK death metallers Dying Realm released their debut EP Siege The Walls in March of this year, making it available digitally. The EP also saw it's was onto physical formats with a CD run from Cavernous Records and a tape run from Dry Cough Records, as well.

Once again the UK death metal scene is the gift that keeps on giving. This time that gift comes in the form of Brummie newcomers Dying Realm. Members and ex-members of Nerve Agent, Bound by Blood, Iron Tomb, Odessa and more have formed a quintet of epic proportions. Kicking off their debut EP Siege The Walls with ‘Graves Of Gods’, Dying Realm’s death metal is a mix of both old and new (at least to my ears). Slamming, blasting, technical and filled with screeching leads. The vocals deliver both high-pitched screams and raspy lows. 

‘Villainous Incantation’ has a much higher tempo, as kick-drums lead the way. It’s not without its downtempo moments though, as Dying Realm infuse slower passages and bridges, where atmosphere and even subtle doom elements creep in. It’s super sick! This EP is such an awesome listen thanks to the recording and mixing job by the band’s own Jake Murray at Just Noise Audio, coupled with mastering from Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

Moving into the second half of the EP, ‘Mace Buried Deep’ starts off with more slam-like riffs and furious percussion, giving way to verses that are filled with thrash influences and some really great technical guitar/solos. Looking past the experience Dying Realm have in their ranks. It’s impressive to hear what they’ve been able to put together.

‘Abundant Mutilation’ ends Siege The Walls with blistering intensity. Exactly as death metal should be played, Boatloads of heaviness, more than matched by melody too. David Blaney (vocals), Jake Murray (guitar). Sam Thompson (guitar), Tom Stokes (bass) and Mitch Dornan (drums) have delivered a really solid EP. 

There are more death metal bands than ever, from all over the world, trying to reach fans right now. Each country has its own sound and approach, but I have to say the UK is really moving forward with the quality of bands this island is producing. Dying Realm deserve to be right up there after this. Fingers crossed for more to come!

You can stream and purchase Siege The Walls digitally via Dying Realm's bandcamp page below:-

You can also grab physical copies and other merch from them here -https://dyingrealm.bigcartel.com/products

Physical copies are also still available from the labels below:-

Cavernous Records (CD) - https://cavernousrecords.bigcartel.com/product/dying-realm-siege-the-walls-ep-cd 

Dry Cough Records - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/dying-realm-siege-the-walls-cassette-dc85

Dying Realm Instagram - @dying_realm 

Cavernous Records Instagram - @cavernousrecords 

Dry Cough Records Instagram - @dry_cough_records

Fingerswoventogether - As The Lie Became Truth

Labels: Blackheaven Records/Larry Records/Native Estate/Severed Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 May 2026

Tracklist:

1. ...And Now We're Nothing

2. Patience Through Penitence

3. Holding Onto Something Out Of Arms Reach

4. This Was Never Yours To Take

5. One Glass Eyes And Knives For Hands

How are you all coping with World Cup fever? Do you care? The UK media would have you believe that footy is taking over the US. I hope this is the first and last time we ever see "hydration breaks"!. Anyway, that tenuous opening bit only exists because the band I'm reviewing this evening come from Florida. 

Fingerswoventogether released their first music in 2024 in the form a 3 song demo that received a cdr pressing from Home To Heart and a tape pressing from ZBR sister label Tomb Tree. 2025 saw two lathe-cut releases; a 3-way split that included agile and Opposition Dolls from Blackheaven Records and Severed Records, followed by Severed again with a special Fall 2025 tour promo. Their newest EP came out in May.

I’m anxiously awaiting news on a record trade. I had a duplicate, agreed a trade with someone (from the US), packaged up and sent my half out last week,  now I’m just waiting to hear if the other half of the trade has been sent to me. Will I get it? Am I being stitched up? Should I have accepted the first offer I received? The answer will be shared in a future post. For now though, I’m distracting myself with Fingerswoventogether. This EP immediately sounds so retro as ’…And Now We’re Nothing’ begins. Guitar riffs that bring to mind System of a Down soon get swallowed up by intense and noisy screamo. Cymbal-led percussion crashes, guitars rumble and offer heaps of dissonance, while multiple voices deliver tortured screams, and heartfelt emotion.

‘Patience Through Penitence’ goes in different directions. At times it seems more restrained than the opener but more chaotic at others, while Fingerswoventogether enjoy a moment of slight reflection mid-way through.  They like introspective passages, which break up the heaviness and to be honest, they are very good at them. The flow of the song isn’t spoilt and the anxious riffage actually gains more impact because of them.

There’s a gentle beauty nestling within ‘Holding Onto Something Out of Arms Reach’ that continues after the initial build-up has finished. Even if the emoviolence is the main character here, the melody of the gentler instrumentation acts as an earthing, if that makes sense? It’s a somewhat brief song overall but is big enough to hold considerable weight.

I think back to metalcore when it was more about hardcore when listening to ‘This Was Never Yours to Take’. It just has such an energy and some loverly, intricate musicianship too. I’ve said this before recently but the level of talent that these newer screamo bands have is unbelievable. Pushing the standard up without damaging artistic integrity is what it’s all about.

Closing this EP with ‘One Glass Eye and Knives for Hands’, Fingerswoventogether provide one last epic song. Pulsing with sinister melodies, stark cries and honest musicianship, it brings a real sense of joy. From a noisy beginning to an ending filled with clarity, this EP is excellent. As ever, my write-up doesn’t do it justice. Spin it and try to grab a physical copy before they sell out.

The EP doesn't seem to be available digitally from Fingerswoventogether but you can stream it, and purchase it as a name-your-price download below:-

It's also available digitally from Larry Records - https://larry187.bandcamp.com.

Fingerswoventogether Instagram - @fingerswoventogether

Physical copies are available from the labels below:-

Blackheaven Records (Tape) - https://blackheavenrecords.bigcartel.com/product/fingerswoventogether-as-the-lie-became-truth-tape

Native Estate (CD) - https://native-estate.com/shop/p/fingerswoventogether-as-the-lie-became-truth-cd

Zegema Beach Records (Vinyl) - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/fwt-atlbt 

Blackheaven Records Instagram - @blackheavenworld

Larry Records Instagram - @larryrecords187 

Native Estate Instagram - @native.estates

Severed Records Instagram - @severedrecords_ 

Zegema Beach Records Instagram - @zegema_beach

What the Fire Left - What the Fire Left EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 13 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. Ash

2. Refusal

3. Silence

4. Hope

5. Bone

I've been dragging my heals. I've got a pretty diverse list of releases I want to cover over the next two weeks, but also I don't want to pressure myself to write too much. I know, maybe writing will help! I didn't think I'd cover anything such as solo cello-driven crust punk here, but I'm trying to keep up with those submissions that come directly from bands, which is exactly how I came across US band What the Fire Left.

Admittedly, the e-mail to which I am referring dates back to January, so I've had plenty of opportunity. This is the band's self-titled debut EP, which was officially released in March on digital platforms. I actually didn't know but What the Fire Left has links to Taiwanese post-black metal band Laang and also Abyssius, whom I recently reviewed. Some things are just meant to be!

Apparently, WTFL’s sole member Aspen learned to play cello specially for this release. That’s pretty special! Opener ‘Ash’ has a very upbeat and melodic sound from the off, which is a little bit at odds with crust punk if I’m honest, but that doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things because it’s still really enjoyable to listen too. The percussion and guitar work are both excellent, while the vocals are delivered in a hardcore vein and sound really authoritative. Can’t say I can hear the cello in the mix but it may be sitting deeper. I’ll keep listening. 

‘Refusal’ has me wondering if the cello is being used in place of a bass guitar. Perhaps I’ll never truly know! Either way, the music gets more anthemic and the tempos remain frenetic, but not in a chaotic way. It’s controlled and so genuinely musical considering the songs themselves are short. It remains to be seen whether WTFL is just a stop-gap project between Laang albums or whether it’s destined to become something bigger. On the strength of ‘Silence’, it’ll surely be the latter once it reaches more listeners. 

So ‘Hope’ is where the cello comes to life properly and it’s glorious to hear, when it’s given the space. It’s clear that WTFL wears the American hardcore/metal influence on its sleeve. Couple that with the super clean recording/mixing/mastering and it’d be easy to forget that you’re actually listening to a debut release. Without sounding corny, it really does give you hope for new music.

EP closer ‘Bone’ again has the cello up-top at the beginning, while the main body of the song is filled with incredibly cathartic hardcore-tinged heaviness. I’m not sure I’d call it crust punk but that’s on me I guess. Aspen is a very talented musician on all fronts and has written something that will get under your skin right from first listen. Let's normalise more cello in heavy music!

You can stream the EP via bandcamp below, where it's available as a name-your-price-download:-

Give it a listen and let me (and especially What the Fire Left) know what you think.

What the Fire Left - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587033001220

Mound of Orchids - Silhouettes EP

Labels: Self-Released/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 17 Apr 2026

Tracklist:

1. Silhouette of Faith

2. Of Sinew and Blood

3. Swallow Your Sorrow

Blackgaze, the sub-genre that was born out of shoegaze (while encompassing black metal and screamo) is producing some really interesting bands at the moment. The majority are still pretty unknown outside of their local areas, which is certainly the case for Mound of Orchids from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They released their debut EP Silhouettes in April on digital platforms and Fiadh Productions have also released a tape version.

To spread their music before the EP release and to hone their sound, they played alongside a whole host of really great bands across their home state including Italy's Radura (who'll be releasing their newest LP via Dog Knights Productions later this year), Ragana, Sunrot and Respire to name but a few. I'm excited to hear this.

It’s not often that a release starts with piano as majestic as that which opens ‘Silhouette of Faith’. It’s a gentile way to ease into what becomes post-metal tinged blackgaze. It’s atmospheric and anthemic, thanks to the instrumentation while the vocals are very blackened for the most part. Clean vocals are used in the song’s latter half, when the music settles into a brief period of calm. Even though that calm is shattered towards the end, there’s still a sense of brightness.

That opener stretched to over six minutes and it was worth every second. ‘Of Sinew and Blood’ that follows is somewhat shorter and a lot more pensive (if that’s the right word). The harsh vocals sit much deeper in the mix and at a lower volume, as melodic guitars and other musical elements are allowed to breathe. Perfect for an early morning autumn sunrise perhaps.

Ending with ‘Swallow Your Sorrow’, Mound of Orchids go even more expansive. Their black metal/blackgaze hits top gear straight away but it isn’t long before more engrossing instrumentals and clean vocals regain their place on the recording. An awful lot of thought and time has gone into writing these songs and it shows. The contrast between heavy and light on this song in particular is what makes it work so well, as even when it gets heavier later on, it never feels oppressive.

With such a stirring end to the EP, it’s hard not to feel emotional. I found myself reflecting on where I am in life right now and whether or not I’m merely existing. That’s the power that music can have and Mound of Orchids are able to harness that power to create something greater than just notes, and words.

You can stream and purchase Silhouettes digitally via bandcamp below:-

Mound of Orchids - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093998209912

Tape copies from Fiadh Productions are sold out. 

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions