Culloden - Lords Of A Lawless Land Single Premiere

This evening I'm very excited to be able to premiere the newest single from Newcastle heavy metallers Culloden. 'Lords Of A Lawless Land' has been officially released today and I'd like to thank Andrew, and the band for allowing me to share it.

The song is based on stories about a group of raiders called the Border Reivers, who roamed around the Anglo-Scottish borders in medieval times. To help tell this tale, Culloden have drawn inspiration from traditional heavy metal bands like Saxon, as well as heavier bands from the same era including Bathory and Venom.

The premiere is live to stream via my YouTube channel below:-

My first impression of the song is very positive. It's got both melody and genuine bite, as you'd expect from a heavy metal band. The North East is a bit of a hot bed for the traditional end of the metal spectrum and Culloden pull it off really well. It's also refreshing to hear a band taking lyrical inspiration from historic events that took place closer to their home.

I hope you'll join me in championing another fine band from the UK.

'Lords Of A Lawless Land' is also available to stream and purchase digitally from Culloden via bandcamp below here - https://cullodenuk.bandcamp.com/track/lords-of-a-lawless-land.

You can also find all of Culloden's social/streaming links here - https://linktr.ee/culloden.

Redivider - Sounds of Malice

Labels: Third House Communications

Formats: VinylCD/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Quartered & Devoured

2. Sounds of Malice

3. Shackled to Existence

4. Apocalyptic Waste

5. Fratricide

6. Back in the Rot

7. Left to Rot

So much for a bank holiday of rest and relaxation. My head is full of numbers and way too overburdened. I don't know why I do it to myself! That being said, I made time to sort out my record collection too after recent arrivals and I need more space. Maybe I'll eventually add a copy of Redivider's Sounds of Malice to it at some point.

The death metal quintet for Kentucky, United States released their debut album back in January. They originally formed back in 2021 and released a demo the following year, which featured three of the songs that make up this album. Sounds of Malice was released in collaboration with local Louisville, Kentucky label Third House Communications. Let's see how their death metal holds up...

I haven’t been keeping track but it’s been a while since I last featured any US death metal, mainly because I’ve been trying to diversify a bit. Kicking off with ‘Quartered & Devoured’, Redivider go with a sound that’s equal parts thrash, slamming death and Southern drawl. It has a ferociously mean rhythm-section, excellent dual guitars and vocals that offer up squeals, and gutturals alongside a nod to Lamb of God (maybe?).

Next up it’s the turn of the title-track ‘Sounds of Malice’ and it’s a lot more brutal sounding, with pummelling drums, off-kilter time signatures, pinch harmonics and even an epic solo or two. Obviously, that’s not all there is to it and knowing that none other than Dan Swano mastered this album (and let’s not forget the recording work by Michael Kent O’Bryan and Brian ‘Bone’ Thorburn, or the mixing of Paul Nunavath, who is also the band’s lead guitarist), and you can see why it sounds so damn good!

’Shackled to Existence’ has the unique honour of being the album’s longest song but also its most progressive. I’m not sure that’s the right descriptor for it in truth but Redivider pull out all the stops to make it sound as engrossing as it does. I think the gap between the demo and the release of this full-length has been time well spent, as it’s allowed Redivider to truly hone their sound. 

In true thrash/death metal style, there had to be a song here called ‘Apocalyptic Waste’! I say that in the kindest sense because it reminds me of the bands that introduced me to both sub-genres. As a song it doesn’t disappoint with plenty of up-tempo extremity and progression, as well as some good old chugging riffs for good measure.

‘Fratricide’ continues along the progressive vein, using it to make Redivider’s death metal sound even dirtier and more old-school. There’s been such a resurgence in this form of death metal over the last few years and it shows no sign of slowing down. If anything, it should keep on going! I know everything is cyclical and it probably won’t last forever, so best to make the most of it.

Penultimate song ‘Bask in the Rot’ lives up to its title as Redivider delve deeper into the rottenness that prevails in death. While it’s first half is more of a mid-paced crawl, the latter half is punchier for the most part, as percussion builds in tempo and the guitars follow suit. The vocals are still as horrid as they’ve been throughout and ending on a sludgy tipping point is a nice touch.

All of this leads you to album closer ‘Left to Rot’, which is a succinct four-minute blast of everything great about Redivider’s songwriting. The fact that they’ve been working so hard on their songwriting over the last few years, shows how much they care about their craft. To use it to create such a strong first album is even more impressive. 

Some bands exist for decades and write countless albums based on their laurels (you can probably guess who I mean). They’re not even close to being as enjoyable as Sounds of Malice. Hats off to Jacob (vocals), Paul (lead/rhythm guitar), Jake (rhythm guitar), Alexander (bass) and James (drums).

You can stream and purchase Sounds of Malice digitally, and on vinyl below:-

Redivider - https://www.facebook.com/redivider.louisville

Third House Communications - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581503949129

YСПЕХ! – Кечир Мени

Labels: Polar Summer Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Oct 2017

Tracklist:

1. Жалбырактар

2. Сызык

3. Сүйүнчү

4. Байчечекей

5. Чайна

6. Cuento de amor de locura y de muerte

7. Акыркы Чыгарма

This is my first jump back into the Polar Summer Records back catalogue since late last year. I couldn't believe it, but then again time is absolutely flying! This isn't the first time that I've written about the lo-fi/raw screamo/emoviolence played by Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's YСПЕХ!, and it won't be the last.

It was released in October 2017 on a run of just 20 tapes via Polar Summer (and yes, if by some wild miracle, somebody own's a copy they'd be willing to part with please let me know!). I'm on an Eastern European/Central Asian kick right now, there's just something about the intensity of the bands from the region that's got me hooked.

There’s a whole world of undiscovered/under-represented bands from the Eastern block and Central Asia. Granted, there are some shady ones too, but I won’t waste time bringing them to you. Kyrgyzstan’s YСПЕХ! are gracing the blog for the second time tonight, as I focus on their only full-length Кечир Мени. Featuring seven songs and starting with ‘Жалбырактар’, you can totally see and hear why their music is described as lo-fi. It’s a chaotic blend of emoviolence and subtle melody, that’s pierced by crashing cymbals and furious screams. 

The live sound that’s been achieved here is what it’s all about for me. ‘Сызык’ even contains so excellent bluesy/jazz-like instrumentation that’s really stripped down and interesting. I wasn’t expecting it, but it works so well. We need more skramz jazz. At this point, as if it wasn’t obvious already, I must say that no translation is taking place here. I don’t understand Kyrgyz or indeed Russian, which is also prominently spoken in the country.

‘Сүйүнчү’ has a weird country vibe going on throughout its very short playing time and if it wasn’t for the occasional scream, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was an interlude. It isn’t though and it leads into ‘Байчечекей’, where YСПЕХ! use dual vocals to open proceedings. If you’re a fan of The Body, you’ll appreciate this song for its gentle abrasiveness (if that’s a thing!).

‘Чайна’ wastes no time reaching top gear, as YСПЕХ! show their live intensity once again. The song’s mid-section is graced by some beautiful introspection before yet another short blast of emoviolence. One thing I definitely didn’t expect on this album was a song title in Spanish. I don’t know the reason behind it but that doesn’t matter. ‘Cuento de amor de locura y de muerte’ has a more pensive musical approach and uses subtle noise during its first half, before more abrasive screamo takes over, accompanied by Spanish spoken-word. 

With no time to take stock of what’s going on, album closer ‘Акыркы Чыгарма’ takes over. It’s a sprawling epic track that just exemplifies the honest, raw approach that YСПЕХ! take with their music. The slightly repetitive nature of the instrumentation is actually refreshing and hopefully, you’ll understand what I mean by that. I’m always in awe of just how creative bands can be, wherever they’re from in the world. 

Music in its purest form is bigger than any individual, which is kind of obvious I guess. It’s important to give time and space to bands like YСПЕХ! as they have shaped (and continue to shape) music as we know it in regions where sometimes freedom of speech, and expression can be frowned upon. You can’t help but be moved by it.

As I eluded to above, Polar Summer are long sold out of their limited tape copies. You can stream and purchase the album digital from YСПЕХ! below:-

YСПЕХ! Instagram - @yspeh.band

Polar Summer Records - https://polarxsummer.bandcamp.com

dagerman. - Di fronte a noi il nulla

Labels: Best Life Records/Dancing Rabbit Records/Fireflies Fall/Shove Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 20 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. Incarnazione

2. Calvario

3. Lontani da qui

4. Caino

5. Oltre

6. Neve

7. Immobili

8. Metamorfosi

Time waits for no man and it certainly isn't waiting for me! Pelle from dagerman. wrote to me back in March about the release of the band's second album and here I am, writing about it just over a month later. Coming less than eighteen months after debut album tragedie | VIVERE was unleashed, Di fronte a noi il nulla was released digitally by dagerman. and also pressed onto vinyl by a beautiful bunch of collaborating labels made up of Best Life Records (UK), Dancing Rabbit Records (DE), Fireflies Fall (FR), Shove Records (IT) and Zegema Beach Records (USA/CAN).

Last year I wrote about a fair few bands from Italy. A few years ago, I did the same with bands from Finland. I have a tendency to gravitate towards certain countries or styles sometimes. This year’s been a bit more random so far I think and I’m going to try to vary things further. Jumping into Di fronte a noi il nulla, ‘Incarnazione’ brings back the warmth I felt while listening to tragedie | VIVERE. Flourishes of metalcore and hardcore can be heard too, building on the sound of their debut album.

‘Calvario’ has a lot more urgency and intensity compared to the album’s opener. dagerman. give their earliest take on emotive hardcore here. The explosive opening third progresses into a mid-section that’s more subdued and pensive, before the final third explodes once again.

dagerman. have this innate ability to make their songs sound both intense and introspective at the flip of a switch. ‘Lontani da qui’ is the best example of that. The mix of hardcore and introspective, emo-like musicianship is perfect when it’s held up against the vocals, which are very much front and center. 

There’s a mid-section of sorts on this album where dagerman. throw in a couple of shorter songs, starting with ‘Caino’. It’s filled with such gorgeous instrumentation that you’d be forgiven for ignoring how technical dagerman. can be at times, ‘Oltre’ is darker and more unnerving at first, so it’s not a surprise when the quintet’s angular hardcore/screamo takes the lead later on.

‘Oltre’ bleeds seamlessly into ‘Neve’. The percussion especially stands out for me here, as it’s filled with subtle groove and even some funk early on, before the volume explodes once again with the classy bass, melodic guitar work and emotive vocals. 

Penultimate track ‘Immobili’ passes by in waves of post-hardcore/rock atmosphere, bracketed by faster flourishes, in turn creating a dramatic soundscape that carries over into final song ‘Metamorfosi’. It is the album’s longest song and it fittingly show’s off everything in dagerman.’s musical arsenal. Such an epic way to end what’s been a special album.

Once again, there’s such a buzz around Italy’s post-hardcore/screamo scene that shows no sign of calming down. dagerman. might have just released one of the best albums of the year in the sub-genre. Don’t sleep on this.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally below:-

dagerman. Instagram - @dagerman.band

Physical copies are available from the labels below:-

Best Life Records - https://www.bestliferecords.com/products/untitled-mar20_10-35

Dancing Rabbit Records - https://dancingrabbitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drr027-di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla

Fireflies Fall - https://firefliesfall.com/product/dagerman-di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla/

Shove Records - https://shoverec.bandcamp.com/album/di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/dagerman2 / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/dagerman2

Best Life Records - https://www.facebook.com/bestliferecords

Dancing Rabbit Records Instagram - @dancingrabbitrec

Fireflies Fall - https://www.facebook.com/firefliesfall

Shove Records - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062967532917

Zegema Beach Records Instagram - @zegema_beach

Wince - Gem (Single Premiere)

Sometimes opportunities present themselves at unexpected times. That reminds me...  I should be better at seizing such opportunities. What am I talking about? The opportunity to premiere (well do a UK premiere at least) for the brand new single 'Gem' from New York, USA post-rock band Wince.

I was supposed to host it via my YouTube channel but I noticed that the single was already up there, so I decided that I'd much rather Wince get the attention themselves. 'Gem' is their first single since the 2023 full-length To Be a Fly in the Rain and it's being jointly released today via Dead Mothers Collective and Cropsey Records.

You can stream 'Gem' via YouTube below:-

Wince's music has been described as post-rock and there's definitely nods to that here. They've been compared to the likes of Russian Circles and Holy Fawn due to their ambient, and sometimes experimental nature. There are elements of indie and art-rock in there as well, pointing to a very well-rounded band. 

This is merely a taste of what Wince deliver musically and after listening to their previous full-length via their bandcamp page here, I reckon plenty of you will enjoy them to, especially if you like post-rock, post-hardcore and experimental music. Thanks for checking this out, I hope you've enjoyed it. Please give Wince your attention and show them some love.

Wince Instagram - @wincebandnyc

Dead Mothers Collective - https://linktr.ee/deadmotherscollective

Cropsey Records - https://cropseyrecords.com

Sulphuric Deity - Demonstration MMXXVI

Labels: Self-Released/Iconoclasm Conquest

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 06 Feb 2026

Tracklist:

1. Introduction

2. Gas Guts

3. Mutant Plague Assault (The Plague Becomes The Sword)

4. Foetus Christ

5. Subterranean Eradication

These are bleak times. Grey Britain is definitely living up to its name. From an island nation that gave birth to Black Sabbath's doom and the driving tempos of Motörhead, the bedrock for extreme metal was laid (at least in the UK). War metal, which shares its roots with black and death metal, has branches that stretch from South America to India and across every other country/continent if you look hard enough.

A new band emerged last year going by the name Sulphuric Deity and quickly released their first demo in February. Needless to say it sold out quickly, leading to a repress via German label Iconoclasm Conquest. My review this evening is of the digital version that contains five songs, while the tape version includes an additional exclusive cover of Blasphemy's 'War Command'.

Starting with ‘Introduction’, which was a collaboration between Sulphuric Deity and Mike Blenkarn-Durning, the sound of distorted air raid sirens, gales and disconcerting explosions provide the perfect backdrop to Sulphuric Deity’s intense barbarity. ‘Gas Guts’ unleashes hellishly loud, feedback-laden instrumentation as well as high/low-pitched vocals. It’s an instant impact that you never recover from.

‘Mutant Plague Assault (The Plague Becomes The Sword)’ takes the band’s grind influence and dials it up as high as it’ll go. There’s a metallic edge but not one that’s too obvious, as the recording and the rest of the instrumentation drags it back into darker territory. Demos can sometimes be overlooked but not by fans of extreme music and this one demonstrates why (sorry).

Sulphuric Deity’s sound leaps forward throughout this release and nowhere is that more obvious than on ‘Foetus Christ’, where bestial back metal is joined by death metal groove and screeching solos, causing a rousing opening salvo that leads to more crazed musicianship. Closing with ‘Subterranean Eradication’, there’s something immediately satisfying about the power of the instrumentation. Slightly powerviolence-esque, it continues on alongside scathing vocals that harness the true hatred that exists within black metal.

This is a powerful demo. One that justifies constant rotation alongside its recent tape repress. I’ve witnessed a lot of bands go silent after one or two releases. Hopefully, it isn’t the case with Sulphuric Deity.  

Demonstration MMXXVI is available to stream and purchase digitally from Sulphuric Deity below:-

Limited 2nd press tape copies are available from Iconoclasm Conquest here:-

https://iconoclasmconquest.com/products/sulphuric-deity-demonstration-mmxxvi-mc

Sulphuric Deity - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586266141454

Iconoclasm Conquest - https://www.facebook.com/iconoclasmxconquest