Kerrang! Radio host Sophie K brings you the new bands you need to check out now, including Action/Adventure, October Ends and VCTMS...
There is something about the lighter mornings that is giving me hope again. All I'm waiting for is gigs, and I am sure you are the same. While I wait for that day, I have been spending time in the most glorious YouTube holes, finding new music and exploring for my next favourite band, and I've got a cracking line-up for you today. Like always, there is something for everyone in this list, so let me know who you are loving...
This is the level of pop-punk I have been waiting for. My friend Yasmine Summan – who is killing it on TikTok – introduced me to this band who have blown up on there (one day I will start using that app). I love the fact that they straddle the more pop side of songwriting like, say, State Champs, but then shock you with heavier riffs and growly, sometimes drawn-out vocals that you might associate with one of the more grungy pop-punk bands like Citizen. I predict big, big things for them. Plus, listening to their songs you can hear that the tracks are made for playing live. You know that moment when the music stops and the vocalist turns the mic to the crowd, and you sing at them from somewhere in the tips of your toes? Yeah, their songs are made for that.
So, it's about to get heavy and manic and melodic and everything in-between with Jynx. Jynx is a fresh signing to Jason Aalon Butler’s 333 Wreckords label for one track. This is not the first time I'm bringing you one of their artists, because let's face it, Jason has astounding taste in music. This track is a fusion, as all good modern rock is, blending metal, hardcore and hip-hop that takes you on a chaotic journey. The video is interesting, I don’t know if it's because I was writing this with a cup of tea, but I let out an audible, very British, “Oh” at one point – so it's a definite must-watch.
Another fusion coming at you, this time all the way from sunny Newcastle. It was interesting listening to them, because every time I thought I knew what was happening there was a switch. They've tapped into the ever-popular R'n'B melody, but then smoothly transition into metalcore then switch it up with nu-metal style vocals. At times it feels like someone's gone back in time, stolen my MySpace-era CDs and mashed all the songs together, with definite nods to artists like Linkin Park and Bullet For My Valentine. I'm looking forward to seeing where this band take their journey.
You've probably heard about Georgia's Tetrarch as they have been getting a lot of love online, but have you properly listened? If not, the time is now. I didn’t even own JNCO jeans back in the day, but listening to them makes me want a pair. They are just so fucking authentic, playing straight up nu-metal, and with one EP and one album under their belts, I feel like now is their time. If you ever went to the local metal club night in the '00s, where the floor was sticky and there was always one guy who just windmilled all night, then you will feel like you know this song already.
Here's some straight-up, dirty metalcore. VCTMS are a D.I.Y powerhouse, which is probably why more people haven’t heard of them. I like that, I like the fact that their audience feels organic, which means they are more dedicated, and you can see that they've gained that traction from just delivering every single time. They are one of those bands who manage to sound familiar but completely new all at the same time. Maybe it's the fact that their tunes are so catchy. Darius Tehrani absolutely kills it featuring on this track, but if you have ever listened to Spite, you would expect nothing less.
Hear Sophie K present the Breakfast Show on Kerrang! Radio, weekdays from 7am.
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