If MYSTICIST isn't already a familiar name, I'm hoping that that will change with the band's newest single, "The Crown". The Northants based band have built a heavy reputation thus far with previous tracks, and delightfully show no signs of slowing down with this latest release.

One new band to recently come on my radar is Lincoln based DEADLY CHANGES. The band straddle the often thin line between hard rock and traditional metal, and have recently released their debut single "Ride Or Die".

Longer-time readers of my page may already be familiar with EELS! EELS! EELS! The band have recently released their new EP "Eel Land", and I'm delighted that this is another solid entry into the band's discography.

The band's debut self-titled album sees Shadowvale explore their sound, covering everything from sludge, death, doom, and even splatterings of hardcore, and is their first full release since their 2024 EP.

For a band that's taken their name from a HIM song, there's a particular standard of gothic-ness one might expect. Luckily, Argentinian metallers CIRCLE OF FEAR meet the quota, blending thunderous soundscapes with dark, atmospheric melodies.

I became familiar of UK metallers ROGUE AWAKENING last year, reeled in by the atmospherics and the theatrical nature of their performances. You can understand my excitement then, when the band's latest release, "Take My Pleasure", came my way.