August ‘26 Spotlight

15 tracks for you to add to your playlists. Here’s everything that the team at TC7 deem worthy of putting before you for consideration. Expect emotionally charged singles, to drop tuned caveman riffs. We do the legwork so you don’t have to.

SALTWOUND - POUND OF FLESH (FT. MUGSHOT)

Chaos. Aggravation. Terror. Saltwound know how to bring it all together to create a track so potently destructive it’ll have your skeleton rattling into ashes. When the drummer comes straight in with those ting tings, there’s only one direction that you can expect to head in, and that’s down; down into the depths of Hell. Pound of Flesh is the signature sound of the NorCal outfit, downtuned caveman riffs, weighted vocals spitting venomous lyrics through gritted teeth, and a dash of pick scraping to add a flicker of panic to keep you on edge. Adding Mugshot into the mix only accelerates the track to the top of your listening rotation, as both vocalists go head-to-head to strike through the ground they stand on, turning all friendly fire off and gunning for any and all obstructions. They may have been quiet for a hot minute, but Saltwound sure know how to re-enter the scene and pick up where they left off, stepping right back into the place that they deserve. - Hayls

PERPETUAL PARADOX - SOURCE OF HATE

Fast paced murderous intent riffs, demon like vocals and the truest strain of “Hell Unleashed”, Perpetual Paradox’sSource of Hate is a must listen for those that love technical guitar playing metal. Straight out of the gates of hell, this song is relentless. Brutality is at the forefront with its malicious energy that never slows down, not even for a second. For those that love blast beats that make your head windmill spin you will be pleasantly surprised as well as more than satisfied with what this song has to offer. Oli and Jorge’s guitar playing work so well together, galloping palm muting, pinch harmonics, and evil harmonies showcase an excellent display of companionship and writing techniques. Though the chorus may feel slow, the drums carry the non stop destructive authentic double bass kicks, never making the listener feel out of sync. Fans of Necrophagist, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Job for a Cowboy will eat this song up and put it on repeat. - Nick H

DIVINE RIGHT - IMPENITENT

Divine Right’s new single, Impenitent is tightening up the tension and anger derived through metalcore. The Charlotte band has always had a razor-sharp edge to their riffs, and it's no different here. This anti-war song is a heavy hitter within the genre; Divine Right plays into that late 90s metallic hardcore revival, metalcore during its peak moment in the early 2000s, and the ongoing metalcore revival wave that remembers the genre being nasty, urgent, and uncompromising. The drums come across as machinery, blasting away through this thickness of riffs from front to back. While Impenitent is definitely not the innovative modern classic of hardcore, Divine Right knows how to convey anger efficiently and effectively, all under a call to action against the destruction of innocence within civilisations, feeling helpless whilst watching it in real time. - Ryan F

KAONASHI - TYPING…

How do you kickstart a new era of the band, after concluding a story that you built up over nearly a decade? You smash through the door of expectations and drop one of the most viscerally angry tracks in your discography, showing that you have so much more to give with the Lemon House saga now in the rearview. This song is absolute chaos. It wastes no time in getting to the point, a showcase of their respective technical abilities, the song doesn’t let you get comfortable with such an unpredictable rhythm, and a brutally grating guitar tone. It feels like this anger has been building up for some time, and now finally it was time to unleash it. Peter’s vocals have never sounded better with such a wide range, from the now iconic high-pitched aggressions to ferocious low’s. Now there is a pause from the mayhem, but it’s all too brief as they kick back in with the piercing “TYPING”, as the song spirals even further out of control. Kaonashi sounds as confident and assured as ever, with this surely becoming a setlist staple in the near future. - Callum

JUDICIARY - DEATH KNELL

Death Knell arrives as the closing track of Judiciary’s upcoming “Stalagmite Angels”, out September 4 via Closed Casket Activities. The EP was conceived as a hard reset after “Flesh + Blood”, with drummer Austin Looney describing a desire to slow down, have fun and let the music come naturally again. Jake Collinson even learned guitar to become more involved in the writing process. That change in mindset gives the song’s imagery another layer. Surrounded by echoes, stone and “stalagmite angels”, the lyrics gradually turn the struggle inward. “What drives the fight to survive / Might be within myself” connects the song to the EP’s ideas of anger, self-belief and personal growth. Musically, Judiciary remains rooted in 90s hardcore while bringing death metal, black metal and d-beat into the same space. Collinson specifically cites Dying Breed, Cannibal Corpse, Crowbar and Machine Head, with those influences filtered through the band’s own perspective. Filmed in Texas, the video brings that identity back home. Death Knell leaves one question hanging: what do you find when you finally confront everything buried underneath? - Kelen

THROWN - CRITIC 

Critic starts off by immediately kicking into what can only be described as the nu-metalcore that Thrown are known for. The bassline at the start stands out as a cataclysm for what follows in the rest of the track. Much like the title suggests, Critic focuses on the idea that everyone is a critic and that there is this cynical idea that the band cares if you don’t care about whatever they release. Critic pushes the point further stating that any criticism or negativity is just view pulling hence “It's clickbait for some lame fucking page”. If you don’t know Thrown by now, then expect unapologetic, pure rage in nu-metal form. Critic is one of their strongest releases to date, and will have you wanting to spin kick and mosh in your own room along with some swinging arms to match. Thrown have outdone themselves once again and you should be excited for what this single brings. - Adam 

PEUR - DEATH OF THE WOLF

Following on from the huge success that Fire Cleanse, and Dogma Dance brought PEUR so much attention after taking their first steps into the modern metalcore scene, Death of the Wolf keeps the momentum going with intricate guitar flexes and an ominous feel surrounding the track. It’s unsettling in a demandingly welcoming way, wrapping its hands around your throat and holding you at arm’s length while you succumb to the terrifying soundscapes worming their way into your ears. Every sound placed throughout the 4 minutes and 18 seconds runtime has a purpose, and while you’re never sure what that purpose is, you know that there’s something threatening about their intentions. Although the band have ties to Invent Animate, with Benjamin English being the ex-vocalist, they’ve successfully detached themselves from that name in the scene, and have ensured that when you hear a PEUR track, you appreciate them for what they put in front of you, and while they’re only at the beginning of their journey, there’s no denying that they’ve set themselves apart from the rest and are heading for the beacon of success. - Hayls

NOCTULE - GODDESS OF ROT / LORD OF BLOOD

Noctule, the one-woman musical lovechild spawned from Serena Cherry’s love for role playing games, has returned. Armed with two singles combined under the Goddess of Rot moniker, this time her sights are set upon Elden Ring. 

Goddess of Rot.

Beginning with a beautiful notation that evokes imagery of wandering through a fogladen marshland, Serena’s signature howl soon follows suit. It is huge from the very beginning. Years and years of musical experimentation has led to this point, to Noctule, and it is ultimately a true expression of herself, her identity, her musical vision. Channeling her love for both black metal and fantasy role playing games into this project and creating fine art. Deep, churning bass, lines the ears and keeps you rooted. Orchestral, choir-esque melodic harmonies back up an already beautiful soundscape. Vocally, it is stunning. Serena has always excelled as a front person and this is no exception. To those unfamiliar with Elden Ring lore, this writer included, the song presents itself as one about death, loss, mourning. To those in the know, it is in fact about a demigod coming to terms with a feeling of abandonment. To read the lyrics is to learn part of a story, which in turn conjures emotion, draws on an unending sense of self reflection. Serena excels at representing a medium she loves so dearly through one which she has dedicated her life to, and this is no exception. The track grips you, commands you to pay attention. To read beyond and see for yourself what is on offer. To join the journey and mourn with her. Track two of the package only adds to it. - Ed

Lord of Blood.

Harnessing the power metal that lives within Serena’s heart, the guitars start joyously and counterbalance the severity of the drums. Tremolo picked lead guitar lines battle for prominence against a crushing chord progression. Blastbeats and charging double bass parts counteract another truly beautiful melodic harmony. The songstress is at full strength and utilising every ounce of her musical autonomy. As beautiful as they are savage, Serena’s vocals tell a tale of ambition, of defiance, and are utilised exceptionally. Once again juxtaposing a blackened shriek with a soaring choral vocal, the imagery concocted and emotions expressed are palpable. Urgency, vibrancy, desperation. You can feel it in the music, the need to be bigger, better than before. The ability to harness such feeling through a black metal instrumental needs to be credited in earnest. Few can take a source material as vast as a Fromsoft title and condense it into something such as this. Expertly crafted, undoubtedly painstakingly so, and deservedly rewarded. This song is moshable, it is anthemic, it is gorgeous. To hear it is to love it, to be encompassed by it. Repeat listens only reward you, and as the lead guitar washes over you, it will be hard to deny the mastery at work. Time after time you will find yourself in awe of what is on display. Embrace Noctule, and allow yourself to be taken on a journey. Find your place in the story. Listen, learn, love. - Ed

CENOBIA - SWALLOWED BY THE WORLD

Do not be dissuaded by another mysterious masked band with a dedicated worship to a lover or god, Cenobia has become quite the name within the Australian metal scene and this 6 minute piece deserves your attention. You are welcomed to the track with a tip toeing piano medley, trap type beats and as tension rises a crushing drop tuned sound of heavy guitars, entrancing the listener to see where the song goes next. When the chorus hits you are engulfed by these swaying and hypnotising vocals, almost like it slithers down your spine, accompanied by this earth like grain metal guitar noise that has a warm bass embrace. Cenobia leans more to the traditional sense of metalcore, without the use of modern glitch guitars and it’s a welcome change of pace. The creepy but enchanting vocals feel familiar to Elena Siegman's style, especially the song Abracadavre, for those that are very much into the Black Ops Zombie days. The guitar solo is also a pleasant surprise as it seems to be a bygone era within the metalcore genre, followed by a gruelling breakdown and when you think you are done with the track it comes back one more time for another chorus. All around, this song is oozing with melancholic somber breakdowns and uplifting bittersweet yearning, perfect for those that are looking for something with edge. - Nick H

DEPARTURES - FLOWERS 

After a decade of silence, Departures gives us a blooming return. Bringing back that melodic hardcore groove listeners have waited too long for. Departures reconnects with their past, with grief-heavy lyrics surrounding the heavy theme of death and what happens after someone is gone. The emotional weight is balanced by ringing melodic lines and heavy chords. The emotional weathering is deployed through each instrument and vocal strain over this harsh but surreal imagery of death moving on into a grounded, mature look at life moving on as they stay in one place. A show of imagery, honesty, and vulnerability that cemented this band as a classic a decade ago. The production is powerfully placed in a not surgical but clean aesthetic, allowing listeners to easily hear each member's involvement. A massive welcome back to Departures as they grace us with their surprise return back of emotionally filled melodic hardcore tunes. - Ryan F 

ANXIOUS - DON’T MOVE 

Picking up right where they left off, this new Anxious track is another fun song that sits nicely with their recent LP whilst shining as a highlight of how dynamic their songs can be. It feels primed for playing live, equal parts high energy sections to dance along to, but also has that vulnerability Anxious are well known for. This track in particular really captures how great a live band they are. It’s loud and full, brimming with life, whilst also laser focused in its execution with such a tight rhythm section, the lead guitar melody slides along, accenting the vocals. The song describes a relationship that has fallen apart, and the attempts to build it back up against all odds. There’s an uncertainty and self-doubt in the lyrics “does it feel like it did before?”. The bridge comes in, stripping everything back to just an acoustic guitar (with many layers) and dreamy vocals. “But don’t move, I’ve got you” the vocals plead, before kicking into the final big chorus. Anxious are a band to rely on and this new track, which is hopefully a taste of what’s to come, is just as solid and moving as ever. - Callum

HAYWIRE 617 - INTERSTATE LOVE AFFAIR

Haywire 617 turns an ordinary drive into something worth remembering on Interstate Love Affair. Open windows, hours on the road, a song turned up too loud and your closest friends are enough to make everything else disappear. “The noise in my head seems to drift away” gives the song a more personal edge, while “I don’t care where I’m goin’ if I’m with you” gets straight to the point. It is not really about where the road leads, but who is sitting beside you. The video clip brings that feeling to life, opening with their Sound and Fury takeover, where they threw $5,000 into the crowd, before announcing their signing to Roadrunner Records and forthcoming album “I Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye”. Then come glimpses of this new chapter: fireworks, reckless fun and an early-2000s pop-punk mood. A Haywire 617 van dressed in blink-182’s “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” colours gets absolutely destroyed, giving the whole thing that nostalgic, stupid Jackass energy. It feels like a band celebrating the kind of nights that become stories later, bringing back the vibes of previous bangers, Summer Nights and Love Song: being young, being part of a community, and making the most of it. - Kelen

SUBTLE THINGS - GET BY

The debut single by Subtle Things is nothing short of an alt pop banger. This track will have you wanting to bop your head over and over till it drops off. To have a strong start to a project is important and Subtle Things deliver this. Get By is clearly inspired by the feeling of driving through a lit city especially at night, the feeling you get when you want to be around someone that you care about. Subtle Things have captured those feelings perfectly within this track from the traditional back beat that feels 2012 indie inspired to the guitar that just feels like it hits the back of your brain with a sense of euphoria. Get By is definitely a strong start to what could be a stunning career and this in turn, makes Subtle Things a band that should not be slept on. You should expect to want to play this repeatedly until your phone says no more. - Adam 

SELECT ALL - CLING TO ME

Returning from a hiatus is a tricky step to navigate. Doing so with a single as powerful as Cling To Me is a win on all fronts. The future of Select All was very much uncertain, many assumed they were done for good, and the announcement of their return combined with the release of an unheard and brand spanking new single found excitement across the board. The Australian grungers have a serious knack for crafting undeniable rock songs with a slacker, laid back flair whilst holding your attention in a vice grip. This song is no different. The vocals are bored yet aware, subdued yet powerful, and glide across the track with ease. Bass thick in the ears and full of charm. A guitar solo for the first time in the band’s career. Lead guitar melodies that encapsulate the vibrancy of a band as essential as this one. Crisp production across the board, and a massive sound quality that rivals any of their peers. The musicianship is the best the band has ever been and it leaves you wanting more. Another album? An EP? What could be next? Nobody but Select All can say for sure, but for now, we have this. A song so good it feels as if they never left at all. A reminder to fans across the world that they are in fact a band to pay attention to, and that you should be listening to as much as you can. The future is uncertain, but for now, we have this. - Ed