May ‘26 Spotlight

We’re actually on time this month, and yet again we’re bringing you only the best of the best singles released. Since our team has grown, there’s now even more for everyone, can you believe it? Carry on reading to find out what we at twentycoreseven deem to be some of the most stand out singles of May.

Header visual for twentycoreseven’s May spotlight, featuring Holding Absence, 156/Silence, Killing Me Softly, and No Cure.

THEBOYSHADOW - INNOCENT INSTINCT

There is so much atmosphere within these Thall like noises, descending ambient soundscapes, and two stepping grooves. You genuinely cannot help but be in a trance when listening to Innocent Instinct, especially in the chorus with the hypnotising effects on the vocals. It is very easy to get yourself lost in the track, with dark sounding noises being this song's forte. There are so many twists and turns in this, and when you think you’ve got a grasp on it, pummelling black metal guitar and gruelling, fast-paced drumming at lightning speed comes out of nowhere. This is progressive metalcore at its finest. Bands like TheBoyShadow are bringing Thall into the limelight and seeing how far they can go with it whilst retaining a sense of originality with their over the top, keeping you on your toes dynamics. It’s undoubtedly a whirlwind, and a band to keep your eyes locked on to for the foreseeable future! - Nick H

156/SILENCE - NO ARMS

No Arms marks a new era of 156/Silence, with the band gearing up to release their 4th LP in September, “From A Distance”, and this track perfectly showcases the road we can expect to be taken down. The intro feels like it belongs on a futuristic, MMORPG menu screen, with a computerized tone taking the lead and it builds tension in an adrenaline-fueled manner without giving too much away. 156/Silence have always been an astounding example of a band that can throw curveballs at you and land every single one right in the center, and this track is no different, with vocalist, Jack Murray, showing yet another side to his ability; an eerie but almost inviting way of delivery, harmonising on the least expected words. Don’t be discouraged by the stray from familiarity, because it doesn’t take long before they plummet into the world of what they do best, choppy cadence on vocals and that gritty, unpolished guitar tone that we all love. It’s offensively dark and it’s formidable, and there will certainly not be “no arms” in the air when this one is played live. - Hayls

CORRUPTION PACT - I STOLE AND THEN I LIED

Channelling the thousand yard stare intensity of hardcore and the feeling of being murdered in a shed (in Paris) that only classic death metal can bring, Corruption Pact are here to knock your teeth out. The Frenchmen's debut record, “Unanswered Chris” is out on the 5th of June and it's ready to make you yearn for the days of poorly produced OSDM. I Stole and Then I Lied is 100 seconds of neanderthal anger built for mosh pits and headbanging without straying too close to bands like Dying Fetus. If you like your metal ignorant and evil, this is for you. - Chris

MOVEMENTS - DISSOLVE ME

Sad Movements is back everyone and they came out swinging! turning their inner struggles into something loud, melodic, and vulnerable. The painfully self-aware tone in this new release is blasted throughout dissolve me, a self-confession about Patrick Miranda, his struggles with social burnout, frustration within himself, and his wish to disappear for a moment. That classic Movements sound, with heavy anxiety, and restless guitars are all over this track. Movements have always been great at making personal struggles relatable to the listener and this is really something special. This song is a reminder of why people love Movements so much and why they are one of the most interesting bands in alternative music today. They are a band that people can really connect with, and that is why they are still so popular. dissolve me is an example of what makes Movements a one-of-a-kind band. - Havok Ryan

NO CURE - CONVULSING IN THE DARK

Convulsing In The Dark is the definition of grainy, pummelling, ignorant, cavemen destruction! The production is increased to the max that makes every pinch harmonic, slamming hardcore riff, low ended bass tone, writhing in pain vocals, and hard hitting drums met with fury and pure disgusting revolt. This has probably one of the catchiest riffs heard in a while, and the pinch harmonics give it such a fresh feeling. The harmonising solo melody as well as the use of the dive-bomb whammy give it the most evil descent into the breakdowns. You cannot help but head bang throughout the entirety of this number and it never lets up. Just when you think you are done with the song, it throws another go around with the main riff but slower. No Cure made this one for the crowdkillers and you can expect to see everyone moving, moshing, and hitting every individual in sight. Malicious Hardcore at its finest. - Nick H

TEMPLE GUARD - BLOOD MAKES THE RAIN FALL

Metallic Hardcore band Temple Guard have returned almost two years after giving us their EP “Morbid Sacrament” which delivered warhammer 40K themed lyrics, blistering drums and riffs that could make you chew concrete. Their new track, Blood Makes The Rain Fall, offers absolutely zero compromises when compared to their discography. Trem picked riffs and unrelenting double bass flowing into a mid tempo breakdown, iconic metallic hardcore style riff and then back into the same high energy the song starts with. No part of this song feels like it lingers for too long and instead leaves you wanting more. Setting the stage for their upcoming full album, “Citadel in Flames” to be a strong contender for AOTY. - Brodie

KILLING ME SOFTLY - ‘26 SINGLES

FOREVERMORE - Killing Me Softly are a perfect example of how to do metalcore properly. Everyone has been wondering how they could possibly get better after releasing “To Forever Fall Through God’s Safety Net”and they have once again proven to be on top and ahead of the game. While “TFFTGSN”was leaning more into the hardcore adjacent metalcore melody, Forevermore has opened up the idea of the band's new direction into a more unique style while simultaneously keeping a sense of familiarity with what makes them stand out amongst other bands in the genre. Forevermore is 1 minute 40 seconds of a nod to nostalgic riffs reminiscent of Black Veil Brides and Vein.fm while maintaining a certain individuality that will get your head nodding and playing air guitar. - Timi

EIGHT POINTED FUTURES Eight Pointed Futures has reminiscent riffs that were prominent in early 2000’s metalcore, Killing Me Softly have mastered this sound and have been successful making it sound incredible and providing a fresh, unique experience with every release. With the release of Eight Pointed Futures days before Northern Unfest we were already on our knees begging for more. Killing Me Softly is a perfect example of writing the music that you want and being pretty sick at it. - Timi

MADBALL - REBEL KIDS

The hardcore legends are back and ready to show they can still hang with the young guns on their tenth studio album. Madball are a band so synonymous with hardcore that it wouldn't be a stretch to say that a large part of the current scene wouldn't exist without them. Brand new single, Rebel Kids leads the charge for the NYHC crew's upcoming "Not Your Kingdom" record and it sees the band at their most anthemic. A mid tempo stomper lead by Freddie Madball's iconic voice and from the heart lyrics, it sets the stage for a stunning return for the band. - Chris

COLORBLIND - PRESSURE

So, you want a track to dance around every room in your house to? One to shout at the top of your lungs that you put yourself at risk of having a noise complaint made against you? Then Pressure should’ve been on your playlist yesterday. It’s a track about feeling the weight of your own mind, and trying to push through despite the heaviness, because on the other side there’s likely to be success. Synths lay prominent throughout the track, adding an enthusiastic energy to what is otherwise lyrically dejected, and that addition alone makes this a sure fire crowd-pleaser. Sure, there’s nothing outstandingly technical about this track, it’s not going to blow your mind with intricacies, or take your breath away with vocals beyond human capability, but it will get you moving relentlessly, and if there’s one thing that Colorblind do extremely well, it’s create songs that feed into your autonomy and take over. - Hayls

HEADWRECK - RAINDROPS

Raindrops is the kind of track that goes hard without losing its sense of fun. The Aussie band blends chunky nu-metal riffs, electronic elements, and massive hooks into a song that feels like controlled chaos. The vocals shift effortlessly from aggressive screams to catchy melodies and back again, giving the track a raw but polished energy. Lyrically, Raindrops seems to explore toxic relationships and the frustration of trying to get away from someone who keeps dragging you back down, yet the band delivers this message with a certain swagger instead of self-pity. The production is sharp, with pounding drums and layered guitars that create a sound that never feels overcrowded. What makes the song stand out most is the personality of it; it doesn’t take itself too seriously while still able to sound emotionally intense. Raindrops proves that Headwreck are pushing modern nu-metalcore in an exciting direction. - Nick D

HOLDING ABSENCE - REFLECTION

Following up their behemoth third album, “The Noble Art Of Self Destruction” was meant to be a difficult task for Welsh post-hardcore outfit Holding Absence. However, with the release of their new single, Reflection, the band certainly makes it seem an easier task than first apparent. Drenched in its influences, it's both part-Linkin Park, part-Porter Robinson, wrestling once again with the difficulties of self-love and acceptance, laced with hints of glitching electronica, and a sneering breakdown to follow. With this newfound yet deserved swagger, it feels like a safe bet to say that the upcoming "Modern Life Is Lonely" could just be the band's biggest release yet. - Josh

SPLIT CHAIN - SCATTERBRAIN

Split Chain’s “Scatterbrain” is a heavy blend of shoegaze atmosphere and raw nu-metal intensity that feels both nostalgic and incredibly fresh. The track balances hazy, reverb-soaked guitars with heavy riffs and emotionally charged vocals, creating a sound that captures frustration, and emotional burnout without ever feeling overproduced. What makes the song stand out is its ability to transition between vulnerability and chaos so effortlessly. The quieter moments feel reflective and somber while the massive breakdowns hit with intense force. Lyrically, the song seems to explore the breakdown of relationships and the distance people create for themselves when consumed by their own hardships, giving the track a relatable emotional core. With this release, Split Chain continues to help pave the way for “Nu-Gaze” as a whole. - Nick D

BURNER - SUNRISE, PARABELLUM

Burner have only been a band for five years but in that short time have created a sound that can only be described as a cavalcade of violence in musical form. A band that has been politically motivated from the jump, this holds true in this track from the lyrical content to track name. Which is a reference to the equally political video game Disco Elysium. The song starts with no preamble and begins with a massive wall of sound, using every second to deliver fast riffs and chaotic drums and brutal vocals. The track boasts a huge feature from Trivium’s Matthew Heafy too, who elevates the already immense track. I’ve had no issue leaving this on repeat after listening to it and makes me eager to get my hands on their new record: “No One Is Coming To Save Us” which releases on September 25. - Brodie