The second single from Peterborough’s Beat Me Outta Me is a pleasingly downbeat affair. It’s first two minutes comprises slow, acoustic strums and a mournful vocal, drawing the ear very casually. The music isn’t exactly minimalist, but has certainly been arranged in such a way that the listener is made to focus almost exclusively on Annie Dickson’s fantastic voice. This is a smart move; from the outset, she shows an ability to weave a fantastic, almost mournful tone that suits the arrangement perfectly.
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Finnish black metallers Verilehto share new video for ‘Aarnihauta’
On November 28th, Finnish black metal band Verilehto return with their second album ‘Aarnihauta’. As part of the early promotion, they’ve issued the title cut as a digital single.
The first new music from the band in two years, ‘Aarnihauta’ is surprisingly melodic. The opening riff doesn’t confront the listener with a typical sheet of abrasive black metal noise, but comes closer to a world of melodic thrash. By adopting more of a mid tempo, the riffs have room to breathe, and in places owe more to the likes of Testament and Soufly than Emperor.
Watch: Max Rael shares new video for ‘Almost’
Max Rael’s ‘The Enemy Is Us’ is one of 2025’s most interesting albums. Its blend of often melodic electronica and synth based sounds with spoken word, confessional lyrics is really striking. It has taken Rael’s experimentalism with Decommisioned Forests somewhere more accessible, but without feeling remotely in tune with the mainstream.
As part of the album’s ongoing promotion — this really is the kind of album that’ll only reach it’s audience through committed word of mouth — Max has shared a new video for one of the record’s more accessible tracks.
Listen: Spectral share new track ‘Falling’
With its huge piano chords underscored by a tinkling synth, the intro of ‘Falling’ by Spectral promises big things. Occasionally when it comes to things within the pomp and symphonic metal genres, such intros can lead to a massive disappointment, but it’s really not the case here.
Watch: Emo crew downcast cover Backstreet Boys in new video clip
There’s going to be new, original music from downcast soon, but in the meantime, the Bristolian emo crew have put their own stamp on a familiar piece of pop to get their fans in the mood.
They’ve just shared an absolutely storming cover of the Backstreet Boys hit ‘Just Wanted You To Know’, which was originally a UK top ten hit for the US boy band in 2005.