Mercers are a new band for 2026, but a couple of their members already have a foothold within the metal/alternative scenes. Two ex-members of nu-metal band Fony take a new musical direction here, bringing a genuine intensity to their work, and a more aggressive approach hits with a genuine immediacy on their new single ‘Cleanse/Repeat’.
Since their formation, Young Martyrs have been a reliable source for great singles. In particular, ‘Everyone Else Disappears’ presented a great radio friendly pop rock sound that provided an easy entry point into the band’s catalogue with its very melodic, chorus driven approach, while the Americana themed ‘Never Gave You The Blues’ offered a more mature angle in terms of songwriting, and the more recent ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ flaunted a more epic sound with its use of contrasting power chords and harmony driven vocals. All three of these recordings shared elements which could’ve been the work of three different bands, but in their own way, each showcased Young Martyrs as an act to keep an ear for in future.
When you think of Tom Waits, the idea of collaboration is not usually something you’d consider a priority. He’s taken a co-credit with others in the past, of course – most notably with Crystal Gayle on the ‘One For The Vine’ soundtrack – but you’re more likely to find Tom taking the reins and marching to the beat of his own very distinctive drum. However, ‘Boots On The Ground’ finds him joining the legendary Massive Attack for an oppressive and beat-laden recording that really works.
Having had support from BBC Radio 1 for their debut single ‘Ambi’, it seemingly didn’t take alt-rock crew Veins long to gain attention. In a world that’s absolutely flooded with new music on a weekly basis, that’s particularly impressive, but then again, Veins aren’t your average rock band.
Born during the 2020 global pandemic, Wooden Overcoat began as a project for multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek marking a return to recording following the demise of Portland based band The Tamed West. The project’s blend of retro indie and psychedelic tones is a natural fit for what began as a one-man vehicle, but the many layers that make up the debut single ‘Home’ never suggest anything that’s been recorded on the quick and the cheap.