Rage Reviews: Recent Releases, July 29th 2026
- Out of Rage Team
- Jul 29
- 8 min read
These past two weeks, we've heard everything from the haunting dark-folk vocals of CHELSEA WOLFE, to IMMINENCE's melodic metalcore mayhem, to the sweeping Viking metal sagas of AMON AMARTH. Here's what we've been listening to lately:
Track of the Week:
Chelsea Wolfe - Cold
The queen of darkwave is back - CHELSEA WOLFE’s third single for the upcoming album The Dark hints at what might be her most accessible release yet. Cold is a fairly straightforward gothic folk track - and while it lacks the grandiosity of something like Death Is Not The End, it’s a gorgeous tune, with soft pianos, and what even sounds like a pop chorus. The final chorus is quite sinister, with whispery backing vocals that offset the strangely familiar feel of the rest of the song. It’s set to be the opener to the album - and hopefully works just as well on context as it does on its own.
Words: Noise Leonard
Amon Amarth - Gjallarhorn
In a triumphant return to full-scale Viking metal with Gjallarhorn (Heimdallr's horn signaling that Ragnarök has arrived), AMON AMARTH hits with crushing riffs, thunderous drumming, and JOHAN HEGG's commanding growls. Once again, it carries the flair of sagas, a soaring chorus, verses roping the listener in, and a cinematic atmosphere that represents everything that made the band one of the defining acts of melodic death metal. In its chants, we can, however, find connecting pieces to the surprisingly folk release Upphaf, creating a thread leading us to AMON AMARTH’s upcoming album The Allfather Awakens, recently announced for October 2026. A release to watch out for, where the band seems to be merging musical diversity and its classic sound without sacrificing intensity or epic storytelling.
Words: Lysandre Pons
Beartooth - Eyes Closed
BEARTOOTH's Eyes Closed is a hard-hitting anthem that combines raw emotion with infectious energy. Blending metalcore, hard rock, and alternative metal influences, the song delivers punchy rhythms and a powerful chorus that feels made for fans to join in during shows. That also comes with strong guitar work, balancing thick, down-tuned rhythm sections with melodic lead lines in a masterful way that adds both texture and emotion. The instrumental intensity stands side by side with the flight of lyricism laced with aggression that Caleb Shomo delivers. Packing a punch, Eyes Closed is an alert for all to keep an eye out for the band’s upcoming sixth studio album, Pure Ecstasy which is coming out on August 28th via Fearless Records.
Words: Lysandre Pons
Burner - What Will You Give? (ft. Josh Middleton)
Since forming in 2021, BURNER have been a constant fixture on UK metal lineups. In the wake of their second album No One Is Coming to Save Us, they’ve hit us with an intense new single What Will You Give? featuring Josh Middleton of UK metal royalty, SYLOSIS. The track starts ferociously, no build up or slow burn, matching perfectly with the lyrics and meaning of the song. It stays intense throughout, with a short instrumental before Middleton’s vocals come in, bringing in hardcore elements, it begins to feel personal, “What will you give to save this world?” feels like a direct question. BURNER’s music has always been politically charged, but it feels more evident in What Will You Give? BURNER are heading out on a full UK run this October to celebrate the release of their sophomore album.
Words: Kei Wells
downcast - falling to pieces (ft. Youth Fountain)
Their first step into music for 2026 since last year's earworm home, emo-rock quartet DOWNCAST have returned with falling to pieces, their most personal and rawest sound to date that cuts apart the inescapable grief of losing someone. From the opening reverbed riffs and Liam Edwards' heart-rending lyrics, there's an unmistakable melancholy that builds to pure rage, the melody surging between the two emotions as if this is all that's been left for us to feel. YOUTH FOUNTAIN's Tyler Zanon adds a sorrowfulness over the angry hooks before launching into screams in tandem to Edwards, as if shouldering some of the pain as the instruments rise to a crest of powerful emotion. falling to pieces doesn't welcome grief in, but instead grips it back and refuses to be shattered by it.
Words: Julia Stark
Her Last Sight - My Mirage
With an early 2000 flair, My Mirage is a catchy metalcore track that explores themes of illusion, longing, and the struggle to distinguish reality from false hope. Bullet-like verses with raw screams are balanced by a memorable, melodic chorus that adds depth without sacrificing heaviness. HER LAST SIGHT's strong instrumentals are brought forward by a polished production that enhances every element, creating a dynamic and immersive piece that pulls in the listener. My Mirage captures both vulnerability and strength while visually keeping the goofy visuals that make the band popular.
Words: Lysandre Pons
Imminence - False Light / Crestfallen
They say all good things come in threes, which was certainly the case for listeners of IMMINENCE. The band released the second single of their new album run, False Light, followed closely by the album announcement, Axis Mundi which will be released early October. Very quietly they also released a third single at the same time, Crestfallen. False Light must be up there with one of IMMINENCE’s most brutal songs to date, the energy is unmatched throughout with a myriad of drum patterns and breakdowns all with strings soaring into the gaps. The track is hostile as singer Eddie Berg switches out of his favoured clean vocals to the extreme, with the peak of the screams breaking into a raw, gut-wrenching cry of “Fear!”. As with the previous single The Sword That Never Bends, False Light is accompanied by a music video that reveals more of the lore surrounding the album, and really gives a deeper rooted understanding of the lyrics.
Crestfallen in comparison is haunting and plays more on the melodic side of things. The collective of instruments tell a story and almost feels cosy with soft clean vocals. A highlight would be a short section where the deeper guitar and bass riffs combine with vocal harmonies that scratch the right part of your brain. If we’re learning anything from these tracks it’s that IMMINENCE are able to build these vast rich worlds with versatile soundscapes without losing momentum.
Words: Danielle Henderson
In This Moment - Crawl
Bringing forward unexpected dark electronics blended with a heavy industrial and haunting sound, IN THIS MOMENT's Crawl is a hypnotic piece. In this fierce statement of resilience, MARIA BRINK's captivating vocal performance signals that the band is back with a bang. Layered with an artistic video packed with symbolism, the track is an awe-inspiring, relentless fight building towards an anthemic chorus that lingers long after it ends. Crawl builds up from its own darkness to hand a mirror to the listener as a weapon, empowering them to confront abuse, reclaim power, and emerge stronger in the face of adversity. The release also marks the official announcement of the band's ninth studio album, WITCH, due in August 2026.
Words: Lysandre Pons
Kim Dracula - Molecular Conversion
Much as the name would suggest, KIM DRACULA is going through an evolution that sheds the past and welcomes in a new era with new record label Rise Records. Molecular Conversion is the first single through the label, a genre defying track that DRACULA defines as a "new song, new label, new story". Molecular Conversion alters between genres, Gothic metal riffs and beats taking centre stage with mournful vocals, before it shifts to a startling Blues Gossip segment with haunting pitches, harmonising choirs and hopeful piano, finally descending into guttural heavy metal roars that transform the song from a story of defeat to furious resoluteness, a story immortalized in the accompanying music video that hints at fresh purity ripped apart in nature. This is just the beginning of DRACULA's legend.
Words: Julia Stark
Olive Vox - Hear Me Out
OLIVE VOX hit the ball out the park once again with latest single Hear Me Out, combining their alt-rock origins with classic pop-punk for a boisterous rhythm and bouncy riffs. Having already teased Hear Me Out on their live setlists earlier this year, this is the track to listen out for on their upcoming support slot for TOADIES US tour, kicking their set into immediate high gear with a steady beat and bass combo as catchy riffs and pleas of "hear me out, I believe that one can change" rush in. Its core theme of being unable to move on and heal from internal guilt in a continuous vicious cycle of self-punishment is at war with the upbeat melodies, enjoyable solos and synths contrasting to the desperate screams "hear me out" as they try to break from the cycle, a feeling that will resonate with many as they dance through the struggle.
Words: Julia Stark
Scene Queen - METALICIOUS (ft. Left To Suffer)
Still riding the high of opening the Friday Apex stage at Download (a reminder we rightly had female headliners and fest openers), SCENE QUEEN unleashes another "bimbocore" track in METALICIOUS that sounds like KESHA or FERGIE if they had a metal makeover. SCENE QUEEN straight up ignores the music pipeline and boldly brings dance-pop and heavy metal together, creating trap beats that merge into heavy riffs to assault your ears, the lyrics sounding like a pisstake of pop songs getting ready for club night, except the Queen is "here for the mosh", her call of "all the fellas say?" met by LEFT TO SUFFER's throat-tearing growls. SCENE QUEEN continues to be unapologetically herself and embrace everything that brings her joy.
Words: Julia Stark
SNAYX - Nice Day 4 It
Self-labelled as their summer anthem, punk band SNAYX release new track Nice Day 4 It through their new record label Nettwerk Music Group, containing their signature flavour of memorable punk hooks with an essence of near-Nihilism in the lyrics. Quick-fire rhythms refuse to let up throughout as an ominous guitar note rises in the intro and intermittently in the background, a promise of more to come, the instruments crashing together into a riotous sound. Nice Day 4 It pulls you in with its undeniably catchy chorus, the lyrics portraying the feeling of being in a never ending spiral of despair as the world burns around you, and having to say "fuck it, let's have some fun anyway". It's not a song about ignoring what's happening, but coping with life through taking advantage of "a nice day".
Words: Julia Stark
Stand Atlantic - LUCID
STAND ATLANTIC’s new single LUCID blends the band’s signature pop-punk energy with a darker, more atmospheric edge. Singer Bonnie Fraser’s vocals are both vulnerable and engaging, delivering emotionally charged lyrics with insistence with ease. Catchy hooks, driving guitars, and punchy rhythms create an infectious sound that lingers long after the song ends. In anticipation for their new album, GODBREATH, Lucid feels fresh while staying true to STAND ATLANTIC’s identity. The song feels like a showcase of their continued growth and development as musicians and feels like a nod to the past alongside a spotlight for the future. It’s an addictive, emotionally charged track that deserves to be added to every playlist immediately.
Words: Laura Davies
Tanzana - Without A Sound
Luck has befallen those who can’t get enough of Glasgow trip-hop, alt-rock quintet TANZANA; not only are we being treated to their latest single Without A Sound, it also drops with the announcement of their debut EP Etched In. The track eases us in with the tranquillity of guitar strums, before Freya Talbot makes her entrance with a deep, dark-folk timbre that leads into a true showcase of her vocal prowess. A tsunami of sound washes over us, the clashing of drums sounding off in the midst of waves of guitar and bass; all the while, the vocals escalate to a chant-like chorus, the singer making herself an imposing presence against the storm. This is just a taste of what TANZANA have to offer: the esoteric rhythms of their EP will grace our speakers in October, and we have much to look forward to.
Words: Naomi Colliar Duff
Editor: Naomi Colliar Duff
Photos: Various Artists
Comments