Rage Reviews: Recent Releases, May 20th 2026
- Out of Rage Team
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
We're swinging out of spring and into summer here at Out of Rage, with clear skies above our heads and a sun-charged atmosphere all around us. We've been enjoying kicking our feet back and spinning some sick new tunes for the season. Here's what we've been listening to lately:
As It Is - Do You Remember?
AS IT IS return with Do You Remember?, their most nostalgic and self‑mythologising track yet. The track is the third single from their upcoming self‑titled album out in July and was co‑written with Max Helyer of YOU ME AT SIX. Written as a candid look back at fourteen years defined by chaos, camaraderie, and the kind of hard‑won connection that only comes from weathering every high and low together, the track features choruses of voices asking the key question, “Do You Remember when?” backed by heavy pop punk guitars and energetic drums.
Words: Lou Viner-Flood
Beartooth - Pure Ecstasy
After the release of Free, BEARTOOTH marked the start of a new era full of attitude as lead vocalist Caleb Shomo expressed himself as openly as he could. Pure Ecstasy is a violent continuation of that narrative, being unapologetically himself while raining absolute hell on the track. He lets rip with his vocals, screaming through the end of almost every line while insane beats and guitar riffs leave no survivors. The chorus takes a step back to that classic metalcore letting the melodies shine through the eye of the storm before the verses assault the peace. These two tracks almost polarise each other while both keeping that signature BEARTOOTH sound, leaving everyone questioning what the full record will bring.
Words: Amy Smyth
Boards of Canada - Introit / Prophecy At 1420 MHz
Where to even begin with this? The very concept of BOARDS OF CANADA being back on its own is massive. 13 years on from Tomorrow’s Harvest, possibly the most beloved IDM duo of all time teased a new album cycle with cryptic posters appearing in some cities. This was followed up with Tape 05, a teaser video as gorgeous as it is surreal posted on YouTube. Now, the opening two tracks on the upcoming Inferno have been released as singles. Introit is a short intro, reminiscent of the openers from classics like Geogaddi, but the real heavy hitter here is Prophecy At 1420 MHz. A common sentiment has been that waiting all this time for BOC to do a synthwave song of all things SHOULD be disappointing, and yet, it’s everything fans wanted and more. A natural progression but still their distinct style. With music fans everywhere in jubilation, this single has propelled Inferno into discussion for most anticipated album of 2026.
Words: Noise Leonard
Burner - Sunrise, Parabellum
With a real claim to be London’s heaviest band, it’s a true pleasure to hear BURNER back with new music on the way to album two. However, this new music comes with a serious change - there’s a weird bloke singing. From what sources have told us, his name is Matt Heafy, and he apparently sings for TRIVIUM? Credit where it’s due to BURNER, doing their best to lift up other bands. The song is as incendiary as every single one in their discography, with their proper deathcore (made with 100% death metal and hardcore, no symphonic bits) gouging away at the eardrums of the listener in a fashion that brings an immense sense of comfort bizarrely. In barely two minutes, there’s still bags of time for gnarly riffs and dizzying drumming, so if you like things ludicrously heavy then you need to listen to this.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Charli XCX - Rock Music
CHARLI XCX is a name it's been impossible to be in the music scene without hearing, topping charts around the world for over a decade and reaching a new level of stardom with her latest album release she started a craze that shook the world. But her latest single has completely turned her pop sound on its head, not conforming what you'd expect from her or from any song called Rock Music. It’s a track packed with attitude and heavy guitar riffs tangled with the repetitiveness and experimental guts of dance pop, it's something completely new for both her and the music scene and we cannot wait to see what this new era will transform into.
Words: Amy Smyth
Deaf Havana - Car Crash (ft. Sierra Annie)
As if DEAF HAVANA needed to make Car Crash any more devastating, vocalist (and girlfriend of lead vocalist James Veck-Gilodi) Sierra Annie has added her haunting voice to the track. After joining the band on stage to perform the track on their recent UK and German tour, Car Crash has been re-recorded with Sierra’s harmonies adding even more emotion to the song, which was written at Veck-Gilodi’s lowest point. Creating a new duet doesn’t dilute the darkness of the original version, Sierra’s voice reframes it, offering clarity without diminishing the rawness at its core. It’s poetic that James’ voice is now joined by the voice of the person who has helped to pull him back to earth.
Words: Lou Viner-Flood
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii - Crowstepper
Weird, wonky, jangly art rock and post punk is the name of the game when you’re talking EROTIC SECRETS OF POMPEII. With two stellar albums under their belt already, Crowstepper comes as the beginning of whatever comes next. Adopting ideas from Jung’s theory of the self, the Crowstepper acts as a shadowy second self allowing for escape from all that is bad about modern life, even whilst layering satire and sarcasm into the new world found within the song. It’s a murky, eerie exploration of the world the band inhabits, and has us very excited for what comes next from here.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Green Lung - Evil in this House
Showing us the first glimpse into their mysterious, haunted view of London on upcoming album Necropolitan, the gaze of the mighty GREEN LUNG and their vast pagan knowledge have turned to the great capital of this nation. With the trademark synths and chewy guitar sound we’ve come to love like a child, the protectors of Albion are here to watch over stoner and doom for another album cycle. Now, although potentially controversial, the similarities in sound to GHOST must be brought up. Whilst the Swedish metal makers are certainly more melody driven, and a little more tongue in cheek, their sonic output has its similarities - which we should be mighty excited about! The thought of a GREEN LUNG arena show should bring out any metal fan in goosebumps (not just from the eerie lyrics); we can but hope!
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Headwreck - Raindrops
Australia does nu-metalcore arguably better than anyone, and HEADWRECK are exhibit A. Raindrops pulls no punches, with an immediately infectious intro that gives way to a crushing heavy section without a moment's hesitation. Razor-sharp riffs, relentless grooves and glitchy textures that crawl through the mix sit beneath a juxtaposition of rap verses, metalcore aggression and soaring cleans that few bands could pull off. The chorus lands as a dreamy, melodic pop hook, and the final breakdown is nothing short of unhinged. Following their ARIA-charting Attitude Adjustment, it's a fun, unique spin on nu-metalcore that feels genuinely refreshing, and unapologetically so.
Words: Adrian Chapman
Holding Absence - Reflection
HOLDING ABSENCE waste no time making their intentions clear in their new era with Reflection. A track built around the painful road to self-acceptance, it keeps the heartbreaking lyricism fans know, while pushing the instrumentals far beyond their post-punk emo ballad days. Hyperpop and electronic influences flood the production throughout, with the breakdown being a genuine gut-punch surprise. Chugging guitars, punishing drums, a thunderous low end and the harsh vocals make this their heaviest work since the ALPHA WOLF EP. It's a catchy, anthemic track that's built for huge arenas – fitting, given they'll be opening for ENTER SHIKARI on their UK/EU run this year. Where Whisper of a Dream introduced their new sound, Reflection hits the ground running.
Words: Adrian Chapman
Kulk - An Endless Knife
Norwich’s KULK already have a reputation for curating some of the finest doomy noise that you’ll hear, and latest single An Endless Knife fits in firmly at the gnarliest end of their discography. Coming as the second single off of their upcoming album Choosing to Die, it’s a statement-making two and a half minutes of vehemently nihilistic sonic aggression that provides an experience much like taking a hammer to the head, only more cathartic. The duo have got plenty of fantastic music behind them, so it only remains to be seen how good the rest of this album cycle will be - we’ll bet it’s more than worth your while.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
The Last Dinner Party - Big Dog
The studio recording of a cut that THE LAST DINNER PARTY have been performing since 2023 is the heaviest they’ve ever sounded. Abigail Morris has made a name for herself at this point for her expressive vocal chops, and the glam rock sensibilities she’s known for accompany the more hard rock approach to this song effortlessly. It almost feels like an early PJ HARVEY song, with a certain push and pull approach to dynamics but a suffocating atmosphere and rawness that sets this apart from the rest of their discography. It’s a standalone release, but one to look out for regardless, whether you’re a fan of the group or not.
Words: Noise Leonard
MOTHER - Unholy
Drawing on modern metalcore and the sounds of gothic rock and metal, the debut single from new project MOTHER rips onto the scene as a statement on BPD and mental health issues surrounding identity. Unholy feels like the crossroads between uncertainty and fear; self-actualisation and satisfaction. With some sounds that feel reminiscent of SLEEP TOKEN and PRESIDENT, along with influence from LINKIN PARK and EVANESCENCE, this is sure to be a project that finds a home in many listeners’ heads.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Movements - Dissolve Me
Dissolve Me is the quintessential emo‑tinted post‑hardcore track from MOVEMENTS, released as a double single alongside new track Back In My Ways. The first track written for upcoming album Happier Now, the song captures the band's signature blend of emotional sharpness, simmering melodic tension and unflinching honesty through bare‑knuckled confessions. Dissolve Me circles the feeling of being trapped inside your own head, where you replay every interaction, second guessing your choices, and spiralling into self‑critique. If this is what is to come from Happier Now, fans are not going to be disappointed.
Words: Lou Viner-Flood
Sakoya - Some Things Never Change
Distorted guitar feedback rings through, but listen closer and it begins to sound like a geiger counter warning. SAKOYA's latest single Some Things Never Change continues in this malignant theme, with intense bass drops and sick riffs, as the drums pound out a marching beat under wavering synths. The track descends into a muffled breakdown that builds into an instrumental cacophony, while throughout the venomous, weary lyrics force a reality check on the subject listening - for all their empty promises, their history proves their true intentions. It's emotive, it's loud, it's perfect for when you're pissed off, and it's a sure sign for more infectious tracks to come from SAKOYA.
Words: Julia Stark
The Sankaras - The New Sensation
Ever wonder what would’ve happened if Marty McFly had taken a wrong turn in the DeLorean and wound up in Glasgow in the year 2026? Probably not, that’s really specific. But THE SANKARAS answer that question, bringing a vintage-yet-unique swagger to the stage with their rocking new single The New Sensation. It pulses and sparks like a livewire, fizzing with electric rock’n’roll riffs that make this track one you absolutely have to witness in person. You might not be ready for it yet, but your kids are gonna love it.
Words: Naomi Colliar Duff
THEATRE - You Are
Little is still known about the esoteric Limerick-born THEATRE, but one thing we can say for certain is they have undeniable talent and soul, their latest single You Are cementing them further into the folk-rock scene as ones to watch. Guitars clash together, fuzzed chords vs haunting riffs, an undercurrent of bass felt more than heard stalking through the song. Ethereal vocals rise and sway before dropping into powerful holds, while the drums pivot from simple beats to a snappy marching beat, the singer's voice creating ever higher. If you felt you missed the era of THE CRANBERRIES and SINEAD O'CONNOR, that transcendental sound and passion is alive in THEATRE.
Words: Julia Stark
Wealthy Women - 37 Days
A brand new band coming out of San Francisco, the doomy, sludgy WEALTHY WOMEN have announced themselves very loudly on second single 37 Days. Telling the story of Asaad al-Nasasra, a Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic detained for the titular 37 days by Israeli forces after an attack that killed 8 of his colleagues, the three piece’s writing is heavy both lyrically and musically. Sounding like a cousin of CHAT PILE and MELVINS, there’s plenty more to come from this lot with an album arriving August time, so keep your eyes and ears wide open for some WEALTHY WOMEN.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Witchsorrow - Bacchus
As classically doomy and Sabbathian as you’d hope for from pure doom metal, WITCHSORROW make a return to recording after several years with a suitably satanic sound on Bacchus. As the first single in the build up to their upcoming album The Devil And All His Works, it’s got pressure to perform the necessary rites to be accepted as truly ritualistic enough, but NECROSKULL and Co. know heavy music better than most of us can even imagine, and their devil worshipping skills are no joke. Everything feels like the perfect blend - the syrupy slowness of the main riffs and echoing vocals, even a solo that could’ve been recorded in 1974, it’s all there and it’s all gleefully devilish and it’s all GREAT.
Words: Jasmine Longhurst
Yard Act - Redeemer
On Redeemer, the first single for the upcoming album You’re Gonna Need a Little Music, YARD ACT present a radical change in style compared to The Overload’s plucky post-punk and Where’s My Utopia?’s quirky dance-punk. This is a straight up alternative rock song, with James Smith talk-singing over the verses and chorus over a riff with a certain ferocity that you wouldn’t expect from YARD ACT. Speaking openly about PETER GABRIEL’s third self-titled album (subtitled “Melt”) being an influence on them all, the almost-industrial influences from something like Intruder definitely come through here. A bold start to the band’s new era, we’re curious to see what they do next.
Words: Noise Leonard
Editor: Naomi Colliar Duff
Photos: Various Artists
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