Rage Reviews: Recent Releases, November 4th 2026
Just like that, Halloween is over for another year - a tragic time for alternative people around the world. Some would have you believe it's time to start celebrating Christmas already, but at Out of Rage we believe the best thing to celebrate right now is just how much music is coming out at the moment. Here's what we've been listening to lately:
Track of the Week:
Enter Shikari - Lightyears
It has already been a month since ENTER SHIKARI announced their indefinite hiatus starting from the end of next year, but in that time we’ve been blessed with two surprise new singles already. The latest is Lightyears that came out last week, its synthy and upbeat melody feel hopeful alongside the sentimental lyrics of “even though you are not here, I can still feel you lightyears away,”. The message of the latest tracks have been ones of love, and with the last sixty seconds this is definitely a tune that will be belted out by the crowd at future shows. It comes just in time for the band making its way around the country in the coming weeks.
Words: Danielle Henderson
Almira Elfeky - I don’t want to fall in love
AMIRA dropped the second track I don’t want to fall in love from her new album It was only a dream last week. In contrast to the single Beatdown that dropped in September, I don’t want to fall in love has a pop-like feel, embracing a 2010s inspired beat. At least it does in the beginning; the latter part of the song launches you into a screamy soundscape with a punchy gothic bass beat. Its incredibly catchy and somewhat nostalgic vibe will no doubt have you hitting that repeat button for the rest of the week.
Words: Danielle Hendersonon
Defences - Death of a Dream
“I get to decide how I wanna show up” - from the off, Death of a Dream’s dominating lyrics delivered in a dangerous, low spoken-word set a new tone and a new era for alt-metal unit DEFENCES, a jagged industrial metal beat breaking through the intro before launching itself into a medley of relentless drums and roaring guitars. Lead vocalist Cherry Duesbery at first seems to give herself a pep talk with affirmations that she can be whoever she wants to be, but as the track moves into a heavier cadence and William Alex Young’s tearing screams join Duesbery’s it becomes more of a defiant yet bittersweet oath to herself and the listener, a cautionary tale that to become the person you’re meant to be you have to make sacrifices, played out over a rhythm that echoes the sheer grit DEFENCES possess.
Words: Julia Stark
Enemy Inside - Rag Doll (ft. As Everything Unfolds, Lake Malice)
The era of the female fronted metal power collab is here, and it is so good to see. ENEMY INSIDE called on Charlie Rolfe (of AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS) and Alice Guala (of LAKE MALICE) to deliver the single Rag Doll that somehow encapsulates everything you love about metal music - soaring clean vocals, crushing screams and shredding guitars into a song that should be too much with so many vocal performances on it, but somehow it’s not. It’s so well balanced that every voice gets its moment to shine - and all under three minutes of run time! If you like any of these bands, they are unmatched together.
Words: Jade du Preez
Eville - SLAY
SLAY does not leave any crumbs. Opening with the hardest scream, straight into the angriest verse imaginable. EVILLE are loading up on the aggression with this song, paired with the melodic chorus which whips back into the aggression with the second verse and throughout. Slay is the lead single on their upcoming EP Bratpocalypse, and they appear to be building an entire world around this EP, with the activity of the mysterious everythinc. Don’t miss them on their UK headline in February 2027.
Words: Kei Wells
Gaerea - Shallow
The Portuguese five piece take another side step from their post black metal roots with new single Shallow, which was released as a four track EP with piano, acoustic and remix versions of the same song. Shallow is multi-faceted; its overarching melody is stunning, reaching for softer moments and still hitting those heavier forces in a way that is perfectly balanced. Shallow acts as a natural progression following the release of Loss earlier in the year, and sees the band collaborating with other artists for the first time that span across several genres.
Words: Danielle Henderson
Hannah Wicklund - The Pier
HANNAH WICKLUND is a woman unleashed on her new single The Pier, channeling the raw blues and soaring, emotional vocals she’s known for. Crushing and delightful in equal measures, the track builds towards a guitar solo that showcases why she is the powerhouse of modern blues. Both the lyrics and composition are passionate and poetic, toeing the line of flashy but in the effortless, confident way that HANNAH WICKLUND handles her best tracks. This is undoubtedly HANNAH WICKLUND at her finest, and at such a young age the future truly is limitless for her.
Words: Jade du Preez
LEAP - Bury Me
LEAP might be touring Europe right now but they found the time to drop their latest single Bury Me just in time for a string of UK dates to wrap up the year. And there is no doubt that this song will be a crowd favourite when they do come to play it live. The chugging guitars pair so well with the raspy vocals until for a brief second they do battle right before the final act, only to drop away into a spoken word segment that makes the final chorus zing. If this single, paired with their September release (Bloodlines) is anything to go off of, the next phase of LEAP’s evolution will be one to watch.
Words: Jade du Preez
Mothica - My Confession
MOTHICA’s latest single My Confession combines the best elements of her characteristic “bummer pop” as a dreamscape of whispered vocals climb towards a catchy, guitar driven chorus. Unafraid of playing with silence, this track allows the lyrics to demand more effect than your average emo pop offering. Never quite moving out of the lethargic vocal range, the song embraces a depressive mood that is so well suited to the lyrical journey. Another impressive release from MOTHICA as they head out on tour with Of Mice & Men.
Words: Jade du Preez
Native James - DUMB BRUDDAH
Following his previous song of the summer, Never Been Scared, NATIVE JAMES has displayed his talents in catchy tunes and genre blending with new single DUMB BRUDDAH. Perfectly combining UK grime elements with good old nu-metal, Dumb Bruddah is an unforgettable track. You can hear influences from huge artists such as KORN in the instrumental elements and the post chorus is undoubtedly reminiscent of early SLIPKNOT, all combined with Grime to create an incredibly unique sound. Make sure you don’t miss him on tour with UNPEOPLE in January 2027.
Words: Kei Wells
PAVÉ - Spine
Manchester-based PAVÉ have steadily inserted themselves into the alt-rock scene, developing their sound into something meaty that pays homage to their influences whilst showing their own spirit. Spine feels like a step up from their previous work, in one way holding onto a DIY “playing with my best mates” feel but also injecting a renewed energy with catchy rhythms and vocals pushing outside the comfort zone. The lyrics are a “fuck you” to an unnamed antagonist, though holds back on its substantiality for the most part before sweeping into the chorus. The rapid-fire second verse elevates Spine to where it deserves to soar, the drums and distortion effects giving it a knife-sharp edge to help carve out a PAVÉ shape in your playlist.
Words: Julia Stark
Rage Doll - Low Blow
Blurring boundaries within alternative rock, the London and Liverpool based band, RAGE DOLL have returned with their single Low Blow. The song opens with a wave of distorted guitars, instantly immersing listeners in themes of love and betrayal. Seamlessly fusing Slavic and South Asian influences, the track features catchy Russian vocals against a tapestry of intricate South Asian instrumentation, curating a seductive and sensual environment. RAGE DOLL are cementing themselves as an act to watch as they draw deeply from their heritage and push the boundaries of experimental sound.
Words: Theviya R Karunaharan
Sleep Theory - Giving In
There has been some build up to the latest SLEEP THEORY release, unlike their previous donations which served as more of a drive by EP or single release with little fanfare (as frontman Cullen Moore has said in the past, if he wants to release new music he will). And Giving In comes at the perfect time, handing new fans a fresh single to enjoy as the band tour Europe with nu-metal legends PAPA ROACH, whilst their other 2026 releases (their iconic pop covers that scratch a Punk Goes Pop itch, and Paper Hearts (Reimagined)) service the long time fans. SLEEP THEORY are a band only growing in confidence and it’s evident in this single, Cullen’s vocals drive a catchy R&B inspired numetal track that sounds as exciting as their biggest hits.
Words: Jade du Preez
Zetra - Adrena
After two years since their self-titled album, ZETRA are ready to open a new era with a single Adrena. Visuals of the music video channel a nostalgic MTV aesthetic, utilising glitchy textures and integrated information about the track. Driven by rhythmic drums and heavily reverbed guitars, the track opens with an evolved sound that hooks listeners instantly. The bridge is fuelled by intricate guitar riffs and familiar synths. The lyrics explore themes of obsession, thrill of chaos and surrender. As the song fades out with an electronic synth, fans are quick to offer it a home in their playlists, ecstatic for more new releases from ZETRA.
Words: Theviya R Karunaharan
Editor: Naomi Colliar Duff
Photos: Various Artists
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