Rage Reviews: Recent Releases, September 23rd 2026
These past two weeks, we've been treated to the Y2K punchy riffs of SOUTH ARCADE, the emo-tinged alt-rock of CRAWLERS, and VANA's RnB-influenced alt-metal. This one's for the young people. Here's what we've been listening to lately:
Track of the Week:
Vana - Bleeding Heart
Taking inspiration from the Lamprocapnos spectabilis flower, VANA explores the inevitability of destruction within something that is cherished the brand new single Bleeding Heart. The lyrics showcase that vulnerability can very quickly transform into anger as themes of betrayal and oppression seep throughout. Featuring heavy breakdowns with a genre blend of alternative metal and RnB influences, VANA keeps listeners on their toes with an unpredictable soundscape that remains distinctly their own. VANA’s artistic vision continues to shine through their haunted cinematic universe filled with Easter eggs and occult imagery. Fans are eager to unpack the bigger picture as they dive deeper into the elaborate lore.
Words: Theviya R Karunaharan
Anxious - Secret Weapon
ANXIOUS release their second single in six weeks, and it's a banger. Secret Weapon is laced with catchy riffs, and has a grungey sound through the vocals. The Connecticut band are following their sophomore album Bambi and you can hear the growth in this single, and also previously in Don’t Move. They’re pulling inspiration from the depths of 2010s emo music, and it's paying off incredibly. There are less hardcore influences on this track, which is new for ANXIOUS, but sounds incredible. ANXIOUS are one of the most promising up and coming emo bands on the scene, keep and eye out for what's to come!
Words: Kei Wells
Beyond Extinction - A Dark Sickness (Three Swords)
Echoing thumps and metallic clangs of a slaughterhouse draw us into BEYOND EXTINCTION's new single A Dark Sickness, the first track from their just announced EP Three Swords. Driven by the Black Death that swept through their native Essex and decimated the population, A Dark Sickness centres on the repellent disease, noxious bass oozing underneath a swelling of guitar that bursts at the thrashing of the drums. The screams drop into such a guttural level it's like a feral boar grunting, whipping upwards into skin-shredding fry screams, until it abruptly plummets into over a minute of unnerving distorted static that feels like the dead shrieking to be brought back. BEYOND EXTINCTION have announced their return with something visceral and sinewy and full of rage at their history.
Words: Julia Stark
Crawlers - BIRTHDAY
CRAWLERS don't shy away from sharing their personal stories, holding out their vulnerability to us knowing far too many will relate. Their latest track Birthday touches on lead vocalist Holly Minto's feelings about her birthday, expressing the fear of the unknown of surviving to an age you hadn't planned for, of living without a plan and feeling aimless. It's also a hopeful cry for help as Minto reaches out to the listener. But it's her best friends that answer the call of "someone hold me", Liv May keeping us grounded and centred with a steady bass, while Amy Woodall thrashes through on guitar that gives weight to the emotion. Birthday is a beacon for everyone who didn't think they'd make it this far, CRAWLERS’ way of saying we're all stumbling through together.
Words: Julia Stark
Desire Lines - Atlas
Flitting between multiple genres, Kent band DESIRE LINES have released their first track in over a year Atlas, showcasing their musical growth and genre trajectory as they toe along the borders of fuzz, post-grunge, and alt-rock. Fading in from feedback, a bass line cuts in and dances in tandem with a crispy, restrained drumbeat, building the anticipation as the vocals break through with an accompanying guitar squeal, lamenting on the chorus "tell me that I'm good enough" in a pleading, soulful tone. The vocals fade away to an instrumental breakdown of rattling bass and distorted guitars over thumping drums as the band release a slew of emotion that briefly changes the track into a heavier melody.
Words: Julia Stark
Django Django - Feel Alright (ft. Max Pope)
DJANGO DJANGO’s sixth studio album Doveland is due out in November, but for now we have Feel Alright to tide us over, featuring Max Pope. The track has a familiar coming of age film feel to it, the layering of the multitude of instruments is gorgeous. The backing choral vocals are the cherry on the top, the sound overall comes across as an organic “finding yourself” moment as opposed to the genre pushing that we’re used to hearing from the band. Feel Alright does exactly as the title implies, it will put a spring in your step and a smile on your face.
Words: Danielle Henderson
EIVØR - Spøkilsir / Revenants
The Nordic queen EIVØR released another track last week ahead of her new album Tungl, which will be released next month. Sung in her native Faroese, Spøkilsir / Revenants has a GARBAGE-esque 90s grunge sound with a pinch of PJ HARVEY’s pitch that feels perfect for the darker evenings. Its smooth, comforting melody against a stuttering driving vocal hook, embellished with a deep fuzzy bass makes for a treat for the ears. This song and by extension the album seems to be a step away from EIVØR’s distinctive ancient inspired anthems and a sure footing into a new gothic realm.
Words: Danielle Henderson
Eleine - Liars Linger
ELEINE’s Liars Linger is a powerful and atmospheric release that brings forward the Swedish band’s talent for combining symphonic grandeur with modern metal intensity. The songs balance crushing guitar riffs, dramatic orchestration, and Madeleine Liljestam’s commanding vocals, creating a track that feels both cinematic and emotionally charged. It is beautiful by contrast with delicate melodic passages and heavier, more explosive sections. Its polished production still does not strip away the aggression that makes the song compelling. Lyrically, it explores betrayal, inner strength, and confronting painful truths, in a way that fits with the darker musical atmosphere. Overall, it is a confident, dramatic release that should appeal to both symphonic metal newcomers and longtime fans.
Words: Lysandre Pons
Genital Shame - Down Titration Strategies
One of the newest acts to join The Flenser’s catalogue, GENITAL SHAME’s brand of transfemme avant-garde black metal is some of the most exciting stuff happening in the genre. New seven-minute long single Down Titration Strategies proves this, with a huge, monolithic first half that makes use of synthesisers to accentuate the pounding blast beats and harsh vocals, making way for a brilliant second half. Chord changes that you never quite see coming, tremolo-picked guitars, and a flair for angular melodies that keep the listener on their toes. The prospect of new album Wellness Plan’s release becomes all the more exciting with each passing day, and Down Titration Strategies leaves us wanting more.
Words: Noise Leonard
Lacrimas Profundere - Faceless
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE keeps surprising us by coming through with a harder, more metalcore edge than we’re used to hearing from them in Faceless. It takes us on a dark and atmospheric journey that captures the German band’s distinctive blend of gothic rock, melancholic metal, emotional intensity while adding deep guttural screams. The track thrives on moody guitar work, haunting melodies, and a strong sense of drama. These combined create an immersive atmosphere from beginning to end. The contrast between heavier and more restrained, vulnerable moments gives a whole new emotional depth. It brings an interesting card to the band’s hand while continuing to explore the themes of loss, isolation, desire, and inner conflict we know them for. Its memorable melody turns up the excitement ahead of their upcoming album, Lay Me Down O Silent Fear that is releasing on September 25th!
Words: Lysandre Pons
Trivium - Dead Inside Of Me
From the first crushing riff and slug bass line, Dead Inside of Me grabs us into a chokehold and refuses to let go. TRIVIUM unleashes a ferocious and emotionally raw track, combining their trademark heaviness with a darker, more introspective flair. Matt Heafy’s gritty vocals shift between fry screams and melodic parts, while the thunderous guitars and relentless drumming give the song a huge momentum. The band’s bassist Paolo Gregoletto pointed out that the song was loosely inspired by the Japanese concepts of honne and tatemae, which he described as “the tension between your true inner feelings and the mask you present to the outside world to hide them.” The track is a powerful reminder of why the band is held as metal giants and displays once more their ability to make a song sound both technically sharp and genuinely personal.
Words: Lysandre Pons
LEAP - Bloodlines
There is something unmistakable about LEAP's signature sound that makes them recognisable from the first few bars of new single Bloodlines, faint instruments broken by the powerful crack and snap of Hector 'Heccy' Cottam's drums, swiftly joined by Declan Brown's velvet smooth bass and Adam Mason's stirring reverbed guitar notes. Jacky Balfour makes his entrance with huge, emotional driven lyrics delivered in his distinct voice that wavers between silk and grit. Bloodlines hints at other LEAP tracks, certain elements, rhythms and groove reminiscent of such tracks as Energies and Calling Anybody, the lyrics an ambiguous tale that could be chasing a love or something more sinister. LEAP have created yet another track impossible not to dance to.
Words: Julia Stark
Mouth Culture - Growing Pains
The new faces of the rock scene have showed us their softer side as MOUTH CULTURE take on what could arguably be almost a ballad. Growing Pains feels like a love letter to feeling out of sorts and finding yourself in the world. Vocalist Jack Voss has a quintessentially British voice that lends this song to a 90’s anthem whilst the other members create a sound that feels exactly like MOUTH CULTURE but just a bit different. Whether this new sound lends to the future of the band or not, it’s a song that’s going to be a staple on many a playlist.
Words: Laura D
Royal Blood - Swallow The Bomb
With their fourth album, Dead Company, fast approaching, ROYAL BLOOD have released their second single Swallow The Bomb. An adrenaline fuelled track showcasing the pounding drums by Ben Thatcher and the thrilling gnarly bass riffs produced by Mike Kerr. Driven by the idea of confronting and digesting one’s inner monologues and doubts, the lyrics strike a motivational passage. One that transforms introspection into an irresistible urge to dance. This track serves as a reminder that ROYAL BLOOD hasn't abandoned their signature sound, but rather matured it.
Words: Theviya R Karunaharan
South Arcade - F.A.M.O.U.S
Mixing pop anthem with electro and rock, SOUTH ARCADE are onto a nostalgic feeling winner with new single F.A.M.O.U.S. An infectiously catchy song that feels like a post summer blues buster, vocalist Harmony Cavelle entranced listeners with her slick vocals. The song feels like a metaphorical middle finger to those that don’t believe in others whilst also feeling like an anthem to keep going and try something new. The excitement of the band heading on the road next year is magnified by a song that just begs to be sung as loud as possible from a gig venue audience. Slick, fun, and brilliant; words to describe both the band, and this new single.
Words: Laura D
Editor: Naomi Colliar Duff
Photos: Various Artists
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