It’s been four years since we last wrote about Wellington’s metallic hardcore band Brainwave, who blew us away with their heavy EP “The Decline” back in 2020. Now, they’re back with a vengeance, dropping their new single “The Truth” today on all major platforms. Drawing on classic ’90s metal and hardcore acts like Machine Head and Biohazard while weaving in modern elements, this track marks the next evolution for the band. Everything is faster, harder, and more aggressive. We’ve got a potent mix of dirty thrash metal and hardcore punk, featuring a super meaty breakdown that makes me fear what ..read more

Hardcore’s return to the cultural spotlight is no accident. What has always made this “scene” electrifying is the ability to shift, evolve, and keep its honesty and connetion to local communities, while keeping its soul intact. At IDIOTEQ, we’ve always admired how hardcore defies definition, balancing its chaotic multidimensionality with a firm DIY backbone. Whether it’s melodic singalongs, tough guy slam dancing, vulnerable emo screamo, or metallic beatdowns, hardcore has never been just one thing, and that’s exactly why it’s thriving again. In the newest video from Youtuber Coolea, he argues ..read more

The Kathmandu Valley hardcore scene isn’t something you hear about every day, especially in the West. Six Coffins is here to change that narrative, offering a unique glimpse into Nepal’s exotic hardcore landscape. Formed in 2024, this outfit brings together members who’ve been active in Nepal’s hardcore and punk scene for over a decade. They’re also involved in bands like Discord, Chain ov Dogs, Neck Deep in Filth, The Doltish, and Toerag. The First Nail by Six Coffins “Over the years, while no Nepali hardcore bands have made a big impact internationally, we’ve steadily built a vibrant local s ..read more

Metallic hardcore isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cape Town. Yet, out of this coastal city, THE TALON comes with their uncompromising sound and DIY ethos. Their latest single, “Possessor,” delivers a sharp and unrelenting commentary on familial shadows and the struggles they leave behind. Guitarist Marku Boshoff captured its intensity in a self-produced music video, raw and unpolished, mirroring the track’s themes. THE TALON is Brett Allen-White (guitar), Marku Boshoff (guitar), CP van der Merwe (drums), Scott Miller (vocals), and Steven Ilbury (bass). Brett and Scot ..read more

Today, Great American Ghost share the arrival of “Kerosene,” the fourth single from the band’s upcoming album Tragedy Of The Commons out January 31st on SharpTone Records. The track opens the record with a buzzsaw riff and pummeling industrial-style beat. Taking inspiration from bands like Nine Inch Nails and HEALTH as much as Slayer and Meshuggah, “Kerosene” signals Great American Ghost’s ability to write killer songs that transcend genre. The video for the track, directed and edited by Anthony Altamura, evokes a spine-chilling and anxious blend of horror. Vocalist Ethan Harrison comments on ..read more

Fierce straight edge pack NO CURE — comprised of Blaythe Steuer [vocals], Aesop Mongo [guitar], Kyle Ray [guitar], Jake Murnane [bass], and Duncan Newey [drums] — recently announced their signing to SharpTone Records. The quintet, who released their debut EP back in 2022 and has been touring relentlessly ever since, will release the new concept EP I Hope I Die Here on December 6. On the EP, the band delivers an inimitable hybrid of gritty basement-bred hardcore boosted by death metal proficiency and explosive unpredictability. The EP features guests on every track, including Daniel McWhorter f ..read more

Thai hardcore band Whispers pulse through their “Bangkok Evilcore” sound in new single “Wisenheimer (You Were Never One Of Us)” out today. The song serves as the third single from the band’s upcoming Yom-Ma-Lok EP out December 13th on Flatspot Records. FSR79 – Yom-Ma-Lok by Whispers The track builds up with crunchy riffs before heading into an all out annihilation of raged vocals and pulsating drums. Shaun Alexander of Demonstration Of Power pops in for a guest vocal feature at a gruff aspect to Nitisart “Mike” Chaiburi’s in-your-face delivery. Originally formed in 2014, the band picked up ste ..read more

Splits have long been a treasure trove in the post-hardcore and screamo circuits—a place where bands not only showcase their sound but also establish connections with like-minded human beings. “Bellum“, the newest co-release by our guests last year RUINA and NØMÉS TØT is no exception. This collaboration dives into themes of solitude, nature’s bittersweet beauty, and the emotional turbulence of human connection, offering an experience that feels both raw and cathartic. Combine the raw soul of screamo and emo punk with the heartbeat of Spanish essence, and you’re likely to create something that ..read more

Revelation Records has officially announced its 200th release: a vinyl reissue of JUDGE’s Chung King Can Suck It. Originally pressed in 1989, this album represents a raw and unique piece of New York hardcore history. The new edition features remastered audio, updated packaging, and a reversed-out version of the iconic album cover. JUDGE recorded the original Chung King Can Suck It at Chung King Studios (known for hosting the BEASTIE BOYS and SLAYER) under challenging conditions: a tight budget, late-night sessions, and rotating interns. Dissatisfied with the results, Revelation Records founder ..read more

Eva Ras isn’t a stranger to our magazine’s pages. The prolific and daring Filip Stojiljkovic continues to deliver projects that challenge norms while maintaining his signature intensity. His latest EP, Exquisite Corpse Propaganda, released on November 20, 2024, is no exception—a four-track eruption of punk, black wave, and screamo that channels frustration into raw, bleak catharsis. Today, we’re honored to present a track-by-track commentary from the artist himself. The EP reflects Stojiljkovic’s sharp, unfiltered perspective on societal decay and personal resilience. “This EP is a prelude to ..read more