Here at Revolver, we're always on the hunt for new songs to bang our heads to — indeed, it's a big part of our jobs. With that in mind, here are the tracks released this week in metal, hard rock and hardcore that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we've also compiled the songs in a Spotify playlist, which will grow each week.
The End of the Ocean - "desire"
Featuring simple refrains that build into a swirling, airy current that ebbs and flows like the sea itself, The End of the Ocean's "desire" is a perfect example of an instrumental post-rock epic. Conveying wanton yearning yet evocatively schmaltz-free, the track is a peaceful respite of relaxing comfort and filled with enough uplifting heaviness to please Isis and Mogwai lovers alike.
Health x Youth Code - "Innocence"
Kicking off with a slightly less abrasive backing sound than Youth Code fans are accustomed to before Sara Taylor's unmistakable fury-filled vocals kick in, Health x Youth Code's collaboration "Innocence" is a hasty nightmare inlaid with traditional industrial segments and meandering dulcet breaks. An expertly blended pairing that utilizes the strongest assets and hallmarks of each group, the track feels timely and on-trend without sacrificing the staying power to make it an important genre marker for groups to come.
Cult Leader - "Isolation in the Land of Milk and Honey"
Cult Leader's newest effort A Patient Man is bound to set your world on fire with its completely gritty and inventive hardcore insanity. "Isolation in the Land of Milk and Honey" is one of the album's stranger cuts, able to change up its ultra-fast rhythm at a moment's notice, each riff hitting like a wave of fury and energy. When things seem to hit a peak, the song slows down into a wash of melodic guitar work, but the vocals don't stop hitting, as vocalist Anthony Lucero continues his extremely intense screaming throughout.
Shvpes featuring Matt Heafy - "Rain"
U.K. metalcore crew Shvpes know how to perfectly pair bouncy heaviness with total ear-worm hooks, and "Rain" is a hell of an example of their skills. Ambient electronics help to accent the song's lower points, giving even more impact when they come in for a full-tilt scream fest over the song's main riff. Bonus: the band enlists the talents of Trivium guitarist/singer Matt Heafy for a quick solo at the end.
SOM - "Prayers"
For modern lovers looking for something dark, sensual and just edgy enough to evoke later-era Deftones or even some sexier A Perfect Circle tracks, SOM have released a sweeping melodic love song set to half-time djenty guitars and murky electronic fuzz that's numbing and atmospheric, a perfect warm interlude for the emergence of winter. Highlighting gorgeous vocals yet maintaining enough heft to please true 'heads, "Prayers" is a dreamy shoegaze post-rock paean to sinful lust and the false piety of a secret romance.
Great Grief - "Ivory (Lie)"
Some scenes of hardcore don't get their due, and the late-2000s era of thoughtful acts like United Nations and Loma Prieta is a prime example. Iceland crew Great Grief seem to take much influence from this period of experimentation, and deliver a complex stunner with "Ivory (Lie)." Vocals sound strained and panicked, adding a sense of urgency to the song. Instrumentally there's a lot of surprises, including a black-metal-friendly blast beat near the midpoint that sends the song into a spiral of beautiful rage, and a final massive hook to tie things together.
