Gig Review: Phantom Burial Tour

 Date: 7/10/26

Location: O2 Islington Academy, London

Headlining: NateWantsToBattle

Support acts: Genwunner and Cam Steady

Triple threat trio: Cam Steady, Genwunner and NateWantsToBattle brought chaos to London and oh boy, what an unforgettable night. 

Unlike a standard gig where support acts play and clear the stage before the headliner, this night threw out the rulebook. Genwunner stepped up as the MC for the evening, instructing the crowd to "stay steady" right before bringing out Cam Steady. During their sets, they took turns trading the stage, performing popular songs from each artist alongside some of the tracks they've collaborated on. Nate didn't just wait in the wings either—he frequently jumped back on stage to join Genwunner and Cam Steady during their collaborative sets, building up the hype long before he got back on stage for his headlining performance.
 It was especially easy to vibe to iconic tracks like Genwunner's 'Big Man Blastoise,' complete with a crowd pretending it was raining in the room and dancing like Blastoise and his latest track about a lovable duck that gets headaches, 24/7...Psyduck. 
 Cam Steady even kicked off a mild circle pit while performing his latest track, Team Aqua. You would expect circle pits to be brutal in a metal moshpit, but not this time. 

It has become a running gag for the headlining act, NateWantsToBattle, to open packs of Pokémon cards (the 30th Anniversary edition). Naturally, every single pack ends up yielding a Pikachu card. Pika pika! However, his performance reached a whole new level, delivering a powerhouse performance filled with driving alternative-rock anthems and fan favourites. 

When NateWantsToBattle took centre stage, the energy in the O2 Islington Academy reached a whole new level. Delivering a powerhouse performance filled with driving alternative-rock anthems and fan-favourite tracks from the Phantom Burial era, Nate completely commanded the room. True to form, he also kept the crowd entertained between songs with his signature running gag of opening packs of Pokémon cards (the 30th Anniversary edition)—with every single pack miraculously yielding a Pikachu card, drawing loud cheers and laughs from the crowd. To cap off an already unforgettable night, NateWantsToBattle closed out the night with Gotta Go Fast (Sonic X Theme) for the ultimate nostalgic finale.

Song Review: The Way You Are by Electric Callboy

Song: The Way You Are

Band: Electric Callboy (GER)

Date released: 28.7.26

Everybody yeah, Bleughstreet's back, alright!

German electronic metalcore crew Electric Callboy have completely blindsided us with their latest single, "The Way You Are," from their upcoming album Tanzeid. It’s a wild, nostalgia-fuelled rollercoaster that crashes headfirst into pure metal chaos, delivering every ounce of fun, energy, and absurdity fans have come to expect. If anyone saw this coming, they deserve a medal.

The track opens in the most disarming way imaginable, with lush vocal harmonies, delicate acoustic flourishes, and enough glossy boyband charm to make you question whether you’ve clicked on the right song. For a moment, it feels like Electric Callboy have abandoned their signature formula entirely. But just as you settle into the illusion, they pull the rug out from under you. The song detonates into a relentless wall of pounding double-kick drums, monstrous symphonic deathcore riffs, and crushing heaviness, transforming from sugary pop nostalgia into an all-out metal assault in the blink of an eye.

We’ve had Blink-182 parodying the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" in one of their music videos, but it’s nowhere near as unhinged as Electric Callboy’s latest visual. Watching the band fully commit to cosplaying as the Backstreet Boys is hilarious enough, but then things take a gloriously NSFW turn that only Electric Callboy could pull off.

Instagram: @electriccallboy

For fans of: Samurai Pizza Cats, We Butter The Bread With Butter

Gig Review: Isle of Suffering UK Tour

 Date: 17.7.26

Location: 229, London

Headlining: Immortal Suffering (USA)

Support acts: Fecundation (South Korea), Butcher ABC (Japan) and Disgracing (UK)

Forged in brutality and united by chaos, bands from across the globe converged for the Isle of Suffering, unleashing a relentless onslaught of crushing riffs, merciless blast beats, and unfiltered aggression. A gathering where only the heaviest survived. 

South Korean technical/brutal death metal duo Fecundation took to the stage with unwavering precision, delivering a jaw-dropping display of musicianship that left the crowd in reverence. Their complicated riffs, lightning-fast blast beats, and knife-like execution seamlessly blended technical complexity with unrelenting brutality. Every song was performed with remarkable precision and intensity, proving that even as a two-piece, Fecundation could command the stage with a sound as massive and crushing as a full band. If you like bands like Rings of Saturn, you'll need to give these guys a listen! @fecundation_deathmetal

Japan is often celebrated for its breathtaking cherry blossoms, world-renowned cuisine, and vibrant anime culture—but when Japanese goregrind veterans Butcher ABC took the stage, they showcased an entirely different side of the country. With blood-soaked aesthetics, grotesque themes, and an unrelenting wall of filthy riffs and blast beats, the band unleashed a savage performance that was as chaotic as it was captivating. Their raw intensity, crushing sound, and commanding stage presence transformed the venue into a whirlwind of headbanging and moshing, proving why Butcher ABC remain one of the most respected names in the international goregrind scene. The gas masks and neon bass strings were the perfect finishing touches, adding a striking visual element that complemented the band's grotesque aesthetic and made their stage presence even more unforgettable. @butcher_abc

They may be called Disgracing, but there was absolutely nothing disgraceful about their performance. The Slamcunian death metal quartet made a massive statement the moment they hit the stage, delivering a relentless barrage of bone-crushing slams, earth-shaking breakdowns, and punishing grooves that sent the pit into absolute chaos. Frontman Jack Evans brought plenty of personality to the performance, rocking a Britney Spears T-shirt and Pokémon trainers—a hilarious contrast to the band's devastatingly heavy sound that made an already memorable set even more entertaining. Beneath the humour, however, was a band firing on all cylinders, with every riff, guttural growl, and blast beat executed with crushing precision. The set featured several tracks from their latest album, Descension Into Despair, alongside a healthy dose of old-school slam anthems that had the crowd headbanging and two-stepping from start to finish. The atmosphere turned bittersweet knowing this tour marks drummer Jake Gamble's final run with the band. He left everything behind the kit, delivering a ferocious and emotionally charged performance that served as a fitting farewell. It was a crushing set that celebrated the band's past while closing an important chapter with unrelenting brutality. @disgracingdm

New York's finest death metal bruisers Immortal Suffering brought their set to a devastating conclusion, ending the night with an explosive final assault. I couldn't help but laugh when vocalist Zach Kraytz announced the final song from their setlist, "STFUC", only for my Apple Watch to hilariously misinterpret the announcement and respond with an unexpected “OK.”
Beyond that amusing moment, there was nothing but pure violence on stage. Immortal Suffering were absolutely on fire, unleashing a merciless barrage of crushing riffs, savage vocals, and punishing grooves that tore through the venue. Their performance was a relentless display of old-school death metal brutality, leaving the crowd battered, exhausted, and hungry for more. Zach, tell your cat Leo that I said pspsppspsps! @immortal_suffering

Gig Review: Pintglass

 Date: 29/5/26

Location: The Underworld, London

Support acts: Overpower, Negative Frame and The Hell

For fans of Metallica, Power Trip and Slayer, Bristol's hardcore thrashers Overpower wasted no time in getting the pit warmed up. The band's visual presentation was as striking as their sound. Frontman, Matt Howson performed wearing a steel medieval-style knight's hood, an unusual but memorable piece of stage attire that lent the set an extra sense of character. Far from feeling like a gimmick, it complemented the band's confrontational energy and made for an unmistakable stage presence. What distinguished Overpower from many contemporary crossover acts was their ability to avoid relying solely on brute force. Beneath the relentless pace lay a strong sense of song craft, with memorable hooks and dynamic shifts providing texture throughout the set. By the time they left the stage, the crowd was fully engaged and the atmosphere firmly established for the bands that followed. @overpowerthrash

Having previously seen Negative Frame as support for Pintglass in November 2025, there was already an expectation that their set would deliver. Those expectations were comfortably met. The London metallic hardcore outfit brought a relentless energy to the stage, combining crushing riffs, groove-laden breakdowns and a commanding performance that kept the crowd engaged throughout. @negativeframeldn

Hertfordshire beatdown outfit The Hell painted the pit red with their colourful performance. They kicked off their set with "6666", combining Nintendocore-inspired chaos with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, while taking to the stage in matching red jumpsuits. Orange Is the New Black? More like red is the new black.
One of the night's standout moments came when one of the mysterious vocalists grabbed my phone and filmed the mosh pit from within the chaos whilst performing I Don't Give A Fuck. Later, Pintglass vocalists Ben Mason and Angus Roberton joined the band on stage for a performance of The Hell's latest track, "Dropped On Site". That shit was fire! Especially seeing the geezas having fun on stage, as they should. 
As if things couldn't get any more surreal, a man in a Cookie Monster costume suddenly appeared and began crowd surfing across the pit, adding another layer of absurdity to an already unforgettable set. @thehellyoudick

Things were already reaching boiling point as headliners Pintglass took to the stage, instantly ramping up the chaos in the pit. Dressed in Portwest jackets, they delivered a high-energy set featuring tracks from their latest album. The frontmen later returned to the stage in high-vis jackets for fan favourites not listed on the setlist, such as “Café Brawler,” “Tarzan of the Boozer,” and “GTHC,” sending the crowd into full-on party mode. @pintglass_gthc

Overall, the vibe felt very much like a costume party, considering that each band showed up to the show in different fits. We had Overpower in knight hoods, Negative Frame in sportswear, The Hell in red jumpsuits and bandanas, and Pintglass in their trademark high-vis jackets. After all, the whole pit was full of high-vis jackets.

Gig Review: Death Metal Violence Tour

 Date: 21/5/26

Location: New Cross Inn, London

Headlining band: Dysentery 

Support acts: Toil, .357 Homicide and Anhendonia

The Death Metal Violence Tour sure as lived up to its name as four brutal bands tore down New Cross Inn, delivering non-stop violence, weighty slams and enough breakdowns to level the venue. The headlining band was Dysentery, supported by Anhedonia, Manchester slam duo .357 Homicide, and Essex hardcore outfit Toil.

Toil opened the night with a pulverising heavy set, delivering punishing breakdowns and raw energy that instantly set the tone for what followed. I’ve seen them live before, when they opened for Yorkshire hardcore outfit Street Soldier back in February 2025. @toil.hc

The Mancunian mean machines, .357 Homicide brought that Manchester shit straight to the pit, straight-up carnage. They performed a mixture of songs from Intestines On The Pavement (2020) to Cremating The Dismembered (2025). Their performance had a raw, almost chaotic edge, but it never lost focus — each section hit with intent, landing cleanly even when the overall sound felt deliberately chaotic. The crowd response built steadily as the set went on, with more movement breaking out as the riffs tightened and the pace intensified. Mat, tell your cat Bubbles that I said pspspspsp. @357_homicide

Anhedonia — where do I begin with these guys? Boston brutes, that’s what they are. Their performance was built on thick, downtuned riffs and cavernous breakdowns, each one landing with deliberate, crushing weight that filled the room with low-end intensity. @anhedonia.brutal

By the time Dysentery hit the stage, the atmosphere had already been pushed to breaking point—and so had they. Their headlining set was a relentless surge of controlled chaos, balancing precision and sheer sonic violence in a way that felt purpose-built to close the night on maximum impact. I was expecting their set to be longer, as is usually the case with headliners, but they only played for around half an hour. And Scott Scarvia (Dysentery), tell your cats Maggie and Peg I said pspspspspsps. @dysenteryslam

Gig Review: From Ashes To New

 Date: 17/4/26

Location: The Dome, London

Supporting acts: Paradise Fell, Comastatic

On the same day, headlining act From Ashes To New made their explosive UK debut, coinciding with the release of their latest album, Reflections. The Dome erupted into a wall of energy from the first note to the last, as the crowd was whipped into a frenzy by blistering, high-octane sets from support acts Paradise Fell and Comastatic.

The London-based alternative/nu-rock band Paradise Fell kicked off their set with fan favourites Overdose and Lil Butterfly, alongside newer tracks Super Turbo and No Lies. I hadn’t heard of the band before, so I can’t comment too much on their performance, but they certainly made a strong first impression.

Swiss duo Comastatic returned to The Dome after previously supporting Australia’s pop metalcore act Melrose Avenue. Their performance was excellent, and the intensity of the mosh pit landed somewhere between mild and spicy.

On the mild-to-spicy scale, the mosh pit for headliners From Ashes To New was absolutely off the charts—properly spicy—even though I was in the pit playing traffic warden. They delivered a mix of tracks spanning every album they’ve released, including songs from their latest record. A standout moment came when a fan was brought on stage to perform Hate Me Too with the band, and it was phenomenal. The guy is seriously talented!

Album Review: Khaos by Kanine

 Date released: 17th April 2026

Genre: Slam/ Deathcore

The kings of baguettecore have recently dropped their second album, Khaos. Oh boy, there's a lot of brutal bass drops and breakdowns. We all asked for it! So buckle up, shit's about to get Khaotic (I know what I'm doing here).

*clears throat* 808 bass drop activate. This is one of the heaviest tracks of the album; you're gonna have to invest in a new set of speakers. The intro is powerful, delivering consistently unhinged breakdowns. 

Sharp Teeth is pure sonic warfare, with belligerent chugs grinding against earth-shaking bass drops, while savage breakdowns detonate in waves, driven by a ruthless storm of blast beats and battlefield-ready riffs. I chuckled when the track randomly ended with "Well, I got naked!" There is a music video for this song, which is funny because Jason Gerhard (vocals) kidnaps every band member and throws them all into his van. The thumbnail speaks for itself! 

Who fancies a salade de phalanges—“knuckle salad,” if you prefer it in English? This track serves exactly that: chaotic, hard-hitting, and oddly addictive. Pair it with a can of White Monster, and you’ve got the full experience. The production feels like it’s constantly on the boil, never letting up, and the energy spills straight into the music video, which is just as unhinged as the song itself. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does—and I’m all in, especially when the White Monster makes its inevitable appearance. A strangely perfect touch along with Mortal Kombat. 

This album hits hard—goosebumps from the first drop. It’s absolute bass-drop central, relentless and unapologetic in its intensity. Every track feels dialled up to the extreme, yet there’s a sharp sense of humour running through it that keeps things from collapsing under their own weight. These boys have nailed that rare balance: brutal, chaotic energy paired with a knowing wink. It’s loud, it’s ridiculous, and it works brilliantly.

Check the new album on iTines or Spotify

Instagram: @kaninesdc

Songs I recommend: Doom Bringer, Salade De Phalanges, 808 and Anxiety

For fans of: Chelsea Grin, Signs Of The Swarm

Album Review: Good Enough by Whether, I

After Texan's post-hardcore/metalcore band parted ways back in 2016, the OG vocalists Kaleb Eddy and Joshua Calhoun made a comeback in 2021, and damn right, they are back with another album. 

The first track of the album is "Moving On" which was released in July 2021. The first two stanzas of the song must have been twisted around with Sleeping With Siren's If You Can't Hang (the part where Kellin Quinn mentioned about meeting a girl at 17 who turned out to be a cheat and meeting a girl at 23, who did the same to him) even though Whether, I's song explores themes of personal growth, leaving behind a reckless past. Their voices will touch your heart because of how relatable the lyrics are, c'est la vie (reference to their song from their EP, Dreamcatcher)! I love that they have maintained their sound, but with a more soulful feel and R&B sound. Here is the music video to this song:

The second song they released in December 2021 was "In My Head" (not a Jason Derulo cover). The song kicks off with Kaleb Eddy's fervent vocals and oh boy, this one's an emotional rollercoaster for the lads, as this song is about not being able to get over a breakup. I thought we were 'Moving On'. Ha, get it? But there's more...

However, the album focuses more on complex topics such as relationship struggles, mental health and personal growth. There are still elements of post-hardcore/metalcore with some R&B; they're starting to sound like Issues. Deadly is my personal favourite. I love the aggressive hardcore punk intro, along with more raw emotion. I need another box of tissues because this album is an absolute rollercoaster. 😿😿😿😿

I give this album a 9/10 because I feel that they have grown as a band even though I enjoy their older music from the Dreamcatcher EP and Catalyst album. Other than that, there isn't much to say other than making sure you go give these guys a listen on Apple Music or Spotify!

Instagram: @whetheriband

Songs I recommend: Deadly, Moving On

For fans of: Secrets, Sleeping With Sirens, Issues