I’ve always been a big fan of the metal genre, attending the annual Download Festival every year I can manage. Metal seems to be picking up in popularity at the moment, so I thought it was the right time to highlight some of the killer underground acts appearing on the scene at the moment. Every artist/band on this list is slightly different from one another, so metalheads should be able to find something suitable for their tastes on the playlist.

Review by Jane Howkins. Photo of Blood of the Argonaut

Modules – We Won’t Break

Modules are a progressive metalcore band from Puerto Rico, a part of the USA we don’t get to hear much music from. New release We Won’t Break starts out slowly with some strings and a pretty set of electric guitar notes, before the thunderous riffs and rhythm section kick in, accompanied by a set of manic screaming vocals. It creates a real wall of sound effect, making for a really atmospheric piece of work from the very start. The clean vocals and guitar lick on the chorus are a nice change-up too, providing further variety for the listener.

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Direct Force – Full Throttle

Full Throttle is a song that is utterly true to its name, containing a high-octane blast of adrenaline that sees one man band Direct Force (created by Mark Brown) stepping straight into the fast lane. The track sets aside subtle build-ups in favour of an immediate wall of roaring, razor-edged guitar riffs, alongside a runaway rhythm section that is clearly designed to get your head banging from the very first second. Full Throttle is raw and unpretentious, balancing a heavy sense of grit with some satisfying metal grooves and a heavy rock and roll attitude, making it a must listen song for me!

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Finlay Hutt – TAKE THIS TO MY GRAVE

Finlay Hutt is fairly new to the music industry, making his commanding new single TAKE THIS TO MY GRAVE an impressive debut as a solo artist. It’s heavy yet still has a melodic side, using a crushing blend of groove-laden alternative metal riffs to channel Finlay’s personal frustrations with the world, as well as adding further depth to the tune. The vocals are clearly extremely passionate, cutting through the thick instrumentation of the song in an awesome way, balancing both vulnerability and aggression into one gorgeous package.

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Segregates – No Rhyme or Reason

We’ve featured local York band Segregates a few times now, and they never fail to impress us. New single No Rhyme or Reason does follow the punk template a little more, but it’s still something that your average metalhead should enjoy. Clocking in at just under three minutes, the band channel the spirit of bands like Motorhead on this new track, using a series of breakneck drumming techniques and hard (but fast) guitar licks to grab you from the very first second. It’s clear that punk rockers Segregates still have it – they’re well worth catching live if you’re in the York area too!

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Caden Stone – How Cold You Have Become

Caden Stone is a Nashville-based rock and roller who has created a seductive yet high-octane tune on his fierce new single, How Cold You Have Become. Caden immediately pulls the listener into his world with an industrial-tinged soundscape that is powered by distorted guitars and a driving, almost danceable rhythm. There’s also hints of goth rock and punk thrown in for good measure too, adding a unique sound to the tune. It’s a banger lyrically as well, cutting straight to the bone with Caden’s vulnerable lyrical prose, exploring themes of fractured intimacy and how icy betrayal can feel.

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Blood of the Argonaut – A Light Went On

Birmingham-based Blood of the Argonaut are a heavy metalcore band, unleashing a relentless wave of aggression on their brilliant new single, A Light Went On. They’re fairly new to the modern metal scene, yet the track bursts out of the gates with complete abandon, displaying a blistering pace and some awesome guitar work. However, the track changes suddenly midway through, instead turning the riffs into a heavy-hitting groove that provides just enough variety to keep things interesting overall. This song is a ferocious statement that simply demands your undivided attention throughout.

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Mosh – playlist by York Calling | Spotify