Curated by Monk
We may be only little more than a week into the new rock ‘n’ roll year, but things are already hectic busy here at ÜRHQ, with new releases galore already competing for that coveted inclusion either here on the main #SinglesClub playlist or as one of our #DailyPick selections. So, with that in mind, let’s crank the amps up to neighbour-annoying volume and dive straight into our first full selection of 2025, shall we?
Cabal ‘Unveiled’ (Nuclear Blast Records)
The Danish extremist dynamos unveil (sic) our latest playlist with this first taster of their new album, on which they will be proving that ‘Everything Rots‘ in April, but before then they hit us squarely between the eyes with this suitably in-your-face collaboration with Matthi of beatdown brutalists Nasty:
Cytotoxin ‘Condemnesia’ (Self-Released)
It’s hard to believe that it is almost 40 years since the catastrophe of the Chernobyl explosion, but those directly affected are still living with the consequences, as highlighted by these German technical death dealers, who have made their career out of addressing the incident and its aftermath and continue to do so with this latest standalone offering:
Cyhra ‘Superman’ (Reigning Phoenix Music)
This Finnish melodic metal supergroup features past and present members of the likes of Amaranthe, The Halo Effect, Kamelot and In Flames celebrate the inking of a new record deal with one of the fastest growing imprints on the European metal scene with this standalone offering to kick off a busy year which will see them lead up to their tenth anniversary celebrations in 2026:
Godzillionaire ‘Drowning All Night’ (Ripple Music)
It hopefully won’t be a case of ‘Diminishing Returns‘ for this Kansas troupe, fronted by Mark Hennessy of cult grungers Paw, with the release of their second album this coming week – and it certainly shouldn’t be, especially with the not inconsiderable weight of one of our favourite labels behind them:
Great American Ghost ‘Echoes Of War’ (SharpTone Records)
Vocalist Ethan Harrison describes this track as the keystone that holds together the upcoming new album from the new-look ÜS metalcore ghouls, “the culmination of everything we took into the studio and of everything we hoped to accomplish with ‘Tragedy Of The Commons’ … the foundation of the new Great American Ghost”:
Great Grandpa ‘Junior’ (Run For Cover Records)
The shimmering indie grunge-pop quintet will be extolling us to display some ‘Patience, Moonbeam’ when they release their first album in five years, of which this country-tinged slice of retrospection is the latest sample:
Jaye Jayle ‘Fear Is Here’ (Pelagic Records)
Having previously featured as one of our #DailyPick selections almost just over a month ago, we have no fear in serving up the Kentucky gothic blues combo’s third taster from their upcoming new album, which will be released at the end of the month:
Kingsphere ‘Archetype’ (Self-Released)
The Polish metalcore quintet are about to release just their third album in 13 years, serving up this as the first taster of what to expect from their blend of old and nu-school influences:
pMad ‘Feed’ (Self-Released)
Galway-based Paul Dillon has featured in these pages quite few times over the past year, either with this, his gothic post-punk solo project, or via his collaborations with Dublin indie vets Big Generator, and he’s starting off the new year in similarly productive style as he feeds our desire for yet more new sounds from his febrile mind:
Pop Evil ‘Wishful Thinking’ (MNRK Heavy)
The Michigan powerhouses are preparing to explore ‘What Remains’ of founder and frontman Leigh Kataky’s dark and turbulent psyche with an album which he himself describes as “[a] document of resilience, perseverance, and accountability” and promises to be both their heaviest and most introspective offering yet.
Rainbows Are Free ‘Sleep’ (Ripple Music)
The Oklahoma heavy psych-proggies are about to bestow us with gifts of ‘Silver And Gold’, via the release of their fourth album, due our way in March, and from which this is the first taster:
Slug Comparison ‘March Through The Forest’ (Self-Released)
FEN frontman Doug Harrison takes a slightly heavier approach than the more acoustic-led one we have come to expect from his previous solo material with this fuzzy and upbeat blend of grungy progressive indie – and the promise of plenty more to come throughout the year:
SOM ‘Nightmares’ (Pelagic Records)
These doom pop proponents are set to deliver dreamy shoegaze combined with plenty of metallic heft when they ‘Let The Light In‘ with the release of their third album in March:
Spark Of Life ‘In Pursuit Of’ (New Age Records)
Last featured in these pages in November, these southern California post-hardcore outliers return in pursuit of building momentum towards the release of their new album, which will see them ‘Plagued By The Human Condition’ when it is released next month.
Storm ‘Alien Perspective’ (Indie Recordings)
At just 16 years of age, this Norwegian metalcore prodigy certainly has been living up to his name, and looks set to continue his journey as an irresistible force in both the genre and medium with his first release of 2025:
SweetBeast ‘Illusion’ (Humalien Records)
Hailing from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, this quartet will be seeking to shapeshift our musical realities with their brand of pressurized sludgy psychedelic stoner rock, drawing on the spirits of Queens Of The Stone Age, All Them Witches, Kyuss and Alice In Chains, with the release next month of their debut album, in the meantime offering up this collab with Vancouver vocal harmonists Space Queen by way of a sample of what to expect:
tAKiDA ‘The Game’ (Napalm Records)
These Swedish alt-rockers certainly aren’t playing around as they once again prove why they are absolutely massive in both their home country and Germany, but it’s a mystery why they haven’t been able to make it here in the Über Kingdom… maybe 2025 will be their long overdue breakthrough year?
Tayne ‘Scars’ (MNRK/Inside Job)
Another act who made their debut in these pages last November, this Dublin-born but now London-based industrial noise pop trio will be spreading the ‘Love’ with the release of their debut album at the end of the month, but the meantime are once again exposing themselves to our playlist with this latest sample:
The Lumineers ‘Same Old Song’ (Dualtone)
It’s not quite a case of the #SameOldSong as this songwriting duo prepare to celebrate 20 years of their partnership with this first taster of their upcoming fifth album, due for release on 14 February:
Trouble County ‘The Debt We Pay’ (Epictronic)
Despite this being their tenth anniversary year, this Portsmouth stoner blues trio only released their debut album just a few short weeks ago, and have taken the bold step of re-issuing this deep cut from their archive:
Winona Fighter ‘R U Famous’ (Rise Records)
This Nashville punk trio featured more times than any other act on our Singles Club playlist last year, and look set to continue to dominate our deathdecks in the new one, as they prepare to offer their ‘Apologies To The Chef’ with the release of their debut album by serving up this aggressive message for social climbers and hangers-on:
So, there you have it, our first dynamic and eclectic selection of the year. Hopefully we’ve opened your ears to some new sounds, and pointed you in the direction of some fine tuneage to kick your year off in style… Until next time, remember: keep ‘er lit, keep ‘er between the hedges and keep on Über Rockin’ in the free world \m/