Vancouver rockers CHASE THE BEAR return with “This Is What You Wanted,” a dark, groove-heavy single that turns the breakdown of a relationship into something unexpectedly danceable. Blending moody synths, driving rhythms, a chorus that sticks with you long after the song ends, and the raw energy of six musicians playing together in a room, the track sees the band pushing their sound in a fresh direction.
Inspired by drummer Connor Brooks’ experience of watching a meaningful relationship unravel, the song explores that difficult point where heartbreak starts giving way to acceptance. Rather than focusing solely on loss, “This Is What You Wanted” captures the process of letting go and figuring out who you are once something important is gone.
The single follows previous release “Isolation” and will appear alongside upcoming track “Sick Of It All” on a new EP expected in early 2027, with the band’s second full-length album planned for later that year.
Recorded live off the floor, the song captures the band’s chemistry while introducing synth textures they hadn’t explored before. Wanting to move away from the increasingly polished sound of modern rock, the band focused on preserving the same gritty, unfiltered energy that defines their live shows. The song sounds fantastic (I love the funky guitars and the groove) and it’s amazingly performed by the band.
The song is part of the playlist Rock Rotation. Give it a go by clicking on the Spotify player below and follow CHASE THE BEAR if you like what you hear.
2026 has been a year of discovery where I have turned more towards the Post-Rock and Metal world for a musical fix. Now, I do not intend this to come across as entitled and elitist as it may appear, so I will caveat it by saying that my love of music has always been eclectic and wide-ranging. When your favourite band is Rush, then pretty much anything is on the table in my view.
Belgians Hippotraktor have two previous albums that I now need to deep dive into after listening to Annihilist. By all accounts, Meridian and Stasis are both excellent. The band from Mechelen’s third album only dropped in the inbox recently, so I am reviewing close to its release date of 2 October.
Hippotraktor / Annihilist Is Cinematic, Crushing And Utterly Compelling
Annihilist is not overly long, 38 minutes and seven tracks focusing on quality rather than quantity. And there is enough of the former to satisfy.
A contradiction of styles and identity, they swerve from place to place with emotion, cinematic passages, soundscapes and a rhythmic force that is at times gentle yet at other times crushingly heavy.
It is the attention to detail, the complex musical ability to soar with harmonies and then drag the depths with visceral rage, that provokes such intense reactions and appreciation. The bludgeoning parts of opener I Breathe. I Am are contrasted by moments of introspective reflection.
A calm that provides sanctuary amidst a raging storm, it is a phenomenal introduction and evidence that instant appreciation can be achieved.
Described by guitarist Chiaran Verheyden as “A good blend between the vibes of Meridian and the technicality of Stasis,” Annihilist merely demands that once you are spent here, then you check out the previous two releases.
Atmospheric parts transform with eruptive angular passages and deep breaks. It possibly shouldn’t work, yet it does so without any challenge at all. There is a comforting confidence with performances from the whole band that simply deserve applause.
Central to Hippotraktor, Lander De Nyn’s drumming is top drawer. A relentless battery that forms the basis for the rest of the band, there are moments of animalistic hedonism as well as nuanced control. How control is exerted is something special.
It is the sum of the parts, though, with Stefan De Graey’s vocals ably supported by those of guitarist Kristof Du Jardin. Harrowing throaty roars combine with perfect cleans on Courageous Apathy, a blistering aural assault that towers to great heights in a mesmerising combination of intricate musicianship. De Nyn’s percussive work is impressive throughout but shines especially bright here.
Annihilist is a truly joyous release. Melancholic yet uplifting, shimmering sections glisten amidst thicker low-end distortion. The title track is evidence of this, whilst the progressive elements of Everything Is Permissible, with a semi-jazz freestyle collective segment, provide another example of why this band refuses to wear one label.
Heavy yet drenched with emotion, Annihilist is explosive. Complex yet inspiring, the Belgians have added another superb release to the avalanche of music that threatens to overwhelm the final few months of 2026.
Hippotraktor released Annihilist LP on 2 October 2026 via Pelagic Records. For more details, visit orcd.co/hippotraktor-annihilist.
North Hollywood alt-indie band Jet Lag Fuel channel the raw power of early ’90s grunge and the vibrant energy of the modern LA scene into a signature sound that is loud, gritty, and fiercely melodic. Founded on a shared love for heavy-hitting, guitar-driven rock, the five-piece lineup—featuring guitarists Filip Ilic and Jacob Dendy, bassist Carlos Ritchie, drummer Daniel Brown, and newly appointed lead vocalist Rob Liebelt—delivers a formidable, tight-knit sonic assault.
Their standout single “Jealous Eyes” explores the dark, parasitic side of obsession and toxic attachment through a thrilling sequence of shifting tempos and dynamic mood swings. Built on a foundation of razor-sharp riffs and a fluid, hard-hitting rhythm section, the track builds through brooding tension before exploding into a massive, unforgettable chorus that hits with force.
Give it a go by clicking on the Spotify player below and follow Jet Lag Fuel if you like what you hear.
The original version of I Prevail’s Violent Nature was about as savage as it gets. While the old adage “If it ain’t broke…” could most certainly apply here, fans will be thrilled that the Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling band decided to flip the switch and enlist DJ and musical alchemist Sullivan King to remix the song. He […]
Michigan metalcore force OF VIRTUE unleash their highly anticipated fourth studio album Death Of The Altar, out now via Arising Empire. Following the breakthrough success of 2023’s Omen, the new record sees the band pushing their sound into heavier, darker and more emotionally charged territory while delivering some of their most immediate songwriting to date. […]
The prolific songwriter reaches back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Songs in the Key of Life,” Wynonna opens up, Jae Stephens knows what she’s worth and more.
Daniel Caesar is a Canadian R&B and soul singer-songwriter, born Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds in Scarborough, Ontario, and raised in Oshawa. The son of gospel singer Norwill Simmonds, he grew up in a deeply musical and religious household before developing his own approach to R&B, soul, gospel, and alternative music. His earliest self-released projects introduced the warm vocals, spiritual questions, and emotionally direct songwriting that would become signatures of his work. Those independent recordings helped him build an audience well before his first full-length studio album arrived. Caesar’s early catalog includes the Birds of Paradise, Praise Break, Acoustic Break, and
October! Finally! With Aftershock closing out the festival calendar (for outdoor events, at least – we see you Damnation!), our eyes are cast ahead to the autumnal and winter months where we can get stuck into tours and new albums aplenty. That in mind, we’re once again rounding up some of the best metal songs around.
But first, the results of last week’s vote! It was a tight race for a podium position with all three bands coming within 15 votes of each other, but ultimately Clutch won out with the swagering Wasted Lands over Dragonforce and Apocalyptica, whose own fine efforts landed them in second and third respectively.
We’ve got a diverse spread again for you this week, from medidative alt. metal to deathcore, metalcore and even some Brazilian thrash and Japanese nu metal. As ever don’t forget to cast your vote in the poll below – and enjoy some loud music this weekend!
Hatebreed – The Carrion Choir
You’ll never guess what Hatebreed have done: made another wicked Hatebreed record! Consistency has always been key for the hardcore bruisers, and their contributions to the field of metalcore can never be overestimated. Fatal Paradox won’t be out till November 6, but The Carrion Choir shows their music is as thuggishly unstoppable as ever, Slayer riffs meeting chugging breakdowns and NYHC style barks.
Distant – The Shallow Gaze (feat. Darius Tehrani)
Oh you want heavy heavy? Distant aren’t exactly known for their restraint, the Dutch/Slovakian deathcore mob delighting in some punishing breakdowns on The Shallow Gaze. With an appearance from Spite’s Darius Tehrani, it’s a proper beatdown of a track that’ll surely have crowds crabwalking and crushing invisible oranges in no time.
A Perfect Circle – To Whom It May Concern
Nothing can keep Maynard James Keenan down. Not content with releasing a Pusicfer album earlier this year and headlining festivals with Tool, the multi-hyphenate has also unveiled a new single for A Perfect Circle in To Whom It May Concern. Gentle and driven largely by Maynard’s distinctive melodic tones, it’s a nice taster for where the band may be headed on a follow-up to 2018’s Eat The Elephant.
EMNW – Party Loud
Lets pick up the pace, shall we? It’s been 25 years since Andrew W.K. declared we should Party Hard, now Japanese newcomers EMNW are telling us to Party Loud too. Riffing on nu metal but with a distinctive sense of Japanese bubblegum melody, it’s an energetic first showing we’ve heard from the group and might be a tad late for summer anthems of 2026, but could be a nice early forerunner for next year…
Tony Iommi – Stormwatcher
If you’re in the mood for something more classically heavy metal, it doesn’t come more classic than Tony Iommi. The Brummie boster’s new solo album From The Dark is coming later this month on October 23, and new single Stormwatcher is some primo trad metal glory, right down to its choppy, trudging riff while Jørn Lande belts out his best NWOBHM impression.
Pryti – Corner Of Midnight
Speaking of Brummies, Pryti also has a new single out. Corner Of Midnight shows her continued growth as an artist, each new release finding a sleeker sound and somehow even bigger hooks than before, definite echoes of the likes of Evanescence or Linkin Park in her sound whilst never sounding derivative of those acts. She’s not released an album since 2022, but this influx of new music suggests we might not be waiting much longer for a new record…
Feuerschwanz – In Extremo
Legs up – it’s time for the heavy metal can-can. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing you’d see at a Feuerschwanz show – not by a long mile. The German folk metallers clearly delight in having a massive knees-up with their medieval-themed folk party anthem In Extremo, fist-pumping anthemia that was born for festival fields the world over even if you don’t speak a lick of German.
Annicke Shireen – Loud Hag
T’is the season for self-styled Dutch witch rocker Annicke Shireen. A contributor to Heilung and several other projects besides, she’s gearing up for her solo debut Delirium on November 13. Loud Hag finds her in the foreboding tones of occult rock, doomy riffs and light melodies proving a powerful combination.
To The Grave – Limb From Limb
Dark, suffocating and more brutal than a game of blindfolded-whack-a-mole in a slaughterhouse, To The Grave’s Limb From Limb is a great demonstration of Aussie deathcore. There’s no courting arena anthemia here: this is mired in 90s death metal, the only concession to not beating you to death with your own ears in the widdly guitar line that pops up before they drop a nasty, sub-dropping breakdown. New album Liberation Front is out today.
The Local Romance – Ecdysis
Sticking in Down Under, alt metallers The Local Romance are tickling the Architects/BMTH radio-metal senses nicely on new single Ecdysis. Granted, the song goes a lot heavier than either of those bands are likely to these days, but it only adds to the satisfying clatter of styles the band offers.
Critical Fear – Age of Darkness
Hailing from Brazil, Critical Fear have been kicking out high-speed thrash riffs for almost 20 years now. That said, upcoming album Dark Fate is only their third and arrives on December 11. Age Of Darkness shows what the band are all about – evil 80s-style thrash with echoes of Slayer and Kreator, as well as a few of their own countrymen. It’s solid, satisfying and exactly what the doctor ordered if you’re looking for classic-style speed.
Inherited – Wasted Space
If you’re tired of hearing hardcore that sounds like its been produced like Drake, Inherited have your back. The Zeeland, Netherlands crew are scrappy and feral on Wasted Space, chucking in death metal growls to drive home the fact they aren’t planning on doing sportswear ads anytime soon. Their new EP All 4 One is out today.
Graveyard, hailing from Gothenburg, are one of the bands that represent the musical diversity and creativity of Sweden’s west coast. Gothenburg may have a well-established home base for death metal and bands like Graveyard have developed a very different sound in the city — one that has carried them through the 2010s and beyond. With Innocence… Continue Reading →
The original version of I Prevail’s Violent Nature was about as savage as it gets. While the old adage “If it ain’t broke…” could most certainly apply here, fans will be thrilled that the Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling band decided to flip the switch and enlist DJ and musical alchemist Sullivan King to remix the song. He […]
Michigan metalcore force OF VIRTUE unleash their highly anticipated fourth studio album Death Of The Altar, out now via Arising Empire. Following the breakthrough success of 2023’s Omen, the new record sees the band pushing their sound into heavier, darker and more emotionally charged territory while delivering some of their most immediate songwriting to date. […]
