Looking for something new to listen to? Get acquainted with these tracks from some lesser-known bands that came out in January thanks to our monthly Underground Roundup! Check out our cumulative playlists below featuring this month's edition, as well as all the previous months as well.
You can also check out all editions of the Underground Roundup here.
Author & Punisher – "Maiden Star"
Author & Punisher whisks listeners away to a far-off desert planet with the atmospheric-yet-devastating single "Maiden Star." The single offers massive industrial percussion, floating synths, and dreamy guitars, setting the stage for Author & Punisher's upcoming record Krüller due out February 11. Pre-orders are available here.
Firebreather – "Creed"
Firebreather's newest single "Creed" is effectively a class in how to write the chunkiest riffs possible with more than a touch of aggression. It's also the band's first effort to feature bassist Nicklas Hellqvist, whose low end is very much felt on this one. Firebreather will release Dwell In The Fog on February 25. Pre-orders are available here.
Hath – "Lithopaedic"
Now that we've got a second Hath record coming up, I think it's safe to say these guys are the masters of what they do. Hath's new single "Lithopaedic" is the perfect blend of progressive metal with blackened tendencies, once again proving to anyone and everyone how unique a band they are. Hath will release All That Was Promised on March 4. Pre-orders are available here.
Inhuman Nature – "Under The Boot"
If you miss bands like Power Trip and Black Breath, then you need Inhuman Nature in your life. Inhuman Nature sounds exactly like the artwork below looks – incessantly stomping on your skull as the world blurs around you. Inhuman Nature will release their new EP Under The Boot on February 11. Pre-orders are available here.
Krallice – "Crystalline Exhaustion"
Krallice announced their new album Crystalline Exhaustion with the title track and then released the record two weeks later. Crystalline Exhaustion seems to lean more into cavernous death metal and atmospheric passages more than black metal, though of course the band in all their immense talent makes it work. Stream "Crystalline Exhaustion" below and grab digital and physical versions of the record here.
Midnight – "Szex Witchery"
Midnight is back with a real down and dirty good time on their new song "Szex Witchery." If you're looking for an almost punk rock Motörhead-esque take on classic heavy metal, then you're really going to dig what Midnight has to offer. If not, then you simply dislike fun and I can't help you. Midnight will release Let There Be Witchery on March 4. Pre-orders are available here.
Midnight Realm – "Kings Will Crawl"
Midnight Realm (different from Midnight) recently returned for the first time since 2019 with a fine example of melodic death metal in the form of "Kings Will Crawl." The single was made all the better by a scorching guest guitar solo from Cognizance guitarist Alex Bailie. "Kings Will Crawl" is off the coming Midnight Realm record Engineering The Apocalypse, due out sometime Spring 2022.
Myth Of I – "The Expedition"
Myth Of I has teamed up with Lattermath vocalist Eli Cutting for a new single called "The Expedition." The single is the perfect blend of incredibly technical and super catchy that fans of bands like Killswitch Engage and Mutiny Within may very well love. "The Expedition" is available here on Bandcamp, and you can also grab a brand new "The Expedition" shirt here via The Artisan Era.
Nite – "Acheron"
Nite does straightforward blackened heavy metal and they do it really well. Equal parts galloping riffs and hellish vocals, Nite has landed on a sound that's undeniable their own, and one that really ought to land them on some bigger stages. Nite will release Voices Of The Kronian Moon on March 25. Pre-orders are available here.
Shape Of Despair – "Forfeit"
Shape Of Despair's newest single "Forfeit" is the perfect soundtrack for the freezing gloom that's currently overtaking the Northeast. Plus it's just so nice to finally have Shape Of Despair releasing new music after six years, considering their mastery of all things slow. Shape Of Despair will release Return To The Void on February 25. Pre-orders are available here.
Undeath – "Rise From The Grave"
Undeath is back in 2022 with their gory brand of New York death metal. Check out their filthy, disgusting new single "Rise From The Grave" below, which incorporates everything from heavy metal gallops to classic death metal exhumed straight from the ground. Undeath will release It's Time… To Rise From The Grave on April 21. Pre-orders are available here.
Véhémence – "De Feu et d'Acier"
Véhémence is throwing it back all the way to the Middle Ages with their particular brand of medieval black metal. Their newest single "De Feu et d'Acier" is nearly a 10-minute epic, though the time flies by as they blast, chant, and rip through an endless amount of earworm melodies. Véhémence will release Ordalies on March 11. Pre-orders are available here.
Vein.fm – "The Killing Womb"
It's unclear what I want more of here – the new Vein.fm single or the extremely bloody music video that accompanies it. Vein.fm brings everything from speaker-shattering breakdowns to nü-metal pitch shifts, all while vocalist Anthony DiDio describes an adventure through the human condition. This World Is Going To Ruin is out March 4. Pre-orders are available here.
VoidCeremony – "Entropic Reflections Continuum"
Voidceremony came into 2022 big with a brand new three-song demo called At The Periphery Of Human Realms, whose runtime is perfect parts brutal and dizzyingly technical. The band calls the demo "an intermission of sorts "between their 2020 debut LP Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensional Unravel and the in-progress eventual 2nd LP." At The Periphery Of Human Realms is available here on Bandcamp.
Voraath – "The Barrens"
Voraath is the brand new project headed up by vocalist and guitarist Brad Parris (Nile). You can check out their terrifying sci-fi-heavy single "The Barrens" below, which has two speeds – crushingly fast and creepily mid-tempo. Sometimes both at once! Download "The Barrens" here on Bandcamp and keep an eye out for Voraath in the future.
