Over in the Midlands, there is a new wave of artists popping up within the UK Hardcore scene. Birmingham and the rest of the Midlands scene is (in my eyes) back on the come up. With a lot of new promoters getting shows out there, young people interested in the music and getting out there and giving these new bands a stage to perform on.
One band in particular caught my eye earlier in the year was of course Black Mould. Boasting a mixed style of metallic hardcore and beatdown elements. This female fronted hard style band are definitely showing what they can do.
Their debut 3 track EP ‘Genesis Tracks’ which was released back in September 2025 with one track in particular hitting it off with people in AK. Black Mould have already made a few trips around the UK including making their way to North Coast Fest in Aberdeen a few months back.
I caught up with vocalist Helene to find out more about Black Mould, with how the idea all started, what their next steps are and where they want to push this band to!
FIRST OF ALL WHERE ARE YOU GUYS BASED & HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?
We all met online apart from me and Connor. Me and Connor met on a night out and I was waffling on about starting a band. I met Liam on join my band and Tom on Instagram after our old drummer and bassist dipped.
We just progressed naturally from the first practice as a whole group because we all got on straight away it was mad really.
WHAT WAS THE SCENE LIKE WHERE YOU WERE GROWING UP IN THE MIDLANDS & HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN IT?
Definitely no scene in Derby growing up (Helene and Tom) or not one we heard of. Tom went to shows in Nottingham growing up and Helene started going to shows in Birmingham a few years ago.
Fell in love with the fact everyone had their own style of moshing and the style identity of the scene. Liam grew up in Coventry which no scene at all and Connor grew up in Tamworth which had a few bands (Hollow Bones & Flesh Creep) but both fell in love with hardcore through internet deep dives through YouTube and Kerrang TV.
THIS MIGHT SOUND LIKE A DUMBASS QUESTION BUT HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME BLACK MOULD?
It was an inside joke with a group of friends. I would love to say what it means but I already feel bad enough we got this far with it.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEBODY WHO HASN’T HEARD YOU BEFORE?
Probably Metallic Hardcore we’ve got a mix of everything going on. Beatdown and metalcore influences us the more we write new stuff.
WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU’VE BEEN FACED WITH?
I’d say getting the band moving at the very start having people leave before our first gig but it’s pretty chill now. I’d say it’s just work balance now and finding time for practice.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?
It’s different for all of us so we’ve listed a few:
Fleshwater, Turnstile, Loathe, Nothing Nowhere, Bring Me The Horizon, Splitknuckle, Foundation, Higher Power & Killing Me Softly.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SHOWS YOU’VE REALLY ENJOYED BEING A PART OF & DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE VENUE?
As a collective we agree that Glasgow and Sheffield (all hail Yellow Arch Studios absolutely goated venue) have been our favourite places to play at, and we always love playing up North.
We definitely want to play Lughole in Sheffield when we get the chance.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM TOUR TO GET BLACK MOULD ON?
Pain of Truth, Desolated or Splitknuckle and Rough Justice would be an absolutely insane lineup.
WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE CRAZIEST EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD TOGETHER?
Definitely our first gig in Manchester we travelled separately and running slightly behind.
Connor and Liam drove over half way to Manchester (2 hour drive) then realised the drum gear wasn’t in the car.
They had to turn back, speed all the way to manny and just managed to make it for sound check.
Also travelling to Glasgow to play a show was an unreal experience.
HOW IMPORTANT IS FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN THE HARDCORE COMMUNITY?
I think female representation in the scene is massively important. I’d say it’s still majority male dominated. When I was growing up there was only so many female vocalists I enjoyed listening to because others didn’t resonate with me and it still wasn’t a massive pool for different genres.
When I started to get into hardcore properly I really enjoyed World of Pleasure vocalist (Jess Nyx) and was basing my sound off her tones at first but then discovered Impunity and Derv’s style and tones fit me best so I’d say she is definitely an inspiration to me.
I think pushing female voices in the scene is super important as I feel sometimes our opinions are just lost even in everyday life. Being a vocalist has definitely helped me to feel heard and I hope that helps a new generation of women to strive for a more inclusive scene.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE HARDCORE SCENE CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS?
Definitely loads of changes in the last couple of years. We think it’s definitely becoming more inclusive as we’re seeing new faces at gigs.
WHO HAS BEEN SOME OF THE LARGEST INFLUENCES IN YOUR SOUND?
Demonstration of Power, Vein, Foreign Hands, Pain of Truth and Impunity.
WE CAN’T ALL BE MUSICIANS 24/7 SO WHAT JOBS/CAREERS DO YOU GUYS HAVE?
Helene and Liam work in retail. Tom is a factory labourer and Connor is a Maintenance engineer for a snow & ice leisure centre.
HAVE YOU GOT ANY HOBBIES/INTERESTS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE?
Connor’s main hobby has been motorbikes since he was young and has been riding them since he was 6. Helene enjoys art galleries, Tom collects vinyls and enjoys hiking and Liam loves gaming.
YOU’RE RELEASED YOUR DEBUT EP ‘GENESIS TRACKS’ THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. WHAT WERE YOUR INFLUENCES FOR THESE TRACKS AND HOW HAPPY WERE YOU WITH HOW IT CAME TOGETHER?
Liam: Genesis Tracks was a massive mix of influences, the 3 songs were the first we fully put together and they will always have a place in my heart, I’m just happy to see them have an actual release.
We had the guitars and bass recorded at home, vocals and drums done in a studio and it was all produced by the band on just a laptop.
My personal favourite is AK, it was the first song we completed and I just love looking back on it.
HAVE YOU GOT ANY SHOWS COMING UP THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING?
Honestly, we’re excited for every show we’ve got coming up. It’s going to be great to finally get down to London to play at Blondies with Higher Walls and Empty Threat, we reckon that’ll be a mental night in such a small venue.
Going back to Centrala to play with Tempers Fray. We always love going back to Centrala as our very first gigs were there.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU GUYS HEADING INTO 2026?
We have some really really good shows in the works right now, some new places for sure!
We are working on some new material right now too, can’t say for sure what the solid plan is but we are hoping to have a substantial amount out by the end of the year.
FINALLY, HAVE YOU GOT ANY OTHER ARTISTS/FRIENDS YOU THINK THE PEOPLE SHOULD CHECK OUT?
Definitely check out Raw Conflict, Flesh Creep, Victims of Life, Sex Germs & Nerve Agent.
Also big shout out to photographers @andrew.cr2 and Richard Lardner (@photosbylardner).
If you’ve enjoyed reading this interview with Black Mould, head over to streaming platforms and give their music a spin!
As I do this all on my own whilst juggling work and family life it is a passion of mine to promote the UKHC scene and all our local bands beause that’s what they deserve! Music is so easily attainable in today’s economy so promoting everyone and getting to shows is the best way to help out.
So if you enjoy what I put out there please do reshare I would greatly appreciate the love!
Remember to always support local UKHC bands and venues so if you’re interested in checking out their merch and upcoming shows visit the links below!
You can catch Black Mould at Blondies Bar in London this April 30th with Higher Walls and Empty Threat for only £8 in advance. Follow the link below for tickets and you may see me there!
For further show information keep an eye out on the Black Mould socials @blackmouldhc
Until next time, I’ll catch you in the pit!
If you are interested in writiing a review of an album/show and would like it featured on our site please email us by using our ‘Contact Us‘ page! If you are an artist that would like to be featured please give us a message!
Never miss an article we post by signing up to our newsletter below!
Leave a Reply