Each month, I aim to highlight bands, whether their music is new or old, in hopes of bringing them the attention they deserve.

You never know, you might even discover something for yourself!

Raw Nerve – Demo 2026
Release Date: 30th May 2026
Record Label: Rise Above Cancer

Coming out of the South Wales Hardcore Scene, Raw Nerve released their debut demo over a month ago in collaboration with the charity Rise Above Cancer. I managed to chat to a couple of the lads at this years Outbreak Fest where their tapes were on sale at the Rise Above Cancer stall.

In my opinion they’re style has mixed that classic 2000’s UK hardcore sound with a more punky aspect to it and those solo bass lines also rip. Definitely two step and windmill friendly.

Raw Nerve have some sick shows coming up soon with support slots with Temple Guard and Sydney Hardcore band SPEED over in Swansea. Swansea Bay Hardcore has definitely brought out a banger.

Afraid To Die – Hell Is A Place In My Mind
Release Date: 15th February 2026
Record Label: Self Released

Afraid To Die came on my radar in late 2025 with their single ‘Stigmata Bleeds’ and I was locked in. With current and ex members of bands such as Heights, Burning Skies & Devil Sold His Soul just to name a few their faces and/or their sound will sound familiar.

What they have done with this project so far is absolutely balls to the wall UK hardcore/metal.

Afraid To Die have just recently wrapped up their UK tour supporting Shai Hulud so you’ll have to wait a bit to catch them again but trust it’ll be worth it.

‘Familiar faces playing a familiar brand of hardcore/metalcore with a fresh spin on it’ – The Coming Strife

Ironed Out – In These Ends
Release Date: 30th March 2018
Record Label: Rucktion Records

I’m going back a bit for this one but not as far as some of the others on this list.

Ironed Out’s debut EP ‘In These Ends’ has been on my rotation for ages because for one the sound is incredible and it mixes that rucktion hardcore sound with a sense of hip hop/grime esc that just works.

These guys have mixed these different genres up in a way that sounds heavy af and its a bop. Taking influences from the London area and it’s surrounding scene.

With members of Knuckledust, False Reality, 50 Caliber & Crippler to name a few this is a band I have only been able to catch once because of everyones other projects but when they’re back out there I’m definitely hitting them up again!

TRC – Destroy & Rebuild
Release Date: 25th April 2007
Record Label: Rucktion Records

TRC released this full length back in 2007 following their North West Kings EP. When I first heard TRC I thought holy shit, that mix of heavy hardcore and rap lyrics from Chris was definitely something different for my ears to hear.

One of my favourite tracks on the full length is definitely the title track ‘Destroy & Rebuild’ and who can’t always love one of their bests ‘Define Cocky’.

TRC have been one of those bands for me which led me into the hardcore scene. After seeing them for the first time in 2011, seeing their brutal live performance with The Acacia Strain I was hooked for more. Seeing them and BWP eventually led me down the rabbit hole of UKHC.

So thank you lads!

‘TRC’s sound is brutal, stripped down to basics heavy hardcore. Not a note is wasted, yet there is still room for occasional moments of intricate musicianship amongst the frantic bursts of speed and monstrous breakdowns, whilst the four-way vocal attack ensures variety and depth.’ – Rucktion Records

Crowquill – Erase The File
Release Date: 8th May 2026
Record Label: The Coming Strife

Crowquill released their second EP back at the beginning of May and I was suprised to see it come so quick! (No pun intended). As their debut EP was released back in May 2025.

I first caught these guys back in November at Joshfest in Reading and had to hear more. Giving that classic 2000’s hardcore/metalcore sound it was incredible. Their brutality from their live performance (which I’ve linked below) just made me think ‘what the fuck’ because it just went crazy.

I was so stoked to see their opening set at Outbreak Fest the other week hit off the other week, props to you lads!

My go to on the latest EP is ‘Everything (I Need To Know)’.

More Than Life – Prelude
Release Date: 18th June 2007
Record Label: Self Released

We’re taking it all the way back now to early More Than Life. These guys were and still are one of my favourite bands in UKHC especially when I was getting into that style of music back in the late 2000’s.

Recently I’ve been going back listening to their discography and just had their ‘Prelude’ on rotation. Tracks I hadn’t heard in a long time making me reminice about the old shows. I used to always listen to their full lengths but this EP eluded me for years.

I’d love to go to another More Than Life show, maybe sometime in the future…but also maybe not.

If you have never listened to this band I urge you to get them on.

Until next time, I’ll catch you in the pit!

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