No Shelter. is another band that I missed last year. This record is fucking great. Oozing with Swedish Death Metal vibes complete with the buzzsaw guitar via Boss HM-2 pedals. There's even an Entombed cover. Perfection. Oh and they are German. Chef's kiss.
I meant to post about this band last year, someone mentioned it in the chat and it just fell through the Cracks. From what I can tell, Gnawing is a solo project out of the Philippines, and I am so impressed. As someone who wishes to someday create some music at home myself, I can't believe the level of quality here. Everything this dude, or chick, or whatever does, is great, but this Death Absurd release is fantastic. Please enjoy.
FFO: Sick/Tired, Woundvac, Water Torture, Trap Them
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Madrid’s Devil City Cult has unleashed a raw, uncompromising torrent of sound with their latest release, Murderous Retribution. It's a definitive statement of purpose from a band fully entrenched in the darker, more aggressive corners of European hardcore. A relentless volley of thick, down-tuned riffs, pulverizing breakdowns, and a vocal performance that sounds less like singing and more like a primal roar ripped from the throat.
FFO: Scalp, Malevolence, Gates To Hell, Young And In The Way
The Chevalier // Bowie split from December plays like two distinct approaches meeting on neutral ground. Chevalier’s side is sharp and to‑the‑point, built on tight structures and a sense of urgency that never drifts. Bowie answer with something heavier and more deliberate, leaning into repetition and weight rather than speed. The contrast gives the split a steady push‑and‑pull without feeling forced. It’s a brief release, but both bands make their case clearly and without excess.
FFO: Geld, Primitive Blast, Frail Body, Jeromes Dream
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Albuquerque’s Cruel Act doesn't care about being catchy or comfortable. Their latest EP, Cruel World, is a jagged slab of metallic hardcore that feels like it was recorded in a basement filled with broken glass. Moving past the more straightforward energy of their earlier demos, this release embraces a dissonant, "anti-melody" approach where the drums sound like a construction site and the vocals are a hoarse, desperate roar. It’s a hateful, high-tension record that positions them as the most hostile band currently coming out of the Southwest.
FFO: Cult Leader, The Acacia Strain, Wound Man, Sanction
San Francisco’s Painfield has emerged as a powerhouse in the Bay Area underground, delivering a sound that feels like a high-speed collision between heavy groove and modern metallic hardcore. Their latest drop, Piracy, is a relentless, no-frills assault that trades polished production for a gritty, basement-show authenticity. The record is driven by thick, low-tuned riffs and a percussive battery that feels designed to rattle the walls of a dive bar. With a vocal delivery that is both snarling and rhythmic, Piracy captures a specific brand of Northern California urban tension—raw, unpolished, and fiercely independent.
FFO: Jesus Piece, Shattered Realm, Gouge Away, Punch
Locusts operate out of England with a brand of hardcore that feels tense, cold, and tightly coiled, like every song is seconds from snapping. Their approach leans on sharp pacing and a bleak undercurrent that never fully lets up. LAPSUS AB INFERNO, their newest release, pushes that atmosphere into something heavier and more deliberate. The record moves with a grim steadiness, each track stacking pressure rather than chasing speed.
FFO: Svalbard, Guilt Trip, Drain
MONOCRUST erupt out of Bali with a harsh, metallic strain of hardcore that feels built from rust, concrete, and pure velocity. Their sound leans into d‑beat grit and crust‑punk abrasion. SELF DESTRUCT, their newest release, is the band at their most volatile. The record detonates in short, punishing bursts, all with scorched‑earth intent.
FFO: Disfear, Martyrdöd, Wolfbrigade, From Ashes Rise
Some words form John about the magazine-
"Features art, toys, drawings, paintings, short stories, music and movie reviews, artist pinups and interviews. It's mainly just a bunch of shit I think is awesome and i wanted a place to be able to see this stuff without staring at a screen. I'm really burnt out on the internet and wanted to bring back some physical media. At the end of the day, the internet isn't real. Your power goes out your art disappears with it. Physical media is a tangible thing that isn't going anywhere."
