POPPY WIZARD
Q1. For readers who might not be familiar with you, could you provide some background on the band—where you're from, when you formed, etc.?
Hey, we’re Poppy Wizard from Düsseldorf and Cologne, Germany! The band was formed in mid-2021 as a two-piece, with Lukas (guitar) and me (Henne, guitar/vocals). In 2023, we finally completed our lineup by bringing in our longtime friends Phil (drums) and Robin (bass).
Q2. Who are some of the band’s primary influences?
Our influences are pretty broad, ranging from ‘90s and early-to-mid 2000s grunge and shoegaze bands like Slowdive, Superheaven, Pity Sex and Narrow Head. On the other hand, we all have roots in the hardcore scene (fun fact: Poppy Wizard originally started as a hardcore band). That influence is still present in some of our riffs or the more shouted vocal parts. There are also other genre influences, like alternative rock, and a bit of emo mixed in.
Q3. What made you fall in love with music and want to pursue it in the way that you have?
We started playing in different bands from a young age and have been pursuing music in some form ever since. I think we all got introduced to the local hardcore and punk scene during our teenage years, and from that point on, we wanted to be part of it and create something we love. Many of our friends are musicians, so we’re always surrounded by creative people, which has been a huge source of inspiration for our own creativity.
Q4. What was the writing and recording process for the recent EP like? Were there any themes or sounds you wanted to explore? How has the reception been?
The writing process started in 2021 and progressed pretty slowly. Lukas and I mostly met in our rehearsal space during the pandemic, taking our time to discover the sound we wanted. Initially, we set out to write hardcore songs, but the music naturally evolved into a more melodic direction, and we embraced that vibe. We wrote a bunch of songs, and once Robin and Phil joined, we finalized the instrumentals with all four of us contributing, which really added the final touch of magic. Lyrically, we don’t focus on specific themes. Lukas and I wrote the lyrics separately and then refined them together. For me, songwriting often begins with a random sentence that pops into my head—sometimes while I’m asleep or in the most unexpected moments. From there, the lyrics evolve, sometimes metaphorical, sometimes straightforward, depending on how I feel. We mostly write about personal struggles with navigating the world, relationships, and mental health, but we don’t necessarily offer solutions—our music is more of an outlet to process those experiences. We’re really happy with the positive reception so far. It’s been great to see people enjoying the music we love to make and share.
Q5. Is there one song in particular you would point to and say this is “quintessential Poppy Wizard”?
For me, it would have to be "Lately I've Been Caught Up." It captures all the little elements that define Poppy Wizard. The songwriting and sound go through different phases and emotional shifts, yet each instrument remains simple, which is a key part of our approach—don’t overcomplicate it! The lyrics were written 50/50 by Lukas and me, and you can sense our minimalist approach, especially with the repetition of vocal lines.
Q6. What are some of your touring highlights or most memorable shows you’ve been a part of?
We’ve had several memorable moments from the few shows we’ve played so far. For me, one of the highlights was our Cologne show with Hippie Trim. It was our first hometown gig, and having all our friends there partying with us made it really special! Another big highlight was our first three shows in Austria with our good friends from Trauma Glow. It was a great way to kick off our live performances.
Q7. What are your plans for the near future—shows/touring, more music, etc.?
Our next show will be on October 26th in Bochum, where we’ll be opening for Sport. We’re also planning a short three-day tour from November 8th to 10th, which we’ll announce soon. Right now, we’re already back in the recording process for a three-song promo we plan to release by the end of the year. We’re also hoping to play in a few European countries next year—so stay tuned and hit us up if you want us to play in your city!
DURENDAL
Q1. Could you please provide some background information on the band for those readers who may not be familiar with you—where you’re from, when you formed, etc.?
So Durendal is a five-piece Metalcore band based out Leicester in the UK. Right in the middle of the country. We all attended college and university together, and some of us were even in the same workplace briefly. Our shared love for heavy music is ultimately what brought us together after some of our older groups disbanded. The conception of Durendal came to be in late 2023, we toyed with a couple ideas that included a more classic Beatdown/Heavy Hardcore sort of style but after bringing up some older demos we knew we wanted to gravitate toward a more Metalcore type of sound.
Q2. How would you describe your sound? Who would you say are some of your primary influences?
We’ve definitely been described as nostalgic, and I’ve seen a few people online use the term “VHS Core” when speaking about us. Id’ like to agree and really I would say this band is a love letter to the music we all grew up listening to. We’re not here to push the needle or change the landscape per se, we’re just here to have fun doing what we love. We draw influence from a number of sources, and that pool of influences will only continue to grow as we put out more music. It’s a fairly eclectic mix. For now, a lot of that influence comes from early 00s Metalcore groups such as Martyr A.D, Eighteen Visions, Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, On Broken Wings, etc.
Q3. Are you big King Arthur fans?
Personally, I’m not as well versed with history, like a lot of people I’d say most of my information on these sorts of topics comes from the media I consume. And whilst I can’t speak for everyone in the band, I know we’re all a bit nerdy, and we do love swords. Our name derives from medieval weaponry after all.
Q4. You’re now a part of The Coming Strife team, a label that’s really become one of the most vital of the UK heavy music scene. How did that come about?
It all came about a bit unexpectedly really. We really wanted to play the field in terms of who to work with in the build up to our debut release, and as it was our first time I think we were all comfortable enough to do it independently. After we put out a couple of singles, we were approached by TCS to work on releasing it together. They’ve played a crucial part in reviving the sound of Metalcore in the UK, and to be a part of that is really important to us.
Q5. You have a track on the Light of the Final Dawn Coming Strife Records Compilation (I’ll be reviewing the full compilation as part of my September Shout-Outs); what can we expect from your contribution?
We’re super excited for the compilation to release. We were asked to contribute with a new track pretty much right after our EP came out, and I wasn’t sure if we could pull it off as we were a pretty late addition to the track list. That being said, we pulled a really strong track out of the bag and we can’t wait for you to hear. If you’re a fan of big choruses, you’re going to love this one.
Q6. What are some of your most memorable experiences as a band so far?
Its honestly still very early days for us as we’ve only officially been a band since May, so that’s a tough one to answer. We’ve got a lot in the pipeline that should prove memorable in the future, but I think collectively for now we’d say that the warm reception we’ve received in such a short amount of time has been really welcoming and something we won’t be forgetting too soon.
Q7. Who are some other bands on the scene we should be paying attention to?
We’ve gotta give a huge shoutout to our TCS family, in particular to Dandelion & Long Goodbye who’ve shown us love from the very start.
Q8. What are some of your upcoming plans—shows, etc.?
We’ve got a few of shows lined up throughout September and October that we’re really looking forward to. As the later half of the year approaches, we’re hoping to get ourselves back into the studio and lay down some new material. Watch this space!
SHARP TONGUES
Answered by Carl Häger, vocals
Q1. Could you please provide some background information on the band for those readers who may not be familiar with you—where you’re from, when you formed, etc.?
Carl:
Sharp Tongues is a melodic hardcore band from Gothenburg, which we formed in late 2020. We’ve already managed to release two DIY EPs and played at several shows and festivals. Our music is heavily inspired by the classic hardcore wave of the 90s, with bands like Carry On and In My Eyes being major influences, but we also like to mix in modern elements to keep our sound fresh and relevant.
Most of us have played in other hardcore bands before, like Set My Path, One Minute Left, Hope Haven, The Change, and Eyes Shut. Two of our members are also part of the band Modern Guilt.
Q2. When I first got into hardcore in the mid-2000s, melodic hardcore was the predominant sound, but its “star” has seemed to wane since. Yet several great bands I’ve spoken with lately such as Hell Can Wait, are diving back into that sound. Sharp Tongues go even further back with your influences, though, it seems to me. Who would you say are some of your primary influences?
I first got into the hardcore scene in the late 90s, but I’ve been into punk since I was a kid. I’ve always had a strong love for melodies, and when the emo wave hit in the early 2000s, it really resonated with me. When I started Sharp Tongues, I knew I wanted to incorporate those melodies—maintaining the intensity of screaming vocals but blending it with a sense of emotion and melody. I’ve always aimed to find that perfect mix of raw energy and melody.
Our first EP was heavily inspired by bands like Carry On and In My Eyes, and you can definitely hear that influence in our sound. It’s still very much present, but with our upcoming album, we’re exploring a broader range. While it has a solid hardcore foundation, you’ll definitely notice the emo wave coming through at times.
Q3. What was it about hardcore that attracted you to it?
I was just a kid when I discovered bands like the Sex Pistols and Swedish punk band Ebba Grön. I fell in love with their music right away; the feelings they stirred in me were something new and exciting. As I grew older, I found my way into hardcore, and it felt like a natural progression. I was drawn to hardcore because of its raw energy and the real emotions it expresses. Growing up, I loved punk for its spirit and DIY attitude, which led me naturally to hardcore. It wasn’t just about the music it was about connecting with others who felt the same way and creating something meaningful together.
I have kept the DIY mentality with me my whole life, and it’s something I apply in my everyday life and work. It helps me make the right choices and tackle challenges with a hands-on approach. Whether it’s in music or other areas. It’s all about staying motivated, and creating something meaningful with what you have.
Q4. Talk to us about the upcoming record—what was the writing and recording process like, what themes do you explore, what can people expect?
We released a single in September 2023, and soon after, Mike from New Age Records got in touch with us. After a few weeks of discussions, we decided to work with them on an album. We’re excited to announce that our album, No Rescue, will come out on September 6.
I had a few songs ready when Mike reached out, but I ended up writing more over the fall and winter. We ended up with eight tracks for the album. The writing and recording process was a lot of fun, and we really worked hard to create something that shows both our influences and how we’ve grown as a band.
No Rescue dives into themes of personal struggles and finding hope during tough times. We’re really excited about this release and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Q5. What are some of your most memorable experiences as a band so far?
In the first year, it was just me writing songs and working on the project as a personal creative outlet. It was something that gave me a lot of energy and focus, especially during a time when I really needed a project to pour my creativity into. When we released our EP, it caught some attention and started generating buzz. This led to people reaching out and asking us to play live shows.
Seeing the positive response, I reached out to some close friends and invited them to join the band. Our first show was in September 2022. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to perform at smaller punk and hardcore festivals, as well as various local shows and I’m excited about what’s ahead for the band.
Q6. Who would you say are the “Big Four” of Swedish hardcore (past and/or present your choice!)?
Refused is a must-mention when talking about the biggest names in Swedish hardcore. Their influence on the scene is massive, and I personally loved their early stuff—my first band even covered 2 Refused songs. Their blend of hardcore with experimental elements changed the game and set a new standard in the genre.
Desperate Fight Records also had a huge impact on me, releasing compilations that introduced me to so many incredible bands back in the day. Those releases were a key part of my journey into the Swedish hardcore scene, especially from Umeå. Bands like Final Exit and Shield.
Today, the Swedish hardcore scene is more alive than ever, with so many great bands and passionate people driving it forward. Moral Panic Records in Gothenburg and Actiung Out in Stockholm are doing incredible work, and bands like Sidestep, Speedway, Xiao, and Bulls Shitt are pushing the boundaries and keeping the energy high
Q7. What are some of your upcoming plans post-album release—shows, etc.?
After the album release, we’re planning to play some shows in Sweden this fall and winter. We’re also gearing up for a shorter tour in spring 2025. Beyond that, we’ll keep writing new songs and staying positive!
BITTER KISSES
UK dark rock band Bitter Kisses joins to talk influences, Bristol, countrycore, musical theatricality, and more!
https://www.bitterkissesuk.com/
KITE THIEF
3/5ths of Bristol, UK-based "pop metal" band Kite Thief join for a talk about all things Wales, vegetables (it’s more interesting than it sounds ☺), Warped Tour, Swedish producers, and much more!
ABOUT BUNNY
Q1. For readers who might not be familiar with you, would you please provide some background on the band—where you’re from, when you formed, etc.?
We’re from all over the UK (Wales, Brighton, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire) but now we all live in London. Jemma (vocals) and Alex (bass) formed the band in 2019 and began writing together, and later met Karl (guitar) and Ed (drums) through mutual friends!
Q2. Who are some of the band’s primary influences?
We all have quite eclectic music backgrounds, but to name a few would be Garbage, Jack White, Distillers and Dream Wife.
Q3. What made you fall in love with music and want to pursue it in the way that you have?
For me (Jemma) I can’t remember a time when music didn’t play a huge role in my life. Growing up my dad was always playing 60’s and 70’s rock and punk around the house, and my mum would play Motown and pop in the car on the way to school.
Q4. What was the writing and recording process for the recent singles like? Were there any themes or sounds you wanted to explore? How has the reception of them been?
Alex and I usually begin the writing process, generally just while we’re hanging out at mine or hers with a few drinks. Sometimes one of us will come to the other with the verse written or maybe the chorus and then the others will add to it, which is what happened with 7 to 11 and Married With Kids. Sound wise it can be super clear what the vision is while writing and other times we work that out in the studio with the producers. We’ve been so happy with the reception of our new singles. We got more radio play and ‘Track of the Week’ type selection than before, plus we also got more editorial playlists across Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and Apple Music!
Q5. Is there one song in particular you would point to and say this is “quintessential About Bunny”?
That’s so hard it’s like picking your best child! ‘Special’ being our first single does have a certain core About Bunny energy about it, but from the recent releases maybe 7 to 11!
Q6. What are some of your touring highlights and/or most memorable shows you’ve been a part of?
Our first festival slot at Ynot Fest last year was definitely a highlight for us. We had no idea what kind of reception we would get but we were buzzin when we filled the tent!
Q7. What are your plans for the near future—shows/touring, more music, etc.?
Yes, we have a few more shows lined up this year around the UK. More music coming in autumn and that and more at the start of 2025! Keep an eye on our socials!
SIDESTEP
Answers by Nils, Guitar
Q1. Could you please provide some background information on the band for those readers who may not be familiar with you—where you’re from, when you formed, etc.?
All of us are from around the Gothenburg area in Sweden. We actually know each other from being part of the competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee scene, attending local tournaments and meetups. The name “Sidestep” is taken from a move in the game (also called spotdodge, which doesn’t sound as cool though).
The first seed for the band was planted when I asked John, the drummer, if he wanted to jam around early 2018. I was into metal, and I knew he was obsessed with this niche punk subgenre called “hardcore” which I agreed to playing. Eventually he came up with the idea that we should form a band consisting entirely of smash players, and so we did. It wasn’t very serious to begin with, and most of us were newcomers to the punk scene.
We recorded a demo in our rehearsal space and released it in 2020 just before covid hit. When we started playing local shows after the restrictions were lifted the scene in Gothenburg really started popping off, and we realized that we had the potential to actually be a serious band and not just a fun project. Since then we’ve been fully sucked into the hardcore vortex.
Q2. How would you describe the band’s sound? Who are some of your primary influences?
Madball was definitely the main influence in the beginning. It’s one of John’s all-time favorite bands and was my first proper introduction to hardcore. We ended up with a groovy sound which wasn’t very prevalent in Swedish hardcore at the time. Since then we’ve added more and more of a hip-hop influence which is largely due to the fact that the singer, Hugo, is a huge old school hip-hop nerd. Our music has also been influenced by hardcore bands such as Trapped Under Ice, Cold World, and Fury of Five.
Q3. What was it about hardcore that attracted you to it?
The largest thing for me was definitely the live shows and sense of community in the local scene. Shows are always crazy, everyone involved are dope, and people really care about the scene and writing good hardcore.
One thing that attracts me musically to hardcore is the conciseness of the music. Hardcore bands often understand not to overstay their welcome, both when it comes to the length of individual tracks as well as live performances. With Sidestep we think a lot about how we can make the songs “all killer no filler”, without any boring bloat.
Q4. Talk to us about the new record—what was the writing and recording process like, what themes do you explore, what can people who haven’t heard it expect?
The riffs are pretty much written 50-50 between me and John. Songs are often completed in our rehearsal space, where the band collectively discusses how the songs should be put together and what the lyrics should be. After we had all songs lined out for the record, we reiterated everything for a while, making minor improvements here and there. Then we booked a studio time at Hoborec and went on an intense and somewhat anxiety-ridden rehearsal grind to make sure we were good enough. Recording was very fun but also nervous. We recorded everything in four days, living and sleeping in the studio. At the end, we were definitely satisfied with the result.
Lyrically, a lot of songs are just about hardcore being sick as fuck. Others are about dumb topics such as Gothenburg being cold, or not being able to decide what food to order. The song “Muscle Memory” is homage to our roots, Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Musically it’s mostly very groovy with quite a lot of hip-hop influences. Lots of 2-step with some heavier mosh parts spread out. We also venture outside our comfort zone with some songs, such as the punky “Fuck You (Not Me)” and the positive “Hoodie Up”, which is basically a pop song. Overall, I think it’s a pretty “wide” record that still has a unique identity.
Q5. What would be your dream lineup of bands or artists to share the stage with that you have not had a chance to?
TUI and E-Town Concrete.
Q6. Do you feel like hardcore is in a good place right now? Are there some bands from Sweden or beyond we should be looking out for?
I feel like it’s in a very good place. The Gothenburg scene is bonkers, and there are tons of great bands globally. From Sweden, you should especially look out for Bulls Shitt, Speedway and Xiao, all of which have upcoming LPs around the corner. There’s also the band Pipe Dream in which I’m the singer, which will soon release its debut LP of heavy metal-inspired hardcore.
Q7. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! Any last words or a parting message for the readers?
Thanks for having us! Don’t forget to check out all the sick Swedish bands. And if you’re on tour, you should hit up Moral Panic and come play in Gothenburg. You won’t regret it.
https://www.instagram.com/andy_kungman/ Andreas Ljungman
https://www.instagram.com/andy_kungman/ Andreas Ljungman
WREX
George and Mae—the Brighton, UK duo WREX—join to talk about their songwriting process and upcoming EP, creative flow states, Shipwrex, and much more!
SISTER SLEEP
Jamie from Atlanta sextet Sister Sleep joins to talk about the modern alternative music landscape, the evolution of bands like Bring Me the Horizon, the band's origin story and future plans, and more!
REVOID
Dale from Revoid joins to talk about the band's newest EP and their "origin story," the Australian metalcore scene and the genre more broadly, and much more!
My review of the Evergrey EP is here: https://www.theangelsshare.world/short-reviews/revoid-evergrey
DEATHBLOOM
4/4ths of Manchester, UK dreamo girl outfit join to talk about the band's past, present, and future, their songwriting process, playing "the game," and much more!
https://www.instagram.com/deathbloomuk/
SOOM T
Soom T joins to talk about soundsystem culture, living your values, living with purpose, the power of making positive changes and cultivating an enriching life, and much more!
https://www.instagram.com/mc_soom_t/?hl=en
LAVEIN
2/5 of Dublin metallic hardcore outfit LaVein join for a sprawling chat full of surprises (no spoilers here)!
https://www.instagram.com/laveinirl/
BEYOND EXTINCTION
Jasper from UK deathcore outfit Beyond Extinction joins to talk about the band’s upcoming plans, inspiration and awe, Cornwall, Hull, London, Meshuggah riffs, and much more!
CANDESCENT AD
Wil and Rory from UK metalcore outfit Candescent AD join to talk future plans, Boston hardcore, UK hardcore, and much more!
https://candescentafterdeath.bandcamp.com/album/dissociation-in-three-fractions
REEBZ
REEBZ joins to make a special announcement and to talk about the exciting frontier of drum n’ bass metal, the power of building community around values, and more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REEBZuk
Instagram: https://instagram.com/reebz_uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/REEBZ_uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reebz_uk?_t=8nxbL4X8GBc&_r=1
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2cUSgme8otbeKGRDl6xm1t?si=aASTdh1fTCqSVJDIbkLW1g
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/reebz/1596188243
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDrx6kjFKTVyRUCwNtI2GDg
MINE ROAD
Ken from Irish rock band Mine Road joins to talk about the new record, Irish rock GOATs, upcoming shows, and more!
https://www.mineroadmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mineroadband
https://www.instagram.com/mineroadmusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@mine.road
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxdIHv4Vc6qHvHcBVlvuVw
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mine-road/582035413
SPOTIFY
BURNER
Harry from UK hardcore-influenced death metal band Burner joins to geek out on mid-2000s deathcore, hardcore, and metalcore, discuss the band’s recent tour with Sylosis, deliver many good music recommendations, and much more!
https://www.instagram.com/burnermetal/?hl=en