Whether a band are releasing their first album or their tenth, we’ve covered them in our definitive list of bands to keep your eye on in 2017. With hundreds of shows and festivals planned around record releases, this year is already looking hot for new talent and big comebacks alike and, although it will take a lot to rival the heights that 2016 got to, we here at DEAD PRESS! are quietly confident.

We’ve picked out brand new bands like Creeper and The One Hundred as well as classic favourites System Of A Down and At The Drive-In as just some of the artists who will have a year to remember. Have a read below to see who else our writers are predicting will make 2017 part of the rock revolution:

’68

FOR FANS OF:

The Chariot / Every Time I Die / Converge

How much noise can two musicians make with just a guitar, a drum kit, and a microphone? Evidently quite a fucking lot. Born from the ashes of The Chariot, who disbanded in 2013, Josh Scogin and Michael McClellan manage to create so much chaos out of such a minimally sized catalyst, yet their 2014 debut ‘In Humour And Sadness’ contained some of the most relentlessly rambunctious punk rock penned in recent years.

Last year saw a few tour runs with the band, with some time inbetween spent in the studio to write and record their sophomore LP, which we’ll finally get to hear over the next 12 months. If the early demo cut of the track ‘You’ll Miss Us’ is anything to go by, the duo have barely begun. Prepare your ears for an aural riot. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Track 1 – R [stream]

Track 5 – E [stream]

You’ll Miss Us [stream]

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AFI

FOR FANS OF:

Alkaline Trio / The Offspring / Creeper

Californian gothic rock legends AFI are preparing for a big milestone in 2017 as their self-titled record, or ‘The Blood Album’ as it will be referred to, will be their 10th record when it’s released on January 20th. Their transformation from gritty punk kids to major label arena fillers has been one of the biggest success stories in the rock scene over the last couple of decades and their return has been eagerly awaited by fans worldwide.

Having not stepped foot in the country since a headline tour in 2010, the UK are ecstatic to have AFI at Download Festival this Summer where they’ll be gracing the main stage on the Biffy Clyro Saturday. The diehard fans that simply can’t wait that long will be happy to know the band will be supporting Deftones on their 3 night tour that stops off in Manchester, Glasgow and London for what should the perfect spectacle for Davey Havok and co. to show us what we’ve been missing. [MH]

LISTEN TO:

White Offerings [stream]

The Days Of Phoenix [stream]

Girl’s Not Grey [stream]

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THE ARUSHA ACCORD





FOR FANS OF:

Architects / TesseracT / August Burns Red

It’s been 8 long years since British technical metal/mathcore troupe The Arusha Accord released their fierce debut album, ‘The Echo Verses’. Yep, since 2009 we’re yet to hear anything new from the sextet, at least in this formation. During that time co-vocalists Alex and Paul Green (they’re not related, it’s sheer coincidence) have gone on an focused on other musical endeavours, with Alex having been a part of the now defunct Attention Thieves, and Paul taking vocal duties with contemporaries Devil Sold His Soul.

Fear not, though. Throughout the course of 2016 things have began picking up in camp Arusha, having been confirmed for UK Tech-Fest, and writing and recording some new music, so much so that we’ve got a pretty strong feeling we will finally hear an album number two (or at least an EP of some sort) from the Reading lot. Please! We can’t bear the teasing for much longer. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Dead To Me [stream]

You Cried Wolf [stream]

The Tightrope [stream]

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AS IT IS





FOR FANS OF:

State Champs / Taking Back Sunday / The Wonder Years

Brighton-based pop-punk quartet As It Is have been going from strength to strength over the past few years with their debut album ‘Never Happy Ever After’ winning over plenty of new fans for the boys only solidified by a successful UK tour.

Spending the last month building up momentum, the guys are ready for the release of their second album ‘okay.’ dropping on January 20th through Fearless Records. Ready to embark on a pretty gruelling touring schedule starting in Australia before heading across Europe with State Champs, the boys have got their work cut out for them showcasing their eagerly anticipated new material to make sure they live up to the hype they’ve spent so long cultivating. [JB]

LISTEN TO:

Dial Tones [stream]

Okay [stream]

No Way Out [stream]

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AT THE DRIVE-IN





FOR FANS OF:

Refused / Architects / SikTh

When thinking of classic punk/hardcore bands none have remained as influential as At The Drive-In. Taking the post-hardcore route of a band such as Earthtone9 and melding it with the quality and control of the mind behind The Mars Volta. With their first album in 17 years (their last being 2000’s ‘Relationship Of Command’), At The Drive-In look promising to take their sound to a 2016 mass of people who have lived with tech-metal and djent’s expansion since this point. Not all looks rosy for the band however, as with the missing link of Jim Ward – who left the group in 2012 – and a single that hasn’t gotten across the best with fans of the classic material, this band is a gamble. If it is a success however, and the band stick true to the type of music that made them great to begin with, new listeners should be in good hands. [BC]

LISTEN TO:

Governed By Contagions [stream]

One Armed Scissor [stream]

Pattern Against User [stream]

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BLEED FROM WITHIN





FOR FANS OF:

Norma Jean / Suicide Silence / Bleeding Through

The 2013 full-length ‘Uprising’ was a huge an aptly titled release for Glaswegian heavy metallers Bleed From Within, which after years on the road and a slew of succesful numbers finally managed to secure the five-piece some notable and well deserved success in the scene. With almost never ending touring, festival spots, and the release of the crowdfunded EP ‘Death Walk’ to follow, its understandable that the band would want to take a bit of a break.

Fast-forward to 2017, and it looks like the Scottish heavy hitters got a bit bored of being away from the studio and the road, and have their heads down working on what will be their fourth album. ‘Uprising’ may be quite a bar to hit, but if Bleed From Within manage to surpass it, expect them to be one of the biggest names in modern metal come the end of the year. No pressure. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Uprising [here]

Last Of Our Kind [here]

Silence Them All [here]

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BLOOD YOUTH





FOR FANS OF:

While She Sleeps / Architects / Zoax

Harrogate rockers, Blood Youth have had a fairly exciting 2016. Going on tour with While She Sleeps, playing Slam Dunk, 2000 Trees & many other festivals, as well as their EP ‘Closure’ delivering riffs that stood up against the best of the years releases.

We’ve not heard any teasers or singles from the debut album from Blood Youth, but the band have confirmed via their Facebook that it’s been completed – 2017 is definitely going to be an exciting year for this band, and they definitely have big things to come after the album drops! [CG]

LISTEN TO:

Failure [stream]

Closure [stream]

Mood Swing [stream]

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CREATE TO INSPIRE





FOR FANS OF:

Defeater / Heart In Hand / Every Time I Die

Since they won the Red Bull Studios Live At Download competition back in 2014, Essex based outfit Create To Inspire have been steadily climbing the ranks ever since, all thanks to their high octane live shows, and highly passionate delivery of melodic post-hardcore. No wonder they secured themselves a set at Download Festival so early.

Their two EPs, 2014’s ‘Halfway Home’ and last year’s ‘Home Is Where My Heart Dies’, have definitely helped the quintet to sink their claws into a solid and strong fanbase, and they’re already hard at work to start bringing us what will be their debut full-length album. The band claim their “2017 is going to be huge”. We don’t doubt you, boys. Bring it on. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Don’t Let Go [stream]

Halfway Home [stream]

Counting Days [stream]

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CREEPER





FOR FANS OF:

AFI / Alkaline Trio / Aiden

Goth-punks Creeper have taken the world by storm since their formation in 2014. The Southampton based band released their self-titled debut EP in 2014, which was followed by ‘The Callous Heart’ in 2015 and ‘The Stranger’ in 2016. They have supported a wide variety of bands, including Neck Deep, Andy Biersack and Funeral For A Friend.

Last year Creeper used a unique campaign to promote their forthcoming album, which revolved around the disappearance of ‘James Scythe’. All of the band member’s personal social media accounts disappeared after their performances at Reading and Leeds, and the band’s social pages began posting cryptic messages and white noise. Fans rang a Southampton based phone number which featured a voicemail message which then directed them to a website. After a few months of puzzles, the band finally announced that they will be releasing ‘Eternity, In Your Arms’ via Roadrunner Records on March 24th. Creeper have proved that they are full of surprises, so it is no wonder that the rock community is eagerly awaiting this album. [JC]

LISTEN TO:

Hiding With Boys [stream]

VCR [stream]

The Honeymoon Suite [stream]

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CROOKS





FOR FANS OF:

Being As An Ocean / Saosin / Capsize

It’s been just over a year since British post-hardcore hopefuls Crooks released their debut album ‘Are We All The Same Distance Apart’, and after a few months of tours during the first half of 2016, including a spot support Coheed & Cambria, the quintet have been a little bit quiet.

No doubt working hard behind the scenes, Crooks are definitely up to something. In October, just before the year anniversary of their aforementioned debut LP, the band released a brand new track ‘.NEVAREHT’, and perhaps this is a precursor to a new release. Despite no official word right now, it’s hard to ignore what a bit of silence and a new song could indicate, other than we’re about to see a whole lot more of Crooks pretty soon. Fingers crossed. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

A Few Peaceful Days [stream]

.NEVAREHT [stream]

Schöne Seele [stream]

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DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL





FOR FANS OF:

Architects / TesseracT / Cult Of Luna

After being blown away by their most recent output, 2014’s astounding EP ‘Belong ╪ Betray’, it’s about time that UK based progressive metallers Devil Sold His Soul return to the scene with a bang. With new vocalist Paul Green now firmly installed in the band, they look set to release a new record after latest single ‘The Reckoning’ showed a more cohesive and melodic side to their sound.

At a recent intimate show in Swindon (their only gig of 2016), Paul also confirmed another show for Bristol in Spring 2017, possibly hinting at a forthcoming tour cycle. After taking a couple of years out you can be rest assured that 2017 is shaping up to be a productive year for the band. [NC]

LISTEN TO:

The Reckoning [stream]

Devastator [stream]

The Disappointment [stream]

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EMMURE





FOR FANS OF:

Suicide Silence / After The Burial / Chelsea Grin

There are many bands that are described as “you either love them or you hate them”, but American metal band Emmure are definitely one of those. Emmure have an army of dedicated and loyal fans, but they also find themselves being ridiculed by extreme metal fans. Frontman Frankie Palmeri is no stranger to controversy either, often being criticised for his choice of band merchandise and online rants. In late 2015 it was reported that all of Emmure‘s members had departed the band, except Palmeri.

In April 2016, the new members were announced: Josh Travis (Glass Cloud, ex-The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza), bassist Phil Lockett (ex-The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza), and drummer Josh Miller (ex-Glass Cloud). Although no official release date has been announced yet, ‘Look At Yourself’ is set to be released in the next few months. [JC]

LISTEN TO:

I Thought You Met Telly And Turned Me Into Casper [stream]

Russian Hotel Aftermath [stream]

Solar Flare Homicide [stream]

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FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES





FOR FANS OF:

While She Sleeps / Cancer Bats / Slaves

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have been going strength to strength over the past 12 months, playing main stages at Reading & Leeds festival, selling out an entire EU tour and now his upcoming tour in support of brand new album ‘Modern Ruin’ on its way to selling out – it looks like there’s no stopping them next year, when the record drops on the now earlier date of January 20th.

The band will be opening up touring proceedings this year by supporting none other than Biffy Clyro for the majority of their EU tour whilst squeezing in a few of his own headline shows on the run. [CG]

LISTEN TO:

Wild Flowers [stream]

Lullaby [stream]

Juggernaut [stream]

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FROM INSIDE





FOR FANS OF:

While She Sleeps / Underoath / The Ghost Inside

Formed from the embers of several failed outfits in the local area, such as Eleana and Arcane Addiction, Liverpool’s From Inside are already starting to cause a few waves with the little material they have out so far. They’re set to put out one of the first EPs of the year on January 13th with their debut effort, ‘The New Era’.

It’s early days, but with the draw in traffic, an EP recorded at Steel City Studios (clients including While She Sleeps and Bring Me The Horizon, to name just a few), and a thirst for something more, From Inside definitely warrant the need to have attention paid to them. Who knows? They could be your new favourite band. Watch this space. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Be Yourself [stream]

Two Sides Of Me [stream]

Find My Way [stream]

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THE FRONT BOTTOMS





FOR FANS OF:

Modern Baseball / Brand New / Joyce Manor

In September last year, The Front Bottoms released their third studio album, and the first one since they teamed up with Fueled By Ramen. The formula behind all bands on that label are at work here (without, thankfully, the cameo from Patrick Stump), in that the choruses are bigger, the sound is more electrified, and the overall effect is more polished. But the album was still a massive success, thanks to the consistency of songwriting, the heartfelt lyrics from Brian Sella, and the ceaseless, fun energy they have as an outfit. This is the kind of band that could have just have lyrics read over the sound of a vuvuzela and it would still be worth a listen.

Since then, they’ve teased us with a scant few songs in 2016, ‘Noodle Monster’ being the first, and a two-track 7″ called ‘Needy When I’m Needy’. This year they’ve been on tour in the UK, out with Brand New in the States, and they kick off 2017 sunning themselves in Australia while playing a few shows down under. It’s doubtless that they’ll keep drip-feeding their fans with tracks and maybe another EP in the next year. At their best, they’re prolific, and they’ve never been better. [CY]

LISTEN TO:

Maps [stream]

Twin Size Mattress [stream]

HELP [stream]

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GREELEY ESTATES





FOR FANS OF:

The Devil Wears Prada / The Word Alive / Underoath

The past few years for Greeley Estates have been, well, a bit challenging. Once set to ride a wave of success akin to the likes of Of Mice & Men and blessthefall, sadly label issues prevented this from panning out, but the Arizona troupe persevered, opting for the DIY release of their album in two parts/EPs, ‘The Narrow Road’ and ‘Devil Son’ in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Without label involvement, the post-hardcore unit were free to do what they pleased, continuing to push out consistently solid material, and with a few sneak peaks of what will be their sixth album (here), presumably titled ‘Calling All The Hopeless’, Greeley Estates will continue with their standards as high as ever. Let’s just hope they don’t remain as criminally underrated and overlooked, and reap the rewards they’ve more than deserved. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Blue Morning [stream]

Marionette [stream]

Seven Hours [stream]

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GREYWIND





FOR FANS OF:

Deaf Havana / Mallory Knox / Lower Than Atlantis

It’s not often that you have siblings in the same band as one another. It’s even less often that the entire band consists of siblings, save for Marmozets. Irish alternative rockers Greywind, though they’re only a two-piece, are an exception to the rule, and through the course of 2016 Steph and Paul O’Sullivan have been killing it, including a tour support slot with Moose Blood.

They’re gearing up to make 2017 top the last 12 months, starting with dropping their debut full-length album ‘Afterthoughts’ on January 27th through Search And Destroy/Spinefarm Records. They’ve also got a spot on the bill of this year’s Download Festival, so keep your eyes on this guy and gal for sure. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Afterthoughts [stream]

Circle [stream]

Forest Ablaze [stream]

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HOLDING ABSENCE





FOR FANS OF:

Hands Like Houses / Emarosa / Funeral For A Friend

After vocalist Zac Vernon stepped down, it seemed his absence was holding Cardiff’s Holding Absence back, that was until ex-Falling With Style frontman Lucas Woodland stepped up to the plate. Consequently over the past few months since he joined the fold and the output of their new songs, ‘Permanent’ and ‘Dream Of Me’, there’s been a notable peak in Holding Absence online.

There’s no official news yet as to whether or not 2017 will see an EP release from the band, though if that didn’t go ahead it’d be rather unusual, but at the current rate of trajectory, with a few more new songs and a couple of tours and one-off shows here and there, Holding Absence won’t be holding back from making 2017 a year for them, and indeed us, to remember. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Dream Of Me [stream]

Permanent [stream]

Immerse [stream]

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I SET MY FRIENDS ON FIRE





FOR FANS OF:

Dance Gavin Dance / iwrestledabearonce / Attila

If you were a part of the MySpace generation, you probably remember I Set My Friends On Fire, or at least their both loved and loathed cover of ‘Crank That’. You’d also be forgiven that perhaps the Floridian outfit had slowly dwindled and faded in that time along with the social media site they were born on, at least if you’re based in the UK like we are. After all, the band have only been over here a couple of times, ever.

However, after going it alone since around 2013, and finally hitting the road with a full line-up again towards the end of 2015 (performing 150+ shows across 24 countries), I Set My Friends On Fire were recently confirmed to be one of the latest additions to the Tragic Hero Records line-up. Not only that, in 2017 they’re expected to release not one, but two albums. Now, you don’t see that happen every day, do you? [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

My Uzi Holds A Hundred Round Conscience [stream]

Astral Rejection [stream]

Things That Rhyme With Orange [stream]

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LOATHE





FOR FANS OF:

Emmure / Volumes / Periphery

Very little is known about the fresh faced enigma that is Loathe, other than they’re from somewhere in the UK, and that last year they signed up with SharpTone Records through which they reissued their 2015 debut EP, ‘Prepare Consume Proceed’. Their activity online is as mysterious as anything else they do, pushing out cryptic messages and announcements, but the unknown is all part of the appeal.

With a lifeline of just over a year, securing a deal with a label and releasing an EP is a big deal, not to mention their various tour and festival appearances, including a set at Knotfest 2016. They also flew over to Glow In The Dark Studios in Georgia through which they recorded their debut album, which will undoubtedly rear its face later this year. If all goes to plan, 2017 will allow Loathe to consume and proceed through the ranks of the underground. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

In Death [stream]

Banshee [stream]

Solace; In Soil [stream]

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A LOT LIKE BIRDS





FOR FANS OF:

Dance Gavin Dance / The Fall Of Troy / Chiodos

A lot has changed with A Lot Like Birds since they released their third record ‘No Place’ back in 2013. In the space of a year, the band parted ways with both bassist Michael Littlefield and co-vocalist Kurt Travis, the latter choosing to do so due to a change in musical direction within the band.

This hasn’t halted the band from pressing onwards, though. Latest recruit Matt Coate has picked up both bass and vocal duties to fill in for recent losses, and it looks like the band have finally tracked what will be their fourth album, aptly yet tentatively titled ‘IV’. Who knows what these internal changes and shifts in musical direction could have in store for us. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Next To Ungodliness [stream]

Connector [stream]

Think Dirty Out Loud [stream]

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MARILYN MANSON





FOR FANS OF:

Rob Zombie / Alice Cooper / Ozzy Osbourne

The glory days of the late 90s and early 00s may be over for Marilyn Manson, but the iconic legend showed he still had some fight left in him with ‘The Pale Emperor’ in 2015. The King of Shock Rock will be releasing his tenth album ‘SAY10’ on Valentine’s Day, which he describes as “pretty violent” and (of course) likens it to his most popular records ‘Antichrist Superstar’ and ‘Mechanical Animals’.

Manson‘s summer is pretty hectic across a host of European festivals throughout July and August yet no British dates have surface as of yet, but surely the legendary singer wouldn’t dare skip the UK while he was on the continent. With no singles released from the upcoming ‘SAY10’, and no clue whether he’ll be hitting festivals or headline shows over here, the mystery is back with Marilyn Manson and 2017 could be the year where the hard rock singer hits back at his critics once and for all. [MH]

LISTEN TO:

The Beautiful People [stream]

This Is The New Shit [stream]

Deep Six [stream]

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MARMOZETS





FOR FANS OF:

Paramore / Milk Teeth / Muse

It’s been a whirlwind few years for the two sets of siblings in Marmozets culminating in a standout main stage performance at 2015’s Leeds and Reading festivals. The band have since taken the last year or so off to recharge their batteries and so a new record is duly bound in 2017.

The band announced that they were entering the recording studio back in August 2016 to follow up their 2014 debut ‘The Weird And Wonderful Marmozets’ and a Christmas Eve Facebook post showed the band behind a bunch of monitors recording equipment all draped in festive lighting. Expect an update early this year. [NC]

LISTEN TO:

Why Do You Hate Me? [stream]

Captivate You [stream]

Move, Shake, Hide [stream]

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MARTYR DEFILED





FOR FANS OF:

Whitechapel / Thy Art Is Murder / Chelsea Grin

They may sound like they’re from the depths of Hell, but they’re actually from Lincoln… no jokes saying what’s the difference before you try. Back in 2014, Martyr Defiled delivered ‘No Hope No Morality’, one of the heaviest releases to come out that year, and by the looks of things, they’re about to do it all over again in 2017.

Apart from a few shows and festival appearances scattered across the year, 2016 was a pretty quiet year for the death metallers. For the most part anyway. In July, the band confirmed that they were writing a new album that is “gonna split opinion, change the world, and change the direction of your life.” Come New Year’s Day, the band began teasing something called ‘Young Gods’. Is it the album? Is it a new song? Until we find out, prepare yourselves for when the band open a hole to the underworld again. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Demons In The Mist [stream]

No Morality [stream]

Goldstein [stream]

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MASTODON





FOR FANS OF:

Tool / Baroness / Lord Dying

The seventh studio record from American sludge lords Mastodon should be on the horizon in 2017 after the band have released details amounting to a Spring release. The record is also reported to be of a conceptual nature, with the theme of cancer being the subject material.

The band have gone from strength to strength lately with their previous release 2014’s ‘Once More ‘Round The Sun’ peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200. They’ve already announced an outrageous one-day American show in May with Opeth, Gojira and The Devin Townsend Project amongst others named on the bill, along with festival shows at Nova Rock and Download already booked in. [NC]

LISTEN TO:

Blood And Thunder [stream]

Oblivion [stream]

Curl Of The Burl [stream]

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NEW FOUND GLORY





FOR FANS OF:

Blink-182 / The Story So Far / Fenix TX

Pop-punk veterans New Found Glory are celebrating 20 years of being a band in 2017, and are one of the only bands that have been around for that long where we are actively excited for their ninth record. 2014’s ‘Resurrection’ continued the consistency that has long cemented the Floridians as favourites across the globe and given them a glowing reputation for their upbeat, punk rock live show. The upcoming currently untitled record ties in with a huge celebratory tour of the States where NFG‘s set will include the entirety of 2 classic records from their first seven full-lengths.

Sadly, we can only keep our fingers crossed for such a tour in the UK but we can be thankful that the boys will be the main support act for A Day To Remember on their January arena tour, with British newcomers Neck Deep and Moose Blood completing the bill. There have been few years over the last two decades that haven’t been a great year for New Found Glory and 2017 is sure to be no different. [MH]

LISTEN TO:

My Friends Over You [stream]

Failure’s Not Flattering [stream]

Ready And Willing [stream]

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THE NUMBER 12 LOOKS LIKE YOU





FOR FANS OF:

The Dillinger Escape Plan / Rolo Tomassi / Norma Jean

Back in 2010, New Jersey mathcore troupe The Number 12 Looks Like You decided to hang up their instruments and call it a day. Their gradual dissolve throughout the months beforehand were hard to ignore; less than a year following the release of their last album ‘Worse Than Alone’ co-vocalist Justin Pedrick stepped down, leaving Jesse Korman to go it alone on the mic.

Yet, here we are. On May 19th 2016 played their first show together in over half a decade, and confirmed they’d officially returned just a day later. It’s been almost non-stop since, seeing the now 4-piece consistently touring stateside, including a support slot with The Dillinger Escape Plan. They’ve also confirmed they’ve already got some new material they’re working on, so it’s safe to say 2017 is going to be a strong year for the 12. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Jay Walking Backwards [stream]

Like A Cat [stream]

The Garden’s All Nighters [stream]

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THE ONE HUNDRED





FOR FANS OF:

Issues / Limp Bizkit / Linkin Park

Incase you hadn’t noticed, for the post couple of years there’s been a steady and (for the most part) healthy revival of the once stong and mainstream invading nu-metal genre. Whilst the likes of the forerunners Limp Bizkit and Korn are still going strong, and the new generation of the genre Issues and Islander are doing it justice, The One Hundred are next in line in its resurgence.

Despite having just one EP under their belt titled ‘Subculture’, the British troupe have been steadily building a strong army of a fanbse from the underground, helped massively with a support slot with Crossfaith and appearances at Slam Dunk Festival last year. Having signed with Spinefarm Records who’ll push out their debut album this year, The One Hundred are set to join the genre greats. [ZR]

LISTEN TO:

Kingsmen [stream]

Unleashed [stream]

Downfall [stream]

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PARAMORE





FOR FANS OF:

Against The Current / Tonight Alive / New Found Glory

Currently consisting of just two members (and let’s not kid ourselves, they are just essentially Hayley Williams and Session Guy now) Paramore are releasing their first album since 2013’s self-titled platinum LP. Even though recently departed long-time member Zac Farro was pictured on social media behind the drum kit he has made it MORE THAN CLEAR that he is only lending his sticks to the album and is in NO WAY re-joining Paramore. Oh, Ain’t it fun? [AR]

LISTEN TO:

CrushCrushCrush [stream]

Ain’t It Fun [stream]

Misery Business [stream]

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PWR BTTM





FOR FANS OF:

PUP / Mitski / Jessica Lee Mayfield

“I just want to live every day like it’s Sharon Stone‘s birthday,” opined PWR BTTM‘s sometimes guitarist, sometimes drummer Ben Hopkins during a live session on KEXP radio. Having exploded onto the scene in 2015 with their debut album ‘Ugly Cherries’ , an album that brought noodling guitar over thick punk riffs and combined it with lyrics about gender fluidity, the self-proclaimed queer-rock duo have been getting more and more fabulous each day.

Since the release, they’ve been touring hard and bringing their unique showmanship and message of empowerment to hordes of eager young fans – a group that has been growing all this year; and earlier in 2016 they capped it off with another heartbreaking new track, ‘New Hampshire’. Most recently, the duo announced that they had been signed to PolyVinyl Records and were in the process of writing a new album. They will be in the UK in April for the first time since their short run of sold out shows in 2016, and with new material on the way and a chance to experience it live, there’s never been a better time to get on the hype. [CY]

LISTEN TO:

West Texas [stream]

1994 [stream]

Dairy Queen [stream]

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SAINTE





FOR FANS OF:

We Are The In Crowd / Paramore / Charli XCX

Weird Kids everywhere were left somewhat distraught earlier in 2016 when We Are The In Crowd announced that they would be taking a break from the music scene. Thankfully, they sharply announced that they were only taking a break under that moniker and three members of the band would soon be releasing new music as SAINTE returning some joy to their adoring fans.

In October, they treated fans to their debut single ‘Technicolor’, and have left everyone chomping at the bit for more. 2017 is due to be the year for this album, and the return to the music scene for (some of) We Are The In Crowd with a new peoject hoping for an equal amount of success with this new, lighter, poppier direction.

LISTEN TO:

Technicolor [stream]

Both Sides Of The Story (We Are The In Crowd) [stream]

Rumor Mill (We Are The In Crowd) [stream]

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SLAVES (USA)





FOR FANS OF:

Hands Like Houses / Sleeping With Sirens / Pierce The Veil

The past couple of years haven’t bene short in drama for Slaves. It seems that it kind of comes with the package when Jonny Craig is in your band. In 2016, it came across very much as if the band were disbanding for good, only to shortly after announce that they’d continue as a two-piece with Craig and Colin Viera alone in the band.

With a quick change from quintet to a duo, it’s a huge shift in band dynamics, but word on the street (and, more specifically the band’s socials) is that they’ve written and began recording a third album and follow-up to 2015’s ‘Routine Breathing’ already. What happens from here is anyone’s guess, but we’re all waiting to see.

LISTEN TO:

Running Through The !6! With My Soul [stream]

Burning Our Morals Away [stream]

My Soul Is Empty And Full Of White Girls [stream]

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SYSTEM OF A DOWN





FOR FANS OF:

Dub War / Slipknot / Trepalium

What can be said of System Of A Down that hasn’t been said already? With an upcoming headlining slot at this year’s Download Festival and a rally of great music behind them, the band have been great. Though their reformation in 2011 felt lacklustre, the band have gotten better in recent years including a heralded sub-headlining slot at Reading & Leeds Festival a couple of years and a great Armenian Genocide memorial show, which can be watched in full on YouTube.

With no new music from their new album, however, it’s a gamble at this point to say what the band will give in terms of output. But, with some of the biggest rock albums in history such as ‘Toxicity’, and their sel-titled debut under their belts, it’ll be stupid to write them off as not being up to it without even releasing an album. They may be a slightly older band now, but they’re more than likely going to have the set of the weekend at Download and, if they get their act together, are going to release a great album this year. [BC]

LISTEN TO:

I.E.I.A.I.O. [stream]

Violent Pornography [stream]

Prison Song [stream]

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THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS





FOR FANS OF:

Biffy Clyro / Angels & Airwaves / Linkin Park

Now that Jared Leto has stopped being the Joker as part of last year’s blockbuster Suicide Squad, arena filling rockers Thirty Seconds To Mars are due to put out a new album in 2017!

It probably won’t be a revert to the more straight to the hook nature of ‘A Beautiful Lie’, instead going for the ethereal, stadium designed rock that the band have been honing in on their past few albums, and though they’ve been far from failures and able to fill arenas with ease, maybe Tomo Miličević and the Leto brothers will finally join the much sought after echelon of the rock elite with album number five. [AR]

LISTEN TO:

The Kill [stream]

The Story [stream]

Kings & Queens [stream]

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WARS





FOR FANS OF:

Architects / Bury Tomorrow / While She Sleeps

Rugby-based hardcore band wars exploded onto the scene with their debut EP ‘And So The Sea Will Claim Us All’ in 2015, and they show no sign of stopping in 2017. After recently signing to Spinefarm Records in November, Rob Vicars and co. will be releasing their debut album ‘We Are Islands, After All’ on January 27th 2017, making it an early contender for record of the year. The band have promised to “bid goodbye to the uncertainty and general state of dread that 2016 will likely be remembered for” and hinted that they will be announcing new tour dates around the release of their album. [JC]

LISTEN TO:

The Art Of Not Knowing [stream]

That By Discord Things Increase [stream]

Weathered Eyes [stream]

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Written by Jon Barlow [JB], Bradley Cassidy [BC], Neil Criddle [NC], Julia Conopo [JC], Callum Griffin [CG], Mike Heath [MH], Zach Redrup [ZR], Andrew Roberts [AR] and Chris Yeoh [CY]