Flynch is yet another band that I discovered during my hiatus. A band who dares to return in sound to one of the most beloved and overlooked sounds in the scene, Flynch never fail to provide me with the high and lows that the Warped Tour era exuded. 

While I would never outright corner Flynch in the genre of pop-punk, there are also clear and distinct Warped Tour reminiscent emo trademarks. Regardless of genre nuances, they certainly have breathed new life into the sounds of heavy music that made me fall in love with this genre as a whole. My first exposure was a 2015 Punk goes Pop record, so I certainly have a special place in my heart for my pop-punk/warped tour era days.

Honestly, I thought that my love for Flynch only stemmed from pure nostalgia. But, upon further review of their catalog, I realized that this band is more than just some generic punk style band. They genuinely have a message and agenda that they seek to share.

Mental health, anxiety, and depression. These are all common themes of Flynch's music. Notice the use of the word music, these themes go beyond just the lyrics that frontman Oliver Callison pens. It is actually a promise from each band member, that within the writing process for each song they keep these themes in mind. Which is truly special. You can really feel that the band cares. So, Please is just one example of a song off of their newest EP Super Dark Times that personifies this care. 

Flynch is far from your garden variety punk or emo band, they've got some of the most talented musicians doing it!  Soren Crissel, Flynch's lead guitar player, Jesse Siegel, their bass player, and Dylan Galvan, their drummer, are all essential to some of the best music that has come out this year! I first discovered the band through one of their guitar players, Jay Somber. I believe that he had posted a guitar play-through of either a Korn or Slipknot song, although I'm not exactly sure. Either way he hooked me in! 

Immediately, the splurge into their music began, I started with their first single So, Please. Immediately after consuming that track, I moved further into their releases which led me to tracks like Things Fall Apart and Lightbulb. It was after listening to Lightbulb that I determined that this band belonged on the Hot New Bands section here on Trendkiller. I eagerly awaited the arrival of their EP Super Dark Times, so the full vision of the band might be shared. 

While Flynch is sonically pleasing and lyrically powerful, don't let their central focus of mental health awareness allow you to doubt their potential. Flynch certainly knows how to throw down! Things Fall Apart certainly affirms that statement. Not only does their message translate seamlessly in strictly sonic channels, their mantra extends to the videography side of their music. I strongly encourage you to check out their music video for Lavetta. The band never fails to carry out their vision.

Trendkiller loves to promote new up-and-coming bands and their projects. I hope that we've persuaded you to embrace the lightbulb of hope that Flynch seeks to provide. Do not hesitate when it comes to this band, let their music comfort you through your own Super Dark Times!

But don't just take our word for it; check out Flynch wherever you stream heavy music! Or hear them here in our What You Need to Hear playlist!

I've listened to plenty of different heavy bands during my hiatus. But in early 2023 I had the privilege to happen upon This is Me Breathing. 

The first material I listened to came from 2021's Gomorrah, aptly titled after the Biblical story of Sodom & Gomorrah. I knew simply by the track titles from this EP that I was going to enjoy the band's material. Little did I know This is Me Breathing had more than just one EP up their sleeve.

This is Me Breathing is a 5 piece deathcore band from St. Louis, Missouri. The band got their start in 2014, and despite my best efforts I cannot seem to find any record of a demo from that time period. But the band has released four EPs so far in their career, and I can't get enough!

Their first official release came in 2016. Rooted in Me, a five track EP, is impressive for a band's first work. The blend of clean vocals, growls, and constant groove is worthy of fan fair. The introductory pummel of Demon's Resume makes me want to start a circle pit whenever I hear it come on!

Three years after 2016's release comes my favorite work of the band to date, 2019's Lazarus. An absolute show stopper, the title track, introduces the band's sophomore work and the Missourians never let up! All five tracks of Lazarus acquaint you with the band's ferocity. For this EP the band dropped the clean vocals and focused on harsh vocals and head banging worthy riffs. 

2021 ushered in the band's third EP, Gommorah. This EP was my introduction to a band that has been a GREAT addition to my daily listen. The song Sodom is unhinged which if you notice the other bands we tend to promote, it seems to be the most common trait. I absolutely love the chug and fist pumping flow to this entire EP. 

Beast of Bedlam, released July 7, 2023,  is an incredible building block in the band's discography. This four track EP accomplishes all the triumphs of the previous three works, while setting a new standard in growth for the band. Persona is certainly bound to be the crowd favorite. After just listening to the intro's drum solo, I can only imagine this song played live. This track is perfect, and it demands respect. 

Trendkiller loves to promote new up-and-coming bands and their projects. I hope that we've persuaded you to look into the persona of This is Me Breathing. I highly suggest that you embrace the six feet therapy that they effortlessly provide. This is deathcore at its finest folks. Get it while it's HOT! 

But don't just take our word for it; check out This is Me Breathing wherever you stream heavy music! Or hear them here in our What You Need to Hear playlist!

Recently I had the privilege to attend WhiteChapel's sixth annual Christmas benefit show in Knoxville, Tennessee. The atmosphere was electric, and provided the perfect scene for Knoxville-Natives and Deathcore Maestros The Guild. 

When I was en-route from Florida to Tennessee I had plenty of time to educate myself on the opener bands that I was completey unfamiliar with. I quickly added Chamber, Realm, and The Guild's "top songs" off of Apple Music to my WhiteChapel Benefit Show playlist. On the long drive to Knoxville I became enammored with The Guild. Quickly I became familiar with fan favorites like Baba Yaga and Reclamation. The tone of their songs, and the incredible dread that their instruments create is unreal. 

However the reality of their power sets in when you see them live. To say I was blown away may sound cliche, but  The Guild absolutely floored me. They succesfully rank themselves at the top of openers that I have ever had the honor to witness. 

These guys absolutley crushed their performance. You had no choice but to headbang as lead vocalist Tyler Miller gave his all to the crowd. Their setlist included show-stoppers like Heir to the Serpent and Crowbar. They opened with the former, and absoulely crushed with the latter. Crowbar was the only song from the evening that warranted a Wall of Death. As always, any form of pit is beautiful, but seeing a Wall of Death for an opener? That is almost unheard of. 

With one album, four EPs and a newly released single, The Guild are not exactly what you'd call a new band. But they are most assurdely hot and rising! They have been around since 2015 and their debut EP Demo 2k15 almost fortells their future. The two-track debut features the songs Relic and The Crucible. Both songs are featured on their 2017 album Orb. 

Their 2017 release pinpointed their stregnths and in 2020 The Guild released their EP Resurgence which showcased a polished and refined sound.  The four track EP features the mighty Crowbar and Baba Yaga along with title-track Resurgence and the dismal The Scourge. It is a sound that, so far, they have stayed true too. In Febuary of 2021, The Guild released a Trendkiller favorite Heir to the Serpent. It is a crusher that leaves you wanting more. Now after almost a year in hiatus, the future looks bright for new music from The Guild. 

Trendkiller loves to promote new up-and-coming bands and their projects. I hope that we've persuaded you to look through the Snow of The Guild's music. I highly suggest that you follow their progress, because who knows, maybe 2022 will be the Resurgence of the Serpent! 

But don't just take our word for it; check out The Guild wherever it is that you stream heavy music! Or hear them here in our What You Need to Hear playlist!

It is incredibly unique to stumble across a band that is redefining a genre. Let me introduce you to Lockjaw, the Californian metalcore band that is changing the landscape of metalcore. 

They've taken the formula that has been perfected by bands like Whitechapel and Code Orange and incorporated their own tight riffs and volatile vocals with some sort of undefinable groove. The music really takes control and it is hard to fight the urge to just move. These guys are insane!

I found Lockjaw in mid-July through their song Depths. The song was recommended to me, although I cannot remember how. Regardless, whoever, or whatever, recommended the Californian Trio to me knew their stuff! 

After diving deeper into their discography you are confronted by the attitude that these guys carry. The vocalist perfectly places the "bleugh," or what I like to call filthy spits, throughout their songs. It has actually become something I expect when listening to a Lockjaw song. 

Lockjaw's collection spans ten singles and two eps. After speaking with the band earlier, they plan for their third ep to be released in early 2022. 

Trendkiller loves to promote new up-and-coming bands and their projects. I hope that we've persuaded you to look "into the depths" of  Lockjaw's music. I highly suggest that you follow these dudes on their journey because sooner rather than later these maniacs are going to blow up! 

But don't just take our word for it; check out Lockjaw wherever it is that you stream heavy music! Or hear them here in our What You Need to Hear playlist!