Metal Hammer's Tracks of the Week: August 14, 2026
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean the music has to. As the leaves start to turn, the spooky season is upon us, and Metal Hammer has a diverse lineup of tracks to get you in the Halloween spirit. From doom metal to industrial, and everything in between, here's a breakdown of the week's hottest releases.
Mastodon - In The Ruins
Mastodon's new single, In The Ruins, is a haunting and atmospheric track that showcases the band's signature blend of heavy riffs and melodic passages. With the release of their upcoming album, Marrow Deep, just around the corner, this song is a taste of what's to come. The band's ability to create a dynamic and engaging sound is on full display here, and it's a testament to their enduring legacy in the metal scene.
Noctule - Goddess Of Rot
Serena Cherry, the vocalist of Svalbard, has unveiled her solo project, Noctule, and the latest single, Goddess Of Rot, is a powerful and emotional track. With a video game-inspired theme, Noctule brings a unique and dark sound to the table. The song's furious and majestic nature will resonate with fans of Svalbard, and it's a promising start to Cherry's solo career.
Green Lung - Black Magick Radio
Green Lung's Black Magick Radio is a catchy and fun track that pays homage to the dark magic of the late 60s and early 70s. With old-school keyboard sounds and a spooky vibe, this song is a perfect addition to any Halloween playlist. The band's ability to create a retro-futuristic sound is impressive, and it's a testament to their creativity and musical prowess.
The Cartographer - Griefworn
The Cartographer's Griefworn is an oppressive and aggressive track that will leave a lasting impression. With a sense of mounting pressure and relentless aggression, this song is a powerful addition to the modern metal scene. The band's ability to create a sense of impending explosion is impressive, and it's a track that will resonate with fans of heavy and intense music.
Godflesh - Living/Ending
Godflesh, the industrial metal pioneers, are back with a new single, Living/Ending, from their upcoming album, Decay. With a nihilistic vision of the future, this song is a powerful and thought-provoking track. The band's ability to create a claustrophobic and crushing sound is on full display, and it's a testament to their enduring influence in the metal scene.
Zilqy - World’s End
Zilqy, a new Japanese group, brings a contemporary and industrial sound to the table with their single, World’s End. The band's ability to blend clattering low-end with clear radio sensibilities is impressive, and it's a track that will resonate with fans of modern and accessible metal.
Battlesnake - Mud Apocalypse
Battlesnake's Mud Apocalypse is a colorful and energetic track that showcases the band's unique blend of traditional metal and festival-ready anthems. The song's po-faced and trad metal glory will resonate with fans of the genre, and it's a testament to the band's ability to create a fun and engaging sound.
Gradience - Undone
Gradience's Undone is a genre-blending track that starts with a post-black metal rager and transitions into modern hip hop flows and melodies. The band's ability to fuse two disparate elements together is impressive, and it's a track that will resonate with fans of experimental and innovative metal.
Netherwilds - Helm Yeah
Netherwilds' Helm Yeah is a tongue-in-cheek track that pays homage to the renaissance fair and the early 90s. With a sound that bridges the gap between New York and the 16th Century, this song is a unique and entertaining addition to the lineup. The band's ability to create a fun and light-hearted sound is impressive, and it's a track that will resonate with fans of quirky and experimental metal.
Hippotraktor - Oblivion Walker
Hippotraktor's Oblivion Walker is a technical and cosmic track that blends the djenty sound of Tesseract with the gorgeous melodies of Mastodon. The band's ability to create a unique and captivating sound is impressive, and it's a track that will resonate with fans of progressive and innovative metal.
As a news editor for Metal Hammer, Rich has a keen eye for discovering new bands and covering a wide range of musical scenes. His passion for rock, punk, and metal is evident in his coverage of both established and emerging artists, from Sleep Token to Black Sabbath and Deftones.
