GRIEF MOP
RECORD: I Want To Pull The Sleep From Your Eyes
RELEASED: 10|09|2025
LABEL: Sunday Drive Records
COLOUR | EDITION: Eco Green, Limited to 200
FAVORITE TRACKS: I’D Prefer To Be Nobody, Strange World, Headhigh
PURCHASED: Deathwish
BAND DISCOVERED
Through promotion by Deathwish Records, I became aware of the band Grief Mop. In late summer 2025, they released their advance single Strange World, followed shortly afterwards in autumn by their debut album I Want To Pull The Sleep From Your Eyes. Since then, their dark songs—situated between emo, dream, and shoegaze—have been in regular rotation for me. However, Deathwish only handled the distribution; the credit as the responsible label belongs to the good folks at Sunday Drive Records. For Friends of Trauma Ray, Gleemer, Slow Blind, Glare.
WISH
Of course, to catch them live at some point and to own their 2024 EP You Were Right Here But So Far Away on vinyl.
MILITARIE GUN
RECORD: God Save The Gun
RELEASED: 10|17|2025
LABEL: Loma Vista Recordings
COLOUR | EDITION: Blue & Black Smoke (EG Exclusive)
FAVORITE TRACKS: Fill Me With Paint, God Owes Me Money, Kick, Wake Up And Smile, I Won’t Murder Your Friend
PURCHASED: Evil Greed
BAND DISCOVERED
During the Covid-19 time, I recognized this new band with members from different bands I already followed. The drummer from Regional Justice Center, one guy from the band Modern Colour, and the other guy from Drug Church. The first EP, My Life Is Over, and the following EPs, All Roads Lead To The Gun I & II, were phenomenal. Partly, I ordered them overseas in the U.S. Militarie Gun was in about a year on every hardcore stage and platform. I loved the energy from the live shots from Philadelphia, which Hate5Six delivered, or the Sound & Fury Festival performance. In 2022, after several lockdowns, I had the chance to see the band in Cologne. In a venue for nearly 400 people with an attendance of perhaps 50. The development from hardcore to a more alternative sound is, perhaps, for most HC fans, difficult to handle. But for me, the sound of Ian Shelton and the guys fits my ears nearly perfectly. The new album is extremely personal, fragile, and angry at the same time.
BESIDES THAT
I can’t wait for the next European Tour in January and a great venue in Cologne. Much smaller, much sweatier, more energetic. Also: Ian Shelton’s social media presence is filled with recommendations for cool music. Keep an eye on his music taste.
DEFTONES
RECORD: Private Music
RELEASED: 08|22|2025
LABEL: Reprise Records
COLOUR | EDITION: Grey (Fog), Alt. (Purple) Cover, Limited Edition
FAVORITE TRACKS: Infinite Source, Souvenir, I Think About You All the Time, Milk of the Madonna, Cut Hands, ~Metal Dream
PURCHASED: JPC
BAND DISCOVERED
It was around 1995 when Deftones released their debut record, Adrenaline. Nu metal was fresh and on its way to reach a top place in the 90s rock circus besides grunge, alternative, and crossover. I remember getting enthusiastic when I spotted their videos for Bored and 7 Words on MTV. With their following records, Around The Fur, the masterpiece White Pony, and their self-titled record, Deftones define a constant role in my music cosmos. With Ohms released in 2020, Deftones were suddenly back on my map, but just for a few weeks. With their new album, Private Music, they offered themselves a top place on this year’s poll for best record. What a fantastic work in its whole. This record is, from start to finish line, a complete one. No filler and on a constant high level. Powerful, emotional, melodic, stylish.
SACRED SKIN
RECORD: Born In Fire
RELEASED: 09|13|2024
LABEL: Midnight Mannequin Records
COLOUR | EDITION: Pink / „True Faith“, 2x LP, 45 RPM
FAVORITE TRACKS: Waiting, Runaway, Call It Off, Show You Love, Surrender
PURCHASED: Discogs
BAND DISCOVERED
Through an instagram post from a friend of mine (thanks Carol). I fell in love with the sound, the artwork, the whole aesthetic of this outfit.
BESIDES THAT
This record is so synth-driven and cinematic. There’s simply every 80s synth sound used. Some might say it’s too much. But all the details, all the cleverness – there are so many little treasures. Many artists will ruin it, if they are using all these sounds. But here it’s exactly the essence that makes it.
WISH
I would really love to see them live.
WISH
And this happened in November 2025 at the 9mm Bar in Berlin. What a beautiful, intimate little gig.
MIDRIFT
BAND DISCOVERED
While looking into the 2026 lineup of the Outbreak Festival in Manchester and checking out the music of some of the bands and artists playing there, I came across an announced tour by Turn Of Phase together with a band called Midrift. I was surprised by their current streaming numbers and, above all, by the band’s latest output: the three songs Safe And Sound, Tell Me Everything, and Reaching For You.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The song Reaching For You seems to have everything my ears are looking for: something gripping, something driving, plenty of emotion, and a touch of emo nostalgia. So far, it’s their strongest output in my opinion.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
„It’s everything I’ve ever felt, winning cards are never dealt to me / you see for the worst, I’d keep you if I could“ from Reaching For You.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
driving | melancholy | emotional | honest
BESIDES THAT
This year, Midrift are touring with Turn Of Phase, Fleshwater, Julie, and Angel Du$t. So far the tours are limited to North America, except some UK dates, Paris and Best Kept Secret Festival in the Netherlands – hopefully some more European mainland gigs will follow soon.
WISH
Can’t wait for more.
GREET DEATH
Live at KEXP
00:35 country girl
06:05 motherfucker
11:06 love me when you leave
17:22 same but different now
