Just Before The Drop: #10
Featuring: Machine Gun Kelly, The Goo Goo Dolls, Prompts and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Hi friends!
We’ve officially hit the 10th edition of our curated set of modern punk & hardcore music recommendations! As always, we’ve picked high-energy, must-hear tracks spanning across different genres. And this time? It looks like we’re leaning more into the punk-ish side rather than the heavier, more brutal hardcores. But hey, you be the judge here - let us know where your heart (and ears) land on this one!
Thanks for being here. Thanks for your support. If you like what we’re doing here, share this newsletter with your friends - it seriously means the world to us. ❤️
Now, enough talk - let’s dive in!
Petty 🤡
by Mattstagraham | picked by Adi
You don’t know who Mattstagraham is? Don’t worry, neither did I - until I heard Petty, and then I knew I had to dig deeper.
He’s releasing music under I Surrender Records, and his fanbase (which keeps growing) is seriously hyped about Petty. It’s the second of his recently dropped singles, and I guarantee that if you enjoy bouncy, pop-punk anthems sprinkled with shamelessly catchy hooks, both choruses will be stuck in your head for days.
They also make it pretty clear where Mattstagraham is headed - moving from fast, raw, and simple punk to more polished, structured arrangements. No shame in that, but I’ll let you form your own opinion.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Powerslide 🧊
by Sudden Waves | picked by Adi
A high-energy fusion of hardcore, pop-punk, and metal straight from the frozen streets of Montreal - and trust me, these guys will heat things up like no one else this week! 🔥
They’ve already shared the stage with heavyweights like Polaris, Alpha Wolf, Counterparts, and Obey The Brave, and last year, they hit the road across Europe supporting Dog Eat Dog.
At times, brutally aggressive - at others, nostalgically melodic. Their latest track, Powerslide, comes with a killer music video that, if you’re 35+, will instantly remind you of The Hell Song by some slightly more famous Canadians… Sum 41. And honestly? That alone should be reason enough to check out what’s going down in Quebec right now!
Serenity 💊
by Her Last Sight | selected by Lukas
Alright, this one isn’t exactly new, so I’ll take the blame for sleeping on it. But last week, I stumbled upon Her Last Sight for the first time, and between the sound and the eye-catching visualizers on Spotify, I was immediately hooked. So, naturally, I had to dig deeper.
Turns out, they’re a metalcore band from Israel, formed in 2019. Since then, they’ve dropped three solid full-length albums, staying consistent with their sound and production approach. Their latest, SEASON // WINTER, is a concept album packed with melodic, high-tempo riffs, catchy solos, and dynamic vocals. The mix of powerful growls and clean singing brings a unique character to their music, making them stand out from the crowd.
Serenity makes the list because, for me, it was the perfect “initiation” to the band and what they do best. It’s melodic, dynamic, and full of moments where the lead motive shifts, keeping you engaged from start to finish. This isn’t a track that fades into the background - it’s a solid, versatile metalcore build that demands attention and deserves a spot on your playlist.
Seriously, check these guys out. You won’t regret it.
Stranger 🧑🎤
by Prompts, Landon Tewers | picked by Lukas
Oh boy, this one. You might feel a bit scary at first - it’s heavy. The opening seconds can even make you shudder. But the moment I saw Landon Tewers' name attached, I knew this was going to be something special. And damn, I was right.
Prompts is a Japanese metalcore band formed in 2012. With a couple of EPs under their belt and a full-length album, Fracture (2022), they’ve made a solid impact on their local scene, though they haven’t yet broken through significantly on the global stage.
Now, teasing their upcoming album, the band presents Stranger - a track built on the theme of duality and personal identity, drawing from frontman PK’s experiences navigating different cultures and languages. To bring this concept to life, they reached out to Landon Tewers, and the result is absolutely devastating.
Beyond the chaos of its structure, Stranger is a relentless assault - breakneck tempo, razor-sharp guitar work, and unfiltered aggression. But at its core, the vocals steal the show. PK’s raw, guttural delivery is already next level, but when Tewers jumps in mid-track, layering his signature shaky growls in a fierce back-and-forth exchange with PK, it transforms into a ticking bomb. And it’s exactly it, try to spot the beeps gently sewn up within the most intense moments of this song - crazy, original and refreshing effect.
This one isn’t for everyone - some might tap out early and move on to the next track. It’s fast, chaotic, and straight-up brutal. But the more you listen, the more the intricate layers and concepts unfold. Give it time, and Stranger becomes something truly fascinating.
Burn 🔥
by Slow Motion Victory | picked by Lukas
Alright, these guys are brand new to the scene - like, absolutely fresh. They’re just kicking things off, which makes it the perfect time to jump in, follow along, and see where they go next.
Their latest track, Burn serves as a teaser for an upcoming EP, and if this is just the beginning, the full release could turn out to be something really interesting. Musically, it sits comfortably within post-hardcore territory, blending clean, soaring vocals with raw, charismatic screams. The track ramps up into a metalcore-driven tempo, featuring melodic riffs, dynamic breakdowns, and a crushing finale topped with some brutal, sour growls.
Is it reinventing the wheel? Maybe not. But there’s definitely something catchy here, and it’s got enough energy and potential to keep an eye on. Let’s see what they evolve into.
If It Hurts ❤️🩹
by AVOID | selected by Lukas
AVOID is a dynamic five-piece band hailing from Seattle, Washington, known for their energetic fusion of hard rock and melodic metalcore. They have been rapidly gaining attention for their electrifying live performances and genre-blending sound.
They’ve released two full-length albums, with their latest, Cult Mentality, catching significant attention and building quite big fanbase eager for a fresh, modern blend of non-traditionally connected genres.
Their newest single, If It Hurts, dropped this January, stands out as a bold mix of shifting tempos, hard rock-inspired guitar work, electronic interludes, and dynamic vocals. The result? A versatile and layered composition that leans slightly away from their earlier punk/hardcore roots and explores a more expansive, genre-blurring sound.
It’s a new direction for AVOID, and if this track is just a taste of what’s to come, we’re in for something interesting. Let’s see where they take it next.
your name forever ⚱️
by mgk | picked by Lukas
This one jumped out unexpectedly two days ago, and there is a very sad story behind. Serving as a tribute to mgk’s late friend, professional snowboarder Luke "The Dingo" Trembath, who passed away last month (not knowing how, yet).
The song touches artist personal grief, reflecting on unresolved issues and expressing deep remorse over their last interaction. In the lyrics, he mentions a coat Dingo left at his house, symbolizing the lingering presence of his friend and the void left by his absence.
If you’ll check the music video for this track you notice that musicians, including Synyster Gates and M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon, Johnny Cappelletty, and Mod Sun, joined MGK in recording it, highlighting the profound impact Dingo had on the music community.
Finally, I caught something important here - after all his recent experiments, Colson is back in the genre that (at least for me) suits him best. I can only hope this means we’ll be getting some old-school, high-energy pop-punk production from him again soon. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Daggers 🗡️
by Pinto Sunshine | selected by Adi
This Atlanta-based quartet blends indie rock with Latin influences, proudly embracing their roots in every track. The result? A refreshing twist on what you might be used to.
Daggers takes their sound in a sharper, more aggressive direction, showcasing a band that made serious noise last year with the release of their debut album, Pinto Sunshine Vol. 1. If you're looking for a break from your usual rotation, this one’s worth a spin. Plus, consider it a bonus Spanish lesson - some of their tracks are performed in their native tongue.
P.S. You could be one of the first to hear their new track on YouTube since the view count is currently about as high as the number of expletives dropped during a Polish national football match. 🤣
Tonight (I’m Afraid) 🌃
by Scowl | picked by Adi
If you’re on the hunt for a rising star with a female-fronted lineup, you’re in the right place. While they’ve already dropped their debut album, it feels like this California-based band is only now hitting full throttle.
April marks the release of their second full-length, Are We All Angels, and their resume is already stacked - they’ve shared the stage with absolute legends. And there’s way more to come - vocalist Kat Moss (not to be confused with Kate Moss) has made it clear that touring is the band’s top priority, with plans to hit every possible corner of the U.S.. Fingers crossed for Europe next! 🤞
If you’re new to Scowl, here’s the short version of their come-up: back in 2021, Kat was still working in a coffee shop when Fred Durst slid into their Instagram DMs, completely hyped on their music. Turns out, he discovered them on TikTok, got so hooked that he binged their entire YouTube catalog, and next thing you know? They were invited on tour with Limp Bizkit. At first, the band thought it was a prank - but yeah, it was very, very real.
And now? They’re just getting started.
Name
by The Goo Goo Dolls | selected by Adi
On one hand, realizing that A Boy Named Goo dropped 30 years ago is a bit of a gut punch. But on the other? It’s pretty damn impressive that thousands of fans across the world still revisit one of the greatest albums from these Buffalo legends.
A band that spent most of its career straddling the line between alt-rock, post-grunge, and pop-rock - but let’s not forget, they started off as a punk outfit. Their influence stretched beyond genres, and if you’ve ever heard Haste The Day’s phenomenal cover of Long Way Down, you already know exactly what I mean. That track comes straight from A Boy Named Goo, and if, by some miracle, you don’t have this album ingrained in your memory, now’s your chance.
Johnny Rzeznik and the crew are dropping a Deluxe Edition - a massive 34-track double album featuring:
➡️ The original album
➡️ A never-before-released live show from Las Vegas (March 1996)
➡️ Four B-sides from that era
➡️ Six tracks recorded for Modern Rock Live
If you’re gonna drop cash on an anniversary edition, it better offer something special - and this one? Absolutely delivers. So yeah… shut up and take my money!
And finally, the full playlist!
You can play it along, or just save within your Spotify account. Stay safe, Lukas & Adi.