Heavy & Alternative music has so many faces and with local scenes rising up in force.
At Forever Loud we’re dedicated to supporting emerging talent and helping you find your new favourite artist or song.
We proudly present to you the Forever Loud: Ones To Watch 2025 list.
NATIVE JAMES
Song(s) you have to hear: “Field” and “Hammer”
Superpower: Turning songs that started as freestyle raps into some of the most interesting grime x metal x heavy crossover tunes we’ve heard all year. And it’s only the beginning.
Why we love their work: We’re all about moving the heavy / alternative space forward and Native has bundled all his favourite vibes, sounds and influences into his style. We can’t wait to see what blend he delivers next.
STORM ORCHESTRA
Songs to hear: “Drummer” & “Bright Soul”.
Superpower: Solid tunes that are ready to fill big venues, this band are making really original, yet exciting rock anthems as well as collaborating with some French heavy music superstars!
Why we love their work: Two-fold: putting French rock back in the global eyeline and making brilliantly catchy music that gets into your head after one play.
KAREN DIÓ
Song(s) you have to hear: “Sick Ride” and “My World”
Superpower: The latin riot grrrrl with the most, she is super confident and very much about rocking out with you all involved. It’s a vibe and we’re in.
Why we love their work: Karen is a once in a generation star. Going from tiny stages to arenas in a just a few steps, it’s an incredible (yet well earnt) ascent for someone who is as effortlessly rad as Ms Dió,
Petti Hendrix
Song(s) you have to hear: “Red Corvette”
Superpower: Hendrix is not shy of saying things how they are, blending genres and creating new anthems for all ages.
Why we love their work: He’s already attracted a huge range of talent from the record and production space, as well as fellow musicians (Waterparks and Good Charlotte to start). More music, more shows and more reasons to love Petti.
SPLIT CHAIN
Song(s) you have to hear: “Future” & “I Don’t Wanna Be Me”
Superpower: Confident in their sound and live show, the band, who have been together for only a short time, have been signed by Epitaph, playing tours and festival globally yet not an EP nor album released.
Why we love their work: Shoegaze, grunge and sprinklings of nu metal and hard rock, perfectly delivered both ‘on tape’ and in a live setting.
HCK9
Song(s) you have to hear: “Lil Miss Self Destruct Vol 1” and “Tell Me It Gets Better”
Superpower: A clear vision of the project, both visually, soncially and lyrically; HCK9 is a cult brewing.
Why we love their work: Cinematic rock is back on the menu, and, as we face a new era of uncertainty, HCK9 will be the soundtrack to navigate this uncharted territory.
NORTH ATLAS
Song(s) you have to hear: “Dead Tree” and “House of Mirrors”
Superpower: From wild, remote Scotland, North Atlas combine imagery from their Celtic pagan roots with a dynamic industrial rock sound.
Why we love their work: A more futuristic, yet traditional takes on rock, metal and punk to come from this one of a kind act.
MOUTH CULTURE
Photo: Joe Docker
Song(s) you have to hear: “Dead In Love” & “Everyday”.
Superpower: Infectious bouncy riffs or whole some chilled vibes, cheeky British accent poking out through their singing style and something to talk about. A brand new exciting homegrown band!
Why we love their work: The way they make music, play live and talk online makes you want to quit your day job and start a band.
HRTLSS
Songs to hear: “Daylight” & “Forever And A Day”
Superpower: In their own words The enigmatic sound HRTLSS creates blurs the lines between Rock, Pop, and Metal, blending them into a heavy, electronic powerhouse of emotional expression. It’s a really unique listen and one that time and time again (with the singles already released) we’re hearing as stand-out in the new era of heavy music.
Why we love their work: Not only is there great music coming out of team HRTLSS, but they are true grafters. Having spent time connecting their fandom and support from the ground up, showing other emerging artists it can be done, with the right approach and musicality.
HOUSE OF PROTECTION
Photo: Kevin Garcia
Song(s) you have to hear: “It’s Supposed To Hurt” & “Pulling Teeth”
Superpower: You can’t keep a good musician down. In this case, two of them. Together they’re stoking a fire that’s going to ensure 2025 is their realm.
Why we love their work: In the same way The Prodigy owned their lane of heavy dance, House Of Protection are clearing their own path and doing it with such vibrance, it’s a joy to watch.
SOUTH ARCADE
Song(s) you have to hear: “HOW 2 GET AWAY WITH MURDER” & “stone cold summer”
Superpower: Two friends advertised for additional members to form a band with the advert: “Royal Blood meets Charlie XCX” band. And it worked out a treat!
Why we love their work: It’s so much fun. Everything they do is a party and you can hear the energy come through on their music and that excitment is echoed around the UK from fans teenage years and up.
VANA
Photo: SADSWIM
Song(s) you have to hear: “SERPENTINE” & “BEG!”
Superpower: Vana’s offers a glimpse into a world where horror, femininity, and raw intensity collide. She powers metal and electro-pop together in this gorgeous modern alt style, but most importantly VANA is passionate about creating an inclusive, empowering space within the metal genre allowing for representation and visibility for all walks of life without fear of judgment or exclusion.
Why we love their work: Since borrowing her dad’s guitars as a teen to start her artist journey, she’s gone on to release two strong EPs and gain support from Rolling Stone NZ to Vice New Zealand. And that’s before we look at views of her content (it’s a hell of a lot). She’s a new breed of metal star and we love what we’re seeing and hearing.
