A New Wave of Heavy: 2026 sees a new era of boundary-smashing artists redefining metal, pop & alternative
At Forever Loud we’re dedicated to supporting emerging talent and helping you find your new favourite artist or song, which is exactly why this lineup means so much to us. Every act here feels exciting and fresh, bringing huge energy, big tunes and unforgettable live moments that prove heavy music’s future is in very good hands.
We proudly present to you the Forever Loud: Ones To Watch 2026 list.
ARTIO
Song(s) you have to hear: “The Devil You Know“
Superpower: Powerhouse vocals, heavy hitting riffs and electronic experimentation are Artio’s bread and butter and they keep on getting better!
Why we love their work: The Leeds based quartet have been bubbling under the surface for the past few years but after gaining viral traction, a new album on the way and a back catalog packed full of heart-felt anthems, Artio are poised and ready to take on the world this year!
BAMBIE THUG
Song(s) you have to hear: “Fangtasy” & “Doomsday Blue”
Superpower: Name me another artist who has come top 6 in Eurovision AND played Download Festival UK with crowds going wild at both events.
Why we love their work: Bambie can do anything they put their mind to. Be it a goth-metal anthem or a catchy alt-pop bop; all under their umbrella of ouija-pop
COMASTATIC
Song(s) you have to hear: “PRIMITIVE”, “SUNBURN IN THE SUMMER”
Superpower: Swiss duo who refuse to be boxed in.
Why we love their work: New signees to Hopeless Records, and currently working on their debut album, Comastatic have built up an arsenal of powerful, hook filled singles that span a range of genres without sounding disjointed. Their flare for pop fuelled ear worm melodies is the common thread throughout all their releases, yet they aren’t afraid to flip between metal, pop punk and even RnB and electronic influences, often in the same song.
HEADWRECK
Song(s) you have to hear: “BINGO!” and “BUZZSAW”
Superpower: Redefining nu-metal as a heavy ‘boyband’ straight out of the 2000s PS2 world. It’s all about embracing the fun, the chaos and turning everything up to 11.
Why we love their work: It’s unpredictable and fresh, whilst bringing the best of the 2000s era back to life! Including releasing their recent EP ‘Attitude Adjustment‘ as a CD special in a PS2 (yes, including a custom made game booklet and all!). We can’t wait to catch the Aussie’s tearing up the stage at next year’s download festival.
LO RAYS
Song(s) you have to hear: “Freak” and “Scapegoat”
Superpower: No one’s really owning the post-apocalyptic pop badge better than these Glasweigan idols in the making. From creating their own worlds within their self-made music videos (and trust me, this means far from DIY, they look ready for the big screen), to forging their own space in a very mixed genre world.
Why we love their work: Dreamcore, metalcore, hardcore, alternative, rock & dance…there’s so much to fall in love with through Lo Rays music, with the savage siren queen of Laura’s vocal performances anchoring their sound.
PARMA VIOLENCE
Song(s) you have to hear: “Neurosis” and “Lovesick”
Superpower: Combining irresistible juicy guitar tones with soaring vocals, parma violence are a powerhouse in the making!
Why we love their work: Despite only being a few months old they’ve already proven they don’t miss a trick, releasing banger after banger. The melodies dig their claws into your brain and the lyrics hit deep– ticking all the boxes to be everyone’s new fave metalcore band … They go into 2026 with more bangers to come and their debut live performance at ‘We are One’ festival, alongside VUKOVI and Cassyette.
PRESIDENT
Song(s) you have to hear: “Fearless” and “In the Name of the Father”
Superpower: Alongside the masquerade, whoever this act is, their ability to build such a unique identity and invite all their fans to enjoy it across the world in such a short timeline is wild!
Why we love their work: Their songs are already stadium ready and bring together everything we love about the modern heavy scene; from savage breakdowns to ethereal whipsy ballards. PS – WHO’S BEHIND THE MASK, TELL ME ALREADY!
SAVE US
Song(s) you have to hear: “Bruised”, “Zero”
Superpower: Heart-wrenching melodics and brooding heaviness in perfect balance.
Why we love their work: The transatlantic trio are positioning themselves for a bright future, with their recent singles laying the groundwork for what’s ahead – powerful, cinematic, heavy, and beautifully haunting. Their sound sits comfortably alongside bands like Bad Omens and Dayseeker, yet remains distinctly their own. With their debut album set for release next year and The Plot In You’s Landon Tewers at the helm of production, you can expect plenty more bangers on the horizon.
SILLY GOOSE
Song(s) you have to hear: “Keys To The City”, “Neighbors”
Superpower: Their songs can be wild party anthems, tongue-in-cheek escapades, or sharp reflections on modern life – sometimes all at once.
Why we love their work: Silly Goose have been taking over stages worldwide with their fun blend of metal, hip-hop, and alternative rock. The Atlanta-born trio deliver rap-rock swagger, think Bizkit meets Beastie Boys with a modern metal flair. With their new album “Keys To The City” Silly Goose are ready to cement their place as a must-watch force in the new wave of alternative music.
THE PRETTY WILD
Song(s) you have to hear: “buttons”, “PARADOX”
Superpower: Genre-smashing sister duo not afraid to break the rules!
Why we love their work: The Pretty Wild have made a huge impact in a short space of time. They have taken the world by storm with their seamless blend of modern metalcore, hook filled melodies, theatrical flair, grit and character, all anchored by honest, emotionally charged songwriting. With over 37 millions streams under their belt already and their debut album “zero.point.genesis” recently released, things are set to only get wilder for the sisters from here.
VIANOVA
Song(s) you have to hear: “Squier Talk”, “Uh Yaya”
Superpower: Masters of flipping the script, their ability to transition between genres on a dime is not only impressive but they somehow manage to make jazz into djent make perfect sense.
Why we love their work: In a world of modern metal often becoming formulaic, vianova are determined to carve their own unique path. Their debut album “Hit It!” is a chaotic but addictive ride full of nu-metal bounce, metalcore aggression, jazzy shifts, funk breaks, and even 80s synths. It’s as absurd and confrontational as their visuals, but also packed with razor-sharp riffs and hooks that make it impossible to ignore.Their musical ingenuity is equally matched by their social media presence being some of the funnest original band content we’ve seen!
VOWER
Song(s) you have to hear: “Satellites”, “Stuck”
Superpower: Clever, technical musicianship wrapped up in a sound built for the big stages!
Why we love their work: Vower are quickly becoming one of the most prolific forces to breakthrough over the past couple of years. The band whose lineup features alumni of Black Peaks, Palm Reader, and Toska are intent on bringing all their influences together to deliver something fresh and powerful and with their new EP “A Storm Lined With Silver” they are doing just that. Whether you want the riffs, the groove, the melody or the crushing heaviness, Vower have got you covered!