Listening to an album can be very similar to watching a movie. The instrumentation and lyrics transport you into a different world (or in this case, a world that we are hurtling towards with startling speed) and you become immersed in every aspect of the music. The Emptiness of All Things by Massa Nera is one such album. The band continues to push the boundaries of their sound as they combine elements of screamo, punk, emo, post-hardcore, and sludge metal together to create soundscapes that are both lush and stark, perfectly complementing the visceral nature of the lyrics. The band examines the current state of the world and explores the future that awaits us if this path is continued. They pull no punches as they dive deep into the detrimental effects that capitalism has had (and continues to have) on the environment along with our society, from the rising temperature of the planet to the reawakening of old diseases and the creation of new ones to the growth of fascism. The Emptiness of All Things will be out digitally on Bandcamp on October 31. It will also be available on vinyl on October via Persistent Vision Records and you can pick that up right here. Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, and vocalist Mark Boulanger to talk about the album, taking the lyrics in a more literary direction, the absurdity of the modern world, moving away from streaming, and so much more. Read the interview below!This interview between Em Moore and Mark Boulanger took place on October 7, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Today's reviews are: Maura Weaver – Strange DevotionLips of Kohl – Please… Bury MeLa Dispute – No One Was Driving The CarYou can check out any of our reviews right here. 

Gumm have released a video for their new song “One Thing at a Time”. The video was directed by Philip Amos. The song is off their upcoming album Beneath the Wheel which will be out on October 31 via Convulse Records. Gumm released Slogan Machine in 2023. Check out the video below.

Vial have released a new single. It's called "idle hands" and right now appears to be a stand alone single. As per the band, " “IDLE HANDS” is a plea for affection; Limerence bottled up in a 2 and a half minute punky blast. Its desperate heartbeat is set to a driving rhythm, with a hook that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. I recorded the vocals for “IDLE HANDS” in the studio with a completely broken heart, and I think that rawness and desperation really comes through in the final product. I was really inspired by Courtney Love’s saccharine vocals, especially on tracks such as “Violet”. This song has been stuck in my head for months." You can check it out below.