The Riffs of the Week – 07/08/2026

Happy New Music Friday!

Another week, another excuse to turn the volume all the way up. This week's selection brings together some of heavy music's biggest names alongside one of its most intriguing newcomers. From anonymous modern metal and old-school thrash to a legendary collaboration and one of this week's most anticipated album releases, these are the tracks that have dominated our speakers over the last few days.

Don't forget to check out our THE RIFF Spotify playlist at the end of the article, where we update the best new rock and metal releases every single week.

Anthrax – Everybody's Got a Plan (Megaforce Records)

With Cursum Perficio finally set to arrive on September 18, Anthrax continue to remind everyone why they're one of thrash metal's greatest institutions.

Everybody's Got a Plan delivers razor-sharp riffs, massive hooks and the unmistakable energy that has defined the band for over four decades. Fast, heavy and packed with attitude, it's another excellent preview of what could become one of this year's essential thrash releases.

Electric Callboy – Heartclub (Century Media Records)

With Tanzanied finally out today, there was no way we could leave Electric Callboy off this week's playlist.

Unlike the previous singles, Heartclub arrived as one of the album's biggest surprises—and it doesn't disappoint. While Electric Callboy are best known for blending infectious pop melodies, electronic beats and tongue-in-cheek humour with metalcore, this is also one of the heaviest tracks on the entire record. Crushing riffs, relentless energy and just enough of the band's trademark madness make Heartclub another reminder that nobody mixes fun and heaviness quite like these Germans.

Accept feat. Tobias Forge – Save Us (Napalm Records)

Some collaborations simply make perfect sense.

For Accept's 50th anniversary celebrations, Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge lends his unmistakable voice to a newly recorded version of the 1980 classic Save Us. His theatrical delivery fits the song perfectly, breathing new life into one of Accept's early anthems while celebrating the band's remarkable legacy.

Linkin Park – Somewhere I Belong (Live in São Paulo)

Few bands have written a comeback story quite like Linkin Park, and Somewhere I Belong (Live in São Paulo) is a powerful reminder of why their return has resonated with millions of fans around the world.

Released alongside the announcement of Unshatter, the band's upcoming documentary directed by Joe Hahn, the live performance captures the energy of Linkin Park's triumphant return to the stage with Emily Armstrong on vocals. The documentary, arriving in cinemas on September 30, promises an intimate look at the band's journey through loss, uncertainty and reinvention, while its companion live album, Unshatter: Live in São Paulo, lands on September 25. If this performance is anything to go by, Linkin Park aren't simply revisiting their past—they're confidently writing a new chapter in one of rock's greatest stories.

PRESIDENT – Dark Heaven (Atlantic Records)

The mystery surrounding PRESIDENT may have caught everyone's attention, but the music continues to prove this project is much more than clever marketing.

Opening with the chilling line, "Gather 'round children, sing Hallelujah," Dark Heaven immediately pulls you into its dark, cinematic world before exploding into crushing riffs and one of the band's strongest choruses to date. Blending themes of faith, doubt and power with a huge modern metal sound, it's another bold step towards Blood of Your Empire—and further proof that PRESIDENT are becoming one of the most exciting new names in heavy music.

Stay tuned for more new releases next week, and don't forget to follow our THE RIFF Spotify playlist below. We update it every Friday with the very best new rock and metal releases, so if you're always chasing your next favourite riff, we've got you covered.

Jose Crespo by The Riff Collective