Here we are on another Monday. It is a stressful Monday for me as my car is in for its MOT and I have no more money to spend on it if it doesn’t pass…it is like a bottomless pit devouring all I have! However, that aside, I am working on a review of a new single from a Northern Ireland rock band called Final Thirteen. And here we go with it!
Band Bio
Final Thirteen blend alternative rock, punk energy and guitar-driven hooks. Their releases have exceeded 200,000 streams and attracted over 6,000 radio plays, with previous music receiving coverage from Kerrang! Radio, RGM, Right Chord Music and Heat Waves Magazine.
The band, from Northern Ireland, will be touring England in December 2026, with further dates planned for 2027. Fronted by the unapologetic, emotionally charged vocals of AX and the grit-laden guitar work of JD Burns, the latest line-up sees a new rhythm section injecting fresh power and urgency. CC’s relentless drumming collides with Matty G’s rumbling bass lines, pushing the sound into heavier, sharper territory while retaining the band’s melodic edge.
The press release tells us that the new single, “The Other 12”, explores gossip, projection and the way resentment can take on a life of its own. Thick, distorted guitars and a driving rhythm section provide the backdrop for AX’s expressive vocal performance. The result, we are told, is intense, memorable and deliberately uncompromising.
My Review
The single is released November 6, 2026 on all main platforms.
“Don’t ya really wanna know what they say about me?
Don’t you feel it in your mind, heart, and your body?
Don’t you really wanna know what they say about me
Yeah.”
Opening with a few xylophone notes, the track quickly clicks into dark, grungy territory. There is a blurred, almost cinematic montage quality to the sound, creating an atmospheric, nocturnal feel. It took me into the territory of The Marmozets, with a slightly sci-fi, cinematic quality – the sort of music you imagine driving fast to on a planet far, far away!
There is also plenty of edgy punk attitude running through the arrangement. The guitar sound has that unmistakable punk riff-driven quality, while the breaks in the music reinforce that sense of urgency and unpredictability.
At 4 minutes and 22 seconds, this is certainly not one of those quick TikTok dip-ins. There is time for the music to build, develop and take the listener somewhere. Rather than relying on a catchy hook and disappearing, “The Other 12” gives its ideas room to breathe.
Summary
Final Thirteen deliver a dark, energetic slice of alternative rock with a healthy dose of punk attitude. “The Other 12” combines distorted guitars, atmospheric touches and an expressive vocal performance, creating a sound that is both melodic and uncompromising. There is plenty here to keep the listener engaged, particularly for those who enjoy their rock with a little edge and experimentation.
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Stream music from Final Thirteen here
By Stevie Ritson
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