Ever since they appeared on the Bristol scene, Knives have made it clear that following the rules of punk isn’t really their thing. After releasing their debut album, Glitter (2025), and a long run of non-stop gigs, the six-piece are back with Vermillion, a single that shows they’re still hungry to experiment and have no intention of holding back. If you haven’t heard them yet, what are you waiting for? I’m pretty sure they’ll blow your mind.
In just two and a half minutes, Knives throw all sorts of styles into one aggressive track that will have you dancing like you’re possessed. Industrial and electronic textures sit alongside Rage Against the Machine-style rap-metal and the twisted post-hardcore of Maruja, all driven by an unstoppable groove. Tegan O’Connor’s saxophone adds an unpredictable edge, while Jay Schottlander switches between near-rapped verses and furious screams. There’s just something about Knives that breaks the mould, even in a punk scene that’s more open to mixing genres than ever.
But Vermillion isn’t just a blast of noise. The song deals with the gap between what we think and what we do, with manipulation and the consequences of our choices. Through images of judgement, penance and dreams stained vermilion, Knives ask whether we can really be proud of what we leave behind. The video plays with the same idea, with the band tearing through the song in dark, run-down spaces while a man in a tie watches on, apparently unbothered by the chaos around him.
Vermillion is the first single from Nothing New Under the Sun, Knives’ second album, out on 5 March 2027 via Marshall Records. It’s definitely left us wanting more. Stay tuned!
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