Banks Arcade unleash their new album Second Place Superstar, a bold and emotionally charged statement from a band that has never been interested in fitting neatly into one genre.
Blurring the boundaries between modern metal, alternative electronic music and hip hop, the record captures Banks Arcade at their most ambitious, unpredictable and personal yet. Built on contrast, Second Place Superstar moves effortlessly between crushing heaviness, infectious melodies, electronic experimentation and moments of striking vulnerability. Rather than settling into a single sound, Banks Arcade use the album to push their identity further, bringing together the raw physicality of metal with the maximalist energy of contemporary alternative music.
Catch the band live: 09.10.2026 I From Ashes To New I Marrickville, Australia 11.10.2026 I From Ashes To New I Melbourne, Australia 13.10.2026 I From Ashes To New I Adelaide, Australia 15.10.2026 I From Ashes To New I Newstead, Australia 17.01.2027 I Hellbound 2027 I Sydney, Australia
Genre-defying heavy innovators Banks Arcade unleash their explosive new single ‘YUCK!’, the final taste of their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘SECOND PLACE SUPERSTAR’, arriving worldwide on 25th September via Arising Empire.
Unhinged, infectious and impossible to ignore, ‘YUCK!’ captures Banks Arcade at their most volatile. Built around crushing stomp riffs, electronic grit and rapid-fire vocal delivery, the track erupts with an energy that feels equal parts metalcore anthem, club-fuelled chaos and pure confrontation. Every element hits with intent, creating a track that feels unpredictable from the first second while remaining instantly addictive.
Lyrically, ‘YUCK!’ dives headfirst into a world of synthetic desire, electric violence and complete loss of control. Images of tasting blood, dancing with demons and watching everything burn fuel its reckless atmosphere, while lines like “better be tough” and “dance with the devil” embody the song’s confrontational confidence. There is something deliberately excessive about ‘YUCK!’, embracing temptation, danger and destruction rather than running from them.
As the final single before SECOND PLACE SUPERSTAR, ‘YUCK!’ offers one last glimpse into the sheer range of Banks Arcade’s upcoming record. Following previously released tracks including ‘SEVERANCE’, ‘ROCKSTAR’, ‘DON’T MISS’ and ‘MIRROR’, the new single adds another extreme to an album built around contrast, experimentation and the refusal to stay inside traditional genre boundaries.
‘Mirror’ by Banks Arcade is a venom charged modern metalcore anthem built on razor edged riffs, dark electronic tension and a volatile hook. The track turns themes of guilt, rage and self destruction into something sleek and explosive, echoing lyrics about ugliness learned, worth stripped away and the urge to burn what broke you.
With millions of streams and a reputation for pushing heavy music forward, Banks Arcade sharpen their identity here, relentless, melodic and impossible to ignore. Banks Arcade recently toured the UK and Europe, including a triumphant performance at 2000trees.
Banks Arcade return with their explosive new single ‘DON’T MISS’, a fearless collision of modern metalcore, nu-metal swagger and hip-hop-infused groove. Packed with earth-shaking low end, razor-sharp down-tuned riffs and an instantly memorable chorus, the track captures the band’s signature ability to blend crushing heaviness with undeniable hooks.
Fuelled by reckless energy and late-night rebellion, ‘DON’T MISS’ tells a story of chasing unforgettable moments despite the chaos surrounding you. Its lyrics paint vivid scenes of youthful defiance, blurred lines between friendship and rivalry, and the determination to leave a lasting impression no matter the consequences. Balancing raw aggression with infectious melody, the song channels the adrenaline rush of living in the moment while embracing every scar that comes with it.
Musically, ‘DON’T MISS’ showcases everything that has made Banks Arcade one of the most exciting names in modern heavy music. Hip-hop-inspired rhythms collide with massive metalcore breakdowns, while dynamic vocal performances seamlessly move between soaring melodies, attitude-filled delivery and explosive intensity. The result is a track that feels equally at home in the pit, on festival stages and blasting through speakers at maximum volume.
Since emerging from Australia and New Zealand’s thriving heavy music scene, Banks Arcade have built a rapidly growing international audience through relentless touring and a genre-bending sound that fuses metalcore, alternative, electronic and hip-hop influences. The band has amassed millions of streams across digital platforms, toured internationally throughout Australia, North America, the UK and Europe, and shared stages with artists such as Northlane, ERRA, LANDMVRKS, Highly Suspect and The Plot In You. They have also appeared at renowned festivals including Download Festival and UNIFY, further cementing their reputation as one of heavy music’s most forward-thinking acts.
With its massive hooks, crushing grooves and undeniable replay value, ‘DON’T MISS’ is Banks Arcade at their most confident and addictive – a modern heavy anthem built to be played loud and remembered long after the night is over.
Catch the band live: 28.06.2026 I The Garage I Glasgow, UK 30.06.2026 I Think Tank? I Newcastle Upon Tine, UK 01.07.2026 I Hyde Park Book Club I Leeds, UK 02.07.2026 I 1865 I Southhampton, UK 03.07.2026 I Bedford Esquires I Bedford, UK 04.07.2026 I The Waterfront Studio I Norwich, UK 05.07.2026 I Patterns I Brighton, UK 07.07.2026 I The Black Heart I London, UK 10.07.2026 I 2000 Trees Festival I Cheltenham, UK
New Zealand heavy genre-blenders Banks Arcade have just kicked off their EU/UK Summer run, which was previously announced. A full list of confirmed shows and further info can be found below.
Banks Arcade live: 10-Jun: Naumann’s, Leipzig, Germany 11-Jun: Rock The people, Hradec Králové, Czechia 16-Jun: Kulturquartier, Stuttgart, Germany 17-Jun: Legord Club, Milan, Italy 18-Jun: Rockhouse Bar, Salzburg, Austria 19-Jun: Randal Club, Bratislava, Slovakia 21-Jun: Hype Park, Krakow, Poland 22-Jun: 2Progi, Poznan, Poland 24-Jun: FZW, Dortmund, Germany 25-Jun: MusicZentrum, Hannover, Germany 27-Jun: YES Basement, Manchester, United Kingdom 28-Jun: Garage Attic, Glasgow, United Kingdom 30-Jun: Think Tank, Newcastle, United Kingdom 01-Jul: Hyde Park Boot Club, Leeds, United Kingdom 02-Jul: The 1865, Southampton, United Kingdom 03-Jul: Esquires, Bedford, United Kingdom 04-Jul: Waterfront Studio, Norwich, United Kingdom 05-Jul: Patterns, Brighton, United Kingdom 07-Jul: The Black Heart, London, United Kingdom 10-Jul: 2000 Trees, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Banks Arcade recently unveiled their new single ‘ROCKSTAR’.
With ‘ROCKSTAR’, the band deliver a bold, adrenaline-fueled anthem driven by ambition, obsession and the hunger to rise above the chaos. Fusing crushing metalcore riffs with hip hop swagger, massive hooks and late-night studio energy, the track captures the mindset of chasing greatness while still feeling trapped at the bottom.
Fuelled by distorted visions, inner demons and relentless determination, ‘ROCKSTAR’ balances raw aggression with undeniable confidence. Between explosive guitars, hard-hitting rhythms and razor-sharp vocal delivery, Banks Arcade channel the emotional high of believing in yourself even when everything around you says otherwise. The massive chorus – “We’re just second place superstars” – turns frustration and burnout into an anthemic rally cry for anyone still fighting to make it out.
Lyrically, the band paint vivid pictures of sleepless nights, creative obsession and refusing to fold under pressure. Lines like “Late night in the studio I’m locked in” and “I’m so up right now / But I’m still at the bottom” perfectly capture the contradiction at the heart of the song: feeling unstoppable while still battling doubt, exhaustion and the fear of never truly arriving.
Since forming in 2017, Banks Arcade have steadily built international momentum through relentless touring across the UK and US, a rapidly growing global fanbase and a sound that seamlessly blends modern heavy music with hip hop, alternative and electronic influences. With ‘ROCKSTAR’, the band transform raw hunger into an explosive modern anthem built for loud speakers, dark nights and anyone refusing to give up on themselves.
With ‘ROCKSTAR’, New Zealand heavy genre-blenders Banks Arcade deliver a bold, adrenaline-fueled anthem driven by ambition, obsession and the hunger to rise above the chaos. Fusing crushing metalcore riffs with hip hop swagger, massive hooks and late-night studio energy, the track captures the mindset of chasing greatness while still feeling trapped at the bottom.
Fuelled by distorted visions, inner demons and relentless determination, ‘ROCKSTAR’ balances raw aggression with undeniable confidence. Between explosive guitars, hard-hitting rhythms and razor-sharp vocal delivery, Banks Arcade channel the emotional high of believing in yourself even when everything around you says otherwise. The massive chorus – “We’re just second place superstars” – turns frustration and burnout into an anthemic rally cry for anyone still fighting to make it out.
Lyrically, the band paint vivid pictures of sleepless nights, creative obsession and refusing to fold under pressure. Lines like “Late night in the studio I’m locked in” and “I’m so up right now / But I’m still at the bottom” perfectly capture the contradiction at the heart of the song: feeling unstoppable while still battling doubt, exhaustion and the fear of never truly arriving.
Since forming in 2017, Banks Arcade have steadily built international momentum through relentless touring across the UK and US, a rapidly growing global fanbase and a sound that seamlessly blends modern heavy music with hip hop, alternative and electronic influences. With ‘ROCKSTAR’, the band transform raw hunger into an explosive modern anthem built for loud speakers, dark nights and anyone refusing to give up on themselves.
Catch the band live:
June 10, 2026 I Naumanns (Felsenkeller Leipzig) I Leipzig, Germany June 14, 2026 I Chalk I Brighton, United Kingdom June 16, 2026 I Proton The Club I Stuttgart, Germany June 25, 2026 I Musikzentrum I Hannover, Germany July 10, 2026 I 2000trees Festival I Cheltenham, United Kingdom
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
