Single Slam: Halestorm, Ice Nine Kills, Fury, Green Carnation, Mother Vulture, Assurance, Blacklist Union, Vanitas, Justice for the Damned, Rain City Drive, Millpool, Bleed Again, Yellowcard, ERRA, and The Pretty Wild!

Today’s single slam features Halestorm, Ice Nine Kills, Fury, Green Carnation, Mother Vulture, Assurance, Blacklist Union, Vanitas, Justice for the Damned, Rain City Drive, Millpool, Bleed Again, Yellowcard, ERRA, and The Pretty Wild. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Halestorm – Rain Your Blood on Me

Hot on the heels of their show-stopping performance of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Perry Mason’ at Black Sabbath’s final show over the weekend, Halestorm have now dropped new song ‘Rain Your Blood on Me’, debuted live in that short set.

‘Rain Your Blood on Me’ follows ‘Darkness Always Wins’ and title track ‘Everest’ as the third song revealed from the GRAMMY Award winning band’s album out August 8th via Atlantic Records.

Says Lzzy Hale:

‘Rain Your Blood on Me’ is our ode to women. The crawl, the climb, the clenching of fists, the screaming of sirens, the breaking of glass – this is our war cry. As a woman, surrounded by my allies, Arejay, Joe, and Josh, we put everything we’ve fought for up until this moment into this opus. The music started with the stomping of feet at 3 in the morning, with a chant of ‘Rain Your Blood on Me.’ We weren’t even sure what that title meant in the moment as we watched the sky crack through the eerie Spanish moss in Savannah, Georgia. But we knew it was right. By 11:30 AM the poem I had written had seemed to form itself like a story waiting to be told.

We may not win the war in our lifetime, but we can pass the torch to our daughters so that they may light the way.

Up and up, Halestorm rise onward in inspiring fashion and this latest single from the new album might the best so far. Not only because it rocks hard (and it really does), but because it has got some interesting twists to the Halestorm formula. It’s a powerful showcase of Lzzy’s range, but the tempo shifts, and tone changes are what fascinate the most. It’s a heavyweight banger that shows versatility.

Ice Nine Kills – The Great Unknown

RIAA Gold-Certified horror metal madmen Ince Nine Kills unleash ‘The Great Unknown’, a hard-hitting, high-concept single and video finds the band stepping into the glitching heart of dystopian sci-fi inspired by The Matrix.

A more melodic Ice Nine Kills, albeit one as anthemic as always, this new single is likable enough, especially as it suggests that, maybe, they’re not going to run the ‘horror metal’ thing into the ground and can branch out. Even if a song inspired by The Matrix doesn’t exactly scream ‘modern relevancy’. Still, it’s likable and the chorus does get stuck in the brain. Check it out here.

Fury – What’s It Gonna Be?

Blazing forward with a fresh vocal dynamic, ‘What’s It Gonna Be?’, the new single taken from the upcoming album ‘Interceptor’, is a mission statement from British heavy rockers Fury.

A powerhouse rock tune that is riff heavy, groove-infused, and unbelievably dynamic sounding, which might sound ‘par for the course’ with Fury, until you hear just how much tighter they’re becoming. This is them nailing their sound, pushing the best parts of it to the forefront, and really letting the vocals do some heavy lifting. It’s a huge and highly memorable track.

Green Carnation – In Your Paradise

Green Carnation are back, releasing the opening chapter, ‘In Your Paradise’, of the prog auteurs long-awaited album trilogy, ‘A Dark Poem, Part I: The Shores of Melancholia’.

Pretty and morose, but with heavy impact, Green Carnation’s style of metal is as electric and eclectic as ever on this new single. One that has cinematic dignity, a darkness running through it like a thick vein, and a surprising number of hooky moments. Least of all a very cool flute solo! Check it out here.

Mother Vulture – Treadmill

Fresh off the back of their well-received January offering, ‘Slow Down’, comes the next taste of new-look Mother Vulture. ‘Treadmill’ has arrived alongside a DIY music video.

Drummer Matt West had this to say:

It’s right at the limit of my physical ability. We were writing it in the practice room, and it felt great but when we went to the studio to track the final version it suddenly felt super quick. I asked for the bpm to be taken back 5, but it still felt way too fast. But we just persevered and we got the take. I found out later that Brodie (guitar) had asked the engineer to put it up by 10. It ended up something like 30 bpm quicker than the demo!

A fast, intense, and adrenaline pumping blast of heavy rock that seems so simple at first but quickly showcases more experimental thinking that results in a much more compelling listen. You can let loose to this one, and it’s encouraged, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t layers that will keep you coming back time and time again to unpeel them.

Assurance – Entropy

Birmingham-based DIY metallers Assurance have shared the very first taste of their brand-new era in ‘Entropy’, led by recent inductee Cuba Stanley, who has joined the group as their new lead vocalist.

A powerful blast of modern metal that combines daring electronica with delightful melody and darkened heaviness, Assurance’s return is a big one. If that wasn’t enough though, it’s also an anthemic return that will draw more listeners to them. At first, excited by the catchiness, but soon, enamoured by the detail. Check it out here.

Blacklist Union – Up in Smoke

Blacklist Union are back with their latest single, ‘Up in Smoke,’ which follows hot on the heels of previous single ‘Mississippi Moonhound.’ It is the second single from their upcoming sixth studio album, ‘Slay the Dragon’, set for release in September.

Tony West, the main man of Blacklist Union, explains that:

‘Up In Smoke’ is about living in the moment… which is really hard to do. Not hanging onto your past and your trauma. Staying in the moment. I tell my kids that it’s the present, because if you can stay in the moment, it’s a gift.

There’s a real sense now that Blacklist Union are reenergised and refocused and that this new album might be one of their best yet. Especially when they’re grooving like this. Releasing a moody, but powerful, sounding track with strong riffs, grungy vocals, and a chorus that is so easy to sing along to. It’s another banger, straight up.

Vanitas – Eclipse

Cinematic djent band Vanitas have released their brand-new single, ‘Eclipse’ and announced their brand-new EP, ‘Journey to the Sun’. A concept release exploring themes of adventure, hope, hardship, and triumph. The EP will be released in August 2025.

Woo Hoo! A new EP, but first, another mighty track from one of the hottest bands in the UK now. A track that is Vanitas in a heavier, more intense mood, both instrumentally and vocally, but also Vanitas delivering another of their trademark massive chouses. Though it must be said that this one is more hyperactive, and with that comes a wildness that gets the heart racing. No complaints, it’s a track you can head bang too, but also one that comes with exciting layers of complexity. It’s brilliant. Check it out here.

Justice for the Damned – Clawing Wounds (feat. Taylor Barber of Left to Suffer)

Sydney metal heavyweights Justice for the Damned share their frantic new single ‘Clawing Wounds’, featuring Taylor Barber of Left to Suffer, off their long-awaited upcoming album, ‘Stay Relentless’, out August 15 via Greyscale Records.

‘Clawing Wounds’ is a shift for the band, diving deeper into chaos with a more frenzied and volatile energy than heard previously. Says the band:

We wanted to try on a sonic vibe that was a bit different to the rest of the record, at least in the first half of the song. Clawing Wounds showcases a chaotic and frantic side of Justice that we haven’t really tapped into before.

A short and sharp assault of speed and noise that is borderline nonsensical, from a heaviness perspective, but one that will put a big smile on the faces of those who like their metal to come with some real bite. It’s intense, but lovably so. Check it out here.

Rain City Drive – Ride or Die

Rain City Drive are back and ready to captivate listeners with their new anthem ‘Ride or Die’, out now via Thriller Records. The track arrives complete with a music video that captures the powerful feeling of finding that one person you want to build a life with, your ultimate partner in everything.

Explains vocalist Matt McAndrew:

‘Ride Or Die’ is about falling for someone you want to spend your life with. It’s about devotion and loyalty.

A cute and smile inducing rock tune that stands out from the pack because of a more robust instrumental section and how much passion Rain City Drive pour into it. If that wasn’t enough though, it’s extremely catchy, and the chorus is proof of that. You don’t have to love this track, but you should find it impossible to dislike.

Millpool – High Speed Pursuit

Millpool aren’t just another guitar band. Channelling the intricate, driving grooves of Slint, the hard-blowing saxophone melodies of Shabaka Hutchings and yearning, full-throated vocals of Title Fight, the London-based group have unleashed their frantic debut single ‘High Speed Pursuit’ via XVI Records. It’s the first single lifted from their forthcoming EP ‘One Last Midnight’, due for release in October 2025.

A little bit weird, but a whole lot of wonderful, Millpool’s debut single is such an attention grabber and not just because of its rawer rock sound, one that comes from an experimental place and with just a dash of punk sensibilities. No, what helps it stand out is the use of a saxophone, helping create a whole new sonic landscape that everyone will want to explore, even if it is just once. Check it out here.

Bleed Again – Black Heart

Following on from the success of their recent single ‘Obsession’, Brighton metalcore mainstays Bleed Again are bringing us a very different follow up. Known for their punishing brand of metalcore, Bleed Again’s new single ‘Black Heart’ will turn everything you’ve heard previously on its head.

Says Bleed Again frontman James Dawson:

Black Heart is likely our most experimental track even though some could say it sounds the most simple. We really wanted to have a softer song, building towards an anthemic ending. We had the pleasure of talking to some fans over the last couple of years at shows and they have expressed how our songs and lyrics resonate with them. For a band our size, that’s quite humbling. We wanted to give them something to really grab hold of and keep as their own and we hope Black Heart is exactly that. The theme of the song still sits in that realm of life’s struggle’s but we feel it’s ambiguous enough for people to relate to personally.

Meanwhile, guitarist Sam Jones wanted to add the following:

After our album Resurgence, we wanted to experiment a little with our next few songs. Push the extremes in different ways and ‘Black Heart’ carries on with that focus in mind. It’s no secret we love a big chorus, and this song was a chance to try and strip things back as well as keep that Bleed Again staple!

Lyrically the song was written from a place of hurt if I’m perfectly honest, being in a dark place, having to acknowledge this and remember the reason you wake up every day. Of course, as any song the lyrics are up for interpretation and vague enough that I hope people can also find their own meaning and connect to it as much as we have when writing it!

Who doesn’t love it when a band steps out of their comfort zone and showcases an exciting new side to themselves? Which is certainly something Bleed Again have done here and done so with mighty aplomb. It might polarise initially but one listen, and even the most pig-headed of fans will fall in love with this. The melodies are gorgeous throughout, the vocals are powerful, and it culminates in incredible fashion. It’s an awesome track.

Yellowcard – Take What You Want

Alt rock favourites Yellowcard have released ‘Take What You Want’ with an accompanying music video showcasing footage taken during the band’s recent tours in Japan, Australia and Europe. It is the third new song from the group’s forthcoming studio album ‘Better Days’ out worldwide on October 10th.

Old school Yellowcard with a ton of alternative rock pep, this new single has a strong whiff of nostalgia but is so anthemic, it doesn’t feel dated in the process. It is Yellowcard at their focused best and that is always a joy to behold. It will be stuck in the head for hours afterwards. Check it out here.

ERRA – Gore of Being

Prolific metalcore progressives ERRA return with their first taste of new music since 2024’s critically acclaimed CURE, in the form of new single, ‘Gore of Being’.

ERRA share:

‘Gore of Being’ started as an idea that Clint brought into the studio and marks his first songwriting contribution to the band. Lyrically, ‘Gore of Being’ turned out to be a musing on mortality. Despite not writing the lyrics, Clint later had a conversation with Jesse connecting the serendipity between the lyrics and the working title Clint had for the instrumental, which related to his dad’s sudden and tragic passing. The song’s context took a new shape from there, becoming a catharsis and being that much more special to the band.

ERRA’s evolution has been something to behold, and you can really tell that the band are more confident than ever now. Which results in modern metal anthems like this. Where a heavy bite meets a strong melodic growl, and everyone wins. It’s such a powerful effort, least of all from a vocal perspective, where the transition from guttural to clean is done so well. ERRA are back and the world better watch out. Check it out here.

The Pretty Wild – living ded

Rising metaphysical metalcore powerhouse The Pretty Wild have unleashed their new track ‘living ded’ and the accompanying official video (via Sumerian Records).

Speaking about today’s release, Jules Wylde shares:

‘living ded’ is about reclaiming power through an intense and seemingly unbeatable struggle. When you’re dragged to your darkest depths, almost into existential collapse, and you find yourself suspended in this kind of weird liminal space. Some choose to stay there, but others self-realise the suffering, refuse to disappear, and choose to rise again as something new raw, almost ghostly or unkillable. You can hear that resurrection point in the lyric ‘in death we wake’.

‘Living ded’ is about the death of the projection society built to contain you in. It’s for the moment you realise the world insidiously shapes people through subconscious dynamics into masks they begin to mistake for who they are. The vampiric theme interwoven in “living ded” addresses the fact paradoxically that we’re all parasites in each other’s myth. We feed off validation, guilt, and projection until the self rots into shape. And we do it to ourselves. That’s the part no one wants to take accountability for.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but The Pretty Wild have dropped another absolute belter of a track. One that combines the best of modern melodic metal with crunchy heavier bursts of ‘core’ intensity, then pours on a thick layer of alternative vibes and pop infusions. They’re one of the best to do it, and that this track has some added drama in the latter half, just makes it even better.