Single Slam: Paleface Swiss, Heavensgate, 1986, Defences, Krooked Tongue, Second Cities, 601, and Lord of the Lost!

Today’s single slam features Paleface Swiss, Heavensgate, 1986, Defences, Krooked Tongue, Second Cities, 601, and Lord of the Lost. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Paleface Swiss – Instrument of War (feat. Stick to Your Guns)

It hasn’t been long since Paleface Swiss kicked off 2025 with their breakthrough album ‘Cursed’, shortly followed by ‘CURSED – The Complete Edition’ including the brand-new track ‘I Am a Cursed One’. Now, after a successful and diverse year across Europe, the U.S., Australia, and Mexico, the band is already back with their next track. Following more than 35,000 tickets sold in the U.S., it almost seemed inevitable that between Swiss cheese and American buns, the next step would be a massive European tour spanning from Ireland to Spain, once again together with Stick to Your Guns.

During their joint US tour, Zelli and Jesse Barnett took the chance to sit down and write a song together. That song became ‘Instrument of War’, recorded in the studio alongside manager and producer Marco Bayati.

The title ‘Instrument of War’ was inspired by a Pablo Picasso quote that Jesse Barnett shared with the band during tour:

No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy.

We both felt like we related to this quote. Our music isn’t just some shit to put on in the background. It’s something real that comes from a real place and it’s meant to attack the things that divide us and defend all the things that bring us together.

What a collaboration! Paleface Swiss and Stick to Your Guns combining their talents to deliver something fiery and groovy, probably the most anthemic track of the former and the most intense of latter. Featuring plenty of that Paleface ferocity, plenty of Guns’ metalcore bounce, and plenty that combines the best of both styles. The chorus is very infectious.

Heavensgate – Petrichor

Visceral in both name and nature, Melbourne’s Heavensgate return with something to prove. The rising metal outfit have unveiled their new single ‘Petrichor’ and announced their anticipated sophomore EP ‘A Heart Is a Heavy Burden’, out 24th October via Greyscale Records & Pure Noise Records.

Says the band:

This song helps bridge the gap between some of our older material that fans grew fond of whilst introducing them to a fresh take on those ideas. We’ve grown a lot as a band and so have our tastes, this single perfectly encapsulates that and shows how much our sound has matured.

Cold, methodical, featuring gazey guitar melody and dreamy vocals, the first half of this new Heavensgate track is potent, and then it starts to ‘heavy’ up. The development is really natural sounding, and it evolves the track impressively. It’s a huge Heavensgate track, and one of their best. Check it out here.

1986 – Black Mirror

‘Black Mirror’ is the brand-new single from UK crossover act, 1986.

Says the band:

Black Mirror is the dark side of human nature, a reflection of spite, rage and self-loathing, feeling like you’re about to split in two with one taking control.

An addictive, but harsh, showcase of death-infused sludge crossed with hardcore noise, 1986’s new single is an ugly sounding track. The instrumental intensity and shouted vocals have an almost industrial sound, and the track oozes dark and twisted atmosphere. It’s really off-putting, but there’s something so damn addictive about it too. Check it out here.

Defences – Lithium Kiss

Defences, the Hertfordshire, UK, alternative metal band, have released their brand-new song and video, ‘Lithium Kiss’.

Says the band:

The inspiration for ‘Lithium Kiss’ came from one of our members’ personal experience being prescribed the mood-stabiliser Lithium for a couple of years, and the frustrations and difficulties that came along with the benefits,” comment Defences. “When treatment stopped, rather than feeling like before, there was instead a feeling of being almost hyper-rational, rather than feeling like they could react instinctively and naturally. ‘Lithium Kiss’ is NOT about not taking your medication and taking care of yourself and we would never want it to come across that way. It’s instead a crystallization of a paranoia that we are consumed by illness and treatment, adversity and reconciliation. The Lithium Kiss is our way of referring to this relationship, the symbiotic necessity for difficulty to bring about individual growth, whilst ensuring that it does not come to consume you.

I’d say about time, but I’m still rocking out to their excellent ‘Shadowlight’ album, such is the staying power of that record. Still, I’m not complaining about getting new music, and this is the alternative metal band at their absolute best. Filled with energy, experimenting in clever ways with electronica and synth, hitting anthemic highs, and metal lows, it’s another brilliant effort from a criminally underrated band.

Krooked Tongue – Drugstore Cowboy

Bristol rock trio Krooked Tongue’s debut studio album ‘I Know a Place’ will be arriving on April 24th, 2026, and the album’s next single ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is out now.

On the single’s subject matter, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford explains:

There’s this movie from the 80’s called ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ with Matt Dillon and I remember watching it for the first time and just soaking in its atmosphere and attitude. It has a ton of 80’s charm that I figured would be a really cool subject to translate into a song. It’s chaotic and brash but at its heart there’s a relatable message. In the pursuit of our own needs, we can often disregard reality. It’s about a man who will do anything for a rush no matter the consequences, and despite this, is thoughtful and aware enough to know that he is the way he is. You might not like it, but you gotta respect it. There’s a diving peace in knowing your downfalls, and ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is a tune that throws its arms wide open, falls backwards and trusts whatever decision fate casts upon us. ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is a gunslinging, store raiding soliloquy that acknowledges what it means to truly live in the moment. Being the main character in your own story, even without knowing how that story will end.

A band that can do very little wrong in my eyes, brings us another anthemic banger with this new single. One with fuzzier rock rhythms, punchy percussion, and smooth, sing-along vocals. It’s as unique as ever, but recognisably Krooked Tongue thanks to its infectious qualities. The chorus alone is foot-tapping and finger-snapping gold. Check it out here.

Second Cities – Sacred

Second Cities, the Birmingham, UK based alternative rock and metal band, follow-up previous single (and video), ‘Divide’ with the brand-new song, ‘Sacred’. Taken from their new album, ‘Secrets’, which is set for release in November 2025. It is the second chapter in a four-part visual saga.

It continues to be so cool to see just how far Second Cities have come and to see all their hard work come to fruition. This latest track, alongside its compelling video, shows off a heavier and darker side to the band, albeit warped by their memorable alternative and emo-tinged ways. Big riffs, varied vocals, thumping drumbeats, and a powerful chorus confirms this as another banger, but it’s a bit of classy cinema and a hyperactive shift near the end that adds the golden touch.

601 – Sleeper Cell (feat. Arian Malekpour of Hidden Mothers)

601 have returned with their second new single ‘Sleeper Cell’ (feat. Arian Malekpour/Hidden Mothers). This is the second new single to be released from the electronic duos upcoming LP ‘We Are Not the Same’, which is due for release on November 7th via SeeHear Recordings.

On ‘Sleeper Cell’ the band have teamed up with fellow music visionary Arian Malekpour from the rising melodic hardcore band Hidden Mothers.

Says George Miller:

I’ve known Arian and Hidden Mothers for quite some time now and one day the subject of breakbeat music came up and it turned out we’d played a few of his haunts in Sheffield back in the day. So we hatched a plan to do something that fused the most post rock side of what he does in Hidden Mothers with a spaced-out breakbeat vibe. We upped the tempo to 160 BPM to keep it fast paced and techy.

We hope this will appeal to the kind of person who enjoys fusing post rock with electronic elements.

The unique features of 601 and their highly experimental ways dominate here, and that’s no bad thing, but if manic breakbeat that has a woozy feel isn’t quite your jam, this immersive track comes with a side of post rock to add even more atmosphere to it. Hidden Mothers are incredible, but you already know that, and to hear the two sides comes together in such a clever way, is pleasing. Check it out here.

Lord of the Lost – One of Us Will Be Next

Lord of the Lost break out into yet another new direction with ‘One of Us Will Be Next’, the latest single from their upcoming studio album OPVS NOIR Vol. 2, out 12th December 2025 via Napalm Records.

Chris Harms comments on ‘One of Us Will Be Next’:

In the middle of a concert last year, I suddenly realized: one of us in this venue will be the next to go. On their way home that night, a few weeks later, maybe in a couple of months or years. But inevitably, one of us will be the next to die, and we will never come together again in the exact same constellation. The same goes for every family gathering, every party with friends, and even time spent as a couple. ‘One Of Us Will Be Next’ is a plea not to dwell on the past or search for happiness in a better future, but to be grateful for every moment, the present, and the company we find ourselves in at any given time—and to meet people with that very awareness. Because every word could be our last, at any moment.

A sweet-sounding track that oozes emotion, delivered with conviction by a band who excel at creating this kind of connection to the listener. It’s a highly accessible track, like most Lord of the Lost tracks, and that is why they continue to rise and rise, even if this isn’t the most inspired track the band has released. It’s got really nice melody, nice lyrics, and is nicely sung though, so I can’t be too hard on it.