Single Slam: Paleface Swiss, Rise of the Northstar, Gaerea, The Fear, Night Thieves, Jessie Dipper, Ov Sulfur, Commuter, The Hara, Ashborn, Tempest Saint, Preyrs, and Hellripper!

Today’s single slam features Paleface Swiss, Rise of the Northstar, Gaerea, The Fear, Night Thieves, Jessie Dipper, Ov Sulfur, Commuter, The Hara, Ashborn, Tempest Saint, Preyrs, and Hellripper. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Paleface Swiss – Let Me Sleep

After surprise releasing their collaboration single ‘Instrument Of War (Ft. Stick To Your Guns)’, Switzerland’s unstoppable heavy export Paleface Swiss are back with another neck-breaking track: ‘Let Me Sleep’. The new single marks the official announcement of their upcoming EP ‘The Wilted’, set for release on 2nd January 2026.

Frontman Zelli reflects:

Do you know the feeling when you want to sleep but your head doesn’t allow it — maybe because you fear your dreams? Or do my dreams fear me? Sleep is so important to me, but sometimes my mind just won’t let me.

More Paleface Swiss is always a good thing, and the band’s feral side is on point again here. The scream of ‘let me sleep’ sounding the alarm for a manic and mental explosion of infectious heaviness. Paleface’s unique ability to deliver anthemic vibes mixed with aggressive and chaotic sounds is as sharp as ever. How aren’t they one of the biggest bands in the world already?

Rise of The Northstar – Falcon

With Rise of The Northstar set to release CHAPTER 04: RED FALCON SUPER BATTLE! NEO PARIS WAR!! on November 14th, 2025, the French iconic act unveils their final single from the album, ‘Falcon’.

Rise of The Northstar have well and truly created so much anticipation for this new record, and capping that off is one of their more straight-forward efforts. Albeit also one of their most energetic and anthemic, a track that you just know will slay live, especially when the chorus hits. Their ability to connect is undeniable, and often that comes in unique ways. This might not be the most ‘original’ sounding Rise of The Northstar have sounded, but it’s still really strong stuff. Check it out here.

Gaerea – Hellbound

After plunging into aquatic darkness with their August single ‘Submerged’, Portugal’s masked Gaerea are ‘Hellbound’, with their new single. Taken from their brand-new album, ‘Loss’ out March 20th, 2026.

The band comment:

’Hellbound’ is an intense and cathartic track, diving deep into themes of guilt, heartbreak, and self-destruction. With searing riffs and visceral vocals, it captures the tension between vulnerability and aggression, love and betrayal. Vivid imagery of fire, thorns, and restless ghosts amplifies its raw emotional weight, making it both haunting and empowering.

On course to be one of the biggest extreme metal bands in the world, Gaerea return sooner than expected and deliver another captivating slice of enigmatic and exciting blackened savagery. Highly artistic, there really isn’t much of a formula with Gaerea but their sound and style is becoming more recognisable, even as they experiment with how the intensity is delivered. Once again, they create a whirlwind of noise, but it’s one that sweeps the listener off their feet, disorientating but so satisfying.

The Fear – The End is the Start

Manchester alt-rock meets nu-metallers The Fear have had a fantastic debut year together. Several successful singles, major tours with main support slots to Alien Ant Farm and SNOT, and a very well regarded cover of James’ legendary Sit Down are just some of the highlights. To cap off their first full year together, The Fear have now released their debut EP, Falling Forward, featuring the track, The End Is The Start.

A highlight of a very cool EP, this focus track is sure to draw any fence sitters in, and all because it embodies the anthemic alternative excitability of this band. Delivering passion and power via head banging groove and fist pumping energy. The chorus is lovably huge. Check it out here.

Night Thieves – Obsidian

Coming at you from the heart of the nation’s capital, UK alt-metal powerhouse Night Thieves are set to release their highly anticipated debut album in Spring 2026—but first, they have just delivered a preview in the form of their brand new single and video, Obsidian.

It’s a long wait for the album, but it’s going to be worth it and as if anticipation wasn’t already high, along comes this potent alternative anthem with its hefty riffs, melodic hooks, and enthusiastic vocals. There’s nothing ground-breaking here, but that hardly matters when it’s such an addictive listen.

Jessie Dipper – Oxygen

Following the raw vulnerability of ‘I’m a Mess’, Jessie Dipper returns with the next instalment of her evolving sonic narrative: ‘Oxygen’ – a blistering, blues-soaked anthem that refuses to play nice. Drawing inspiration from Linkin Park’s emotional volatility, The White Stripes’ garage swagger, Muse’s theatrical tension, and The Black Keys’ bluesy bite.

Jessie says:

If I’m a Mess was the breakdown. Oxygen is the scream that follows.

Having wowed with I’m A Mess, it’s really cool to hear a whole different side to Jessie that proves to be just as addictive, least of all because of the swagger her vocals have. This is a funky, groovy, bluesy slice of addictive rock and pop that has a bit of a bite. Musically impressive, vocally memorable, and lyrically intense, it’s another undeniable banger from a very talented artist. Check it out here.

Ov Sulfur – Wither

On 16th January 2026, blackened deathcore quintet Ov Sulfur will release their sophomore album, Endless, via Century Media Records. The new single/video ‘Wither’ is out now. Where vocalist Ricky Hoover and guitarist/vocalist Chase Wilson split lead vocals on it since the song is about the passing of their grandparents, to whom it is dedicated (in addition to bassist Josh Bearden’s late father).

Oof, how powerful is this? Ov Sulfur’s evolution has suggested that something like this was coming, but even then, it surprises, in the most positive way. The first Ov Sulfur track to feature only clean singing, and for good reason. Yet, that doesn’t diminish the intensity, it’s just coming from a different, extremely heartfelt place. Check it out here.

Commuter – Guilt Beats Hate

Athens based noise-punk band Commuter have released the brand-new single ‘Guilt Beats Hate’. The track will be featured on the band’s forthcoming sophomore album.

Post-hardcore with a punk edge, this new Commuter single comes at the listener in a barrage of ugly, but addictive, noise. Wild and very uncouth, but delivered with the kind of composure and intensity that screams talent. It has got a familiarity about it, but on the flip side, is wholly unique too. Check it out here.

The Hara – Violence (feat. Bethany Hunter Jiménez of As December Falls)

The Hara have revealed their brand-new single ‘Violence’ featuring As December Falls vocalist Bethany Hunter Jiménez. The single drops ahead of their October-November UK tour with As December Falls.

The single is the latest cut from their upcoming album, The Fallout, released on 23 January via Mascot Records.

As if a new track from The Hara wasn’t enough to get excited, here’s Bethany from the excellent As December Falls too, and together, they make dazzling and refreshing music. The vocals really do complement each other, and the instrumentation keeps things peppy, giving us an easy to enjoy track that is kept tight and short. Perfect.

Tour dates

30 Oct – Electric Ballroom, London, UK
31 Oct – Project House, Leeds, UK
1 Nov – Rock City, Nottingham, UK
2 Nov – O2 Ritz, Manchester, UK
5 Nov – SWX, Bristol, UK
6 Nov – Garage, Glasgow, UK

Ashborn – Medusa (…until I win)

Ashborn are 4-piece groove metal band from Birmingham whose latest single, ‘Medusa’, is out now.

Not every single covered here needs to be brand-new, as this Ashborn track is about a month old and has not been getting the attention it deserves. Why does it deserve more? Simple, it’s class head banging groove metal with heavy riffs, hooks-aplenty, and snarling vocals. Punchy as hell. Check it out here.

Tempest Saint – The Cursed

Rising UK metal crew Tempest Saint continue their ascent with the release of their thunderous new video for the track, The Cursed, which is out now.

Guitarist James O’Connor explains the track’s message:

‘The Cursed’ is about the feeling of belonging — being part of a genre that’s no longer mainstream and longing for a bygone era. To deliver that message, we drew inspiration from the artists we grew up with: Maiden, Priest, Ozzy, and Tygers of Pan Tang.

No nonsense heavy metal filled with vigour, delivered with belief, and with just a touch of expressive flair to make Tempest Saint stand out from the pack. Call it ‘old school’ if you want, but that’s a disservice to a band delivering their own brand of kick ass metal. 

Preyrs – Into the Blue

Preyrs, a visceral new force in alternative rock and metal, release their new single ‘Into the Blue’, from their debut album, The Wounded Healer, out 14th November via Pelagic Records.

Vocalist Amy Montgomery comments:

‘Into The Blue’ is empathy, anger, passion and an observation of senseless loss of life.

So, what delights does Preyrs have to offer us this time? How about something with a touch of melancholic drama? Something that turns subtle melody into something downright epic sounding? This latest effort from the dominating band proves unequivocally that variety is a key component of who they are, turning excitement for this album into something more akin to feverish demand. It’s a very cool track. Check it out here.

Hellripper – Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite)

Recently signed to Century Media Records worldwide, Scotland’s ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastards of Hades otherwise known as Hellripper return with a brand-new single entitled ‘Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite)’.

Hellripper’s mastermind, guitarist/vocalist and songwriter James McBain checked in with the following comment:

‘Kinchyle’ is the McBain clan’s war cry and a fitting first glimpse at the upcoming album.

Lyrically, the track was inspired by my experience growing up in the North-East of Scotland in Aberdeen (the Granite City), and reflects on what it’s like to feel trapped in a certain environment. I wanted to show a side of Scotland that is not necessarily the magical “postcard” that a lot of people picture when thinking of the country.

Musically, the track is very “Hellripper-sounding”, and is the most “rocking” song that I’ve written in quite a while, though there are a few new elements in there that I had fun experimenting with. The track was influenced by the likes of Tank, Running Wild and Motörhead, as well as bands such as Opeth and Witherscape.

All in all, a very personal song both in terms of lyrics and musical influences. Hope you enjoy it… All Hail the Goat!

Hellripper with some groove, but fear not head bangers, it’s certainly not far removed from what we normally expect from the blackened thrashers and in that regard, it slays. However, there is no denying the anthemic touch that the track has. Sure, it’s delivered with garish intensity, but the chorus is kind of catchy. A very interesting development, and one that doesn’t feel odd. More of this please.