Single Slam: Forlorn, Chairmaker, Withered Land, New Miserable Experience, Märvel, Satan Therapist, The Last Bastion, GHOLD, 601, Port Noir, Blank Atlas, and Distant!

Today’s single slam features Forlorn, Chairmaker, Withered Land, New Miserable Experience, Märvel, Satan Therapist, The Last Bastion, GHOLD, 601, Port Noir, Blank Atlas, and Distant. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Forlorn – Let Them Run

UK metal outfit, Forlorn are back with ‘Let Them Run’, their first new single since debut album, Aether. The track explores the ‘witch wound’ – the fear of embracing one’s power and inner truth. This psychic wound is connected to the ‘Burning Times’; a period in time where tens of thousands of people were persecuted for being suspected witches. To this day, there are still modern-day forms of witch trails in places such as India, Zambia and Ghana.

Speaking of the new single, vocalist Megan Jenkins shares:

I think that in some form or another, I’ve spent a large portion of my life afraid to be my true self from fear of not fitting in or being misunderstood by my school friends, my co-workers or acquaintances. For years, I wouldn’t tell people that I was a witch or into heavy music and there were extensive periods within my school years where I was bullied or shunned for being “other”. ‘Let Them Run’ lyrically and visually tells that story and, in a sense, mirrors my personal character arc and how I’m learning to overcome that, reclaim my power and step into my true form. With all that being said, there are moments in my adult life that challenge that, that make me retreat within myself and remind me that that witch wound is still very much there. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by family, friends and band mates that celebrate me for who I am and encourage me to be my authentic self, because I know that there are so many individuals that are afraid to step out of the broom closet from fear of judgment or rejection.

Forlorn are bloody great, and then they go and drop something like this. A track that is mesmerising, haunting, downright savage, and utterly addictive. A track on par with the best that ‘Aether’ had to offer, and a track that shows a more developed side to the band. Evolving the ‘folk horror’ aspect into something darker, more twisted, and deeper. As the first track from the next stage of this band, it delivers, and then some. They’re really are bloody great.

Chairmaker – Loud, Confident, and Wrong

Grinding noise mongers Chairmaker have released their new single ‘Loud, Confident, and Wrong’. It is the third track taken from their upcoming debut LP ‘Leviathan Carcass’, out November 14th.

Says Chairmaker:

Another track indebted to crusty Nordic d-beat and grind. Loud, Confident and Wrong takes aim at the swaggering idiots of the misinformation age. An ode to the self-assuredly clueless — the meme-schooled “researchers” who sneer at experts while parroting half-digested conspiracy sludge and crypto-sage nonsense. A search for a relief valve amid the frustration of watching blustering mediocrity outshout competence and intellectual brick walls wishing themselves into philosophers.

I am really digging the craziness and chaotic nature of Chairmaker, and this latest single doesn’t f**k around in the slightest. One of the fastest and most intense tracks I’ve heard all year, it’s absolutely savage, and it puts a silly smile on my face. Chairmaker is raging, choking on the bile of fury, yet still manages to make a track like this, and in less than a minute and half, listenable, likable, and relatable. Check it out here.

Withered Land – Echoes from the Barrow-Downs

Withered Land, the epic atmospheric black metal project from Olga Kann, has released ‘Echoes from the Barrow-Downs’, a new single and music video. Described by Olga as:

A Tolkien-inspired folk metal song from an upcoming ethnic metal album for connoisseurs of authentic music and ethereal fantasy atmosphere. Everything was recorded live using ethnic instruments (kantele, tagelharpa, flutes, percussion).

Olga Kann is a mighty talent, and the music created with Withered Land continues to be infinitely appealing, even when it takes on a more ethereal and dramatically melodic form. It’s very creative, feeling suitably pagan and delivering a bevy of folk sounds and atmospheres. A haunting experience that stays with you long afterwards. Check it out here.

New Miserable Experience – Payback from God

New Miserable Experience, featuring an all-star cast with members of Rosetta, Revocation, Model Prisoner and Rivers of Nihil, return with new single – the hard-hitting ‘Payback from God’. It’s the first glimpse of the band’s new album, coming 23rd January via Pelagic Records.

I really don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this. I’m not even sure how to accurately describe it. A blend of over-produced synth-wave blended with a retro new-wave style that I found so damn addictive. It really got under my skin, and I found myself listening to it over and over again, yet I’m still not sure if it’s a great track. They have my attention though, and I think they’ll get yours too.

Märvel – A Beautiful Corpse

Swedish power trio Märvel returns with ‘A Beautiful Corpse’, a darkly anthemic reflection on the quiet panic of growing older — and the stubborn will to keep fighting. It is the third single off of Märvel’s upcoming album, ‘Brain Drain Diaries’.

Explains the band:

A Beautiful Corpse is about the fears we collect like souvenirs as adulthood turns into middle age. Illness, the safety of our kids, the chaos of the world — it all piles up until you start wondering if you’re fading away or still fighting. This track doesn’t surrender. If we’re going down, we might as well go down looking good — a beautiful corpse.

Loud, anthemic, and smile-inducing… it can only be Märvel and the rockers have a punchy and exciting effort for us all to enjoy here. One with a potent message that just about everyone can relate to in one way or another. Sing, scream, shake your hips, bang your head, move your feet, tap your fingers, whatever works for you, Märvel has the song to encourage it all here. Check it out here.

Satan Therapist – Witch Piss

Satan Therapist, the purveyors of heavy-groove, prog infused stoner metal, have released their highly anticipated first single, ‘Witch Piss’.

Says frontman and bassist, Lucas Segall:

This stanky little number is sure to set the vibe right to cap off a spooky October. With its haunting intro that builds up to an evil cacophony, you know that nothing is quite going to be ok ever again!

A debut song to remember, Satan Therapist don’t just bring the hefty riffs and stoner groove, they also bring a sinister edge and a heavier intensity that helps make the track stand out for all the right reasons. As it goes on and it starts to expand into more progressive territories, we really get to hear the breadth and depth to their sound, and it’s very exciting. Check it out here.

The Last Bastion – Legion of the Damned

Rising UK heavy metal force, The Last Bastion have dropped their thunderous new single and video, ‘Legion of the Damned’.

Beginning in heavy, chuggy and chunky fashion, it seems as though we’re in for a traditional heavy metal effort, and then the accelerator is stepped on and suddenly we’re listening to something with a fair bit more groove. It’s very cool sounding, especially as the riffs and drums are still really thick sounding, except now we have these gruff, powerful vocals too. It’s a mighty sounding banger.

GHOLD – Place To Bless A Shadow

Place To Bless A Shadow is the new single from UK doom metal stalwarts GHOLD. It comes from their forthcoming album (and first in six years) Bludgeoning Simulations – out Nov 14th via Human Worth.

Ten minutes of the most enigmatic and experimental music heard in some time. Where genre-bending takes on a whole new form and the listener is left feeling cold all over. While it is a track of two halves, each leaves an impression in a different way. The first half is downright haunting, in a disconcerting drone/noise way. Whereas the second half takes on a more notable doom-infused form, riffs and all. It is exceptionally challenging, but it also leaves such an impression. Genius or madness? Decide for yourself. Check it out here.

601 – You Need This (feat. DeathCollector)

601, the electronic duo, have now dropped the third single ‘You Need This’, from their upcoming LP, ‘We Are Not The Same’, which is due for release on November 7th via SeeHear Recordings. The new single features the vocals of Kieran Scott of DeathCollector.

Says 601’s George Miller:

You Need This was one of the first tracks we wrote for the album, we had one objective and that was to put down the most disgusting bass line that we could.

This is also a nod to our shared love of hard techno and EBM, Nat in particular is a fan of labels like Tresor and artists like Jeff Mills and Surgeon, and my love of all things heavy is well documented.

I knew I wanted an equally menacing vocal and Kieran Scott of DeathCollector was exactly the right man for the job.

Worlds colliding in unforgettable fashion, 601’s ability to create uniquely heavy sounds through EDM continues to amaze, and here, the duo team up with someone well-versed in the ways of metal, Kieran Scott of DeathCollector. I love what he brings to this track, but I also love how techno this one sounds. I didn’t listen to a lot of this kind of music growing up so I can’t quite compare eras, but it really does give off strong and dark retro vibes to me. I’m into it. Check it out here.

Port Noir – Redshift

After a three-year hiatus, Swedish alternative rock outfit Port Noir make a powerful return with their brand-new single “Redshift”, released via InsideOutMusic. This marks the band’s first new music since 2022 and their official comeback to the progressive label InsideOutMusic.

The band comments on the new single:

We’re thrilled to finally share our new single ‘Redshift’. It’s heavier, darker and pulsing with raw intensity, capturing our renewed energy and creative drive. With ‘Redshift’, we wanted to create something that hits harder than anything we’ve done before but still carries the melodic tension and atmosphere that define Port Noir.

It’s both a reflection and a rebirth. It’s a bridge between where we’ve been and where we’re going, a reset and a push forward.

‘Redshift’ sets the tone for what’s to come.

Welcome back Port Noir, and luckily for us, they’re back with one hell of a mighty track. One that shows they’ve not been resting on their laurels in their time away. They’re evolving, and dragging the alternative scene, kicking and screaming, forward. Big riffs, dreamy vocals, haunting melodies, and a chorus that creeps into the brain matter, what more could you ask for?

Blank Atlas – Leave My Life Behind

After a standout set at this year’s 2000trees festival, Bristol’s harmony-fuelled heavyweights, Blank Atlas return with ‘Leave My Life Behind’, a track about finding peace in letting go. The single arrives as the band gear up for their co-headline tour across the UK and Ireland this November, alongside The Last Vinci.

Speaking about the track, guitarist Dan Thould says:

Leave My Life Behind was written during a pretty sad time – a time when I felt like I wanted to leave everything behind instead of facing up to what was happening to me, and the effect it was having on my life. Rationally, we all know that’s a terrible idea – but at the time, leaving my life behind sounded more and more enticing by the minute.

A staggeringly good track, Blank Atlas’ ability to sound so emotional, so passionate, and so damn anthemic never fails to amaze, and this is up there as one of their best. A really potent effort that puts a wry smile on the face, encourages those willing to sing along, and has enough ‘oomph’ to get dance floors moving too. I love it. Check it out here.

Distant – Desolation

Just a few days prior to starting another brutal touring cycle, Dutch/Slovakian downtempo/deathcore band Distant are releasing a new song and video for ‘Desolation’ (edit & camera: Bart Sperling) that comes with a trigger warning – viewer discretion is advised. Watch the video here.

The band comments:

’Desolation’ marks the most aggressive and intense chapter of our sound to date. After months of reinventing our songwriting approach, we built a brand-new digital guitar amp from the ground up and handled the entire mix and master ourselves to push our sound to the limit. The result is raw, heavy, and uncompromising, a perfect vessel for lyrics that channel our rage against the corruption, greed, and systemic misconduct poisoning this world. It’s pure passion and aggression, captured in its most unfiltered form.

If you thought Distant had delivered insanely heavy highs already, you’re in for one hell of a surprise. A good surprise, provided you like your metal to come in furious and frenetic fashion. This is Distant at their most aggressive sounding, delivering undeniable brutality, but alongside all of that is bass distortion that makes the whole thing sound even nastier. This one will leave you feeling battered and bruised.