Single Slam: HANABIE., Lord of the Lost, Sweet Pill, The Hirsch Effekt, Sick Joy, Matador, Shields, Tailgunner, New Miserable Experience, Uncultivates, TX2, Distant, Necrosexual, and Sylosis!

Today’s single slam features HANABIE., Lord of the Lost, Sweet Pill, The Hirsch Effekt, Sick Joy, Matador, Shields, Tailgunner, New Miserable Experience, Uncultivates, TX2, Distant, Necrosexual, and Sylosis. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

HANABIE. – ICONIC

Japanese metal force HANABIE. will release a new EP titled HOT TOPIC on 28th January, with a headlining tour of North America to follow in March and April.

To celebrate the announcement, the band have shared their brand new single and music video, ‘ICONIC’.

One of the most ‘on fire’ bands in the world right now, love them or loathe them, HANABIE.’s rise is undeniable, and this new track exemplifies why. Filled with garish effects, poppy to the point of being sickening, and absurdly heavy, it’s brilliant nonsense that gets well and truly jammed in the brain. I can’t help but love this band and I don’t care who knows it!

Lord of the Lost – I Hate People (feat. Wednesday 13)

Lord of the Lost’s latest journey comes to a close: with OPVS NOIR Vol. 3, the finale of their ambitious album trilogy. A direct continuation of OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which were both unveiled in 2025, it releases on 10th April 2026.

The first song unveiled is ‘I Hate People’. Showing yet another side of themselves, Lord of the Lost team up with Wednesday 13 for the first single off the new record.

It will probably not be too much of a surprise for most to hear that this track is filed with goth, industrial and horror-esque elements. After all, look at the two entities that are teaming up here. It also won’t be too much of a surprise for most to hear that the result is cinematically grand and with catchy touches here and there. Alas, while all of this is positive, it’s one repetitive track. It quickly loses its lustre, regardless of the artists involved. Check it out here.

Sweet Pill – Glow

Philadelphia/New Jersey quintet Sweet Pill have shared their new single ‘Glow’, the second from their forthcoming sophomore album ‘Still There’s a Glow’.

Explains singer Zayna Youssef:

‘Glow’ is about living my life with my eyes closed. Realizing I may be on the way to rock bottom, I kind of want to pretend it is not happening. We all know what this is called: D E N I A L. I perceive through this hazy lens that is constantly fogged by a glow. To me, a glow is a shape with no contour lines–a limitless being that sucks you in as you stare. I am in a daydream-like state refusing to snap out of it. This impaired judgement that I wear sugarcoats and distracts me from the reality in front of me. Yet maybe I want to keep my eyes closed for a little longer…

A moody, melodic and introspective feeling track that is filled with familiar Sweet Pill vibes. Nostalgic, open, and honest, it’s the kind of listen that will appeal to all fans of alternative rock. Though those with a penchant for Sweet Pill’s darker tones will undoubtably come away even more satisfied by the passion behind it. Check it out here.

The Hirsch Effekt – Die Brücke

German rock/metal trio The Hirsch Effekt have released their newest single, ‘Die Brücke’. It is the third track to be released from their new studio album, ‘Der Brauch’, which is out 30th January via Long Branch Records.

Says singer Nils Wittrock:

‘Die Brücke’ – matching the music – takes on a less heavy theme. It’s more of an everyday scene. Two people meet at home after a long day and ask each other how it went. One decides to go straight to bed with the child. The other chooses to keep working. Amidst the everyday stress, the protagonist – realizing how much the close environment depends on him – tries to remain a safe harbour.

Clearly so inspired, The Hirsch Effekt’s new album is shaping up to be very special, and this latest single adds even more weight to that expectation. Hyperbole? Not in the slightest as this melodious effort is filled with unforgettable expression, heavying up in spectacular style in the chorus, and showing a more accessible edge to the band’s varied sound. I love it.

Sick Joy – Video Game

Sick Joy have released their new single ‘Video Game’, offering the latest glimpse into their forthcoming second album ‘More Forever’, due out on 30th January 2026.

Speaking about the new single ‘Video Game’, vocalist and guitarist Mykl Barton shares:

It’s a recount of watching another version of myself die. It’s grief. It’s spite. It’s a persistence. It’s moving forward whilst looking back. It’s telling all the secrets I’ve been keeping from myself to the world. It’s whatever the fuck you want it to be.

As if anticipation for this new album wasn’t high enough already, here’s a very cool new single to add laidback melody, alternative rock layers, poppy flair, and a touch of atmosphere to things. A track with a bit of fire, leaning towards a punkier sound at times, and displaying the passion that is inherent within Sick Joy. Check it out here.

Matador – The House Always Wins

‘The House Always Wins’ is the lead single from the forthcoming Matador album, ‘Above, Below and So’. Their Church Road Records debut will be released February 27th.

Their first song to ever feature vocals, Matador’s evolution couldn’t be more notable, but it’s not the only thing that makes this track so very special. This is a bullish and brash Matador, blending vitriolic heaviness with extravagant progressive intensity, melody, and more. It’s a combination given so much more impact via the band’s authenticity and deliberate drawn out detail. Which results in a near eight-minute runtime but one that feels so much shorter because of how immersive it is. Check it out here.

Shields – Miss Me

Acclaimed British metalcore band Shields have released their new single and music video ‘Miss Me’. The song is taken from their upcoming studio album ‘Death & Connection’, to be released on 30th January via Long Branch Records.

Says Shields:

We lost someone dear to us. This song is our tribute — a personal account of the unbearably tragic farewell to our friend, George Christie.

You can feel Shields’ pain in this track. A potent tribute to a fallen friend that takes the passion and power of Shields and makes things more personal than ever. It’s the sort of heartfelt listen that everyone can relate to in a way, and even though it is a unique track for the band, it’s got the feel of a Shields’ song, none the less.

Tailgunner – Eulogy

British heavy metal’s rising stars Tailgunner present the single ‘Eulogy’, taken from their upcoming album, ‘Midnight Blitz’, out February 6, 2026, via Napalm Records.

Tailgunner comment on ‘Eulogy’:

‘Eulogy’ is the most epic release of our career so far. Inspired in particular by our heroes in Helloween & Blind Guardian, it’s TAILGUNNER at full throttle, telling an epic journey into the afterlife. We needed a video that could match the scope of this quest, so once again sought the help of Andy Pilkington at Very Metal Art. Andy first came to our attention with his work on Judas Priest’s Painkiller, and of course killed it with our last single ‘Tears in Rain’ too. Prepare to battle demons, to ride over fire & ice, and to face the ultimate fate. This is ‘Eulogy’!

I’m not sure it’s going to get more epic than this in 2026, such is the bar that Tailgunner have reached here with this new screaming, soaring, hyperactive blast of heavy metal. Where the line between traditional heavy metal and power metal is walked delicately and impressively. The vocals are so good, but so is the guitar soloing. A very cool track. Check it out here.

New Miserable Experience – Ataraxia

New Miserable Experience, featuring an all-star cast with members of Rivers of Nihil, Rosetta, ex-Revocation, and Model Prisoner, give us another glimpse of their new record Gild the Lily, coming 23rd January via Pelagic Records. Their new single ‘Ataraxia’ is available now.

The band comment:

‘Ataraxia’ started as one of Brody’s ideas. We all felt it had a Portishead type of vibe that we instantly grabbed on to. As far as the lyrics, when life is falling apart the idea of ‘Ataraxia’ (calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet) sounds very appealing.

I’ve been enjoying what New Miserable Experience has released so far, and while no single has quite captured my imagination the way Payback from God did, I’ve relished the challenge that comes with each new release. Which brings me to this oddity, easily the most challenging listen yet. A dreamy, haunting, trippy tune that shows just how experimental this band is. It’s a track that needs multiple listens, and the more times it’s heard, the more appealing it becomes. Check it out here.

Uncultivates – Everyday I Wake Up on the Bonnet of a Different Car

The new single from mathy post hardcore unit, Uncultivates is out now. It’s called ‘Everyday I Wake Up on the Bonnet of a Different Car’ and comes from their upcoming debut album, ‘This Will Become Clear Later, Like the French Revolution’. Out on February 6th via HORSEBOX Records.

Says Uncultivates:

This second single ‘Everyday I Wake Up on the Bonnet of a Different Car’ is simply about the overwhelming holy terror that you feel when you’re trying to have a quiet drink and realise you’ve been saddled with a Joe Rogan loving troglodyte. From “very important thoughts” to “gorilla talk”, we’ve all been stuck with a JRE apostle who parrots podcast episodes in lieu of a personality.

America, you’re being called out and it comes from within… sort of. You know you’re doing wrong when Uncultivates direct their ire at you, and this track is one fine example of how angry and intense they can be. Yet it comes with their usual ‘tongue in cheek’ fare, a certain amount of catchiness, and smashing post hardcore heaviness. It’s another great track from this rootin’ tootin’ band.

TX2 – Murder Scene

Fresh from a landmark UK arena tour opening for Ice Nine Kills, fast-rising alt-rock phenom TX2 has released his new single ‘Murder Scene’, featuring genre-blurring alt-rock outfit Magnolia Park. The track is taken from his long-awaited and highly anticipated debut album ‘End of Us’, due for release on February 13, 2026, via Hopeless Records.

A fabulous team up that takes the best of both and injects a bit of the other in, resulting in a hyperactive infectious effort that punches hard. TX2 is one hell of a talent and this album is shaping up to be a bit of a game changer. Check it out here.

Distant – Nothing Left to Hate

After releasing ‘Desolation’ in October last year, the Dutch/Slovakian downtempo/deathcore band Distant have dropped their new single, ‘Nothing Left to Hate’.

The band comments:

’Nothing Left to Hate’ is Distant at full destructive force — thicker riffs, deeper grooves, and a raw dive into self-destruction and chaos. The track is made for circle-pits, rage workouts, and letting the anger out.

Fast and furious, which might sound like a Distant special, but with each new release, they find new dark depths to explore. Unleashing a blistering and brutal showcase of glorious hardcore-infused heaviness that comes with violent breakdowns, groove, and an unforgettable vocal performance. Check it out here.

Necrosexual – The Brimstone Brothel

On February 27th purveyors of filth, fury and riotous darkness, Necrosexual, will unleash their new album, ‘Road to Rubble’, through Black Metal Archives – but for all those sleaze and sin addicts who just can’t wait, the band have released a second single from the album called ‘The Brimstone Brothel’.

I love that Necrosexual is getting more and more attention as the tongue in cheek, punky, groovy, and metal band have proven over the years to be consistently good. Case in point, this new banger that moves at a riotous pace, is daringly punky, and furiously heavy (blast beat style). Raw, but refined, it’s the kind of head banging noise that will appeal to all the deviants of the world. Check it out here.

Sylosis – Erased

Late last year, Sylosis almost left a rift in the cosmos with furious track ‘The New Flesh’. Now they’re back for blood, delivering devastating second single ‘Erased’. It is taken from their upcoming seventh studio album, The New Flesh, slated to drop on February 20th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Sylosis state about ‘Erased’:

Erased was one of the last songs to be written for the album. As we were approaching the deadline to get everything submitted there was a pressure there that really helped shape this song into something special. There’s a massive chorus here and one of our favourite middle 8 sections that we’ve ever put together. We can’t wait to play this one live.

This is shaping up to be a heavy Sylosis release, but also a Sylosis release with groove. This latest track focuses on that latter, but with a ton of heavy and fast power too. It’s very exciting to hear them experimenting with what they can do. Albeit with a certain amount of reservation as it still clearly sounds like Sylosis. I’m digging what they’re doing.