Single Slam: Dimmu Borgir, The Last Vinci, and Frozen Soul!

Today’s single slam features Dimmu Borgir, The Last Vinci, and Frozen Soul. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Dimmu Borgir – Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel

Eight years after the release of their critically acclaimed album Eonian, Norwegian symphonic black metal titans Dimmu Borgir return with a towering new opus, ‘Grand Serpent Rising’. Set for release on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. Alongside the album announcement, the band have also unveiled a cinematic video for the track ‘Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel’.

Having well and truly transcended beyond the straight-forward ‘black metal’ moniker many years ago, Dimmu Borgir continue to defy expectations by pushing their devilish sound into even more cinematic territory. Delivering a melodically charged effort that calls back to an early form of the band (Norwegian-sung vocals), but continues to modernise and refine their black metal side. It’s a solid listen, unremarkable, but likable none the less.

The Last Vinci – Better to Never Know

The Last Vinci’s latest single ‘Better to Never Know’ is out now via Narrow Door Records. The track is taken from their forthcoming album ’15 Minutes at a Time’, which is slated for release on 17th April.

Says Alex (guitar and vocals):

‘Better to Never Know’ captures the idea that many of us live as if we’re stuck on a wheel—safe, repetitive, and unaware of what we’re missing. The song imagines the moment that illusion breaks, and the thought that maybe it’s kinder not to realize how beautiful life could be, because then you’d have to face how much of it you’ve already lost.

This is outstanding stuff from The Last Vinci. Taking their expressive alternative ways and upping the infectious elements to such a degree, it stays jammed in the brain for hours afterwards. It’s got power, but that power is charged in unique ways, taking the listener on topsy-turvy journey that oozes passion and authenticity. This new album is going to be very special.

Frozen Soul – Invoke War (feat. Robb Flynn of Machine Head)

Texan death metal/hardcore band, Frozen Soul, unleash ‘Invoke War’ featuring Machine Head’s Robb Flynn.

Explains vocalist / frontman Chad Green:

It is about the internal battle we all have to fight when navigating loss, grief, guilt, and depression. It’s about getting back up. It’s meant to be the anthem to your day, the background music to your story, the extra weapon you might need to help conquer whatever you’re struggling with. Robb’s lyrics add a whole new layer of power and emotion to the song. This is a follow up to ‘Arsenal of War,’ which was about remembering and carrying the light and memories of your lost loved one with you.

Frozen Soul and Machine Head? Yes, f**king please. The Texan metallers are on unstoppable form at the moment and this latest meaty, mean, and manic head banger is going to devastate when played live. It really feels like this album is going to be the breakout album for the band, and considering the quality that has come from it so far, they’re going to deserve it. Rarely does a track make you feel like you’ve been beaten, battered, and bruised like this one does.