Single Slam: Green Lung, Split Chain, Moon Reaper, MOTHER, hubris., Imperium, Sense of Noise, C E L A V I, Exploring Birdsong, Mourir, Skin Flowers, Breaking Benjamin, Red Method, Ary Maudit, Negative Frame, MONO, Beyond Salvation, and Holding Absence!

Today’s single slam features Green Lung, Split Chain, Moon Reaper, MOTHER, hubris., Imperium, Sense of Noise, C E L A V I, Exploring Birdsong, Mourir, Skin Flowers, Breaking Benjamin, Red Method, Ary Maudit, Negative Frame, MONO, Beyond Salvation, and Holding Absence. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Green Lung – Evil in this House

The funeral bell is tolling; the ravens have left the tower – the long-awaited fourth album from the UK’s lords of the riff is finally upon us. Necropolitan will be released on Friday September 11th, 2026, by Nuclear Blast Records. Lead single ‘Evil in this House’ answers the question ‘what would it sound like if a stoner metal band carried out a paranormal investigation?’

New Green Lung music is always a reason to get excited, but new Green Lung music that takes their macabre storytelling in an exciting direction and continues their impossibly hooky ways? Yes, bloody, please. This new single is glorious riff-driven occult metal as only Green Lung can do, and that they continue to not take themselves too seriously makes it all the more fun.

Split Chain – scatterbrain

The Chain is back. Bristol’s nu-gaze shapeshifters, Split Chain, return with the heavy-hitting ‘scatterbrain’.

Says the band:

Like all of our other music, “scatterbrain” comes from personal experiences growing up that we’re sure everyone can relate with to some degree. It’s a song about the slow degradation of friendships, relationships and family ties. How all of a sudden, when things can seem to be at their best, the other person in the relationship, friendship or the family member seems to stop pulling their weight. They start to get caught up in their own thing, get lost in their head, and either consciously or subconsciously pull away without providing any reason whatsoever, leaving the other person with nothing but feelings of abandonment, unrequited love and questions.

Delivering an unforgettable combination of alternative drama, shoegaze style melodies, and nu-infused heaviness, this new Split Chain track is a distorted and discombobulating listen. Yet all these elements come together impressively. It’s a bit of a mess, but it’s a compelling mess. Check it out here.

Moon Reaper – Dirge of the Moons

Bristol’s Moon Reaper, the feral fusion of black metal, hardcore, death metal and doom, are back with a brand-new single called ‘Dirge of the Moons’.

The band describes the track as following:

A lost moon pulled across the empty vastness until it is finally consumed by a black hole. The sound of a dying star’s final breath. A lament carried across the cold, infinite dark.

Haunting and heavy, yet with staggering addictive qualities as it shifts and shimmers in unexpected ways, this is the most ‘kitchen sink’ track Moon Reaper have ever released, but damn it, it is immense. Do you want to bang your head so hard you give yourself whiplash? Howl like Satan is watching and judging you? Shake your ass like your life depends on it? Two-step like it’s going out of style? Or feel inspired and despondent in equal measure? If the answer to all of that is yes, then you need to check out this beast of an effort. Check it out here.

MOTHER – Unholy

Forged in chaos and cemented in rage, MOTHER creates music for those who live loudly on the inside – the overthinkers, the romantics, the rage-filled softies, the neurodivergent, the ones who feel everything all at once and never quite fit the mould. Drawing from metalcore, industrial and electronic, MOTHER’s sound prioritises feeling over genre. For fans of Bad Omens, Spiritbox, and Evanescence, MOTHER’s debut single ‘Unholy’ is now yours.

On the conception of the track, MOTHER shares:

When I wrote ‘Unholy’, I was drowning quietly. Every part of my life felt as though it was rotting at the edges — relationships, mental health, identity, survival. I couldn’t tell whether the voice inside me wanted salvation or self-destruction anymore. I only knew some part of me wanted to disappear. The emptiness, the fractured sense of identity, the feeling of becoming a stranger inside your own body.

There’s a grief within ‘Unholy’ that mourns a version of myself I’m not even sure ever truly existed. That’s the cruelty of BPD and dissociation — you begin to question your own memories, your own emotions, your own reflection.

Bow to MOTHER. Showcasing impeccable presence and power, the potential is clear to see and hear, and this first single is going to turn a lot of heads. A piece of music that stands out for the myriads of feelings it evokes, it has all the modern alternative aspects to reach the mainstream, while pleasing fans of heavy and intense music too. Game changing? Let’s wait to hear a bit more first, but this debut is impressive.

hubris. – Is

‘White Shores’ is the fifth studio album by epic Swiss post-rock band hubris. set for release on September 10th, 2026. Following four albums rooted in Greek mythology, composer and founder Jonathan Hohl turns to his other favourite source of inspiration: The Lord of the Rings, but more specifically J.R.R. Tolkien’s exploration of mortality and immortality. To coincide with the album announcement the band have shared the new single ‘Is’.

A style of music I adore from a band I admire from a piece of fiction I enjoy, everything about this new hubris. track feels designed for my tastes. What does it deliver though? A thought-provoking, poignant, and formidable piece of music that brings tears to the eyes, while giving the soul some buoyancy. Check it out here.

Imperium – Exodus Unknown

Imperium, the fast-rising modern thrash/groove metal band, are back with a brand-new single, ‘Exodus Unknown’. The first single to come from their debut album, ‘Exodus Unknown’, out July 17th, 2026, via Heavy Metal Records.

Having cultivated a stellar reputation already, it feels like Imperium are on the cusp of greatness and this single is the starting gun. Delivering a meaty, groovy, and inspired head banger that proves thrash can be damn anthemic when in the hands of a talented band. Are we really surprised though? Imperium are a great band and it’s high time they got their dues.

Sense of Noise – Shockwave

Sense of Noise, the Mexican modern Latin metal band have released their new single ‘Shockwave’. The track is taken from their sophomore album ‘Entre Dos Mundos’ (Between Two Worlds) to be released later this year.

A bouncy and groovy effort that delivers unmistakable heavy aggression while experimenting with melody that embraces the band’s culture. I think if you like melodeath with a bit more bite then you’ll like this. Check it out here.

C E L A V I – Plaster

Welsh bilingual nu-metal duo C E L A V I continue their rise with their new release, ‘Plaster. The single is taken from the band’s highly anticipated upcoming EP, produced by Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me the Horizon, Motörhead, Nova Twins).

Less of a nu-metal revival and more of an evolution of the style, this C E L A V I track combines modern metal intensity with danceable electronica. Resulting in something that has mainstream weight and heft. It’s pretty damn addictive.

Exploring Birdsong – Spy in The House of Love

Progressive alt-pop outfit Exploring Birdsong have released their new single ‘Spy in The House of Love’, the latest track taken from their upcoming debut album ‘Every House We Built’, out 26 June 2026 via Long Branch Records.

Speaking of the track, vocalist Lynsey Ward shares:

I came across the book ‘A Spy in the House of Love’ by accident one day, and immediately felt compelled by how the phrase had organised a lot of messy feelings while being in the throes of a heavy break-up. There is actually very little that the book and our song have in common, but discovering it did catalyse a great deal of focus creatively and personally. Everyone at some stage has felt confused or betrayed in heartbreak, and we are far from the first to write a song about it. It is quite new territory for us, though!

You really never know what you’re going to get with this band, and no matter how much you prepare to be surprised, they find a way to leave you gobsmacked nonetheless. This one is going to get stuck in your head for a long time afterwards. Bagpipes? Synth? Dreamcore vibes? It’s poppy as hell, but I really dig it. Check it out here.

Mourir – Nous, le venin

French modern black metal quartet Mourir are preparing to release their second full-length studio album, ‘Nous, le venin’, this summer via Pelagic Records. The six tracks are the very embodiment of Mourir’s forward-thinking approach to black metal, as demonstrated on the album’s title track which is out now.

Passing the ten-minute mark, which might seem egregious for a black metal band, but Mourir are so far from conventional, it beggars’ belief. Summing this cacophony of skin-crawling, soul-rendering, and mind-melting music up is no easy task. It is black metal sucked from the deepest and darkest void, experimented with, and sent into the world to infect all who experience it. It’s downright hypnotic, and for music this harsh, that’s quite something. Check it out here.

Skin Flowers – Carnality

Hailing from Liverpool, Skin Flowers are a five-piece alternative gothic metal band who have released their new single, ‘Carnality’. It comes from their upcoming self-titled EP that will be released in August.

The band describes the track as being:

Inspired by the blood rave scene in the movie, Blade. We wanted to create a sexy soundscape that you’d hear at a gothic vampire rave!

An exciting explosion of salacious heaviness that cleverly blends modern metal elements with daring sounding gothic elements, wrapped up in anthemic fashion. Sexy, sleazy, and sinful. You’ve just found your new favourite heavy band, trust me.

Breaking Benjamin – Something Wicked

Hard rock giants Breaking Benjamin are back with their new single, ‘Something Wicked’, signalling the latest chapter for the band and the tease of a forthcoming full-length album.

Speaking on the single, vocalist Benjamin Burnley shares:

‘Something Wicked’ is a quick look into our influences both musically and thematically. We challenged ourselves especially hard on this record and on this song. We pushed every boundary we’ve previously had as far as it will go, then pushed a little more. Something Wicked was the result.

I’ve never really got along with Breaking Benjamin, but what I do like, I really like, and this new track has my attention. In fact, it has quickly become one of my favourites and all because of the chorus. It’s so catchy, but built up to in style, and cleverly poppier without sounding out of place. Check it out here.

Red Method – Counting Corpses

London metal force Red Method have announced their brand-new EP, ‘As in Life’, set for release on 17th July. To celebrate the announcement, the band have unleashed a music video for their visceral new single, ‘Counting Corpses’.

Let’s f**king go! Red Method’s future has never looked, or sounded, brighter as the group unleash a furiously feral showcase of heaviness. Nu-twisted, with groove and aggression running through it. It’s a strong continuation of For the Sick, sounding fresh and modern, and is sure to be an absolute barnstormer live.

Ary Maudit – No Intention

London-based non-binary artist, producer, and engineer Ary Maudit steps into the spotlight with their vibrant debut single, ‘No Intention’. It tackles the volatility of modern relationships and creative life.

A very creative track from an inspiring artist, the blend of modern alternative pop elements and retro-sounding pop punk is delightful and infectious. Hyperactive and impactful, it’s a head turner and I can’t wait to hear what comes next from them. Check it out here.

Negative Frame – Sorrow & Solitude

London metallers Negative Frame have released their new single ‘Sorrow & Solitude’.

Vocalist Kesari Gorin commented on ‘Sorrow & Solitude’:

This song is about love and loss, trying to hold onto someone without losing yourself. Sometimes you can change so much to be with someone that you both end up unrecognisable. ‘Sorrow & Solitude’ is the most emotional song we’ve done, it’s something new for us showing a more vulnerable side. This track is about relationships and how they can fall apart, exploring feelings of grief and regret, but ultimately trying to do what’s best for both of you. When the fire burns bright you can only hold onto it for so long until you need to let go.

An unexpected track from Negative Frame, but in the best way possible as it showcases more range while still be undeniably intense. It’s just that the intensity is coming from a more emotional place and it resonates especially as the whole track has an old-school metalcore vibe that makes it quite anthemic. I really like it. Check it out here.

MONO – Gerbera

Japanese post-rock legends MONO recently announced details on their new album ’Snowdrop’ set for release on 12th June via Temporary Residence. Now, the latest single, ‘Gerbera’ has been released.

MONO’s Statement:

The language of flowers for the Gerbera is ‘faithful love’ and ‘cheerfulness’. The countless, precious memories I share with you will never be forgotten. I am so glad that I met you. Innocence, purity, joy, beauty—and I will never forget your smile.

I’m beginning to think MONO are about to release the album of the year. This new single is exceptional. A moving, beautiful, and smile-inducing piece of music that had such a profound effect. I don’t think a track has made me cry with happiness like this ever. I simply don’t have the words to describe it.

Beyond Salvation – The Storm

Rising from the heart of the UK metal underground, Beyond Salvation have returned with a brand new single, titled ‘The Storm’. This precedes the release of their debut album ‘The Final Nail’, which comes out on Friday 29th May.

A beastly head banger with an impressive level of harmonisation, this new Beyond Salvation track puts the emphatic stamp on this pre-release period. Though there is very little doubt that the full album isn’t going to hard based off the strength of this, and the previous releases. Check it out here.

Holding Absence – Reflection

South Wales trio Holding Absence have announced the release of their third album, ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, on August 28th via new label partner Sumerian Records. To mark the announcement, the band have also released a brand new single, ‘Reflection’.

Speaking of the track and the album announcement, frontman Lucas Woodland shares:

We are ecstatic to release our new single “Reflection”, taken from our upcoming album ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’. This album is our boldest and most creative body of work to date, so we can’t wait for you to hear the whole thing in August! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy Reflection.

An imaginative showcase of experimental rock that plays around with alternative pop but isn’t afraid to get heavy when the time comes. It’s not the most exciting track they’ve put out, but it does showcase passion and that is what makes it memorable.