Single Slam: Blind Guardian, Neck Deep, Saor, Lasael, Aviana, Near Dusk, Oceans, As Sirens Fall, West Hand, Final Light and Conjurer!

This week’s single slam features Blind Guardian, Neck Deep, Saor, Lasael, Aviana, Near Dusk, Oceans, As Sirens Fall, West Hand, Final Light and Conjurer. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Blind Guardian – Blood Of the Elves

September 2nd, 2022, is the day that metal legends Blind Guardian will release their eleventh studio album ‘The God Machine’ via Nuclear Blast. Together with that announcement, the band have shared a video for their new raging single ‘Blood Of The Elves’.

Hansi Kürsch (vocals) comments:

‘Blood Of The Elves’ features a pretty heavy side that the avid fan of Blind Guardian hopefully enjoys well. More than well, I’d guess. Instrumentally, the track has some kind of an early 90s appeal that blends well into the vocal parts of the opera/twist era, and catapults both epochs into a new era for the band. A perfect hybrid. The chorus has some very strong sing-along vibes, despite its complexity. What else do you need? Inspired by ‘The Witcher’ computer game series, the lyrics even reinforce the power of this banger and the clip by Dirk Behlau fits perfectly to the whole setting. Let me tell you: ‘The God Machine’ has even more to offer. And that’s no promise – that’s the ultimate truth. Stay tuned.

Fans of Blind Guardian will feel right at home here but there’s something a bit different about this track that will certainly raise an eyebrow or two. It’s certainly a heavier and faster Blind Guardian track but it also has some real dark vibes to it. An intriguing mix when put in the blender with their familiar riffs, massive solos, epic vocals and harmonising. It’s great to hear them experimenting and trying new things.

Neck Deep – STFU

Wrexham’s Neck Deep have returned with a huge new single, ‘STFU’, their first new music in two years, following 2020’s UK Top 5 album, ‘All Distortions Are Intentional’ – and their first self-released music in a decade, since the band’s original demos.

A nostalgic blast of pop-punk, Neck Deep infuse this fun, energetic and catchy track with their usual and well-delivered passion. It’s Neck Deep, taking a glance towards their roots, and seemingly having fun with it. The chorus is fire, something you can instantly imagine a packed venue singing along with. Check it out here.

Saor – Beyond the Wall

Inspired by the myths and tales of the Scottish Highlands, Caledonian metal band Saor have shared new single ‘Beyond the Wall’. It is the second single taken from the band’s new album Origins, out on 24th June via Season of Mist.

Frontman and mastermind Andy Marshall comments:

‘Beyond the Wall’ refers to the Antonine Wall which ran across the central belt of Scotland to keep the Caledonians/Picts at bay. The song is about their freedom, as they were not under Roman rule and the beauty and mystery of the lands beyond the wall.

A folksy introduction builds up black metal power, the instruments hitting harder as things get faster. Eventually, as though the ground opened up under you, the gaping mouth of darkness surrounds. Hold on though, this is Soar and Soar can change things up in an instant which is exactly what happens here. Dropping into a gorgeous, lavish and elaborate section of melody that will make you feel as though the sun is shining down on you as walk the Scottish Highlands. Wonderful, another simply wonderful track from what is shaping up to be one of the albums of the year.

Lasael – Drown Your Eaters

Lasael is an Italian noise-rock trio formed in 2022 and composed by Jesse Perret (vocals), Stefano Lattanzio (guitars) and Luca Brunelli (drums). “Drown Your Eaters” is their first song, recorded completely live in their rehearsal space.

What to make of this? It’s certainly abstract and unusual. A blast of noisy rock rhythm, rough and raw, with an industrial tinge. At barely a minute and a half, there’s not a lot to get your teeth into but it does create interest and intrigue. Especially as they get quite intense in the latter part of the track. It holds an inherent danger that leaves you wanting to investigate further. Check it out here.

Aviana – Anomaly

Swedish alternative metal act Aviana have released a video for new single ‘Anomaly’, a deeply personal track where vocalist Joel Holmqvist opens up about experiencing mental abuse. ‘Anomaly’ is taken from new album Corporation, out 3rd August via Arising Empire.

Joel Holmqvist says:

The word ‘Anomaly’ is described as “something that deviates from what is standard, normal or expected”. I was mentally abused for two years, something I didn’t wanna write about at first but I felt that I kind of had to. This calmer song was the one I could do that on. Telling the story about being drained and losing all will to live is hard. But I feel it’s necessary to do so. You should never expect to be abused in anyway by anyone and never ever think that it is normal. I hope this song might help someone else get out of an abusive relationship or get through a tough time in life.

A deeply personal song, something that will resonate with a lot of people, expressed in a modern, punchy, synth, and movingly melodic way. It’s a track that has haunting and thought-provoking atmosphere but also features some biting moments. A more brutal metal edge slipping in as the track goes on. Check it out here.

Near Dusk – The Way it Goes

Near Dusk, the hard riffin’ mile high stoner rock, psychedelia and heavy blues drenched band, return with a brand-new single, ‘The Way It Goes’, which is out now on all digital platforms via Iron Head Records / Golden Robot Records.

Dripping in stoner-groove vibes, Near Dusk’s new single has energy and riffs, the two things you want to hear from this style of music. Heavy percussion, hooky bass, psychedelic vocals and a punchy chorus help turn this one into a banger to head-banging along too. Infectious and memorable music. Check it out here.

Oceans – I Want to Be Whole Again

After releasing their latest EP named “Hell Is Where the Heart Is – Part I: Love” in January of this year, rising German/Austrian nu-metal stars Oceans have already announced the highly anticipated second part of this masterpiece – the digital EP entitled “Hell Is Where The Heart Is – Part II: Longing”, that will be released via Nuclear Blast on July 29th. Now, they are unleashing the second single off this EP, a dark and emotional hymn titled ‘I Want To Be Whole Again’.

Timo Rotten comments:

This song was written in the midst of the pandemic at a low point in our lives. We had just lost one of the most important foundations of our sanity: playing live music. That was what had kept us sane all these years, and suddenly it was gone. There’s a lot of longing and pain in ‘I Want to Be Whole Again’, and I’m sure you can hear that clearly.

Always guaranteed to make you feel, Oceans deliver another atmospheric and melodic downbeat blast of emotive metal. Thick tones, smooth melodies and a powerful chorus. It’s not a catchy song in the conventional sense, yet it has an infectious quality that draws you in deeper. Misery loves company after all.

As Sirens Fall – boywhatever

Northern England, self-ascribed ‘Aggressive Pop’ band, As Sirens Fall present their anticipated new single ‘boywhatever’. Alongside the new single, As Sirens Fall have announced details of their long awaited new E.P. “coming of (r) age” which will be released on 4th Nov 2022.

About the single, Mikey Lord (Vocals) says:

boywhatever is an identity-crisis melting pot. It’s not answering questions and it’s not asking them, either. it’s a dance-along to confusion and burnout. the consequences of trying to be the person that people expect you to be. living life as a performance is no life at all. be you – whatever that is. be you, and you’ll be magic. no compromise.

Unbelievably catchy, tinged with emo-rock, As Sirens Fall deliver an anthemic, dance-inducing, sing-along and pop-infused slice of alt-rock. One that gets the blood-pumping and the adrenaline spiking. Put it this way, you’ll feel ready to take on a marathon after listening to this. Though, the latter part and the ‘circus’ style switch-up can’t be ignored. A moment that makes the track feel more theatrical and will certainly draw comparisons to the likes of My Chemical Romance.

Westhand – Artificial Icon

Metal/metalcore band Westhand have just released a new single, with an accompanying music video, entitled ‘Artificial Icon.’ The song features Tyler Tate of heavyweight metalcore act Hollow Front.

Blistering and brash metalcore heaviness, credit where credit is due, Westhand make one hell of an impression with this meaty head-banger. Where having the talents of Hollow Front’s Tyler Tate certainly doesn’t do it any harm. It’s got dark vibes, just a touch of sinisterness, but also has one hell of an infectious chorus. It sounds grand and really grows and grows as it goes on. Check it out here.

Final Light – Final Light

Final Light, the highly-anticipated, one-time only project featuring Perturbator and Cult of Luna’s Johannes Persson, have unveiled a second preview from the June 24 album, releasing the eponymous title track and its accompanying video.

Industrial heavy and dark atmosphere from Perturbator blended with the aggressive and harsher sound of Cult of Luna, Final Light deliver a fascinating sound. Something that captivated on the first single but grows deeper with this track. It’s a collaboration that might have sounded good on paper but would fail to live up to expectations, but ends up being one of the most exciting things heard this year. The combined talents work so well together, and the chemistry and creativity are off the charts. Check it out here.

Conjurer – Cracks in The Pyre

Conjurer, the future of British metal, have unveiled another glimpse of their long-awaited album Páthos (1st July, Nuclear Blast) in the form of their new single ‘Cracks In The Pyre’.

Brady Deeprose (guitars, vocals) comments:

‘Cracks’ is probably the biggest departure from our previously established sound – the working title was ‘Ballad’. For me this is the most affecting track on Páthos, I connect more with it on every listen, and I think it opens up a new element to the band’s identity that will be important moving forwards. The video reflects the themes of the track and was captured on the Scottish coast: the breathtaking landscapes evoke the atmosphere the song is trying to capture, and we’re blown away by the finished piece.

What can even be said about this track? Just when you think you know who and what Conjurer are about, you get a track like this. An unbelievably moving and emotionally wrought track that is simply stunning. As always, Conjurer challenge your perceptions while still bringing dark and morose heaviness to the table. It’s one of their most thought-provoking tracks and you won’t be able to predict where it goes next. Conjurer can do no wrong at this stage.