Single Slam: Signs of the Swarm, Royal Sorrow, Survivalist, Callas, Hail the Sun, Incite, Fates the Messenger, Malevich, The Vintage Caravan, Lorna Shore, Barrens, Car Bomb, and Scene Queen!

Today’s single slam features Signs of the Swarm, Royal Sorrow, Survivalist, Callas, Hail the Sun, Incite, Fates Messenger, Malevich, The Vintage Caravan, Lorna Shore, Barrens, Car Bomb, and Scene Queen. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Signs of the Swarm – Scars Upon Scars

Currently on tour across Europe, Pittsburgh deathcore titans Signs of the Swarm have released a new single and music video, titled ‘Scars Upon Scars’, taken from the band’s upcoming sixth full-length, To Rid Myself of Truth, which is due to be released 22nd August via Century Media Records.

Reveals vocalist David Simonich:

‘Scars Upon Scars’ is about my struggles with addiction. I tried to make it accessible for anyone who is dealing with addiction: showcasing the depriving lows of withdrawal and highlighting the hunger that is never satiated. I hope someone can take this piece I’ve given of myself and feel less alone. With such direct lyrics, I approached my vocals with influences from hardcore bands I like, such as Jesus Piece, Backtrack and Desolated.

Savage heaviness with feeling, Signs of the Swarm bring the noise with this abrasive, but passionate beast. You don’t expect music this intense to be relatable, but that’s what Signs of the Swarm deliver. Well, that and a deathcore anthem that will wreck souls. This new album is shaping up to be their most powerful yet.

Royal Sorrow – Samsara

Prepare to be swept into the storm: Finnish progressive metal band Royal Sorrow releases their fourth single ‘Samsara’ – a song that reflects over the big questions of life, death and the meaning of it all.

Royal Sorrow shares about the new single:

The song draws inspiration from the concept of ‘Samsara’ and is in itself a meditation on finding acceptance in the fact that everything is transient and nothing lasts. With soaring choruses, introspective verses and a blistering guitar solo it’s an emotional journey that entices you from its conception to its end.

The video also marks the last appearance of guitarist Juha Rapanen, who is leaving the band to focus on family matters. The band shares about the change: “After more than a decade of playing together, Royal Sorrow and our long time guitarist and brother Juha Rapanen are mutually parting ways. There is no bad blood or drama behind this decision, and we will continue as friends. Juha has super important duties as a dad now and his time and effort is needed more elsewhere. We want to thank Juha for his commitment over the years and always bringing his all to our band! New single and music video ’Samsara’, featuring Juha for the final time, is coming on June 26th. Very talented Tony Olsén will be joining us as a live guitarist for all the upcoming shows, starting with Tuska Festival this weekend.

The rise of Royal Sorrow continues in mighty fashion as the progressive metallers push their creativity to new levels, while showcasing the melodic twists that make their sound so addictive and stylish. It’s a clever track, but it’s also likably listenable from a casual perspective too. Another banger from this band. Check it out here.

Survivalist – Deathbed (feat. Alex Koelher of Chelsea Grin)

Survivalist, the four piece Metal act from Belfast, Ireland, are preparing to release their new album, ‘A Place for Those Who Suffer, Alone,’ later this year. They have now released their debut single, ‘Deathbed’, which features guest artist Alex Koelher of Chelsea Grin fame.

As if Survivalist weren’t already intense enough, this new single has a guest who lives and breathes intensity. Which, unsurprisingly, means we get a track that goes extremely freaking hard. A meaty instrumental section (the drums are ace) and vocals that have the power to rip the soul from the body, Survivalist have released one of this year’s heaviest tracks and it slays.

Callas – Doxa

Callas, a bold and cathartic force in the realm of post-rock and experimental metal from Cork, Ireland, have released their new single, ‘Doxa’.

A band who embody the inherent beauty that comes from post rock, while showcasing their own stylish approach, Callas follow up an unbeatable EP with a more challenging listen. Yet, it once again, proves to be utterly addictive and wholly hypnotic. Part of which comes from the dreaminess of the melody, but part of which also comes from a more intangible form that makes this feel darker and heavier at times. It’s a fascinating track and a sure sign that is band is evolving in exciting ways. Check it out here.

Hail the Sun – The Drooling Class

Californian experimental rock band Hail the Sun are excited to present their explosive new single. ‘The Drooling Class’. It ushers in a brand-new era for the celebrated rock quintet and is accompanied by a music video.

Hail The Sun frontman Donovan Melero had the following to share about ‘The Drooling Class’:

This song is the representation of our unwavering and undeterred drive — all from a place of love. I’m not coming from a place of unjustified confidence or arrogance. I just know there is no way that you want it the same. And that’s how it will always be.

It’s weird, but it’s wonderful, which is what every Hail the Sun fan expects, but even then, the manic life this one has is special. Even more so when you take into account the layers of melody, experimental rockiness, and accessible chorus that it has. Hail the Sun write bangers, and this is another strong example of their talents.

Incite – Lies

Just ahead of their upcoming stint on the ‘Summer Slaughter Tour’, Incite have released their new single ‘Lies’. The track is from their highly anticipated upcoming album ‘Savage New Times’ which is out on August 15, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music.

Frontman Richie Cavalera comments:

We didn’t hold back on the intensity with ‘Lies.’ The message demanded that energy. Every riff, every word speaks to those moments when you realise someone’s true colours. It’s a song with purpose, written for anyone who’s dealt with deception.

An Incite special, in that it is fast and heavy, featuring heart-racing aggression and blood-pumping groove. Incite at their manic best, with the vocals being spat out, rather than sung and the chorus sounding like a declaration of war. Incredible stuff. Check it out here.

Fates Messenger – Eternal War (feat. Tim Williams of Vision of Disorder)

South of England metalcore juggernaut Fates Messenger will unleash their highly anticipated EP ‘Eternal War’ on August 22nd via Greyline Records. The band has now released the title track of the EP, which features Tim Williams of Vision of Disorder.

A punch to the head that will leave you seeing stars, Fates Messenger have gone the ‘in your face’ route with this thick and sinewy head banger that draws from the thrash and speed world. Yet, it also has an accessible edge, not just with an infusion of groove but with a cleanly sung chorus that sounds downright epic. It’s time this band start to get their dues.

Malevich – Blossom in Full Force

‘Blossom in Full Force’ is the new single from Atlanta based blackened/screamo outfit Malevich. A cathartic listen and flows seamlessly between passages of intensity and melody. This is the first single to be released from their third LP (and Church Road debut) ‘Under a Gilded Sun’, which is set for release on August 22nd.

Holy hell, Malevich aren’t messing around here. Reaching into dark depths to drag out this demonic sounding blast of brutal blackened noise that just so happens to have some intriguing twists and turns. Twists and turns that give us more melody, but in a way that it enhances the darkness, and keeps the rawness at the forefront. An incredible listen. Check it out here.

The Vintage Caravan – Riot

Icelandic retro prog rock trio The Vintage Caravan have announced their return with their sixth studio album, entitled ‘Portals’, set for release on 26th September 2025 via Napalm Records. The charismatic band have also released a music video for first album single ‘Riot’.

On the single, singer and guitarist Óskar Logi Águstsson comments:

‘Riot’ came to me in a dream. It’s the only time that has happened to me. I woke up around 7am humming the first two riffs and I really liked it and I thought to myself, “I’ll go back to sleep for a bit and then I’ll work on this”. Then I woke up again and I forgot the main riff, which was a bummer and I tried remembering the pattern all day until I gave up and went to bed, right as I was drifting off to sleep it came back to me! Thankfully!

The track is an energetic and heavy one. The lyrics were inspired by the 2024 riots in England. We were touring the country at the time, it was a very surreal thought to be possibly caught up in a riot and I knew I wouldn’t do very well in that sort of situation, so that’s what inspired me to write the lyrics.

We hope you enjoy ‘Riot’ and remember, don’t start a riot, just listen to this tune instead.

A compelling showcase of their progressive rock talents that sounds so ‘them’, but unsurprisingly, has so many unique touches. It’s The Vintage Caravan and this one is vigorous, groovy, and anthemic through and through. Check it out here.

Lorna Shore – Unbreakable

After the rousing reaction to ‘Oblivion’ in recent weeks, Lorna Shore are offering another taste of their upcoming album ‘I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me’ with second single, ‘Unbreakable’ released alongside a new music video, directed by Eric Richter.

Says vocalist Will Ramos of the anthemic track:

‘Unbreakable’ is a very triumphant, all-inclusive song written to bring people together for a beautiful moment where they can realise that no matter what this world throws at us, it will never break us down. We and our bonds are unbreakable.

On course to be become one of the biggest metal bands in the world, truly breaking out of the deathcore scene, and building on what they’ve done to this point as far as marrying symphonic lavishness with crushing heaviness goes, this is an excellent new track from Lorna Shore. Especially as it’s got such a positive vibe, a chorus that freaking soars, and guitar soloing that kicks all kinds of ass. Very freaking cool.

Barrens – A Nothing Expands

Swedish post-rock trio Barrens have released ‘A Nothing Expands’, the third single from their forthcoming album ‘Corpse Lights’, out on 12th September via Pelagic Records.

A moody and dramatic sounding track that has a robust post rock vein running through it but refuses to be curtailed by the genre limitations. Barrens really do know how to create unique sounding music that cuts right through to the soul, especially when their post side does rise in epic fashion. It’s a very lovable piece of music. Check it out here.

Car Bomb – Paroxysm

Founded in 2000, Car Bomb celebrate their 25th year with the release of a new EP, ‘Tiles Whisper Dreams’ which will be out 1st August, 2025. Consisting of three new tracks, ‘Tiles Whisper Dreams’ is the band’s first new music to be released since 2019’s ‘Mordial’ album. The band have recently released the first track, ‘Paroxysm’.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, Car Bomb are back and sounding as furiously intense as ever. They’re also sounding inhuman. It’s as if malfunctioning robots are performing here, so manic and disjointed is it, but that’s what makes this band special. Unfortunately, while the song is great, the AI generated video isn’t. Check it out here.

Scene Queen – L-Shaped Couch

Break out your roller skates and disco balls, because Scene Queen is throwing a party and you’re all invited. Scene Queen, aka Hannah Collins, is dancing her way into a new era. The Bimbocore hit-maker is back with ‘L-Shaped Couch’, her first single of 2025 – and it’s the ultimate ode to 70’s disco (just with a little extra metal-infused punch). And, per usual, she’s going to bat for the queer community, paving the way for sexual empowerment and demolishing misogynists along the way.

Speaking on the new single, Scene Queen shares:

I wanted to make a slight genre shift in what feels like a very fitting time to do so. With the current political climate, I wanted to pay homage to a music era that I feel was ahead of its time. The disco era was dominated by marginalised people. Black artists were at the top. Queer artists were at the top. Women were at the top. It was an era where underground clubs were filled with people of all different races, sexualities, and backgrounds coming together to dance for hours. It was dominated by groups that people were actively trying to silence. Yet, it was a genre filled with so much humour, joy, and light. And ironically, rock fans HATED it.

I always try my best to push this genre into new directions and although disco had rock elements I’m hoping I can bring some new modern metal in as well. So with that, I’m starting this fun, new, collaborative, and crazy era with a little song for myself and my queer fans. About how my first queer encounter was as positive as one could have. I can’t wait to see where this new project goes.

New Scene Queen is not like the old Scene Queen, so forget any comparisons you might like to make. This is disco, mixed with funk (which is so much fun), with synthwave elements, pop focus, and touches of glam metal guitars. The chorus is addictive, but if I’m honest, I don’t love this one. It might just be a little too left field for me.