Single Slam: Employed to Serve, Re:O, DazGak!, Space Pistol, Jack J Hutchinson, Chewed Out, TX2, Suffer, Tokyo Taboo, Nunslaughter, Changing Places in the Fire, and RØRY!

Today’s single slam features Employed to Serve, Re:O, DazGak!, Space Pistol, Jack J Hutchinson, Chewed Out, TX2, Suffer, Tokyo Taboo, Nunslaughter, Changing Places in the Fire, and RØRY. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Employed to Serve – Dead Reckoning

Following their critically acclaimed record ‘Fallen Star’, UK metal titans Employed to Serve return with their new single ‘Dead Reckoning’.

‘Dead Reckoning’ is the first song Employed to Serve presents to lead the charge into their next chapter. Speaking of the song’s construction, guitarist/vocalist Sammy Urwin states that:

When the track was being written, it was one of those situations where it exploded into existence, rather than having been carefully crafted.

On providing perspective for the lyrics, lead vocalist Justine Jones comments on the band’s headspace, claiming that:

Dead Reckoning definitely taps more into our darker side and serves as a conduit to blow off steam. We hope the listeners get the same release from the track that we do.

Employed to Serve’s hot creative streak isn’t showing any signs of stopping, as this new single has the group digging deep into their darker and more intense side. I’m certainly not complaining as it’s a relentless blast of heaviness, but with plenty of flair from all the instruments and the vocals. There’s nothing here that will surprise, but that certainly doesn’t detract from the head banging quality of it. The future of this band is sounding pretty damn impressive.

Re:O – Marionette

Re:O, the Japanese/British alternative dark J-pop and metal band, have released their brand-new single, ‘Marionette’.

Explains the band:

‘Marionette’ explores the way we deal with extreme stress, the changes we go through during this time and how often it can feel like we are not in full control of ourselves which can feel like you are being puppeteered.

With every new release, Re:O’s identity becomes clearer, even though the band continues to experiment with their sound. The parts might be familiar, with alternative metal being a dominating feature, but when crossed with their J influences and style, the structure becomes quite different. It’s a very likable anthem with a very strong vocal performance. Check it out here.

DazGak! – Trixie

Irish post-hardcore/skate punk quartet DazGak! are the latest band to join the roster of Floodlit Recordings (also home to Pijn, Wildernesses, Trudger and more). The punky Cork based band are back with a glow-up on their brand-new EP ‘Stimpy’ – their first release to feature vocals. ‘Stimpy’ will be released on July 27th. The first single, ‘Trixie’, is out now.

Oozing passion, one listen to the infectious quality of this track, and most will be able to easily understand just why they are so lauded. While it might not be the most energetic track the band has put out, the post hardcore melodies still have intensity, and that is what sticks in the mind. It’s a very powerful track and I get the feeling that we’re all about to hear a lot more from this band going forward.

Space Pistol – Devil and the Deep Sea

Following April’s explosive ‘Space Pirate’, ‘Devil and the Deep Sea’ marks the second single from Space Pistol this year.

Singer Daniel Buckland describes ‘Devil and the Deep Sea’ as being about:

The uneasy reality of personal change: the kind that happens slowly, painfully and often without you even noticing it. It captures the feeling of wanting transformation to arrive all at once, like some huge awakening that suddenly pulls you out of the life you once knew, with all its trauma, discomfort and familiar weight.

At the heart of the song is the image of standing on a bridge, moving towards some bright new version of life that you hope will finally feel better, easier and cleaner. But when you get there, you realise perfection doesn’t exist. The place ahead is no less complicated than the place behind you, and moving forward can feel just as hard as turning back.

In that sense, ‘Devil and the Deep Sea’ is a song about personal growth when it doesn’t feel inspiring or triumphant. It is about change when it feels uncomfortable, uncertain and unfinished.

I do love a bit of Space Pistol, but what’s particularly cool about this new track is that it’s them showing off a different side. A side with a bit of mood, a bit of melody, and a bit of groove. It’s what we like to call a bit of a body-shaker, so be warned, it’s going to get stuck in the head. Check it out here.

Jack J Hutchinson – Soul Believer

Hard rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Jack J Hutchinson returns with his brand new single and video ‘Soul Believer’.

The track is the first single taken from Hutchinson’s forthcoming new studio album of the same name, ‘Soul Believer’, due for release on Friday 22 January 2027. To celebrate the release, Hutchinson will headline a special album launch show at O2 Academy Islington on Thursday 21 January 2027.

If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, just expand on it. That’s a summation of this new Jack J Hutchinson track as the talented artist delivers some mighty fine rock and roll music. Rock and roll music filled with heart and soul, delightfully groovy, and impressively catchy.

Chewed Out – Mud, Filth and Shit

Hailing from Manchester, Chewed Out is an up-and-coming heavy and groovy hardcore-infused band set to release their EP later this year. Their debut single, ‘Mud, Filth and Shit’, is out now.

Says the band:

This song is a call to arms for anyone frustrated about the luxury enjoyed by the people born into wealth at the expense of the working class. There’s a massive gap between the folks who live in comfort and the ones who break their backs to pay for it, and anyone with the power of thought knows that merit has nothing to do with it. History has shown again and again what happens when the scales are tipped like this for too long. Time to make it happen.

Get on board early, this band are going to take off and all because their style of hardcore calls to the punky past as well as the intense modern sound. Filled with vibrant life, and delivered with the kind of bark that tells you their bite is just as harsh, this debut single is bit of a banger! Check it out here.

TX2 – Confession

Fast-rising alternative phenomenon TX2 has returned with ‘Confession’, a deeply personal and cathartic track that sees bassist Corky stepping forward vocally alongside Evan Thomas.

The release arrives ahead of a relentless run of UK and European festival appearances this summer, including Download Festival, Rock am Ring, Rock for People and many more.

Speaking of the new single, Evan Thomas (TX2) shares:

I grew up religious, and as a queer person when I was growing up I struggled hard with my sexuality. I thought there was a demon in me and something was wrong. Then I realized the problem wasn’t me, it was religion directly conflicting with science and my attraction. Confession was my chance to regain that power I felt like I lost when I first realized I wasn’t straight. For Corky on the other hand, it’s much more. She spent even longer feeling guilty and trapped and this is her chance to let it out. This song is powerful to us.

The world is well and truly theirs for the taking, and with each new release, they showcase expanded ideas and an even better ear for what modern alternative audiences want. TX2 make it seem so easy, not just delivering a monumentally catchy effort, but doing it in emphatic fashion. There’s a sharpness to this track and that really helps makes it stand out.

Suffer – Soul from Flesh

Midlands deathcore quintet Suffer are building up to the release of their upcoming EP. After the success of their first single with the new line-up, they are back with the title track ‘Soul from Flesh’.

The band explains:

Soul from Flesh is for those who know all too well that fresh starts require sacrifices.

Delivering a blunt blow directly to the head, this new Suffer track is sickeningly harsh and heavy. Which might sound par for the course for deathcore but Suffer really do up the ante. Excuse the cliché statements, but they really do apply here. Suffer’s approach is feral, but with a thrilling technical edge that makes everything even more intense. Check it out here.

Tokyo Taboo – Wings

London rockers Tokyo Taboo are back with their new single, ‘Wings’. Born from a place of negativity and awful behaviour from people in authority who really should know and be better, ‘Wings’ is about rising above these kinds of acts, transforming yourself into a stronger, bolder person as part of the process.

Tokyo Taboo frontwoman Dolly Daggerz says:

Smear campaigns ultimately backfire when you don’t respond to the bullies and instead go deeper into the truth of who you are. You can use their hate as fuel and rise so high above it that no-one can say anything that bothers you anymore. Words just ricochet because you sit comfortably in your own truth. There’s real strength in knowing who you are and becoming unbothered by those who are continually intent on misunderstanding you.

A potent tune that borrows from the poppier side of alternative music but with a robust rockiness that gives it more bite. Though the way the melodies of the track soar is hardly anything to complain about. It’s a track with staying power and most won’t want to come back down to earth after hearing it.

Nunslaughter – Peukharist

Cleveland’s unholy denizens of the underground, Nunslaughter, proudly unleash their new single, ‘Peukharist’, off of their upcoming BLKIIBLK debut album, ‘Satanic Chaos Legions,’ set for release on June 26, 2026.

On the new track, vocalist Don of the Dead comments:

‘Peukharist’ explores the visceral rejection of imposed faith, drawing a parallel to the profound betrayals within religious institutions—much like the forced violation of innocence by those in positions of authority. At its core, Peukharist confronts the experience of being force-fed the Body of Christ only to vomit it back up in defiant revulsion.

Mean as f**k, mighty as hell, and monumentally heavy, this is new Nunslaughter track is just lovely. Combining satanically charged wickedness with atmospheric dread, it’s a track that gets under the skin. Check it out here.

Changing Places in the Fire – The Epiphany Tree

Exile-born, Venezuelan prog-rock/post-metal act Changing places in the Fire’s latest single ‘The Epiphany Tree’ is out now. Taken from their debut self-titled album, out 24th July via Wild Thing Records.

Says Miguel Moline (Drums):

One must walk through the fire to find a new home. Dare to become who you are.

I love how playful and unpredictable this song is. When you think you know where it’s going, there’s always a surprise coming.

This is going to be a debut to remember, and it seems assured that all of Changing Places in the Fire’s work is going to pay off as this is music that turns heads. The combination of progressive detail, post rock energy, earnest melody, and expressive vocals is very impressive. Check it out here.

RØRY – Strange

RØRY has announced her highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Bloodletting’ will be released on September 4th, 2026, via Sadcøre Records. A fearless exploration of grief, rage, mortality and what it truly means to be alive. The new single, ‘Strange’, is out now.

Speaking on the announcement, RØRY shares:

I realised I was sick from being nice. I’d spent so much of my life being the bigger person, forgiving people, understanding people, making excuses for people. I’d become disconnected from huge parts of myself. BLOODLETTING was about reclaiming them.

RØRY seems unstoppable and the decision to expand into heavier and darker locales is exciting, even if this track does share a lot in common with what we’ve got before. The focus being on RØRY’s immense vocals and how she expresses herself. I don’t think it’s the most interesting track she has released, but considered how many times she hits, the occasional miss (and this isn’t that) is allowed.