Single Slam: Saint Agnes, Mirrortalk, Sepultura, DA, Armed for Apocalypse, and Shooting Daggers!

Today’s single slam features Saint Agnes, Mirrortalk, Sepultura, DA, Armed for Apocalypse, and Shooting Daggers. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Saint Agnes – The Ghost

London alternative rock and metal band Saint Agnes have released their new single ‘The Ghost’. The fourth glimpse into their forthcoming album ‘Your God Fearing Days Are About to Begin’.

Frontperson, Kitty A. Austen, explains:

I wrote it about often feeling like I disappear, I become invisible in certain settings, certain situations. Words fail me and I merge into the background. I envisioned dancing, surrounded by people, but feeling completely on my own. It’s the soundtrack to a hot, sweaty night in a vampire nightclub, the blood rave just before dawn. Euphoria washes over the bodies as the dark driving beats pulsate through the club. We’ve turned my sadness into a banger and now we can dance to it.

A very cool industrial dance floor filler that has a certain amount of salaciousness rock injected into infectious alternative poppiness and Nine Inch Nails inspired intensity. It’s like nothing Saint Agnes have ever produced before, but not so far out of their comfort zone to be unrecognisable. This is part evolution and part experimentation and while it works for me, I can see plenty coming away cold.

Mirrortalk – Circle the Drain

Birmingham-based alternative rock band Mirrortalk have announced their signing to Hassle Records. To celebrate, the band have released their new single ‘Circle the Drain’, marking their first release via the label. The announcement comes hot on the heels of their UK tour with Casey.

A punchy, grungy, and noisy head banger that combines a disorientating style of instrumental chaos with soaring vocals that act like an anchor. It’s a fascinating listen that quickly takes hold, crowbarring the mind open, and pouring in intense alternative drama, melody, and more. It’s an awesome effort. Check it out here.

Sepultura – Beyond the Dream

Last month, Sepultura announced their final release, ‘The Cloud of Unknowing; EP, due to be released on April 24th.Now, the band are proud to reveal the EP’s second single, ‘Beyond the Dream’.

At this point in time, Sepultura can do whatever they want and as they bring a legendary career to a close, a ballad seems like a cool touch. Alas, while it is sweet and it’s nice to hear Derek sing like this, it’s a nothing track that leaves very little impression at all. Hell, even the guitar solo feels so ‘meh’. Check it out here.

DA – Forever Enslaved

UK hard rockers DA are gearing up for a massive breakthrough as they prepare to unleash their explosive self-titled debut album, ‘DA’, arriving Friday 10th April. Ahead of the release, the band have dropped their brand-new single and video, ‘Forever Enslaved’.

There’s some charged atmosphere to this track, where a slightly cinematic sound and melodic focus gives a hard rock heavyweight a richer sound. Developing bit by bit into something grander and showing off more of DA’s talents at it goes on. A surprisingly addictive listen.

Armed for Apocalypse – Spellbound

Armed for Apocalypse’s new single ‘Spellbound’, is out now via Church Road Records. The track is taken from their forthcoming album ‘The Earth is Breathing Beneath Me’ out 24th April.

A fast and furious banger that comes with intent. Armed for Apocalypse are in one hell of a mood here, and the result is something that comes out swinging. It’s noisy, with post-hardcore touches, and focused on delivering an aggressive explosion of heaviness overall. Check it out here.

Shooting Daggers – GLOW (feat. Dennis Lyxzén of Refused)

London based punk band Shooting Daggers have released their new single/video ‘GLOW’, which features guest vocals from Refused’s Dennis Lyxzén. The track is taken from the band’s new mini-album called ’The Real Life Thing’ on 5th June via New Heavy Sounds.

What a great guest spot Dennis has and what an impressive amount of passion he brings to the track. A track that shows a more melodic and chorus-driven side to Shooting Daggers. It’s a catchy number with rocking groove that just needed to be tightened up a bit to be really memorable. I like it. I just don’t love it. The video is ace though!