Single Slam: Spiritbox, The Throwaway Scene, Arch Enemy, Scared Little Toaster, Diverted Disorder, Abduction, Crymwav, Nightblade, False Reality, Common Tongue, Black Orchid Empire, A Swift Farewell, and Stray from the Path!

Today’s single slam features Spiritbox, The Throwaway Scene, Arch Enemy, Scared Little Toaster, Diverted Disorder, Abduction, Crymwav, Nightblade, False Reality, Common Tongue, Black Orchid Empire, A Swift Farewell, and Stray from the Path. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Spiritbox – No Loss, No Love

Spiritbox, the boundary-pushing force redefining modern metal, return with their latest single, ‘No Loss, No Love’.

Have they taken over the world yet? It sure feels like it’s just a matter of time and powerful tracks like this are only going to help. Spiritbox at their most aggressive and intense, but with bundles of experimental melody and garish effects. It’s quite a creative track, with layers of accessibility, but will be most remembered for its heaviness.

The Throwaway Scene – Talking Slowly

Sheffield emo outfit, The Throwaway Scene have released their brand new single ‘Talking Slowly’. The track expresses a powerful and honest struggle with identity and acceptance, exploring the decision to take medication in order to fit into an idealised world and ultimately capturing the fight to reclaim oneself.

Vocalist Oliver Hame goes into detail about the meaning behind the track:

We were writing this during a very low episode of my life so naturally a lot of what I was feeling ended up in this weird little story I created to help cope with the idea of taking meds. The bad guy was offering a drug to help you slot into the idealised world he’d created, the main character is basically me writing about whether or not to take this drug to fit in. I didn’t know whether I wanted to be part of the world anymore. It took a lot to come back and with this song I got to feel like I came back fighting. It’s such a powerful, honest song and I’m so proud of every moment of it.

An awesomely infectious track that delivers big emo melodies, alternative rock peppiness, and a chorus that makes you want to sing loudly. The Throwaway Scene haven’t created something game changing, but they have crafted something so memorable. With rivets of authentic emotion running through it, it connects in unexpected ways. Check it out here.

Arch Enemy – Paper Tiger

The wait is almost over: Before Swedish extreme metal titans Arch Enemy unleash their 12th studio album Blood Dynasty at the end of March this year, the band reveal the ultimate single ‘Paper Tiger’.

Founder and guitarist Michael Amott says about ‘Paper Tiger’:

With Blood Dynasty almost here, we thought we’d sneak in another single for you! ‘Paper Tiger’ is a personal favourite—these riffs are so much fun to play. The accompanying video was shot on a German airfield last summer with our visionary friend Mumpi. Turn it up and let it roar!

Another high-quality Arch Enemy track that has this delightful heavy metal vibe, as though Arch Enemy are channelling the likes of Judas Priest. It’s an example of the band having fun, while also keeping the heavy vibes front and centre. It’s very cool and you might find yourself unexpectedly head banging to it.

Scared Little Toaster – Vibra

Scared Little Toaster are an experimental noise rock/noise punk bass and drums duo from London, with touches of jazz and the occasional use of a domestic appliance. Their new single, ‘Vibra’ is out now.

First time? Well, they’re a weird bunch and Vibra is a strong example of their odd musical abilities. Delivering something obnoxious, but fascinating. It constantly surprises, never goes in expected directions, but thrills. Especially after multiple listens when the layers can be better appreciated. It’s still freaking mental, but their madness makes a little more sense. Check it out here.

Diverted Disorder – Portraits

South African rock/metal dynamo Diverted Disorder unveils their latest single ‘Portraits’- a deeply emotional and sonically distinct track that showcases the band’s artistic versatility. Known for their raw intensity and hard-hitting themes, Diverted Disorder takes a bold step with ‘Portraits’, exploring a more haunting and melodic side while offering an unfiltered look at the devastating impact of poor choices and the silent weight of depression.

A succinct showcase of Diverted Disorder’s moody and melodic side, this new single makes you sit up straight and pay attention. The instrumentals are heart-wrenching, but it’s all about the harmonious vocals, especially when several voices combine. It’s a really pretty track that has a ton of impact. Check it out here.

Abduction – Blau ist die Farbe der Ewigkeit

UK extreme metal collective Abduction have released their new single, ‘Blau ist die Farbe der Ewigkeit’, from their forthcoming album, Existentialismus, set to be released on 21st February 2025 via Candlelight.

Comments vocalist A|V:

The city swine are feasting, eyes fixated on all that is surplus, transitory, and inane.
All at once was the flood.
Unwilling rats, unknowing of their stench.
Spiralling towards the sewer…
Perfect.

A waking nightmare? Some may see it as such, but in other’s eyes, this is the stuff of black metal dreams. The darkness pours out of this one, and Abudction continue to showcase a deeper level of dark dissonance that has more personality infused than ever before. There’s emotion here. Fear not though, it is still feral and blackened to its core.

Crymwav – Sense of Adventure

West coast rockers Crymwav (Pronounced ‘Crimewave’) have released (7th February) their new single ‘Sense of Adventure’, a blend of the energetic punk sound of Angel City with the gothic rock flair of The Damned. It follows the late 2024 release ‘Contagious’.

It doesn’t take long for this track to take hold and get the body moving, after all, Crymwav have rock groove running through their veins. It’s an addictive listen that sees robust riffs blend with hooky rhythms and features powerful vocals. Everything coming together in a chorus this is highly addictive. Check it out here.

Nightblade – One Night on the Town

Unstoppable Brit Rock combo, Nightblade, will release their fifth album in a remarkable five years. The rampant riff slingers reveal their aptly titled album, 5, on Friday 11th April. The first single from this stunning record, One Night on the Town, is out now.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a night like the one Nightblade are portraying here. A night out that, fuelled by alcohol, ends up becoming a messy one. What we have here is a foot-tapping, body-shaking groove monster that has ‘easy to love’ rock vibes. Very catchy, very accessible, and the sort of thing to ease a hangover.

False Reality – Cranium

London metallic hardcore powerhouse False Reality have kicked off 2025 at full throttle with the release of new single ‘Cranium’ via Hassle Records. The quartet have also been announced as support for Heriot alongside Grove Street, on their headline UK tour this April.

Vocalist Rachel Rigby comments on the single:

‘Cranium’ is about grappling with letting emotions lead our actions in a negative way. It’s about learning to grow as a person by wanting to deal with situations that have hurt you in the ‘correct’ way and fighting the feeling that you are doing yourself an injustice by not letting the anger out.

Let’s f**king go. This is a track to let off some steam to. To let out some of those pent up emotions and just lose your s**t for a few minutes. All thanks to False Reality’s encouraging blast of ugly and harsh hardcore heaviness. It’s great, but it’s how it makes you feel powerful for a few moments that really matters. Check it out here.

Common Tongue – Friend or Foe

Formidable Brit two-piece Common Tongue continue their musical journey, proving themselves of one of the most professional and competent bands with their next single, ‘Friend or Foe’, which is out now.

Continuing to make really likeable alternative rock music, the groovy duo (that definitely doesn’t have a bass) that is Common Tongue stand out for all the right reasons. This is an accessible track with lovely vocals and catchy beats, but what really makes it special is the fuzziness of the guitar. It adds a unique flavour to their alternative take. Pay attention to this band, they’re killing it. Check it out here.

Black Orchid Empire – Angelfire

Black Orchid Empire create huge, memorable rock music that combines heavy-hitting savagery with intense melodic beauty. Their technical, fearlessly complex grooves and gigantic sing-along choruses have already earned them a widespread fanbase. The band have now signed with Year of The Rat Records (Save Us, Lastelle, Kite Thief) and released their new single ‘Angelfire’ ahead of their upcoming UK tour.

Says Paul, vocalist and guitarist:

Following on from the sci-fi Semaphore and historical Tempus Veritas, our next cycle of music is inspired by mythology, both ancient and more recent. The first single Angelfire is based on UFO and extra-terrestrial contact stories, and is told from the perspective of an abductee obsessed with the idea of being re-taken by aliens. We had so much fun putting ourselves in those shoes and the result is a huge, anthemic tune with some absolutely nasty riffs. Enjoy!

How great is this? Black Orchid Empire are back and they’re sounding better than ever. Evolving their sound, while retaining the big riffs, groovy weirdness, technical blasts of heavy, and massive chorus that we have come to expect from them. This is a beast of a track and will be getting replays all year long. If this is a sign of things to come, get excited.

A Swift Farewell – Silence

A Swift Farewell, the quartet emo pop punk artists hailing from the heart of Eora/ Sydney, Australia, has released their new ‘Silence’. The band has also welcomed Gabrielle Michael as their new bassist, adding a fresh dynamic to their already powerful sound.

With heightened drama, plenty of angsty emo melodies, pop likability, and enough punk rock bounce to get even the blackest heart pounding, A Swift Farewell deliver a bit of a banger here. A harmonised banger that shows the strength that each part of the band has. Clean and catchy, what more do you need from this sound? Check it out here.

Stray from the Path – Kubrick Stare

Stray from the Path have returned with new single, ‘Kubrick Stare’, their first release on new home SharpTone Records.

Speaking of the track, once again recorded with longtime producer and frequent collaborator Will Putney, vocalist Tom Williams states:

It felt like we were capturing lightning in a bottle. We built the song around those scary chords. Every day, people on the Internet see the craziest things they’ve ever seen in their lives. Sometimes, it’s hard to feel seriously about these atrocities because we see them all day. You’re so numb to it that you’re just staring blankly.

It’s unfortunately become normal, and it’s driving us crazy. Hence, the ‘Kubrick Stare’ reference — which was a tactic Stanley Kubrick used to show a character losing his mind. We’re locked into our phones, and we probably look like Jack looking out of the window in The Shining.

A modern heavyweight anthem from a band that is adept at delivering modern heavyweight anthems. Stray from the Path bring the fire here, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, and upsetting a certain type of person at the same time. Not only is it groovy, but it has a sharp technical edge that makes it sound even more chaotic. It’s not too far out of their comfort zone, but it does show experimentation.