Single Slam: Acres, Hands of Attrition, Eschalon, paradise fell., Root Zero, Vampire Slumber Party, and Cabal!

Today’s single slam features Acres, Hands of Attrition, Eschalon, paradise fell., Root Zero, Vampire Slumber Party, and Cabal. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Acres – Bloodlust

British metallers Acres are back with their most ambitious chapter yet. The band has announced their third studio album, ‘The Host,’ set for release on May 2, 2025, via Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records.

Alongside the news of the new album the band has also shared the official video for the album’s first single ‘Bloodlust’.

Shares vocalist Ben Lumber:

‘Bloodlust’ is a track about a toxic relationship between you and addiction, we call The Host. It’s about giving in and giving up to it. You know it’s bad for you, but you can’t live without it. It’s the perfect way to start the record, a first peek into the downward spiral of letting the host in and letting it consume you.

Pushing the boundaries of alternative rock and metal, while creating burgeoning gloomy EDM-infused atmosphere, this new Acres track is very cool. Though it’s not immediately grabbing, at least until the slamming heaviness comes along. However, it is a grower and after several listens it’s well and truly jammed in the head. Let’s see what else this new album has to offer, it’s exciting times.

Hands of Attrition – For You

Hands of Attrition, the Birmingham metal band, are back with their brand new single ‘For You’. It explores the torment of addiction and the desperate need for external validation.

A killer band with a killer new song, Hands of Attrition are back with one hell of a head banger. One with gargantuan riffs, pounding drums and bass, glorious melodies, and a thrilling mix of vocal styles. It’s a bit of an epic, and that it comes with such an important message, makes it all the more powerful. Check it out here.

Eschalon – Denial

Fast emerging tech-metalcore band Eschalon have released their new single / video, ‘Denial’, featuring a special guest performance from vocalist Ashe O’Hara.

The band comment:

‘Denial’ is a raw portrayal of love turned venomous—a powerful narrative of fixation, control, and the desperate search for redemption amid the wreckage of a broken relationship. It’s a poignant reminder of the destructive force of denial and the toll it takes on both the heart and the mind.

A new Eschalon track is one reason to get excited, but one that features Ashe O’Hara? Gawd damn! Yeah, this is a fire track, ferociously heavy, but cleverly structured to make sure different patterns, tempos, and intensity levels constantly shift around the mind. It shimmers in impressive style, and even when you think you have the measure of it, they find a way to change it up again (such as the dramatic melodic switch up).

paradise fell. – Beautiful Life

London nu-rock outfit paradise fell. have shared the official music video for their new single ‘Beautiful Life’. Taken from their debut mixtape ‘Songs for ur Head’, which is out now via Fly Tip Records, ‘Beautiful Life.’ represents the deep human desire to live ‘a beautiful life’ and dives deep into the emotional weight of comparison in the digital age.

Speaking of ‘Beautiful Life.’ paradise fell. vocalist Matty Bankhurst shares:

Oftentimes we’re stuck in comparison, looking at everyone else’s beautiful life and it feels like we’re ‘on the outside looking in’. We often forget that social media is a highlight reel and not reality. We watch others seemingly live perfect lives while we’re struggling to ‘figure it out’. We often imagine ourselves in other people’s lives, having what they have, being where they are- This is something we wanted to capture in the video for this song.

As creative as ever, this new track (and the new mixtape as a whole) from paradise fell. delivers exciting alternative rock with a deep grungy undertone. Yet, even though this brings with it, a strong moody flavour, it has got impressive anthemic qualities, least of all a chorus that gets jammed in the mind. Check it out here.

Root Zero – Tumbleweed

Welsh riff merchants Root Zero will release their debut album, ‘Dark Rainbow’, on May 16th. The UK progressive metallers have also revealed their new single and video, ‘Tumbleweed’.

A huge track, expansive and expressive, that makes progressive metal that little more accessible, while unashamedly showcasing Root Zero’s incredible experimental abilities. Slowly but surely, you’ll sink into it, but rather than it suffocating, it comforts. Even when the instrumentals and vocals get a bit more intense. It’s a brilliant listen.

Vampire Slumber Party – Holes

London-based pop punk band Vampire Slumber Party have released their new single ‘Holes’. It’s the title track from their new album, which is out on Cat’s Claw Records and Hi, Pathetically Records on April 4th.

A wonderful blast of pop-punk nostalgia that calls to the Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio fans within all of us. Yes, you too. Everyone can enjoy a track like this as it’s perpetually catchy and Vampire Slumber Party nail the formula. It’s a peppy listen with big singalong vibes. What more do you want from pop punk? Check it out here.

Cabal – Redemption Denied

As the release of their new album Everything Rots approaches, Cabal unless another ferocious slice of deathcore with the new single ‘Redemption Denied’. The new album ‘Everything Rots’ will be released on March 21st via Nuclear Blast Records.

Singer Andreas Bjulver comments:

When existence feels hollow, escapism can seem all too tempting, a few fleeting moments away from a depressing reality can feel like the answer, but once you start chasing this feeling it only gets worse. Addiction is living hell and no one but you can save you from it. There’s no divine intervention or redemption.

The savagery continues with aplomb, Cabal’s latest single can be simply summed up as ‘personified intensity’. Yet even though it comes with feral speed and furious heaviness, there’s something delightfully catchy about this one. You can stomp, head bang, pit, or just stand there and gurn with all your might. Although, live, this one will probably go off a fair bit so you might want to stand back.