Single Slam: Suicide Silence, Sugar Horse, Aphyxion, Judicator, Half Me, For I Am King, Battalions, Nasty and The Wonder Years!
This week’s single slam features Suicide Silence, Sugar Horse, Aphyxion, Broken Empire, Judicator, Half Me, For I Am King, Battalions, Nasty and The Wonder Years. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.
Suicide Silence – You Must Die
Extreme metal band Suicide Silence have released their new song and video, You Must Die. The first single from their upcoming 7th studio album, Remember… You Must Die. Scheduled for a release in the first quarter of 2023.
Says Suicide Silence:
You Must Die reminds us that time is merciless. Every second the clock ticks we grow closer to death and what happens after our short bout with time is a total mystery. You Must Die was written as a reminder to remember death and to not let time be our master.
A re-energised Suicide Silence with the focus on being as brutal and as heavy as possible, You Must Die is an unashamed expulsion of deathcore. Something that is more in keeping with the band’s past. Where the goal was to go as heavy as possible. You Must Die doesn’t mess around, it’s just short of 3-minutes of pure aggression and noise. Brutality at its finest.
Sugar Horse – Disco Loadout
The ever-mercurial, boundary-pushing UK rock quartet Sugar Horse have announced their thrilling new collaborative EP Waterloo Teeth. Waterloo Teeth will be released 28th October via Small Pond, and features members of Heriot, Conjurer, IDLES, Biffy Clyro, and many more. In celebration of the news, Sugar Horse have released the first single from the EP, the aptly-titled ‘Disco Loadout’ which features Heriot’s Debbie Gough.
Of ‘Disco Loadout’ band comment:
This song is more of a comedic idea, than it is actual music. This song is all about rhythm, so the guitar and bass parts are either playing all open strings at once, or muting every string at once. On top of that all strings were tuned to entirely random notes, so it’s just complete dissonance. The title comes from playing a show just before a club-night is about to begin and how quickly you have to remove all your gear from the stage.
You truly never know what you’re going to get with Sugar Horse and once again, the group surprise with the discordant noise of Disco Loadout. Helped, of course, by the chaotic vocals of Heriot’s Debbie Gough. It’s a track that doesn’t even reach two-minutes and can best be described as abrasive. It also certainly suggest that Waterloo Teeth is going to be yet another unique entry into the Sugar Horse musical catalogue. Check it out here.
Aphyxion – Ocean of Time
Metalcore outfit, Aphyxion have released a brand-new track called ‘Ocean of Time’. A song that features Jan Listing of Berlin’s progressive metal band Chaosbay.
The collaboration bears some tasty fruit but more notable is just how anthemic this track is. Aphyxion’s metalcore sound is energetic, heavy and very hooky. In particular, the chorus absolutely soars and is undeniably catchy. With the aid of Chaosbay, Aphyxion have delivered one hell of a metalcore banger with Ocean of Time.
Broken Empire – Before the Fall
UK hard rock/metal band Broken Empire have released their new single, Before The Fall. The title track and final single taken from the band’s eagerly anticipated debut album. Before The Fall tackles the subject of asking for help when you need it most but maybe you didn’t realise that at first. A difficult subject that for many years wasn’t primarily accepted by society (especially for younger people); the band hopes the track can connect and deliver the message that:
Anyone can get lost inside their own head and maybe not realise there is anything wrong. The important thing is to understand that sometimes everyone needs help and that it’s okay to talk, it’s okay to be scared and it’s okay to just be you.
A powerful message combined with powerful heavy rock groove and crunchy metal intensity, Broken Empire continue to impress as they move towards the release of this debut album. Something that, based off the music heard so far and including this track, is sure to be a huge hit. Before the Fall’s anthemic sound is memorable and infectious. The blend of heavier metal bursts and overall hard rock orientation makes for a foot-tapping and head-banging experience. The cherry on top being a kick-ass guitar solo. Check it out here.
Judicator – The High Priestess
Two years on from their 2020 full-length Let There Be Nothing, Judicator have their forthcoming sixth studio album, The Majesty of Decay, set for release via Prosthetic Records on November 25th. Refreshed and revitalized, the US power metal group are proud to share the lead single and accompanying music video, The High Priestess.
The band comments:
The High Priestess is daring, it’s catchy, and so refreshing too! It’s our best idea of what it would look like if Tom Jones did heavy metal. We could have chosen any number of safe songs to introduce the new album, but we wanted to throw our fans a curveball. The rest of the album has plenty of speed, riffs, and prog, but only The High Priestess has a full brass section.
Be prepared for something truly eccentric. Be prepared to be wowed by this grin-inducing slice of brilliance from Judicator. A band always capable of surprising, even long-term fans will do a double-take upon hearing the wackiness that features in this track. Yet, none of that detracts from just how brilliant it is. Once again, Judicator are twisting power metal expectations and standing alone with their own take on things. If The High Priestess is a sign of things to come from this new album, we’re looking at something very special indeed.
Half Me – Wraith
German metal quintet Half Me have released their second single / video ‘Wraith’ via Arising Empire.
The band comment:
‘Wraith’ is the repercussion of a traumatic episode. In a cry for solidarity, the isolation turns out to fuel the infectious progression of something that is vague and hard to pin down – but it exists. Every single thought aggravates a vicious downward spiral while nobody else is able to understand. In this state of being pushed away from everyone, ‘Wraith’ describes this entity that is growing and slowly becoming a part of you.
The sound of modern metalcore, Half Me offer plenty of booming heaviness thanks to hefty bass but really hit their stride in the chorus. The clean vocals are immense. Although there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to the growls and screams too. Likewise, the riffs are scathing and there’s a top shelf breakdown too. Bloody enjoyable modern metalcore. Check it out here.
For I Am King – Liars
Dutch metal band For I Am King have dropped their new single ‘Liars’. Their first piece of new music in 4 years along with the addition of new band member and drummer Ivo Maarhuis.
What an impressive piece of heavy music this is. For I Am King return with a dazzling track of intensity that is both technical, melodic and ferocious. A tough balance to nail but For I Am King are back with renewed purpose and they make it sound so easy. Pure head-banging and circle-pit inducing gold. If this is what we can expect from this band going forward, it’s a very exciting time to be a fan of this band.
Battalions – Diagnosis Fucked
UK sludge metal juggernaut Battalions are set to return with their new album ‘King of a Dead World’ on 21st October via APF Records. In celebrate this announcement, the band have released the first single from the new album, ‘Diagnosis Fucked’.
Vocalist Phil Wilkinson comments on the single:
I have always written about personal struggles, and this one is very personal lyrically. Diagnosis Fucked refers to my struggles with health issues, particularly being diagnosed with osteoarthritis and the mental anguish that came with that, but ultimately coming out the other side with help from good friends and horrible music. I’ve always been very open, lyrically and personally, about my struggles with mental and physical health, and this song is a representation of this. Along with that, we chose this as a first single as it encapsulates what Battalions is all about – heavy music, big groove and hard hitting lyrics.
It feels like forever since we have had new music from Battalions and the time away seems to have given them renewed life and musical purpose. Diagnosis Fucked is a filthy, heavy and groovy track that has sludge metal intensity but is notable for the striking heavy hook-driven head-banging vibes it gives off. It’s always impressive to hear something you can circle pit to while the infectious riffs spread their way through the mind, body and soul. Check it out here.
Nasty – Don’t Play with Fire
Hardcore metal band Nasty have released a new song called ‘Don’t Play with Fire’ and an accompanying music video via Century Media Records.
Says frontman/vocalist Matthi:
Don’t Play with Fire’ is a super-aggressive song coming with a wild video. Beware! Don’t play with fire or you’ll get burned…
A very short example of nasty going hard and heavy, Don’t Play with Fire is 94 seconds of hardcore metal intensity. Where the guitars and drums hit with force and the vocals spit an incredible amount of venom. All leading to a ferocious breakdown that will break necks. The sound of unmitigated danger. Check it out here.
The Wonder Years – Old Friends Like Lost Teeth
The Wonder Years have shared another track from their upcoming album The Hum Goes On Forever in ‘Old Friends Like Lost Teeth’. Accompanied by a video directed by Benjamin Lieber, the song has a gut-wrenching push-and-pull throughout, as vocalist Dan Campbell reflects on yet another friend gone too soon.
Dan explains:
As much as I try not to dwell on loss, I can’t help myself from thinking about it, writing about it, singing about it. This is a song for another friend who passed too soon and about how I wish I could stop myself from opening the sutures, about how I know it’ll be painful to play live, and how powerless I am to do anything else.
A very heartfelt and honest sounding track from the iconic pop-punk band, Old Friends Like Lost Teeth is memorable for two major reasons. One, it is energised but has some much heart and soul it’s simply startling. Two, the chorus is such an absolute singalong and you can tell this track is going to be immense live. Even if the emotion that runs through it like a thick vein will likely have a crowd in tears more than anything else. A beautiful effort from this band.
Suicide Silence, Sugar Horse, Aphyxion, Judicator, Half Me, For I Am King, Battalions, Nasty and The Wonder Years!
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Suicide Silence – You Must Die - 8/10
8/10
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Sugar Horse – Disco Loadout - 7/10
7/10
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Aphyxion – Ocean of Time - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Broken Empire - Before the Fall - 8/10
8/10
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Judicator – The High Priestess - 9/10
9/10
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Half Me – Wraith - 7.5/10
7.5/10
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For I Am King - Liars - 9/10
9/10
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Battalions - Diagnosis Fucked - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Nasty - Don’t Play with Fire - 7.5/10
7.5/10
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The Wonder Years - Old Friends Like Lost Teeth - 8/10
8/10