Single Slam: Underoath, Immortalizer, Dying Wish, Ben Blutzukker, Barrelhouse, First Fragment, Slowpoke, Wormwitch, Gama Bomb and Grand Cadaver!

This week’s single slam features Underoath, Immortalizer, Dying Wish, Ben Blutzukker, Barrelhouse, First Fragment, Slowpoke, Wormwitch, Gama Bomb and Grand Cadaver. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Underoath – Hallelujah

Underoath have revealed their highly anticipated seventh full-length, Voyeurist, set for release on January 14th via Fearless Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band shared the anthemic new track “Hallelujah”, which serves as the second single from Voyeurist.

A stompy head-banger, Hallelujah is one hell of a catchy track. The chorus alone will excite the senses and you just know it is going to be such a ‘shout along’ in the live environment. Nice and groovy with smooth melodies, it’s a mix of Underoath as they were and Underoath as they are.

Immortalizer – Gone to Hell

Immortalizer is the personal project of Dave D.R. a multi-instrumentalist recording artist and performer from Ontario Canada. He is preparing for his upcoming full-length album and now presents the single “Gone To Hell” that will be included in the album.

An old-school head-banger that has a touch of thrash, speed and traditional heavy metal to it. Gone to Hell is a ball of energy and that rhythm really gets the feet tapping along nicely. No-nonsense, it’s a classy track that goes on just a little too long meaning it gets a tad repetitive. Check it out here.

Dying Wish – Until Mourning Comes

Dying Wish is the Portland-based blistering hardcore five-piece whose passionate music fuses New Wave of American Heavy Metal and chaos-driven punk noises. They have announced the release of their forthcoming record, Fragments of a Bitter Memory which will be released on October 1, 2021.

The new single, ‘Until Mourning Comes’ is out now and on the new single, lead vocalist Emma Boster shares:

Until Mourning Comes’ is written about a family friend who passed away tragically in a plane crash last year. We were in the studio writing the record when my cousin called me with the news. I spent the rest of the night on the phone with my family in absolute shock over the passing of such a kind, bright, and loving young man.

A fervent display of modern chaotic hardcore, Dying Wish deliver an emotive and powerful song here. One that explodes from the start, and aside from layered melody, just rages and rages. Even when the tempo shifts, clean vocals are introduced and the melody becomes more prominent, it still exudes passion.

Worse for Wear – Time

Brisbane pop-punk trio, Worse For Wear, are sharing their new single and unofficial title track, Time, from forthcoming album ‘Sure To Leave A Mark’ out Friday September 3rd.

Vocalist Curtis Heinz explains that their brand new single is:

An open letter. It’s drawn from experiences we have seen unfold over the years. It acknowledges our imperfections and the pain this can ensue. Although not mentioned in the song I am hoping to incite forgiveness and a way forward.

We hope that the listeners can enjoy the emotion that we have captured. The lyrics are purposely minimal in the hope they can easily be remembered by the listener. This is one we cannot wait to play live and feel it is a fitting end to ‘Sure to Leave A Mark’.

Yeah, this one hits hard. Not because it is heavy or fast but rather because it is dripping emotion. The melody, the softly sung vocals and the lyrical content are very touching. Past the halfway point, it evolves too. Taking a more upbeat and passionate approach to really nail the landing. Check it out here.

Ben Blutzukker – Sands of Time

The talented one-man project, Ben Blutzukker has released a brand-new track called Sands of Time. This song is inspired by a Masters of the Universe audio play cassette from 1984.

By the power of Grayskull!

Fun inspiration is relayed into a fun track. One that is suitably epic sounding with a doomy-style tempo. It sounds like it belongs in the 80’s that’s for sure. Chest-punching, fist-pumping and heavy as hell. What’s not to like? Check it out here.

Barrelhouse – Ride of Life

Brisbane’s Swing Metal Quartet Barrelhouse have just released their new single ‘Ride of Life’.

Guitarist Jim Pagotto speaks on the new single:

‘Ride of Life’ is essentially a heavy blues shuffle riff. The whole focus of our writing process for Barrelhouse has been infusing predominantly swing era musical vibes with metal but we’re also throwing some blues, funk and even Bossa Nova elements into the mix in future singles.

A fascinating blend of swing and heavy metal, Ride of Life is a body mover. Energetic and heavy, the bluesy groove, solo and shuffling riff is top drawer stuff. It will put a big smile on the face and sure to get repeated plays.

First Fragment – La Veuve & Le Martyr

Quebecois tech-death masters First Fragment have unveiled new single ‘La Veuve & Le Martyr’ from their upcoming new album, Gloire Éternelle, out 29th October 2021 via Unique Leader.

On the new single, guitarist Phil Tougas explains:

‘La Veuve & Le Martyr’ is one of our most varied songs and definitely not as neoclassical as our first single ‘Pantheum’. The Shrapnel Records artist roster from the 80s and 90s remains the band’s biggest source of inspiration.

Groovy, bouncy, swaggering about the place and delectably tech, First Fragment have released one hell of a unique sounding track here. One that will have you scratching your head at first but eventually falling madly in love with. When they unleash their tech-death side, it’s eye-watering stuff.

Slowpoke – Windtalker

Canadian Doom/Punk/Psychedelic band Slowpoke stream the third single – “Windtalker” from their upcoming self-titled debut album.

Slowpoke adds:

Windtalker is about as pop as we get on this album. The songwriting is a bit closer to a traditional verse-chorus-verse approach which makes it a bit more straightforward than some of our other material. It’s lyrics are derived from a quote by Plato regarding ethics and reputation.

Moody mind-bending stuff, Slowpoke’s Windtalker has top shelf doominess that leans towards a more ‘commercial’ sound, while being as crushing as possible when necessary. The upbeat riffs, the chorus and clean singing, it’s surprisingly catchy. Check it out here.

Wormwitch – Hammer of the Underworld

Vancouver, Canada’s Wormwitch have released a new single, Hammer of the Underworld, and an accompanying music video – produced by Chariot of Black Moth. Hammer of the Underworld is the third pre-release single to be taken from the band’s upcoming album, Wolf Hex, due for release via Prosthetic Records on August 27th.

A heavy mix of black and death metal, Wormwitch’s brand of extreme is just that… extreme. That being said, this track is very listenable thanks to a more measured tempo. Though that also shouldn’t play down just how crushingly heavy the track is. Raw instrumentation and vocals that are akin to demonic howls, it’s fantastic.

Gama Bomb – Thunder Over London

Irish thrashers, Gama Bomb have released their new single called Thunder Over London. Thunder Over London is the title track from their surprise release three-song digital EP, due out August 6th.

A politically charged slice of manic thrash metal energy, Gama Bomb are as intense as always. It is interesting to see them pivot back to their more political roots as they rally against nuclear arms.

If the message doesn’t interest you, fear not, everything you love about Gama Bomb’s thrashy goodness is here and present. Few bands do modern thrash as well as these guys. Check it out here.

Grand Cadaver – Reign Through Fire

Hot on the heels of last year’s critically acclaimed debut EP, Madness Comes, Swedish death metal assembly, Grand Cadaver, return with a brand-new single ‘Reign Through Fire’.

3+ minutes of bludgeoning savagery, Reign Through Fire is a sprawling death metal effort that slams hard. Likely to macerate the bran matter, it’s brutally heavy in the best way possible. Head-banging and circle-pitting gold.