Single Slam: Animals as Leaders, Swamp Coffin, Nekrogoblikon, Disconnected, Lake Mosaic, Pyrexia, Phantom Bay, Bad Llama, Half Me and Casket Robbery!

This week’s single slam features Animals as Leaders, Swamp Coffin, Nekrogoblikon, Disconnected, Lake Mosaic, Pyrexia, Phantom Bay, Bad Llama, Half Me and Casket Robbery. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Animals as Leaders – The Problem of Other Minds

Ground breaking, genre defying instrumental trio, Animals as Leaders have announced their highly anticipated new album, ‘Parrhesia’. Their first new full-length album since 2016’s critically acclaimed ‘The Madness of Many’ will be released on March 25th, 2022 via Sumerian Records.

Highlighting the news of their first new album in 6 years is the release of brand new single and accompanying music video ‘The Problem of Other Minds’.

Speaking on the album announcement and the band’s single & music video, Tosin Abasi shares:

It’s been a while since we’ve released a body of work. We’re really proud of this collection of songs as well as the visual components, and are excited to share it with all of you.

A short (by their standards) blast of progressive and technically proficient instrumental noise. The Problem of Other Minds is what you might call a ‘hypnotic’ track as the instruments create a soundscape that feels weightless and graceful. It’s not wild, even if the guitars have those vibes, but it makes you feel on edge simply because you can never be sure just where it will go next. It’s the kind of unique music that is expected from this band, yet they still manage to surprise and confound.

Swamp Coffin – Noose Almighty

Rotherham based three-piece, sludge band Swamp Coffin have shared the video for new single ‘Your Problem’, taken from their upcoming album ‘Noose Almighty’ set for release on 26th November (APF Records).

Vocalist/guitarist Jon Rhodes comments:

We were close to finishing writing the album but knew that we needed something huge and pissed off to open the record with, to really set our stall out for what was coming. “Your Problem” was one of those songs that just came together really quickly. I went in to rehearsal with the verse and chorus riffs and by the end of the session we’d got what you hear on the album. Lyrically it’s about those people that have followers instead of friends who are never seen to do any wrong but are ultimately only out for themselves and will happily stab you in the back without ever letting the mask slip. It’s about revenge after a betrayal and we wanted to play off that with the video and make it as claustrophobic a viewing experience as possible.

A track to make you feel a bit sick. The sludgy and doomy heaviness hits hard from the immediate off and doesn’t let up for 6 minutes. The meatiness of the riffs, the pounding of the percussion and guttural and surly vocals. It’s a track that makes you grimace and it’s bloody brilliant. It’s a very angry track and you’ll feel that in every second of it. Check it out here.

Nekrogoblikon – Right Now

The self-proclaimed “Best Goblin Metal on the Planet” known as Nekrogoblikon have dropped the video for their brand new single ‘Right Now’.

The video also serves as a teaser for John Goblikon’s talk show of the same name, which also features Blake Anderson (Workaholics), comedian/musician Reggie Watts, DJ Dillon Francis, and Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders).

The Band Says:

We’re very excited to finally share the first single and video from our new album with you all. Since the song JUST SO HAPPENS to have the same name as John Goblikon’s talk show RIGHT NOW, we figured we’d also give you a sneak peak of what’s to come in Season 4 amidst all the goblin metal antics. Hope you enjoy!

The song will appear on the band’s upcoming album, due out in 2022. Season 4 of RIGHT NOW premieres on Wednesday 17th November, with special guest Blake Anderson.

It’s Nekrogoblikon being Nekrogoblikon-y. As weird as always, their brand of ‘goblin metal’ is as fun as always. Nice and heavy, nice and melodic, nice and wacky. This new single is an infectious little beast, Nekrogoblikon having more fun than ever. The latter portion of the track is downright hilarious as the band transform the track into a glam-rock hit. Check it out here.

Disconnected – Life Will Always Find Its Way

French melodic metal band Disconnected have released their new single ‘Life Will Always Find Its Way’. The song comes out after the success of ‘Unstoppable’, topping 1.5 million streams, the first single of the band’s anticipated upcoming album “We are Disconnected”, expected to be out in April 2022.

Get those neck muscles ready, they’re needed as Disconnected have a serious head-banger here. A melodic metal track that delivers a wild array of riffs, massive melodies and crunchy percussion. The verses have bite but the chorus absolutely soars and you’ll be awe of the layered complexities and catchy groove. It’s a heated display from Disconnected, made all the more impactful by the accompanying video. It’s going to hit with a ton of people.

Lake Mosaic – Perseverance

Lake Mosaic, a 5-piece rock/punk outfit from Ann Arbor, Michigan, blends together elements of pop punk, easycore, and post hardcore to create their own tailored blend of rock. As they gear up to release a record in the new year, Lake Mosaic infuses their own fresh flavours into their new single “Perseverance”.

A slow and grungy guitar intro bleeds into post-hardcore depth and melody which then transforms into something that shares much in common with the pop-punk world. The chorus hits and lifts the spirits high but again, the song continues to evolve. Lake Mosaic showcase a ton of imagination and even more passion in a little over 3-minutes. Very listenable and very memorable. Check it out here.

Pyrexia – Rule of 2

Brutal death metal pioneers Pyrexia have unveiled their new single, ‘Rule of 2’, from their upcoming album Gravitas Maximus, due out on 10th December via Unique Leader.

The slamming brutal death single of the year is here. Nothing is topping just how savage this track is. Akin to having a crowbar wrapped around your head or witnessing a collection of vomiting psychopaths revel in their own filth. This is sickeningly heavy so be grateful it only lasts around 3 and a half minutes as no-one could realistically take much more. If that doesn’t sell you on this track, nothing will. Check it out here.

Phantom Bay – Separate Ways

Bremen-based band Phantom Bay pairs hardcore punk with melodic hooks. Formed in spring 2020 by Michael Hanser (vocals, guitar), Laurin Rutgers (bass), and Yannic Arens (drums), the band is set to release their debut self-titled LP in early 2022 via Krod Records.

The band says:

“Separate Ways” is a song about regret; about deliberately parting ways with people you’re very close with, and later wishing you had chosen differently. The song came together very naturally, both verse and chorus we’re written in under an hour. For me, that’s always a sign of a good song. It was written after heavy listening to Drug Church (one can tell when listening to the verse) and Jimmy Eat World. It’s arguably our catchiest song on this album, and contrasts the screamed vocals of the remaining album tracks.

A second over 2 minutes, Phantom Bay combine hardcore, punk and pop-rock to create something that has pop-punk flavour but doesn’t taste of that completely. The rawer vocal style plays off the cleaner guitar rhythm nicely and the drums add a foot-tapping beat. It’s unbelievably catchy, with a chorus that you can’t help but sing along too. Check it out here.

Bad Llama – Viper

Midlands-based alternative metal act Bad Llama have released their venomous new single/video ‘Viper’.

The single’s lyrics explore the nature of those people that suck the soul and life out of every situation; the parasites, the leeches, the rats, the vipers. Injected with a hefty dose of venom, the combination of melodic chorus lines with filthy, growling verses, are all topped off with ear-splitting metalcore breakdowns.

The band comment:

‘Viper’ is about people coming into your life with ulterior motives. All they do is take your time and take your money, mentally drain you, or play off your empathy. Even after you’ve given them everything you physically can, they end up chipping away at your mental state instead until you’ve nothing left for even yourself. ‘Viper’ is similar to the snakes hidden in the grass, just like the people you bring into your life that just do you harm, whether they realise it or not. And it’s about trying to take that sense of self back.

A very moody and mind-altering track that switches between disconcerting grunginess, frenzied blasts of heaviness and melodic complexities. Bad Llama have crafted something that gets under the skin but also something that demands you move. When they hit, Bad Llama hit hard but the highlights of this track are often when they take things down low and filthy sounding.

Half Me – Trauma Culture

Metalcore quintet Half Me have signed to Arising Empire Records and released new single ‘Trauma Culture’ in celebration.

Vocalist Chris comments:

I am thrilled to finally share ‘Trauma Culture’ and open the door to our new narrative. ‘Trauma Culture’ represents relationship mania, a form of mental illness that is often overlooked for the extent of collective and individual damage dealt. Radical world views are colliding in this era of hyper-communication.

Everything that happens around me has to do with me, and there is something I have to do to face this plot. Challenging the rules of society became a vessel of this dogma. With ‘Trauma Culture’ I process personal experiences as well as sociopolitical observations and I can’t wait to bring that hurt and sadness to the stage. While I condemn radicalisation, I empathically care for the victims of isolation.

Jagged instrumentation, frenetic energy and passionate metalcore based heaviness, Half Me’s Trauma Culture is a track to leave you feeling a bit ‘traumatised’. Although it’s an experience you’ll want to have as the unit have delivered a slice of intensity that hits pretty damn hard. Especially the breakdown right at the end. As the kids would say – this fucking slaps. Check it out here.

Casket Robbery – Bone Mother

Emerging from the darkest and most desolate areas of the Midwest, Casket Robbery creates its own signature style of death metal by infusing horror and occult themes. They have now released the official music video for their newest single, Bone Mother.

Bone Mother is dedicated to the memory of Eric Orvold, father of Casket Robbery vocalist Megan Orvold.

Vocalist Megan Orvold comments on the song:

Everything about this song was so much fun for us. From the twisted spooky folklore of Baba Yaga and our lyrical interpretation to the way she was brought to life in the amazing claymation video. ‘All knowing, all seeing, all revealing, all being.’ We hope you enjoy Bone Mother!

A mental mugging dished out by a band who brutalise with their brand of death metal. The horror in this track is palatable but the scathing assault of metal is how Casket Robbery really dig their claws in. Ripping and tearing through flesh, muscle and sinew to get to the bone, it’s an aggressive listen. The tempo shifts led by the percussion are insane, the guitar chunkiness will make you feel queasy and the vocals are filth. It’s bloody lovable.