Single Slam: Ghost, Stray From the Path, Sleep/less, Xander and the Peace Pirates, Arc Arrival, Nekrogoblikon, Feverjaw, BillyBio, 10 Gauge, Placebo, Basement Gary and Malevolence!

This week’s single slam features Ghost, Stray From the Path, Sleep/less, Xander and the Peace Pirates, Arc Arrival, Nekrogoblikon, Feverjaw, BillyBio, 10 Gauge, Placebo, Basement Gary and Malevolence! You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Ghost – Twenties

Twenties is the latest advance offering from Impera, the imminent fifth album from GRAMMY-winning Swedish theatrical rock outfit Ghost, heralding its arrival March 11 via Loma Vista Recordings.

Cinematic as hell, the bombastic intro has a sinister edge and is followed by a darker and more manic Ghost listen. One of the more unique tracks the band has released, the continued use of epic sounding orchestration and ‘promises of reigns of pennies and piles of moolah’ captivates. It’s a blend of the Ghost of old and the Ghost of now. Weirdly captivating but unbelievably catchy. This and the previous single are suggesting that the new album might be the most diverse Ghost release to date.

Stray From the Path – Guillotine

Never a band to mince their words, Long Island’s Stray From The Path have today returned with a brand new single, ‘Guillotine’, their first new music since the release of 2019’s ‘Internal Atomics’ album.

Speaking of the track, guitarist Tom Williams says:

During the course of writing this record over the past two years, we’ve seen a lot of shit happening across the US. People are starting to become conscious of the sick system we live in. We’ve seen the working class lose 3.7 trillion dollars while billionaires got richer by 3.9 trillion dollars during the pandemic. We’ve seen essential workers get greeted with a pat on the back and coupons to use at the businesses they worked for, and those same businesses brought in record profits. This system is broken, and it’s starting to deteriorate. In the end, those people who have headed these companies and viciously exploited the working class during this ordeal should be met with the Guillotine.

That intro… talk about threatening an expulsion! Which makes the fact that Stray From the Path hold up and build it up even more, all the more incredible. When it finally breaks and the band unleash post-hardcore/alt-metal/hip-hop influenced heaviness, your eyes might water and ears might bleed. The ferocity of this track is simply phenomenal and you feel every bit of band’s frustration bleeding through. Check it out here.

Sleep/less – My Serenade

Pop-punk band, Sleep/less, on a mission to deliver music influenced by the artists they grew up with, have released a brand-new single called ‘My Serenade’.

The statement about Sleep/less wanting to pay tribute to the bands in the pop-punk/pop-rock era they grew up in makes a lot of sense once you hear this track. A smile-inducing blast of heartfelt pop-infused rocking peppiness. A track that is stupidly catchy, stupidly feel-good and stupidly memorable. Try as hard as you want, this one will be stuck in the mind long afterwards. Check it out here.

Xander and the Peace Pirates – Leave the Light On

Xander and the Peace Pirates have announced their new album ‘Order Out of Chaos’ will be released on the 6th May preceded by the new single ‘Leave the Light On’.

The band have revealed the altruistic inspiration behind new single Leave the Light On:

This song expresses how kindness to the homeless can help bring both the one giving kindness, and the one receiving that kindness, back into the light of wholeness. When we pass a homeless person, who is often struggling with mental illness and trauma, we are ignoring their suffering that is also within ourselves. We turn away from what needs attention and healing because we fear it.

The soulful blues rock sound of Xander and the Peace Pirates is wonderfully captivating. A mellow and emotive piece of music that makes you take a moment to collect yourself and swear to be a better person. The soulful vocals, the melodramatic melody and blues undertone is incredibly memorable and even a bit catchy. A track that has an important statement but avoids being preachy. Instead, musically and lyrically, it just wants you to think about the subject instead of ignoring it. Check it out here.

Arc Arrival – Forsaken

Stirlingshire tech metal trio Arc Arrival have released a new single called ‘Forsaken’ which is taken from their forthcoming EP Amethyst which is released 29/4/22.

A mind-altering and infectious blast of techy metal that has a raw and less refined sound, Arc Arrival’s new track is both complex and compelling. A dark and sinister blend of death-infused savagery, eclectic melody and wild, heavy as hell instrumentation. It really does capture the imagination. Check it out here.

Nekrogoblikon – Golden Future

The self-proclaimed “Best Goblin Metal on the Planet” known as Nekrogoblikon have shared new single ‘Golden Future’, taken from their new album The Fundamental Slimes and Humours, set for release on 1st April.

The band comment:

Here’s a quote from the band about the release: “Excited to share the extremely optimistic ‘Golden Future’ with you all! Hope you enjoy it!

Continuing to prove that the ‘best goblin metal music on the planet’ is a statement that rings so true for this band. Nekrogoblikon have unleashed a simply phenomenal banger that is groovy, heavy, weird as hell and absurdly catchy. That chorus is pure gold but it’s par for the course with a band that seems to be firing on all cylinders at the moment. Brilliant stuff from Nekrogoblikon.

Feverjaw – Midsommar

Cardiff-based rock three-piece Feverjaw are due to release their new single ‘Midsommar’ on March 11th 2022.

Midsommar is taken from their upcoming EP ‘Casual Abrasive’ due for release April 1st 2022, the follow up to their 2021 debut album ‘All Bets Are Off’ to SWD Records.

Featuring guest vocals from Ben Fox Smith (Serafin / Stoney Sleep), the blend of distorted guitars, heavy bass, mellow vocals and energetic tempos makes this a track you can rock out too. The groove is heavy and rich, cloying to a degree, but one that wraps around you in a comforting way. Thanks to the vocals, it really doesn’t weigh you down. You will be able to check it out here upon release.

BillyBio – Black Out

BillyBio releases new single and video ‘Black Out’, out now on AFM Records, new album ‘Leaders And Liars’ is out 25th March.

Billy Graziadei says:

Self control is a path not followed by many. The ability to deal with dark emotions in a positive manner is true enlightenment. I’ve missed the mark too many times in my life to go down that road another time. True strength comes from the power to overcome instinct. One thing we all need to remember: don’t mistake kindness for weakness. We all have that breaking point, a line in the sand that we draw. “Black Out” is about the struggle to not cross that line — and the consequences to it being crossed.

It’s so good to see BillyBio back and as furious as ever, the classic blend of hardcore and punk is given a much crunchier and crazier sounding heavy metal spin here. One that will create circle pit mayhem but also have crowds of people chanting along to that kick-ass chorus. A banging single.

10 Gauge – Demons

British Hard Rock five-piece 10 Gauge, formed of TJ (lead guitar), Rob Jewson (vocals), Kieran Best (guitar), Gareth Dearing (bass) and Neil Felgate (drums), take the rock sound of the early ’90s and give it a contemporary twist. Their new single, Demons, is about the fight from within. Your calls for help have gone unheard, now you are giving into the dark, and there is no turning back! Relating to those who deal with both personal, self-doubt, or even just the struggles of day to day life and the lies we are fed. We all have a choice….good…..or bad.

Groovy, energetic and head-banging inducing. Demons is far more angelic when it comes to making you move to quality hard rock. That being said, it has got dirty depths, sinister vocals and meaty heaviness that puts it more on hellish side of things. It’s a classy contrast with a strong message that comes through strongly. Super enjoyable. Check it out here.

Placebo – Happy Birthday in the Sky

Placebo are today sharing a brand-new single, ‘Happy Birthday in The Sky’. It is the final single that will be released ahead of the band’s highly-anticipated new album Never Let Me Go, which is due March 25th.

Smooth, warm and rich while also being eccentric and catchy, it’s Placebo doing what Placebo do so well and if you’ve always enjoyed them, then this latest single won’t disappoint. The vocals are the main draw but the melody and methodical guitar rhythm/drum beat shouldn’t be ignored. The highlight comes when they momentarily rock it up. Check it out here.

Basement Gary – Like A Millionaire

Basement Gary is back at it again with a “new gen pop punk” track, called ‘Like a Millionaire’, it is the third single off their upcoming album ‘As BG as they wanna be’.

A short and to the point blast of sunny pop-punk, Basement Gary pack this track with excellent moments. The darker pre-chorus, the pep and sing-along touch of the actual chorus, a banging guitar solo and touches of electro that really enhance the melodies. For being just a little over 2-minutes, this one gets lodged in the brain matter. Check it out here.

Vexes – Beyond the Sinking

New Jersey’s revered alternative rock/metal band Vexes will make a monumental return this summer with the release of a double album, “Imagine What We Could Destroy /// If Only Given Time,” on June 17th. The band has now unveiled the record’s first single, ‘Beyond The Sinking’.

Commenting on the single, vocalist Charlie Berezansky states:

Many of the songs deal with today’s obsession with the public eye, seeing and being seen, and the hold that has over all of us, especially with social media and having lost much of the human connection we once had. We have a general disdain for the intrusiveness of these platforms but at the same time understand their importance, however fleeting that may be.

A discordant blast of dark and crushing instrumentation balanced by melodies and vocals that are grand, airy and powerful. Vexes challenge and this new single is a great example of their ability to captivate and confuse. You’ll be scratching your head while it involuntarily moves to the eccentricities of the rhythm. Check it out here.

Malevolence – On Broken Glass

Malevolence have been tirelessly grafting their 3rd full-length record. The hugely anticipated album, titled ‘Malicious Intent’, will be released on May 20th 2022. The band have now revealed the brand-new single ‘On Broken Glass’.

Malevolence front-man Alex Taylor states:

Malicious Intent is a demonstration of strength. It is the next step in the evolution of our band and is the product of hard work and creativity over two years of difficulties, lock downs and complete upheaval to every day life. The album embodies the progression of our sound but also our growth as individuals and I feel like with each release we put out, our sound matures with us. The subjects that we touch on with this album will resonate with those who are seeking self reflection and progression. This is something we as a band will always strive for as we continue to carve our own path and build new foundations in the heavy music world. If you are a heavy music fan, there is something on this album for you. These are heavy metal anthems that will stand the test of time!

A filthy, sludge-infused blast of brash and brazen heavy metal, Malevolence are making sure everyone is aware that they are still absolutely raging on this new album. Though, this is a band capable of always surprising and the chorus is what stands out here. A chorus that is more melody driven and has the vocals soar. Though the absolute ferocity of the verses, the speed-metal inspired guitar solo and latter breakdown is well worth mentioning too.