Single Slam: Sleep Token, Feverhill, Grave Alter, Redemption, Detective Larsson, American Standards, RICKY//OMEN, Grief Symposium, and Grimgotts!

This week’s single slam features Sleep Token, Feverhill, Grave Alter, Redemption, Detective Larsson, American Standards, RICKY//OMEN, Grief Symposium, and Grimgotts. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Sleep Token – Chokehold

The anonymous alterative metal collective known as Sleep Token have released a surprise new single called, Chokehold. It arrives ahead of their headline tour this month, which features sold-out dates in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol, plus two huge shows in Glasgow and London.

Love or loathe them, no one can deny the impact that Sleep Token has had in their short time of existence, and if you’re an ardent supporter of the collective, you’re going to be feeling pretty smug about Chokehold.

Why? Because it’s a bloody good track. An eccentric, interesting, and challenging track that features a vast amount of experimentation. Harsh synths contrasted by mournful, yet powerful vocals, expanding into something bigger as heavy guitars, bass, and drums add more and more layers. It’s runtime flies by and you’re simply left wanting so much more.

Which is funny, because…

Sleep Token – The Summoning

Yes, they also have another track. This one, more immediate in its intensity, yet it is structurally all over the place. In the hands of a lesser band, it would be a mess. This is Sleep Token though and they make this a wild journey of highs and lows, of heaviness and melody. No matter where it goes, you’re always paying a ton of attention to it. The variety this band offers with this single, especially when compared to what came before, is so impressive.

The upward trajectory of Sleep Token is simply startling and there is no coming back down to Earth anytime soon. Check it out here.

Feverhill – Trapped Under Lies

Modern metal act, Feverhill have released ‘Trapped Under Lies’, the first single from their upcoming album, Follow Me [Down] due in late spring 2023. Striving to create killer tracks with a powerful sound, the band also believe in breaking image stereotypes in rock and metal music supporting body positive thinking and culture.

As well as being solidly in the camp of modern metal, Feverhill’s new single also gives of 90s alternative vibes. Especially when they transition between melodies, hit the heavy button, and deliver quite a catchy chorus. There’s a nice amount of fire in Feverhill’s bellies, but this is a track with a solid amount of accessibility to it too. Check it out here.

Grave Alter – Grave Alter

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Grave Alter is an old school death metal band founded by Shar Clay. The debut self-titled EP will be released on February 14th, 2023, but in the meantime, the first single (the title track) has now been released.

No-nonsense and no-frills death metal with an old-school taint, Grave Alter is all about heavy noise and it more than delivers on the hope of something to make you gurn. Hell, you might even grimace. Such is the welts that the crashing of instruments and filthy vocals provide. All the work of one person? Not a bad introduction!

Redemption – I Am the Storm

Prog metal band, Redemption have released the title track ‘I Am the Storm’, from their upcoming new album, out on the 17th of March 2023 via AFM Records.

A wild ride of progressive and technical mastery, all while having the speed and crunch of heavy metal. I Am the Storm is an apt title as Redemption make you feel as though you’re caught in a tornado of broad-minded instrumental detail. Where trying to keep up with the speed of the guitars is the biggest challenge of all. Check it out here.

Detective Larsson – Liseberg

Detective Larsson is a band based in the old mining village of Blaenrhondda in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, sketching the secret worlds of the outsider. They have now released ‘Liseberg’, the follow-up to last winter’s double single ‘Magic Show’.

A bit dramatic, atmospheric, earnest, and sweet. Liseberg is a really nice sounding dong. The vocals of lead singer Amanda Larsson are a high point but hardly the only reason that Liseberg has so much feeling. The blend of instruments; synth, guitar and a cello, all combining to make an extremely memorable track.

American Standards – The Tourist

Arizona heavy hardcore band American Standards have released a new single titled ‘The Tourist’. It includes a guest feature from Phoenix gloom rap artist Cody Milford of The God Samaritan. The track will be found alongside the previously released single ‘The Dealer’ on American Standards upcoming EP ‘Dopamine Dealer’ being released February 3rd 2023.

American Standards Vocalist Brandon Kellum said of the song:

The Tourist explores themes of consumerism and legacy. It’s easy to get lost chasing things that really don’t matter. That instant gratification fades quickly though and results in the search for the next hit of dopamine. I’d like to think a more resonating legacy is left by the impact you have on others.

We do enjoy a bit of American Standards here and with The Tourist, that enjoyment isn’t ending anytime soon. An intense and abrasive effort from a band who are often intense and abrasive. Maybe it’s the grittiness of the track overall that makes it feel so much darker and so much more intensive. American Standards are spitting and snarling here, barely keeping their emotions in check, and it sounds awesome.

RICKY//OMEN – Gaspar Noé

A multi-instrumentalist that combines elements of nu-metal, emo rap, electro-pop, and more, RICKY//OMEN has released a brand-new single called, Gaspar Noé.

An artist where you can confidently say that you never know quite what you’re about to listen too. RICKY//OMEN is a fascinating individual and his music reflects that. Gaspar Noé blends dramatic melodies with emo-rock and odd effects. It’s a listening experience that could sound trite if it wasn’t for the eccentric structure and focus on vocals, which have a weighty tone without ever feeling the need to amplify in volume. Check it out here.

Grief Symposium – Descent into Pandemonium

‘Descent into Pandemonium’ is the second single from the debut Grief Symposium album. ‘…In the Absence of Light’. Out through Church Road records on the 27th of January 2023.

The band had this to say about the track”

…In The Absence of Light has involved deliberately opening old scars, for me, and explores human vulnerability and choices.

‘Descent…’ in particular is about those key moments in life that are insignificant to others but so, so vital to each of us – where not doing anything is the weakest and worst of options, but all the paths laid out in front of us lead to death; whether that is the little-deaths of fears, or the obliteration of certain parts of who you are, and what you’ve become. ‘Descent…’ is that moment of deliberately exposing wounds, ripping them open, pouring in salt, and searing with flame, if only to properly and finally begin the healing process.

If we don’t descend through the darkest parts of ourselves, how can we truly see who we have become and find the resolution to change, whatever the consequence of those decisions may ultimately be. The first step is to descend, to turn the inner eye to see the path. Where fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

This is shaping up to be quite an album from Grief Symposium, based off the previous single and now this one. Here, once again, the band showcase an unending supply of misery and darkness, yet this is a track with more melody, showing some varied development and experimentation. Don’t let that fool you though, this one still hits extremely hard. Check it out here.

Grimgotts – Ride the Storm

London, UK based symphonic power/folk metal band, Grimgotts are back with a brand-new single called, Ride the Storm!

Woohoo! New Grimgotts music! It’s no secret that we’re quite big fans of what this band do and every new release brings with it a lot of anticipation. Guess what? Ride the Storm is another banger. A proper fist-pumping blast of symphonic power metal, that is layered with brilliant folk touches. It’s exciting, energetic, and, as so many Grimgotts songs do, it makes you feel ten feet tall. If you’re not left smiling after hearing this (love the horns in particular), you might want to check your pulse.