Single Slam: Veil of Maya, This Dying Hour, The Blood Republic, Gorilla Wizard, Coldbound, Bellwether, Employed to Serve, alltheprettythings, Deadline, Kanaan, and Therapy?

This week’s single slam features Veil of Maya, This Dying Hour, The Blood Republic, Gorilla Wizard, Coldbound, Bellwether, Employed to Serve, alltheprettythings, Deadline, Kanaan, and Therapy? You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Veil of Maya – Red Fur

Genre-bending metal powerhouse Veil of Maya have announced their first new studio album in nearly six years. The new album, [m]other, will be released on the band’s long-time label, Sumerian Records on 12th May. Heralding the news is the release of brand-new track, ‘Red Fur’ and its epic, futuristic music video.

Speaking on the announcement of the album and the release of the new track, frontman Lukas Magyar shares:

This record is a collection of personal experience, history and a touch of my own imagination. I enjoyed approaching each song in a different way this time around. It was certainly challenging at times to find the right mood but when the work was finally complete it seemed to come together very well. I’m thrilled to see how our fans respond!

Some old-school synth and electronica introduce this track. An interesting start that gets stronger as the vocals come in and then…boom! Veil of Maya are off and rolling with heavier groove that blends progressive soundscapes, post-hardcore intensity, and metalcore elements. Continuing to evolve, there’s a lot to enjoy about this first taste of the a new album.

This Dying Hour – Age of The Coward

Modern Metalcore 4-piece This Dying Hour have today shared their blistering new single ‘Age of The Coward’. A single based on perspective and self-reflection, ‘Age of The Coward’ is a ‘call to arms’.

Says vocalist Steve Kerr:

‘Age of the Coward’ challenges the way we see ourselves – how we can either perpetuate or abolish the feelings of nihilism and guilt through the way we understand personal accountability. Over the years I have personally battled with self-identity and purpose. I don’t think these things are exclusive to me, but a journey we all must take. This is why we shouldn’t settle with your shortcomings, but instead with discipline and hard work we can lace their linings with gold. You can’t make the world a more meaningful place, until you see through who you truly are.

A manic blast of heavy, he instrumental beating and vocal ferocity is very impressive. However, it’s also a track that has a ton of emotion pouring from every single part of it. Not just when we get clean singing and melody either. This Dying Hour infusing a ton of passion into every aspect of this forward-thinking effort. One hell of a memorable listen. Check it out here.

The Blood Republic – Ditch

Hard rock, grunge, and metal band The Blood Republic have released their explosive new single, Ditch.

Lead singer Zak Müller says:

Ditch has always been a special song for me. It was the band’s first single/demo in 2018, and it’s a song that’s really close to my heart. I wanted to give it the treatment it deserves and create an updated version that really captures the essence of The Blood Republic as it stands now in 2023. It’s a song about the frustrations of feeling stuck in any given situation in life. Be it a dead end job or even an abusive relationship. For me at the time of writing the song in 2018 I was battling with my own addictive tendencies. It’s about letting that anger and frustration out but also letting that groove motivate you to climb out of the ditch you feel like you’re in. That’s what it does for me anyway!

A killer blend of dirty sounding grunge and heavy rock noise, this new track from The Blood Republic oozes atmosphere. There’s plenty of body-moving groove but the real selling point is how extremely punchy it is overall. For such moodiness, it is impressively infectious and showcases the variety that often comes from The Blood Republic. A great track.

Gorilla Wizard – No Replacement for Displacement

New York sludge-metal magicians Gorilla Wizard have released a new single, ‘No Replacement for Displacement’, with an accompanying and completely ridiculous music video via Sodeh Records! It is the final single before the release of Gorilla Wizard’s salacious new EP, White Knuckle/Black Magic, releasing on all interdimensional streaming platforms on May 19th on Sodeh Records!

The opening fuzz alone is enough to make your bones ache and your eyes water, and then Gorilla Wizard kick into a high gear and deliver something that is pretty damn groovy. While also being undeniably harsh and heavy. It’s sludgy noise but with this stunning layer of catchiness that just makes you want to move. Check it out here.

Coldbound – Skies Are Weeping

Progressive symphonic metal visionaries Coldbound have just released a new single and a cinematic visualiser video for the song ‘Skies Are Weeping’.

Pauli Souka (vocals/guitars) states:

This is not just another song in the catalogue of Coldbound, but a sublime creative collective of many artistic souls that joined forces and melted into one in order to bring this idea into life. Every single element and detail has been carefully crafted in order to bring an unparalleled sonic experience to the audience.

An absolute belter of a track that sounds so grand, the symphonic metal stylings of Coldbound is captivating and challenging. The unique talents of this band combine to create something that truly encapsulates the word ‘epic’. The female vocals, in particular, are immense sounding. Yet, it’s not fair to single out just one aspect of this track. It’s the bar setter for symphonic metal in 2023.

Bellwether – Hurricane

Sydney based Pop Punk band Bellwether have shared their new anime inspired single ‘Hurricane’ featuring Brooklane.

Says Heath Joukhadar (guitarist):

Hurricane was inspired by the titular character of the Naruto series and is about wanting to prove the people who didn’t believe in you or dismissed you wrong, and blow them away. While we took a lot from Naruto for the song, we also used our experience in the music industry to ensure that we were being honest and sincere in our performance and why we’re so excited to show off this track – To let people know we’re here and to show off our worth as artists.

Upbeat and punchy pop-punk, Bellwether’s Hurricane can be simply summed up as ‘catchy’. Yet, delve a little deeper and you’ll find layers that give this one more heart and soul. Even if it’s the bloody chorus that gets well and truly stuck in the brain. A lovable track. Check it out here.

Employed to Serve – Take Back Control

Employed To Serve have released a deluxe version of their current studio album, Conquering. This updated version includes 4 new tracks: a heady mix of the new, the Remix and the live, in addition to a fresh cover image. The brand-new recording is ‘Take Back Control’.

Not to dissimilar to what the excellent Conquering gave us, Take Back Control is the frenzied and abrasive sound of Employed to Serve at their heaviest sounding. In fact, it’s downright wild and raw, with a tempo that is heart-racing and blood-pumping. A proper head-banger from this band.

alltheprettythings – Every Now and Then

alltheprettythings, the new band featuring current/former/touring members of Alesana/He Is Legend/Chiodos is back with a brand new single, Every Now and Then.

There’s some melodrama to this track that puts you in the mind of alt-rock from the late 90s yet it certainly doesn’t sound dated. The melody is infectious, the vocals are sweet and powerful, the injection of atmosphere adds some layers, and it all comes together for a heady rock chorus. A really impressive listen that flows beautifully. Check it out here.

Deadline – My Sweet Apocalypse

Deadline, the pioneers of the ‘New Wave of South African Heavy Metal’ are back yet again with the third single, and their Mega Metal Magnum Opus called ‘My Sweet Apocalypse’ from their upcoming 3rd album,’Vitriol Inc’.

Frontman Jessy Switchblade shares that:

‘My Sweet Apocalypse’ was “originally written by me in 2004, after a rather decadent weekend. I had Rammstein’s ‘Mutter’ as well as Metallica’s ‘Fade To Black’ on repeat. It is a song about imprisonment and the Stockholm Syndrome. I used the Gothic temptress as personification, as I have always enjoyed writing about mysterious Lilith type of figure, however the song can be about anything from substance abuse, straight through to being in love with an abusive, narcissistic partner. It highlights the agony and ecstasy of being gripped by the throes of obsession and addiction, whilst not being able to escape its clutches. It is most probably our most ambitious song to date, and definitely our longest. We debated for ages whether to release it as a single or not, however we felt that this quite possibly could be our magnum opus. so we thought we’d be bold and brazen to release it as the 3rd single from our upcoming ‘Vitriol Inc’ album.

The length of this track might be a bit disconcerting at first but don’t doubt the capabilities of Deadline to make every second count. My Sweet Apocalypse is an epic and with that comes epic sounds and moments. This is ambition well and truly released that delivers wonderful melody, grandiose vocals, wicked metal groove, blistering guitar soloing, and thumping drum beats. It’s length disappearing in a tornado of quality head-banging noise.

Kanaan – Orbit

Instrumental stoner psych trio Kanaan have streamed their huge new fuzz-laden single ‘Orbit’, taken from their upcoming album, Downpour, to be released 5th May via Jansen Records.

The band comment:

‘Orbit’ is a simple ode to the worshipping of the good riff, a kind of primitive track we’ve wanted to do for a long time. Towards the end it explodes in an all-amps-on-10 psychedelic assault, reminiscent of some of our most extreme live experiences!

Moody and mind-altering, Kanaan continue their tripped-out march towards the release of this new album with one of the most intriguing single releases yet. One that oozes ambience and blends chilled out tones with fuzzed out heaviness. With unexpected touches of groove, brilliantly placed melodies, and no end of reasons to bang the head. Brilliant. Check it out here.

Therapy? – Joy

Northern Irish rock outfit, Therapy? announce their colossal new studio album ‘Hard Cold Fire’, a spiralling, hypnotic melange of grunge-rock and towering melody that sees the trio steadfast and reinvigorated. ‘Hard Cold Fire’ is set for release 5th May 2023 via Marshall Records.

Accompanying the announcement, the band also shares their first offering in the form the riotous new single ‘Joy,’ and details on a run of intimate UK in-store dates coinciding with the album’s release. Fans can find more information for in-store tickets here, pre-order limited edition bundles of ‘Hard Cold Fire’ and pre-save here.

New Therapy? music is always welcome and this new single finds the band on fine form. Delivering a riffy, infectious blast of grungy and groovy rock with a chorus that can be called something of a singalong. It’s a great introduction to this upcoming new album and proves that Therapy? are as strong as ever.