Single Slam: Voice of Baceprot, Imperium, Surya, Lucky Thief, Solcura, Forge Hands, EXTS, Marene, Lucky Hit, CHLSY, One Man Boycott, and Call Me Amour!

This week’s single slam features Voice of Baceprot, Imperium, Surya, Lucky Thief, Solcura, Forge Hands, EXTS, Marene, Lucky Hit, CHLSY, One Man Boycott, and Call Me Amour. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Voice of Baceprot – The Enemy of Earth is You

Groundbreaking Indonesian trio Voice of Baceprot have released their new single ‘The Enemy of Earth is You’.

2016. The year when natural disasters wreaked havoc across Indonesia. A staggering 1,985 events struck the nation – among them, the flash floods that swept the region of Garut in West Java. Born and raised in a corner of Garut, Voice Of Baceprot received the shock of their lives. ‘The Enemy of Earth is You’ is their result: it encapsulates their anxiety after witnessing just how catastrophic the disasters are, and expresses the band’s broken hearts and agony.

In the words of VOB’s vocalist Marsya:

It is a song that summarises our loathing towards anyone who becomes an enemy of the Earth. On the flip side, the single reminds us not to turn into one of them.

A powerful song from a powerful band, Voice of Baceprot are not shying away from their strong opinions here and that’s reflected in the lyrics, which are sung in captivating style. Alongside that is a robust heavy rock sound with a delightful amount of catchiness to it. It’s a track that proves Voice of Baceprot are moving on from the covers aspect that garnered them so much attention early on. They are becoming their own thing and with tracks like this, the future is very exciting.

Imperium – Iron Thunder

Welcome to the battle, welcome to the war, to the new single from Imperium – Iron Thunder! The new single is out on May 20th, 2023.

It is so good to have new music from Imperium, and what a head-banger Iron Thunder is. Groovy as hell, fiery and energetic, meaty and infectious, it is a riffy track that quickly grabs the attention in a ‘circle pit mayhem’ creating way. Yet, as it goes on, Imperium show off some thrashier tones, and throw in a frenzied guitar solo to just make the whole experience that much more delightful. Check it out, upon release, here.

Surya – Hand of God

Metalcore/Deathcore quartet Surya have released their new single, ‘Hand of God’, via Unearthed Music. ‘Hand of God’ is about witnessing someone displaying self-destructive behaviour and the consequences that impact those around them. It explores the hope that if one stays true to themselves, the manifestation of their internal conflict that is created by their God Complex can be destroyed.

A brutally heavy, elaborate, and intense new track from Surya. Their deathcore side is on garish display here, and it’s pretty great. Especially when they hit the chorus, which is going to see a few broken bones in the pit. There’s never anything wrong with a band just going as hard as possible and this track absolutely delivers on that.

Lucky Thief – Landlubber

‘Landlubber’ is the new single from Bristol-based rock multi-instrumentalist Lucky Thief. Taken from his upcoming debut full-length ‘D.I.Y’, Landlubber explores relationship insecurities and how people can change for all of the wrong reasons.

Discussing what inspired the single, Lucky Thief explains:

Landlubber looks at themes of paranoia, insecurity and regret in relationships, all of which I have experienced. In changing for the worst in a relationship, new behaviours come to light, even within yourself which you may never have expected.

Lucky Thief continues to showcase his innate ability to twist alternative sounds with modern rock vibes on Landlubber. The dramatic vocals, eccentric effects, and foot-tapping rock beat is interesting and exciting. It’s got some heavy tones, but it’s a track that fits the alternative crowd more than anything, which sure gives it a broader appeal.

Solcura – Imposter Syndrome

‘Imposter Syndrome’ is the new single from Solcura. A tune that sticks two fingers at the establishment and sings out for anyone who wants to express anger at the unjust, corrupt and shady arenas of 21st century political systems and modern economies.

The haunting and calming introduction that welcomes the listener to Imposter Syndrome can in no way prepare a person for the explosive grunge and nu-metal fusion that follows. Talk about taking someone by surprise, but in a good way, as the crescendo is hit and Solcura unleash a memorable and exciting blast of heavy groove. Check it out here.

Forge Hounds – Redcoat

Irish rockers Forge Hounds have released their new single, ‘Redcoat’. A hard rock reworking of a bluesy song written and recorded by Paul J Bolger in the mid-1990’s on “The Moss House” album under the name BOLGER.

This is one of those tunes where, if you’ve never heard the original, it makes you want to go check it out. After all, if this is so groovy and infectious, the original has got to have something too! Forge Hounds have a really strong sound here, nice and rocking, but accessible. The vocals are particularly immense, but only a fool would ignore the bass in this track. Delightful stuff.

EXTS – Memories

Leeds based post-hardcore newcomers, EXTS have announced their debut EP ‘The Fragile Space Between’ which is set for release on 23rd June 2023. On top of this they have a brand-new single titled ‘Memories’.

Say hello to EXTS, they’re going to be huge in time. That’s the over-riding thought upon listening to the bouncy, energetic, and catchy track that is Memories. A wonderfully harmonised piece of music with a top-tier chorus, and the perfect amount of bite. Hours afterwards you’ll still be humming this one. Check it out here.

Marene – Prisoner of Love

Hot on the heels of their previous single ‘Partners in Crime’, South African flash rockers Marene return with ‘Prisoner of Love’’, the second single from their upcoming album ‘Rising After Midnight’.

Stupidly catchy. That sums up Marene’s Prisoner of Love perfectly. Try and listen to this and deny the urge to smile, you won’t be able too. With dynamic riffing, layered synth, harmonised vocals, and one hell of a singalong chorus. It’s great fun. Check it out here.

Lucky Hit – Obvious Sucker

Surrey, UK based pop punk band Lucky Hit return with a brand-new single titled ‘Obvious Sucker’. The single kick starts a new era for the trio which follows the band’s debut EP release ‘Meet Me There’ back in May 2020.

As pop-punk as it comes, Lucky Hit’s new track is a vigorous blast of bouncy infectiousness. There’s really not a lot to say except it’s an ear-worm of track and demands play after play, especially as the passion and heart the band showcases really makes them lovable.

CHLSY – crush!

Nashville rock group, CHLSY is breaking genre barriers with their 90’s influenced sound. With Chelsea Gilliland on vocals and guitar, Sean Swanson on bass, and Sawyer Dodds on drums – CHLSY strives to provide melodic yet head-banging music for today’s youth. ‘crush!’, the latest single, is the ultimate love anthem with heavy indie rock and pop influences.

CHLSY continue to impress as crush! delivers infectious rock and pop groove with a notable amount of moody guitar tones. It’s slightly tinged with grunge but has an overall alt vibe that is widely appealing. Though, if there’s one point where it transforms from a good track to a great track, it’s the brilliant chorus and how the vocals soar there.

One Man Boycott – Imposter Syndrome

‘Imposter Syndrome’ is the new single from UK pop punk outfit One Man Boycott. It will premiere via revered YouTube platform Spaceuntravel on Sunday 21st of May at 3:30pm.

Says Joe, One Man Boycott:

It’s about insecurities, confidence and the voice in our heads. It’s about how hiding our true feelings from the outside world through mostly negative self talk can be really destructive, and how we could be using our inner voice to overcome daily battles.

Heartfelt and dramatic, One Man Boycott might sit in the pop punk world but they clearly draw influences from the indie scene too. The result is a track that hits you right in the feelings, while being impressively infectious. The acoustic guitar sound is immense and this track has a chorus that you can just imagine a room full of people singing along to. Check it out, upon release, here.

Call Me Amour – IMFKD (ft. Lina Drae)

UK four-piece Call Me Amour have dropped their second single of the year with ‘IMFKD (ft. Lina Drae)’. The single follows on from the previous ‘Blackout’, both taken from their forthcoming EP and their second piece of new music since 2020.

On the new single, frontman HR states:

‘IMFKD’ came together around the chorus line “Somebody tell me who I really am”. Imposter syndrome ties this song’s lyrical content together, as well as coming to terms with your reality. I met LinaDrae on one of my trips to Vegas, heard her music and loved the direction. Having her lay down her vibe on one of our tracks still blows us away every time we listen to it.

This band always amazes but once again, they take it up a notch with this track. Poignant melodies, chilled effects, and heartfelt vocals, that lead to a powerful chorus that serves as a reminder that Call Me Amour know how to reach their musical apexes when necessary. Then, of course, there is the vocals of Lina Drae, who sounds wonderful when she takes over the track.