Single Slam: Blanket, Uncultivates, Autumn Eyes, Volcandra, WormRose, Kassogtha, The Plague, Seek Harbour, Colorado Tombs, Rok Ali and The Addiction, and Venues!

Today’s single slam features Blanket, Uncultivates, Autumn Eyes, Volcandra, WormRose, Kassogtha, The Plague, Seek Harbour, Colorado Tombs, Rok Ali and The Addiction, and Venues. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Blanket – Porcelain

Seamlessly blending elements of post-rock, shoegaze, and alternative rock, it’s Blanket, and they have now released their latest single, ‘Porcelain’, alongside a video. Taken from their highly anticipated album ‘Ceremonia’ out via Church Road Records March 22nd, 2024.

Explains Bobby (Vocals/Guitars):

As one of the first songs we wrote for this album, I think porcelain holds a special place in our hearts. We wrote and recorded the demo at my house in the studio and it’s remained mostly unchanged since then. It’s the most dynamic track on the album and an ode to all things late 90’s. Lyrically it’s based around feelings of loss, fragility and anticipation. It’s currently our favourite song to place live!

Anticipation is very high for this album, based on the stellar output of Blanket so far. That certainly isn’t changing with this new moody, melodic, and alternatively tinged piece. A great example of Blanket’s genre-bending as it has layers of gaze and post too. The highlight? The fact that it has so much emotion in it, while also having flashes of upbeat rhythm. Another great listen from Blanket, roll on the 22nd of March.

Uncultivates – Second Rodeo

Ireland, Cork-based mathcore/hardcore band, Uncultivates consists of members of established Irish hardcore and metal bands God Alone (Prosthetic Records), Worn Out, Enif, Horse and DazGak. On February 2nd, 2024, they will release their latest single, ‘Second Rodeo’ via Horsebox Records.

Following the release of their latest single Uncultivates embark on the Saddle Up tour across Ireland:

February 15th – Sally Longs, Galway
February 16th – The Grand Social, Dublin w/ Gama Bomb & Part Cannon
February 17th – Fred Zeppelins, Cork
February 18th – Dolans Warehouse, Limerick w/ Gama Bomb & Party Cannon

Oh baby, this one is a bit of a party anthem. Uncultivates might not be taking themselves too seriously (as evident by the lyrics and video) but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a punchy hardcore-infused blast of heaviness. The ‘math’ aspect of the band makes a ton more sense the more the track goes on, but the over-riding feeling is one of fun. It just happens you can pit and head-bang to it as well. Check it out here.

Autumn Eyes – Faith in Cycles

Impregnate a thrash song with Peter Steele style vocals & keyboard arrangements that echo the darker side of Danny Elfman, & you’ll give birth to one-man band, Autumn Eyes’ new single ‘Faith in Cycles’.

Autumn Eyes’ Daniel Mitchell shares a bit of method behind the madness:

As with most people struggling to find solutions to all of life’s misery, there comes a point where hope seems like an empty dream. Faith In Cycles was written as a reminder that all things in life seem to follow a pattern. Much like the seasons, there are moments where all life is seemingly sucked out of the atmosphere, & other times when the sun shines so bright as life flourishes at its most extraordinary peaks. This taught me the value of patience, & how trusting such cycles can bring peace during times of frustration.

As Autumn Eyes, Daniel Mitchell really excels, and once again, he has produced a track that betrays most descriptions as it is uniquely gothic sounding, has death metal groove, and speedy blackened passages. It’s a fascinating and impressive, listen, one that keeps you on your toes throughout. The more time spent in its company, the more layers are revealed, and the more it takes hold.

Volcandra – Fouled Sanctity

Louisville, Kentucky blackened melodic death metal band, Volcandra has announced their forthcoming second album, ‘The Way of Ancients’, is due for release via Prosthetic Records on March 1st. Alongside the album announcement, Volcandra have also premiered the lead single and accompanying music video, ‘Fouled Sanctity’.

The quality melo-death just keeps on coming in 2024, as Volcandra brings forth the beast with this pounding effort. One that captures a more classic melo-death sound, but still delivers plenty of freshness through Vol Candra’s sheer force of will. The melodies are immense, but it’s the speeding savagery that truly stands out. Check it out here.

WormRose – End of the Line

Swedish hard rockers, WormRose are back, and back with a funky hard rock bang, as they have released their new single, ‘End of the Line’.

The WormRose train keeps on rolling as they deliver one their most anthemic tracks to date with this groove monster. Just try and not move to those riffs, try not to tap the feet, or dig deep and let the lungs do some serious work, as you try to sing along to the chorus, it’s impossible. Hard rock that hits, tinged with a classic vibe, it’s WormRose, and it’s just lovely. Check it out here.

Kassogtha – Rise

Swiss progressive death metallers Kassogtha present their new song ‘Rise’, an explosive anthem of self-empowerment, with an uplifting message for all. The new song comes ahead of the band’s debut UK headline tour (beginning 8th February), and subsequent European tour supporting Decapitated in March.

A blistering expulsion of death metal, but with their sharp and devastating technical attack right at the forefront, Kassogtha mean business here, and it is damn good business. What’s particularly appealing is that, for all the heavy destruction this track brings, it’s not without melody, notable in the chorus, which sounds simply huge. Watch out for some gargantuan soloing too. It’s a killer track.

The Plague – Man Machine or Beast

Alternative metal band, The Plague kicks off February with a bang, releasing their fierce new single, ‘Man Machine or Beast’.

Regarding the theme of the song, The Plague explains:

This song is about addiction and identity confusion. The song is about how society with severe technology addiction creates unrealistic expectation combined with extreme relational distance.

A nice blend of modernised alternative catchiness and anthemic metal groove, this track is an infectious one and shows a band with plenty of creativity in their tank. Just off-kilter, melody-wise, to make it sound fresh, but with plenty of familiar heavy thumps and bumps to get the head-banging. It’s a foot-tapper. Check it out here.

Seek Harbour – Emotion vs Motion

Following a line-up change and the introduction of new vocalist Aimee Allin, Seek Harbour have released their new single ‘Emotion vs Motion’.

Vocalist Aimee Allin says:

Emotion vs. Motion was my first chance in the studio to take more of a leading presence on a song, since joining the band, which was a very exciting thing for me. The whole process of rewriting the melodies and tailoring those aspects to me gave the song a total transformation and I’ve been very keen to hear how others react to this change.

Dripping in dramatic vibes, hitting pop-infused highs but with deep melodic lows, Seek Harbour have dug deeply to find a huge level of emotion. The end result is a captivating, beautiful, and intently listenable piece of music. It’s a track you listen to with all your attention on it. Something you are richly rewarded for.

Colorado Tombs – What Have We Become

Colorado Tombs are a hard-hitting rock force from Buffalo, New York, delivering electrifying performances and pushing sonic boundaries. Their dedication to creating powerful and captivating rock music continues with their latest single, ‘What Have We Become’.

If this is your first hearing Colorado Tombs, as is the case here, you’re going to come way quite pleased with what you hear. The group rock, and rock hard enough to get the adrenaline going. A well balanced blend of melody and hard-hitting rock groove, there’s a 90’s alt-tinge to the track, but that just adds to the overall interesting side of things. Check it out here.

Rok Ali and The Addiction – You Want

US rock band Rok Ali and The Addiction have released the second single from their sophomore album. Called ‘’You Want’, the track is a synthesis of the band’s sonic identity and chemistry.

Few bands rock as hard as Rok Ali and The Addiction, and You Want is another heady hit with a variety of ideas. One that has a slow burn start, but also one that certainly creates intrigue and interest. As the track goes on, the groove becomes more prominent, and Rok Ali and The Addiction really unleash their creativity. There’s a fair bit more going on here, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t catch straight away. After a couple of listens though, most will be in love with it. Check it out here.

Venues – Unspoken Words

In a surge of anticipation, the post-hardcore scene welcomes the latest offering from Venues, their new single ‘Unspoken Words’. The new single follows their critically acclaimed album Solace, and previous singles ‘Haunted House’, ‘Cravings’, ‘Reflections’ and ‘Oblivion’ (Arising Empire).

Says Lela (Vocals):

Sometimes, the best choice in leaving a toxic situation is to walk away without needing closure. Strength comes from recognizing the need for a healthier distance, even if you don’t say everything that’s on your mind. Unspoken words can be the loudest expression of self-preservation. And even if you didn’t get every answer you thought you needed.

Venues are back and they’re back with an emotionally charged heavyweight banger. One that continues the great work they’ve been doing in recent times, while also sounding like a band really beginning to expand their musical palette. It’s a fabulous showcase of the vocals, but the chorus hits so hard because of the heavier instrumentation. Then there is the speedy and savage switch that comes along after the halfway point… talk about destructive.