Single Slam: Raised by Owls, Creature Creature, Zetra, Low Violent, Queen Laya, Gut Health, Sunbleached, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, HRTLSS, DVRK, Mimi Barks, Maziac, Giant Walker, Horndal, and Candy!

Today’s single slam features Raised by Owls, Creature Creature, Zetra, Low Violent, Queen Laya, Gut Health, Sunbleached, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, HRTLSS, DVRK, Mimi Barks, Maziac, Giant Walker, Horndal, and Candy. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Raised by Owls – The Dark and Twisted Realm in Which Fred Durst Resides

UK extreme metal band Raised by Owls are excited to announce the release of their new single, ‘The Dark and Twisted Realm in Which Fred Durst Resides’. This single comes as a run up to their brand-new album release, on Friday 3rd May 2024, Vol. 3: (The Satirical Verses).

Remember folks, while you can have a lot of fun with Raised by Owls (all legal fun), they are still an extreme metal band, and this single is the kind of song that proves it unequivocally. A beast of a track that goes stupidly fast and hard, featuring some ‘blackened’ undercurrents, giving it a ‘trve cvlt’ feel. Of course, their tongues are firmly jammed in their cheeks, after all this is about Fred Durst being an ancient and malevolent deity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t head-bang and circle pit yourself into oblivion.

Creature Creature – Youngstars!

In an industry where the waters of musical innovation can often seem stagnant, Creature Creature, Brighton’s pop-punk darlings, are injecting some much-needed vitality with their latest single, “Youngstars!”, out today. Channelling the emotive resonance of The Get Up Kids and the reflective lyricism of Dashboard Confessional, “Youngstars!” is a fervent ode to the tumultuous journey of youth.

Creature Creature do good pop-punk, with a side of anthemic rock, and Youngstars! is no different. The nostalgic poppy taint is balanced nicely by the riffy energy, and it really gets stuck in the head. As lovable as ever, the chorus is class. Check it out here.

Zetra – Starfall

Otherworldly alt. duo Zetra have emerged from the shadows once more with whisper of their highly anticipated, self-titled debut album, that will be released on 13th September via Nuclear Blast Records. The wanderers have also bestowed upon us the gift of a video for their new single ‘Starfall’, which features Serena Cherry of the mighty Svalbard.

The wanderer’s whispers echo:

The sky illuminates as the meteors begin their cataclysmic descent through the firmament. Starfall. The second chapter of our realisation emerges. The unveiling of our Opus 1, ‘Zetra’ continues. Starfall. We are united on this journey with the supernatural force that is Serena Cherry of Svalbard. Begin to know.

Taking us back in time to the late 90s/early 00’s sound of gothic alternative rock, Starfall is a pretty sounding piece of music. One that features well layered synth and some delightful vocal melodies. It’s a grower, getting better as it goes on, and Svalbard’s Serena Cherry adds quite a lot. Check it out here.

Low Violent – Heavy Circle

Irish metallers, Low Violent (featuring members of Worn Out, Horse, Uncultivates, Terriers and Fat Actress), have released their new single, ‘Heavy Circle’.

On the one hand, this is the sound of carnage, but on the other, it’s got rhythm. Unrefined and grubby sounding, but riffy none the less. The vocals are what really give it a hardcore edge, and how they balance out the strong post instruments, works really well. It’s a likeable track.

Queen Laya – Rapture (Cult)

Rising from the ruins of the past few years, Queen Laya is emerging into uncharted waters, defying expectations as she demonstrates a ferocious new sound. She draws closer to the release of her debut EP with her new single ‘Rapture (Cult)’, which is out now on all platforms.

Queen Laya delves into the context of the new single:

Rapture (Cult) builds on the notion that the media feeds off of our insecurities. Having self acceptance & self respect is not generously promoted by society, and defying these toxic ‘socials norms’ feels like an end of the world disaster, and that those following suit are anomalies.

An uber-talented artist, Queen Laya shows (once again) how pop vocals can transform heavy music. This single is a cleverly structured track that takes you through a myriad of feelings and thoughts, until you’re left with one. Which is simply how much you loved it. Check it out here.

Gut Health – Conversation Lost

Gutter rock and post-hardcore band, Gut Health have released their new single, ‘Conversation Lost’.

Beginning in brilliant vibrating fashion, Gut Health set the senses aflame, even before the crashing of rock energy arrives. When it does though, this track just gets better and better, rawer and rawer, and more and more exciting. Stupidly infectious, Gut Health have smashed it here, but the post-heavy twist in the latter half makes it one of the best things heard this year so far.

Sunbleached – Hell is Repetition

Brisbane alt-rock band Sunbleached share grungy new single ‘Hell is Repetition’, fresh off the back of their appearance at New Bloom Festival last month.

Explains vocalist Josh Baker:

The lyrical hook “How long will I stay here slow dancing with my demons” questions how long I’ll keep on repeating that process instead of trying to do better.

Credit to this band, they really do a great job of making grunge-infused rock far catchier than it should be. Hell is Repetition is a very moody sounding track, Sunbleached getting a bit darker and heavier, but keeping melody at the forefront. Resulting in a memorable and unique sounding slice of alt-rock. Check it out here.

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – One World That Means the World (Arkhipov)

‘One World That Means the World (Arkhipov)’ is the first single from London-based progressive rock band Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s eighth studio album ‘The Uncertainty Principle’, due to be released later in 2024.

The song was inspired by the refusal of Soviet naval officer Vasily Arkhipov (1926-1998) to agree to an action that could have led to nuclear war.

During the Cuban missile crisis, Arkhipov was the chief of staff of a flotilla of diesel powered submarines armed with nuclear torpedoes. He was stationed on the submarine B-59. The decision to launch nuclear torpedoes against the United States Navy required the agreement of all three onboard officers. Arkhipov refused to authorise the launch that had been approved by the other two officers. He was described by Thomas Blanton, director of the US National Security Archive as “the man who saved the world”.

The capabilities of Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate never fails to amaze and inspire, and with this new single, they continue to showcase what makes them so special. Taking a really interesting story, and crafting an enigmatic and fascinating track. One that has deep progressive wonder, relaxed rock vibes, and a stunning level of catchiness. Not something you often get to say about progressive rock. This is a very special track that tells the story in Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s unique way.

HRTLSS – Daylight

Alternative rock artist HRTLSS (pronounced Heartless) returns with his brand-new single ‘Daylight’. Ushering an enigmatic sound that blurs the lines between Rock, Pop and Metal while blending them into an electronic powerhouse of emotional conveyance, HRTLSS, continues his rise as he looks ahead to the release of his highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Blood Moon’ (out on Friday 31st May, 2024).

Speaking about the new single, HRTLSS adds:

Lyrically, the song draws an uncanny comparison between a vampire luring their prey and a one night stand. A high toned synth signals the repetition of behaviour and unquenchable thirst, starting the loop again. Much like addiction, the lyrics “she calls to me, till I have no choice again”, accentuates the narrative of the character not truly being in control.

The initial feeling once this track gets started, is that it might lean a bit too much towards the electronic side of things. However, as it goes on, the lines begin to converge and the emotional power in the vocals really starts to come through. It becomes a better balanced track and shows depth to HRTLSS’ sound. Check it out here.

DVRK – F.A.M

Hard-hitting metal ensemble DVRK proudly rolls out ‘F.A.M’, the debut single from the eagerly anticipated EP ‘Infinite Reminiscence’. This launch comes as part of the band’s grand news of their fresh signing with Season of Mist.

Hypnotically heavy, wild and ruthless, DVRK are going for one thing and one thing alone here, which is to smash some heads. Plying a style of deathcore that is intense, even by the genre’s standards. It’s so f**king heavy, but aside from that, it’s not an amazing piece of music. Featuring an irritating electronic section, the end result is lacking anything notable, aside from sheer heaviness. Check it out here.

Mimi Barks – Banshee

Following the announcement of her long-awaited debut album ‘This Is Doom Trap’ (out on Friday 26th September 2024 via Silent Cult), Mimi Barks, has unveiled her brand-new single ‘Banshee’, furthermore demonstrating to fans another insight into what they can expect from the upcoming album.

Falling deep into her new single, Mimi Barks shares the following statement:

A scream much like the sirens of death. A piercing voice prophesying your approaching demise. This ethereal noise is your death sentence. Coming at you like the ultrasonic squeaks of a bat.

And when your heart stops beating and nobody will be there for their last goodbye, you won’t find me. A broken childhood, a motherless orphan. You failed as a parent now I falter as a child. And you’ve chosen this path. Drowned every new promise in a bigger sip.

A Wormgirl, unwanted. Birthed into hopelessness. With my torso open for a second and my heart on display. It was yours for the taking and you routed a stake through it.

And I died a thousand times. Took refuge in my chrysalis where I licked up the taste of iron in the red; healed my wounds. Reincarnated into the Promised Land. Emerge into something bigger than I was destined for. The moth dies so the butterfly can exist.

An incredible artist, when Mimi Barks releases something new, we all pay attention. Her creativity is unparalleled, and this new track proves it unequivocally. Atmospherically dark and twisted sounding, but from her unique stance of trap rock and metal. Her vocals are incredible here, and it’s impossible to not give her every inch of your attention.

Maziac – Stoic

London-based alt/prog metal 3-piece Maziac are back with the brand-new single, ‘Stoic’. Taken from their upcoming new album, ‘Test of Time’, which will be out later this summer.

A mind-bending piece of music that shows just how clever Maziac’s style is, but one that also shows just how strong their song-writing skills are. As progressively weird as it is alternatively infectious, Stoic is a captivating song that has thrilling ebbs and flows, constantly surprising, but always pleasing. This new album is going to be one hell of a release, based off this track alone. Check it out here.

Giant Walker – Make Me

Newly signed to Church Road Records, Giant Walker return their new single, ‘Make Me’. The first new music since their debut album (All in Good Time) in 2022.

Regarding ‘Make Me’, Vocalist Steff Fish shares:

The song is about witnessing someone that you care about making terrible decisions and the reality of your own helplessness knowing that nothing you say will influence their judgement as they can’t or won’t acknowledge that their own actions are perpetuating the problem. So, it becomes an endless cycle of delusion and bitterness.

Giant Walker are back, and what a return it is. Make Me is one hell of a track, showcasing their musical development and how they have progressed over the last two years. It’s unbelievably catchy, with some groovy riffs and punchy hooks, capped off by a thrilling vocal performance. As a sign of things to come, it couldn’t have built up excitement any better.

Horndal – Calling: Labor

Sweden’s Horndal have released their new single and music video, ‘Calling: Labor’. It is the second and final pre-release track to be taken from their forthcoming third album, ‘Head Hammer Man’, which is due for release via Prosthetic Records on April 5th. On Horndal’s latest full-length the band share the previously untold real life story of Alrik Andersson, a 1900s union leader from their eponymous hometown and his role in The Great Strike.

Speaking on the release, Horndal’s Pontus Levahn (drums) comments:

People might consider Horndal to be a doom, death, thrash, or whatever type of metal band. But honestly, anyone who says they don’t like Judas Priest or Thin Lizzy is either a liar or an imbecile. Or both.

Calling: Labor is about the story’s hero being forced into exile from little Horndal in Sweden to America, and what he stated during the interrogation at the emigration office at Ellis Island, New York. He wanted nothing more than a job and later became the Head Hammer Man at Columbia Steel in Chicago. What have I ever done? Nothing but stealing riffs from Mercyful Fate, I guess. Hail to the Head Hammer Man!

What? What!? Well, Horndal sure like to keep you guessing and this ode to ‘classic’ heavy metal is certainly a surprise. Although, let’s be honest, Horndal have a made a career out of surprising, and this is a good one. It’s a tribute to a certain style, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t recognisably Horndal either. It’s fun, it’s energised, and it’s done well. What more can anyone ask of a metal track? Check it out here.

Candy – eXistenZ

Candy return with their third full-length album, ‘It’s Inside You’, on 7th June via Relapse Records. Alongside the album’s announcement, the band have shared their frenzied lead single ‘eXistenZ,’ bursting open an exciting new era for the boundary-shattering band.

The word ‘experimental’ in musical terms was created for bands like Candy. A band who creates a maddening blend of hardcore, metal, industrial, EDM, and more. An absolute mess, undeniably extreme, and strangely addictive. It helps that this track is only 81 seconds long, giving it tons of replay value, but even still, it’s how many different things going on in it, that will bring you back time and time again. Love it, hate it, it’s Candy.