Single Slam: Red Method, Kælan Mikla, Beyond Grace, Wax Mekanix, Chapter Two, Dead Harts, Headwreck, Drew Thomas, Raging Speedhorn, Elysian, Our Nameless Boy, Majestica, Tayne, Comastatic, Blank Atlas, Praetorian, Coiled Around Thy Spine, and Malevolence!

Today’s single slam features Red Method, Kælan Mikla, Beyond Grace, Wax Mekanix, Chapter Two, Dead Harts, Headwreck, Drew Thomas, Raging Speedhorn, Elysian, Our Nameless Boy, Majestica, Tayne, Comastatic, Blank Atlas, Praetorian, Coiled Around Thy Spine, and Malevolence. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Red Method – All for One, None for All

It’s been a long time coming but the wait is nearly over, no stone unturned as the blood returns to the soil. Red Method are back and armed with a brand-new single called ‘All for One, None for All’. The song features Jayant Bhadula of Bloodywood and is taken from their upcoming and eagerly awaited second album ‘Vol 1- As in Life’.

It is not hyperbole to call this one of next year’s most anticipated releases and while there may be some pressure on Red Method now, considering their meteoric rise, they eat that s**t for breakfast. This new track is the sound of evolution, the sound of creative passion and creative intensity, all tinged by emotion-evoking melodies and alternative touches. A track that grows in stature as it goes on, tells a story, and assuredly guarantees listeners can lose their mind to the crunchy heaviness. It’s a startlingly detailed piece of music that needs multiple listens to unpick. They’re f**king back and killing it again.

Kælan Mikla – Stjörnuljós

Mesmeric Icelandic darkwave trio Kælan Mikla return with their spellbinding new single ‘Stjörnuljós’, their first original material since 2021.

Laufey Soffia (vocals) comments:

‘Stjörnuljós’ marks a new beginning for Kælan Mikla. The song is an emotional rebirth for us, a journey though an unexplored world of sound. We’ve never made a song as close to our core and we’re finally ready to let it into the world.

The band continue:

We began working on this song last summer (2023) at Studio Silo in Stöðvafjörður, a remote fjord in eastern Iceland, where we spent 10 days crafting demos. The weather was consistently foggy and misty, so dense that we couldn’t see across the fjord and the sea and sky seemed to merge into an endless grey void. This haunting atmosphere deeply influenced our writing process, infusing it with the eerie beauty of nature.

Always a musical and visual treat, Kælan Mikla’s new track is highly hypnotic. Showcasing a fine balance between melancholic moodiness and dreamlike beauty as only they can. Listeners will feel the chill of Iceland oozing out of this highly atmospheric listen. Check it out here.

Beyond Grace – The Killing Floor

Stunningly heavy and unashamedly hooky, subtly proggy and unapologetically political, Nottingham’s Beyond Grace have released a brand-new video for ‘The Killing Floor’, the second track off their upcoming new EP, Welcome to the New Dark Ages, Part 2 (out 22 November).

Not that anyone needed reminding, but in case you had somehow forgotten that Beyond Grace can be one of the heaviest bands in the UK, this track hits you over the head with that fact. A lovable showcase of beastly heaviness blended with exhilarating progressive elements that has more groove than you might first expect. Basically, don’t be surprised if you find your body spasming violently to this one.

Wax Mekanix – Silver Tongued Devil

Exclusively from Electric Talon Records, ‘Silver Tongued Devil’ is the new single from proud American, Wax Mekanix.

Feeling like a shaky and snotty clarion call to the governed to put leadership on notice, it is a hypnotic, throbbing, serrated, abrasive, unsettling first-person account of the building tension as the USA once again flails toward a clash of ideologies in this generation’s existential showdown.

Explains Wax:

I love my country, but I’m feeling like the pond reflecting the oncoming stone. I’m seeing a homeland of track-scabbed political junkies in some kind of infinite loop of cold turkey attempts. America has been gleefully mainlining recreational outrage, lies, grift, deception, word salads, zone flooding, and general skullduggery as we retreat to our ideological silos for the big election.

There seems to be a new species of American homunculus cravenly stalking perceived foes on social media, and sometimes in the flesh. This strain of socio-political golem is hellbent on myopically conjuring, tracking down, trying, and then ruthlessly punishing imagined nemeses at the explicit and implicit direction of unrepentant gurus that most certainly know better.

Silver Tongued Devil is a snapshot of another brave, rickety, and emaciated attempt to rip the monkey off the national back. It doesn’t take a genius to see that, throughout history, we always get the leadership we deserve. We must have been a seriously naughty assortment of homo sapiens to be worthy of this recent clutch of contemptible overseers.

Someone needs to perform an exorcism on the soul of America or take our phones away. Until then, I am your maestro, and this is your soundtrack.

The timing of this review is certainly something, but Wax’s words ring true no matter the circumstances and across this track, he makes his point in sharp style. Happily, his voice is so smooth and easy to listen to, that he almost takes on the ‘silver tongued devil’ role himself. Alongside that? A hypnotic and groovy industrial-infused alternative anthem that proves to be deliciously infectious. Wax Mekanix always delivers, and this is another quality slice of uniqueness from the artist. Check it out here.

Chapter Two – The Gathering

Having released their debut album while winning the international Emergenza band competition’s Finnish qualifiers and performing at the Taubertal festival in Germany, the Finnish powerhouse quartet that is Chapter Two returns with the new single, ‘The Gathering’.

Preparing to be taken back by what you hear here. Chapter Two are a unique proposition within the world of alternative music. Clearly inspired by the sound of ‘big band music’, they offer up a theatrical performance that infuses many wacked-out elements within and is delivered with a confidence that is staggeringly impressive. That it all works and manages to sound so damn groovy, is the most impressive thing of all though. You’ve not heard anything quite like this in some time. Check it out here.

Dead Harts – Fragile Existence

More than just a comeback, this is a resurrection, and it is fuelled by grief, anger, and pain. Dead Harts’ new single ‘Fragile Existence’ is out now.

Says the band:

This one’s for you Andy! losing a brother leaves a void, but your spirit keeps us going. This single carries everything we feel, and we know you’re watching somewhere.

A heavy and furious experience that comes with so much emotion and passion, Dead Harts’ intensity cuts through the miasma of everyday living to make its point. Its thick and sinewy instrumental section is matched by vocals that come with such throat-tearing power, ensuring that everyone listening will be paying attention and head banging hard to this beast of a track.

Headwreck – LOW BLOW!

Brisbane alternative metal outfit Headwreck have shared their scathing new tune ‘LOW BLOW!’ off the back of their recent tour announcement, supporting Windwaker, Thousand Below (US) and Diamond Construct across Australia in February 2025.

Says the band:

LOW BLOW! is about that person that’s gonna get what’s coming to them. They threw some cheap shots and it’s only matter of time until it comes back to hit them.

The aggressive slant that this track has doesn’t overshadow an overriding feeling of fun, and no matter how heavy Headwreck get here, and they get really heavy, it continues to be a smile-inducing listen. Most of which comes from an infectiousness that runs through the track like a vein. Wait for the ending… it goes hard. Check it out here.

Drew Thomas – I’m Sorry (You’re Lonely)

London based, Nottingham born grit pop artist Drew Thomas has unveiled his brand-new single, ‘I’m Sorry (You’re Lonely)’ – out now via Revanche Records. This dark and moody track acts as a defiant response to those who doubted or let Drew down. A cathartic anthem, shedding his usual restraint to deliver an unapologetic middle finger to his critics and reflecting his journey from being a people pleaser to finding his voice.

Speaking about his new single, Drew Thomas comments:

I’m Sorry (You’re Lonely) is backlash to people in my life that have doubted me or let me down. I have always been a ‘glass half-full’ type person when it comes to friends, work, my career and relationships but this song is about the moment it feels like all of that snaps – a build up of pressure and energy. The lyrics don’t have a natural resolve and it’s like you’re stuck in a cycle of people letting you down, negatively critiquing you that you can’t get out of. It’s the darkest I’ve gone lyrically and my heaviest offering sonically to date.

Quite clearly an artist that proudly wears their heart on a sleeve based off the honesty that comes through strongly on this track. Drew Thomas has something to say and is very capable of expressing it through the medium of music that sticks in the mind. It’s very catchy, especially as it’s so alt-focused, but the moody vein it has running through it, gives it a differently enjoyable flavour. Check it out here.

Raging Speedhorn – Night Wolf

Spinefarm welcomes UK metal legends Raging Speedhorn to its roster. To celebrate this, the Corby sextet have also unveiled their new single, ‘Night Wolf’, and announced an extensive UK tour throughout March 2025.

The band comment on the single:

We’re super excited to release our new single ‘Night Wolf’, produced by our brother Russ Russell at Parlour Studios. It’s got everything you need in a classic Raging Speedhorn song: big riffs, thundering drums and great vocals. To us, it’s a mixture of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath with a unique Speedhorn sound.

We’ve been inspired by one of our favourite 80s movies, and we hope our fans will enjoy the retro vibe in our artwork.

A tight and focused Speedhorn doing what modern Speedhorn do so well. This new track is them through and through, heavy and groovy, but with an underlying tension that comes from the possibility that they could go wild at any stage. The delivery of thick heaviness is so damn enjoyable.

Elysian – Final Exodus

Elysian is a symphonic/melodic death metal band from Finland, originally formed in 2011. Made up of composer/guitarist Juha Kaikkonen and vocalist/guitarist Ville Viertola, the band has now released their latest single, ‘Final Exodus’.

An absolute epic at over eleven minutes, if you want to understand just how elaborate Elysian can be and how lavish their sound is, this track showcases it all, and then some more. The symphonic side of the band is bright and beautiful, but it is one side of a coin, sharing equal space with a thrilling and explosive style of melodic death metal. It is a stunning track that reveals more and more delights as it goes on. Check it out here.

Our Nameless Boy – Mr Right

Bristol based alt-rock band Our Nameless Boy’s new single ‘Mr Right’ was the band’s first attempt at writing about all the wonderful quirks of human interaction in the 21st century, with the main hook for the song, coming from a conversation with a family member about news item and current affairs.

Vocalist, Iain Gorrie shares:

For the most part Mr Right digs into how we all entrench our own views all too deeply to ever learn and grow positively. The lyric, “You could tell me that it’s not worth my time”, can be “finished” with “… to try to change my mind”, for example. I tried to add a more positive idea as to how we can acknowledge each other’s opinions or feelings during discourse in the middle section of the song, but then ultimately the message falls on deaf ears as the chant and chorus come back in.

A sharply melodic affair that showcases individual instruments in interesting ways and puts the vocals front and centre, this new track from Our Nameless Boy is very special. It’s got a calming vibe that holds passion in place, until it’s time to unleash a heftier rock sound. Then, what was already extremely likable, becomes lovable. This is a fabulous showcase of creative alternative rock. Check it out here.

Majestica – Power Train

Symphonic power metal quartet Majestica have announced their brand-new studio album ‘Power Train’, which will see the light of day on 7th February 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records.

Tommy Johansson (vocals/guitars) comments:

Get ready for explosive power metal with a ”can’t stop singing along” chorus in the new track ‘Power Train’. The video literally takes you onboard the Power Train with elements taken from the entire album.

All a-f**king board! This is a train we’re all going to want to be on as we race towards this new album release based off this first effort. An energetic display of power metal that has Majestica’s epic stance and infectious style on garish display. Delightfully garish display and absolutely no-one will be complaining about how effortlessly they deliver this exciting power metal effort.

Tayne – Fear

Hailing from Dublin and now based in London, Tayne have announced the release of their debut album ‘LOVE’ on 31st January via MNRK / Inside Job. They have also unveiled ‘Fear’, a big and aggressive track channelling a Nine Inch Nails / Boy Harsher vibe, featuring one of the most important UK heavy bands of their generation and labelmates, Rolo Tomassi.

Says Tayne frontman Matt Sutton:

Sonically speaking it’s a track that purely felt like we were serving the song. Fear is self-explanatory. It deals with being afraid, letting fear dominate our choices in life, being consumed by it or letting it win.

Rolo Tomassi’s James Spence adds:

After my first time seeing and feeling the energy of Tayne’s live show I was immediately a fan. The band combines what I love about heavy and electronic music with visceral, heavy beat driven songs that are still laden with hooks. I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of this track.

While fear itself may not be what you feel when you listen to Tayne, there’s no denying that the inventive band do create levels of discomfort. Yet, few find themselves turning away from the creativity on display and once again, that creativity has erupted, resulting in a very unique piece of music. Disconcerting, but so very exciting, it’s Tayne at their most innovative and sharing the space with Rolo Tomassi’s James Spence makes it even more special. Check it out here.

Comastatic – Self Sabotage (feat. Down and Out)

Zurich based alternative rock outfit, Comastatic, continue an exhilarating year by announcing their signing to Hopeless Records and sharing the first single on the label, ‘Self Sabotage’.

About the new single, vocalist Mattia Di Paolo explains:

Self-Sabotage is a raw exploration of the tension between outward perfection and inner chaos. The song breaks down the paradox of having an ideal life but feeling constantly unsettled by an underlying mental struggle. It talks about the harmful choices that come from this inner battle and the career that makes things more complicated. By facing the emotional struggle of sabotaging one’s own happiness, the track exposes the difficulty of finding peace, even when everything seems to be in place. It’s a straightforward look at the fight between being content and feeling uneasy inside.

Consistently exciting and constantly creative, Comastatic continue their impressive run with another slice of alternative brilliance. Yet, this is a bit of heavier effort, notably the freaking breakdown. Fear not though, if you’re here for the catchy choruses and relatable vibes, it’s all here, and guest vocals from Australian pop punk outfit Down and Out only enhances things.

Blank Atlas – If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them

Bristol’s favourite riff-lords Blank Atlas have unveiled a new single, ‘If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them’, ahead of their UK headline tour this November.

Bassist Chris Simpson says:

We wanted to put something out that felt really different to our last album, heavier, punkier, weirder. We thought that it maybe sounded a bit too hardcore punk for our usual stuff, but that’s a really thriving scene at the moment, so we joked that if you can’t beat them, join them.

Short and very much to the point, Blank Atlas might have taken some inspiration from the modern hardcore punk movement with this track, but they’ve not lost the aspects of their sound that make them unique. Rarely do you find a track under two-minutes that requires several listens to take in, but such is the clever detail that Blank Atlas have put into this. That it also happens to be mightily infectious too is even more hilarious. Check it out here.

Praetorian – Fear & Loathing in Stevenage

Praetorian, the brutal and gruesome sludge quartet from Stevenage, UK have just signed to APF Records (home of Desert Storm, Spider Kitten, Swamp Coffin, Barbarian Hermit and more). To celebrate this, they have also announced that their debut full length album, ‘Pylon Cult’, will be released on January 31st, 2025. The first single, ‘Fear & Loathing in Stevenage’ is out now.

This album is going to be heavy; it’s also going to be bloody good, and all the proof anyone needs is this track. A filthy, harsh, hostile, and ugly piece of music that, somehow, crawls into the brain matter and takes up residence. It’s not catchy, but it has moments and touches that are in conflict with the savage noise emanating from elsewhere. Groovy? Kind of, here and there. It’s an experience well worth exploring.

Coiled Around Thy Spine – Soul Symmetry

The American-Italian melodic death metal band, Coiled Around Thy Spine have released their brand-new single, ‘Soul Symmetry’.

The purveyors of quality melodic death metal continue to show so many others how it’s done. Coiled Around Thy Spine are experts at balancing melody and metal, focusing on heaviness, and never failing to find creative ways to thrill the senses. This new track is all of that, and more, proving to be a bit of a frenzied beast, but as infectious as ever. Check it out here.

Malevolence – Trenches

Sheffield’s metal powerhouse Malevolence have unleashed their brand-new single, ‘Trenches,’ embodying the raw resilience and grit of their Steel City roots.

Vocalist Alex Taylor comments:

Trenches is possibly the most aggressive, ignorant and direct song we have ever written. Over the last few years, we’ve been playing more in the commercial metal circuit at festivals and arenas, so we wanted to take this opportunity to remind people that we still haven’t lost sight of where we came from. The lyrics are a declaration of not needing validation or approval, and a rejection of those who never supported the journey but only show their face when you achieve some level of success.

If you are worried that success would mean Malevolence start to change their sound and mellow out, you’ll be very happy to hear this stompy and aggressive new effort. This new track is every bit the spin kicking, riotous pit starting, crowd killing noise that has made them so very popular. Malevolence are sounding harder than ever.