Single Slam: Amon Amarth, The Dev, Hath, Monument of a Memory, Nothing but Real, Extinction A.D., Vanitas, Bodysnatcher and Sadist!

This week’s single slam features Amon Amarth, The Dev, Hath, Monument of a Memory, Nothing but Real, Extinction A.D., Vanitas, Bodysnatcher and Sadist. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Amon Amarth – Put Your Back into The Oar

Acclaimed Viking overlords and modern masters of heavy metal, Amon Amarth have revealed their brand new, pulverising single “Put Your Back Into The Oar”, an ode to the epic Viking row.

Amon Amarth comment:

We’ve been quiet over the last 2 years, but we’ve been at home in Sweden hard at work behind the scenes. Much has been said about fans coming to our shows to have fun and doing the “epic Viking row”. Well we thought it was a good idea to write a song about it! This one is for you, the fans, wherever you are – and may Odin guide you as you row to your destiny in uncharted seas! Enjoy the song and video while we continue to work on a new album. We can’t wait to see all you heathens soon.

If you’ve been missing the chance to do the infamous Viking row at a live Amon show, this track will go some way to alleviating that desire. Amon Amarth providing an Viking metal anthem that is sure to be a staple of their live shows going forward. Thick and meaty sounding but with their innate ability to create anthemic songs, Amon Amarth have delivered a track that makes the chin hair grow longer just by hearing it.

The Dev – Hell Bent

Hard rock group, The Dev is composed of lead vocalist Nikollaj, guitarists Ryan Danley & Barrett Jones, bassist John Panaccione, and drummer Chris Caruso. The Dev showcases a bright new spirit in rock music with rising star and front woman Nikollaj. Alongside her are industry veterans who have toured with acts including Heart and Alice Cooper, graced the stages of the Vans Warped Tour, and shared the stage with Slash, Avenged Sevenfold, Flyleaf, and Rise Against.

The Dev have now released their new single, Hell Bent.

A straight-forward and no-nonsense slab of hard rock, The Dev are grooving and rocking on this infectious new song. thumping instrumentation, anthemic vocals, pure catchiness that has all the ingredients to get The Dev on the radio. However, that’s not to suggest that it’s a ‘safe’ sounding song, that’s not quite how The Dev operates. This is a track that has danger running though it but grabs the immediate attention thanks to its innate catchiness. Check it out here.

Hath – Name Them Yet Build No Monument

New Jersey’s blackened death metal juggernaut Hath have released a new single called ‘Name Them Yet Build No Monument’. The song is taken from forthcoming album All That Was Promised, out on March 4 via Willowtip Records.

Name Them Yet Build No Monument has a dark and sinister methodical start. One that erupts into a chaotic barrage of blackened death leaving the listener in state of shock. Hath are summoning the fires of hell with this massive monstrosity and they are all consuming. Across its near 7-minute runtime, Hath keep things interesting with tempo shifts and unique sounding infusions that sound as horrifying as they do delectable. Check it out here.

Monument of a Memory – Shadow Walker

Metalcore noise-mongers Monument of a Memory have dropped a new single called “Shadow Walker” off their upcoming album “Harmony in Absolution” coming out April 8th.

A blistering start, Monument of a Memory cause some serious mental chaos with a chunky and fiery opening to this new track. As it begins to settle, more elements arrive to turn this into one hell of a banger. Subtle tone shifts, cleaner vocals, a powerful chorus, melody and tons of reasons to head-bang as hard as possible. It’s fascinating to hear this track evolve over its 4-minute runtime.

Nothing But Real – Behind the Door

Nothing But Real is a French hybrid alternative rock band from Paris, drawing eclectic influences of alternative rock, fusion, stoner, film music, pop and electro. The second single “Behind the Door”, out of their upcoming album, is released today.

We all had someone we admired. A charismatic, ambitious, and dangerous personality. While we know he is toxic, he manipulates us, he is evil, we do not care. We want to be his shadow. So, we hope to follow in his footsteps behind this door…

A bit poppy, a bit rocky and a whole lot of ‘weird’, Nothing but Real’s new single is one to remember. One to move your body to and one to let its infectious quality spread throughout. The guitars bring the groove but it’s the layered vocals, particularly in the chorus, that add the catchiness. It’s an oddity but an enjoyable one. Check it out here.

Extinction A.D. – 1992

US metal band Extinction A.D. have unveiled their politically charged new single ‘1992’, taken from the upcoming album, Culture of Violence, due 18th March via Unique Leader.

Vocalist / guitarist Rick Jimenez commented:

1992 – I was 12 years old in 1992 and the weight of the events that took place in America were heavy. Throughout the last decade and into this one, I’ve gone back and drawn parallels between what’s happened in our recent history and what’s happening now all while viewing things now through the eyes of an adult. This song is a pummeller both musically and thematically and will hopefully open some eyes about the problem with not learning from the past.

A powerful subject matter portrayed by pounding thrash and death infused heavy metal. 1992 is Extinction A.D. making a statement in the most head-banging inducing way possible. A short and sharp shock to the system, this is an uncontrollable inferno that engulfs in an instant. Scathing riffs, spitfire vocals, a screaming guitar solo… head-banging gold.

Vanitas – Ghostly Coast

The newly launched midlands Cinematic Djent band Vanitas have released their first single “Ghostly Coast”. A track that tackles the crushing reality of capitalism and the ‘9-5’ for many young Gen-Z adults graduating into a post-pandemic society.

Cinematic Djent? That’s a new one! Although, once you’ve heard the 7-minute epic that is Ghostly Coast, it makes a ton more sense. A track that has grand orchestration combined with ripping guitar riffs, drums that wouldn’t sound out of place on a black metal song and vocals that soar with a larger-than-life flavour. A transcendent track that has emotive layers and a surprisingly infectious quality that you wouldn’t expect to find. Check it out here.

Bodysnatcher – E.D.A.

Hotly-tipped US deathcore group Bodysnatcher will release their long anticipated album, Bleed-Abide, on 22nd April via MNRK Heavy. Now, the band has released the new single ‘E.D.A.’.

A blistering and brash assault of classic deathcore, Bodysnatcher are furious and unleashing stompy mayhem on this new track. Where speed meets metal aggression, unabashed breakdowns and uncompromising brutality. Nasty. It’s the one word that can accurately describe this banger. Check it out here.

Sadist – Finger Food

Progressive death metal legends Sadist (feat. Obscura’s Jeroen Paul Thesseling and ex-Necrophagist’s Romain Goulon) are premiering a new single titled “Finger Food” in a lyric video. The song is taken from the Italians’ upcoming album “Firescorched,” due out May 20th on Agonia Records.

The gothic-tinged synth at the start of this track might not be what most would expect when they see a progressive death metal description. Give it a moment though as Sadist embody the ‘progressive’ word and deliver a unique slice of metal here. One that is deeply complex, burns brightly with death metal fire and has an oddness to the rhythm that keeps you on your toes throughout. Like all good progressive metal, it leaves you feeling perplexed but satisfied.