Single Slam: August Burns Red, Recall the Remains, Anger Party, Krooked Tongue, Ape On the Rocket, Akilla, WormRose, Vision Deprived, Handcuff, Defocus, Morass of Molasses, War Grave, Box Clone, and Ov Sulfur!

This week’s single slam features August Burns Red, Recall the Remains, Anger Party, Krooked Tongue, Ape On the Rocket, Akilla, WormRose, Vision Deprived, Handcuff, Defocus, Morass of Molasses, War Grave, Box Clone, and Ov Sulfur. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

August Burns Red – Reckoning (feat. Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath)

Grammy-nominated Lancaster five-piece August Burns Red have shared ‘Reckoning,’ another new song from Death Below, which arrives March 24th via SharpTone Records.

Says JB Brubaker (lead guitar):

‘Reckoning’ is an eight-minute journey that concludes our new album, Death Below. It was one of the last songs we wrote for the album and is taken over the top by the haunting guest vocal appearance by our friend Spencer Chamberlain from Underoath. We don’t typically like to share the album closer before our records come out but we’re just so pumped on this track and had to make an exception this time.

We don’t often get tracks this extensive from August Burns Red, so this new single is something of a surprise. Even if it’s got all the metalcore moving, spitting, snarling, and raging parts of the band we have all come to love. With the added bonus of Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath adding some awesomely different vibes to the experience. It’s a journey of a track, with some exceptional building towards a climax and breakdown that is just fantastic.

Recall the Remains – Fairfield

Fairfield is the brand-new single from Telford metallers, Recall the Remains due to be released on the 1st of March 2023. The follow up to the excellent 2021 EP ‘Dead Dreams’.

One of the brightest stars in the British metal scene, Recall the Remains have made an impressive name for themselves over the past few years and this new single is only going to enhance that. A perfect blend of groove and aggression, the riffs are intense and complimented by hard-hitting percussion and vocals that alternate between furious growls, gnarly roars, and soaring highs. A melodic drop in the latter part, the clean singing is immense here, makes for a nice tone shift, and when it heavies back up, it’s even stronger. It will be available on March 1st, here.

Anger Party – Had Enough

Had Enough is the second single from new alternative horror rock band Anger Party. Out now via Silent Cult Records.

Following up their impressive first single with something that blends genres a bit more, Anger Party lean into their ‘emo’ side with this new single. Albeit, still heavy and horror laden. The alt-vibes make this a more subdued effort that features some elemental melody and a dual vocal performance that slays. Another strong effort, Anger Party are really beginning to stand out.

Krooked Tongue – Velociraptor

Bristol-based rock trio Krooked Tongue have released a new single called ‘Velociraptor’, taken from their upcoming EP due later this year.

Describing the tone of the song, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford says:

You have to find space in this fucked up world to have fun, get wasted, kiss and tell. We’re not here for a long time, so it may as well be a good time.

Effortlessly fun, extremely groovy, stupidly danceable, but rocking as all hell. Krooked Tongue continue their upward trajectory with this new banger track. One that has delightfully infectious riffs, super-chilled vocals, and plenty of ‘oomph’. It’s thoroughly enjoyable stuff that makes your fingers tap, your feet stomp, and your head nod along to the punch rhythm. Check it out here.

Ape on the Rocket – Love

Russian progressive metalcore band, Ape On the Rocket have released their brand-new single, Love.

Make love, not war – Ape On the Rocket push against the tide with a modern, exciting, and explosive take on progressive metalcore. Blending in elements of deathcore, this new single does one thing and that is rage. From beginning to end, it’s pure explosive energy and beats you over the head with its crushing intensity. It makes you feel so energised, and it is freaking awesome. Check it out here.

Akilla – Serpent and the Son

‘Serpent and the Son’ is the new single from the debut Akilla album ‘The Gods Have Spoken’ due for release in spring 2023.

This will get your blood up; the heavy intensity builds to a scathing showcase of riffs and blood-curdling vocals. It then hits differently, as it turns into something grander with exceptional melody, and Akilla really show just why their being talked about with a certain amount of reverence. As an introduction to this upcoming album, it really creates a ton of anticipation.

WormRose – Kiss My Feet

WormRose is a Swedish metal/hard rock band formed in 2022 by the band’s composer and guitarist Nils Leufvenius. The band has found a sound that combines classic heavy metal and hard rock with other music styles such as: funk, soul, and classic pop. Their new single ‘Kiss My Feet’ is out now.

Exploding with energy, if this is your introduction to WormRose, you’re certainly going to get along with the old-school heavy heard rock vibes the band showcases here. A hard-hitting riff-driven track with some exceptional vocals that lead through the ups and downs of the rhythm. The groove enhanced by moments of explosivity, it’s a head-banger, simple as that. Check it out here.

Vision Deprived – I Am

Italian apocalyptic death metal act Vision Deprived will release their debut album ‘Self Elevating, Deep Inside The Void’ on March 28th, 2023, via Slaughterhouse Records. They have bow released their second single from it, called ‘I Am’.

A cacophony of heavy noise, the instrumental chaos Vision Deprived unleash is filled to the brim with undiluted ferocity. A short and raging slice of death metal, blended with elements of grind, it’s a whirlwind of heaviness that keeps things simple but very exciting. Check it out here.

Handcuff – El Ganso

‘El Ganso’ is the second single from the London based punk rock quartet Handcuff.

A grin-inducing blend of old-school punk snarl and modern infectious energy, El Ganso is a very catchy tune. One that comes in under two and a half minutes but packs a punch through the sheer infectious nature of the ringing rhythm and sharp vocals. It’s a track you can’t help but listen to over and over again because it is so much fun.

Defocus – Biased

Defocus return with a video for their brand-new single ‘Biased’, out now via Arising Empire. The track is the band’s first new material since their debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same, fully immersing themselves in the cold reality of 2023 with their new material.

A spectacular return, Defocus’ brand of metalcore/deathcore is certainly intense. Genre-bending as alternative touches and nu-infused moments make it more than just your average heavy track. Its oozes chilling atmosphere and moves from a frenzy to dark groove seamlessly, while also delivering some of the heaviest breakdowns heard in years. Savage stuff. Check it out here.

Morass of Molasses – Hellfayre

Reading, UK, stoner blues masters Morass Of Molasses unleash ‘Hellfayre’ a fuel-driven new single taken from their new album ‘End All We Know’, due out on March 24th through Ripple Music.

About the song, frontman Bones Huse says:

Set in the post-Brexit, pandemic-induced malaise, it reflects the deep division caused by those events. “Hellfayre” brings a darkly apocalyptic view, which seeps into the lyrics and speaks of a bleak future ahead.

We do love a bit of Morass of Molasses here and this new album is much anticipated. Especially when tracks like Hellfayre are unleashed. A fast-paced, energetic, stoner-groove heavy head-banger, it’s Morass of Molasses at their liveliest. Their excellent combination of body-shaking riffs and hooks, pounding drums, and dramatic vocal gruffness is pure joy.

War Grave – System

War Grave are a new 5-piece London, UK based band that play a mixture of trad/thrash/melodic metal. They have now released their debut single, System.

Needing to make an impact, War Grave don’t mess around and deliver a thumping, throbbing and hair-raising display of metal with this debut single. A blend of thrashy groove and old-school melodically-charged energy, it’s head-banging gold. This is how you make an impact!

Box Clone – Who Are You?

Back with a brand-new single, high-octane rock band, Box Clone have released ‘Who Are You?’, their fifth single.

Guitarist and frontman Oggan explains the meaning behind the song:

It’s about pressing forward despite people causing unnecessary problems and drama. Like, just get on with it! Who are you to tell me how to handle my business?

Deliciously groovy and insanely infectious, all while being a bit wacky, this new Box Clone track is up there as one of their best so far. The trippy riffs, the use of electronica, the rap-style vocal statements, and pithy chorus make this one to remember. A proper ear-pleaser that has some seriously strong crossover appeal. Check it out here.

Ov Sulfur – Befouler (feat. Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail)

Blackened deathcore outfit Ov Sulfur have released the brand new single and music video for ‘Befouler’, featuring Slaughter to Prevail’s Alex Terrible. The track is taken from their upcoming debut album The Burden Ov Faith, due 24th March via Century Media Records.

On the new single, vocalist Ricky Hoover comments:

Breaking away from our constant blasphemy, ‘Befouler’ focuses on real-life heretics who say one thing to your face but believe another. They use this false front as a pathetic defence to slowly plot your demise. This type of life became foreign to me in my years away from the music industry, but it seems the more you’re in the public eye, the more you face dissenters and weaklings. I’ve made so many great friends through the industry, but this one is a middle finger to those who are too cowardly to even spit in your face because they only open their mouth while hiding theirs.

Guitarist/vocalist Chase Wilson adds:

This is easily our most energetic song. The technical riffing keeps you banging your head so hard you just might get lightheaded while singing along to the anthemic chorus – shout out to Ricky! By the time you get to the end, you’ve basically given yourself short-term memory loss and forgotten that Alex Terrible comes in to just bludgeon you to death on the final breakdown. For the video, we went with a tale of revenge that ties our early single and EP artworks to The Burden Ov Faith. Rather than go with the typical animated video, we wanted it to be almost like a moving painting or storybook, complete with hyper-stylised art from the super talented Anastasia Solti. We had our friend Dylan Gould add some extra effects to really make it pulse with the music, and we’re very excited to have a unique visual for one of our collective favourite songs from the album!

Guess what? This rages and rages bloody hard. That shouldn’t be to much of a surprise if you are familiar with Ov Sulfur but the bonus of Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail certainly adds some levity to the intensity. The deathcore makeup is familiar and ferocious, with a chorus that soars. It’s a track where you need to pick out individual instruments because it’s so layered and the breakdown at the end is pure chaos.