Single Slam: Bury Tomorrow, Judicator, Lionheart, Beyond the Black, The Alpha Complex, Eyes Wide Open, Worn Out, The Comfort, Phoxjaw, Through Fire, In the Woods…, Amaranthe and Steel Panther!

This week’s single slam features Bury Tomorrow, Judicator, Lionheart, Beyond the Black, The Alpha Complex, Eyes Wide Open, Worn Out, The Comfort, Phoxjaw, Through Fire, In the Woods…, Amaranthe and Steel Panther. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Bury Tomorrow – The Seventh Sun

British metal sextet, Bury Tomorrow, have announced the release of their seventh album, the aptly titled, ‘The Seventh Sun’, will be released on March 31st 2023 on Music For Nations. To mark the announcement, the band have released the album’s first single, ‘Abandon Us’.

Says the band:

We are proud to present, ‘The Seventh Sun’. It is an understatement to say we are excited to share the new era of Bury Tomorrow with you all and the first single from the album, Abandon Us, is the perfect way to showcase our intent for the next phase of our band. Visceral and heavy, this track is for each and every one of you that has stood by us either from the beginning, or supported us along the way.

The new era of Bury Tomorrow is not too far removed from the last but it’s also not an attempt to be something it’s not. Instead, Bury Tomorrow have put their heads down and come up with something crunchy, fast, heavy and melodic. It’s metalcore 101 to some degree but that shouldn’t underplay just how much ass it kicks. It’s one hell of an earworm track.

Judicator – Ursa Major

US power metal group Judicator have released their new single, Ursa Major. The he second track to be taken from the four-piece band’s forthcoming sixth studio album, The Majesty of Decay, set to be released via Prosthetic Records on November 25th.

Speaking about the song, John Yelland (vocals) comments:

While our last single, The High Priestess, marks a step away from the classic Judicator sound, Ursa Major shows that we’re still in touch with our roots. I actually wrote the music for this song many years ago. I was working at a job I hated, but every morning before work I sat in the car for 20-30 minutes and wrote music. These songwriting sessions were the only good part of my day. Even now I still associate Ursa Major with the morning time and caramel lattes.

Whether you love your job or hate your job, we hope Ursa Major brings some sunshine to your commute this morning!

Forget about just the morning, Judicator’s new single will have you grinning from ear to ear all day and night long. A hyperactive blast of screaming and screeching power metal that is unfiltered fun in a classic power metal way. A classic Judicator way. Though don’t think for a second that means the band is regressing, far from it, their ever-growing talents used to push their sound forward and into even more epic areas. Another amazing track from this band, the new album is shaping up to be one hell of a release. Check it out here.

Lionheart – Live by the Gun

Heavy hardcore quintet Lionheart have released new single / video ‘Live by the Gun’ featuring the legendary Ice T of Body Count, taken from their new album Welcome to The West Coast III, out 9th December via Arising Empire.

Very moody, very intense and very heavy, Lionheart bring forth an energised assault of hardcore aggression here. Stompy rhythm and snarling vocals, the barbs spat by Ice T adding a lot to the track. The breakdown is pure crowd killing stuff but it also has a chorus that demands you raise your fist and shout along.

Beyond the Black – Winter is Coming

German symphonic metal ascending stars Beyond the Black have returned, ready to launch a new chapter. Following the release of recently highly acclaimed tracks ‘Reincarnation’ and ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’, the band are proud to announce their new, fifth studio album – the self-titled Beyond the Black will drop on January 13th 2023. The pre-order launches now, accompanied by dark and powerful new single ‘Winter Is Coming’, setting the tone for BTB’s biggest headline tour to-date, starting on October 6th in Vienna.

Jennifer Haben (vocals) comments:

Many changes happened in the world and behind the scenes during the making of this album. We were confronted by our innermost fears and hopes while trying to do the right thing in turbulent times. This is what you call growth and this album gets to the heart of this process we all share: here’s BEYOND THE BLACK and it’s gonna be yours soon!

A beauty of a track, Beyond the Black make one hell of an impact with this melodic bout of power-driven symphonic heaviness. The peppiness of the instruments is one thing but the vocals are simply phenomenal. Coming together for a rousing chorus. On the one hand, the tone will chill but on the other, the fiery delivery will warm. Check it out here.

The Alpha Complex – My Inferno

The Alpha Complex is a modern hard rock group from Sacramento, California Their new single ‘My Inferno’ is out today on all platforms worldwide. It follows a turbulent love cycle where a partner who feigns like an angel, however, is really a devil.

A groovy, catchy and delightfully larger-than-life hard rock track. The Alpha Complex express a lot in a short amount of time here. The punchy guitar groove, pounding drum beats, melodic infusions and soaring vocals work wonderfully together. However, it’s the grand chorus that really sticks in the mind long after the final notes have played out. Check it out here.

Eyes Wide Open – We’re the Walking Dead

Swedish modern metal four-piece Eyes Wide Open have released a video for their brand-new single ‘We’re the Walking Dead’, out now via Arising Empire. The track features a guest appearance from Australian producer Misstiq.

Drawing from the rich history of the Swedish melodic metal scene but taking their own route, Eyes Wide Open combine those influences with modern metalcore pump and groove. Delivering a track that has real bite, heavy catchiness and hits melodic highs when it comes to the chorus. Layered with elemental effects, it’s a track that everyone can get a kick out of. Check it out here.

Wornout – Bridgeburner

Irish hardcore metal band Worn Out are back with a brand-new single called ‘Bridgeburner’, The track features guest vocals from Justin Paul Hill of the UK tech-metal giants Sikth.

It’s been ten months since Waste laid ‘waste’ to all who heard it and since then Worn Out have grown their fanbase significantly. For good reason too as the band’s brand of abrasive, metallic hardcore noise is awesome. The proof? This brand-new single and the four-minutes of carnage Worn Out unleash. Head-smashing, neck-breaking and body-bruising music. Worn Out will fuck you up and you’ll love every minute of it.

The Comfort – Bloom

Brisbane alternative rock band The Comfort share their fifth single, ‘Bloom’ from upcoming sophomore album ‘Experience Everything. Live And Die.’ Out November 11th via Greyscale Records.

Explains Dominic Harper (vocals/bass):

Bloom is a reflection on the good and bad parts of a relationship that has come to an end, and explores the grief and self discovery that follows. Immediately following a failed relationship you’re forced into a period of self discovery. You truly discover who you are, who you are supposed to be and who you can be. Only once you’ve had that process so many times, can you be ready for a flourishing relationship with yourself and eventually also with someone else – ‘being alone is just a stepping stone to a goddamn blessing’.

A powerful and relatable message delivered in an expressive and heartfelt way; The Comfort touch the soul with this new track. Something that oozes passion, has an emotive tone but is also quite uplifting. The melody is sweet, the vocals are sensitive and the chorus is massive sounding. A really lovable song. Check it out here.

Phoxjaw – apples

Mercurial Bristol quartet Phoxjaw have released their new single ‘apples’, from their hotly-anticipated new album notverynicecream, to be released 11th November via Hassle Records.

The band comment:

‘apples’ is a menacing, disorientating rollercoaster ride that descends into disarray. The intention was to convey the plunge into one’s insanity and asks the age-old question: what has anyone done to deserve certain hardships within life? Taking themes from religion, film and cataclysmic events to ponder this idea. One of the sonically bolder tracks from the up and coming album, ‘apples’ sets up the heavy and ugly side of this record.

So far, everything that has been heard from notverynicecream has been out of this world in regards to brilliance. With apples, Phoxjaw keep that hot streak going. One of their more challenging tracks, it’s incredibly strange and completely unhinged when it comes a heavier sound. The two elements coming together with nicely. No-one makes music quite like Phoxjaw and apples may very well turn out to be the best example of their eccentric and addictive style.

Through Fire – Karma Kills

Omaha-based hard rock quartet Through Fire have released their new single and music video for ‘Karma Kills’, out now via Sumerian Records.

Speaking on the release, guitarist Justin McCain comments:

What goes around, comes around. Karma kills.

A track with a chorus to get you well and truly hyped, Karma Kills’ ambience and melody is impressive but it’s all about the groove of that chorus. That’s what gets the blood pumping and that’s what sticks with you afterwards. A quality slice of hard rock with radio-friendly edges. Check it out here.

In the Woods… – A Wonderful Crisis

Norwegian metal icons In the Woods… have released ‘A Wonderful Crisis’, the first single from forthcoming album, Diversum. Out on November 25th via Soulseller Records.

As avant-garde as always. As progressive as ever. In the Woods… return with an epic. A track that takes the listener through a darkened world of strangeness. The contrast of powerful rock and blackened metal in perfect balance. There’s no contradiction here, this is In the Woods… and everything they release has a grand and infectious quality to it. This track is no different, 7 minutes flying by in a blur of diverse detail.

Amaranthe – Find Life

Swedish modern metal sensation Amaranthe have released their brand new single ‘Find Life’, right in time for the start of their multiply postponed co-headlining European tour with Beyond The Black.

Olof Mörck (guitars) comments:

’Find Life’ sees Amaranthe exploring a more somber and mature mood, all while keeping our trademark high energy rhythms and explosive riffs. Ethereal layers of keyboards meld seamlessly with a modern pumping bass line, topped of with some of the greatest vocal performances from vocalists Elize Ryd and Nils Molin yet.

After quite some time we have reunited with video director and long time Amaranthe collaborator Patric Ullaeus, for a video that is both intimate and explosive. We wanted to scale things down, and focus entirely on the individuals of the band, and Patric delivered as always!

Always willing to push the boundaries while still sounding undeniably like Amaranthe, Find Life is one of the band’s poppiest sounding tracks. Yet, that shouldn’t overshadow the energised rhythm and uber-catchiness of the chorus. The beat is dynamic, there are some trance elements, a wailing guitar solo and plenty of those epic Amaranthe vocals to enjoy. It’s a track that is going to sound immense in the live environment. Check it out here.

Steel Panther – Never Too Late (To Get Some Pussy Tonight)

On the heels of the recent addition of Spyder as their full-time bassist, California rock legends Steel Panther have announced their sixth studio album On the Prowl. The album is schedule for release on February 24, 2023. The first single from On the Prowl is called ‘Never Too Late (To Get Some Pussy Tonight)’, and is out now.

The tongue in cheek, hair metal worshipping rockers are back and sticking to type. Something that fans will love and, thanks to a fun piece of music, might even win over some new ones. The opening synth giving way to an infectious blast of old-school rock and roll. With, of course, that infamous drollness that has made them so beloved. Don’t expect the unexpected here and you’re likely to have more fun. It’s Steel Panther doing what they do best, nothing more and nothing less.