Single Slam: Crowbar, Near Death Condition, Toxicon, Dark Years from Now, The Oklahoma Kid, Lucifer’s Child, Great American Ghost, Ghengis Nash, Prompts, The Daydream District, Arch Enemy, Beneath the Ruin and Party Cannon!

This week’s single slam features Crowbar, Near Death Condition, Toxicon, Dark Years from Now, The Oklahoma Kid, Lucifer’s Child, Great American Ghost, Ghengis Nash, Prompts, The Daydream District, Arch Enemy, Beneath the Ruin and Party Cannon. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Crowbar – Chemical Godz

New Orleans, Louisiana sludge metal pioneers Crowbar will release their long awaited new full-length, Zero and Below, on 4th March via MNRK Heavy. In celebration, the band have unveiled the record’s artwork, tracklisting, and first single/video, ‘Chemical Godz’.

Comments Windstein of first single, ‘Chemical Godz:

We are all so excited to release the song and video for ‘Chemical Godz!’ It’s been nearly two years since the album was completed. It was such a sad time for so many people going through the Covid-19 epidemic and we felt it wasn’t a good time to release any new material. Get ready because the heavy is coming! We hope y’all enjoy the song and video. Stay safe out there!

Back with a vengeance, Crowbar are back with a heavy, head-banging slab of sludge metal. Both familiar and fresh, it’s Crowbar doing what Crowbar do best but also proving that they’re not going to sit still and expect the fans to just except more of the same.

Heavy as hell, it’s a track that takes you on a journey with the dominant guitar tone akin to a breezeblock to the head. Leading to an outro riff that is a total killer.

Near Death Condition – The Bridal Chamber

Swiss bleak death metal band Near Death Condition return with single ‘The Bridal Chamber’, and have announced new album Ascent from the Mundane, due out on 12th February via Unique Leader.

On the new single, the band comment:

The Universe consists of elements that don’t go without its opposite: light and darkness, the masculine and the feminine, the infinitely large and the infinitely small, the good and the evil. Everything needs its opposite to exist. And ‘The Bridal Chamber’, through the metaphor of the twin souls painfully separated from birth in search of the other with the nostalgia of this lost unity, is a hymn to the union of these opposites that can turn ignorance into wisdom.

The thing that really gets under your skin with this track is how it takes Near Death Condition take their time. Not that it’s slow or lacking intensity but rather how the ferocity comes at you. Dripping with atmosphere, the aching, angular rhythms and crunchy tonal shifts keep you constantly wrong-footed but in an exciting way. Heavy as heavy comes. Check it out here.

Toxicon – Parallelysis

Australian hybrid metal band Toxicon have just unveiled a brand new single titled Parallelysis. It is the first offering from Toxicon’s upcoming album Be the Fire & Wish For The Wind.

A dangerous build, the opening instrumentation is far too relaxed, so when the explosion of heaviness comes, it discombobulates. In the best way possible though, as this beast begins to stomp about and make as much noise as possible. All while being quite catchy and anthemic. The passionate vocals work well with the powerful melodrama of the instruments resulting in something that can be rightfully called a banger. Check it out here.

Dark Years from Now – Panic Attack

Dark Years from Now is the nefarious creation of multi-instrumentalist Dan Potter. Using heavy barrages of thrashing poly-rhythmic metal to whip up intensity levels, DYFN descends into the darkness forging sonic worlds with abstract intent as the words and instrumentation act like demented aural paintbrushes, obscuring to reveal.

Dark Years from Now reawakens, casting aside its wretched slumber to bring you a fast-paced melodic death metal track called ‘Panic Attack’.

Dan Potter says:

This recording of ‘Panic Attack’ is a full on metal ripper but you may detect an almost pop feel going on with it. This is because the track was originally a pop-punk song that I had released in the past with my other alt-rock project. The fact that I’m covering myself here is an interesting twist which lead to a cool result as a fun playful side to DYFN is now revealed.

Complex instrumentation, melodic arrangements and punishing heaviness, Dark Years from Now unveil a crunchy and caustic blast of melodic metal. The thick sound of the percussion, bursts of ‘panic’ inducing guitar speed, sharp melodies that cut through and vocals that have a scathing quality. There’s an infectiousness to this one that will have you hitting play over and over again. Check it out here.

The Oklahoma Kid – Pale Tongue

Modern metal quintet The Oklahoma Kid have released a video for their brand new single ‘Pale Tongue’, out now via Arising Empire. Known for their unique blend of genres, the avant-garde five-piece continue to push boundaries and break old conventions with ‘Pale Tongue’.

Guitarist Andreas Reinhard comments:

We are always trying to get different influences into our music, that’s why we were looking for a producer outside our genre, to get some new input. When we first met up with Jan, we know he was a perfect match to record and produce our new material.

This is weird… beginning with techno groove that sounds like a rave is about to kick off. It’s serrated metal that burst forth though, albeit with the backdrop of electronica. Modern metalcore with a sharp point, this one saws its way through the mind. Fast, frantic and very noisy but effectively memorable.

Lucifer’s Child – Satan’s Wrath

Greek black metal purveyors Lucifer’s Child have debuted a new song ‘Satan’s Wrath’ from their upcoming split album with Brazil’s Mystifier. The split, titled “Under Satan’s Wrath”, will have its release on March 25th on Agonia Records.

George Emmanuel (ex-Rotting Christ), who co-launched Lucifer’s Child in 2013, commented:

After almost a year and half of isolation and profound research, we gave birth to a new seed of evil, ‘Under Satan’s Wrath’. This deep-rooted journey contains three new songs from each band, with some special revelations where conspiracies between Mystifier and Lucifer’s Child divulge. A further step beyond the borders of safety, a further step into the abyss where our freedom to craft and sculpt our sound liberates.

The flame of black metal burns brightly with Satan’s Wrath, although the pure fury that emanates from it, is more akin to an inferno. Happily, Lucifer’s Child showcase more than just intense, twisted heaviness as this is also a track with evil atmosphere. Think of it as the equivalent of being hunted by demonic forces. The pace of the track is the desperation to escape their clutches. Check it out here.

Great American Ghost – Kingmaker

Boston’s Great American Ghost have released their first single, ‘Kingmaker’, from their upcoming EP. Torture World will be released 21st January 2022 via MNRK Heavy.

Vocalist Ethan Harrison explains:

‘Kingmaker’ is a song I wrote at the height of the QAnon hysteria. It was my own observation on the kind of people that allow something so clearly based in racism and bigotry, that has been propagated for hundreds of years just to be repackaged and resold as something new and original, to fuel their every choice and how much that disgusts me. Somethings should be rejected on their face.

Blistering instrumentation and a furious war of vocalisation; Great American Ghost are spitting fire here. The energy is kept at a constantly high tempo and the there is no pulling of the punches here. It rages and rages with a late breakdown adding the extra touch of brutality to a track that leaves you feeling battered and bruised. Check it out here.

Ghengis Nash – The Swamp

Genghis Nash is truly a global collective of musicians, and at its core are two old friends – from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Michel Nasrallah, and from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, Jackie Barnes (son of the legendary Jimmy Barnes).

The band have recently signed a world-wide deal with Golden Robot Records and are set to deliver their first single ‘The Swamp’, out now on all digital platforms, with their debut EP The Odyssey set to be unleashed in early 2022.

Talk about announcing yourself on the world stage! Ghengis Nash bring rock groove wrapped up in a radio-friendly anthemic way. The chorus is where that anthemic part really comes into play it is at but the verses that deliver the foot-tapping and head-nodding groove. A banger track that creates a ton of anticipation for the full EP later in in 2022.

Prompts – Möbius

Japanese metal band, Prompts have released a brand-new single called ‘Möbius’. which is now available via Modern Empire Music.

Japan’s answer to Spiritbox? You can certainly find comparisons with Prompts metalcore/alternative sound. A sound that ticks a lot of the metalcore boxes but is upended by bouts of real savagery and nu-metal style stomp. It seems designed to hit as hard as possible but it also keeps you guessing as Prompts play like they’re having fits. What it lacks in rhythm, it makes up for in pure aggression. Check it out here.

The Daydream District

The Daydream District is the brainchild of husband and wife, Scott and Jeni Ivey. Part rock, part pop, part 90s alternative, The Daydream District brings an eclectic fusion of sound that spirals through different genres.

They released their new single ‘Hail Mary Martyrs’, now available on all digital platforms via Golden Robot Records. ‘Hail Mary Martyrs’ is the follow up to the recently released single ‘Novocaine for the soul’.

An undefinable genre band, The Daydream District combine several elements to create a catchy tune. The chilled-out melodies of pop, powerful rock rhythm and old-school alternative energy. It sounds both out of time and forward thinking at the same time. The off-kilter instrumentation balanced by shared vocals that warm the soul but also soar when needed. Memorable enough to get a few repeated plays and don’t be surprised if you hear this on the radio over the next couple of weeks a lot. Check it out here.

Arch Enemy – House of Mirrors

This past October, metal legends Arch Enemy returned with their first new song in four years: ‘Deceiver, Deceiver’. Now, the band has launched another standalone single called House of Mirrors.

Guitarist Michael Amott comments:

Musically, this is an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for a while, and finally it got finished. It all started with the guitar motif that kicks off the track, which naturally leads to the galloping 80’s-metal feel of the verses. As is always the case with us, we had quite a few different arrangements and demos of this song until it was, dare I say, fckn perfect!

Front-woman Alissa White-Gluz adds:

‘House of Mirrors’ is a song that twists its way into the human psyche. I wrote the lyrics during a dark time of strict, dystopian lockdown, and I think people will be able to relate to that feeling of being totally alone – but never truly alone – when you are surrounded only by past and future versions of yourself as company.

Arch Enemy’s hot streak continues with a punchy head-banger that mixes their incomparable death metal style with classic heavy metal riffs and a catchy as hell chorus. The high-pitched scream that sounds ripped straight from the NWOBHM playbook instantly surprises but galloping riffs of the verses are what really stand out. Around that, Arch Enemy do what they do best… heavy, fast-paced death metal groove with short and sharp guitar soloing. Awesome stuff.

Beneath the Ruin – Uprising

Liverpool-based prog metal 6-piece, Beneath the Ruin, have today unveiled the video for upcoming single Uprising, due for release on December 11th. The video is premiering over on their YouTube Channel. Uprising is available to stream now.

On the video, the band comments:

We shot the video at Antwerp Mansion in Manchester with Clearway Media. It’s deteriorating and eerie aesthetic was an ideal setting to perform. It complimented the track well, visually capturing the rebellious light in which the song is written.

A melodramatic start: softly sung vocals and melodic guitars quickly gives way to a burst of energy and then an eruption of metal. The pace is far quicker, the rhythm much more angular but the prominent placement of melody keeps things feeling mellow. That, and the constantly clean vocals. The passion the band exude is notable and it feels grand. Check it out here.

Party Cannon – I Believe in Dani Filth

Scottish party-slam legends (and stuff of nightmares) Party Cannon are a band that never run out of ideas. Selling themselves as conceptually idiotic, musically gifted, legends of partying, and the band with the best logo in death metal, Party Cannon pay less-than-subtle homage to their influences with new single ‘I Believe in Dani Filth’.

Commenting on the music video, Cradle of Filth fanatic, Dani Filth number-one fan, and bassist Clankenstein states:

We are going where no slamming death metal band has gone before – the 16-bit realm. Party Slam has been challenged and only one man is capable of defeating us, clearly that man is Dani Filth. Like most unremarkable men in their late twenties, we are obsessed with old school video games and feel we’ve managed to work that into our music in a cool and unique way with this video. The video was animated by our good friends Bailey Junior and Colin MacGregor Make Over at Scapegoat.TV and is laden with Easter eggs and Party Slam lore.

It’s easy to forget that Party Cannon are more than just a ‘comedy metal band’ and that they’re very capable of delivering well-written brutality. Case in point; I Believe in Dani Filth. A track that sees the slam legends take their sound back to the core death metal era and deliver a blistering bout of brutality. All while playing tribute to one of metal’s most iconic frontmen. Party Cannon at their heaviest? That’s debatable but it’s undoubtably the band pushing themselves to even more extreme lengths. The pit is going to be utter filth when this one is played live.