Single Slam: Delain, Aphyxion, Anger Party, Carnage Void, Lovebites, Tempt, Memoriam, Acres, Stormo, Kamelot, Deadline, Remote Viewing, and Black Stone Cherry!

This week’s single slam features Delain, Aphyxion, Anger Party, Carnage Void, Lovebites, Tempt, Memoriam, Acres, Stormo, Kamelot, Deadline, Remote Viewing, and Black Stone Cherry. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Delain – Moth to A Flame

Ahead of the release of their brand-new album, Dark Waters, to be released February 10th via Napalm Records, Delain have released another single from it, called Moth To A Flame.

Keyboardist, founder, and main songwriter Martijn Westerholt comments:

I’m extremely proud of this song. It’s one of the most upbeat songs on the album while also having the heaviest guitar riff, and Diana’s vocals are outstanding! It’s a killer combination that I think fans will love.

It’s another massive hit from Delain, one that has a retro feel, but is a massive showcase of the new vocals. Which, thanks to the previous two singles, aren’t so unusual to Delain fan’s ears now. This is Delain 2023 and they’re bringing the huge melodies, heavy riffs, exciting synth, and soaring vocals. The star moment of Moth to A Flame? That chorus. It will get stuck in your head.

Aphyxion – Pathless

With Pathless, their new single, Aphyxion make another huge statement on the way to the release of their new album Ad Astra on February 10th via Circular Wave. Pathless features the vocals of Mirza Radonjica from Siamese.

The hot streak that Aphyxion are on continues, as the band’s latest single is an anthemic metalcore hit of adrenaline. The band are sounding particularly heavy here, killer breakdown and all, but it’s the chorus that stands out the most. The collaboration with Siamese’s Mirza Radonjica really pays off. Check it out here.

Anger Party – Eat You Alive

As we turn the page of 2022 a new virus in the form of alternative horror rock band Anger Party is set to plague your mind. Inviting you into the deep dark corners of their world Anger Party have announced that they have signed to Silent Cult and also unveiled their debut offering ‘Eat You Alive’.

Says Guitarist Owen Claxton:

Blood, guts, flayed flesh, and a shattered smile – these are the things that plague our minds. ‘Eat You Alive’ explores the surreal, menacing corners of our nightmares and how they breach the lines of reality in a modern world.

The blend of genres that Anger Party offers up is certainly attention grabbing but what does that mix sound like? Try a certain level of harshness, a certain level of brashness, a certain level of chaos, and a certain level of catchiness. It’s got intensity, but it’s also got an attractive alt-rock twist. It’s a unique sounding offering from Anger Party, and it stands out as a bit of a banger.

Carnage Void – Let There Be Carnage

Iranian Death Metal band Carnage Void make a bold statement with their new single, Let There Be Carnage.

The band explains:

This piece is a call. For anyone whose freedom, sex, love, and art, and ultimately their life have been taken away from them. In the darkest days of Iran’s history, we took the risk of being arrested and recorded this track in our homes. The goal was not only to show musical or singing abilities, but the exact expression of all our feelings about living in this Dark Age.

We thank and cherish all our brave artist friends who helped us to finish this task.

To freedom for all!

A massive statement from this band, Carnage Void are spitting fury here. The track is a total beast from the moment it starts, the raging intensity bursting forth via a cacophony of instruments and vocals. Yet, their aggression is focused and that just makes it even more special. The blend of old-school ferocity and modern melodic detail is the real hook though.

Lovebites – The Spirit Lives On

Lovebites, one of Japan’s most important names in heavy metal, return from hiatus with a new member and their new single ‘The Spirit Lives On’. The track is the second to be taken from their fourth studio album, Judgement Day, due for release 24th February 2023 via JPU Records.

New year, new Lovebites… what’s not to be excited about? A hyperactive blast of metal that certainly sees the group leaning into more power metal territories, yet not losing their way when it comes to speed and thrash. It’s a vigorous blast and continues to rise and rise, and the vocals are extremely prominent (maybe a little too much, though?). It keeps you on the edge of your seat, right up until the very end.

Tempt – We Will Rock You (Queen Cover)

Tempt have released a new video for their cover of Queen’s, We Will Rock You that captures performances on their European tour at iconic festivals such as Hellfest, Download, Rock Im Park/Am Ring, Graspop and support dates for Iron Maiden, Shinedown, Tremonti and Theory. The band reworked the largely unknown “fast version” of the song as the encore for their set on the tour.

An iconic song, Tempt add some of their own personalities to this energised version. Showcasing their touring life while paying tribute to the one of the greatest bands in the world. Thankfully there’s no attempt to mimic Queen here, rather it’s Tempt having some fun with some of the most important people in the world to them, their fans. Check it out here.

Memoriam – Total War

Memoriam need no introduction – they are living legends of old school death metal and arguably the fastest and most creative band in the genre right now. Over the past seven years, the band has built up its own loyal fan base and developed its own musical identity.

On the 3rd of February 2023, their new studio album Rise To Power will be released via Reaper Entertainment. Today, the second single from the new album, Total War, is released.

Vocalist Karl Willetts comments:

TOTAL WAR. This track features as the second track on the album “Rise To Power”. Lyrically the track draws reference from what is happening in the world right now, specifically relating to the war in Ukraine. It seems that after writing lyrics about “war” for the past 30 years that they seem more relevant now than they have ever been. Overall the track is a savage attack on the senses in line with the lyrical content. NOW THE WAR MACHINE IS FED…

Memoriam continue to absolutely kill it and this new record is shaping up to be the best thing they have unleashed. If the first single wasn’t proof enough, this second will do the job. Finding Memoriam on incredible heavy form. Delivering bone-crushing ferocity, intense death metal groove, and circle-pit inducing mayhem. It’s an absolute stunner from this ever-pleasing band.

Acres – When You’re Gone

South coast four-piece Acres have dropped a new single from their forthcoming full-length release. ‘When You’re Gone’ is the fourth song to be released from Burning Throne, due for release 3rd March via A Wolf At Your Door Records.

On the new single, the band state:

When You’re Gone was written about almost being in limbo. A lot of us have found ourselves being head over heels in love with someone and not feeling like the other feels the same, and I’ve had a lot of people close to me recently suddenly finding themselves living a new life in the blink of an eye and struggling to deal with it. When you are so content and happy with the person you love and then it’s all taken away from you, it’s a hard thing to digest and process and it leaves you wondering what to do next.

With relatable lyrical content, lovely melodies, and a punchy chorus, Acres new single is deliciously pretty. The fourth single from this upcoming record just adds more weight to the belief that this might be the band’s finest work to date. It’s dripping in emotion, is remarkably powerful, and hits tremendously hard. More please. Check it out here.

Stormo – Endocannibalismo

Italian post-hardcore group Stormo have released Endocannibalismo, the title track and third single to be taken from their upcoming fourth album, out on February 10th via Prosthetic Records.

The moody and abrasive start gives way quickly to chaos, Stormo leaning into noise-rock and punk territories with this new track. It’s a wave of bristling noise, that twists and turns constantly. The short length reflective of the garish vocals and coarse instrumentation on show. It’s incredibly uncouth, but incredibly interesting. Check it out here.

Kamelot – One More Flag in the Ground

Symphonic metal, Kamelot, are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their first full-length in five years – The Awakening, out 17th March 2023 via Napalm Records. Alongside the announcement Kamelot have gifted fans with the first single from the album, One More Flag in the Ground.

Kamelot vocalist Tommy Karevik says:

The main focus on this video and song was to have a metaphor for the struggles of fighting disease or illness, whether it being physical or mental. Each step of healing and recovery is another Flag in the Ground. With every little step, one more victory won…

A super-exciting return, Kamelot mark theirs with a massive anthem. One that is suitably epic sounding, modern and fresh, but still sounding very much like Kamelot. The combination of heavy riffs, crunchy groove, symphonic melodies, and grandiose chorus makes this one hell of an unforgettable listen. The bar for the new album has been set extremely high with this release.

Deadline – Cult of Prometheus

Pioneers of the ‘New Wave of South African Heavy Metal’, Deadline are back with their new powerhouse single and video ‘Cult of Prometheus’

Vocalist Jessy Switchblade shares that:

This song is based on the story of Prometheus, who stole the fire from the Gods and gifted it to mankind. It’s about the free thinkers, those who spread hope, those with forethought, those who question everything and take action against what they’re told and what they’re forced to believe. This song is dedicated to them, to us, to the tragic hero roaming planet earth. Prometheus was the ultimate anti-hero, both a trickster and a hero, an advocate for humanity, a purveyor of rebellion. This song is dedicated to the trickster in every one of us, who will break or bend rules to be different, to rise above, to create beautiful, controlled rebellion.

While rooted in a more traditional heavy metal sound, Deadline draw inspiration from the sound of 80’s power metal with this new track. Hitting screaming instrumental highs, delivering crunchy head-banging lows, and wrapping it all up in a speedy, circle-pit inducing way. It’s a blast! Check it out here.

Remote Viewing – Your Opinion is Wrong

Remote Viewing, featuring members of Palehorse, Million Dead and Sly & The Family Drone, have released their first single, featuring Amée Chanter of Human Leather on guest vocals.

Experimental noise-sludge that is extremely abrasive and extremely discordant. Remote Viewing’s first single is a gurn-inducing slab of nasty. Yet there’s something so damn addictive about it. Maybe it’s the talent in the band to make something so coarse sounding, so interesting. Maybe it’s the unrelenting heaviness, or maybe it’s Remote Viewing’s refusal to let up. Regardless, all of this combined, makes for a brilliant listen. Check out the video here.

Black Stone Cherry – Out of Pocket

Black Stone Cherry have kicked the door open on 2023 with a brand new song, ‘Out of Pocket’, as they ready for a return to the UK later this month. The track is out now via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group.

Talking about the song Chris Robertson (vocals/guitars) says:

Out of Pocket is a song born out of that exact feeling. The song was what I personally, and I think a lot of us, felt over these very trying last couple of years. Facing your demons, knowing that you have to come out the other side stronger than before.

No surprises, Out of Pocket sounds like a Black Stone Cherry song. Though, that is not a knock. It’s what fans want and it’s what the band are so good at. It’s a track that features all the anthemic groove, Southern gruff rock, and energy most would want. It’s not quite got the ‘wow’ factor but it’s still an enjoyable slice of Black Stone Cherry music.