Single Slam: In Hearts Wake, thrown, Harroway, EYE, The Oklahoma Kid, Annalynn, Wishing Wolf, Rising Insane, Garzi, Bad Party, Crownshift, Pluto the Racer, Shrapnel, and Darkthrone!

Today’s single slam features In Hearts Wake, thrown, Harroway, EYE, The Oklahoma Kid, Annalynn, Wishing Wolf, Rising Insane, Garzi, Bad Party, Crownshift, Pluto the Racer, Shrapnel, and Darkthrone. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

In Hearts Wake – Farewell

After twelve years of creating music beloved by a loyal fanbase across the world, In Hearts Wake have announced the departure of long-time bassist and vocalist, Kyle Erich.

In Hearts Wake have also announced that they will tour Australia with Erich for the last time this September, giving fans the opportunity to share in an important closing chapter for the band. Alongside this announcement, In Hearts Wake also deliver a brand new track, fittingly titled ‘Farewell’.

An emotional goodbye this might be, but it’s still In Hearts Wake doing what they do best, and that’s crafting a heavy, melodically charged anthem. It’s a great way to send a member off, and you can tell it means a hell of a lot to Erich. What’s particularly great is that regardless of the meaning and tone, it’s still a heavyweight track with layers of creativity. As the lyrics go – thank you for the memories.

thrown – nights

Swedish heavy weight thrown have released their new single ‘nights’, a track that boldly confronts the turmoil of insomnia and persistent demons, revealing a fierce hunger for tranquillity in the chaos.

This is thrown doing what thrown do best, keeping things short and intense, brutalising the senses with their unrelenting ferocity, and leaving a hefty impact. You already know it’s heavy, of course it is, but the tempo switches and breakdown give it such an exciting edge. They’re a band who consistently kick all kinds of ass, and this track is one hell of an ass-kicker. Check it out here.

Harroway – Heresy

Sydney metalcore quartet Harroway share new single ‘Heresy’ just in time to share it live later this month on tour with Sienna Skies and No Home (US). Taking a deep dive into the mind of vocalist Matt Banks, Heresy sees Harroway explore a desire to escape from emotional pain and suffering. Banks pleads for relief, projecting undertones of existential questioning and a longing for peace or oblivion. Pulling from his experience living with Hemochromatosis, a disorder where the body creates excessive amounts of iron and becomes toxic, the single comes with a swirling sense of self resignation as Banks grapples with existential crisis, mental anguish, and the search for a meaning.

Hot damn! This is a very cool track. Harroway come screaming out of the starting blocks with some really heavy metal intensity, and most will be immediately sold on what they’re hearing. The thing is, it just gets better and better as it goes on with some real mania about it, leading to a breakdown that can rightfully be called sickening.

EYE – In Your Night

EYE – the new band from Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard (MWWB) singer-songwriter/musician Jessica Ball – recently announced the arrival of their eagerly awaited debut album, ‘Dark Light’ set for release on 26th April via New Heavy Sounds. The debut single, ‘In Your Night’ has also been released.

Firstly, don’t expect something similar to Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard. EYE is doing something quite different here, and if you go in with certain expectations, you might come away disappointed. Open your mind though, and you’ll find a piece of music that is both weird and wonderful. A piece of music that comes in two parts really. The first having a chilled, but drama-laced vibe. The second having heavy tones rooted in doomy vibes, but expanding into something quite epic. Both parts, feature exceptional vocals too. It’s not going to be for everyone, but it’s very easy to find yourself taken in by it. Check it out here.

The Oklahoma Kid – Overpowered

Modern metal quintet The Oklahoma Kid have released a video for their brand new single ‘Overpowered’, out now via Arising Empire.

It’s fair to say that you can always expect something special from The Oklahoma Kid, and once again, they deliver on expectations with this new single. To call it manic sounding is an understatement, plus it doesn’t explain just how odd certain elements are, and how well the melody works with the pacing. It’s a very addictive listen that well and truly gets the heart racing. Check it out here.

Annalynn – Circle the Flame

Thailand-based metalcore outfit Annalynn have shared the new single, ‘Circle the Flame’, and announced the EP ‘Failure Will Find Me’, out May 24th via Greyscale Records.

Says the band:

We’re willing to lose everything searching for the meaning of life, despite disappointments. It can see us lose our soul. We are all lost on the path between the light and the end. We still walk into the light for hope, even if it’s a cycle of emptiness and desperation when everything might already be burnt down.

F**k, this is a modern metalcore anthem if there ever was one. Annalynn don’t just bring the heavy (which they really do), but they make it so damn infectious here. The unbridled stompy vibes of this track are killer, it has bundles of energy, and so many moments that make you just want to go a bit crazy. Love it. Another modern metalcore banger.

Wishing Wolf – A True Classic (Never Goes Out of Style)

East Midlands alternative metal band Wishing Wolf, inspired by mid-2000s bands such as The Used, My Chemical Romance & Taking Back Sunday, are promising a ‘devious approach’ to songwriting with their new single, ‘A True Classic (Never Goes Out of Style)’.

Not feeling those inspirations? Well, unlucky, because you’re going to hear them in this track. Albeit from an exciting modern angle. The end result is a band combining the best of worlds, crafting something that feels vibrant, and making the entire experience one hell of a catchy one. As the title says, a true classic never goes out of style, and Wishing Wolf prove that unequivocally here. Check it out here.

Rising Insane – Malicious

Rising Insane are back with their fourth studio album Wildfires, out 23rd August via Long Branch Records. The album takes an in-depth look at the consequences of our collective abstinence from empathy and challenges listeners to ignite their inner flame for change. It is an urgent call to break out of the darkness. The band have also released their new single ‘Malicious’ alongside a brand new visualizer, the second track released off Wildfires following the single ‘Reign’.

Comments singer Aaron Steineker:

‘Malicious’ is actually quite an old song, probably even the oldest of Wildfires. I remember that we wrote the first version of ‘Malicious’ at the same time as ‘Chemicals’. But there was absolutely no comparison between that song and the finished product. We first had to understand what exactly we wanted and how we could achieve it. In this process we had many lows, and ironically that’s the main aspect of the lyrics: You’re not satisfied with anything, nothing is good enough, you are not good enough. Everything you start is doomed to fail. Only after I added these lyrics to the song did it become ‘Malicious’ – without the many lows, the song would never have existed.

The low dance beat, effects, and melodic vocals that initially greet on this track fails to inspire, but happily, Rising Insane have some real ‘grr’ in their sound. When they combine heavy ‘core’ intensity with the melody, layer the effects, and switch the tone up regularly, this track transforms into a beast. One that is far more likable, even if it’s not going to set the world on fire overall. Check it out here.

Garzi – Much Better

Fresh from the vibrant crossroads of alternative rock and post-emo, Garzi has dropped his brand new single, ‘Much Better’ and its accompanying music video, out now via Sumerian Records.

Speaking on his new track, Garzi shares:

A song that touches on depression being recognised as the dopamine of validation while also having head-trip battles with the inner voice trying to convince oneself that they are ‘feeling much better’. In those moments of feeling better, we try to hang onto it and keep it together. It’s a powerful message disguised as a big song.

This is great. Simple as that. A track that is as touching as it is catchy. Garzi nails a wicked balance of upbeat alt-rock tones with darker post-emo vibes here. Exceptionally lovable, with incredible lyrics sung by a super talented vocalist.

Bad Party – Drown in You

Brisbane metalcore outfit Bad Party come forward with their moody arena-ready alternative metal offering ‘Drown in You’. The fiery new single is about being enamoured by a person, so much so that a sense of self is lost.

Explains the band:

Drown In You is about a love bordering on addiction. Causing you to forget all about who you are and your own well-being. This song is ultimately romanticising the gravity of affection, while gradually succumbing to the danger of its depths.

It’s not Bad Party’s fault that they’re released a new single in the same week as we’re getting some genuinely brilliant metalcore music. This is a decent tune, with some really great instrumental moments, but when compared to what’s around right now, it just lacks something. No disrespect to a very talented band, especially one that has as much depth as they do. Check it out here.

Crownshift – My Prison

A few weeks ago, high-profile modern metal band Crownshift announced the release date and details of their eagerly awaited self-titled debut album, which is due out on May 10th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records. Now, the band reveals a new single called ‘My Prison’.

The Crownshift train keeps on rolling on as the high-flying group release one of their more melodic sounding tracks. One that oozes passion though, and has certain touches that make it far more interesting overall. One of which is the excellent guitar solo. That alone is the selling point of this track, even if all of Crownshift do their part here to make the song as special as possible. Check it out here.

Pluto the Racer – I Might Even

Influenced by the melodic offshoots of hardcore (No Pressure, Basement, Title Fight etc.) and the emo/punk sounds of the 90s and early 2000s, Pluto the Racer have released the single, ‘I Might Even’. The first track from their upcoming self-titled EP, which will be released on 28th June, 2024.

From ‘who’? to ‘them’! That’s the impact this track has. Not knowing a thing about Pluto the Racer, there are no expectations on this track, aside from the comparisons and influences. Which can’t prepare anyone for the infectious heart, soul, and fun that this track has. It’s got a old-school pop-punk vibe that will put a big smile on the face, if that’s your jam, of course.

Shrapnel – Guardian

Renowned UK metal titans, Shrapnel, have unleashed their latest single, ‘Guardian,’ as a preview of their highly anticipated album, In Gravity. Scheduled for release through Candlelight Records on the 31st May.

Who doesn’t love a bit of Shrapnel in their skull? Especially when it comes with such force as this track. Hilariously, for a track that is fast and savage, it has a phenomenal blend of harsh and clean vocals. Something you wouldn’t expect to work on something this intense, but that’s Shrapnel for you. They are a very creative and talented band. Be prepared to head-bang and sing-along to this banger. Check it out here.

Darkthrone – Black Dawn Affiliation

With the highly anticipated launch of the new album ‘It Beckons Us All’ from the Norwegian black metal pioneers just two weeks away (April 26th via Peaceville Records), Darkthrone have offered fans a glimpse of what is to come with the release of the track ‘Black Dawn Affiliation’.

Fenriz comments of the song’s creation:

Nocturno Culto sculpted BLACK DAWN AFFILIATION and as much as I writhe in woe trying to describe riffs I did not make, we are certainly rocking hard and dark around a dungeon of slow Kreator 1986-era riffs (think Awakening Of The Gods or Take Their Lives from the FLAG OF HATE 12″).

The song is linearly constructed, which is bold for a single but we often write this way. One could say it is a two-pronged beast which after the intermission (filled with a choir of the damned that we sung ourselves, believe it or not: “Aaaaaa.”) continues with my favourite riff in the song since I first heard it appear early in the second part and it is there that I was given the reins to let the halls and chambers of stardust levitate with unearthly synth and a voice that still today, when writing this, strikes me as being influenced by the first rock album I heard back in 1973 – Morrison Hotel. Lyrics darker and more disturbed than ever solidify these halls now.

Nocturno Culto adds:

It is not easy to describe the music you make, but for sure I will try…it´s heavy! Everything worked out as I hoped for this track. Some things are just forged in the studio, like as Fenriz´s excellent vocals at the end of the song; and the choir I wanted. Instead of just taking shortcuts, Fenriz and I recorded three vocal tracks each, and it was brilliantly mixed by Silje at Chaka Khan. There are many things one can say about riffs, but I make songs from a combination of a very methodical approach and happy accidents! And somewhere in the back of my head, it´s most likely there is something affecting a lot of my decisions on little details that shapes the riffing.

So… at this stage of their career, what do we want from Darkthrone? For many, it’s simply going to be a repeat of what has made them a black metal household name. For some, it’s going to be the possibility of experimentation, while not drifting too far from their core sound. This single shows that the incoming album is likely to please both sides. Darkthrone doing Darkthrone things, but also throwing in some interesting elements that give the track a fresher feel. It’s the latter, such as the choir, that really makes this more than just a decent track. Long term Darkthrone fans are going to love this.