Single Slam: DragonForce, Underdark, Vilify, New Years Day, BRAT, Suffocate Faster, Secrets of Mariana, headcage, The Pauline Principle, Bitter Kisses, Eville, Soars, Another Now, Pincer+ and Ice Nine Kills!

This week’s single slam features DragonForce, Underdark, Vilify, New Years Day, BRAT, Suffocate Faster, Secrets of Mariana, headcage, The Pauline Principle, Bitter Kisses, Eville, Soars, Another Now, Pincer+ and Ice Nine Kills. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

DragonForce – Power of the Triforce

Grammy-nominated extreme power metal pioneers DragonForce will release their massive new album, Warp Speed Warriors, on 15th March 2024 via Napalm Records.

The band have now served up a taste of what’s to come with their new single, ‘Power of the Triforce’, inspired by the Zelda game universe.

It’s a DragonForce song, that much is for sure. Take that as you will but be under no false illusions, it’s still a blast. Not just because it is inspired by The Legend of Zelda, but because it’s hyperactive and anthemic DragonForce music. There’s nothing ground-breaking, but it’s fun, and that’s never going to be a bad thing.

Underdark – Matrimony (27th December 1997)

Underdark are back with another new single. This one called ‘Matrimony (27th December 1997)’, it is the second single taken from the forthcoming album ‘Managed Decline’ which is out on the 24th of November.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this new single from the phenomenal Underdark, is how triumphant it sounds. It’s soul might be blackened, but it is robust example of how this music that lift the spirits rather than dampen them. Albeit, portrayed in a ferociously harsh and heavy way. It is Underdark after all, and here they take the listener on a near eight-minute sonic journey that shows how deep their musical palette is. Check it out here.

Vilify – Dread Addict

Newcastle metalcore outfit Vilify have unleashed their scathing new single ‘Dread Addict’ and will launch it live across the East Coast on tour with Bare Bones late November.

Detailing the emotional turbulence of frequently falling into a baseless cycle of dread and manifesting a reason for the feeling, Dread Addict is about being addicted to the lows and acting out to feel in control of that reality.

Explains vocalist Amy McIntosh:

When I am at my lowest with no explanation I find myself doing the worst of the worst. Acting like a person I don’t recognise just to have a reason to feel the way I feel. It’s almost as if nothing logical is making me feel this shitty… I better go give myself a reason to feel shitty.

A hard-wearing and meaty metalcore track that deals with a hefty subject, features some manic riff work, and slays in the vocal department. This is a majorly attention grabbing song that has a ton of scathing energy on the surface, but hits on a deeper level thanks to the lyrical content. Check it out here.

New Years Day – Vampyre

New Years Day have shared the new track, ‘Vampyre’, just in time for Halloween season. ‘Vampyre’ serves as a follow up to last year’s single, ‘Hurts Like Hell’.

Discussing the new song, vocalist Ash Costello shares:

‘Vampyre’ is a song for anyone who has battled or is battling a malignant narcissist, which, essentially, is a certain kind of person who tries to suck the life out of you. Since I have personally experienced living with this type of monster, I wanted to write a song specifically for anyone else going thru something similar, in hopes it may help them discover some strength or help give them power to overcome it. So this is a song for anyone who has dealt with this type of person. It insists, ‘You’re not going to drain the life from me.’

A solid offering from News Years Day that sees them pouring a lot of vitriol into the music but sticking with anthemic values so everyone can find their voice and sing along loudly. The highlight of the track though is the breakdown, in particular the dastardly roar that pre-empts it. That is fire and it’s a very heavy section of the track.

BRAT – Social Violence

Prosthetic Records newest signees BRAT have released the new single ‘Social Grace’. A self-described ‘bimboviolence’ and ‘barbiegrind’ band from New Orleans, BRAT have a lot of touring stateside under their belts already – featuring runs alongside NOLA legends EYEHATEGOD, Ringworm, labelmates ACxDC and fellow grindsters in No/Mas.

‘Social Grace’ is the title track from their as-yet unannounced debut album.

Welcome to the Prosthetic Records party, BRAT. A label that fits their garish and grim sound perfectly. There’s no better introduction than a piece of music that straddles the death, death, grind, and hardcore line so effectively. It’s chaos, but it’s infectious chaos, and BRAT leave you hungry for so much more. If this single is a sign of things to come, they’re about to become a lot of people’s new favourite band. Check it out here.

Suffocate Faster – Time Flies

Straightedge hardcore band Suffocate Faster return with a new single and a new EP announcement. ‘Time Flies’ is the first peek of the second collection of tracks in the band’s two-part EP release, ‘This Is The Way Vol. 2’ coming out on November 17, 2023, via Smartpunk Records.

Yes! More hardcore heaviness and in your face intensity from Suffocate Faster is always welcome and Time Flies is one hell of a banger track. Finding the band in a particular feral mood, with an underlying dark groove that gets the body shaking all over. It’s the kind of hardcore that appeals to all camps. Check it out here.

Secrets of Mariana – Cut & Run

Secrets of Mariana, a melodic metal band hailing from Birmingham, UK, have released their brand-new single ‘Cut & Run’, with an accompanying music video.

A powerful and persuasive track, Secrets of Mariana take the term ‘melodic metal’ and twist via the medium of tech sharpness and metalcore vitality, then throw in an epic chorus to leave the listener feeling spent, but very satisfied. It’s a well-put together piece of music that sticks in the mind long afterwards.

headcage – under my skin

Newcastle Upon Tyne alternative post-hardcore band headcage have shared their new single ‘under my skin’. The band’s most raw and transparent song to date ‘under my skin’ is the closing and title track from their new EP.

headcage vocalist, Leyum Pattinson shares:

We couldn’t be more proud to have this song as the title track to our debut EP. Being able to pull off this song, in the way that we did, is something we’ll always be happy about, despite it being an incredibly sad song. The song talks about living with the feeling of being overwhelmed, yet feeling completely empty at the same time.

Knowing where this track sits on the upcoming EP makes its dramatic and melodic tone all the more palatable. It tells us that headcage have poured so much heart and soul into this release and this is the big ending. One that focuses on the vocals more than anything, but for good reason, as they’re incredibly powerful. It leaves a mark, and there’s no doubt that as part of the full EP, it will have even more impact. Check it out here.

The Pauline Principle – Left Behind

International metalcore newcomers The Pauline Principle have released their new single ‘Left Behind’. The quintet, comprised of members based in the US, Russia and Germany, have never actually met in real life. All band activities taking place online, they have managed to release four singles before ‘Left Behind’ and amassed over 280K views on YouTube since their formation in 2020.

The band comment:

‘Left Behind’ is a song written from our vocalist Nolan’s perspective. After losing an 18-year friendship due to misunderstandings and differences, Nolan discovered he needed to dig deep and accept that not every friendship lasts forever.

There’s no denying the fact that the metalcore scene is a bit over-saturated these days, so it’s hard to excited about any new band entering the fray. That being said, when it’s good metalcore, it’s well worth screaming about, and Left Behind is a damn good slice of metalcore speed, intensity, and melody. Their rise in prominence is certainly more obvious when you a track that goes as hard as this does. Check it out here.

Bitter Kisses – For What It’s Worth

Bristol-based heavy-pop four-piece Bitter Kisses are releasing their new single ‘For What It’s Worth’ on October 20th, 2023.

Describing themselves as “Pop music you can beat your friends up to”, their previous releases enjoyed extensive airtime on stations such as BBC Radio One, The Alternative Show and Amazing Radio. Their fourth single, ‘For What It’s Worth’ is a grunge-infused anthem tackling themes of abuse and self-realisation.

Bitter Kisses have been making an impact and this new single continues the great work they’ve done so far. Revealing a really moody-altering anthem that combines the best of pop and grungy rock. A foot-tapper, body-swayer, and featuring a great chorus, this is up there as one of the best tracks they’ve written.

Eville – Leech

Brighton’s boundary-obliterating nu-metal trio, Eville, couldn’t wait for Halloween to unshackle their latest monster, ‘Leech’, which was animated to forge a raw and emotional experience to rage to.

What bloody year is it? Ok, it’s not THAT nu-metally, but it certainly leans way more towards the electronic and alternative side of metal. Which does mean it is extremely animated, but its tone is a quite jarring, and it’s hard to get into. Eville clearly have creativity, but this track is just a bit too messy to get anything more than a shrug. Check it out here.

Soars – Grow

The solo-project of renowned Swedish musician, songwriter and producer Kristian Karlsson (Cult of Luna, pg.lost), Soars is a deeply personal and long-awaited exploration of Karlsson’s craft. Soars has now released a stratospheric new video for the project’s latest single ‘Grow’; a surging, seven-minute epic from his second album ‘Repeater’ which is set for release on November 17th via Berlin’s Pelagic Records.

Wow. What a haunting and melancholic tune this is. Soars’ has crafted something extremely special sounding here. Perfecting the use of melody and synth to leave a forlorn feeling that goes right to the soul. That it gets more and more epic as it goes on, makes it even more incredible sounding. Check it out here.

Another Now – Doubt

Dutch metalcore band, Another Now brings forth their new single ‘Doubt’. This track highlights a new chapter by introducing a new sound and dynamic to their song writing. Looking to inspire listeners to chase their dreams by working hard and maintaining focus.

A new era, a new dynamic, a new Another Now, and based of this track, metal fans can be very excited for what the future holds for this band. Another Now introduce elements of nu-metal to their sound, but are still focused on deliver metalcore anthems. The chorus, the breakdown, the energy, it’s a banger track.

Pincer+ – Closer to God

Almost one year on from the release of their cult classic debut EP, ‘Hunting God Tapes. Vol 1: Violence’, Perth hardcore outfit Pincer+ share new single ‘Closer To God’ and announce the EP’s long awaited counterpart, ‘Hunting God Tapes. Vol 2: Romance’, available on vinyl and out via Greyscale Records on November 24th.

Closer To God shares a glimpse into the aggressive sonic palette on offer on Pincer’s second extended instalment, ‘Vol. 2: Romance’.

A short blast of abrasive metallic hardcore, Pincer+ are on fire here and the result is a track that cracks you over the head, regardless of the tone shift that sees a melodic lull in the vocals. The kids are going to love this. Check it out here.

Ice Nine Kills – Meat & Greet

Murdersome metal trailblazers, Ice Nine Kills, have brought the latest chapter of their expansive cinematic universe to a brutal and sinister end with their brand new ‘Silence of The Lambs’ inspired single and video ‘Meat & Greet’.

It’s going to be interesting to see what Ice Nine Kills do next, and you have to wonder if they will continue down this ‘horror’ laden path. That’s the future though, and right now, we have one more artistic and commercially viable horror track based around The Silence of the Lambs. A track that sticks with the winning formula, combining heavy catchiness and infectious melody, with their bankable tongue in cheek attitude. If you’ve loved everything they’ve done up to this point, you’re going to love this too.