Single Slam: Unleash the Archers, Suasion, Vilify, Amongst Liars, Blackbriar, The Dirty Nil, Luna Kiss, Visions of Atlantis, and Couch Slut!

Today’s single slam features Unleash the Archers, Suasion, Vilify, Amongst Liars, Blackbriar, The Dirty Nil, Luna Kiss, Visions of Atlantis, and Couch Slut. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Unleash The Archers – Ghosts in the Mist

Power metal powerhouse Unleash the Archers, recently announced the upcoming release of their game-changing sixth studio album, Phantoma, out 10th May (Napalm Records). Now, the band release their second single, ‘Ghosts in the Mist’.

Unleash The Archers says:

If you saw us at any of the shows we played last year then you might recognize this track! We filmed the music video at Mad with Power Fest, ProgPower USA, and at our show in Montreal, Canada, and it is full of so many friends and familiar faces! We love including these particular festivals in the video because they have both been supporters of ours for a very long time, and we hope we will get to play them again and again as the years go on. The track is one of the more synth heavy songs on the album, but it’s also got some rad death vocals from Grant that you can bang your head to, so we hope there will be a little something for everyone to enjoy here!

Anything new from Unleash the Archers is a reason to get excited, and their rise in recent times has been impressive. So, it comes as no real surprise that this new track is a showcase of everything that thrills about this band. Grand sounding, anthemic, filled with head-banging vibes, and so much more. It’s an attention grabber, turning those who may sit on the fence, into fans.

Suasion – Enemy

Rising Belgian metalcore outfit Suasion have released their new single ‘Enemy’. The music video, directed by James Barbosa, will please gaming aficionados in its references to the likes of Goldeneye 007 and Assassin’s Creed.

On ‘Enemy’, the band comment:

In contrast with our previous movie concept album, which was very storytelling-oriented, we have decided here to draw inspiration from the atypical locations found in video games – the kind of locations we believe do not exist in reality. From there, we put all of our creativity into creating a contemplative video. The biggest challenge, of course, is the location! If games like Goldeneye 007 on N64 or Assassin’s Creed ring a bell, you might feel nostalgic when watching the music video for ‘Enemy’, observing these ‘upside down pyramids’.

Let’s get this out of the way straight away… the video is awesome. The track though? It’s pretty good, heavy on effects as so much modern metalcore is, but it still results in a highly anthemic listen. There’s a lot going on, and not all of it works, but when it hits, it hits hard. Check it out here.

Vilify – Split Tongue

Newcastle metalcore outfit Vilify pack a punch on their latest single ‘Split Tongue’. It is the second track to release off upcoming EP ‘Fever Dream’, out Friday April 19th.

Explains the band:

Split tongue is about those slithery, slippery little snakes that are only out for themselves. The tracks draws from the disdain we have all felt from believing in and taking chances on people in the industry only to have it returned to us like a kick in the teeth. The music industry is already hard enough and once you sprinkle in some rats it becomes a full blown blood bath.

A kickass band continuing to make kickass music, Vilify sound intense here and that sets the senses alight. It’s an aggressive and angry sounding track with some wickedly heavy rhythms. Not just a head-banger, but a stomping hardcore infused banger.

Amongst Liars – You Are not a Slave

Alternative rockers Amongst Liars are going head to head with the powers that be with their new single and music video for ‘You Are Not a Slave’. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming second full-length album, Design, due 4th July 2024 via Earache Records.

On the new single, vocalist Ian George comments:

‘You Are Not a Slave’ is all about personal metamorphosis; not conforming to unreasonable demands and not allowing yourself to be controlled or devalued by people who don’t have your best interests at heart. This song comes from a recent lived experience where I was subjected to passive aggressive and toxic behaviour in a work environment, which really fucked with my psyche–but ultimately I wasn’t prepared to accept it. I channelled this frustration into the song, which was actually the last song to be recorded for our second album – and I was really pissed off when I sang this in the studio, so I guess everything happens for a reason! It also relates to personal development in general, especially with the constraints being put on people. The message is: Be yourself, break the mould and don’t be afraid to follow your dreams.

An energetic blast of alternative rock, the draw here being the meatier instrumental edge the track has. Amongst Liars are hitting heavier sounds here, yet they still deliver something acutely infectious and mainstream sounding. It’s the perfect combination of accessibility and heaviness. Check it out here.

Blackbriar – Moonflower (feat. Marjana Semkina)

Blackbriar have released their brand-new song ‘Moonflower’ featuring Marjana Semkina. This follows the release of album ‘A Dark Euphony’ in September last year.

Vocalist Zora Cock comments:

Moonflower tells a love story between a female vampire and a mortal girl and transports you to a bygone era where darkness and desire intertwine. It’s inspired by the 19th-century gothic novel ‘Carmilla’, a timeless story that predates even the infamous Dracula. The song features a guest songstress Marjana Semkina, who I think is the most perfect fit for making this Moonflower an ethereal, haunting, and dark duet.

An evocative symphonic metal epic with a thick vein of ‘goth’ running through it, Blackbriar are leaning into soundtrack style sounds here, and it works extremely well. The layers of lavishness, the soaring vocals, the building heavy metal, and eruption of gravitas, is very impressive. Check it out here.

The Dirty Nil – Am I the Menace?

Ontario’s JUNO Award-winning, rock ‘n’ roll torchbearers, The Dirty Nil, are sharing, ‘Am I The Menace?’, a new cut taken from their deluxe edition of ‘Free Rein to Passions’, set for release on April 4th, 2024 via Dine Alone Records.

Sasy frontman Luke Bentham on Am I The Menace?:

When we cut this one and our producer, John Goodmanson, heard my lyrics, he laughed and called me a brat. A semi-sincere self examination, compiled from observing others.

An immense track that is stupidly catchy. This is The Dirty Nil at their most anthemic and it’s so damn lovable. The combination of angsty vocals, huge guitar tones, thumping rawness, and shout-along chorus, makes it unforgettable.

Luna Kiss – Ivy

Coventry, UK, rock band Luna Kiss strive to create music that isn’t afraid to address the emotional truths of their listeners and celebrate them with the roaring sound of rock and roll. Their brand new single ‘Ivy’ is out now.

A groovy and riffy track, Luna Kiss don’t overcomplicate things here, and the end result is a song that makes you want to move. It’s a track that gets more and more interesting as it goes on, especially as the band add more clever touches to the rhythms, and the chorus becomes more and more impactful. Check it out here.

Visions of Atlantis – Armada

Pirates Visions of Atlantis are about to take listeners on their heaviest symphonic adventure yet with their new studio album, entitled ‘Pirates II – Armada’, set for release on 5th July 2024 via Napalm Records. The crew have unveiled the first single and title track, ‘Armada’, together with an official music video.

Of all the ‘pirate metal’ bands that exist, Visions of Atlantis are one of the better ones, and the proof comes from a symphonic anthem like this. Energetic and excitable, with tons of lavish power, it’s a massive singalong with a chorus that hits extremely hard. Even the most ardent hater of ‘pirate metal’ will find it hard to not enjoy this. Check it out here.

Couch Slut – The Donkey (Abridged)

New York City’s resident misfits Couch Slut will release their highly-anticipated new album ‘You Could Do It Tonight’ on 19th April via Brutal Panda Records. Now, the noise-makers share the second single from the album, ‘The Donkey (Abridged)’.

Vocalist Megan Osztrosits explains:

Here’s the story of what happened when my friends and I got fired from the haunted waterpark.

Bassist Kevin Hall continues:

‘The Donkey’ is simultaneously simple and complex, like a bucket of sewage which at first appears homogeneous, but upon close inspection dazzles the mind and the senses with the diversity and pungency of its constituent detritus.

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll be aware that Couch Slut are on the rise, and for good reason. They’re one of the more unique sounding bands around right now, offering up a cacophony of sounds, and this track is a great example of their unique features. It’s weird, it’s intense, it’s really ugly, but, it’s also really interesting. What initially sounds like pure abrasion, ends up being so delectable, the urge to listen again and again, becomes so strong.