Single Slam: Sugar Horse, Steel Mage, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, Wormhole, Skies Turn Black, Captured Kings, Blodet, Archives, Dethonator, Blind Equation, Catafalque, Oceans, and Mountain Caller!

This week’s single slam features Sugar Horse, Steel Mage, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, Wormhole, Skies Turn Black, Captured Kings, Blodet, Archives, Dethonator, Blind Equation, Catafalque, Oceans, and Mountain Caller. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Sugar Horse – II – Or

The ever-mercurial, boundary-pushing UK heavy quartet Sugar Horse will release their mesmeric new EP, Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, on 3rd November via Fat Dracula Records (distributed by Metal Blade Records in US).

An epic achievement, Truth… is, in signature Sugar Horse style, one single long song: a meditation and exploration of everything the note A has to offer.

To celebrate the news, the doomgaze group have released the first single from the record. The snippet is the second part of the longer song, appropriately entitled ‘II – Or’.

Sugar Horse comment, saying ‘II – Or’ is:

The second part of a single piece of music divided into six (easily streamable) chapters. A first little slice of heaviness that may well hint of what’s to come. It’s a kind of rallying cry to those who create and appreciate art of all kinds, reminding the listener of art’s power as both sword and shield in this difficult world we navigate and attempt to survive. ‘Or’ is a reassuring hand on the shoulder and whisper in the ear. Through adversity there is redemption.

Telling the story of Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, the band state:

It’s frequently been difficult for us, as a band, to limit ourselves to “normal” pop song lengths and structures….as evidenced in pretty much all of our releases to date. From time to time we feel the need to loosen the ropes that bind us and let our Long & Tedious flag fly freely. Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico is the result of said untethering.

We’ve always found the idea of exploring a single note over long stretches of time interesting and this song is that idea taken to an extreme logical conclusion. It’s an exploration of the note A in all its possible variations.

Lyrically the song is an extravaganza of navel-gazing. There’s a cliché in the literary world nowadays of authors writing novels about the trials, tribulations and rewards of writing a novel. Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico is just as sickeningly self-referential, exploring the obsessive urge to create art of all kinds and how it turns into a cycle of imbibing real life experiences, then spitting them back out in whatever artistic discipline you happen to find yourself practicing. A kind of snake eating its own tail….but with the kind of self-pitying pretentiousness that only folks who think they’re very clever indeed (that’s us) would want to impose on themselves.

A snippet of heavy, doomy, and intense noise from a band that continues to delight regardless of what they do. Sugar Horse are a revelation in music and having seen them play at ArcTanGent, I have had a much broader taste of what this new EP has to offer. Drink in every bit this snippet has to offer, it is part of a bigger picture, but as a piece alone, it serves as a perfect reminder of how intense this band can be.

Steel Mage – God of Heresy

Sheffield, UK, based melodic deathcore band, Steel Mage, have released their brand new single ‘God Of Heresy’ today, alongside a music video, premiering at 7pm GMT on release date. This single is a change in sound and direction for the band, the first song with new vocalist, Kyle Dawson and the beginning of an exciting new chapter with the band.

So, what does this change in sound and direction look like? It seems to be leaning towards a modern style of ‘core’, with this track featuring a lot of electronica layered throughout. Make of that what you will, but be under no false impressions, this is an intensely heavy track that is still rooted in the deathcore world. Steel Mage are spitting and snarling here, and it’s an easy track to lose your s**t to. Check it out here.

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – imtiredandeverythinghurts

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, an eclectic band, combining progressive/alt-rock, classical, experimental, electronic, and metal influences, have released a new single, imtiredandeverythinghurts, to raise funds for The Ehlers-Danlos Society.

Says the band:

This song is about the experience of wanting to be honest when asked how I am, while also being aware that in many social situations it isn’t the done thing to actually say how you feel. This is a frequent problem for someone with an invisible disability that causes chronic pain.

This song will be on the album ‘The Light Of Ancient Mistakes’, to be released on September 9th, 2023. Sales of the single release for at least the next year will be donated to The Ehlers-Danlos Society to help with their work in research relating to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

A stonking foot-tapper that has some excellent fuzzy alt-groove to it. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate are very capable of making anything catchy, even when the subject is so serious. The tone of this track does have a raw honesty that comes through the vocals nicely, but it’s the bass that really hooks in. A very cool track.

Wormhole – Spine Shatter High-Velocity Impact

Warping brutal riffs and screeching dissonance into a signature tech-slam combo, Baltimore band Wormhole have released their new single ‘Spine Shatter High-Velocity Impact’. Taken from their upcoming album, ‘Almost Human’, which comes out September 22nd.

Wormhole comments:

This song has our hero struggling as they make their last stand, “They’re desperately trying to rally, but despite their rage, they just keep falling apart. Is the impossible really going to happen? Is our hero, the one we love and cherish so much, really going to lose?

Delivering more of that slamming brutal technical death metal that they are so beloved for; Wormhole continue their trend of wrecking necks and busting kneecaps. This new single starts hard and heavy and stays that way right through to the end. A gurning and guttural slice of savagery with the added bonuses of impressive technicality that constantly shines through. It’s not exactly what you would call ‘fresh’ from this band, but it is very enjoyable regardless. Check it out here.

Skies Turn Black – Sweet, Sweet Solitude

British heavy metal up-and-comers Skies Turn Black have released a video for new anthem ‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’. It follows recent single ‘The Skies Are Falling Down’, and drops in the wake of the band’s Bloodstock Open Air performance.

Skies Turn Black comment:

‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’ was written back in lockdown, and lyrically it discusses the loneliness that lots of us went through during that time. Musically speaking, it’s a contrast from our usual flashy guitar work, leaving more space for the voice and the other instruments to shine.

Let the rise of Skies Turn Black continue as the power-metal group have release yet another infectious banger. One with a darker lyrical tone and plenty of melody. As the band said themselves, it’s a little more understated instrumentally, but that doesn’t stop it making you move. The vocals are outstanding and the keytar sounds great. This is Skies Turn Black almost reaching power-pop levels.

Captured Kings – Into the Fish Pit

Founded in 2015, Captured Kings is a New Zealand-based band rapidly making waves in the global metal scene. They have now released their debut streaming single, ‘Into The Fish Pit’.

It’s very hard to know what to expect, seeing as this is their debut streaming single, and even then, Captured Kings manage to surprise. Into the Fish Pit is an amalgamation of metal ideas, sitting uncomfortably in the deathcore camp, but not defined by that genre. It’s a cacophony of noise, wild and intense, with elements of groove, straight-forward and riff-driven hair-raising heavy metal, and plenty of stompy ferocity too. Based off this track alone, it’s going to be a lot of fun getting to know this band going forward. Check it out here.

Blodet – The Hour

Drawing inspiration from diverse musical landscapes, Blodet’s music has been likened to the haunting intensity of Swans and the experimental energy of Sonic Youth. They recently release their latest single, ‘This Hour’.

Blodet fascinate, Blodet intrigue, Blodet excite, and Blodet confuse. The dynamic band can not be summed up easily as their sound is quite indefinable. A dynamic drumbeat, haunting and mournful vocals, deepening melodies, and an overall sense of darkness as it reaches an apex. It’s quite a wonderful piece of music that you have to let envelope you to really come away satisfied.

Archives – No Sweat

Northern Irish metal outfit Archives have announced their new album ‘No Bliss In Ignorance’ and shared lead single ‘No Sweat’. No Bliss In Ignorance – out 10th November 2023 – illustrates how some things in life, however easier to ignore, will only hurt & bring you down in the long run if you choose to ignore them. A direct contrast to ignorance is bliss. The new album will feature new single ‘No Sweat’ as well as previous singles ‘Self Inflicted’ and ‘Matriarch’.

Talking about the new single ‘No Sweat’, vocalist Adam Holland shares:

No sweat is about the concept of corruption/hypocrisy within corporations and institutions. Regardless of how much you try to hide it the truth will always find the light eventually. The single shares the harsh reality that much of the worlds corruption is covered up by those who financially gain from it. Some people are born into wealth & privilege and are undeserving of it.

They’ve been killing it with the previous singles, and that isn’t changing with this latest offering. No Sweat begins in such subtle and touching style that the eruption of metalcore noise is bloody startling at first. Once it settles, it shows a band in complete control and capable of being as varied as they can be intense. This, and the previous singles, pretty much confirm this album as being one not to miss. Check it out here.

Dethonator – Donington

Melodic heavy metal band, Dethonator have released a new single called ‘Donington’. A song to raise money for a Multiple Sclerosis Charity. All of the donated money (After Bandcamp & PayPal charges) goes directly to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation.

Not only is there a great cause behind this track, but it also happens to be a kickass blast of heavy metal. Dethonator are reaching into their deep bag of head-banging tricks, infusing it with a touch of power, and delivering a chorus that makes you want to raise a fist high in the sky. Great stuff from a great band, so reach into your denim pockets and donate to a worthy cause. Once you’ve finished banging your head, that is.

Blind Equation – killing me (feat. Rat Jesu)

Chicago, IL’s Blind Equation has released their new single and accompanying music video, killing me, via Brooklyn Vegan. killing me is the third single to be taken from the cybergrind group’s forthcoming sophomore album, Death Awaits, which is set to be released via Prosthetic Records on September 15th.

Speaking on the premiere, Blind Equation’s James McHenry comments:

killing me is a very fast paced and melodic cybergrind song with occasional bit-crushed pop sections and 808s added to the sound. When people ask me what Blind Equation’s new direction is, this song is the perfect representation of that.

I’m still not quite sold on Blind Equation, but they are one hell of a interesting band. I’m still not entirely sure I understand what ‘cybergrind’ but as far as standing out as their own thing, Blind Equation are delivering. What we have here is one of the group’s more melodic sounding songs, albeit filtered through their usual bout of chaotic noise. The effects are as jarring as always, and the grinding intensity is rawer than ever. It’s Blind Equation and it’s cybergrind, like before, I suggest you make up your own mind on this because I’m still not there yet. Check it out here.

Catafalque – Infestation

Catafalque deliver drone doom metal with strong influences of noise and industrial, resulting in an extreme, experimental, and uncompromising sound. Their new album Dybbuk will be released on October 13th, 2023, via Aural Music / Code666. The band has now revealed the first single, ‘Infestation’.

Well, isn’t this something.

Over 13-minutes of mind-numbing, soul-rendering, and body-shaking drone, doom, and noise, with touches of industrial horror layered in too. A haunting example of the simple and elaborate smashed together to create something wholly unique. It spreads and grows like an infection, oozing delicious darkness that makes you feel wicked for experiencing. As a first taste of the full album, it is a filling one. Catafalque look like they have something very special on their hands here.

Oceans – Chop Suey! (System of a Down Cover)

Oceans are back with their first new music since the release of their second studio album Hell Is Where The Heart Is last November! The German nu-metal band proudly presents their latest single ‘Chop Suey’, a cover of the System Of A Down classic.

Timo Rotten comments:

Toxicity was one of my favorite albums when it came out, but I hadn’t heard it in a while. Then Thomas dug it up again a few weeks ago and the question immediately came to my mind: How would this sound with growls? And whether I could do it at all. We just had to try it out. Did I get it right? I think you have to decide for yourselves.

There is no toping the original, even if it’s been so overplayed it’s hard to want to hear it again. Thankfully, Oceans do put their own spin on it, even if the end result is a bit mixed. Something just sounds off, as though they’re trying to force heaviness while stay true to the melodic style of the original. It lacks heart and conviction, but most of all, if you never want to hear Chop Suey! again, it won’t change your feelings. Check it out here.

Mountain Caller – The Archivist

Mountain Caller are a heavy instrumental prog 3-piece from London, UK. Telling stories with sound. They have signed to Church Road Records and celebrated this new found partnership with the brand new single ‘The Archivist’.

We’re beyond thrilled to release “The Archivist” from our forthcoming new album. It’s hard to pick something indicative of the new record because each track forms part of the whole story, but it’s certainly a taste of our ambition. There’s so much more to come, including a continuation of The Protagonist’s journey and Mountain Caller lore. We’re so proud of what we’ve created and can’t wait to share it with everyone. We are also stoked to be releasing this with our new friends at Church Road Records too. Play it loud!

New Mountain Caller is always a good thing as the band have proven themselves to a constant force that consistently moves forward. Their instrumental prog sound is often something you feel in your soul, and The Archivist is no different. Mountain Caller moving through stages of melody and robust heaviness with wonderous ease. The more time spent within its soundscape, the more it captures the imagination, proving once again, that Mountain Caller are a very special band.