Single Slam: Cradle of Filth, Bloom, Still, fakeyourdeath, Beyond Grace, Clay J Gladstone, Plague Father, The Animal Warfare Act, Resolve, Jinjer, paradise fell., Chub, RinRin, Star Circus, Harakiri for the Sky, HARPY, and Massive Wagons!

Today’s single slam features Cradle of Filth, Bloom, Still, fakeyourdeath, Beyond Grace, Clay J Gladstone, Plague Father, The Animal Warfare Act, Resolve, Jinjer, paradise fell., Chub, RinRin, Star Circus, Harakiri for the Sky, HARPY, and Massive Wagons. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Cradle of Filth – Malignant Perfection

Closely following their recent sold-out Australian headline tour, extreme metal legends Cradle of Filth are previewing their upcoming By Order of the Dragon UK/European tour with a brand-new single called ‘Malignant Perfection’. Arriving just in time for the Halloween season.

Chief fiend Dani Filth divulges about the track and video:

Our new single and video, ‘Malignant Perfection’, is our horrific homage to All Hallows Eve, as embodied by the female deification of evil. It is a perfect musical accompaniment to the spirit of the witching season; invoking dark, Autumnal splendour and celebrating the time when the thin line between life and death is at its most tenuous and the denizens of the otherworld seek to break the veil into ours.

The video, directed by the imitable Vicente Cordero and featuring the creative masterstrokes of one Missy Munster, is a playground of seductive darkness rife with malicious monsters and cryptid creations, all vying voraciously for the viewer’s eternal soul.

This comes at a perfect juncture for the Halloween period and our ‘By Order Of The Dragon’ UK/European Autumn tour. It also arrives on the back of a sensational collaboration with massive fashion label Vetement and also Blackcraft Clothing, and in the fiery wake of a successful sold-out Australian tour.

The thick gothic wonder of this track gives it a Midian-era vibe, exemplified by the heavier use of keys and more melodic tone overall. Whereas an undeniable catchiness screams of the Nymphetamine-era. There’s a strong sense of theatre with this one, which makes sense when you take into account the incoming tour, and this track sounds like it will be even grander in the live environment. Beyond that, it’s classic Cradle and hits a suitably dark level of intensity when it matters.

Bloom – The Works of You

Sydney melodic hardcore outfit Bloom follow up their defining latest album ‘Maybe in Another Life’ with fresh new single, ‘The Works Of You’, out now via Greyscale Records & Pure Noise.

Explains the band:

The Works of You explores how love can come to shape you. How it can come in many shapes and forms, its distinct staying power, and how hearts can become galleries themselves.

Continuing their impressive form, Bloom hit another huge high with this new single, a high that comes from an emotional place and a high that is delivered with intensity. Bloom’s melodic hardcore sound is well balanced here. Where listeners can enjoy the sound of their heart beating heavily in their chests to a frantic tempo, but also enjoy the mass of sentiment that comes from the moving melodies. It’s an incredible track. Check it out here.

Still – LIGHT

The UK’s most savage and brutal band STILL have released their new single, ‘LIGHT’. The second song to be taken from their claustrophobic and harrowing forthcoming album ‘A THEFT’, which will be released on Novemver 15th on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and digital formats by Floodlit Recordings.

One of the most ‘don’t miss’ bands in the world, Still’s new single is a discordiant and discombobulating experience. A heavy wave of noise that crashes over the mind, body, and soul sending every part of you veering off in different directions. Making the intangible, tangible, Still crawl in all your spaces with this thick and dense sound but never push things so far that it becomes off-putting. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and this is the kind of depths that most will be more than happy to sink too.

fakeyourdeath – Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile & That Was Actually Quite Murderous

Brighton’s electronic post-hardcore duo fakeyourdeath have released a brand-new A/B side – the follow up to the pairs debut EP ‘null/void’ (released April 2024). The A/B side features the vicious new single ‘Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile’ and it’s haunting B-side ‘That Was Actually Quite Murderous’ both of which look towards the pain humans inflict on each other to serve themselves; a subject fakeyourdeath find fascinating but always unsurprising.

Says fakeyourdeath vocalist Candi Underwood:

‘Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile’ is an important track for me both musically & emotionally. At its core, it’s the outpouring of the grief, anger and disgust you feel when those closest to you betray you. It’s unapologetic, more vulnerable than we’ve gone before and almost cruel at times. It’s ugly but I love it.

Let’s start with Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile, which can be simply summed up as another incredible song from an incredible band. So dramatic, so intense, and so captivating, this is the sound of a band willingly exposing their heart and soul via the medium of modern and alternative music. It’s super infectious, even as its rawness and chaos gets more and more overpowering as it goes on.

How about That Was Actually Quite Murderous? Well, it’s very creative too, being a harder and heavier slice of fakeyourdeath intensity, but equally as addictive. Both tracks are fantastic, but the former might just pip it because of the added dramatic delight. Check out both tracks here.

Beyond Grace – Fragile (Sting Cover)

Beyond Grace, the powerful, subtly proggy, and savagely political death metal band, are currently in the process of releasing their third album, ‘Welcome to the New Dark Ages’. Coming first as a series of three digital EPs (Part 1 is out now, Part 2 out November 2024) then as a collected CD/LP edition.

Their brand-new single, ‘Fragile’, a cover of the Sting classic, is out now. With a video out on the 4th of November and the new EP out on the 22nd of November.

The decision to cover more unique songs on this three-EP run on route to the full album release, continues to prove to be an inspired decision by Beyond Grace. It’s fascinating to see what they’ll try and transform next, and this is an unexpected one. The Sting original is a memorable track, and beloved by many. Beyond Grace’s approach is to transform it, not just giving it a death metal edge, and it’s an approach that really pays off. Showcasing more of their proggy ways, while having hefty thrash infusions and plenty of garish death noise too. It’s a challenging listen, but that’s mainly because Beyond Grace find even more ways to push their creative limits as the track goes on.

Clay J Gladstone – Is This How I Die?

Sydney-based sad party punkers Clay J Gladstone have shared the title track to their upcoming debut album ‘Is This How I Die?’ out Friday November 1st via Def Wolf Records. The lads are set to tour the album across the country late November supporting Sienna Skies.

Seemingly about to release an album of the year contender based off all the singles heard so far, Clay J Gladstone add an exclamation point to that statement with this effort. A short, punchy, and excitable blast of pop-punk. Filled with plenty of energy, and with a stupidly catchy chorus too, it’s another banger from this band. Check it out here.

Plague Father – Self Exile

Pembroke death metal outfit Plague Father are back at it again with their brand new single ‘Self Exile’. This, their second release of 2024, is their latest offering from a larger body of work depicting the stages of grief set to follow in the not-so-distant future.

Pulling zero punches and coming out with the force of a starving beast, Plague Father bring the heaviness with this new track. Yet the cacophony of death-infused noise is just one aspect of their sound. A mightily important one, but not the only notable thing about the track as there are thrilling touches of melody and grandeur throughout. It’s also a track with a couple of interesting twists and turns, ensuring it lives long in the memory.

The Animal Warfare Act – Dust

Just in time for Halloween, The Animal Warfare Act is back with a new single, ‘Dust’, channelling vampiric symbolism in their intense signature blend of nu-metal and hardcore sounds. Stepping up their game with a more cohesive song than its predecessors, the band stays in line with their horror influences, decrying the burden of immortality and pleading for a sense of peace, away from the agonizing guilt of past sins.

Comments the band’s founder, vocalist and guitarist, Hopskotch:

This is the song I’ve always wanted to write. I think ‘Dust’ shows off our inspirations while still solidifying our own sound, and leans into the theatrics and imagery our listeners look for.

There’s a delicious thick vein of horror running through this track and The Animal Warfare Act deliver a heavy nu-infused sound with a glee that is mightily infectious. Their rambunctious way has a wickedness to it, but even when it reaches its heaviest point (which is pretty damn heavy), it stays memorable, and importantly, it stays interesting. Check it out here.

Resolve – Smile

French Metalcore quartet, Resolve have released their ‘Human (Extended Cut)’ album and unveiled the anthemic new single ‘Smile’ via Arising Empire. Being the latest track to be revealed from the deluxe album, ‘Smile’ follows both the earth shaking single ‘Molotov’ and the recent sinister single ‘Sandman’ in different fashion.

Mentions Resolve bassist, Robin Mariat:

Smile is the most straight-forward love song… until it’s not. There’s obviously a gigantic gap in between this sound and Sandman’s all-in aggression, but our musical DNA is spread across these two ends of the spectrum. So it made perfect sense for us to have this track as the final release of the Human cycle, as it’s reminiscent of fan-favorite New Colors or even Ignite, a deeper cut off the album.

With some of their biggest melodies and one of their most infectious choruses, Resolve’s new single is brilliantly anthemic, very familiar, and wholly enjoyable. Then around the halfway point, it shifts and it’s a very notable shift. The instrumental side of the band gets chunkier and the rhythm shifting into something more grandiose as it eases out. Wonderful stuff from a band who rarely fails to deliver. Check it out here.

Jinjer – Kafka

Modern progressive leaders Jinjer have announced their long-awaited fifth studio album, ‘Duél’, which is now set to be released on 7th February, 2025 via Napalm Records. The new track ‘Kafka’ is out now.

Speaking about the new single, vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk says:

Being an artist is sometimes beautiful but most of the time it’s brutal… as our art is dissected word for word and ripped apart note by note, we‘re expected to be on point all-the-time … and when we aren’t, we are scandalised. A true artist is vulnerable but the crowd is most often plagued with vultures who pick at every single move you make. It’s a slippery slope when music means the world to us but how quickly praise turns into prosecution… We are all Kings and Queens for a day but most of the time it feels like a Kafka novel for a lifetime. It‘s exciting but surreal and absurd at the same time…

Expectations are high, but as every Jinjer fan knows now, this is a band that lives and breathes unpredictability and, once again, they deliver something that is fresh and interesting. What it lacks is excitement, but that doesn’t mean it’s a poor listen. Rather, its heavy melodic ways and poetry style of vocals needs time to sink in and on first impression, it may leave some feeling very cold. However, the more times it’s heard, the more it captivates. This is what Jinjer do, they push their own limits and if this track is anything to go by, this new album might be their most boundary pushing yet.

paradise fell. – fall in // fall out

London nu-rock outfit paradise fell. invites you a step further into a world of beautiful chaos as they reveal details of their debut mixtape ‘Songs for ur Head’ due for release on February 28th in 2025 via Fly Tip Records.

Meandering through front man Matty Bankhurst’s personal battles with mental health struggles like an open diary extract, Songs for ur Head is a personal and relatable offering that allows fans to bond over shared scars and intense personal trauma. Partnering with mental health charities for this campaign, the alternative artist tries to take steps to bring to life support for mental challenges within their community.

Accompanying the announcement of their forthcoming new mixtape, paradise fell. have also released a brand new single titled ‘fall in // fall out’.

Shares Matty Bankhurst:

fall in // fall out is about my own struggles with trying to overcome mental illness and ‘bettering’ myself. We are all at the mercy of our own head. Toxic spiraling traits drag you under far too often and when you’re doing your best to climb out of the darkness is when you’re at your most vulnerable. The video which was shot by Jamie Waters (Bring me the Horizon, Hot Milk, Beartooth, Enter Shikari etc) sets the scene for the Songs for ur Head mixtape. A twisted wellness retreat, signed up to by people of the new world who are desperate to go to any measures to become someone else. Sold a dream but experiencing far worse, things aren’t all as they seem.

An interesting blend of manic instrumentals and punchy heaviness with vocals that have a more alternative tinge and melodic touches that cut through the noise. This is a short, but powerful piece that has plenty of impact. Check it out here.

Chub – Carolina Reaper

Fiery South punks Chub can’t be stopped. The rowdy quartet recently destroyed the New Blood stage at Bloodstock Festival, and now the party metal punkers have dropped their infectious new single and video, ‘Carolina Reaper’.

Yes, they’re fun as all hell, but do you know what else Chub are? Exceptionally talented and inherently infectious, and all of that is on clear display with this punky slab of heart-racing intensity. It starts hot, and it stays hot, right up to the very end where the sweat is pouring off the brow and the guts are rumbling uncomfortably. This is going to be a bit of wild one in the live environment.

RinRin – FCKNRUN

Perth-based alternative rock rising star RinRin adds another chapter to her dystopian world with the bold new single ‘FCKNRUN’.

The new year introduced a new era for RinRin, and ‘FCKNRUN’ is the third offering in the new narrative, and the third in a string of fantasy-fuelled releases. Previous singles im sad lol and PRN explored the dystopian and fictional story of Rin, based on real life – a multiverse where ‘variants’ of RinRin reside in alternate worlds, leading different lives that reflect true feelings. The latest offering represents a version of RinRin that sees her take on the role of serial casanova, where attachment is her greatest enemy.

Love or hate what RinRin does, no-one can deny that the artist is one hell of a talented creative. Not just based on what has been heard so far, but based off this exciting slice of electro-infused mania. An absolute body-shaker and mind-blower, what is unbelievably catchy hits an even greater height with its chorus. How strong are those vocals? Great stuff from RinRin. Check it out here.

Star Circus – Turn the Tide

London based rising rock band Star Circus have released their brand new single ‘Turn the Tide’. The optimistic and unifying new track is the second single form their forthcoming album, due for release in Spring 2025.

We sure need more optimism in the world right now and Star Circus certainly offer up a piece of music to make you smile. One that takes the band’s rocking sound, gives it even more of an upbeat feel, delivers a chorus everyone can sing along to, and ensures the vibe is kept in check all the way to the end. Great stuff from this talented band. Check it out here.

Harakiri for the Sky – With Autumn I’ll Surrender

Having taken four years to craft their next epic chapter after 2021’s ‘Maere’, Harakiri for the Sky will now release their new album, ‘Scorched Earth’, on January 24th, 2025 through AOP Records. The album is a snapshot of the world we are living in, a world that’s tragically broken. Our society is divided to its core and peace seems further away than ever in the last decades. It still seems like one crisis follows another, and this feeling of impending doom is captured on ‘Scorched Earth’.

Right in time for the depressive season, the band has unveiled their first single ‘With Autumn I’ll Surrender’ together with a new music video directed by Andreas J. Borsodi.

The band comments:

With ‘With Autumn I’ll Surrender’ we’re finally releasing the first single of our upcoming album ‘Scorched Earth’. For this purpose, we chose a song that combines the HFTS typical Post Black Metal energy with riffs that hail from the glorious times of the Grunge and Indie Rock era. A first hint where this album and its songs are leading us…

Despair, loss, love… all elements that are synonymous with the Harakiri for the Sky sound and this new single keeps all those elements, and more, at the forefront of this brutally beautiful new single. Filled with all manner of complexities, offering up a hefty epic melodic soundscape, but layering in raw and emotionally wrought blackness throughout. If you’re familiar with what this band offers, you won’t come away disappointed, especially as the band continue to be forward thinking in their approach to melancholic heaviness.

HARPY – Born to Destroy

Nu-goth rising star HARPY has released the brand-new single ‘Born to Destroy’. After taking the alternative music scene by force with her dominating presence, ‘Born to Destroy’, greets us as the seventh single from the seductive starlet.

Explains HARPY:

If you need an explanation for this track.… if Lana (del Rey) was Born to Die for love, I’m Born to Destroy it. This song is all about domination and power. A peek through the window of what it may feel like to submit to a creature that’s just there to use you, someone or something monstrous perhaps. And you know they’re bad, yet you still crave it. Hypothetically speaking, of course…

Sometimes you can hear the superstar in an artist in just a single song, and while HARPY has put out plenty that prove her superstar status already, this latest single is putting the exclamation point on the statement. Alternative, but not curtailed by that term, it’s a track that doesn’t sit in one genre or another and will have widespread appeal because of its infectious qualities. Check it out here.

Massive Wagons – Sleep Forever

Chief rock squad Massive Wagons are back with a brand-new shot of musical adrenaline to get you fired up, dropping forthcoming album opener ‘Sleep Forever’. Their seventh studio album, ‘Earth To Grace’ is set for release on November 8 via Earache Records.

Frontman Barry ‘Baz’ Mills exclaims:

When the lads started riffing like that, and Alex came in with those drums, I knew this was gonna be an absolute killer and I loved the song immediately! I was away on holiday when Matt sent the final mix through along with a couple other tracks, but I couldn’t stop playing ‘Sleep Forever’ – I must have played it 10 times! And although I was stoked with the others he sent too, when I heard this I knew we’d really scratched an itch I had. Aggressive, hard, fast… it’s like Motörhead meets Rainbow. It has everything to me: huge riffs, gnarly guitars, and Alex’s drums are just blistering! Then you throw in the solos from Steve and Adam… it’s got it all I think – a proper headbanger! It was always going to be the album opener, a 100% kick in the face!

It’s like Motörhead meets Rainbow… well, that’s a statement that certainly rings true, and this track oozes 80s hard rock and heavy metal vibes. Thankfully, it’s more than just Massive Wagons playing dress up and they throw their all into the riffy and groovy head-banger of a track. It’s fun and it’s very catchy, what else do you need?