Single Slam: Grief Ritual, Sólstafir, Dead Harts, Seething Akira, Avalanche, Paleface Swiss, The Virginmarys, Mouth for War, Clay J Gladstone, Blanket, Sicksense, Moses, Gaerea, Wildheart, Five the Hierophant, Thumos, and The Halo Effect!

Today’s single slam features Grief Ritual, Sólstafir, Dead Harts, Seething Akira, Avalanche, Paleface Swiss, The Virginmarys, Mouth for War, Clay J Gladstone, Blanket, Sicksense, Moses, Gaerea, Wildheart, Five the Hierophant, Thumos, and The Halo Effect. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Grief Ritual – Bile (feat. Harry Nott of Burner)

Grief Ritual have announced that their debut album ‘Collapse’ will be released on January 31st, 2025, via Church Road Records. To celebrate this announcement, the band have released the single, Bile.

Get excited, we have new Grief Ritual music and it’s a raging ball of intensity that features Harry Nott of Burner. Barely passing the two-minute mark and sounding simply manic, for the most part. Every single second brings more intensity, and just when it seems as though Grief Ritual have hit their heavy apex, they pull even more thrilling nonsense out to leave you well and truly gurning. 

Sólstafir – Blakkrakki

Today, Iceland’s Sólstafir have released their brand new single and video for ‘Blakkrakki’, taken from their upcoming album, Hin helga kvöl, due on 8th November via Century Media.

A mixed bag of a track where Sólstafir’s usual uniqueness doesn’t quite shine here and we’re left with a fairly standard post-rock track. The actual word that comes to mind is boring, even if that seems a bit harsh considering the does have some catchiness to it and the band certainly try to make it vibrant. It’s just an ok listen overall though, lacking a spark, and unlikely to live long in the memory. Check it out here.

Dead Harts – A Million Pieces of Me

After nearly a decade of silence, Dead Harts return with the new single and video, ‘A Million Pieces of Me’. More than just a comeback, this is a resurrection and it is fuelled by grief, anger, and pain. The band channelling every ounce of their loss and paying homage to their dearly departed drummer.

This new Dead Harts’ track makes one hell of an impression. Not just because it is the heavy gong that announces their return after such a long time, but because it pays tribute to someone so important to them. When Dead Harts claim that the listener will feel their rage and anguish in this track, they are not lying, and express themselves in ferocious fashion. Addictively ferocious fashion though, and the compulsion to head bang until it hurts is simply too much to deny.

Seething Akira – Times Change

Seething Akira have released their highly charged new single ‘Times Change’, Taken from their upcoming new album ‘Cancel Estate’, which is set for release on 25th October.

When Seething Akira come around with a new track, you can expect something special, and this new single is no different. Especially as it’s the band sounding quite energised and effortlessly balancing electronica and metal in their inimitable infectious way. This is a track with layers, and Seething Akira find a way to pack it out in exciting and memorable ways. Check it out here.

Avalanche – Dad, I Joined a Rock N Roll Band

Australian hard rock titans Avalanche are back with their most rebellious, head-turning single yet. ‘Dad, I Joined a Rock N Roll Band’ captures the spirit of youthful defiance and is an ode to every wild, reckless decision you’ve made—the kind your parents had to hear about later—and it’s an apology wrapped in a wall of sound.

Let’s rock and f**king roll, Avalanche have a new track out and it goes so very hard. Hilariously hard and hilariously fun. They’re adept at creating heart racing, foot-tapping, head-banging, and horn-throwing heavy rock music with choruses that will make you want to move (and sing), so it’s no surprise that this new single ticks all the right boxes. Killer stuff. Check it out here.

Paleface Swiss – Hatred

Switzerland’s titans of brutality, Paleface Swiss, are back with a vengeance! The band has unveiled their new single, ‘Hatred’, alongside the official announcement of their highly anticipated third full-length album, ‘Cursed’, set to drop January 3rd, 2025.

The intent is clear, Paleface Swiss want to start 2025 in the most brutal way possible, by releasing an album that features the kind of heavy nonsense that comes from this single. If this is a harbinger of things to come, we should all be looking to take cover now as this track is an assault of manic savagery. The Iowa-era Slipknot comparisons are clear, but that’s just high praise for Paleface Swiss and the beastliness of this new track. Be prepared to feel like you’ve had your ass well and truly kicked.

The Virginmarys – There Ain’t No Future

Macclesfield’s power duo The Virginmarys have release their second single, ‘There Ain’t No Future’ from their fourth studio album ‘The House Beyond the Fires’ (out Nov 1st).

Frontman Ally states:

‘This is a track for the uninspired, for the unheard, those who crave truth and all that’s real. Those struggling day to day to make ends meet, yet still have love in their hearts to fight the good fight. Those who see the system is broken and choose not to punch down.

Having garnered a stellar reputation for always delivering strong rock music, The Virginmary’s bring confidence to their modern sound. Delivering a vibrant body-shaker with stronger alternative elements and heavier touches that get truly jammed in the mind. The bar has once again raised for this band. Check it out here.

Mouth for War – The Earth’s Cold Embrace

US aggressors Mouth for War have dropped their punishing new standalone single, ‘The Earth’s Cold Embrace’ with an accompanying video.

Mouth for War vocalist Trae Roberts comments:

‘The Earth’s Cold Embrace’ is the next step in musical evolution for Mouth for War. We’re bringing in lots of new elements while still maintaining the influences that brought this band together. We were very stoked to bring in [producer] Josh Schroeder to really bring this new track to life.

The track is based on a dream I had on tour that really messed with my head for a few days. It was essentially a storyline where I killed someone in a private setting, then proceeded to be stalked by a crowd of people that knew what I had done until ultimately being forced to shoot myself. I tried to embody the mood of the dream in the instrumental of this track before even implementing lyrical content. We were lucky enough that our friend Dave hooked us up with this underground nuclear missile complex to shoot the video, which was incredibly fitting to the eerie vibe of the song. Hopefully you all love the new track as much as we do.

An evolution that brings with it even more egregious heaviness, Mouth for War’s new song is a statement. One that is stamped on the listener’s head with force and speed. The aim of this track seemingly to be as aggressive as possible and leave everyone seeing stars. It’s filth, but it is developed filth, and the extra elements within the track prove that (such as the ending). Check it out here.

Clay J Gladstone – Three Cheers for Optimism

Sydney-based sad party punkers Clay J Gladstone have shared the new single, ‘Three Cheers for Optimism’ from upcoming debut album ‘Is This How I Die?’ out Friday November 1st via Def Wolf Records.

A great band that makes great music, Clay J Gladstone hasn’t disappointed yet on route to this new album release but the bar has been set very high already. So, it is simply amazing to see them surpass what they’ve done before and raise the bar even higher with this delightful listen. One with heart-warming melody, pernicious punk intensity, and a ton of party-pop fun vibes. It’s fair to say that this debut album is going to be very special.

Blanket – Blur

Blanket, the artistic band who seamlessly blend elements of post-rock, shoegaze, and alternative rock, return with their new single, ‘Blur’. The new single comes ahead of their headline UK tour in October.

10.10 GLASGOW – Hug and Pint
11.10 NOTTINGHAM – Bodega
12.10 BIRMINGHAM – Asylum 2
16.10 MANCHESTER – Deaf Inst.
17.10 LEEDS – Hyde Park Book
18.10 LONDON – Old Blue Last
19.10 BRISTOL – Louisiana

Says the band:

We’re excited to release these new tracks to the world, we’ve had full artistic control over every aspect and it feels great to be that involved in our art. We’re written a lot of new music and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

It feels like only yesterday that Blanket released their fantastic album, ‘Ceremonia’, but here they are with new music and an interesting new direction. What direction is that? It appears to be one based in more energetic and excitable music, albeit with familiar layers of alternative rock. You don’t really expect a ‘dancefloor’ anthem from Blanket, but that’s kind of what they’ve delivered here. Check it out here.

Sicksense – Wildfires

Phoenix nu-metal juggernauts Sicksense, featuring former The Agonist vocalist Vicky “Killer V” Psarakis, are back with new single / video ‘Wildfires’. This is the second single taken from their upcoming debut full-length album, ‘Cross Me Twice’, out 14th February 2025 via Earache Records.

The nu-metal revival continues to deliver mixed results it seems and Sicksense’s new single certainly isn’t anything to get excited about. In fact, there are parts that are downright cringy to listen too (such as the rapping). It’s a shame as Killer V sounds great, but that’s about it here, even the instruments are just heavy, offering nothing of note to take away. Check it out here.

Moses – Raining for Days

‘Raining for Days’ is the third flavour of the (as yet untitled) forthcoming Moses LP. This new single follows Spring’s metal-tinged, ‘Guilty’ and Summer’s Brit-disco-pop banger, ‘Sheep and Skyscrapers’.

The latest Moses track might be the best yet as it finds the band at their infectious and melodramatic best. Delivering lovable melody, featuring fabulous vocals, and hitting a thrilling high with a chorus that everyone will just want to sing along with. Fantastic stuff from Moses. Check it out here.

Gaerea – Suspended

The enigmatic blackened metal band, Gaerea have released ‘Suspended’, the latest single from their upcoming album, ‘Coma’. Out October 25th, 2024, via Season of Mist.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Gaerea are awesome and this new album is legitimately looking like an album of the year contender. The previous singles had already suggested that, but this new sheen of blackness puts the emphatic stamp on it. Where Gaerea bring the fire, but put heavy focus on melodic harmony overall. How about the clean singing? Unexpected, but very welcome.

Wildheart – Evergreen

Brisbane/Meanjin metalcore outfit Wildheart have announced their latest album ‘Searching For Life Beyond Tragedy’ will be out Friday November 15th. In addition, the band has also shared the scathing new single ‘Evergreen’ as a taste of things to come.

It doesn’t take long at all for this track to grip (about 15 seconds actually) and once it has hold, there’s no letting go. Not just because it is a punchy modern metalcore banger but Wildheart do what so few bands manage in this genre, and add their own stamp on the sound. When it’s heavy, it’s heavy, but it’s also got wicked groove. The chorus and the clean singing that crops up there is the cherry on top. Check it out here.

Five the Hierophant – Moon Over Ziggurat

Saxophone-driven avant-garde metal eccentrics Five the Hierophant have revealed ‘Moon Over Ziggurat’. The new single off their upcoming album, ‘Apeiron’, released via Agonia Records on October 18th.

As unique as ever, Five the Hierophant unveil their latest captivating piece of music and send the senses into wild fits of joy in anticipation of this upcoming full album. With thick atmosphere, avant-garde melodies, and a strong Middle-Eastern flavour. For nearly eight minutes, Five the Hierophant captivate, shifting the sound of this track in subtle and clever ways as it goes on. It’s impressive from the start, but by the end it’s one of the best things heard this year.

Thumos – Children

The progressive post-metal band, Thumos has released their tribute to the classic song ‘Children’ from the Italian composer Robert Miles’ album ‘Dreamland’.

You don’t have to be familiar with Robert Miles’ Children to appreciate what Thumos are doing here, but to have some knowledge of it will certainly add more weight to Thumos’ wonderful instrumental sound. Of course, those of a certain age will have more than just a passing familiarity with it, which makes Thumos’ tribute so very special. Not just breathing new life into the music, but creating a new sonic landscape that makes this version feel acutely different, while having familiar cues and tropes. It’s not an expected effort from Thumos, but like everything this band touches, it’s gold.Check it out here.

The Halo Effect – Detonate

Gothenburg’s rising stars, The Halo Effect, are back with a powerful new announcement – their highly anticipated second album, ‘March of the Unheard’, will be unleashed on January 10th, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records. The first single from the album, ‘Detonate,’ is out now.

Guitar wizard and main songwriter Niclas Engelin comments:

Damn, time flies fast when you have so much fun touring, playing festivals, and creating new magic. Are we hitting album no. 2 already? Still running high from the energy from Days Of The Lost, and it’s been a blast!

We just can’t wait for you all to hear our new magic and I think you might like what you are about to hear! ‘Detonate’ , our first single from our new album March Of The Unheard , is an upbeat straight in the face song with all the melodies that you just can’t be without! Obey The Riff!

Picking up where they left off, The Halo Effect have dropped another thoroughly enjoyable melodeath effort that harks back to some of the best periods of the sound. Think fast heaviness, think big harmonies, and think an overall vibe that takes the very best of each musician and infuses it into one four-odd minute track. They’re a really likable band and his new track delivers.