Single Slam: Ghosts of Atlantis, Chewing Glass Collective, Traveller, Ironside, Dunwich Dreams, Bitter Kisses, Naut, World Gone Cold, Black Orchid Empire, Acid Magus, Stand Atlantic, American Standards, Jakub Zytecki, From Ashes to New, Punk Rock Factory, and Slipknot!

This week’s single slam features Ghosts of Atlantis, Chewing Glass Collective, Traveller, Ironside, Dunwich Dreams, Bitter Kisses, Naut, World Gone Cold, Black Orchid Empire, Acid Magus, Stand Atlantic, American Standards, Jakub Zytecki, From Ashes to New, Punk Rock Factory, and Slipknot. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Ghosts of Atlantis – Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd Cover)

Symphonic/melodic death metal band, Ghosts of Atlantis have released a new single/video for their cover of the Pink Floyd classic, Comfortably Numb.

If you’d asked us before what song Ghosts of Atlantis might cover in the future, we would be unlikely to have chosen Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. However, before even hearing a second of it, there is complete confidence that the group will not only do it justice but make it their own. Which they certainly do, alongside a unique video.

This is a stunning cover of a pretty great song. Ghosts of Atlantis’ talents more than a match for Pink Floyd. Delivering innate beauty, dramatic intensity, and memorable visuals with the video. Talk about showing even more versatility, fans of the original will love this but just as importantly, it might introduce younger listeners to a classic.

Chewing Glass Collective – Abyss (Redux) / Pillars (Redux)

Chewing Glass Collective is a growing crew of Bristol, UK musicians working together to create heavy music. Featuring members of Body Harvest, Mortishead, ex-SickOnes, Elea Calvet, and more.

The collective has re-recorded, remixed, and remastered two tracks from their previous release, ‘In the Name of Progress, We Must Loathe As One’. Together, the two tracks (Abyss and Pillars) make up the new release, In the Name of Progress, We Must Loathe As One (Redux, Pt. 1)’.

Two songs, two examples of undiluted carnage. The re-recording, remixing and remaster of these tracks make the already intensely heavy band sound even heavier. 45 seconds eye-watering and ear-bleeding noise with Abyss (Redux). A little over 2 minutes of horror-infused effects, pounding heaviness, and manic speed. This collective are really something special.

Traveller – Homesick

Germany-based metalcore quartet Traveller have released their much-anticipated new single, Homesick.

A blistering and brutish showcase of intense modern metalcore, Traveller come out swinging on this new single. Not letting up for a second, creating something that is wild and extremely anthemic. Hard-hitting instrumentation, guttural vocals that tear strips off, clean singing that lifts the soul, and some delightful melodies. It’s a metalcore banger. Check it out here.

Dunwich Dreams – The Serpent’s Flight

Industrial metal band, Dunwich Dreams have released ‘The Serpent’s Flight’, the fourth single released for the upcoming album, Rise of the Seventh Sun.

Continuing to unleash memorable horror/sci-fi infused darkness through the medium of dark industrial beats and atmospheric metal, Dunwich Dreams’ new single is another uncomfortable listen. Yet, like previous releases, it has a fascination that makes it difficult to turn away. Even if the more time spent in its presence turns the mind towards madness. Check it out here.

Ironside – End of Everything

Progressive metal band Ironside explore the visceral emotions of Ragnarok on their brand-new single, End of Everything.

A very metal event warrants a very metal track, and that is what progressive heavy band Ironside deliver. Albeit with exciting progressive twists and turns. This one hits hard and makes you feel like you’re experiencing the infamous Viking event yourself. The blistering heaviness, chaotic blend of noise, the clean melodies and epic singing makes for a maelstrom of the mind.

Bitter Kisses – Pr*y

Bristol-based heavy-pop group Bitter Kisses have released their debut single ‘Pr*y’. Alongside a music video, inspired by David Lynch-style psychedelic and surrealist films.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the single the band state:

Pr*y was partially inspired by a fever dream in which Lady Gaga collaborated with Queens of the Stone Age to produce a new Earth Wind And Fire song.

This is a lot of fun. It’s also very, very catchy. Bitter Kisses are going to turn a lot of heads with this debut. Exactly what a band would want with their first single. So, what makes it so much fun? Well, it’s extremely anthemic. The blend of rock and pop is delightfully danceable and it comes with a banger of a video. Excellent stuff from Bitter Kisses.

Naut – Damocles

Evocative UK post-punk quartet Naut have unveiled their new single ‘Damocles’, taken from forthcoming debut album Hunt, to be released 24th February via Season of Mist.

Comments Naut:

With this third single from Hunt, we wanted to demonstrate the other sounds that influence our music, outside of the hard rock and post-punk. ‘Damocles’ is a sprawling, slithering slow-build of a track, taking as much influence from the new romantics as it does gothic rock. It wasn’t a conscious decision to make the song take this shape, instead we trusted our instincts and followed them to what we consider new ground for the band. Ground that we will no doubt return to in future.

The build to this new album is reaching overdrive and to keep that momentum Naut add their most salacious effort so far to the list of reasons to be excited for it. Dark and moody, the gothic rock sound of this track is infectious and it coils around the mind like a snake. The vocals are immense but the chilling melody is what really sends the shivers down the spine. Check it out here.

World Gone Cold – Opposites Attract

Comprised of members from legacy bands: Traa Daniels (P.O.D), Tim “Yogi” Watts (Demon Hunter), Andrew Stanton (Disciple), Mark Anthony (The Letter Black), and Ryland Raus (Attack Attack! & Inhale/Exhale), hard rock band World Gone Cold has released their new single, Opposites Attract’. Taken from their upcoming debut self-titled EP, released on March 17th, 2023.

Grander sounding then expected, World Gone Cold has a modern rock sound that utilises poppier elements to make their sound grow. Exemplified by layered vocals, heavy rock beats, well-utilised electronica, and a chorus that soars nicely. That being said, it doesn’t quite have the hook needed to make it stand out from a pretty packed room of similar sounding artists. There’s plenty of promise here though.

Black Orchid Empire – Deny the Sun

UK trio Black Orchid Empire are proud to announce their new album Tempus Veritas, set for release on 14th April via Season of Mist. The band have also unveiled their first single from the record, ‘Deny The Sun’.

On new single and video, guitarist / vocalist Paul Visser comments:

‘Deny The Sun’ is the first song we wrote for Tempus Veritas and we love how hard the riff goes! We’ve been pushing more and more into the technical side of our music for this album and this track is a great example of that. Lyrically it deals with Galileo’s ideas about the central nature of the sun and the clash with religious views at the time, written from the point of view of his friend Pope Urban VIII who found himself in an impossible position and ended up condemning the astronomer.Our friend and long-time collaborator Alina Gordienco made the amazing video in LA, starring the wonderful Irina Dudyk as the sun goddess. Her work is consistently inspired, and we love what she did for this song!

An out and out head-banger, this new song from Black Orchid Empire is an awesome blend of aggressive instrumentation and melodic vocal intensity. The combination working in exceptional fashion, neither too soft nor too heavy. The perfect blend of head-banging hard rock and metal that is encapsulated by the soaring chorus. Check it out here.

Acid Magus – Demon Behemoth

Acid Magus is an experimental rock outfit from Pretoria, South Africa. Combining doom, stoner, punk, psych, and classic rock. 2023 see Acid Magus returning as a 5 piece with a new vocalist and the addition of a second guitarist, as well as a brand-new album Hope Is Heavy, set for release later this year on Mongrel Records. Demon Behemoth is the first single from the forthcoming album.

Guitarist and chief songwriter Keenan Kinnear explains:

Demon Behemoth is not only the first single but also the first track off our upcoming sophomore album, Hope is Heavy. The entire album is a concept dealing with me realizing how I am slowly becoming more cynical with age. Every song on the album, including Demon Behemoth, is a cross-section of my psyche, self-analyzed for the sake of solving the “great cynicism” I am experiencing at the moment and searching for the silver lining in what constantly seems to be an increasingly grim outlook.

You see the ‘experimental’ tag, you see the track is over 8-minutes long, and you know you’re in for something quite unforgettable here. Which is exactly what this genre-bending band deliver. A track that oozes psychedelia, has stoner groove, the pacing of doom, and rocky hooks. It’s baffling at times, but it’s such an addictive listen. The group’s insane talents make this one hell of a trip that you’ll want to experience multiple times.

Stand Atlantic – kill[h]er

Stand Atlantic are back with a vengeance. The Aussie rockers have unveiled a new track, ‘kill[h]er,’ and it is all about annihilating self-doubt.

Says vocalist Bonnie Fraser:

Self-sabotage is a bitch. Self-doubt kills and denying good and genuine parts of yourself because you’ve been conditioned to think they’re not good enough is a form of murder. it’s a reminder to myself not to give in to that shit. personal growth is important but don’t deny who you are. sometimes I find myself thinking back to who I used to be and missing that person.

A fiery and powerful track with one hell of an impactful message, Stand Atlantic start their 2023 off with a bang. A really infectious bang. The track kill[h]er oozes passion and resonates in such a way, thanks mainly to the incredible vocals and lyrical content. It’s capped off with a chorus that you can sing and move to. Check it out here.

American Standards – The Vagrant

Phoenix, AZ hardcore punk band American Standards have premiered a rowdy new song titled ‘The Vagrant’. The release is part of a series of singles that collectively make up the EP Dopamine Dealer.

Brandon Kellum, singer of American Standards said:

There are goobers in your local music scene that are paying for people to write their songs, paying for positive reviews/reaction videos, paying for streams/views, and then trying to flex on social media like they’re a rock star.

Somewhere artists are losing their way. They’ve got the motivation but lack the inspiration. The Vagrant is about bringing sincerity back into the art we create.

Their brilliant output and immense form is well worth taking note of. American Standards have been killing it as of late, and The Vagrant is another top-shelf release. One that has their hardcore abrasiveness front and centre, but one that also has a bit more of a catchy rhythm to it. Their usual instrumental chaotic intensity is more ordered and the vocals are absolutely demonic throughout. It’s a stunner that you just want to lose your s**t to, especially when, at the end of the track, American Standards do.

Jakub Zytecki – Raum

Experimental guitarist Jakub Zytecki has announced his new album Remind Me, set for release on 17th February. He has also unveiled the third single taken from the album, ‘Raum’.

With haunting atmosphere, this new single is subtle and powerful in equal measures. Breathy vocals, dramatic ambience, and strong guitar tones throughout. It’s a different style to the guitar-driven music that most expect, as it’s not all about showcasing how many different riffs, licks, hooks, and more can be jammed in. Though, that’s not to say that Jakub Zytecki doesn’t have some immense skills to show off. The world relaxing is what comes to mind and stays at the forefront throughout. Check it out here.

From Ashes to New – Nightmare

Heavy rock/rap-rock band, From Ashes To New have unveiled their new single ‘Nightmare’, taken from their upcoming as-yet-titled fourth album due this summer via Better Noise Music.

Describing the song’s theme, vocalist Danny Case said:

Betrayal by someone we trust happens to the best of us. We befriend someone, let them in, build a connection and then all of a sudden, they turn into someone unrecognizable. Someone you once trusted and cared for so deeply is now a backstabbing enemy. In a heartbeat, the person you once thought you knew is now gone. There aren’t many things in life that cut quite as deep as betrayal. Erasing that person from your life and moving forward is the only way to wake up from the nightmare.

Hyperactive heaviness that utilises massive electronica beats, rap-rock groove, and an anthemic chorus. Everything about this single screams’ ‘energy’. Its modern thinking means it has wider appeal as the intense blend of genres is both heavy and catchy. It’s not exactly complex but that works in its favour as you can just enjoy the experience as a body-shaking anthem.

Punk Rock Factory – You’ll Be Back (Hamilton Cover)

Pop-punk powerhouses Punk Rock Factory have unleashed their latest single and video getting the infamous PRF treatment, a cover of the well-known hit ‘You’ll Be Back’ from the globally acclaimed musical, Hamilton. The track is included on their highly anticipated new album, It’s Just A Stage We’re Going Through, an 11-song collection of songs from musicals, due to land on 31st March.

The band comment:

When we heard ‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton, we absolutely knew it had to go on the album. It’s equal parts sinister and endearing and already a sing-along anthem, begging to be a rock hit!

Well, it’s Punk Rock Factory doing what Punk Rock Factory do, that’s for sure. That’s not a knock though, as they do it so well and here, they certainly give the Hamilton hit a new, rockier spin. Of course, you’ve got to have some sort of feeling for the original to find this anything more than a catchy pop-punk and rock tune. It’s a solid song even if it doesn’t quite set the senses alight. Check it out here.

Slipknot – Bone Church

Iowan icons Slipknot have shared Bone Church, a surprise standalone single available now on all streaming platforms. The new song arrives with a M. Shawn ‘clown’ Crahan directed video piece titled Yen – Director’s Cut (Bone Church), which finds the multidisciplinary artist and founding member refreshing footage from the band’s Yen music video.

Says clown about the new track:

On the road, we have a “jam room” set up backstage at every show, where we play, practice, warm up and sometimes try out new ideas. Bone Church started life in a jam room on the .5: The Gray Chapter tour. We’ve been bringing it closer and closer to life ever since, and finally, here it is. This one is for the fans – a further vision deeper into Slipknot’s history, which is still being written. Enjoy.

New Slipknot is always something to celebrate, even if this has a ‘B-side’ feel. Which certainly means its overall quality is up for debate as their latest album had plenty of haters as well as lovers. An eerie circus-style tune plays out, transitioning into something more melodic and grounded as the vocals come in clean and strong. It has an off-kilter tone that becomes stronger in spates and eventually explodes into harder rock weirdness. A very unusual track from a band that continues to push their creativity to new levels.