Single Slam: Desolated, Long Pockets, Artificial Heaven, pMad, Anubis, and Marshfire!

Today’s single slam features Desolated, Long Pockets, Artificial Heaven, pMad, Anubis, and Marshfire. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Desolated – Victim

Hardcore outfit Desolated have released a music video for their new single ‘Victim’, tackling the soul-suckers and energy-vampires we all know and loathe. Featuring a guest appearance from D Bloc’s Camden Good, streaming now via MLVLTD.

On the new single, the band comment:

‘Victim’ is a song grounded in reality from personal experience. It addresses the certain behaviour of that character we have all encountered one too many times in life. ‘Victim’ serves as an outburst of the frustration caused in reaching out to help someone and your hand is repeatedly slapped away. It’s a call out to those individuals who thrive from wallowing in self-pity, blaming the world instead of their own destructive prophecy that put them there in the first place. Sometimes bridges must burn to find peace. We’ve all had people around us that just take and take – they drain the life out of you to feed their own relentless misery no matter how much you offer. This one goes out to them. The music video for this single has even been filmed and edited solely by Richy himself.

A blistering takedown expressed in chaotic hardcore style, Desolated are spitting fire here. Delivering one the ‘two-step’ stompy anthems of 2024 already. It’s a crowd-killer track for sure, but features some deviations on the norm, one being a guitar solo and some really anthemic gang-vocal shouts. Though fear not hardcore fans, it does culminate in the filthiest of breakdowns.

Long Pockets – 3am

UK based rock and metal band, Long Pockets have released their debut single ‘3am’, and plan to follow this up with an EP later in the year.

A welcome addition to the anthemic rock and metal world, thanks to what is showcased on this debut single. Long Pockets are grooving away, drawing from a more classic rock sound, but delivering bundles of catchy riffs, hooks, and vocal lines. It’s a good starting place for this band, and hopefully they can keep the momentum up throughout the year. Check it out here.

Artificial Heaven – Digital Dreams (The Lords of the New Church Cover)

Artificial Heaven present a new single from their debut album ‘Digital Dreams’ out on January 12nd. The song is ‘Russian Roulette’, a cover version of The Lords Of The New Church classic released in 1982 by the legends of gothic rock.

The original is rightfully considered a classic, and Artificial Heaven make sure to not mess with the formula too much here. Giving it a more robust and rock-based style, while staying true to the gothic tones of the original. It’s a good cover. They do a good job of capturing the infectious nature of the original and both sets of fans will get enjoyment from this. Check it out here.

pMad – Opinion

Paul Dillon, aka pMad, is a post-punk, gothic indie rock solo music project based in Portumna, Co. Galway, Ireland. Keeping the momentum going from the 2023 release of the ‘I in Power’ album, pMad has now released the brand-new single, Opinion.

pMad sates:

No matter what side or who’s side your on, we all have one, an opinion! We have one on people, politics, religions, Gods, wars, music, it all! We are very reluctant to listen to other ones though, unfortunately! How are we to learn, if we do not listen to the other side, even if we disagree, we should be open to hear why they believe that way… It may open or eyes!

We’re no strangers to the unique sound of pMad and each new release comes with some excitement. Happily, that is well and truly paid off with a darkly gothic and melodic rock tune that expands bit by bit, showcasing heavier guitar parts and even darker sounding tones. It’s another great effort from the talented artist.

Anubis – Heartless

Los Angeles’ Anubis kick off the new year with a brand-new single and lyric video for the song ‘Heartless’, which comes from their forthcoming debut album. That album, ‘Darkside’, will be released on February 24th, 2024.

States singer Devin Reiche:

People who have been seeing us live for a while should be pretty familiar with this song. This has always been one of my absolute favorite songs of ours, and I can’t wait for more people to hear it as it was truly intended to be heard.

Immediately, it’s clear why this has been a recent staple of their live shows. It’s f**king huge sounding. Blending the grandiosity of heavy and power metal impressively, but focusing on heavier groove for a wicked bout of head-banging and horn-throwing intensity. It’s one of those blood-pumping efforts that makes you feel taller while listening to it. Check it out here.

Marshfire – And Although I Died, I Still Loved You

Following a two-year hiatus, Marshfire, the solo artist, is back with a brand-new single called ‘And Although I Died, I Still Loved You’, which features vocalist Josh Muncke of Sugar Spine.

Well… this is different and it’s really going to see fans of Marshfire taken aback on initial listen. Eschewing the modern metalcore sound for something much more melodic and melody based. It’s a ballad, utilising a piano, vocals, a little bit of drums and guitar, but goodness, it’s very impressive. The vocals are simply stunning, and the melody is incredibly emotive. Somehow showcasing subtly and power in equal measures. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with this effort, a surprise well worth experiencing.