Single Slam: Memoriam, Steel Panther, Gideon, Perfect Day, Death Cult Electric, To the Grave, Grief Symposium, Her Alone, Vented, Artefacts and Ne Obliviscaris!

This week’s single slam features Memoriam, Steel Panther, Gideon, Perfect Day, Death Cult Electric, To the Grave, Grief Symposium, Her Alone, Vented, Artefacts and Ne Obliviscaris. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Memoriam – All is Lost

Memoriam need no introduction – they are living legends of old school death metal. On February 3, 2023, the new studio album, Rise to Power, will be released via Reaper Entertainment. Now the band releases the first single ‘All is Lost’.

Pure head-banging gold, Memoriam are back and they bringing old-school, meaty death metal kicking and screaming into the new year. All is Lost is a heavy and hench sounding track, where the vocals are spat rather than sung and the riffs are delightfully aged. It’s the perfect blend of old-school heaviness with modern intensity.

Steel Panther – 1987

With the recent announcement of their sixth studio album ‘On The Prowl’ and the launch of their ‘Who’s Your Daddy(‘s Jokes)’ series on YouTube, California rockers Steel Panther have released another song, ‘1987’, from the upcoming album available worldwide on February 24, 2023.

No surprises here, it’s Steel Panther, so you know it’s at least going to rock. Which it is does, in a glowing tribute to the 80s. If you’re of the right age, you’re going to feel a connection to this track. It’s filled with pure nostalgia, in a more polished way. Check it out here.

Gideon – Too Much is Never Enough

Alabama hardcore warriors Gideon have announced their new album More Power. More Pain., due for release on 17th March 2023 via Rude Records (UK/EU) / Equal Vision Records (ROW). The band have also released a video for their brand-new single ‘Too Much Is Never Enough’.

An ‘in your face’ slab of angry metal, one of the best things about this the bass tone but it’s also got breakdowns to gurn too. Gideon are pissed off and this track’s tone reflects that perfectly. It’s meaty, mean and very likely to mug you if it passed you in an alleyway late at night.

Topsy Turvy – Perfect Day

Topsy Turvy’s is a French melodic punk rock band, who have released their new single ‘Perfect Day’. Taken from their new album ‘It Can’t Be Easy’ which will be released digitally on January 13th, 2023.

A finger-snapper and a foot-tapper, Topsy Turvy draw from the world of punk rock, emo and indie, and once again, deliver a catchy tune. A fanciful beat, dramatic level of melody and infectious rock groove. It’s a fun listen with just the right amount of energy to get you up and swaying. Check it out here.

Death Cult Electric – Lucifer in The Sky with Diamonds

Welsh alternative noise quartet Death Cult Electric unleashed their next phase in world domination for their single, ‘Lucifer in The Sky with Diamonds’ released via Black Maraca Records with full distribution by Symphonic Distribution.

What an absolute banger this track is and we’re not just talking with the noise-rock/metal world either. There something so fascinating about how Death Cult Electric make music. It’s baffling, it’s weird, it’s infectious and it’s so bloody enjoyable. This latest single is exceptionally challenging but in the best way possible. You’ll be enthralled by the booming bassiness, eccentric tone and balanced intensity.

To the Grave – Axe of Kindness

Hardline extreme metal squad To the Grave have unveiled their powerful new single / video ‘Axe of Kindness’, the second taken from their new album, Director’s Cuts, out 24th February, 2023, via Unique Leader Records.

The band comment:

Axe is a tongue-in-cheek horror concept in the vein of The Purge, we had a little fun going ultra-violent on the idea of someone who’s had enough with a world full of apathy and plans to exact vengeance for animals by going door-to-door with a fire axe.

A wild bout of chaotic metal, the carnage To the Grave unleash with their deathcore sound is quite something. It’s rough and raging, with a certain level of grim griminess. Yet, the real appeal comes from how this undeniable heaviness evolves and the track becomes more layered as it goes on. Surprisingly interesting. Check it out here.

Grief Symposium – Veil of Transformation

‘Veil of Transformation’ is the first single from the debut Grief Symposium album. ‘…In the Absence of Light’. Out through Church Road records on the 27th of January 2023.

Darkness pours from this track, as though a tap direct from the deepest and blackest corner of Hell had been turned on. Grief Symposium showcase misery and heaviness in equal measures, taking things to an even higher extreme as the track goes on. The pounding drum beats, the filthy riffs and demonic vocals are the stuff nightmares are made of.

Her Alone – Mother Gaia

Symphonic metal band Her Alone from Joensuu, Finland have released ‘Mother Gaia’, the lead single from their upcoming debut EP, ‘Dead End Dream’. It’s the band’s first song written by their singer Annika Eronen and is a ballad exploring humanity’s relationship with nature.

She explains:

I’ve always loved to wander through the forests. You can smell the spruces, see a rabbit hopping or admire the snow shimmering in the Sun during the winter. Unfortunately, in addition to all the natural beauty, you can also find garbage, and that’s where the song got its inspiration from. We can all do better, and the most important thing is to at least try.

All sales of the Mother Gaia single will be donated unabbreviated to the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

Nature is at the heart of this track and Her Alone showcase their feelings through a powerful combination of folkish and symphonic melody. Where the voice of Annika Eronen soars, the grandiosity grows and the melody has an otherworldly and ethereal feel. It perfectly conjures up the image of being deep within an ancient forest. Alone with your thoughts, the silence is captivating and peace washes over. Check it out here.

Vented – Vitriolic

The international groove metal supergroup that is Vented have premiered their brand-new song ‘Vitriolic’ which will appear on their forthcoming full-length debut album ‘Cruelty and Corruption’. Out on December 16th

The band’s vocalist Sean Zatorsky had the following to say about that song:

This is by far one of my favourite songs from the record. It’s about a hatred for someone, or something, that lives within the depths of your soul. Nothing says hate like spewing, seething, vitriol!

The last single to get you excited for the full album release, Vented’s debut is shaping up to be a raging, foaming and snarling banger with a lot of variety. This last single is a great example of their power and groove, where the riffs are solid gold, and an underlying dark tone makes everything sound so much heavier.

Artefacts – Augur the Age of Darkness

Symphonic black metal band, Artefacts have released a new single called ‘Augur the Age of Darkness’.

If you thought what they had released previously was cinematic and bombastic, hold on tight. Augur the Age of Darkness is this band turned up to eleven, something that is reflected in the 12+ minute runtime. Where sinister darkness reigns supreme and black metal runs head first into symphonic and cinematic grandness. Captivating from the first second to the very last. This band is something special. Check it out here.

Ne Obliviscaris – Equus

Progressive metal outfit Ne Obliviscaris will be releasing their long-awaited new full-length, Exul, on 24th March 2023 via Season of Mist. The band is now sharing the haunting new single ‘Equus’ along with a music video.

Most expect nothing but progressive brilliance from Ne Obliviscaris and most are rarely disappointed. A statement that is 100% true once again as the group unleash a 12+ minute single that runs the entire intense gambit of progressive metal. The sombre melody, the dark tone, the intensity of the metal and the wandering progressive detail makes for a fascinating listen. You’re going to spend hours with this track.