Single Slam: Monuments, Cage Fight, Rick Massie, The Virginmarys, Revoid, The Slaughter Daughter, SkinInc, Learn to Lie, Any Given Day, Casket Feeder and In Search of Sun!

This week’s single slam features Monuments, Cage Fight, Rick Massie, The Virginmarys, Revoid, The Slaughter Daughter, SkinInc, Learn to Lie, Any Given Day, Casket Feeder and In Search of Sun. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Monuments – False Providence

Transatlantic progressive metal outfit Monuments have released ‘False Providence’, another track and video taken from their anticipated 4th album, ‘In Stasis’, that is set for a release April 15th, 2022.

Says the band about the song and video:

When you dedicate your life to believing in something, then realising it was all for nothing. Despite your unflinching loyalty, the void within persists. – ‘As gods speak through us, suicidal sights remain.’

In Stasis is shaping up to be a huge album for Monuments and further proof of that comes from this heavyweight single. A track that has many peaks and valleys, and needs several listens to fully immerse yourself in, but once you do, it becomes clear that the challenge it poses is worthwhile. A technical marvel with bouts of crunchy heaviness, powerful melodies and epic sounding effects that add some spirituality to proceedings.

Cage Fight – Respect Ends

Hardcore/thrash/crossover band Cage Fight, have released a new single titled, ‘Respect Ends.’

Rachel explains:

This song is dedicated to men (or in fact anyone) who thinks it’s ok to harass, abuse, make inappropriate comments or not take no for an answer, both in the real world but also online. It’s also a message of solidarity to those who have been victims of such behaviour. The video is symbolic of the frustration and damage this can cause, and it’s something we, as a society, should not and will not accept.

The final message is clear. If this is how you behave, stay the fuck away. Otherwise, you will regret it.

With a statement like that, you just know this track is going to come out swinging and bloody hell, does it. Cage Fight are spitting up blood, teeth and mucus with this angry and aggressive beast. One that (sadly) a lot of people will be able to relate too. Cage Fight are fucking annoyed and this track portrays that in crunchy and crushing heavy style. One for the pit, that much is clear. Just keep your fucking hands to yourself. Check it out here.

Rick Massie – Counting the Stars

Progressive metal/rock artist Rick Massie has released ‘Counting the Stars’, his second single from his upcoming album, Guided to an Imperfect Light, out on June 3rd, 2022.

Take a deep breath, this is an 11-minute epic that comes screaming out of the gates with some of Rick’s heaviest and fastest riffs so far. The blistering blend of death, black and heavy metal is thrilling but you can’t help but wonder just how this will be sustained over such a long runtime.

Fear not, this is Rick Massie and his music is always about the journey. Regular listeners of the artist’s music will be totally at home as the track shifts and changes over its runtime. Becoming super bombastic sounding, dropping in an incredible synth-wave segment, eye-watering melodies, and showcasing the level of ingenuity that progressive music can still have. Can Rick Massie do any wrong? Check it out here.

The Virginmarys – The Meds

Alt-rockers, The Virginmarys are back with a brand-new single called ‘The Meds’. Their first as a two-piece.

It’s one hell of a challenge to go from a three-piece to a two-piece and still have the same Virginmarys power and poise. Challenge accepted though and answered with this new track. A groovy, swaying and striking slice of catchy rockiness that has all the hallmarks of The Virginmarys but is still experimental. Just listen to the echo on the vocals to understand that. Fans of the band will lap this up and those who may be about to experience their first taste will find their feet tapping, fingers drumming and head-nodding away. Check it out here.

Revoid – Ghost

Brisbane metal outfit Revoid are still gliding on the high from the announcement of their debut EP ‘Sleepless Still’ due out Friday April 29, and as a second teaser from the upcoming extended release the band share haunting new single, “Ghost”.

Explains vocalist Dale Dudeson:

With its many faces, and unknowable depths, depression turns us into what we hate the most.

Powerful lyrical content wrapped around some crunchy metalcore heaviness and a chorus that simply soars. Revoid have released one hell of a track in Ghost. Crushing instrumental heaviness that varies in tempo, vocals that spit fire throughout until the chorus comes along where they then ascend in captivating style, and layered effects that enhance rather than distract. A huge single.

The Slaughter Daughter – Sea Waters (Were Meant to Drag You)

The Slaughter Daughter, alias of the Barcelona artist Celia Bernal, presents her debut single ‘Sea Waters (Were Meant to Drag You)’.

In her own words, the song is about:

An external agent that, in some way, is part of yourself, about something or someone that, if you cut yourself off from your life, can end you. In a way, this song is about how we give voice through ourselves to harmful external agents that harass or terrify us, whether they are people, ideas or thoughts, that somehow come to us and we cannot avoid.

A baffling and eccentric play on post-metal, The Slaughter Daughter can certainly claim to have crafted something very unique here. A track that spends its first minute and a half delivering playful and energised instrumentation alongside delightfully light but powerful vocals. Before suddenly shifting into something much darker and oppressive. The slow tempo, vibrating rhythm and melodramatic vocals are harsher to the ears but just as bizarre as what came before. Wonderfully weird. Check it out here.

SkinInc – It Saved My Soul

Oz rock’n’rollers SkinInc. have released a brand-new single called ‘It Saved My Soul’. Their second single to be released this year, following the band’s two-decade hiatus.

What saved their soul? Rock and roll of course! Hell, we’ve all needed it at some time or another in our life and SkinInc are no different. So here they repay that debt by delivering a tribute to the inimitable style of music. A track that is incorrigibly infectious, one hell of a sing-along and to the point. It’s just a bit of fun. Check it out here.

Learn to Lie – Smile

Midlands based alt-rock band Learn to Lie are back, not only with a new vocalist but a brand-new single called ‘Smile’.

This feels like a big moment for Learn to Lie as they move forward showcasing the new and old in equal measure. The new being a refreshing set of vocals, the old being their familiar take on alternative rock. What we have here is a chunky, powerful and catchy rock tune that has interesting tinges of psychedelia here and there, and one hell of a massive sounding chorus. What’s really surprising though is just how heavy this one gets without straying out of rock territory. This is a banger. Check it out here.

Any Given Day – Apocalypse

German Metal heavyweight Any Given Day are back and have released their first new single ‘Apocalypse’ since their last full length Overpower in 2019.

The band states:

We want to spread the message that we all have to take responsibility in our lives and our society and not just to point at others. Instead of waiting for something to happen or to look for a scapegoat we all should ask ourselves how we can be an active part of the solution and not be part of the problem. If we all stand together, we can make an impact and can actually change things as a union.

Oh baby, this is one hell of a head-banger. If you’re not losing your shit to the main riff, the chorus will do the job. An incredibly infectious blast that features some epic melodrama but remains focused on stompy heaviness for the most part. The switch between clean and heavy singing is phenomenal but watch out for the breakdown. It’s bone-breaking stuff. 

Casket Feeder – Vulture Culture

Casket Feeder have revealed details of their debut album, Servants Of Violence, which is set for release on May 20th. They’ve also provided a taste of what can be expected with the first single, Vulture Culture.

If you’re familiar with what Casket Feeder do then rest assured, the band are delivering more of that exciting hardcore/death metal crossover sound. This is a banging blast of fiery ferocity that slams intensely while also delivering some really guttural death metal moments. It should be noted too that this is a band that has clearly grown as the track showcases more technicality that previously seen. An electrifying introduction to their debut album. Check it out here.

In Search of Sun – The Fire I Play With

London alt-rockers In Search of Sun return with a brand-new single & video called ‘The Fire I Play With’.

On the meaning behind new single and video Adam Leader comments:

We spend our entire lives continuously setting the bar of career and financial success to unobtainable heights, which can be dangerous because it’s incredibly easy to lose sight of what actually makes all the difference; love, friendship and the beauty of the world we live in.

It’s too easy to take for granted the happiness right before our eyes in the shadow of our own pursuit of material fulfilment that suddenly, our short time in this world has come to an end, but that realisation can often come too little too late.

Let’s get this out of the way straight away, this is a very pop-orientated track but don’t see that as a negative necessarily. As it’s pop twisted around In Search of Sun’s unique alt-rock tendencies, so expect plenty of reasons to groove, dance and head-bang. It’s unfiltered pop-rock fun with a strong and impactful message. Trust us, this one is going to be stuck in your head for days afterwards.