Single Slam: Mountain Caller, Eschalon, Unprocessed, Rough Justice, Exocrine, Mosaic, Novelists, Going Off, and Scene Queen!

This week’s single slam features Mountain Caller, Eschalon, Unprocessed, Rough Justice, Exocrine, Mosaic, Novelists, Going Off, and Scene Queen. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Mountain Caller – Dead Language

London based progressive rock trio Mountain Caller continue their musical voyage in the form of their second LP ‘Chronicle II: Hypergenesis’ which is set for release on January 26th, 2024, via Church Road Records.

As anticipation for the new album builds, the trio have released their new single ‘Dead Language’, taken from Chronicle II: Hypergenesis.

Excited for Chronicle II: Hypergenesis yet? If not, Dead Language will change that. Finding Mountain Caller in a melodramatic mood, layering the track with exhilarating complexities and getting more and more intense as it plays out. The increasing heavier tempo, explosive instrumentation, melodic shifts, deft vocal performance (which sees a rare moment of bassist El Reeve taking to the mic), and erratic progression leaves a mighty impression.

Eschalon – Helios

UK tech-metalcore newcomers Eschalon have launched with their debut single ‘Helios’, along with a stunning music video. Featuring the legendary Neema Askari of Fell Silent.

The band comment:

Burning compassion in the face of shadows. ‘Helios’ is a fervent testament to the unyielding spirit that reaches out to uplift those grappling with turmoil. The lyrics weave an intricate tapestry of heartfelt altruism, resonating with anyone who’s ever extended a hand to someone in need. It’s a symphony of devotion, capturing the fiery passion of aiding others while acknowledging the toll it can take. Journeys through cosmic allegories mirror the emotional voyage, as the track kindles a guiding light through the darkest of times.

Hello Eschalon, there’s plenty of room at the tech-metal table for music that hits this hard. The newcomers laying out their technical capabilities and metalcore groove with a memorable banger, aided by the immense talents of Fell Silent’s Neema Askari. One hell of a guest for a debut single, and one hell of a noisy slice of abrasive heaviness. As the kids say – this slaps. Check it out here.

Unprocessed – Glass

Boundary pushing quartet Unprocessed have released their new single / video ‘Glass’, taken from their upcoming third album ‘…and everything in between’, set for release on 1st December 2023.

The band comment:

‘Glass’ serves as the atmospheric, dark, yet beautiful episode of our album. Starting with a signature Unprocessed tapping harmonic riff, ‘Glass’ delivers upon a story of toxic love and the sacrifices one has to make to sustain this kind of relationship. The lyrics state “Loving you feels like walking on broken glass”. The song travels through a storm and culminates in a hopeful ending with its unexpected mood change. ‘Glass’ is a big ballad that perfectly captures the melodic side of this record, and we can’t wait to hear you sing along with us.

One of the most fascinating bands in modern music right now, you can reliably know that whatever Unprocessed put out, it’s going to be unique and it’s going to leave some sort of impression. Which proves to be the case with this single, once again. A great example of how harmonious they can be, while also showing how ardently intense they can be. Intensity that comes from atmosphere and melody, rather than outright heaviness. It’s another strong effort from this band.

Rough Justice – Backwards Mask

Sheffield hardcore band Rough Justice have released their new single and music video for ‘Backwards Mask’. The track is taken from the band’s recently announced debut full length album ‘Faith In Vain’, out via MLVLTD.

On the new single, Rough Justice comment:

The first single, ‘Backwards Mask’, is a compact piece of classical hardcore songwriting of the highest calibre. The intensity built in the intro is released through an intense yet sophisticated breakdown reminiscent of early Incendiary. This is followed by an opening verse that sees vocalist, James Tippett, deliver a hellish tirade over syncopated guitars. The anger in James’ voice conveys a clear message: ‘Backwards Mask’ is a song about practicing what you preach, highlighting the pervasiveness of outward displays of morality that aren’t substantiated by actual moral action or real care. The band understands that being vocal about things you’re passionate about is important, but that taking practical action to back it up is all the more important.

Bone breaking and teeth smashing stuff from Rough Justice who are bringing the hardcore heaviness with this manic effort. Nothing particularly complex here, just a track to go wild to, in classic hardcore style. Get your two-step ready, Rough Justice have the tune to go along with your personalised chaos. Check it out here.

Exocrine – Legend

Tech-death quartet Exocrine will release their new album ‘Legend’ on January 26th, 2023, via Season of Mist and have now released the first single, the eponymous title track.

An incredible piece of music from an incredible band, Exocrine are on another level when it comes to showcasing tech-death. Legend shows that they’re only getting more powerful as time goes by. Blending erratic and emphatic progressive soundscapes with epic brutality, the instrumentation from this band is staggeringly good. How about the jazzy section though? Absolutely f**king mental stuff. Check it out here.

Mosaic – Broken Home

Bristol based trio Mosaic are back with another feel-good alt rock banger called ‘Broken Home’. The follow up to their recent single ‘R U OK?’. It tells the story of a struggling relationship. How going through the motions becomes second nature even when it’s mentally draining. Leading to the question “are we just wasting our time, fixing our broken home?”.

A track with such a melancholic tone shouldn’t be as catchy as this track is, but that’s Mosaic for you. Taking their props from the world pop punk, punk rock, and alternative rock to craft something exceptionally infectious. Yet, for all it’s foot-tapping and sing-along qualities, it’s the hearty passion that Mosaic has that truly stands out.

Novelists – Prisoner

Novelists, the renowned French progressive metalcore sensation, has unveiled a dynamic new single and music video, ‘Prisoner.’ The song’s poignant lyrics resonate with themes of transformation and inner strength, mirroring the band’s own journey and evolution.

An absolute barnburner of a release that has layers of atmosphere, bright melodies, empathic heaviness, and progressive layers that excite. It’s a very interesting track, and also one that shows the fresher direction that Novelists are heading in. If this is a sign of what the future holds for this band, it’s going to be a damn good time spending it with them.

Going Off – Servant To The Skin / Smile

Hardcore noise-mongers Going Off continue their impressive output with another pair of singles. Turning up the heat by dropping ‘Servant To The Skin’ and ‘Smile’.

Vocalist Jake Huxley said this about the lead single ‘Servant To The Skin’:

Hellraiser is one of my favourite horror movies and I think I channelled a lot of that energy when writing this song. It’s about the fact that all human consciousness is bound to the human body. This living vessel, made up of flesh, bone, blood and all the gristly bits in between. It’s always been one of those ghastly outlooks I’ve had on life. The mind is a slave to the body it inhabits. We are servants to our own skin.

Going Off are a revelation in the hardcore scene and once again, they absolutely crush it with a pair of tracks that could be the heaviest things they’ve released so far. Servant To The Skin isn’t just a savage expulsion of garish noise, it’s dark. Whereas Smile stomps and gurns with grim intensity. They’re a band who promise to kick your ass and always deliver on it. Check out Servants to the Skin here and Smile here.

Scene Queen – MILF (Man I Love Fucking)

Bbimbocore royalty Scene Queen brings the ‘yeehaw’ energy with her new single and music video for ‘MILF (Man I Love Fucking)’. Taken from her newly announced debut album, ‘Hot Singles In Your Area’, due Spring 2024 via Hopeless Records.

On the new single and album announcement, Scene Queen comments:

MILF is a track I wrote to solidify that bimbocore is any and all genres, but the glue that holds it together is sick riffs and chaotic Scene Queen energy. The track came about from sitting with friends and asking, ‘what if we took all the most gate-kept genres and put them together?’ And it turned into one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written.

This might be the most brilliant things released this year or one of the worst things released this year. That’s going to depend entirely on the listener’s tastes, but it’s easy to be objective and see both points of views. What can be indisputable is the fact that this is one hell of a fun track, and definitely shouldn’t be played around the family dinner table.