Single Slam: Ne Obliviscaris, Enslaved, Now After Nothing, Hands Of Attrition, Swollen Teeth, August Burns Red, Mimi Barks, Triagone, Ruff Majik, Deathstars, and Tribulation!

This week’s single slam features Ne Obliviscaris, Hands Of Attrition, Enslaved, Now After Nothing, Swollen Teeth, August Burns Red, Mimi Barks, Triagone, Ruff Majik, Deathstars, and Tribulation. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Ne Obliviscaris – Graal

Progressive metal outfit Ne Obliviscaris have released their new single ‘Graal’, taken from their long-awaited new full-length, Exul, released 24th March 2023 via Season of Mist.

Who could have expected this from Ne Obliviscaris after hearing the previous single? This new track is a different beast but one that is as fascinating and compelling as ever. This is a gargantuan offering, nearly nine minutes long, but feeling half that. Wondrous layering of a violin, epic vocals, crunchy tech-death intensity, thrilling guitar solos, it’s a track that doesn’t stop delivering in all its complex beauty.

Enslaved – Forest Dweller

Enslaved have released ‘Forest Dweller’, a new single and video from Heimdal, their 16th studio album due out on March 3rd 2023.

Enslaved’s Grutle Kjellson comments:

To me ‘Forest Dweller’ was the most immediate song on the album, at least in its earliest form as an instrumental demo. I spent quite some time to get into some of the other songs of the album, but this one seemed somehow logical, well logical by Enslaved standards that is. I had an idea for a lyric, and Ivar’s amazing and diverse riffs on this one made it easy to pan out the scripture. I made a rough plan on what to sing over it, and we actually ended up using some parts of those recordings on the album!

The song sort of showcases our representative samples of inspiration: Led Zep, Genesis, Destruction, Iron Maiden and David Bowie, to mention a schizophrenic tapestry of influences. It mirrors in the lyrics as well, which deals about both darkness and light in connection to the nature of Heimdal.

The intro to this song will have most completely sold on its quality. It’s so epic sounding. Fear not though, Enslaved are way more than just a wicked intro and this new single showcases a band making their kind of music with a confidence not heard before. Powerful, touching, and detailed… Forest Dweller is daring but not so much that it is off-putting to those who know what they want from Enslaved. It’s them, but an evolved and progressive version. Fascinating stuff. Check it out here.

Now After Nothing – Sick Fix

Darkwave duo Now After Nothing release their dynamic debut single “Sick Fix” as frontman Matt Spatial and drummer Michael Allen unveil their new project.

In a world of ‘same olds’, it’s extremely difficult to stand out, especially as more and more bands attempt to throw everything at the wall in the hope of making something stick. Some manage to get some brief attention, others fail miserably, and a select few turn heads with the very first song they put out. Now After Nothing are one the latter, delivering a wholly unique sounding track that combines catchy guitar driven rhythms, eclectic synth and electronica, punky spirit and exciting levels of body-shaking groove. It’s an addictive listen and certainly suggests that this band might be one to watch.

Hands of Attrition – Solace

Begging for solace, is to be released from the toxic bubble the modern age finds itself in. Birmingham Groove Metallers, Hands Of Attrition tackle the difficulties of living in a modern society and battling inner demons with their latest single Solace. Out on February 1st, 2023.

It’s great to have Hands of Attrition back, even more so when they are dropping bangers like this. Solace is fast, energetic, heavy, and groovy. The explosive intensity of the band showcased from the first second to the very last. A band that can go this heavy shouldn’t also sound so damn catchy but that’s Hands of Attrition for you. Always delivering something incredibly memorable and Solace is very freaking memorable. You can check it out here, upon release.

Swollen Teeth – SWOLLENTEETH

Swollen Teeth have announced their debut EP, a brutal, visceral, roundhouse kick to the gut of the modern heavy music landscape produced by Slipknot’s Sid Wilson. The self-titled EP will drop on Wednesday, April 26th. The announcement is highlighted by the release of the EP title track and its accompanying music video.

What to make of Swollen Teeth based off this first track? On the one hand, there’s some obvious talent in the band and all the pieces are effective. However, this just isn’t that good. A bit of a mess might be a kinder way to describe it. Most will almost certainly do a double take, the first time they hear the vocals. It’s not that they’re bad, they’re really not, it’s just that they just don’t fit the music. There’s fusion and then there’s whatever Swollen Teeth are doing here. Let’s hope they’re got better songs to showcase going forward. Check it out here.

August Burns Red – Backfire

Grammy-nominated Lancaster, PA five-piece August Burns Red will drop its new album ‘Death Below’ on March 24 via SharpTone Records. They have dropped the video for the new single “Backfire.

Says August Burns Red:

‘Backfire’ is song that musically is a punch in the face, and we wrote the lyrics to follow suit. The song is about choosing who you follow wisely, and not allowing people you’ve never met to influence the decisions you make in life. ‘Backfire’ ticks all the boxes when it comes to an ABR song.

Nothing too outlandish here from August Burns Red but that just means it’s a solid slab of core that has widespread appeal. Consistent hard hitters from a hard hitting band, Featuring some strong riffs, exceptional drumming, and throat-tearing vocals, it’s an August Burns Red banger. Which is always extremely welcome. Check it out here.

Mimi Barks – Saw

Doom Trap artist Mimi Barks has unveiled the official music video for her single Saw. The track is taken from her debut mixtape ‘Deadgirl’ which was released in December last year via Silent Cult and featured a collection of her most recent singles.

Says Mimi Barks:

SAW, the third song on the DEADGIRL Mixtape, marks the resistance, rage, and anger I experienced while seeking my identity and self-worth on an emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental level.

Working independently on set with a micro team—just me, and my videographer, and his camera—it takes me back to my roots. No crew, no lights, and no screenplay. It’s raw, industrial and dirty – with the walls of the derelict buildings captured in the music video reflecting the wrath and backlash of my internal war.

If this is your first experience of Mimi Barks, you might be feeling the same sense of shock felt here. Even reading a description that sums the style up as ‘doom-trap’ can in no way explain just what kind of music Mimi Barks is making. At a little over two minutes long, Saw gets in and gets out in speedy fashion. It leaves you feeling bewildered but sure you need to hear it again. The right crowd is going to love this, that’s for sure. Everyone else might need a bit more time though.

Traigone – Nvlla Regvla Sine Exceptione

Belgian Tech-Death Metal band Traigone releases another single Nvlla Regvla Sine Exceptione taken off of their debut EP “Sem Papyrvs”, which is going to be released on February 10th, 2023.

A meaty and manic blast of brutal technical death metal, Traigone have already satisfied the appetite for this new release with the previous singles but add even more flavour with this track. Everything the band does well; the guttural vocal performances, the ripping riffing, the chunky bass, and roaring drums is on show, and it’s brilliant. Check it out here.

Ruff Majik – Elektrik Ram

Elektrik Ram is the new single and title track from South African stoner rock reprobates Ruff Majik’s upcoming album.

Let’s freaking go! Ruff Majik are back and with a blast of heavy rock that gets well and truly jammed in the brain. It’s groovy, it’s frenetic, it’s catchy, it’s a little weird, but most of all, it’s bloody good. It’s really as simple as stating that this new single is a banger and a must listen for those who want to get up and move a bit. Check it out here.

Deathstars – This Is

Swedish industrial cult act Deathstars finally return with their latest sonic output Everything Destroys You, which will be released on May 5th through Nuclear Blast Records. Their first release in over eight years marks a long-awaited comeback, celebrated with the video for the first single ‘This Is’ .

A long awaited return, fans have been chomping at the bit to experience new Deathstars music for some time. Which does mean the group play it quite safe here and release something that is very much them. Though that isn’t a criticism, as Deathstars on form is always a fun experience. With This Is, we get a solid slab of industrial metal and groove, a bit of a sing-along that is deliciously catchy in their grubby, sinister way. Check it out here.

Tribulation – Axis Mundi

Swedish Grammis Award-winners Tribulation have announced their upcoming EP Hamartia, due for release 17th April via Century Media Records. In celebration, they’ve also shared the new single and video for ‘Axis Mundi’.

Tribulation guitarist Adam Zaars comments on the new single:

‘Axis Mundi’ sees TRIBULATION entering The Machine Age through the lens of dystopian fiction in a journey to the centre of the world, and beyond. Being the first composition by Joseph Tholl (guitars), it offers the listener and the viewer a new set of flavours and hues to the palate, and from the palette that constitutes the egregore that is TRIBULATION. A new year calls for a fresh start, so please consider making this a part of the soundtrack to yours.

A band that never fails to excite, Tribulation’s concoction of gothic rock, black, and death metal is always unique. The word that certainly comes to mind with this new single. If it’s your first experience of the band’s music, you’re certainly going to be scratching your head, even while it’s banging away to the tempo. If you’ve been on this train all along, then Tribulation’s eccentric, progressive-tinged and moody offering will delight.