Single Slam: Obituary, Delain, Aphyxion, We’re Wolves, Moskito, American Standards, WormRose, Those Damn Crows, Distant, Night City, Ov Sulfur, All Are to Return, Hundred Reasons, Necrotted and Bury Tomorrow!

This week’s single slam features Obituary, Delain, Aphyxion, We’re Wolves, Moskito, American Standards, WormRose, Those Damn Crows, Distant, Night City, Ov Sulfur, All Are to Return, Hundred Reasons, Necrotted and Bury Tomorrow. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Obituary – Dying of Everything

Legendary Florida death metal icons Obituary return with their highly anticipated new album, Dying of Everything, out 13th January via Relapse Records. The band have shared the official audio for the album title-track ‘Dying of Everything’.

Obituary comment:

We picked the title-track for the second single to give fans a taste of something a bit different than that typical OBITUARY style. We are excited to showcase Ken’s writing ability when he and Donald put their heads together, and feel it just adds some extra flavor & spice to ‘Dying of Everything’. Can’t wait for the fans to hear it!!

Freaking Obituary! The first single from this new album was special and this second one continues to deliver on the promise of intense death metal heaviness and thrash-infused speed. A frenzy of death, Obituary hark back to the old days of their sound to smash heads and pulverise necks. It’s simple, straight-forward and exciting death metal as only this band is capable of doing.

Delain – Beneath

Like a phoenix from the flames, metal masters Delain have recently returned with a new line up, setting off into a new era. The multi-million streaming, leading outfit now set the stage for their eagerly awaited next studio album, Dark Waters, set for release on February 10th, 2023, via Napalm Records. The new single “Beneath” is out now.

This new chapter of Delain begins with a bang, a symphonic metal bang that sees new vocalist Diana deliver immense power and range. All while Delain does what Delain does best. Pounding rhythms, epic metal and catchy choruses. The latter is one of the strongest parts of this track as the melody here is wonderful. Check it out here.

Aphyxion – Heavy Shadows

Danish Metalcore outfit Aphyxion, recently announced the release of their new album ‘Ad Astra’ out 10th February via Circular Wave and have now released another taste of what is to come in the form of new single ‘Heavy Shadows’, with rising UK band Immerse featuring on the track.

Says Jonas Haagensen (Guitarist/Producer):

The entire song felt right and said all the things we were aiming for, but it was as though it could be lifted up even higher, if we could add more progression in the energy. We wanted something more screamy and aggressive, so when the talk about getting a feature from Immerse came about, it was a no-brainer. Archie absolutely killed it, so we are stoked that we got him on the track.

This band has been killing it as of late and that isn’t changing anytime soon as they deliver something quite exceptional with Heavy Shadows. An apt title because it has some real meatiness to it and has an underlying darkness running through it. Yet, the band’s team up with Immense adds a layer of metalcore energy that works so well. Also, the chorus is very infectious.

We’re Wolves – Titanium

Heavy rockers We’re Wolves are back with a brand-new single, Titanium. This follows on from their widely loved debut album ‘Evil Things’ in 2021.

Says AJ Diaferio – vocalist of We’re Wolves:

We are extremely proud and excited about this release. This song really spoke to all of us, and we feel it’s the best representation of the past 6 years of our career in crafting this sound. This is only the beginning of what we have in store for all of you. Here’s to the next chapter of We’re Wolves.

To coin a cliché, this band has the ‘it’. The speed at which they are rising is eye-watering and if you’re not already on board, you run the risk of being left behind. This isn’t just because of Evil Things. The proof? This absolute heavy rock banger that comes with a fun, tongue in cheek, video. Aggressive, frantic, and so damn catchy. It’s got such an anthemic chorus but be careful you don’t mess your neck up through the sheer weight of the head-banging that it encourages. Check it out here.

Moskito – 517

Fearless UK band Moskito are back with their ‘Gritty, British, and in your face’ brand of fresh Punk Rock. The band are today thrilled to announce their highly anticipated debut mixtape ‘Bad Love’ which is set for release on Friday 27th January. On top of this announcement Moskito have shared a raging offering from the mixtape titled ‘517’.

Hold on to your asses, Moskito have a new track to move to. 517 comes with a blistering amount of catchy energy, and plenty of weird and wonderful groove. The virulent ‘Britishness’ runs through the track like a thick vein, it’s impossible to predict where it goes next and it just so happens to feature a very memorable chorus. It’s a blast of dramatic and quirky energy. Check it out here.

American Standards – The Dealer

Hardcore punk band, American Standards have released a brand-new single called The Dealer’. Taken from their upcoming EP, Dopamine Dealer. The song plays off Doris Day’s 1950s song “Que Sera, Sera” while incorporating themes of perseverance through self-doubt.

It feels like a long time since we crossed paths with American Standards, so it is very cool to hear something so fresh, so energised and so powerful from the group. Transitioning from the well-known Que Sera, Sera melody into something frantic and frenzied. The hardcore punk style that the band is so well-known for is on full and furious display here. Circle pit mayhem and heavy crowd-killing noise, it’s a freaking head-banger and one to play loud.

WormRose – Sinners are Shades

WormRose is a Swedish metal/hard-rock band with roots in Helsingborg, Stockholm and Uddevalla. They have released their debut single, Sinners are Shades.

Combining old-school heavy metal head-banging with groovy rock elements, WormRose certainly hit the ground running with this debut single. A track that is very catchy, has lovely melodic tone shifts and features deeper lyrical meaning as the inspiration comes from skepticism of organized religion. The chorus will be stuck in the head for hours afterwards. Check it out here.

Those Damn Crows – This Time I’m Ready

Welsh rock squad Those Damn Crows wear their heart on their sleeves with the release of their deeply personal new single, ‘This Time I’m Ready’. The song lays bare intense feelings around loss and grief.

The single forms the midpoint on their upcoming, latest studio album, ‘Inhale/Exhale’, which is set for release worldwide on February 17th, 2023 via Earache Records.

Frontman Shane Greenhall shares:

This time I’m ready is a song about a one way conversation I have with my Dad. He’s been gone 11 years now but as anyone who’s ever lost and grieved somebody close, you never stop talking to them as they were (and will continue to be) a huge part in your life.

I think the whole grieving process can be both mentally and emotionally brutal, with long lasting effects. Everyone deals with pain and grief differently, I believe it’s made me stronger and genuinely given me more incentive and desire to go do the things I want to do… ‘This time I’m ready, light the fire in me.’

Those Damn Crows continue to show their development and advancement with a track that has all the rocking energy and anthemic qualities fans have come to expect from them. Yet, this is something a bit different and the drama oozes from every pore. Extremely catchy and exceptionally heartfelt, without being overtly melodramatic. Check it out here.

Distant – Orphan of Blight

On February 10th, Distant – the multinational down-tempo/deathcore juggernaut from Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and the Slovak Republic – will release their third full-length, Heritage, via Century Media Records. The latest single, ‘Orphan of Blight’ is out now.

Distant comments:

If there ever was to be a song that encapsulates everything Distant is, then it’s ‘Orphan of Blight’ from our upcoming album, ‘Heritage’. With our signature mix of theatrical and energetic delivery, ‘Orphan of Blight’ also includes an opera singer as the wonderful icing on a devastating deathcore cake!

This new album is not just shaping up to be the best work that Distant have produced so far but one of 2023’s best albums of the year. Such is the strength of the previous singles and this new one, Orphan of Blight. Distant blending grandiosity with disgustingly heavy deathcore intensity. The combination is head-banging gold, metal this intense shouldn’t be listenable but this is Distant and they really are something special.

Night City – Tomorrow’s World (Killing Joke Cover)

Brutal industrial socio-anarchists Night City have released their cover of the Killing Joke song, Tomorrow’s World. A rendition that is a secret bonus track on the ‘Kuang XI’ cassette release but is now available on its own and with a video.

An interesting choice of songs to cover, especially when you consider the dark industrial soundscape that Night City deliver. Yet, that just means they’re able to truly transform a familiar track. Which is certainly something they do, keeping the spirit of Killing Joke’s original alive and well but twisting it into something much darker and moodier. It’s fresh and interesting to listen to. Check it out here.

Ov Sulfer – Death Ov Circumstance

Blackened deathcore outfit Ov Sulfur have shared their blasphemous new single titled ‘Death Ov Circumstance’. The track also comes with a God-fearing music video.

Vocalist Ricky Hoover comments:

This is another perspective on the poison that is religion. Rather than directly attack the current church, I looked back on history to the Salem Witch Trials. That was a time when Christianity persecuted others, while its believers either picked up their torches at worst or turned a blind eye at best – a pretty terrible best-case scenario. This is a scenario that has repeated itself throughout history during slaughters such as the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. Our video is more a fantasy world where the witches get their revenge. After one and her baby are burned alive, she and her friends come back to enact some sweet justice.

A freaking slab of brutality, Ov Sulfer are pulling out the heavy guns here and blending in touches of melody and clean singing to give it even more power. Hyperactive heaviness, symphonic grandeur and an epic sounding chorus. It’s a beastly listen.

All Are to Return – A State in Fear

Two-man formation All Are to Return presents extreme, experimental music with an urgent sense of dread on their new single ‘A State in Fear’.

Abrasive and nightmarish, All Are to Return showcase an experimental side that will make you feel deeply uncomfortable. Yet, for all its coarse tones, there is something so hypnotic about the tension it creates. Instrumentally cold and sharp, howling vocals make the early portion of the track unforgettable. Yet, the transformation that comes from a heavy beat and haunting electronica is even more impactful. Perpetual dread indeed. Check it out here.

Hundred Reasons – New Glasses

Last month, Hundred Reasons announced that their first album together in 15 years, Glorious Sunset, is due for release on 24th Feb 2023 via SO Recordings.

Following this week’s announcement that the band would be Special Guests at 2000 Trees in 2023, the band has now shared the next single, New Glasses.

Vocalist Colin Doran had the following to say about the themes behind the track:

The lyrics for this song are really about a person I used to work with that spent lots of time treating people badly to cover up their own inadequacies. They were not good at their job but, due to their massive ego and how they wished to be perceived by others, preferred to make others feel deficient. The song describes how I came to realise this. The amusing thing is that it was a working title as when we started writing it, Larry had actually got new glasses that day but the name stuck.

What an excellent piece of music this is. Catchy and rhythmic, but with a delightful amount of heart and soul. The flow is unforgettable, the harmonisation is immense and its chorus gets jammed right into the brain matter. Hundred Reasons’ return is shaping up to be something very special indeed and this new album has become one of the most anticipated for 2023.

Necrotted – Riech der Gier

German slamming death metallers Necrotted have unveiled their politically charged, dark new track ‘Reich der Gier’, along with a powerful music video.

The band comment:

With ‘Reich Der Gier’ we want to present another experimental single, in which we pushed our musical limits further, using elements of intensive black metal combined with merciless brutality of death metal, to create a very unique, vicious experience.

A very dark, cold and miserable expulsion of brutal death metal and blackened noise. Necrotted focus on threat, delivered in an explosively heavy and experimental way on this new single. Vocals that are sung in both English and German and some of this year’s most bone-crunching drumming, it’s a thrilling blast of brutality. Check it out here.

Bury Tomorrow – Boltcutter

British metal sextet, Bury Tomorrow, have released, ‘Boltcutter’, another crushing taste of their forthcoming seventh album. The aptly titled, ‘The Seventh Sun’, will be released on March 31st, 2023, on Music for Nations.

Speaking of the track, guitarist Kristan Dawson shares:

From the second we put the finishing touches to Boltcutter, we knew it had to be a single. Whilst it is a fundamental Bury Tomorrow track, being both loud and heavy, it also emphasises the new era of our band.

Specifically, it highlights influences we haven’t necessarily channelled through Bury Tomorrow before, and it’s a pleasure to continue to expand the possibilities of our music. It began its existence through Tom crafting the foundations, with an ambient and electronic soundscape, before the rest of the band provided their usual expertise.

The march forward of Bury Tomorrow continues as the metalcore heavyweights unleash a smashing and energetic anthem. One that ticks all the right boxes and makes it clear just what direction the new line-up is heading in. You’ll recognise this as Bury Tomorrow (just hear the chorus to be sure of that) but it’s who Bury Tomorrow are now. It might not be the most interesting of tracks but it’s got popular anthem written all over it.