Single Slam: Pupil Slicer, Elder Devil, headcage, Damim, Elyrean, Sleep Token, Zac and the New Men, Deith, Annisokay, Vexing, indifferentMonKey, Thy Catafalque, Future Palace, and Spiritbox!

This week’s single slam features Pupil Slicer, Elder Devil, headcage, Damim, Elyrean, Sleep Token, Zac and the New Men, Deith, Annisokay, Vexing, indifferentMonKey, Thy Catafalque, Future Palace, and Spiritbox. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Pupil Slicer – No Temple

Pupil Slicer have shared a new single and music video, titled No Temple. No Temple is the second track to be taken from the group’s upcoming sophomore album, Blossom, due for release via Prosthetic Records on June 2nd.

After the polarising first single, Pupil Slicer bring listeners back to a more comfortable place with No Temple. Although calling anything Pupil Slicer do comfortable is a bit of a stretch. This new track is as feral and furious as they come, the band showcasing a merciless mathcore hit that is hilariously accessible while being utterly extreme in every aspect. It’s the Pupil Slicer way, abrasive and harsh, but beyond lovable. This is up there as one of their most intense tracks yet.

Elder Devil – My Body Is An Earthen Shrine

Grindcore outfit Elder Devil have shared a new single, titled ‘My Body Is An Earthen Shrine’, alongside an accompanying music video. It is the second track to be taken from the group’s forthcoming sophomore album, ‘Everything Worth Loving’, which is set for release via Prosthetic Records on June 16th.

A vitriolic blast of grinding intensity, Elder Devil are on animalistic form here. Delivering scathing fierceness, filthy rawness, and unmitigated violence in aural form. It’s a monstrous expulsion of noise that is sickeningly addictive. Don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve been pummelled by the end. Check it out here.

headcage – false god

Newcastle Upon Tyne alternative post-hardcore band, headcage, have released their brand new single ‘false gold’. It’s a single that encapsulates the way a lot of people feel in the current societal climate towards those with wealth and status.

Says vocalist Leyum Pattinson:

With this track I’m trying to lay down the premise of always wanting more from life, as in wealth, status or fame but ultimately realising the people and culture that those things predominantly exist in are not the world I come from or identify with in any way, shape or form. To put it simply, it’s something I’ve always wanted for so long, and is also something I hate.

It’s a thought-provoking, dramatic, melodic, and punchy blast of alt-metal from headcage. One with a massive chorus that might outshine ever other part of the track as it is so anthemic. Though, that’s not to suggest the whole package isn’t thoroughly listenable because it really bloody is. Check it out here.

Damim – World Turned Hell

London based extreme metal mainstays Damim have signed with Church Road Records and released the brand new single ‘World Turned Hell’.

Vocalist/guitarist Nathanael had this to say about the track:

A perfect example of the twisted sculptures of mangled metal we like to build, our new track “World Turned Hell” sits at the convergence of many traditional influences of Black, Death, Thrash and even Heavy Metal or Post-Punk. Like a lot of our favourites, you need a foundation of aged riffs that have been allowed to mature in the vats of our subconscious, a good portion of more recent finds that compel you to play them over and over again, along with the glue of rehearsal room spontaneity to bind everything together.

Trapped as we are in this disturbing and fast-changing world, I dare hope that fans both old and new can find solace in our latest expression of the existential outrage experienced in deep personal grief.

Consistently innovative, the creative entity that is Damim arrive with a new single that is the epitome of epic extreme metal. A virulent and violent slab of heavy that beings blackened and death-infused force to the surface. A deep sense of darkness seeps through every part of this track, ensnaring the mind, body, and soul in a cacophony of extreme. A phenomenal track from Damim.

Elyrean – Perpetually Entombed

Technical Thrashers Elyrean have released their new single ‘Perpetually Entombed’. A track that tells a story of how, with all the negative things going on in the world, you can sometimes feel trapped with no means of escape.

Vocalist Will Edwards shares:

Perpetually Entombed is a song that goes back to our roots with fast-paced technical Thrash riffs, aggressive vocals, pounding drums and blistering solos. We have been so excited to get new music out to the world, especially a song that has such a prevalent meaning in this day and age.

It’s great to hear new music from Elyrean, especially when it’s as meaningful and meaty as Perpetually Entombed. From the very start, a lot of noise is being created as the instruments reach a thrashy crescendo and the vocals spit and snarl with impressive ferocity. Yet, it’s the technical developments and fanatical passion that Elyrean exude that really takes hold. Check it out here.

Sleep Token – DYWTYLM

Sleep Token have released a brand-new single called ‘DYWTYLM.’ With fan worship more intense than ever, and worldwide interest and intrigue growing at runaway speed, studio album Number Three, Take Me Back To Eden, will be released on May 19th via Spinefarm.

Expected the unexpected with Sleep Token, aside from a rabid fanbase telling you that every new song is the best thing they’ve ever heard. That’s not a knock, each to our own, but this is a difficult one to connect to. Genre-blending is what they do, and this is all about electronica melody and vulnerability in the vocals. Hopefully, in the bigger album picture, it will fit more comfortably than it does on its own.

Zac and the New Men – That’s Ok

South Wales, alternative pop rock band Zac and the New Men have announced their upcoming debut album ‘Reinvent Me’ will be released on Friday 18th May and features brand new single ‘That’s Ok’ which is out now.

With a lot of heart and soul, and catchy rhythms that blur the lines of pop and rock nicely, Zac and the New Men make the listener feel with That’s Ok. The bursts of rockier groove meshing well with the dramatic melodies and soft tone. It’s a sweet track with just enough bite to make you sit up and take notice. Check it out here.

Deith – Don’t Get Mad … Get Even!

Death-thrash force Dieth – featuring the iconic line-up of Grammy Award winning bassist David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth), Swedish Grammy nominated guitarist/vocalist Guilherme Miranda (ex-Entombed A.D.) and drummer Michał Łysejko (ex-Decapitated) – have released their new single and video, ‘Don’t Get Mad … Get Even!’.

The new single is the second glimpse of their highly anticipated debut full-length ‘To Hell And Back’, out 2nd June 2023 via Napalm Records.

It’s a heavy one! A head-banging inducing one. Deith are going for a metal anthem here, one that a crowd can scream and shout along to, all while going as wild as possible in the pit. Something they certainly achieve with some rollicking riff work, mouthy vocals, and thrashy intensity. It’s a cool track. Check it out here.

Annisokay – Human

German metalcore powerhouse Annisokay have released a video for their brand new single Human, out now via Arising Empire.

Good stuff from Annisokay here. Both meaty and melodic, liable to get the head-banging nicely but with a massively harmonious chorus. It’s an uber-catchy example of this band’s capabilities but also proof that when they want to go hard, they are go really freaking hard. Just wait until the breakdown if want to understand that, it’s a beast.

Vexing – Shallow Breath

Progressive sludge trio Vexing have released ‘Shallow Breath’, a new song off their upcoming full-length debut, Grand Reproach. Ordovician Records will release Grand Reproach on CD, cassette, and digital formats on May 26th.

The band had this to say about their newest single:

This song encapsulates the last few years for us. Lyrically, its describes the anxiety we were all personally dealing with at the time. Sonically, it captures manic listlessness with abrupt changes of pace and warping timbral shifts. We each firmly believe in this song as it represents a space in time for us. Creating it was its own sort of reward after burdening some not so great things.

An abrasive and raw style of sludge, given even more soul sucking weight thanks to the progressive abilities of Vexing. The combination proving to be both wild, ferocious, and filthy. The band adapting and expanding on the overall garishness to ensure nothing feels lethargic or allows the mind to become numb to the noise. Check it out here.

indifferentMonKey – Take Faith

Alt-rock/Trip-hop award-winning (best band – Radio Wig Wam/Jamma Music Awards) band indifferentMonKey have released their new single ‘Take Faith’.

The word ‘creative’ is what comes to mind when talking about indifferentMonKey who are in a league of their own when it comes to unique takes on alternative rock. Evident via this eclectic, infectious, and indie rock-riffic effort. It’s a bit sexy, it’s a bit groovy, and it is extremely catchy. The buzz around this band makes a whole lot more sense now having heard this track. Check it out here.

Thy Catafalque – A csend hegyei

Avant-garde act Thy Catafalque have now unveiled ‘A csend hegyei’, the second offering from the upcoming album ‘Alföld’. It will be released via Season of Mist on June 16, 2023.

Mastermind Tamás Kátai comments:

The title of the song means ‘The Mountains of Silence’ and this is the opening track of the album with the vocals of Lambert Lédeczy from Ahriman and Mörbid Carnage. The song is sombre and dark, something that has been inside me for years and finally released. The video was created by Chad Michael Ward and shot in Sweden.

After a strong showing with the first single, expectations are that little bit higher for the new album and that is only going to increase once this new single has spread its dark and savage tendrils through the mind. Something that is going to happen regardless of your consent, as Thy Catafalque deliver a tome of heavy, black-infused, and vicious sounding metal. It’s almost a straight-up slab of intensity, far removed from their usual avant-garde style, but layered with atmosphere and with a detailed closing segment that moves the track into weirder locales. It is an immense offering from an immense band.

Future Palace – Malphas

German trio Future Palace have released a video for their brand new single ‘Malphas’, out now via Arising Empire. The track is the band’s first new music since their second album Run, released last year via the label.

It’s good to have this band back and what a way to announce their return. The combination of powerful melody, intense heaviness, and anthemic rhythms is so thrilling. Musically, it’s like a coiled spring that is ready to go off and take your eye out. When it does, holy hell, is it a bloody show. Future Palace are one of the most exciting modern bands in the metal and this track is just further proof of that. Check it out here.

Spiritbox – The Void

Heavy music’s hottest band, Spiritbox, have release their brand-new track, The Void and its accompanying music video.

Spiritbox vocalist, Courtney LaPlante shares:

The Void is a song that came about very quickly. I didn’t have to fight with anything to write it, and when that happens, I don’t argue with it. It’s a type of song that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time, I’ve heard it hundreds of times now, and it makes me so happy every time I hear it. It’s been such an amazing experience playing this song on our tour, and watching people hear it for the first time, in real time.

Is there a hotter band in metal right now? Spiritbox’s rise has been immense and quick, and they aren’t letting that momentum halt in the slightest. The Void is very much them as it features frenetic instrumentation, soaring vocals, and a memorable chorus. The perfect hitter for fans of the band, it’s a good track, even if it’s not the most interesting one they have released.