Single Slam: Sugar Horse, Nervosa, Vicious Rain, War Honey, Wake of Dawn, Heart of a Coward, Boargazm, Psython, Ratbreed, Titanosaur, Awaken Eternity, New Habits, Second Cities, Sworn Against, and Hollywood Undead!

This week’s single slam features Sugar Horse, Nervosa, Vicious Rain, War Honey, Wake of Dawn, Heart of a Coward, Boargazm, Psython, Ratbreed, Titanosaur, Awaken Eternity, New Habits, Second Cities, Sworn Against, and Hollywood Undead. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Sugar Horse – Thrash Music

The boundary-pushing UK rock quartet Sugar Horse have released their abrasive, anthemic new single ‘Thrash Music’, on their own label Fat Dracula Records.

The band comment:

This video was recorded in the depths of the night in almost complete silence, apart from the creepy – and slightly depressing – clattering of the feet of small marionettes.

On seeing the materials I’d acquired to make this masterpiece, my loving partner stated she was no longer sexually attracted any more. While this might be quite the blow to my personal life, I think finding a new passion for low quality puppetry was almost worth the pain.

Sugar Horse are a band that you can reliably know that whatever they put out, it is going to be unique. It’s one of the most exciting things about them.

Guess what? Thrash Music is different. It is also amazing. Opening with abrasive guitar whines and some semblance of rhythm before erupting into a cacophony of noise. Heavy, distorted, and surprisingly anthemic, it’s another slice of quality from this band.

Nervosa – Endless Ambition

Full-speed death-thrash metal engine Nervosa are setting the metal world ablaze with their brand-new song, ‘Endless Ambition’. The steamrolling track is accompanied by an inexorably energetic music video and marks a new chapter and milestone in the band’s history, showcasing Nervosa with a revitalised line-up.

Along with this blistering new offering, the band have finally lifted the veil on who will take over vocal duties on future releases. From now on, guitarist and founding member Prika Amaral will be the voice of Nervosa.

A new dawn for Nervosa, but the same high-powered thrashy heaviness that has made them such a beloved name in metal. The group are on speeding and snarling form here. Delivering a crunching and chaotic blast of noise that shows off the vocal power of Prika Amaral. She is sounding devilish here and it really gives Nervosa an extra edge. Check it out here.

Vicious Rain – The Devil & Lovers

Swiss metalcore act Vicious Rain have signed with Arising Empire and released their debut single ‘The Devil & Lovers’, alongside a music video directed by Mirko Witzki. The song delves into deeply emotional topics, exploring passion, connection, and its obstacles.

As the kids say – this slaps. Vicious Rain are all about intensity here, hitting all the required metalcore points but doing so with such aplomb, that it sounds quite fresh. The aggression is one thing but the clean vocals are where the track really hits. The contrast between heavy and melody is done very well overall. Check it out here.

War Honey – I Don’t Blame the Rats

Indie rock band, War Honey have released their new single, I Don’t Blame The Rats. A track that sees the band move into heavier territories.

A very dramatic listen, War Honey combine moody darkness with rock melody and passionate upticks in heaviness. Dripping with atmosphere, the exceptional vocals capture the spirit of the track’s creativity and it sticks with you long after the final notes have played out. War Honey are a band well worth keeping an eye on based off the unique sound of this single.

Wake of Dawn – Wanderlust

Wake of Dawn are a new metalcore band from The Netherlands who have released their new single/video, Wanderlust.

A promising listen, Wake of Dawn might fit in the metalcore world but they aren’t following the formula exclusively. That makes this single immediately more interesting but the real attention grabbing elements come from the riffs, the vocal styles and clever structure. It’s good stuff. Check it out here.

Heart of a Coward – This place only brings death

British heavyweights Heart of a Coward are back with their self-reflective, heavy and aggressive track ‘This place only brings death’, a song that explores the harsh realities of modern society, out now via Arising Empire.

They’re back and back with on hell of a forceful effort. Heart of a Coward may not be experimenting too much here but they are showing progression. The blackened riffing, the scathing vocals that have so many different ranges, and the overall dark and moody atmosphere. It’s a ‘smash and grab’ kind of track with a killer chorus. Perfect.

Boargazm – Omikron

Boargazm is one of South Africa’s premiere hardcore metal acts and have now released their anticipated new single Omikron. Taken from their upcoming album ‘Armagammon’ out on the 5th of May via Mongrel Records.

What a killer track this is. Hardcore intensity and metal chaos with a delightful amount of creativity. Boargazm continue to show why they are always a band you can guarantee will knock some braincells out with their power. This is a nasty effort, with some uncomfortable sounds, but is oddly infectious. Check it out here.

Psython – Hatchling

Sheffield metalheads, Psython are back (well sort of). They are releasing new music. Written in 2019 but never recorded, as the world emerged from lockdown hilarity, Psython decided to record and release their fourth album. 10 new songs will be released online over the next year, a track at a time. Hatchling is the first song from the album ‘Fun?’ Psython want to give this offering a good send off and in their own words:

Hopefully bring a few mucky gurns to the faces of our Metal Siblings.

Welcome back Psython and welcome back that ringing in the ears. Yes, these abrasive noise-mongers are going to leave your hearing in a much worse state but, it’s kind of worth it. This new single is frenetic and furious but features some progressive ideas that might make an eyebrow or two raise. The more listens given, the more it shows, and the more it delights. Check it out here.

Ratbreed – Under Fire

Finnish heavy metal band Ratbreed has released their second single ‘Under Fire’, accompanied by a lyric video via Wormholedeath Records. The band’s new album is set to be released soon, which will be the follow-up to their debut album ‘Evoke the Blaze’ which was released back in 2018.

Some tension-heavy guitar melody, that picks up in tempo as it goes on, gives way to some robust and familiar heavy metal speed and vigour. Drawing from the ‘classic’ days of head-banging, Ratbreed set the senses aflame with this rhythmic beast. Where the combination of instrumental heaviness, groove, and epic vocals makes for an enjoyable listen.

Titanosaur – I’m Still Here

After spending over a month in the hospital to be monitored, and living for the past year on the heart transplant list, Titanosaur returns making the statement that not only is Titanosaur still alive, but still here making the heavy stomping music he’s known for. I’m Still Here will be released on April 3rd on all streaming services and Bandcamp and will be premiered on Monster Riff on March 31st.

With that defiant message in hand and the sludgy, stompy, and doomy heaviness to give it a ton more impact, Titanosaur is back and sounding better than ever. I’m Still Here doesn’t just make you want to head-bang, it makes you want to move and groove. The riffs are killer, the drumming is extremely meaty, and the gruff growling vocals fit the sound perfectly. It’s great to hear Titanosaur persevering. It will be available to stream here on April 3rd.

Awaken Eternity – Tau

Unearthed Music is pleased to present to you the new single from UK progressive metal act Awaken Eternity. Tau is a song based on ancient Egyptian myths and legends, and reuses their imagery to tell a tale of death and ruin, life, and rebirth.

Needing several listens to fully appreciate, the initial feelings that Awaken Eternity unleash here are ones of enjoyable puzzlement. You know you liked the progressive metal of the track but you’re not quite sure just why. That becomes clearer as you give it more time, learning to hearing just how clever the melodies are, how atmosphere enhances every part of it, and how cutting it can be. The word ‘grandiose’ might not fit here but for want of a better word to describe the scale of their imagination, it works.

New Habits – Sunflares

Post-hardcore newcomers New Habits have revealed their single ‘Sunflares’. It is the first offering and title track from their upcoming EP, due for release later this year.

The band describe this new track as:

A hot and heavy homage to the art of getting lost in a lover.

Creatively odd and charmingly interesting, New Habits’ post-hardcore sound is going to win over a lot of fans of the alternative combination of electronica, rock, pop and metal. There’s some passion bleeding through and the sudden jumps to coarse heaviness are impressive. Alongside a solid chorus, it makes this track a notable debut from this band that are surely only going to get better as they go on. Check it out here.

Second Cities – Friend of Mine

Music for Sad Teens with Happy Faces. Birmingham, UK, heavy emo band Second Cities have released their new single, Friend of Mine.

The rise of Second Cities continues with aplomb as this new single sees the exceptionally talented group expand on their sound and deliver something a fair bit heavier. Where massive riffs, crunchy percussion, and passionate vocals are front and centre, and showcasing the versatility of this band. You don’t often get to say that you can head-bang to Second Cities (they’re more of a pit creating band) but this track is an out and out head-banger. Something that most will feel completely compelled to do throughout.

This band really is getting better and better as they go on.

Sworn Against – Restitution

British metalcore mob Sworn Amongst have ended their hiatus and returned with their blistering new single, Restitution.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, the band stated:

“Restitution” is a conceptual piece born from the German phrase “Man sieht sich immer zweimal im Leben”, the translation being “In life, you always meet twice”. In short, this phrase urges us to be wary of burning bridges with our acquaintances, as there is always a chance you may meet later in life.

The lyrics explore the theoretical actions of somebody who has been spurned and are a criticism of those who fail to heed such a warning. Those people who all too eagerly burn those bridges, and the consequences of those actions. The title “Restitution” born from the fact that if we refrain from burning our bridges, new life may be given to relationships further down the line.

Sworn Against’s return can be simply summed up with one word – aggression. That is what comes to mind as Restitution plays out. Every part of this band sounds furious here, even when clean vocals come in. The contrast between grimacing gutturals and dramatic melody is extremely powerful sounding. Yet, it is the frenetic pacing and flaying riff work that most will remember. A banger of a return. Check it out here.

Hollywood Undead – Salvation

Platinum-certified Los Angeles quintet, Hollywood Undead, have released their new single ‘Salvation’ from the deluxe version of their eighth studio album Hotel Kalifornia which is due for release on 28th April in both digital and vinyl formats via BMG.

Hotel Kalifornia is a good album, so more music from that period of Hollywood Undead is extremely welcome and it’s fair to say that this isn’t a ‘boat-pushing’ release. That’s not a criticism though, Hollywood Undead are very good at what they do and here, their melodramatic approach with plenty of spitting and snarling heaviness is exciting. The selling point? The epic chorus.