Single Slam: To Kill Achilles, pMad, Suffocate Faster, Messiahvore, Dethrxner, JD Power Trio, Buried By My Heartache, Pleiades, Bitter Kisses, Saint Agnes, Vexed, Evergreener, Broken Earth, MY-HI, Dreamslain, Sugar Horse, and Swollen Teeth!

This week’s single slam features To Kill Achilles, pMad, Suffocate Faster, Messiahvore, Dethrxner, JD Power Trio, Buried By My Heartache, Pleiades, Bitter Kisses, Saint Agnes, Vexed, Evergreener, Broken Earth, MY-HI, Dreamslain, Sugar Horse, and Swollen Teeth. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

To Kill Achilles – …and I’m an Addict

To Kill Achilles have announced their new album Recovery, due for release on 11th August via Arising Empire. Through years of embracing honesty and channelling hardships into expression, the post-hardcore/alt-rock quartet are ready to embark on their next chapter with their upcoming full-length. They have also released a video for their new single ‘…and I’m an Addict’.

The band comment on the new album:

This record is the antithesis of the last. For far too long we’ve told the story of mental degradation without hope. Becoming completely drained repeating the same lines of how it hurts to be here. Recovery deals with courage, control, acceptance, and ultimately the end goal that anyone in this circumstance seeks… the other side. This record is the journey of getting better, taking control of your life and the experiences around you.

Anything new from To Kill Achilles is worth celebrating so to get the announcement of a new album alongside this new song pretty much makes today a damn fine one. Even more so when it’s something so raw, honest, and relatable. This is a fiery and fast To Kill Achilles, delivering a punchy blast of energised heaviness with errant and heartfelt melodies. They really are one of the best bands in the scene right now.

pMad – Fire

Irish post punk, gothic rock artist pMad is back with not only a new single called ‘Fire’, but a new album called ‘I Power’. A track focusing on the global warming issue that affects us all.

The fun thing about listening to pMad’s music that you really can’t be sure about what you might hear with each new track. Yet, even with that knowledge, the talented solo artist still manages to surprise with Fire. A track that is eccentric and exciting, but also quite pretty, and delivers its message with aplomb. The gothic-toned vocals are great here, and alongside the dramatic melodies, memorable effects, and bursts of punky energy, it results in one of pMad’s best tracks. Check it out here.

Suffocate Faster – Lost Ones

Straight edge hardcore band Suffocate Faster are back with their first release since 2006! The band, fronted by Chris Towning (Bury Your Dead, DevilDriver) have released their new single, Lost Ones. Marking the start of a big year with multiple EP releases coming soon via Smartpunk Records.

Welcome back Suffocate Faster, it’s good to have them here. Especially when they’re delivering something so pointed and sharp. Lost Ones is a crunchy cacophony of hardcore heaviness that has the band sounding extremely pissed off, while delivering an important message. A delightful slice of noise. Check it out here.

Messiahvore – Hopes of the Living Dead

Messiahvore have released their huge new single ‘Hopes Of The Living Dead’, out now, with the new album ‘Transverse’ coming on the 2nd of June.

A genre-bending metal track that plays around with stoner and doomier elements, all while having a heavy groove and an infectious tone. The riffs make you want to move, the tempo is filthy sounding, and it kicks up a notch nicely right when needed. A track that is liable to give you some neck ache.

Dethrxner – Stay Cold

Combining the raw energy of heavy hardcore with the flair of modern rap, Dethrxner (pronouned De-throner) present a glimpse of what they’ve been working on since the release of their debut album in 2020, their latest single ‘Stay Cold’ features Aaron Matts of ten56.

Says vocalist Neema Rad:

‘Stay Cold’ is a track about resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. The lyrics convey a determination to stick to one’s plan, despite past failures and missed opportunities – it’s ultimately a declaration of staying strong, staying true to oneself, and staying focused on success, no matter how tough the journey may be.

There’s messing around here as Dethrxner come right out with pounding instruments and spitting rap-style vocals. There is a ton of fire in their bellies and it’s all about making you head-bang as hard as possible. Getting harder and heavier as it goes on, before hitting a breakdown that is going to bust a few bones. Check it out here.

JD Power Trip – Entertained?

Gentlemen of grunge – JD Power Trio – the band handing out musical slaps while dressed in suits. Following their recent excursion into the world of americana with the “Charam” EP, as well as a series of obscure unplugged cover-songs that racked up over 20,000 views on YouTube, the gentlemen are now returning to the dark and loud side of guitar music. Their latest single, Entertained? is out now and taken from the band’s upcoming EP, ‘Ivory Tower’, which will be self-released on May 26th on vinyl, USB-stick and digitally.

A very cool sound coming from a very cool band, Entertained? is both riffy and groovy. A touch of abrasiveness, alongside experimental ideas, grungy eccentricities, and an anthemic chorus, makes this a very memorable and addictive listen.

Buried By My Heartache – Suffer in Silence

Unearthed Music presents the brand-new single from UK melodic metalcore gang, Buried By My Heartache, titled Suffer In Silence. This is also the title track from their newly announce upcoming EP called Suffer, set for release on May 26th.

A banger of a track that has an overall massive sound. One that suggests that this band have their eyes on bigger stages. Which doesn’t exactly seem far-fetched when they’re pulling out hits like this. Heavy, groovy, vibrant, and impressively anthemic. It’s the sound of a band confident in their melo-death abilities. Check it out here.

Pleiades – Siberian

Manchester based post hardcore outfit Pleiades share their brand new single ‘Siberian’. Encouraging themselves to be seen as an anomaly of the alternative world, Pleiades aim to be the sculptors of a bold new sonic landscape.

Says vocalist Andrew Calderbank:

…after a lot of reading during 2020 I came across the story of Alexander I of Russia and a rumor that he faked his own death to live as a hermit. It served as a vehicle for my narrative of giving up everything in search of solitude and that no amount of wealth was enough. Whether it was because of the pressure of titles or the guilt of living in such privilege while others suffer, we’ll never know. We’ll never be sure it’s even true but itself serves as a strong metaphor for a desire for anonymity.

A frenetic introduction leads to a dramatic melodic drop and soulful vocals, before Pleiades build up to a powerful expulsion of body-moving rhythm. As the track goes on, the structure changes, and the band move between rawer and refined areas to leave the listener feeling discombobulated, but immensely satisfied. An impressive effort from a band most will look forward to getting to know much better.

Bitter Kisses – Doctor’s Note

Bristol-based heavy-pop four-piece Bitter Kisses are back with their sophomore single, ‘Doctor’s Note’.

The band state that:

Doctor’s Note discusses the insidious growth of anxiety and how, when supressed, it becomes more than you can handle alone. As a result, anxiety spills out in ways that you can’t control.

More and more people are going to know the name of Bitter Kisses as they continue to release music that is so significant, so stimulating, and so notable. All of which applies to this brilliantly animated effort. Where a dramatically pop-infused introduction gives way to fast-paced rock bounce, before they shift the tone in unusual ways for the chorus. The two vocalists are immense here, trading lyrics and tones, in clever ways. Check it out here.

Saint Agnes – Animal

Ferocious four-piece Saint Agnes have unveiled ‘Animal’, the second single / video taken from new album Bloodsuckers, set for release on 21st July via Spinefarm.

Vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Kitty A. Austen comments:

‘Animal’ is about waving your freak flag high, it’s about being who you authentically are inside and revelling in it. It’s a song for the misfits who boldly walk a different path with pride.

This band, you really can’t predict what they will pull out next, but you can guarantee that it’s going to be pretty damn special. Which Animal certainly is, a track that can simply be called ‘fierce’ and we’re not just talking about the vocals here. It’s one of the band’s most ‘in your face’ offerings and they reach heavy depths that will make body tremble. Check it out here.

Vexed – Anti-Fetish

One of the UK’s most exciting new talents – the alt-metal outfit Vexed – will release their hotly-anticipated new record Negative Energy on 23rd June via Napalm Records. The new single ‘Anti-Fetish’ is the first harbinger of Negative Energy.

The band comment on the new single:

We wanted to start with a huge riff and a strong message. ‘Anti-Fetish’ is us confronting the constant comparisons and ungrounded hate that bands receive. It’s become completely accepted in the scene to cross the line of constructive criticism and just dive bomb into hatred and prejudice. This song is us setting the record straight by calling out the blatant discrimination.

Vexed are an awesome band and confidence in their output is already high. Then along comes a track like Anti-Fetish to drop jaws and bust skulls. The main riff is disgustingly good. There isn’t a single aspect of this band that isn’t performing out of their skins here, but the vocals are simply on another level. If this is a sign of things to come, Vexed are about to explode.

Evergreener – Everything in Between

Melbourne emo rock band Evergreener have now released their new single ‘Everything In Between’. A song about a relationship that finds its end due to another person coming between the pair.

A heartfelt and passionate listen, Everything in Between blends the peppy melodies and big choruses of the emo rock style of old with a more modern way of performing it. The end result being something that is delightfully anthemic and immersive. The band adding some extra fire when they hit the chorus to show just how forward thinking they are. Check it out here.

Broken Earth – Breathe

Sydney nu-metalcore rising starts Broken Earth release visceral new single Breathe and take a stand against poisonous people.

Says vocalist Raphael Smith:

This is the song 16-year-old me wanted to write, I am so glad I got out of that situation. If this song helps one person finally put their foot down it’ll have achieved everything it has set out to do. It’s a mission statement of zero tolerance for malicious intent, zero tolerance for abuse. I don’t want anyone else to ever suffer through hell waking up every day with anxiety knots in their stomach and a sense of dread. Cut out what chokes you, learn to Breathe.

A kickass song from a kickass band, Breathe stands out because of just how refined Broken Earth sound. The nu-metalcore sound is both familiar and fresh at the same time, and the group make sure their intensity is font and centre here. It’s a manic monstrosity of heaviness that is stupidly addictive. Check it out here.

MY-HI – Phaser

Brighton-based alternative-rock four piece MY-HI have released their single ‘Phaser’. The song lyrically explores the concept of societal pressures; The constant pressure to perform, stand out amongst the crowd and to be the best version of ourselves.

Discussing the meaning behind the song, lyricist and vocalist Daniel Veal states:

I’ve always pictured our brains as this phaser machine. A machine that can manipulate itself to adapt to whatever situation we find ourselves in, even when we are partially unsure of who we are at times. I suppose the song is a low key identity crisis, but from an angle of ‘it’s normal to be completely alienated from your own self’. You’re a phaser, yes you are!

A very listenable combination of ‘easy to enjoy’ rock groove, with a rawer and rougher edge, and erratic, but satisfying melodic tempo shifts. Phaser is a very clever sounding track with a message that comes through strongly. Don’t be surprised if you find this one stuck in your head hours after you stopped listening to it. Check it out here.

Dreamslain – Burn the Boats

Incorporating extreme metal elements with classical influences and a progressive twist, Dreamslain perform their own unique interpretation of epic metal. Their new single ‘Burn The Boats’ is out now and offers a glimpse into the band’s second full-length album.

Dreamslain are truly a band that defy genre labels and once again, they take the listener on a journey that can simply be summed up as epic. Yet, Burn the Boats deserves more words and deeper analysis because it finds Dreamslain at a creative high and delivering a wide array of musical ideas with an impactful message. A progressive, beautiful, heavy, and powerful track that feels half its 9-minute length.

Sugar Horse – Head Over Heels (Tears for Fears Cover)

The boundary-pushing UK rock quartet Sugar Horse have released a typically left-field cover of the Tears For Fears classic, ‘Head Over Heels’.

The band comment:

In 1985 Tears For Fears released a record that defined pop music for the second half of the 80s. Stadium sized and absolutely rammed with hooks, it transgresses its resolutely 1980s sound by sheer songwriting quality alone.

It’s a song we’ve wanted to have a crack at covering for a while now and I think the fact it’s still clearly that song after our hamfisted mangling, is testament to just how genius Roland and Curt were.

To me, it’s a song about passion and the obsessive pursuit of said passion. With all the frustration and conflict that creates with others who may not share or understand that kind of compulsion. It’s something that’s actually very close to my heart and something that allowed us to really throw ourselves into this tune.

If Roland or Curt end up reading this, can I just say a big sorry for putting distortion and screaming all over your masterpiece. Feel free to write us a curt email or nine.

This is so Sugar Horse. Only they would think of covering this iconic Tears for Fears track in the way that they do. Completely transforming the original as only they could do but paying tribute too. Enthralling, exciting, hilarious, infuriating, and utterly baffling. It’s Sugar Horse and they always delight. Check it out here.

Swollen Teeth – Empty

Swollen Teeth – the rapidly ascending four-piece straight from the bowels of hell – are back to detonate another explosion of brutality with new single Empty’.

In the words of the band themselves:

EMPTY HAS LANDED. With heavy respect we can’t wait to throw our horns down with you. This one is “FOR THE FA/W\ILY.

The profile of his band is growing and growing, and you can tell they have big plans, but their output so far has been a bit mixed. Which is also where this track lands. Elements that work well, such as the coarseness of the instrumentation and the overall experimental make-up. Yet, the vocals and the deck-scratching are a bit jarring, and it just comes and goes without leaving too much of an impression.