Single Slam: Urne, Maziac, In Sϕnder, Blackbriar, Sevendust, Radio Aftermath, Signs of the Swarm, Temor, Waterlines, Crown Magnetar, Blind Equation, Bitter Kisses, and Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons!

This week’s single slam features Urne, Maziac, In Sϕnder. Blackbriar, Sevendust, Radio Aftermath, Signs of the Swarm, Temor, Waterlines, Crown Magnetar, Blind Equation, Bitter Kisses, and Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons! You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Urne – The Burden

London metal trio, Urne, have released the second single from their forthcoming album, A Feast on Sorrow. Titled ‘The Burden’, this new track addresses the struggles placed on frontman, Joe Nally’s, family in the face of dementia.

Giving additional insight on the song, guitarist, Angus Neyra, says:

This was one of the final songs written for the album, and as a band we always try to show something new with each single. With this track we aimed for a big sounding arena metal riff, something we hope goes down well live!

Are you excited for A Feast on Sorrow yet? Urne’s new album is one of 2023’s most anticipated records and this new single pretty much confirms that we’re in for something damn special here. A meaty head-banger, that familiar Urne groove and powerful heavy rhythms is present, but this is a darker beast too. Urne’s personal focus adds a lot of impact, it has a thrilling guitar solo, and a big ending. It is a brilliant track.

Maziac – Fear & Fortune

London-based alternative/progressive metal 3-piece Maziac will release their brand-new single ‘Fear & Fortune’ on Wednesday 28th June. The day before they play UK Tech-Metal Fest 2023. The new single is taken from their upcoming new album.

Describing the song, Maziac says:

The song is about the feeling of being lucky compared to so many in the world with the creeping awareness that at any moment something bad could happen to make you less fortunate.

A wild and energetic showcase of the genre-bending that Maziac are so good at. Fear & Fortune has groove, plenty of alt-metal fire, and an anthemic chorus rooted in melody. Try as you might, you won’t be able to stop your foot tapping and your head banging to the vigorous rhythms. It’s heavy, but accessible heavy, and it gets stuck in the brain. You can check it out here upon release.

In Sϕnder – Damage Control

In Sϕnder have released their new single ‘Damage Control.’ The cyber metal outfit hailing from Chester, England, made their debut with their first single ‘Quintessence’ at the beginning of this year. ‘Damage Control’ now reveals another side to their sound.

Says Jonny Young (Guitar/Programming/Vocals):

We have no intention of slowing down and that is evident in our next single, ‘Damage Control’! The driving drums paired with heavy guitars and roaring synths maintain the consistent pace of the song, while alleviating only enough to showcase the soaring female vocals. Melancholic verses and tense choruses are flanked by heavy riffs, blazing keyboards and harsh vocals high and low. We’re all proud of this one, it’s a real pulse-pounder, from start to finish!

They’re a weird and wonderful band, their personalities being to shine a bit stronger with this second single. A track that is extremely energetic and quite anthemic. The blend of effects, powerful melodies, and emphatic metal is put together nicely. The pacing of the track keeps the heart racing along to the tempo. Check it out here.

Blackbriar – Cicada

Blackbriar have announced their new album ‘A Dark Euphony’, which will be released on September 29th via Nuclear Blast Records. A Dark Euphony features 11 brand new tracks. The band has also released a brand-new single/video for the song ‘Cicada’.

Vocalist Zora Cock comments:

It’s said that cicadas were once humans. When the Muses came into the world, they enchanted some people into singing, they loved singing so much, they forgot to eat and sleep and died. The Muses rewarded them by turning them into cicadas who sing continuously. In this song, I ask my muse to turn me into a cicada after I’m gone.

A dramatically epic track from Blackbriar, Cicada finds the band employing a heavier sound than usual but still focused on melody. Led by the incredible vocals of Zora Cock, who has an enchanting style. It’s got a lot of heart and soul, and will surely capture the imagination of a lot of people.

Sevendust – Holy Water

With their latest single ‘Everything’ hitting radio worldwide, GRAMMY® Award-nominated Sevendust is releasing another piece of music for fans. ‘Holy Water’ is the new song being released from Truth Killer – the band’s 14th studio album slated for worldwide release on July 28th via Napalm Records.

A solid effort from Sevendust that oozes passion and power. From the vocals to the riffs, to the melodies and chorus, this new track hits all the right highs for this band. You expect something anthemic from this band, and they certainly don’t disappoint here. This far into their career, they continue to impress. Check it out here.

Radio Aftermath – Fetid

‘Fetid’ by Leeds based alternative rock band Radio Aftermath is a powerful and cathartic musical release. Resonating with raw honesty and vulnerability and drawing from personal experiences and the universal struggle of untangling oneself from the grips of toxicity. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the emotional weight carried.

Fetid has a dark vein running through it, while being accessibly alternative and memorably rocky. It finds Radio Aftermath in a passionate mood and willing to be a bit experimental with their sound. The end result is a couple of minutes of really infectious music. Check it out here.

Signs of the Swarm – Malady

Pittsburgh deathcore unit Signs of the Swarm have released their new single and music video for ‘Malady’. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming full-length album ‘Amongst the Low & Empty’, due 28th July via Century Media Records.

On the new single, vocalist David Simonich comments:

This song reflects previous battles I’ve faced with my depression. A moment in my life reminded me of what I’d been through, and it became the fuel for ‘Malady’. The song pushed me to be vulnerable in the studio, expressing my thoughts and emotions to my producer to paint the picture I was going for.

Drummer Bobby Crow adds:

I wanted to craft a dark and primal song to match Dave’s subject matter, so the music and lyrics elevate one another. Seeing as ‘Malady’ is another word for disease, I wanted the song to be catchy enough to infect yet deteriorates as sickness does to your body over time. The song builds to a painful climax, growing in intensity as it devolves into a noisy cacophony. You can’t even wrap your head around it, then it’s over.

As dark, twisted, and heavy as deathcore comes. Signs of the Swarm aren’t messing around here. Their goal is to drag you kicking and screaming into the abyss, but fans of savage sounds will likely go willingly. It’s coarse and unforgiving, but mightily enjoyable noise.

Temor – My Sorrow’s Rage

The Greek melodic black/death metallers Temor have returned, releasing a new single with the title ‘My Sorrow’s Rage’. This new track comes from their upcoming-debut album which is scheduled to be released in 2023.

Combining a familiar style of melodic blackened death metal with fresh and modern touches of flair. Temor’s aggression is balanced out wonderfully by their showcase of powerful harmonies. My Sorrow’s Rage is a short and sharp attack and will delight fans of an extreme heavy sound crossed with impressive melody. Check it out here.

Waterlines – Prey

Yorkshire metalcore upstarts Waterlines have released a brand-new single called ‘Prey.’

Waterlines frontman Ben Mars says:

We want to keep pushing the boundaries of our style, adding a little more rap here and a sprinkle more EDM there! We’re still heavy, but we never want to be pigeon holed, so we do what the fuck we want.

Lyrically this song is about reaching a breaking point and biting back. It’s being backed into a corner and finally snapping. It’s messy, visceral chaos.

A band that continues to grow in strength and statue. It’s almost hard to believe just how impressive their evolution from Sertraline to Waterlines has been. This new track is a dynamic blast of modern metal. Fusing core sounds with rap-metal energy, and hitting a melodic high when it comes to the chorus. It’s a track that will only increase the popularity of this band. Check it out here.

Crown Magnetar – Prismatic Tomb

Colorado’s finest purveyors of brutal and unrelenting tech deathcore, Crown Magnetar have unleashed their new single, ‘Prismatic Tomb’ and its accompanying music video. The track is taken from their upcoming album, ‘Everything Bleeds’, due out on July 14th via Unique Leader Records.

In a statement about ‘Prismatic Tomb’, the band share:

We really wanted to show growth and add dynamics to our writing with Prismatic Tomb. The song showcases the aggressive in-your face sound we are known for, but we also wanted to add depth to the release with this track. We don’t usually write songs in this “style”, especially lyrically, but we are very proud of the song and cannot wait for everyone to hear.

Take heart, fans of the extreme. Crown Magnetar are as ruthless as ever. As technically sharp and progressively tight as always. This track just so happens to have them being a bit more dynamically creative when it comes to the deathcore structure. All while still having some of the nastiest sounds this band are capable of making.

Blind Equation – never getting better

Chicago, Illinois emotional cybergrind mainstay Blind Equation has announced their signing to Prosthetic Records. Alongside the signing announcement, Blind Equation has revealed plans to release their sophomore full-length, Death Awaits, on September 15 via the Los Angeles label. The lead single, never getting better, and its accompanying music is out now.

Unbelievably catchy. Taking the top title for the most imaginative piece of music heard this week. After what the hell is cybergrind? Let alone emotional cybergrind? It’s Blind Equation and you really need to hear this track to even have the smallest idea of what they are. Think chiptunes crossed metal and alternative melody. Insane, but so creative. Check it out here.

Bitter Kisses – Downtime

Describing themselves as “Pop music you can beat your friends up to”, Bristol-based heavy-pop four-piece Bitter Kisses have released their new single ‘Downtime.’

A continuation of why Bitter Kisses are such an exciting prospect in music, this new single from Bitter Kisses is the perfect encapsulation of their ‘heavy-pop’ sound. Or alternative rock if you want to be pedantic about it. It’s got danceable energy and is extremely catchy from beginning to end. What more could you want? Check it out here.

Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons – Schizophrenia

Rock and roll royalty Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons have announced details of their upcoming third album Kings of The Asylum. The album will be released on 1st September through Nuclear Blast Records, and will be the first studio release to feature singer Joel Peters. To coincide with the announcement, the band have released a video for the album’s first single ‘Schizophrenia’.

It’s rock and f**king roll. What more needs to be said? Schizophrenia is a high-powered and riff-driven head-banger that showcases the new vocalist perfectly. You’ll move, you’ll groove, you’ll head-bang, and you’ll have a bloody good time rocking out to this energetic hit.