Single Slam: Volbeat, Solars, Mass Worship, Krooked Tongue, Mothman and the Thunderbirds, The Rising Dread , Swallow the Sun, The Kentucky Headhunters, Giant Dwarf and Me and That Man!

This week’s single slam features Volbeat, Solars, Mass Worship, Krooked Tongue, Mothman and the Thunderbirds, The Rising Dread , Swallow the Sun, The Kentucky Headhunters, Giant Dwarf and Me and That Man. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Volbeat – Shotgun Blues

Danish band Volbeat have announced the release of their eighth studio album, Servant Of The Mind, coming via EMI Records on December 3rd. To coincide with the album announcement, the group has released the new single, Shotgun Blues.

By this stage, you really should know what to expect from Volbeat and Shotgun Blues is more of the same. That’s not a knock though as the band excel at this heavy rock/rockabilly/anthemic sound and Shotgun Blues is all of those things. Albeit with a harder and heavier guitar groove. Is it special? Absolutely not. It’s more forgettable than anything.

Solars – Limbo

Birmingham, UK Instrumental post-rock band Solars have released their brand new single, Limbo!

A burst of jerky, grungy and dirty sounding instrumental heaviness gets the muscles warmed up. Needed as the layers in this track will get the head whipping around as head-banging is going out of fashion. Solars know how to keep instrumental rock heaviness interesting and as the track goes on, more and more elements that have the whiff of post-rock about them start to seep in. It’s not quite a completely different song by time the end is reached, but it’s not far off it. Check it out here.

Mass Worship – Portal Tombs

Mass Worship are primed and ready to unleash their second full-length assault. Due for release on February 4th, 2022, “Portal Tombs” is a terrifying but electrifying exploration of the gloomy depths of human nature: a monolithic manifestation of the musical force that is Mass Worship. Enter the “Portal Tombs” with the release of the first single.

A pinch of horror, a sliver of dread and a choking mouthful of savagery, Mass Worship emerge from the gloom with ferocious intent. The chilling darkness is evident throughout this title track and while it does have a more melodic ring to it, it is undoubtably extreme. In the most uncomfortable of ways. Check it out here.

Krooked Tongue – Swarm

Bristol-based alternative-rock three-piece Krooked Tongue have released their new single ‘Swarm’.

Speaking about their upcoming single Swarm, produced, mixed and mastered with Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw, Mother Vulture) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford states:

Swarm encapsulates an overarching frustration in the world at the present time. It explores perceived power, and backs the message that knowledge IS power. Much less a protest song, as a celebration of unity. Swarm is a song you can dance to, in blissful awareness of your own place in society.

A dark, buzzy style of melodramatic rock, this is a weird song that has a real infectious quality to it. The heavy bass, the catchy riffs and vocals that move from demanding to encouraging with ease, makes for a unique and strangely eerie listen. A track gets better and better on multiple listens as the layers peel back to reveal a truly imaginative slice of alternative rock. Check it out here.

The Rising Dread – White Night

Irish quintet The Risen Dread have released their new single ‘White Night’ today! The track features Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser.

The dread does rise as the warning siren rings out and the drum pattern increases in tempo leading to a fast-paced spike as the guitars come in. The riffs are immediately addictive and the vocals give it a much harsher flavour. It is, without a doubt, one hell of a heavy head-banger.

Mothman and The Thunderbirds – 96 Quite Bitter Beings (CKY Cover)

Mothman and The Thunderbirds are proud to announce the upcoming release of their cover
of the CKY classic “96 Quite Bitter Beings”. What starts as a relatively straight-forward cover
goes off the rails halfway through, and then lands on a stunning final bridge. The song will be available on all streaming platforms on September 28th.

Speaking on the origins of the cover, Alex had this to say:

Growing up in Delco in the 2000’s, this song was inescapable. I’ve always wanted to do a cover given how much I love that riff, and I think I’ve finally arranged a version that does this CKY classic justice.

That’s it, isn’t it? Doing the original justice but also making sure to put your own stamp on it. That’s what Mothman and the Thunderbirds achieve here. The energy, the passion, the downright-catchy as hell main riff, the groove and then we have the moment of insanity. A thrilling shift that works so impressively, you just need to hear it. CKY would be very proud. You will be able to check it out here on the 28th.

Swallow the Sun – Woven into Sorrow

With ‘Woven Into Sorrow’ Finnish death doom metal masters Swallow the Sun present a new single and video taken off their upcoming album ‘Moonflowers’, which will be released worldwide on November 19th.

The brand-new track is the first heavy version to be released of the record, as the band already released very special classical editions of the regular album songs. Both versions – classical string and regular album version – are as dark and mournful as we are accustomed to Swallow the Sun.

Frontman Mikko Kotamäki comments,

Here it is! The first single of ‘Moonflowers’ is out! ‘Woven Into Sorrow’ is probably the gloomiest track of the album. The backing growls for this song came by Antti Hyyrynen from Stam1na. Enjoy the misery!

Holy hell, misery is the right word but let’s be honest, do we want Swallow the Sun to be happy when music like this is what they produce? A delectable and delicious fall into darkness, the drop is nearly 8 minutes long and features deep emotion that we all know Swallow the Sun are so good at encapsulating. It’s a beautiful track, beautiful darkness that wraps around the mind like a death shroud.

The Kentucky Headhunters – How Could I

Multi-award-winning Southern Rock Royalty, the evergreen, vibrant and influential southern rock, blues, and country The Kentucky Headhunters announce their brand-new album – & its first single ‘How Could I’. The single is released today 24th September, heralding the album’s keenly anticipated release on Friday 22nd October 2021.

Hell yeah, the Southern country rock vibes are super strong here and it’s smile inducing stuff. This is a track to chill out too, to have a beer and release a deeply satisfied sigh too. Uncomplicated and anthemic but with a laid-back approach rather than grandiosity. It feels incredible authentic and that just makes it even more fun to listen too. Check it out here.

Giant Dwarf – TV Witch

Australian stalwarts of fuzz and stoner rock, Giant Dwarf have released their new single TV Witch.

The fuzz is strong enough to put your teeth on edge but Giant Dwarf have a ton more to them then just uncomfortable fuzz. The laidback groove, the stoner heavy vibes and energetic rhythm makes this one hell of a catchy tune. The developing sound, the progression of the beats and the passionate tempo shifts makes it a firm favourite. Check it out here.

Me and That Man – Angel of Light

Me and That Man, the blues/dark folk/Americana project from Behemoth mastermind, Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski, has revealed a brand new song, the soulful blues-rock ballad ‘Angel of Light’ featuring the entrancing voice of Amalie Bruun (Myrkur).

The single is taken from Me and That Man’s new studio album, ‘New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2’, set for release via Napalm Records on 19th November 2021.

If you’re looking for something with bite, this is not the track for you. A mellow and cold sounding ballad dominated by the wonderful vocals of Amalie Bruun. It’s a moving slice of melodrama that does have a tempo shift where guitars and drums make a bit more impact but even then, it’s still haunting.