Single Slam: Burner, Sleeping Mountain, Parting with Origin, Gwar, Headwreck, Broom, Svarta Havet, Vader, We Kill Cowboys, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, The Dirty Nil, Fallujah, and Buckcherry!

Today’s single slam features Burner, Sleeping Mountain, Parting with Origin, Gwar, Headwreck, Broom, Svarta Havet, Vader, We Kill Cowboys, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, The Dirty Nil, Fallujah, and Buckcherry. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Burner – The Night Does Not End

Burner, the London, UK based blackened death metal hardcore band have unveiled their new single ‘The Night Does Not End’. Out now via Church Road Records.

So damn gnarly, but so damn infectious too, this is Burner unhinged but really focused too. Delivering a brutish and chaotic slice of fast-paced noise with creative touches here and there. The vocals are feral, and the guitars are mental, as always, but the drumming is particularly intense on this one. Burner have always produced strong music, but this latest stuff is on another level. The cherry on top? It’s going to go off live, I can feel it.

Sleeping Mountain – Medusa

Sleeping Mountain are raw and come from the heart. A blend of psych rock, desert grooves, and doom, the trio take you on a journey through folklore, mysticism, and the natural struggles of life. The band have released their new single ‘Medusa’.

The band comment:

‘Medusa’ takes a deep dive into the feeling of emotional paralysis, capturing the weight of betrayal and manipulation. Unlike our previous single ‘Alibi’, where the song builds intensity, ‘Medusa’ starts upbeat before descending into slow, doom-like heaviness, mirroring the gradual realisation of being trapped. The lyrics highlight how words and silence can wound, turning vulnerability into stone.

A chunky slab of stoner/desert rock, with an inordinate amount of groove, Sleeping Mountain create a hypnotic sound that, impressively, has some enigmatic twists and turns. You might think you have the measure of the track, and be thoroughly enjoying the weighty heaviness, and then ‘in a flash’, here’s melody and a different instrumental style that gives it an experimental post flavour. It’s fascinating stuff. Check it out here.

Parting with Origin – Thirst

Modern, technical, and heavy metalcore band, Parting with Origin has released their brand-new single, ‘Thirst’.

Says the band:

‘Thirst’ is a song that is comprised of a single main subject; Sin.

With the sub-context hinting at both Lust and Wrath, it’s a reflection of how our desires can lead us down a less desired, even dangerous path.

Even though at first glance the lyrics may simply give that impression of intimate desire, looking more closely can bring to light the more violent connotations this can lead to; abuse, control, involuntary surrender.

A band with a lot of bark, delivering a song with a lot of bite, Parting with Origin’s exciting modern slant on metalcore is on full display here (outrageous effects and all). An infectious and dramatic listen that balances melody and clean singing with explosive heaviness and growling shouts impressively. It’s familiar, from a ‘core’ perspective, but there’s plenty of fresh ideas here too.

Gwar – Lot Lizard

Shock rock legends Gwar are back to wreak havoc once again with their new multimedia release, ‘The Return of Gor Gor’, due 25th July 2025 via Pit Records/Z2 Comics. This multi-format assault on the senses includes brand-new studio recordings, ferocious live performances, and an exclusive 32-page comic detailing the epic return of Gor Gor, GWAR’s long-lost, three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex. This release is a collaboration between GWAR and Z2 Comics, ensuring fans get the ultimate immersive experience.

Kicking off the carnage, GWAR have also premiered the video for ‘Lot Lizard’.

About the new single, Blothar states:

‘Lot Lizard’ is a blistering return to GWAR as a punk metal powerhouse with a sense of humour. What could be more charming than a song about a crack-addicted, cross-dressing, dinosaur prostitute that shreds weiners at truck stop pickle parks? Nuttin honey. That’s what. The song rocks. Listen ya mooks…

As dumb, obnoxious, and outrageous as ever, this new Gwar track is a fast and furious punk-style banger. One that harks back to an earlier Gwar time, but with the benefit of modern production so it, you know, sounds good. Be warned, the video is well and truly NSFW, but it’s a blast. Just like the track! Think Troma, and you will have some idea of what it is like. Check it out here.

Headwreck – Filet-O-Fish

Brisbane alternative nu-metal outfit Headwreck are back with their chaotic new single Filet-O-Fish.

Says the band:

This song is one where we really wanted to experiment the most. It includes a sort of phonk ish rap section which is definitely not a safe move for us, but that’s exactly the point. We didn’t want to play it safe and wanted to do whatever the hell we wanted. And the title has nothing to do with anything because yolo.

Headwreck continue to delight with their creative ways, and even as they get a bit more experimental, they still find ways to put a silly smile on the face. This new track goes hard, really freaking hard, and that is what most will . However, it’s also bit weird too, and that rap section will certainly divide. Personally, I liked it and thought it fitted nicely. It’s another banger track.

Broom – I Wish I Knew

Broom, the USA classic/arena rock band, have released their brand-new single, ‘I Wish I Knew’. A song about falling in love with your best friend but she simply doesn’t feel the same way.

A very cool, anthemic track that has all the classic rock vibes you could want. Nothing more, and nothing less, and while that might not seem that appealing, Broom do it so well. Crafting the kind of groovy head banger that just about everyone can enjoy, especially when the chorus hits. It’s a likable rock banger, what more could you want? Check it out here.

Svarta Havet – Härlig är Jorden

Beautiful but gloomy black metal tinged post-hardcore, it’s Svarta Havet, and their new single ‘Härlig är Jorden’ is out now. This is the latest single to come from their new album, ‘Månen Ska Lysa Din Väg’, out May 9th via Prosthetic Records.

A very strong track from Svarta Havet, the group showcasing their immense blend of post-metal, hardcore punk and black metal, in surprisingly epic ways. It’s a track the oozes authenticity, filled with so much ion, and power. Svarta Havet can be such an intense band, yet a track like this shows just how many different layers there are to that intensity. Check it out here.

Vader – Unbending

Polish death metal veterans Vader have released their brand-new single called ‘Unbending’, which will be the official anthem of Poland’s renowned Mystic Festival this year. It’s also the closing track of Vader’s new EP Humanihility, due for release 30th May 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Still on an immense run, Vadar’s latest track is another dynamic blast of crunching heavy metal that guarantees everyone who hears it will be head banging. It’s not complex music, but who cares, when it hits as hard as it does! Big riffs, pounding drums, some atmosphere, and vocals that have so much power. The cherry on top? Wicked guitar soloing.

We Kill Cowboys – Dead End

We Kill Cowboys just dropped the gripping new video for their latest single ‘Dead End’, taken from their EP ‘Back from Tte Dead’, out later this year via Mongrel Records. Telling a story that explores both male and female perspectives on abuse, trauma, and the desperate longing for escape.

Explains vocalist Alex Muller:

‘Dead End’ is a powerful and poignant anthem. With unflinching honesty, the song weaves together male and female perspectives, illuminating the darkest corners of trauma and the desperate quest for escapism… to be seen, to be loved, and to find a way out of the darkness that can feel like a dead end.

Powerful and memorable, this new track from We Kill Cowboys might have body shaking groove, heart racing energy, and anthemic elements, but it’s the expressiveness of its subject matter that hits the hardest. Only a band with this kind of talent would be able to make such a track so irresistible. Check it out here.

Thus Spoke Zarathustra – Santosha (feat. Cameron Argon of Disfiguring the Goddess.)

Thus Spoke Zarathustra are a part of the burgeoning new wave of deathcore happening in the states right now, paying homage to the titans of the genre, whilst pushing it forwards into a new era. Their forthcoming album ‘I’m Done with Self Care, It’s Time for Others’ Harm’ is set for release on May 23rd via Prosthetic Records. The latest single, ‘Santosha’ is out now, boasting a guest appearance from one of deathcore’s most revered names, Cameron Argon of Disfiguring the Goddess.

I’m digging what they are producing on this new album, and this latest track has the kind of heavy mania that I enjoy. Chaotic in tone, and twisting traditional core elements in a fresher way, this is a more elaborate listen than first expected. It is, unsurprisingly, utterly savage none the less though, and Cameron Argon certainly helps that. Check it out here.

The Dirty Nil – Gallop of the Hounds

The Dirty Nil are burning it all down to start again. The Ontario band known for their glitter and glam now charge headfirst into something far more visceral and back-to-basics on their fifth studio album, ‘The Lash’, out Friday July 25 on Dine Alone Records & Civilians. The first single, ‘Gallop of the Hounds’, is out now.

High powered rock and roll, noisy and excitable, but also imaginative, so it feels fresh and interesting. A major part of what makes this band, and a track like this, so enjoyable is the drive to be as anthemic as possible, but with so much heart and soul. This is so much fun and will be stuck in the head for hours (if not days) afterwards.

Fallujah – Labyrinth of Stone

Progressive death metal masters Fallujah have revealed the second single, ‘Labyrinth of Stone’, taken from their sixth album, ‘Xenotaph’, due for release 13th June via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commenting on the new single, founding guitarist Scott Carstairs states:

‘Labyrinth of Stone’ is nearly six minutes of pure, mind-bending tech death and prog. From start to finish, this track will tear your face off. We guarantee you’ve never heard Fallujah like this before. Prepare your ear holes and eyeballs for one of the most ridiculous tracks and music videos we’ve ever produced.

What an immense track this, especially if you’re aware of Fallujah’s progressive ways, as this is a whole different beast. One that feels even more modern, more progressive, and more intense than ever. Evolving their sound, refining the edges, and experimenting in unexpected ways, this is a very stylish and dynamic listen that is simply impossible to predict. One of metal’s most unique bands and a track like this only enhances that reputation. Check it out here.

Buckcherry – Come On

Buckcherry have unveiled ‘Come On’, the latest single taken from their eleventh album, ‘Roar Like Thunder’, set for release on 13th June via Earache Records.

Frontman Josh Todd comments:

I feel that the human race is in a very fragile state and ‘Come On’ is about finding the “sweet spot” in your life where you rise above the distractions, have courage, and make your dreams a reality.

Buckcherry doing Buckcherry things, so you’ll either absolutely love the grooving rock and roll swagger of it all, or you’ll find yourself indifferent to it as ever. I can appreciate what they do, and the fact that a track like this is so accessible, but I don’t find myself excited by it, even though it is enjoyable. It’s Buckcherry, a band that is impossible to hate, and a track like this is perfectly pleasing.