Single Slam: Forlorn, Crymwav, Plum, JD Power Trio, Amongst Liars, Chaos Doctrine, Inhuman Nature, Onion Mash, Desolated, Headcount, Chyra, Stormo, Krooked Tongue, and Employed to Serve!

Today’s single slam features Forlorn, Crymwav, Plum, JD Power Trio, Amongst Liars, Chaos Doctrine, Inhuman Nature, Onion Mash, Desolated, Headcount, Chyra, Stormo, Krooked Tongue, and Employed to Serve. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Forlorn – Keeper of the Well

Fast-rising UK band Forlorn call upon the element of water with new track ‘Keeper of the Well’, the fourth single from the Folk Horror quintet’s alchemic debut album ‘Aether’. Due out on March 28th, 2025, via Church Road Records,

Beneath ambient, post-metal instrumental layers and haunting vocals lies a stark message. Vocalist Megan Jenkins shares:

Water is a vital part of human existence. With the power to heal, renew and nourish, yet we curse ourselves and the creatures within by not respecting it. We must do more to honour and care for our sacred wells, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Excitement for Forlorn’s debut album has already reached feverish levels. It’s going to be special, but if anyone needed any more convincing then this latest single will deliver. It is an ethereal effort that is melodically charged but dripping in Forlorn’s inimitable dark and devilish heavy style. There are layers of gloom throughout, and the track ripples with emotion, thanks to the impressive vocals. It lingers long after the final notes have dissipated. Another slice of unforgettable brilliance from a band who really should be getting more attention.

Crymwav – Sense of Adventure

West coast rockers Crymwav (Pronounced ‘Crimewave’) release new single ‘Sense of Adventure’, a blend of the energetic punk sound of Angel City with the gothic rock flair of The Damned. It follows the late 2024 release ‘Contagious’. Both singles produced by JJ Blair (Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Weezer) are a taste of what’s to come from the forthcoming album, slated for a summer 2025 release. The LA rockers are crossing the pond to play a show at the famous Iron Maiden pub the Cart & Horses in London England on 28th March, also on the bill Syteria, who feature Girlschool lead guitarist Jackie Chambers, and Star Circus.

A punchy rock track that ticks all the right boxes for those who enjoy a mover and groover, especially as its chorus is so anthemic. Crymwav may not be setting the world alight with a track like this, but they’re adding more fuel to the fire, and ensuring that it’s an inferno we will all be happy to dance around. If you like rock music, you’ll like this.

Plum – Don’t Stop Believing

After a 17-year hiatus, legendary South African band Plum have made their triumphant return with their brand-new single, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. This marks their first release since 2005 and signals a bold new era for the iconic group, who have been at the forefront of South Africa’s alternative music scene since 1996.

Welcome back Plum, and what an absolute banger they’ve come back with. A funky and fun listen that has a progressive twist, wrapped up in a groovy vibe. It’s such an easily digestible anthem, and so accessible, while being deliciously odd. Even after all this time they continue to push the boundaries of alternative music. Check it out here.

JD Power Trio – Squabbles

Munich’s gentlemen of grunge, JD Power Trio, make metal alternative again with the new song ‘Squabbles’. It is the last single before the release of the ‘Prison Perfect Continuous’ album, scheduled for May 2025 release.

They’ve proven in the past to be a very inventive band, and once again, JD Power Trio bring forth a listen that is wholly unique. Creatively combining genres in wacked out style, the track is a more energetic effort, but retains the grungy undertones of the band. However, alongside that, they get a little proggy, groovy, doomy, and throw in a blistering guitar solo too. It’s an outstanding listen.

Amongst Liars – The Insane Ones

Alternative rock band, Amongst Liars have released their brand-new single ‘The Insane Ones’. It is the first release from their third album, set for release in early 2026.

Talking about the track, the band shares:

The Insane One’s was written and recorded in autumn 2024, in anticipation of the events currently unfolding in the US, but we believe it is now more relevant than ever. The song addresses fake news and propaganda that spread false narratives and brainwashing, encouraging people to bring out the worst versions of themselves and extreme ideologies promoting unnecessary intolerance and hatred towards fellow human beings.

It may be heavy subject matter, but someone needs to address the narrative – even a humble ‘lil rock band from Eastbourne.

The ion that they exude is just one aspect of this band that delights, but when it comes wrapped up in an anthemic package that has something so important to say, it’s so much more enjoyable. Amongst Liars continue their great form by delivering a powerful and punchy listen. The chorus is class. Check it out here.

Chaos Doctrine – Triad of Mayhem (A Trio of Tracks)

Johannesburg’s industrialised thrash metal titans Chaos Doctrine is back with a triple release. An overdue promise ‘The SA-bbath Doctrine Chapter III SA Tribute Mix’. A reimagined track ‘The Rite (Devil Divas and Harps Remix)’ featuring Bronwyn Bing & Craig MacKinnon, and a new track ‘The Rite Verse II’.

Three tracks that each offer up an interesting slice of Chaos Doctrine noise. The first, an absolute gargantuan tribute to Black Sabbath. Featuring a ton of talented vocalists, and showcasing a hefty portion of Sabbath songs in a neat seven and a half minute package. This is very cool. Then we have a reimagined track, that features even more collaborations. The original comes from the band’s second album ‘And in the Beginning… They Lied’, and this remix showcases just how far the band has come since. Finally, it’s a brand-new track that serves as a sequel to the previous remix, building on the Southern rock groove sound, but infusing more of their modern industrial heaviness into it. There’s a lot of bang for your buck here. Check all three tracks out here.

Inhuman Nature – Servants Of Annihilation

Following on from the first single, ‘Possessed to Die’, metallers Inhuman Nature whet the appetite for the new album that little bit more with the screaming headbanger that is ‘Servants Of Annihilation’. It is the second single to be taken from their forthcoming sophomore LP ‘Greater Than Death’.

A high-powered heavy metal head banging anthem, Inhuman Nature’s new album is already shaping up to be special, but when we get a thrashing and speeding monster like this, excitement levels hit overload. It’s no-nonsense heavy noise, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Onion Mash – One Minute More

Hailing from Manchester, Onion Mash are a hard rock/metal band based in Manchester. Their new single is called ‘One Minute More’ and is about the failure of the UKs mental health system. Primarily and more accurately, when you need help in a crisis but there are no beds available, so you’re told to wait. It is also more broadly about a broken health system that is under major stress.

An excitable listen that delivers a punchy array of riffs, brash drumbeats, and dramatic vocals that have an alternative feel. It’s a track you move to, but it’s also a track where a bit of head banging wouldn’t be out of place either. Check it out here.

Desolated – Bite Down

UK hardcore heavies Desolated have released their new single and music video ‘Bite Down’, streaming now via MLVLTD. The track is the band’s first release with their new line up, revealing the talents of new vocalist Tony Evans and showcasing the raw energy and ferocity that he brings to the table.

‘Bite Down’ is a song about the pain of doing whatever it takes to achieve the necessary outcome, locating the strength in your heart to face sheer adversity through gritted teeth and make it happen at all costs. Working through real pain, hitting the wall and smashing it down regardless of how awful it may feel. Those times where you’ve ground yourself down to the bone in relentless determination and have no choice but to push on. Breaking through physical and mental boundaries in the never ending struggle that is life.

On the new single, the band comments:

This song is a musical projection of the anguish felt by us all in that moment, when we think we have nothing left to give, but we dig deeper. For anyone familiar with that place, this song speaks a clear message – nothing comes from giving up. Keep fighting. Bite Down.

So freaking mean, but so freaking enjoyable, Desolated bring the stompy hardcore heavy with this brutal track. A few minutes of gnarly riffs, pulverising percussion, and vocals that strip flesh from bone. It’s metallised hardcore intensity 101, and if that’s your jam, you’ll love this. Although listening to it might leave you with a bloody mouth.

Headcount – Persistence

Hot off the back of their debut single ‘Powertrip’, New Blood crossovers Headcount strike back out with another single called ‘Persistence’. Spreading the word of the 2-step stomp and getting down more with their hardcore influences.

Momentum is building, the train is picking up speed, and destruction is inevitable. Headcount’s latest single is a mean sounding track. Where hardcore intensity runs headfirst into a metallised ideology and an innate ability to be anthemic, even when heaviness is still front and centre. Headcount are mean, but you’ll love them for it, especially when tracks like this are on offer. Check it out here.

Cyhra – Skin from Bones

Following their much celebrated single ‘Superman,’ Cyhra are back. ‘Skin From Bones’ is the second release by the internationally recognised melodic metal band through their new label home Reigning Phoenix Music. The single is a raw expression of breaking free from the lies we tell ourselves and the burdens we carry. It’s about shedding layers of pain and deceit to uncover the strength within.

A creative blast of likable heaviness crossed with emphatic melodies that take on a modern form. Cyhra’s strength comes from their ability to sound accessible to all, while still retaining heaviness and pushing the boundaries of alternative music. It has got genre bending elements, creative and clever throughout, but that’s Cyhra for you.

Stormo – Come Fauce Che Divora

Stormo have just released the second single from their forthcoming album ‘Tagli/Talee’. The disorientating video for ‘Come Fauce Che Divora’ is out now. Featuring electronics by Holy Similaun.

Vocalist Luca Rocco explains how the band sought to experiment with new sounds with the latest single, and show that they are willing to push their musicality in different directions:

Come Fauce Che Divora is a collaborative track between us and Holy Similaun; it is focused on drone and noise elements, with a circular bass and drums line. It’s the last track of the record and it closes it leaving it open for further experimentation.

This is spectacular, but that comes from a person who loves pretty much everything that comes from the drone and noise style. I whole-heartedly understand that those genres aren’t for everyone, and this track won’t be for everyone, especially as it sits on the more abrasive side of things. Still, I love the mental assault it dishes out, the feral aspects, and the creative twists that make a track under two-minutes feel so impactful. Check it out here.

Krooked Tongue – Let ‘Em Loose

Bristol rock trio Krooked Tongue are back with their new single ‘Let ‘Em Loose’. It follows 2024’s ‘Nothing Ever Grows’ and ‘Ember Mile’, and is taken from a longer body of material, with further details to be announced in the coming months.

Describing the single, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford states:

‘Let ‘Em Loose’ is a song that parallels the technological age we found ourselves in today. We’re all so addicted to screen time that we forget how important it is for us to spend time with each other, really with each other. No distractions.

Having had a strong 2024 (as far as releases go), Krooked Tongue continue their impressive form with another alternative banger. One that just so happens to have big melodic vibes, infectious rhythms, and smooth vocals, wrapped up in a wholly recognisable alternative package. As likable as ever. Check it out here.

Employed to Serve – Fallen Star

Leading lights of British metal, Employed To Serve have released their new single, the title track from their forthcoming album, ‘Fallen Star.’

Explains vocalist Justine Jones:

‘Fallen Star’ is about enduring the burn out of someone close to us. It can be devastating to look on helplessly as someone you care for continues to fly too close to the sun and not learn from it. Sometimes you need to just distance yourself and love them from afar. We felt it should be the title track as it thematically centers around the lyrics of the new record. Breaking bad habits and overcoming the challenges life throws our way.

I really like the message of this one and how Employed to Serve express themselves, but this is a track that takes a few listens to fully enjoy. They’re evolving, and that means we have a more accessible sound and an increase in clean vocals and melody. No bad thing of course, especially as they’re really good at it, but when you’re expecting more consistent intensity, it’s going to take a little while to embrace. However, across multiple listens, this one really starts to hit and the creative mix of metal and melody impresses. This new album is shaping up to be their most varied yet.