Single Slam: Malevolence, Plaiins, Blind Equation, Fox Lake, Entrails, Ward XVI, After Elmer, Believe in Nothing, Neck Deep, Barrens, Keeper, Sinsaenum, Ithaca, and Kataklysm!

Today’s single slam features Malevolence, Plaiins, Blind Equation, Fox Lake, Entrails, Ward XVI, After Elmer, Believe in Nothing, Neck Deep, Barrens, Keeper, Sinsaenum, Ithaca, and Kataklysm. You can read our thoughts about the latest singles from these bands below.

Malevolence – Salt the Wound

Steel City Kings Malevolence have released a new single from their massively anticipated new album, ‘Where Only the Truth Is Spoken’, which is set to be released on the 20th June via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records.

Alex Taylor (vocals) commented:

‘Salt The Wound’ is the product of us making a conscious decision to bridge the two faces of Malevolence. On one hand we have the heavy aggressive side, and on the other we have the slower melodic songs, so we wanted a song that could combine the two.

The video was entirely shot in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. From the industrial depths of Sheffield, a 900-year-old ruined Abbey, to a perfect sunrise over some of the incredible hills of Derbyshire, there is some incredible scenery in the north of the UK which we sometimes take for granted, so this song felt like the perfect opportunity to show case some of that.

From the moment I heard the guitar solo Josh had written for this song, I pictured him on a mountain top doing the solo, so we made it happen, Malev style!

Showing a different side to Malevolence, this new single has the band leaning into their more melodic side, albeit with plenty of their trademark fire and intensity too. Notably in the chorus, but also in a soaring guitar solo. Think a modern-day and more hardcore-attuned Cemetery Gates (Pantera) and you’ll have an idea of what this song has to offer. Though that still won’t prepare you for the crushing breakdown.

Plaiins – Row She Said

Fiery punk, indie rock band Plaiins have announced their long-awaited debut album ‘Happy Faces’, set for release on 15th August via Long Branch Records. They have also unveiled the third single taken from the album, ‘Row She Said’.

Comments singer Chris Reardon:

‘Row She Said’ is a song against right wing nationalism. We talked about writing a song like this for a while, I wanted to do it with class and not something lyrically one dimensional, it had to be done poetically with layers and also open for different interpretations unless you read the lyrics and also knew the context where we were coming from. They’re my favourite kind of songs, especially when discussing a topic such as this. There’s too many punk songs that tackle this subject too plainly in my opinion, although that also has its place. But I think we really did it right on this one. ‘She’ in this context is the country where the protagonist is from and how they feel their country calls them and pushes them to protect their idea of sovereignty. I was writing more from the UK point of view, where I’m from, especially in the wake of Brexit, but we also wrote it from the perspective where the guys are from, , but can apply to any country really.

Track by track, I become more confident that Plaiins are about to drop an album of the year contender, and this latest effort just adds more weight to that belief. Electrifyingly fun, eccentrically weird, moving from laidback ages to hyperactive choruses, and with a surprising amount of anthemic value, this is another banger from a brilliant band. Check it out here.

Blind Equation – Nothing

Blind Equation, the genre-bending cybergrind band are back. They’re set to release their third LP ‘A Funeral in Purgatory’ this July 18th via Prosthetic Records. To coincide with the news they have released the new single/video ‘Nothing’.

The band’s key songwriter James McHenry explains the difficult task of deciding which track to release first from the new record:

Every song on this release brings something different to the table, as it’s meant to be listened to in full. However when choosing a single to show some insight on what to expect from the album, I feel this song perfectly captures it while not giving away too much of what’s to come. It is heavily nu-metal inspired & overall pays homage to the early works of artists like The Prodigy, Fear Factory, Korn, Slipknot & etc while still sounding like a Blind Equation track. This is the most aggressive & the most violently ionate the project has ever been, yet it is the most atmospheric and still shimmers melodically when it needs to. And I feel that is mostly what you can expect from the album; the heavy moments are heavier and the soft moments are even more vulnerable as well. With the project being 90% digital, I wanted the instrumentals to still be as emotional as the lyrics & vocals and I feel they compliment each other the best they ever have for this record.

There’s nobody quite like Blind Equation and, once again, the cybergrind group deliver a track that is as brilliant as it is maddening. Yet, the refinement is as notable as the experimentation, Blind Equation aren’t just repeating themselves here. The meshing of melody and metal, the eclectic effects, the intense bursts of heaviness, the different vocal styles, all put together in a way that is addictive, even though it really shouldn’t be. If this is the kind of quality we can expect from the new album, we’re looking at an instant classic, and not just in the cybergrind world either.

Fox Lake – Pure Adrenaline

Born in the heart of Denver and forged in the chaos of basement jam sessions, Fox Lake have been sharpening their sound since 2017 with a volatile mix of metalcore, hardcore, hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll. Now, the band are ready to embrace their next chapter with the announcement of their forthcoming album New World Heat, set for release on 1st August via MNRK HEAVY.

The band have also released a video for new single ‘Pure Adrenaline’.

A short and sharp shock to the system, Fox Lake’s new single is an ‘in your face’ listen, moving at a frenetic pace, and delivering hardcore style beatdowns. It’s extremely aggressive, but there is rhythm and genre experimentation, and that is what gives it more vibrancy. Hell, come the end, you might be surprised by just how much Fox Lake jam in here. Check it out here.

Entrails – Wings of Death

Swedish death metal veterans Entrails are back with a new studio effort titled Grip of Ancient Evil, to be released on 18th July via Hammerheart Records. The album’s first single, ‘Wings of Death’, is out now.

Solid, if uninspired, Entrails’ new single isn’t offering up anything of note really, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have enjoyable qualities about it. Atter all, it is Entrails and they do death metal very well. It’s just lacking impact, especially when compared to the brilliance that the modern side of the scene is bringing forth. It’s a decent song, but it won’t live long in the memory. Check it out here.

Ward XVI – We Are Legion

Ward XVI, the electrifying rock band, moves ever closer to the release of their brand-new album, ‘Id3ntity’, which is out on 11th July, via Earache. The six-piece have now dropped the second single from the album, ‘We Are Legion’.

The anthem of Ward XVI has arrived and it’s one that fans are going to eat up, not just because it is so anthemic, but because it’s a heavier Ward XVI. Fear not though, the eclectic and sinister theatrical touches the band are beloved for are here too, making it distinctly theirs. It’s very cool, and the chorus is class, one listen turns into two, then three, four, five, and so on. It’s an anthem that everyone can enjoy.

After Elmer – Scratchcard

Rotterdam-based pop-punk band After Elmer are back with their brand-new single ‘Scratchcard’, alongside a video.

I love this band, and they continue their winning run with a high-powered bouncy pop punk and rock tune that is disgustingly catchy. It’s bright and fun, but with a point, something that always makes what this band does more impactful. They approach everything with ion, and this track is no different, and it’s so cool to hear them really ‘rock out’ near the end. Check it out here.

Believe in Nothing – Fistful of Worms

Following on from the intrigue created from their first two singles (What Would You Do? & Complete Desolation), Believe in Nothing have released the new single ‘Fistful of Worms’ to further show what they’re all about – crushing heaviness, and desolate lyrics that describe the bleak reality that we quite often face.

Says Caine (vocals/noise):

Fist Full of Worms puts a microphone to the fractured and paranoid mind of a violent murderer, as they drag their latest tortured victim to be buried in the woods.

The abject misery that this band makes you feel will be too much for some, but for others, it’s capturing a real and untamed mindset that is impossible to ignore. That they add layers of dissonance, draw from the world of noise, and approach everything with a heavy focus just makes a track like this so much more intense. It’s the kind of music that isn’t for everyone, but everyone who hears it will have an opinion on it. Check it out here.

Neck Deep – You Should See Me Now

Pop-punk legends Neck Deep make a triumphant return with a brand new single ‘You Should See Me Now’. Fuelled by resilience and rebellion, the track captures everything the band are known and loved for — raw honesty, unrelenting drive and the defiant spirit that has continued to propel the band.

Speaking on the new single, frontman Ben Barlow says:

You Should See Me Now’ is a song about hard work, self-belief, the struggle through adversity and proving people wrong. As a band we’ve always been pretty humble and shied away from too much self-aggrandisement, but this felt like a good way of showing a little pride, hopefully people can relate to that too. It was a song we’ve had in the bank for a long time and really should’ve been on the album in the first place, so it’s nice to have such a strong bonus track to be featured on something cool to be announced soon.

They’re back, and back with a certified banger. In fact, it’s more than just a banger, it’s a Neck Deep banger. Featuring sweet melodies, plenty of pop likability, punk fire, and rocking infectiousness. They are holding their heads high, as they should, and through that, lifting the heads of their beloved fanbase too. Sing along loud and proud.

Barrens – Sorrowed

Post-rock trio Barrens have announced their new album ‘Corpse Lights’ will be released on 12th September via Pelagic Records. The band has also revealed ‘Sorrowed’, their second single from the record.

The band comment:

Amongst other things, ‘Sorrowed’ is about dealing with grief, failure and personal demons. The inner and outer chaos of interacting with both yourself and others, and about fighting the impulse to take the easy way out. To not run away and hide but instead deal with it, and to channel these things into something creative and positive.

Anticipation for this new album is higher than ever and it’s thanks to beautiful tracks like this. Barrens laying the emotion on thick, but in a wholly authentic way, transforming traditional post rock melodies into something so textured and vibrant. It’s a very moody offering, but it’s a journey of differing moods, and no matter what you take away from it, it has impact. Check it out here.

Keeper – Alright/Too Slow

Following on from the release of his latest singles ‘Taste It’ and ‘Cynical’, South London pop punk gem Keeper explores recovery and self-love in his latest single ‘Alright/Too Slow’.

A creative tune that harks back to the more melody-laced days of pop-punk and rock, albeit with some fun twists to the formula. Keeper aren’t just trying to bring back the glory days of this sound, they’re living it here and now, and finding ways to update and freshen it all up. Based off this track, they’re succeeding. Check it out here.

Sinsaenum – In Devastation

Extreme metal supergroup Sinsaenum have announced their long-awaited return with the release of their crushing new single, ‘In Devastation’, the title track of their forthcoming third studio album, due out later this year via earMUSIC.

The release marks the band’s first new material since the tragic ing of legendary drummer Joey Jordison (Slipknot, Murderdolls) in 2021. Both the single and album serve as a cathartic tribute to Jordison and to guitarist and founder Frédéric Leclercq’s late father, whose deaths profoundly shaped the emotional and creative direction of the project.

Leclercq explains:

I was devastated, hence the title of this album. But we knew we had to carry on. This record is our tribute to my father, to Joey, and to anyone who’s ever had to find strength in their darkest moments.

A glowing and glowering tribute to those we’ve lost and the dark times that everyone will face at some point in their lives. Sinsaenum have gone the fast and heavy route with this new track, pouring all their vitriolic power into a meaty blast of blackened death metal. It’s an addictive head banger, proving that this band has plenty of life left in it, and the future isn’t looking as dark as it once did.

Ithaca – Ithaca

Acclaimed UK metallic hardcore troupe Ithaca have released their final ever single, the self-titled ‘Ithaca’.

The band comment:

‘Ithaca’ means home, the place you return to when the journey is complete. In this final song, we put this band to rest. Every memory, every tear, every laugh is in here. Thank you for everything. Om namo naryanaya.

So, that’s it then. I don’t know how to feel, if I’m honest. I am grateful for the music and happy that they got to end things on their term, but it all feels so short lived. Still, here we are, the final song, and what a heavy, intense, ionate, and emotional climax it is. Ithaca going out with a bang, paying tribute to all those who have backed them in their inimitable way. The ending to this track is truly special. Check it out here.

Kataklysm – The Rabbit Hole

For almost three decades, the US/French Canadian-based melodic death metal syndicate Kataklysm has delivered unapologetic waves of powerful sound across the entire globe. Now, the band offers fans a new track entitled, ‘The Rabbit Hole’. The song features Clemens Wijers (Carach Angren) who curated the track’s ambient sound effects and synth section.

Kataklysm’s Maurizio Iacono states:

‘The Rabbit hole’ is the band’s first stand alone single since the band’s classic ‘Iron will’ track. As the world spins out of control and people search for purpose and truth, we felt questioning these things is something important to do, there’s a lot of noise and lots of distortion these days, but always trust your gut and what is right vs what is forced fed, so why not put these thoughts to music, so while we wait for the next record, we decided to drop this heavy hitter, spread it an enjoy!

The sound of the impending apocalypse, Kataklysm’s meaty melodic death metal sound is sounding stronger than ever here. The group leaning into their past, focusing on the strengths of their melodeath style, and adding a bit of extra fire and fury to things. It’s got a thick vein of hostility running through it, dark and devilish, but with exciting flashes of extravagant heaviness layered throughout.