Here at Revolver, we’re always on the hunt for new songs to bang our heads to — indeed, it’s a big part of our jobs. With that in mind, here are the tracks released this week in beatdown hardcore, old-school death metal, nu-metal revivalism and more that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we’ve also compiled the songs in an ever-evolving Spotify playlist.
Speed – “THE FIRST TEST”
We already knew Aussie crew Speed were going to bring it hard with the latest single from their forthcoming ONLY ONE MODE, but who would’ve guessed that it would involve vocalist and surprise flautist Jem Siow ham-and-eggsing a NYHC-grade breakdown like Ron fucking Burgundy?
Not quite the metal-edged direction we expected, but we’re here for the smooth-jazz heaviness.
Bad Omens x ERRA – “ANYTHING u003e HUMAN”
Even amid the reimagined tunes, live tracks and remixes on Bad Omens’ epically outsized CONCRETE JUNGLE [THE OST] , “ANYTHING > HUMAN” is a monolithic, darkly melodic standout of towering hooks, mainframe-splintered synth noise and a grossly howled-out breakdown featuring ERRA vocalist J.T. Cavey.
While the lyrics anchor themselves around the idea of a “flawed design,” everything lines up superbly on “ANYTHING > HUMAN.”
Terminal Sleep – “Spineless”
Do you know what it’s like to feel “true grit”?
That’s the central question Melbourne’s Terminal Sleep pose on this metallic hardcore missive to the jelly-spined. It firmly plants itself into a solid foundation of Nineties-style discordant judding atop of which vocalist vocalist Bec Thorwesten bellows a laundry list of fully screamed-out, scene-directed grievances.
Vomit Forth – “Blood Soaked Death Dream”
Viscous gorehounds Vomit Forth burbled up a phenomenally punishing standalone single where hammer-smashed bomb blasts and slaughterhouse guitar-and-vocal squealing introduce listeners to the nightmarish new chapter of the band’s extremity.
The kind of death-metal fever dream you pray only covers you in a layer of late-night panic sweat.
Ocean Grove – “FLY AWAY”
There’s a cheekiness to the mission statement that nu-metal revivalists Ocean Grove both rap and shout on their latest single: “Come on and take it back.”
The track definitely dials into a turn-of-the-century aesthetic, with turntables scratching full-tilt over detuned, dumb-fun guitar hooks and a familiarly scratchy but still super-melodic chorus refrain primed to put Ocean Grove one step closer to becoming nu titans in their own right.
Gruesome – “Frailty”
The ever Death-devoted Gruesome are back to once again celebrate their favorite band, one homage album at a time.
“Frailty” marks Gruesome’s first exploration of the Human period, and it fits the bill between its prog-frazzled time signature pivots and unsettlingly sophisticated guitar shredding. And six years on from their last release, Matt Harvey’s Schuldiner-style scream is still in top, festering form.