A busy month saw collaborations from Bad Omens and Poppy, along with standout singles from the likes of Wisp, In Clover and King Yosef. We now take a look at some of the singles that may have been missed in amongst the blurry-eyed chaos of January.
Alterth – Fear for Eternity (Independent)
Aussie upstarts Alterth pack riffs and djenty goodness into their debut track “Fear For Eternity“. It is brimming with prog grandiosity that has historically captured the imagination of many. An impressive vocal range that weaves its way through the track and a eardrum trembling double-kick is topped off by a disgustingly low-tuned breakdown, finalising a track that certainly forced Alterth into our memory.
FFO: Northlane, TesseracT & Stargazer
Snuffed – Lobotomy Dream (Another City Records)
Snuffed brute forced their way into the new year with their first new material since 2022. The title track from their upcoming EP, “Lobotomy Dream“, is pissed and abrasive in its nature that forces it to be heard with its grizzled vocals from Karly Soto.
FFO: Big Laugh, Fixation & SPY
ALBA SERA – Messiah (Sony Music)
On “Messiah“, ALBA SERA delivers anathematic vocals blending seamlessly with expansive instrumentals by Yuyoyuppe, known for his influence in vocaloid metal and contributions to BABYMETAL. The collaboration transcends genres, creating a captivating musical journey that defies boundaries.
FFO: HANABIE., Utsu-P & Futakuchi Mana
deathdotgov – The Observer (The Watchlist)
deathdotgov spent 2023 performing alongside the likes of Better Lovers and Miserable Ghost, now they make their single debut with track “The Observer“. Pulling influence from the best elements of noise rock, hardcore and post-hardcore, it sees deathdotgov as an act brimming with potential.
FFO: Underoath, Still Remains & I Set My Friends On Fire
Trace Amount – Living Accessory (Independent)
Trace Amount offered up their first new material, delivering the confrontational single “Living Accessory“. This song served as the initial taste of the project’s subsequent three-track EP, “Simulation Fetish“, meticulously mixed by the industrial icon Rhys Fulber of Front Line Assembly.
FFO: Author & Punisher, HEALTH & KEN Mode
Wilthwither – For No One Else To See (Independent)
Not settling with what they had delivered on EP The House I Lived and Died In, Wilthwither crank up the aggression with their latest foray on “For No One Else To See“. Delivering sonic punishment that will ring the ears, it seems Wilthwither are set out to deliver a bludgeoning that will leave a mark.
FFO: Structures, Distinguisher & Johnny Booth
A Burial At Sea – masterfred (Pleagic Records)
A Burial At Sea, the avant-garde post-rock outliers, recently dropped “masterfred“, the third single from their upcoming sophomore album, Close To Home. A testament to the band’s evolved musical maturity, “Masterfred” balances sombre, haunting melodies with an empowering undertone.
FFO: Tides Of Man, Leaving Time & American Football
Monochromatic Black – Hail the Queen (The Hive)
Those looking for a track with furious vocals, relentless riffs and groovy bass tunes will have to look no further than the latest effort from Monochromatic Black in the form of “Hail the Queen (The Hive)”. Vocalist Tanya Beickert leading the absolute harmonic chaos that will hopefully see the quartet begin to build some deserved momentum.
FFO: The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Born of Osiris & Bleed From Within
Imprintafter – sanctuary re:mix (Independent)
There’s something about a Kingdom Hearts OST remix that scratches a certain nostalgic itch. Whether it was SAGEISKAMI‘s sampling of “Ultima” on EP $iLENT HEAVEN, iRiS.EXE‘s gorgeous cover of “Sanctuary” last year on Mercykiller or Imprintafter’s earworm remix of “Simple & Clean“. The aforementioned artist now takes puts forward their latest remix from the KH series with “sanctuary re:mix“. Bouncing beats compliment the original vocals to deliver some dazzling nostalgia with a breakcore twist.
FFO: MANAPOOL, Erythh & Nedaj