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 metal, hard rock and hardcore that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we've also compiled the songs in a Spotify playlist, which will grow each week.
Mindforce - "Swingin Swords, Choppin Lords"
Poughkeepsie, New York, hardcore crew Mindforce's last full-length was dubbed Excalibur, and their latest single continues the bladed theme, both in title and in flesh-rending slashing power. Part Nineties-style hardcore, part throwback-even-further thrash, "Swingin Sword, Choppin Lords" is massive fun, from its sinister intro to its mosh-fueling breakdown.
Bleed From Within - "Night Crossing" Feat. Matt Heafy
The Scottish metal group delivered one of the heaviest cuts of the week with "Night Crossing" off their upcoming album, Fracture. This instant headbanger is full of unapologetic growls, a nonstop blast beat and, of course, an incredible amount of guitar shredding. Speaking of which, Trivium frontman Matt Heafy chips in with what Bleed From Within describe as "a tasty solo" toward the end of the song. "He absolutely nails it," the band enthused. Indeed, he did, as did they.
Glorious - "Unashamed"
This rabble-rousing side project of Employed to Serve and Renounced lives up to its name on the raging and, yes, glorious ripper "Unashamed." The first single off their debut EP of the same name (which, notably, includes a cool Type O Negative cover) is whipping-fast hardcore punk in the U.K. tradition, commanded brilliantly by Employed to Serve vocalist Justine Jones. Open up the pit!
The Weapon - "No Surrender"
Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach has been keeping himself artistically engaged during quarantine with a range of projects. The latest is another dispatch from the Weapon, his politically charged, old-school hardcore-punk outfit. Like any OG punk, "No Surrender" is all about attitude and no compromise. As the vocalist spits out in the ultra-pithy track: "You won't get the best of me/An undying spirit in me/You won't get the best of me/I'll give it till it bleeds."
American Slang - "Holy Roller"
Windy City troublemakers American Slang like Every Time I Die. A lot, judging from their new single. But that ain't a bad thing if it means you bang out a swaggering, groove-heavy, cock-rockin' banger like "Holy Roller." "You've got the shot/You better gun it," vocalist Adam Bevel sings. "'Cause when I get to hell/I'm gonna run it." These boys have the chops to back up their bravado.
Greg Puciato - "Deep Set"
After dropping his first-ever solo song, the acid-tongued industrial-rock screed "Fire for Water," in March, former Dillinger Escape Plan/current the Black Queen frontman Greg Puciato came back with a change of pace. Featuring drumming by Poison the Well's Chris Hornbrook and everything else by Puciato, "Deep Set" is a slithering, hooky cut that rides on the singer's trademark croon. "Your deep set eyes" is bound to be on repeat in your head for days.
