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 below, which will grow each week.
Batushka - "Chapter I: The Emptiness - Polunosznica"
Batushka's latest single "Chapter I: The Emptiness" is going to make you feel a lot of things. The Polish black-metal crew does an excellent job of stirring up emotion with a huge, atmospheric intro that goes right into a storm of riffs. There aren't a lot of acts that can merge ethereal parts, solos and choral singing and still maintain intensity, but Batushka expertly, and furiously, pull it off.
Rammstein - "Puppe"
A harrowing tale of a small kid traumatized by listening to an older sister's sex-work exploits before seeing her murdered body through a keyhole, "Puppe" begins innocuously enough until the chorus barges in with singer Till Lindemann delivering maybe the most emotional performance of his career. The gripping, tumultuous mood continuously builds throughout the waves of grief and despair, and what started off sounding like a sinister lullaby ends on a violently cathartic explosion. Not only the most powerful song on the new album, "Puppe" may be the most impactful song in Rammstein's entire catalog.
Slipknot - "Unsainted"
Slipknot kept fans waiting for what felt like an eternity between the Halloween drop of "All Out Life" and their latest, "Unsainted." Featuring an eerie choral introduction before bursting into brutal Iowan flames, the track is an all-out assault with a razor-sharp edge softened only a bit by the melodic, cleanly sung chorus. Hellish guitars and a lead-footed breakdown allow room for Corey Taylor to spew a rage-filled message in preparation for the final explosive chorus, ending abruptly on a high note in keeping with the incendiary tone of the track. The 'Knot are back and in better shape than ever.
Ghostemane - "Pathetic"
Is there any genre Ghostemane can't apply his brand of darkness to? Hot on the heel's of last month's hardcore EP Fear Network, this week saw the musician drop the introspective Opium, which featured the standout song "Pathetic." While the EP was promised to be an acoustic affair, Ghoste's approach is a lot closer to the moody vibe of Deftones' sparser work rather than a Bright Eyes–esque ballad. The track also shows off his unexpected singing voice, which gives a truly haunting quality to this beautiful song.
Baroness - "Throw Me an Anchor"
The intro for Baroness' "Throw Me an Anchor" is going to wake your ass up. After getting started with an assault of percussion, the band settles into a strange, almost sing-along rock track with a huge chorus. The guitar solos bounce off the walls, and John Dyer Baizley's voice is equal parts strong and pained. There's a pretty badass breakdown, too, so you're well covered on your heavy and catchy fronts.
Torche - "Slide"
Something about the brain-rumbling fuzz and grunge-doom sensibility combined with a poppy, upbeat tone makes Torche one of the most consistently fulfilling bands to hear album after album. Their newest track, "Slide," is a psych-tinged mind-melter that sounds like a nap in the sun and heavy, slow, headbanging all at once. With a new lineup cemented and an album titled Admission on the way, Torche are once again ready to light the way for doom pop.
