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.
Orbit Culture - "Open Eye"
Insurgent Swedes Orbit Culture cite Metallica, Gojira and Parkway Drive as three of their biggest influences, and on the fourth and final single off their killer new album, Nija, the band manages to encompass elements of all three of those fine groups into something massive, emotional and distinctive. Keep your own open eye on these guys.
Imperial Triumphant - "City Swine"
There's been plenty of buzz about NYC avant-metal trio Imperial Triumphant's new album Alphaville and, let's face it, what everyone's really wanted to hear is Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake's cameo, Japanese taiko drums and all. Well, now we have and, unsurprisingly, it's mind-blowing. The seven-minute "City Swine" is warped, jazz-damaged heavy-music extremity at its finest; verging on pure chaos at times, there's scintillating method to this madness if you listen closely and on repeat enough.
DevilDriver - "Iona"
DevilDriver ringleader Dez Fafara and his cohorts are gearing up to release the ambitious double-album Dealing With Demons, which the former Coal Chamber frontman has said is the band's most personal release to date. A ghost story of sorts, "Iona" is really about the inability to let go of the things that have hurt you, and its franticly screamed verses, roar-along choruses, haunting guitar tones and blast drumming powerfully drive that theme home.
Spiritbox - "Holy Roller"
"Let's make the most ridiculous song that we can." That's the mission statement that guided Former Iwrestledabearonce vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her bandmates as they set about writing and recording "Holy Roller," Spiritbox's cranium-compressing new single, which arrived with a stunning, Midsommar-hailing DIY music video. If this is the post-metal-leaning outfit being "ridiculous," we don't want to ever hear them sounding sensible.
Year of the Knife - "Manipulation Artist"
Delaware-based metallic hardcore group Year of the Knife continue their sonic onslaught on Internal Incarceration's second single, "Manipulation Artist." True to its title, the song is about the cycle of abuse of a toxic partner with vocalist Tyler Mullen bellowing, "You took advantage of me/My love, my empathy/How would you feel if you were me?/Then it wouldn't be so fucking easy." The band has described the cut as their most brutal yet, and the pit-ready two-and-a-half-minute ripper lives up to the billing.
John Carpenter - "Skeleton"
When John "The Horror Master" Carpenter drops a new song called "Skeleton," you expect something skin-crawling, the soundtrack to a haunting nightmare, and his latest instrumental soundscape does not disappoint. Dripping with menacing synths and cinematic chills, its readymade for a future fright flick. Turn out the lights and turn up the volume.
