Sleep Token, Casey, Snayx and More: New Noizze – The 10 Must-Listen Tracks Of The Week

I wonder how many Sleep Token tracks we'll have on next week's list. Here's the top 10 tracks of the first week of 2023.

Sleep Token – Chokehold / The Summoning

After an exceptional couple of years mysterious, masked, post-metal collective Sleep Token return with a pair of new singles flexing their heaviest, most fascinating work since their debut album in 2019. The first of these two singles, ‘Chokehold’ is perhaps the more expected of the pair, slowly building upon an atmospheric, buzzsaw synth line with their trademark melodramatic R&B style vocals before breaking into a thunderous air-raid siren guitar riff for a chorus that’s bound to send circle pits around the world spinning. ‘The Summoning’ is one of Sleep Token’s heaviest tracks to date, with layers of metalcore style guitar riffs and vocals flying between dramatic auto-tune, whispered breakdowns and the occasional scream. An absolute highlight of the track is the truly unexpected and funky prog slap bass breakdown and accompanying fuzzed out guitar solo, clashing the first half of the track’s extremely modern styling with a splash of retro swagger. Two tracks perfect for worship. – Tom Bruce

Casey – Atone

The Welsh post-hardcore legends Casey surprised and delighted fans with news of their return and first single ‘Great Grief’ late last year. Now into 2023, they’ve released their second reunion single and announced it’ll be part of a special run of 7″ singles containing both songs, as well as embarking on a run of shows that sold out within minutes. Their cult status evidently never diminished, and ‘Atone’ continues proving why that is. Returning to their familiar roots of heartache, it’s an emotionally fraught journey that sounds closest to their debut album while still showing a level of growth over their years both as a band and apart. Desperate screams in its opening verse give way to a half-time chorus that soars and wrenches at the heartstrings; just as ‘Great Grief’ before it, this is one for the long nights and morose days where all those little things just feel a bit too much to bear. – Will Marshall

Snayx – I’m Deranged

Given how the Brighton punk duo have already shared stages with the likes of Nova Twins, Bob Vylan and Kid Kapachi, one may assume Snayx may have already made significant headway in their career. However, the band haven’t even released their debut EP yet. A surprising tidbit yes, but ‘I’m Deranged’ clearly shows why the band already have become an adored entity within the UK scene. Taken from their feverishly anticipated debut EP Weaponized Youth: Part 1, ‘I’m Deranged’ is a snapping and kicking whiplash of punk sensibilities bounded by confrontational vocals and serrated riffs. Much like the rest of Snayx’s work thus far, it perfectly captures the explosive nature of the modern punk scene unfolding across the nation right now, effortlessly yet violently capturing a sense of newfound liberation not scene since the inception of the original punk scene all those decades ago. Crucial listening for those wishing for musical rebellion in the key of progression. – Dan Hillier

FORT – Ouroboros

After snaring the attention of the national post rock scene with their fantastic debut EP in 2021, the Cardiff FORT are back with their most immersive work to date in the form of ‘Ouroboros’. The first track to be taken from their forthcoming second EP Once All Is Said And Done, We Still Draw Breath – due for release April – ‘Ouroboros’, like it’s moniker suggests, it’s a coiled collection of musical textures that dramatically intersect and blend over the span of seven minutes. Far more darker and thunderous than the work that proceeded it, this is a brilliant portent of a release that appears to be abound with musical calamity in it’s most atmospheric form. – Dan Hillier

Katatonia – Birds

The masters of gloom, Swedish outfit Katatonia are on the cusp of the release of their twelfth album, Sky Void of Stars, with third single ‘Birds’ offering the final early taste of what’s to come. Much like the previous two singles, it’s a masterfully crafted sorrowful tale that doesn’t entirely jettison their more progressive stylings but does lean far more into anthemic territories. Opening with a searing lead, it already sounds destined for goth clubs, as does its ascendant chorus that’ll be stuck in your head for days. Vocalist Jonas Renkse kept it simple describing the lament; ”The pulse of dereliction. The insatiable need to expire. Here come the birds.” – Will Marshall

Enterprise Earth – Death Magick

Released just days prior to their UK tour with Shadow Of Intent and To The Grave, progressive deathcore titans are heralding their approach with their latest single ‘Death Magick’. Arguably their heaviest work to date, the seven minute track doubles down on the inhospitable musicianship that made the act so well known in deathcore circles whilst also offering up some new techniques reminiscent of the likes of The Acacia Strain and Lorna Shore. Quite frankly, it’s absurdly heavy and one must wonder how the venues the band are set to soon visit will handle this kind of aural punishment. – Dan Hillier

EYES – Generation L

For those still to be antiquated with the Copenhagen-based EYES, just imagine the sardonic stylings of Cassels mixed with the reckless abandon of Every Time I Die and the bludgeoning tones of LLNN. If that’s hard to visualise, just listen to their latest track ‘Generation L’. The second track to be taken from their upcoming record Congratulations – released February 3rd – this is a frantic outpouring of frustration condemning our cursed generation’s forced adoption of the fallout that came as a result of the ageing generation’s reckless exploits. Decrying the lack of jobs, futures and general reasons to exist amidst the shadow of environmental, cultural and economic collapse, this is a musical melee delivered with a sense of profound wit that only highlights the inherent misery that forced the creation of this track. – Dan Hillier

Jeffk – Fingers

The second single to be taken from Jeffk’s upcoming record TAR – released January 20th via Golden Antenna Records – ‘Fingers’ shows exactly this band are rapidly making waves in post-rock circles. Channeling the cold and dystopian callousness of Russian Circles whilst simultaneously tapping into the playful groove of acts such as El Ten Eleven, ‘Fingers’ presents a dichotomy between aggression and rhythm that counteracts the notion that post-rock has long exploited all fresh ideas. Those with a adoration for instrumental guitar driven work in all it’s various presentations and shades will find plenty to fawn over here. – Dan Hillier

Serotonin Syndrome – The Pitiful One

The latest single from the Finnish doom marred metal collective Serotonin Syndrome, ‘The Pitiful One’ is a wretched call from far beyond the frozen circumference of the artic circle. Containing the fury and anguish synonymous with bands such as Agalloch, Katatonia and early In Flames, ‘The Pitiful One’ is a lashing out utterly void of any positivity or optimism whatsoever. However, given the subject matter, this isn’t surprising in the slightest. Documenting humanity’s utter inability to cooperate and it’s inherent penchant for conflict that end’s in mutually assured destruction, the track lament’s mankind’s tendency for physical violence with musical hostility. “The Pitiful One deals with the human inability to get along”, state the band on the track. “How instead of pulling together we end up against each other, tightening the rope around our collective neck. Same story repeating throughout the whole human history.” – Dan Hillier

Russkaja – Shapka

One part party polka, one part nu-metal and one part political vessel, the latest single from Austria’s Russkaja is a certainly an experience, but one for a good cause. With the band wearing their Ukrainian and Russian heritages on their sleeve, the track is a polka pop driven nu-metal romp condemning the horrors that have plagued Ukraine over the past year. Granted, This may not be for everyone musically, but with the band committed to supporting refugees and those still fighting to survive in the besieged country through charity raising merch, it’s difficult not to respect both Russkaja’s approach to genre nonconformity and their ardent support for their siblings affected the horrors of conflict. – Dan Hillier