Slung - 'Collider'
Brighton rock band Slung take listeners on a psychedelic trip with the release of their second single, Collider.
The Brighton quartet released their latest single Collider on Thursday the 13th of February. The track is the band’s second single to be released from their debut album, In Ways, which is due for release via Fat Dracula on the 2nd of May. To celebrate the release, Slung have also announced an extensive UK tour which also kicks off in May.
Their latest single Collider is a goosebump raiser of a track, with Katie Oldham’s vocals a haunting presence over the instrumentals. It’s a hypnotic fusion of sinister drums. guitar riffs and a heavy bass with soul-stirring vocals adding the cherry on top. Collider feels dark, ominous, with lyrics to match as Oldham explained “They tell the story of a cult who are ruled by a deity they refer to as the ‘ritual prophet’ and whom they converse with through the use of psychedelics.”
Slung are a refreshing addition to the rock and metal scene, they have a sound, an essence about them, that is entirely their own. While the influences of old, classic rock are evident of course - there’s a strong element of 80s and 90s rock buried within Collider, and fans of The Smiths might notice some slight similarities to the song How Soon Is Now?, from the band’s 1984 album Hatful of Hollow. The influence of the Deftones and Alice In Chains are also laced throughout the piece. It feels very much like a nod of appreciation to those who came before them, but Collider is ultimately a piece that is entirely the band’s own. It perfectly showcases the talents of each band member and highlights the fact that they each bring something unique to the table - between Oldham’s powerful vocal range, Ali Johnson’s impressive guitar riffs, Vlad Matveikov’s rolling basslines and Ravi Martin’s unfaltering rhythm on drums, the band are nothing short on talent. Collider, along with their previous single Laughter, is proof that Slung have the range and are not afraid to experiment with and show off their sound.
Slung are clearly on an upward trajectory if this track Collider, and its predecessor, the biting piece Laughter, are anything to go by. The lead-up to their album In Ways is bound to be an exciting one, and even more so when the album is released, and the Brighton four-piece hits the road.
Words by Angela English
