Slatz has offered a slice of rapturous sonic catharsis on Snake Eyes, a new single featuring J-Figure of The Weight of Silence.
Blending the intensity of metalcore with the edge of nu metal, Slatz opens the track with clamorous instrumentation and the kind of rough, gritty vocals that feel purpose-built to scream along to.
While the blistering elements of metal are all there — from emphatic rhythms to dense bass and distorted guitar — Snake Eyes leans into nu metal with uber-successful results.
Here, the duo adopt an ear-catching rap cadence — the kind reminiscent of Hilltop Hoods — affording the track a hip-hop feel that doesn’t sacrifice the staple rock tune.
There’s an impassioned electricity that courses all throughout Snake Eyes, which flits between screaming vocal sections and free-flowing verses with finesse.
Later, Slatz adopts grunge-like, talky delivery as punchy guitar riffs amplify the energy, before whispery vocals recall the hiss of the titular reptile.
Like any great metal cut, Snake Eyes is defined by its razor-sharp lyricism, which sees Slatz ruminate on topics of self-discovery, growth, and perseverance.
Along the way, the musician acknowledges the pain that comes with navigating life’s obstacles en route to a deeper understanding of himself.
“There’s a time and a place but you must have intent,” the duo growl, “The lessons are internal if you unlock the key.” It’s the kind of incisive introspection you’d expect from the collaboration of two metal masters, and Snake Eyes serves as a worthy stage for both Slatz and J-Figure to showcase their singular and combined talents.
“I wrote Snake Eyes around my personal experience of trying to grow as a person and tear down all the negativity I had taken on over the years,” Slatz explained in a press statement. “It was me facing my inner demons, as painful as that was.”
Snake Eyes is one of multiple singles to be released by Slatz this year, with the rocker elsewhere sharing the tracks Chance, Synthwave Metal and the Ben McLaughlin-assisted Polarise, among others.
The Sydney-based musician also has an album of new material waiting in the wings, and if Snake Eyes is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat.
Listen to Slatz’s new single Snake Eyes featuring J-Figure below.
