Signs of the Swarm Release New Single Featuring Despised Icon’s Alex Erian

How baked is Signs of the Swarm frontman David Simonich in the band’s current promo photo (above, far right)? I’m not even judging — of course I’m not! — I’m just laughing. Dude looks so blazed he could start a forest fire.

Speaking of Signs of the Swarm and baking, the band has released a new single, “Hollow Prison,” which will flatten you likedough beneath a rolling pin. Not hurting its heaviness quotient is a guest spot by Despised Icon co-frontman Alex Erian, although it’s not like the song would be wanting for brutality without him.

Says Simonich of the track:

 “‘Hollow Prison’ is one of our collective favourites on the album. It brings together all the key elements of Signs of the Swarm, while expanding to complement Alex Erian’s vocal style and delivery. That’s not to say this is Despised Icon worship, though all deathcore kind of is in a way, rather we siphon that through what makes us who we are. It’s one of the moshiest songs we have.

“Lyrically, it talks about being captive in our mortal shell, awaiting the inevitability of death as repetition slowly eats us away. Add the cycle of despair to ‘death and taxes.’ It’s a challenge to everyone to break that cycle and transcend disillusionment.”

Adds Erian:

 “I said yes as soon as I heard the song, and I don’t agree to features often – especially these days. Despised Icon was on a break due to lockdown, things at work were also on hold, and I was spending way too much time home alone. Collaborating on this track with David and the boys was my outlet. I hope you dig it. Signs of the Swarm are the future of deathcore in my book.”

You can check out the track below. It will appear on Signs of the Swarm’s fourth album, Absolvere, which comes out on September 24 via Unique Leader. Pre-order it here.