B-Side Guys

Brighton quartet Slung introduces us to a haunting cult narrative in “Collider,” a track that ripples with bass-heavy undercurrents and psychedelic reflections. The second single from their upcoming debut album “In Ways” showcases the band’s ability to merge storytelling with musical tension, creating an immersive experience that pulls listeners into vocalist Katie Oldham’s imaginative world.

“Collider” began life in bassist Vlad Matveikov’s hands, later developed with Zac Jackson (of El Moono), before Oldham wove her hypnotic vocal patterns through its pulsating framework. The result is a methodical descent into cultish devotion, with Oldham’s voice floating ethereally above the instrumentation like incense smoke in a ceremonial chamber.

When Oldham intones, “I can taste, your smile / Soft wonders, collide,” there’s an immediate sense of boundary dissolution – the hallmark of both psychedelic experience and cult indoctrination. The repetition of “Ritual prophet” throughout the lyrics establishes the central deity figure, while commands like “Open your mind” and “Time to receive it” mirror the language of surrender common in religious conversion.

The production brilliantly supports this thematic exploration. Ali Johnson’s guitar work provides atmospheric density rather than standard post-metal aggression, while Matveikov’s basslines create the ominous foundation Oldham described as inspiration. Drummer Ravi Martin’s contributions are particularly noteworthy, offering rhythmic punctuation that feels ceremonial in its precision.

Particularly effective is the song’s closing mantra: “Picture perfect / We are dreaming / Open your eyes / Believe what you’re seeing.” These lines capture the paradoxical nature of psychedelic cult experiences – simultaneous dreaming and heightened perception, collective hallucination presented as ultimate reality.

What makes “Collider” remarkable is how thoroughly the music embodies its concept. The track’s hypnotic quality creates the same altered consciousness it describes lyrically. This unity of form and content speaks to Slung’s artistic maturity, impressive for a band releasing just their second single ahead of a debut album.

“Collider” suggests Slung has found a distinctive voice within the crowded post-metal landscape. By filtering their diverse influences (from Deftones to Fleetwood Mac) through Oldham’s narrative vision, they’ve created something that acknowledges its genre roots while exploring new psychic territory. This ritual is worth joining.