A COUNTY band with a Worcester frontman have released a new single.
Thrash metal group Mount Slatra include city vocalist Ryan Darling, Bewdley’s George North and Ben Alexander on guitar and drums respectively and Aaron Watkins from Stourport on bass.
Darling studied at the Kidderminster College music department as did North and Alexander.
The new single 5×5 is out now on all major streaming platforms, including YouTube, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Thrash metal band Mount Slatra have released new single 5×5 (Image: Mount Slatra)
Mount Slatra said: “5×5 takes its name from the tap code used by American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.
“The track deals with the psychological aftermath of conflict on returning soldiers and has already picked up a strong critical response.
“SLAP Mag reviewed it, describing it as “a ferocious and purposeful leap forward from a band who have found both their sound and something meaningful to say with it” and noting that the band “sound like a band that know exactly what they are doing”.”
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The new track has been mixed and mastered by Matthew Jones with drum engineering by Connor Yarrington and cover graphics by Apocalyptic Nuke.
Mount Slatra have previously supported US thrash metal touring act Warbringer.
They were featured in the BBC Sounds documentary series Forging Metal, alongside Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi and Judas Priest lead vocalist Rob Halford, as part of the future of British heavy metal.
They are also set to headline Slaughterhouse Festival in Birmingham on Saturday.
With a full-length album on the way, this is shaping up to be a significant year for the hard-working band.
The four‑piece specialise in loud, fast, tightly-drilled live sets that have already made them a fixture on local bills, including Worcester Music Festival.
Their 2025 debut album Divine in Ruin announced a band steeped in the classic thrash tradition.
Tracks such as Fists of the Fallen and Scorched Earth pushed beyond mere nostalgia, earning praise for capturing why the genre mattered in the first place while igniting mosh pits across Black Country venues.
On stage they are known for high‑energy chemistry and a democratic presence.
The new single marks Mount Slatra’s most significant step up.
