VCTMS Release Video for New Single "devil's // speak" Feat. Fox Lake

VCTMS return with a dark, aggressive nu-metal x metalcore track fueled by revenge and emotional exploitation. Blending crushing riffs with raw intensity, the song confronts betrayal head-on, cutting out every memory until the past is dead. Hell is still in other people and the devil speaks in absolutes. 

To top it all off, they have teamed up with fellow metalcore rising star, Nathan Johnson of Fox Lake, for a truly in-your-face track. Stay tuned for more new music and announcements from VCTMS in 2026.

Listen to the new track here.

Watch the video below.

The band shares more insight on their reinvigorated energy and collaboration on the new track, stating, "devil's/speak is one of the most energetic songs of the release — blending hip-hop elements, groove metal, and a catchy one liner that is sure to get people moshing. It caters to what fans have always loved about VCTMS: Relatable lyrics, a killer guest feature, and aggressive riffs. Nathan Johnson'a performance on the track gives it that 'all gas, no breaks' attitude that really shines from beginning to the end. devil's/speak is fun and an easily relatable song for those that are going through heartbreak and want to put that anger towards good use."

ABOUT VCTMS:
VCTMS — hellbent on groovy, chaotic, blistering and depressive noise — carry the banner of Illinois’ noisy, frenzied and manic take on alternative metal solely on their capable shoulders, coupled with an unshakable work ethic and unwavering dedication to their sprawling fanbase. 

From their first release, through cross-country tours and leviathan collaborations with the likes of Spite's Darius Tehrani, Emmure's Frankie Palmeri, and Paleface Swiss’ Marc Zelli, VCTMS have an immense discography consisting of five full-length records: Sickness Vol. 1 through their most recent LP, Vol. V: The Hurt Collection and an EP. With each release, VCTMS sound becomes more and more refined, but also more whimsical and effervescent, incorporating splashes of hip-hop, darkwave, industrial, post-hardcore and more to create something that defies simple genre classification—but remains, at its core, the same rapidly-cycling, depressive and devastating brand of metalcore that screams Chicago with a raw throat and swollen lungs. With lyrical content that oscillates from harshly introspective to immolating and homicidal, the band is as relatable as they come—which lends considerably to their overwhelming popularity on the road, touring alongside acts like Crystal Lake, Paleface Swiss, 156/Silence, Veil Of Maya, Cane Hill and more—just within the last few years. The band only continues to grow with each release.

VCTMS are experienced, crushingly heavy, startlingly innovative and, above all else, work in a way many of their peers can hardly fathom, making them a stand-out band where not just metalcore—but rather all of heavy music—is concerned. Welcome to the bad luck crew. It's bad luck season. 

Knotfest x SXSW Showcase Set for March 18 at Elysium, Feat. The Callous Daoboys, Soul Slo, Creeping Death, + More🤘

KNOTFEST EXPANDS "PULSE OF THE MAGGOTS" BRAND WITH OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE

SHOWCASE TAKES PLACE MARCH 18 AT ELYSIUM IN AUSTIN

PERFORMERS INCLUDE HEAD-TURNING ACTS SUCH AS THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS, CREEPING DEATH, ESCUELA GRIND, MILITARIE GUN, SOUL GLO,+ VCTMS


Knotfest is expanding its emerging artist brand, Pulse of the Maggots, by teaming up with SXSW for an official showcase set for March 18 at Elysium in Austin.

This showcase is a powerhouse that spotlights a wide range of artists currently causing thrills in the heavy culture space. 

The lineup, in alphabetical order, is as follows: The Callous Daoboys, Creeping Death, Escuela Grind, Miliatrie Gun, Soul Glo, and VCTMS.
 
SXSW states that it is "thrilled to partner with KNOTFEST for their first-ever official showcase. As a festival that's focused on highlighting new and upcoming artists in the heavy scene, KNOTFEST and Pulse of the Maggots are a perfect fit and are helping us expand more into the growing metal and hardcore scenes. We are excited for everyone to see what is in store for the night." 
 
Clown of Slipknot shares the enthusiasm, saying, "Excited for the new Pulses for us all."

Pulse of the Maggots Fest initially began as a digital festival in 2020, shortly after the launch of Knotfest.com as a full heavy culture media hub as a way to bring emerging artist performances to audience across the world during the world shut down. After two more digital festivals, Pulse Fest had its inaugural in-person event with the Pulse Fest UK featuring Sylosis, Orbit Culture, Heriot, Spiritworld, and more.

With this SXSW showcase (as well as other festivals spanning the globe, including currently on-sale festivals in Australia, Japan, and Italy, Knotfest continues its impact as a curator in the heavy genre.

ABOUT THE PULSE OF MAGGOTS x SXSW SHOWCASE LINEUP:

THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS:
Earning comparative nods to mathcore lineage like Botch and Converge, the sextet package a cacophony of organized chaos in a performance on 2022's Celebrity Therapist  that is purely volatile. 

CREEPING DEATH: 
Practitioners of Texas heft, Creeping Death have taken up the torch for the modern era of death metal. The band's Edge of Existence EP was hailed for it classic and contemporary take on the genre such that their forthcoming 2023 release is among the most anticipated of the year. 

ESCUELA GRIND:
The New England grindcore unit proved relentless on their 2022 full length, Memory Theater. Paying homage to their predecessors like Napalm Death, Brutal Truth, and early Carcass, the technical prowess in tandem with the sheer brutality of the band make them among extreme music’s most promising prospects. 

MILITARIE GUN: 
Dynamic songwriters well beyond their years, L.A.'s Militarie Gun have a knack for crafting tunes that stick. Their All Roads Lead to the Gun ushered in a new era of post-hardcore brilliance that leaned heavily on memorable hooks, punchy guitars and a '90s angst executed with grit and guts. 

SOUL GLO:
The Philly hardcore standouts scored a massive win in 2022 with the release of their universally acclaimed, Diaspora Problems. Praised for their biting social commentary and frenzied execution, they are among the most exciting, emerging names in the landscape of contemporary hardcore. 
 
VCTMS:
The Chicago aggressors and DIY riders spent most of 2022 touring in support of their Vol. IV: Numb the Ache LP. Ending the year with the reveal of the single, "The Dearly Beloved," the band's layered assault and musical bombast makes for an impressive show of force.