South African groove metal powerhouse Thorns of Ivory release their highly anticipated follow-up single, “Dogs of War,” today. Known for their high-octane live performances and skull-crushing anthems, Thorns of Ivory is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the global metal scene.
Hailing from Durban, South Africa, the band consists of founder and guitarist Mitchel Tees, guitarist Marcel Smuts, vocalist Matthew Howes, and founding member and drummer Nasiphi Zwane. Since their inception in 2015, Thorns of Ivory has navigated lineup changes with ease, emerging stronger each time. Their early sound leaned towards hardcore and metalcore, but a shift in members in 2019 led them to embrace their groove metal roots, resulting in a sound that’s both heavy and infectious.
The band’s debut single, “Curtain Call,” released in July 2022, topped the charts on “The Doors Rock Radio” for four weeks straight. Thorns of Ivory has shared the stage with South African heavyweights like Vulvodynia and Facing The Gallows and reached the Wacken Metal Battle finals in 2023.
The band’s frontman, Matthew Howes, is a true survivor, having battled and conquered cancer in 2023. Their December 2023 comeback show at the Burn Reunion in Durban was a powerful display of resilience.
Thorns of Ivory are gearing up for their first performance of 2024 at the prestigious Pit At The Polo event, where they will be joined by Chase Drewett of Scathanna Wept and The Kill, who will fill in on bass.
Their new single, “Dogs of War,” draws inspiration from the political landscape of 2020-2023 and has become even more relevant with recent global conflicts. The band aims to convey the stark realities of war and its devastating impact on the lives of those involved.
“This song focuses on the abject horror experienced by those who are not given a choice and only have orders,” comments the band. “War is not glorious. The cost of life, the mental state of those on the ground, and the permanent damage it leaves is not something to be sought after.”
The track’s writing process was a journey, taking a couple of months to complete as the band navigated the direction of the song. The final lyrics were inspired by a war novel by Frederick Forsyth, with Howes crafting vivid imagery from there.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered in-house by the band themselves, “Dogs of War” showcases their ability to combine textured heavy groove with pace. As Howes is a qualified sound engineer, Thorns of Ivory’s recording process is meticulously crafted.
Buy / Stream Dogs Of War
