Hollywood Undead Tap Slayer’s Legendary Riff On New Anthem ‘1×1’
Hollywood Undead have unveiled their new single ‘1×1’, a bruising rap-metal anthem that boldly samples the iconic riff from Slayer’s thrash classic ‘Raining Blood’. Released via Sumerian Records, the track arrives as the band gear up for a huge festival run across North America and Europe in 2026, including an appearance at Download Festival.
Built around pounding nu-metal grooves and the unmistakable DNA of Slayer’s legendary riff, ‘1×1’ finds Hollywood Undead leaning fully into their confrontational side. Rap verses snap with swagger before erupting into a huge, chant-ready chorus that lands like a declaration of dominance.
After nearly two decades as one of modern rock’s most recognisable crossover acts, the band sound like they know exactly where they stand.
A Victory Lap With Teeth
Produced by Matt Good (Skrillex, The Haunt), the track blends hip-hop rhythms, heavy guitars and arena-sized hooks in a way Hollywood Undead have refined across their long career.
The slowed-down interpolation of the ‘Raining Blood’ riff provides the track’s spine, while the band’s trademark mix of rap verses and melodic choruses turns the track into a relentless modern rock banger.
With over 3.2 billion cross-platform streams, more than 1 billion YouTube views, and 4.1 million monthly Spotify listeners, ‘1×1’ feels like a band doubling down on their legacy rather than chasing trends.
Speaking about the track, the band explained the message behind the defiant new release.
“This song is about resilience. People are always going to doubt you or try to bring you down, but the point is getting back up every time and reminding them you’re still here, and that you can’t be replaced.”
The Next Chapter After Hollywood Forever
The track follows the band’s 2024 album Hollywood Forever, their debut for Sumerian Records, which amassed more than 20.3 million cross-platform streams and climbed to #18 on Active Rock radio.
In June 2025 they released ‘SAVIOR’, a darker and more introspective cut that revealed a more vulnerable side of the band. With ‘1×1’, the mood swings firmly back toward confrontation.
Where ‘SAVIOR’ felt like confession, ‘1×1’ is pure defiance.
Festival Stages Await
The band head into 2026 riding serious momentum after a packed 2025 schedule that included:
- A co-headline tour with Tech N9ne
- Mainstage appearances at Sonic Temple, Welcome to Rockville, and Louder Than Life
- Arena and amphitheatre shows supporting Falling In Reverse on the God Is A Weapon tour
Their upcoming festival run will span two continents, beginning in May at Welcome to Rockville in Florida before heading to Europe for the summer — including a mainstage performance at Download Festival 2026 — and wrapping up in the United States with Rocklahoma in September.
Meanwhile, the band have also been working on their ninth studio album, suggesting ‘1×1’ may be the latest glimpse of what comes next.
Hollywood Undead
Band Members
- Johnny 3 Tears
- J-Dog
- Charlie Scene
- Funny Man
- Danny
Formed in Los Angeles, Hollywood Undead first broke through with their RIAA platinum-certified 2008 debut Swan Songs and have since built one of modern rock’s most dedicated global audiences.
Nearly twenty years later, ‘1×1’ proves they’re still swinging.
