If you want technicality, melody, grooves, and some sweet synth action all at once, then Abstracted is the record for you. This reminded me a bit of acts like Ordinance, The HAARP Machine, or an act that Michael Semesky might front. Then, turns out he's on the album as a guest. So he would agree with me.
Cancer Bats – Psychic Jailbreak
Genre: Southern metal/hardcore Origin: Toronto, Ontario Label: Bat Skull Records/New Damage Records
On their first record since founding guitarist Scott Middleton departed, the Bats are still doing what the Bats do. Long-time bassist Jaye Schwarzer is pulling double-duty on this record handling git-fiddle as well, so it still feels right. If you enjoyed their sludgy, hardcore, deep-fried, high energy heaviness before, you'll still have a great time here .
Darkher – The Buried Storm
Genre: Doom/folk Origin: Northern England Label: Prophecy
Now to change gears completely, we have the latest from Darkher. Jayn Maiven's lurching and haunting project is an ominous and ethereal delight. While not consistently heavy, when the heavy hits, heads will bang. You're certainly summoning something as this plays, but maybe the ghosts will be nice?
Monuments – In Stasis
Genre: Progressive metalcore/djent Origin: London, England Label: Century Media
I like weeks like this. I'm able to show have many different types of metal there really are. On their first album in four years Monuments are bringing the prog rhythms and the soaring melodies. Drummer Mike Malyan is back and this is their new-ish vocalist Andy Cizek's first record. Lots of shake-ups, but the record feels right and these songs will absolutely get stuck in your head. Jordan has a full review here.
postcards from new zealand – burn, witch, burn
Genre: Black metal Origin: New Zealand Label: Self-released
the rather mysterious, and always lower-case, postcards from new zealand are kicking off a trilogy of albums with burn, witch burn. while the band has previously dabbled in lengthy, atmospheric metal tracks, most the songs on this are under three minutes. these tracks are efficient, raw, black metal assaults though.
Trace Amount – Anti Body Language
Genre: Industrial Origin: Brooklyn, New York Label: Federal Prisoner
Now for a noisy one. This is intensity in sonic form. The closest thing I can think of like this is Author & Punisher. It's weird, the Federal Prisoner label is still fairly new, but this sounds like what I'd expect from the label.
A Wilhelm Scream – Lose Your Delusion
Genre: Melodic hardcore Origin: New Bedford, Massachusetts Label: Creator-Destructor Records
Ending this week's entry with a fun one. A Wilhelm Scream's first record in almost a decade is a collection of punk earworms with a sorta-secret progressive nature. This isn't one for the fans of kvlt metal, but if you dig RX Bandits you'll probably have a good time with this one. Peep our Full review.
Also dropping today…
Aevum – Glitch (DarkTunesMusic Group) – Symphonic metal
