This week's new heavy metal releases include a lot of debut full lengths, lots of tech, a legend taking a surprising turn, and more!
You can also check out select new releases here on vinyl via Gimme Metal. Now, to the metals…
The Banishment – Machine and Bone
Genre: Industrial
Origin:
Label: Frontiers
Buy now from Amazon
Starting with an interesting one. Did you know George Lynch has an industrial band? I sure didn't and neither did his Wiki as of this writing. This reminds me of early 90's Nine Inch Nails or Ministry mixed with modern rock, but then with breaks for Lynch solos. Hell of a guest list on this one with Richard Patrick (Filter), Jason C Miller (Godhead), and Tommy Victor (Prong).
Demon King – Vesania
Genre: Blackened technical death metal
Origin: Nashville, Tennessee
Label: The Artisan Era
Buy now on Bandcamp
If you're hungry for some tech death fury that's on the evil side, might I recommend Demon King? The vocals lean grim while the music has all the breakneck switchbacks and rhythmic switches of a technical death metal outfit. The combination black metal chocolate and death metal peanut butter is not new, but this is a very fresh take on the tasty combo.
Gorod – The Orb
Genre: Progressive/technical death metal
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Label: Self-released
Buy now via Gimme Metal
On their most adventurous output yet, these Frenchmen are gazing into The Orb (Just like the meme! Or not? I don't care). Lots of technical flurries as expected, but you're also getting some massive chorus singalongs, some synth boops, big ol grooves, and more. This one was worth the five year wait.
Periphery – Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
Genre: Progressive metal
Origin: Washington DC
Label: 3DOT
Buy now via Gimme Metal
Are you a fan of when Periphery gives you lengthy prog opuses? Then you'll love this. All the band's staple moves are here, but it still feels innovative and like a new approach to their specific sound. Metal's favorite Saxaboomer Jørgen Munkeby shows up on this which is very cool. J. Andrew's rundown is here.
Suicide Silence – Remember… You Must Die
Genre: Deathcore
Origin: Riverside, CA
Label: Century Media
Buy now on Amazon
Don't like tech or prog? Ok, here's some chunky grooves. heads will bang and get whiplash if you don't time them just right to the frequent stops. This serves as their introduction of new drummer Ernie Iniguez, so enjoy his fresh ratta-tats. Shaun's full review is here.
Tribe Of Pazuzu – Blasphemous Prophecies
Genre: Blackened death metal
Origin: Canada / United States
Label: Self-released
Buy now via Gimme Metal
The debut full length from Tribe Of Pazuzu is one that should please old school blackened death metal fans. The drums are intense (as expected with Flo from Cryptopsy behind the kit), the guitars wail with lots of whammy bar work, and vocalist/bassist Nick Sagias sounds like a monster. So all the bases are successfully covered.
Vilivant – Running On Empty
Genre: Hard rock
Origin: Toronto, Ontario
Label: Infra-Red Records
Buy now from Vilivant
This is my stepping out of the metal comfort zone pick of the week. Lots of old school heavy metal attitude there. It's like early Paramore if they were raised on mid-tempo Dio and Guns N Roses.
Also dropping this week…
- As Light Dies – The Laniakea Architecture, Volume II (Darkwoods) – Gothic metal
- Asphagor – Pyrogenesis (MDD Records) – Black metal
- Astriferous – Pulsations From The Black Orb (Me Saco Un Ojo Records/Pulverised Records) – Death metal
- The Atomic Bitchwax – Live At Freak Valley Fest (Heavy Psych Sounds) – Stoner rock
- Bastard Grave – Vortex of Disgust (Pulverised Records) – Death metal
- Common Wounds – Common Wounds (Protagonist Music) – Noise rock
- Cripta Blue – Rather With The Devil (Argonauta Records) – Psychedelic/doom
- Deludium Skies – Ichor (Trepanation Recordings) – Drone/experimental
- Demons Down – I Stand (Frontiers) – Hard rock
- Depraved Murder – Unethical Terrestrial Collapse (Comatose Music) – Brutal death metal
- Dirge – Dirge (Immersive Sounds) – Sludge/doom
- Duel – Live At Hellfest (Heavy Psych Sounds) – Psychedelic/doom
- Excelerate – Arrival (From The Vaults) – Heavy metal
- For The Fallen Dreams – For The Fallen Dreams (Arising Empire) – Metalcore
- Frozen Crown – Call of the North (Scarlet) – Power metal
- Genocidal Rites – Exsanguination Of The Gods (Hells Headbangers) – Black metal
- Håndgemeng – Ultraritual (Ripple Music) – "Stonercore"
- The Human Race Is Filth – Cognitive Dissonance (Self-released) – Sludge/crust
- Ice Age – Waves Of Loss And Power (Sensory Records) – Progressive metal
- Intrepid Bloom – Missing Link (WURMgroup) – Hard rock
- Isole – Anesidora (Hammerheart Records) – Epic doom
- Judiciary – Flesh + Blood (Closed Casket) – Crossover/thrash
- Läjä Äijälä & Albert Witchfinder – Ordeal And Triumph (Svart) – "Power electronic"
- Mass Crysis – Imposing Truck (The Goatmancer Records) – Thrash
- Nanowar Of Steel – Dislike To False Metal (Napalm) – Heavy parody metal
- Negative Prayer – Negative Prayer (Carbonized Records/Seed Of Doom Records) – Crust
- Noxium Ferus – Blasphemicon (Self-released) – Death metal
- Otherwise – Gawdzillionaire (Mascot) – Hard rock/post-grunge
- Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons – Live In The North (Nuclear Blast) – Live hard rock
- Rezn – Solace (Self-released) – Psychedelic/doom
- Rival Sons – Darkfighter (Atlantic) – Rock/blues
- Sacrificium – Oblivion (Nordic Mission) – Death metal
- Seventh Crystal – Wonderland (Frontiers) – Hard rock
- Skybaus – EP II (Total Deathcore) – Deathcore
- Sönambula – Estasis Interrumpida (Xtreem Music) – Death metal/doom
- Story Of The Year – Tear Me To Pieces (SharpTone Records) – Alternative/punk
- Straight Hate – Slaves Of Falseness (Selfmadegod Records) – Grindcore/death metal
