Holy hell, it's been a while. First of all, happy Rubber Ducky Day to you all (Yes, it's a thing)! Second, that dry season of record releases between December and now-ish breaks my heart. I missed you all, yes even you guy that told me to die once. NOW! On with 2015 with and band that could wind up topping my end of the year list (yes already), some eclectic death metal offerings, stoner's finest mutes, more Matt Lupo than you can shake a stick at (go ahead and try. Nope, it's more than that), and More! To the metals…
6:33 – Deadly Scenes 
Genre: self-proclaimed "strange music"
Origin: Paris, France
Label: Kaotoxin
Buy now on Amazon.com
Holy shit…. I've never heard anything like this. Bands like Mr Bungle, Sigh, Devin Townsend's Devlab and uneXpect come to mind, but this is one a whole new level. This really is strange, but it's unbelievable. I've literally just heard the medley sampler and I'm already in love. Sample here. More. Now.
The Crown – Death Is Not Dead 
Genre: Melodic death metal/thrash
Origin: Trollhattan, Sweden
Label: Century Media
Buy now on Amazon.com
Somewhere between 3 Inches of Blood, The Haunted, and At The Gates is Trollhattan's The Crown. They're sort of a band for everyone on this record. "Headhunter" has some thrashy moments mixed with fist-pumping heavy metal, while "Speed Kills" (surprisingly) offers some mid-tempo groove and death metal. There's also a Paradise Lost cover on here so add to the awesomeness.
East Of The Wall/Cryptodira – Split 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: Keyport, New Jersey/Mount Sinai, New York
Label: Epistemic Records
Buy now Here
Prior to this split, I knew nothing about Cryptodira, but I love East of the Wall, so any friend of theirs is a friend of mine. Both sides are pretty fantastic, and I'll certainly be looking into more Cryptodira, but that Nick Drake cover East of the Wall recorded is amazing. I didn't see that coming and it's just as proggy as I could hope from EOTW, while remaining gorgeous at the same time.
Sample a bit here
Karma To Burn – Arch Stanton 
Genre: Stoner
Origin: Hiksville, West Virginina
Label: FABA
Buy now on Amazon.com
I expect to be underwhelmed with each album, and Karma To Burn keeps kicking my teeth in. Being an instrumental band can really work against a band, but Karma are able to be just interesting as any frontman screaming for attention. Cheers to them for carrying this torch for seven great records.
Opul – Levels EP 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: Keyport, New Jersey
Label: Nefarious Industries
Buy now Here
This is my first go around with Opul, which is weird since I've tried to follow East of The Wall. Anyway, this is the latest EP from the band's Matt Lupo and it is a beautiful progressive piece cut into three tracks. It's more melodic than EOTW, but clear that one of the minds is behind Opul. Love it, currently downloading older material form his bandcamp.
Sample a bit here
Pain of Salvation – Falling Home 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: Eskilstuna, Sweden
Label: Inside Out
Buy now on Amazon.com
Yes, this album has been out a bit for a while internationally, but for some reason different release dates still exist, so It's just hitting US shores today. Anyway, Daniel Gildenlow and pals are just as weird and all over the place as ever. I can't think of many albums that drop is an Itsy Bitsy Spider line in the same album as a lounge version of "Holy Diver" (Which is great by the way).
Sylosis – Dormant Heart 
Genre: Melodic death metal
Origin: Reading, England
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
Saving the best death metal full-length of 2015 (so far) for last. This album is another collection of driving melodic death metal band that deserves more attention. They're like a more contemplative Soilwork or calmer Revocation on the album. I dig it so much. Stream this beast here.
Also dropping today…
Convent Guilt – Guns For Hire (Shadow Kingdom) – heavy metal
Desolate Shrine – The Heart of the Netherworld (Dark Descent) – death metal
Doomraiser – Reverse (Passaggio Inverso) (BloodRock) – doom
Einherjer – Av Oss, For Oss (Indie) – Viking
Exlibris – Aftereal (Metal Mind) – power metal
The German Panzer – Send Them All To Hell (Nuclear Blast) – War
Ghoulgotha – The Deathmass Cloak (Dark Descent) – Doom
Hateful Abandon – Liars/Bastards (Candlelight) – drone…?
Infernal Manes – Infernal Manes (Edged Circle) – Heavy metal
The Last Ten Seconds of Life – Soulless Hymns (Density) – Densitycore
Manilla Road – Out of the Abyss Re-Release (Shadow Kingdom) – power metal
Nailgun Massacre – Boned, Boxed and Buried (Xtreem) – hardware safety
Palisades – Mind Games (Rise) – post-hardcore
Shredhead – Death Is Righteous (Mighty) – Metal
Synodik – A Matter Of Perception (Imminence) – Progressive death metal
Volahn – Aq'ab'al (Iron Bonehead / The Ajna Offensive) – black metal
Witchrider – Unmountable Stairs (Fuzzorama) – Stoner
