This week's new heavy metal releases include metal about pirates that's not quite "pirate metal," pure death metal, party metal, and more! To the metals…
Cage Fight – Cage Fight
Genre: Hardcore/thrash Origin: London, England Label: Candlelight
Getting this week going with some abrasive shit. This debut is a metallic hardcore beatdown over thirteen tracks. I feel like people with come for the guest spot from the departed Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder), the Body Count cover, or even just to hear guitarist James Monteith stray from his TesseracT sound, but they'll stay for a solid record.
Jungle Rot – A Call To Arms
Genre: Death metal Origin: Kenosha, Wisconsin Label: Unique Leader
Over their thirty years as a band, Jungle Rot have been consistent with a death metal aesthetic. A Call to Arms has riffs and rhythms that hit hard and there are allusions to war and death in general. It's a pure death metal album and works really well as such.
Master Boot Record – Personal Computer
Genre: Electronic metal/industrial Origin: Rome, Italy Label: Metal Blade
The synthwave/metal relationship is one that fascinates me. I don't fully get why it works, but the first act I heard where it clicked for me was Master Boot Record. Personal Computer is one of the more aggressive takes on this whole thing sounding like Ministry played instrumentally with only grey brick Game Boys. Melodies are catchy and breakdowns hit hard.
Misery Index – Complete Control
Genre: Death metal/grindcore Origin: Baltimore, Maryland Label: Century Media
I put the track on below to prep this blurb and I found myself forgetting to write anything for the entire first listen. I caught myself getting lost in the perfect balance of death metal groove and subtle melody. Those looking for a return to their OG grind sound will probably remain a little bummed, but this is good shit. Jeff has your full review right here.
Moon Tooth – Phototroph
Genre: Progressive rock/stoner Origin: Long Island, New York Label: Pure Noise
There was a weird month or so a bunch of years ago when weirdo prog band Fair To Midland crossed over and was getting terrestrial radio airplay without dialing down what made them special. I'm surprised Moon Tooth hasn't made that same crossover. The musicianship here should appeal to prog fans seeking wank and rhythm, but the vocals of Nick Lee should broaden their appeal overall. This is another great album from an underrated band.
Primitive Man – Insurmountable
Genre: Sludge/death metal Origin: Denver, Colorado Label: Closed Casket
The heaviest band on the planet is back with another ominous release. While brief-ish, You'll still feel like you got the whole Primitive Man experience with devastating heaviness, tons of feedback, and an unsettling aura. This is four tracks and a Smashing Pumpkins cover, which I can't say I ever saw coming.
Metal is always meant to be taken so seriously, so when a band like Steaksauce Mustache swings in, I'm all for it. All Juice No Noise is a fun and silly album with songs about aliens, robots, stepdads, and more. These guys have chops though. Side note: if they ever invade your town, fucking go. Their shows are bananas.
Visions Of Atlantis – Pirates
Genre: Symphonic/power metal Origin: Bruck an der Mur, Austria Label: Napalm
This was an inevitable move for this band. A symphonic band with an aquatic name was destined to release an album about pirates. Here we are and it's a great time. VoA always bring the epicness that will lift up your spirits and get your head banging. This time, however, you'll also get the sudden urge to sail a ship. Yo ho.
Also dropping today…
Aara – Triade II: Hemera (Debemur Morti Productions) – Atmospheric black metal
Anniken – Climb Out Of Hell (Rockshots Records) – Heavy metal
The Big Deal – First Bite (Frontiers) – Pop punk
Blasphematory – The Lower Catacombs (Nuclear Winter Records) – Death metal
Cartilage – The Deader The Better (Creator-Destructor Records) – Death metal/grindcore
Cavernlight – As I Cast Ruin Upon The Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw (Translation Loss Records) – Sludge/doom
Demiricous – III: Chaotic Lethal (Post) – Death metal/thrash
Ecstatic Vision – Elusive Mojo (Heavy Psych Sounds) -Psychedelic/stoner metal
Everlust – The Tale Of The Noble Knight (Wormholedeath) – Gothic rock/melodic metal
