Gimme Metal Program Director Brian Turner delivers the week's top 5 office buzz-worthy tracks.
Hammers Of Misfortune – "Don't Follow the Lights"
Back in action with Jamie Myers (vocalist and bassist in The Locust Years lineup) and the former rhythm section of Vektor, Blake Anderson and Frank Chin, Hammers of Misfortune may be best known for their amplified prog leanings. But what initially was to be a thrash project in the mode of guitarist John Cobbett's more outre unit Vhöl metamorphasized into a new Hammers record, and it's spectacular (and self-released). Press has likened it to a meld of King Crimson and Slayer, and that's certainly not far off. Though not all centered in the Bay Area any longer, Hammers of Misfortune sound like a seasoned, cohesive and complex band more than ever, pushing metal influences into a whole new realm of communication. We welcome them for their first Gimme DJ special Novemebr 29 12pm PT/3pm ET!
Strychnos – "Blessed Be the Bastard Reign"
Hitting the Danish metal scene back in 1997, founded by Undergang's Martin Leth Andersen, Strychnos are back with A Mother's Curse out on Dark Descent. As a trio, they are dense and darkly, emitting epic chord intros that dive headfirst into a cesspool of tripletime tempos, swarms of buzzing bee guitars and deathknell vokills all buoyed by a slightly hopeful bed of atmosphere. Despite the epic tone, this is still a wall of militant drumming, shifting passages from one dark claustrophobic room to the next with supreme power and elegance. Get it here via Gimme Metal.
Dryad – "Black Smoke"
Despite being turbocharged with blasted riffs and D-Beat influence and hardcore, Iowa's Dryad also spill heavy atmosphere into their sauce, creating a heavy psychedelic delirium in their wall of sound. After a few lowlying cassette/EP releases, they have arrived on Prosthetic with The Abyssal Plain, and we are extra psyched to welcome them for a Gimme DJ special on December 13! Get it here via Gimme Metal.
Bark – "Rambler of Aeons"
The title track of Bark's Rambler of Aeons weds melodic light with seepages of Sabbath to excellent effect, harvesting some serious musicianship with down-and-dirty primitive elements that crosses paths with many a metalhead's taste. Gigs supporting Destruction, Sepultura, Life of Agony, and Madball definitely casts these Belgians in a wide and varied spotlight to create a sense of uplifting doom uniquely their own. Get it here via Gimme Metal.
Wormwitch – "Exhumed From Flaming Stars"
Tolkien-evoking black metal sludge from British Columbia, Wormwitch return with a standalone single as they kick off a tour with Bewitcher this week. The crusty-HC element that endeared us to them remains intact (members all evolved from assorted hardcore units), urgent guitars, death metal vocal assault and an amalgamation of influences prevails.
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