Gimme Metal Program Director Brian Turner delivers the week's top 5 office buzz-worthy tracks.
AT THE GATES – Spectre of Extinction
The kings of Swedish melodeath have returned with their revamped lineup featured in part on their last outing. An evocative acoustic intro, then the gates open into a fearsome storm punctuated by Tomas' still-gravelly vocal attack and a guest shred from King Diamond's Andy LaRocque taking them to further heights. 'The Nightmare of Being' hits on July 2nd, some in the know have predicted the record is going to take At the Gates into some uncharted proggier terrain. It'll be much anticipated either way to see what comes forth.
AUTHOR AND PUNISHER – Excess
While the pandemic kept Tristan Shone and his sculpted one-man army of mechanized, self-built mayhem off the road (and dozens of travel containers from being collected in the airports of the world on tour), he thankfully has been productive at home and just issued a single track to tide fans over until the next full length. "Excess" comes at you like a police robot with (with an appropriately unfriendly, non-smiley face), quickly sinking mid-tempo into a spring of industrial waste and holding you there in place while rhythmic throttle and squealing feedback remind you it is the machines that will exit the swamp victorious without you.
KOSMODEMONIC – Ipomea
This NYC black metal unit, while well at home in the genre, could equally have blown away 1988 Downtown crowds at CB's on a bill with the likes of Swans, the Unsane and Laughing Hyenas. Dissonant stacks of chords pile on top of each other in a Branca-like frenzy, while not being afraid to point the way to flat-out classic 70's rock and 90's BM moves, complete with a yowl that frankly sounds almost down-n-dirty Detroit. A psychedelic and powerful return, and we're also pleased to say the band includes our own Bozz, host of the Blizzard of Bozz show on Gimme!
AMENRA – De Evenmens
Stellar preview of their forthcoming 'De Doorn' LP on Relapse, these guys push a boulder up a hill with woeful outcry, dismal spoken-word passages that ooze with despair and resignation. But a funny thing happens: as they draw you into the ritual something transcendent materializes. Their cruising altitude brings an ethereal resolution like passing through some sort of thermocline, and the descent evokes even more sorrow and unsettling atmosphere. An incredible video clip to accompany as well.
BUNKER 66 – The Blackest of Omens
The Italian trio of Thorne, Dee Dee Altar, and JJ Priestkiller step up their blackened thrash game with a track that cracks open with a bludgeoning repeated riff before scrambling into a dirty dank septic tank of chaos, fuzz, filth and fury. The riffs are indeed strident but the chaotic parts are messy and all-encompassing of the songspace, which in my book is a good thing. Bathory fans for sure welcome in this bunker.
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