In the time of no tours Cult of Luna have taken the opportunity to write and record their follow-up to 2019's A Dawn To Fear. This five song EP includes four of their trademark atmospheric, heavy, sludge epics and a shorter song fronted by the legendary Mark Lanegan. It seems like they will lean into this time off the road with more frequent, shorter releases. Red Creek is their label, so there's nothing stopping them. Might as well make the best of an awful time.
https://youtu.be/wgN3OV6XtTY
Dead Exaltation – Despondent
Genre: Technical/progressive death metal Origin: Pune, India Label: Self-released
Now for flurry of notes to shake up your (insert day you're reading this). This is a stellar debut from this young Indian trio. It will appeal to fans of Spawn of Possession, Decrepit Birth, and other techy faves. Austin has a full write-up and full stream here.
https://youtu.be/ilDu2Q-6Ogc
Foo Fighters – Medicine At Midnight
Genre: Rock Origin: Seattle, Washington Label: RCA
It's been four years since Dave Grohl and the boys have released a record of the Foo Fighters Fighting Foos. On this, their tenth album, you're getting what you'd hope from the band. You've got your power ballad "Waiting On A War," the rocker that could serve as a set opener "No Son of Mine," and the rest.
https://youtu.be/2gnvQWwwoTg?list=RD2gnvQWwwoTg
Froglord – Save The Frogs
Genre: Doom/sludge Origin: Bristol, England Label: Swamp Records
If you're looking for smoky vibes and amphibious riffs (and why the hell wouldn't you be?), then look no further than this EP from Froglord. It appears to be a one-frog-person outfit making music for frogs (an untapped market). This EP is both named after and supporting an organization called Save The Frogs which sets out "to protect amphibian populations and to promote a society that respects and appreciates nature and wildlife." So know that while you're grooving on these jams. You're also helping those hoppy little fuckers.
Korpiklaani – Jylhä
Genre: Folk metal Origin: Lahti, Finland Label: Nuclear Blast
My initial blurb on this record was foolishly about what I thought was hurdy-gurdy. I was mistaken about what I was hearing in the mix. Apparently there is no hurdy-gurdy to be heard(-geard) on this album. Maybe next time. Instead their eleventh album of Jonne Järvelä and pals bringing folk metal tales about folklore, nature, and murders. Which is cool too, I guess.
https://youtu.be/uh2EZg2lzxA
Transatlantic – The Absolute Universe
Genre: Progressive Origin: Millbrook, New York Label: InsideOut
Now for something cool, but kind of weird. Transatlantic is the supergroup with Pete Trewavas, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt, and Neal Morse, so you know you're in for some long, proggy songs that tell a story. What makes this weird is that the band are putting out two versions of the album. The full two-disc version The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version) and the single-disc The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version). I have yet to give them a side by side listen, but apparently the latter is not just missing songs. The band reworked songs entirely in some cases for the abridged version. They're giving you a different proggy good time regardless of the time you're willing to devote to them. That's pretty rad.
https://youtu.be/xULvfo6rpvE
Two Minutes To Late Night – Covers Vol. IV
Genre: All-star heavy metal covers Origin: Various Label: Self-released
Two Minutes To Late Night pivoted their whole thing during this quarantine and have been putting out fun star-studded covers. Today (February fifth) and today only, they are putting out their seventh Bandcamp exclusive EP to help out the artists that have contributed to these covers. This one features their covers of "Caught In A Mosh," Emerald," a Brian Eno medley, and more. Get it before it's gone.
https://youtu.be/bIChe11TC5M
Also dropping today…
Age ⱡ Total – Age ⱡ Total (Soza/Collectif 5024) – Progressive doom
Alkerdeel – Slonk (ConSouling Sounds) – Black metal/sludge
Angelus Apatrida – Angelus Apatrida (Century Media) – Thrash
Black Hole Deity – Lair of Xenolich (Everlasting Spew) – Death metal
Black TarPoon – The Thad EP (Self-released) – Rock
Boozewa – First Contact (Self-released) – Stoner rock
Caedes Cruenta – Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults (Regain Records) – Black metal
Cara Neir – Phase Out (Self-released) – Progressive black metal
Colossus – Degenesis (Comatose Music) – Technical death metal
Deacon Blue – Riding On The Tide Of Love (earMUSIC) – Rock
Deiquisitor – Humanoid (Dark Descent Records) – Death metal
Erythrite Throne/Ullr – Remnants of Old Beneath Cold Soil (self-released) – Black metal
Heave Blood and Die – Post People (Self-released) – Post-metal
Todd La Torre – Rejoice In The Suffering (Rat Pak) – Heavy metal
Maestitium – Tale of the Endless (Black Lion Records) – Melodic/symphonic death metal
ORCumentary – Fully ORChestrated (Self-released) – Comedic metal
