Genre: Power metal/melodic rock Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden Label: Nuclear Blast
Starting this week with a rather guest-stacked sixth album from Amaranthe. This time Elize and pals are joined by Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast), Perttu Kivilaakso (Apocalyptica) Heidi Shepherd (Butcher Babies) and Elias Holmlid (Dragonland). Over all this sounds like a more bombastic mid-era In Flames. Leon has a deep dive here.
Anaal Nathrakh – Endarkenment
Genre: Black metal/industrial Origin: Birmingham, England Label: Metal Blade
On Anaal Nathrakh album number eleven, Dave ("V.I.T.R.I.O.L") and Mick ("Irrumator") are once again bringing their unique blend of black metal bludgeoning of soaring melodies to tear through your eardrums. Despite still being one of the heaviest acts out tight now, Endarkenment feels like the band's most epic yet. You're still getting jaunty, grim ditties like "Feeding the Death Machine" and "Libidinous (A Pig with Cocks in Its Eyes)," but other moments will make you want to slay something. Max has a full review here.
DevilDriver – Dealing With Demons I
Genre: Groove/melodic death metal Origin: Santa Barbara, California Label: Napalm
DevilDriver seem to have taken a break from the outlaw country covers thing they started on Outlaws 'Til the End, Vol. I and are instead focusing on Dealing With Demons I. Looking at their discography and seeing TWO back to back "Volume 1" releases has be a little twitchy, but I guess it's fine. Frontman Dez Fafara is calling the Dealing With Demons double album the album of their career. DD fans, how is this treating you? Is it treating you career defining-ly well?
Enslaved – Utgard
Genre: Progressive black metal Origin: Bergen, Norway Label: Nuclear Blast
Enslaved were one of the first bands I remember hearing about delaying album releases, which made this wait even harder. The wait is finally over and their fifteenth record is here. Enslaved are one of those bands that doesn't alter their sound a lot between albums, but it's always just enough to feel both fresh and familiar. This is their first with shiny new drummer Iver Sandøy who also helps with vocals, so that could be part of the freshness.
Greg Puciato – Child Soldier: Creator of God
Genre: Experimental Origin: Los Angeles, California Label: Federal Prisoner
Dillinger Escape Plan's former frontman is setting forth on his first solo outing. This album really shows his range. There are moments that sound like Dillinger for sure, but there are also moments that sound like his The Black Queen band, and songs in entirely new territory for Greg. It's a hell of a listen. Also, this dropped yesterday, but it's too good to not mention a day later.
Six Feet Under – Nightmares Of The Decomposed
Genre: Death metal/groove metal Origin: Tampa, Florida Label: Metal Blade
In a turn I didn't see coming, album thirteen from Chris Barnes's long-running band has Six Feet Under dipping their toes into sludge territory more than they ever have before. You're of course not getting sludge-sludge, but it sounds like their version of it when they decide dabble. It's still mostly nasty death metal grooves, so fans should not be too worried. Sol has a bunch of words on the album here.
Sumac – May You Be Held
Genre: Atmospheric sludge Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia Label: Thrill Jockey
Now for some crushing heaviness. Aaron Turner has been a busy dude this year with two Old Man Gloom records, a House of Low Culture album, and now he's back with a Sumac studio record. On this album you're getting lots of riffs, feedback, emotion, and lengthy, dynamic compositions throughout the five tracks. Unmistakably Sumac and fans shan't be mad about that.
Tallah – Matriphagy
Genre: Nu metal/metalcore Origin: Pennsylvania Label: Earache Records
Our writer Matt Nguyen-Ngo recently wrote up a piece about the nu-metal resurgence and reminded me that this album was on its way. Yes, Tallah will appeal to those still waving the OG nu-metal flag, but there's a lot of modern metal grooves, guitar shredding, and progressive rhythms. If they keep this up, they'll be the band to transcend this wave they're in.
Corey Taylor – CMFT
Genre: Rock Origin: Des Moines, Iowa Label: Roadrunner
I'm frankly surprised it took this long for there to be a Corey Taylor solo album. Sure, he's been busy with Slipknot and Stone Sour since the 90's, but still. His fans that lean more towards his Stone Sour output will probably dig this. Some parts remind me of Black Sabbath, some remind me of Methods of Mayhem, and others Marilyn Manson, all with a Corey Taylor twist. Alan has a full rundown here.
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 (October second) and today only, they are putting out their fourth Bandcamp exclusive EP to help out the artists that have contributed to these covers. Get it before it's gone.
Also dropping today…
Bon Jovi – 2020 (Island) – Rock
Brave The Cold – Scarcity (Mission Two Entertainment) – Brutal death metal/hardcore
Briqueville – Quelle (Pelagic Records) – Post-metal
