It's Black Friday, so most of you are probably fighting people for the latest Furby. For the rest of us, here are some new releases from some dinosaur riding Canadians, a diverse supergroup, a groovy symphonic outfit, and more! To the metals…
Loch Vostok – Strife 
Genre: Extreme progressive metal
Origin: Uppsala, Sweden
Label: Vicisolum
Kicking this week off with the seventh album of proggy madness from Loch Vostok. They've been flying under my radar until this album, and I've got to say that this is pretty cool. Reminds me of Into Eternity, Damned Spirits' Dance, and even Strapping Young Lad at times.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-BtXNrkXqY[/youtube]
Nordheim – RapThor
Genre: Folk metal
Origin: Partout, Québec
Label: self
With an album entitled RapThor, these Canadians certainly had my attention. The record turned out to be a hell of a ride through a mystical folk metal world complete with a "Troll Riding a Raptor," "Boobs and Bacon," and a track called "I Wish You Were Beer." There's a chance these guys are a tad tongue in cheek. Fun record.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_deM6zrz6Ak[/youtube]
Genus Ordinis Dei – Great Golden Dynasty
Genre: Symphonic death metal
Origin: Crema, Italy
Label: Eclipse Records
This band is the perfect blend of epic-ness and grooves throughout. Part Lamb of God, part Soilwork, and part Fleshgod Apocalypse. A pretty solid sophomore album. I could see this band blowing up.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cItuBejAH8c[/youtube]
Sect – No Cure For Death 
Genre: Hardcore/death metal
Origin: United States
Label: Southern Lord
This band is feedback and nastiness from a rather diverse bunch. Features guys from Cursed, ex-Catharsis, Fall Out Boy, and Earth Crisis. If you enjoy Converge and other bands of the sort, you'll probably dig this.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUCyESp-DyQ[/youtube]
Sorxe – Matter & Void
Genre: Sludge/post metal
Origin: Phoenix, Arizona
Label: Prosthetic
Here is something on the slow and heavy side for you this week. This album starts off with the post-metal sound and what you've grown to expect from it, then weaves in lots of psychedelic elements. Still plenty of crushing heaviness to trip along with though.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJRmYWlqqpQ[/youtube]
Taake – Kong Vinter 
Genre: Black metal
Origin: Bergen, Norway
Label: Dark Essence
I don't know about you, but it's pretty chilly where I'm at and I could use some frosty black metal to keep me company. This is fairly frill-less black metal, and I know that's up some of y'all's alleys. Taake's seventh album of may be mastermind Hoest's darkest yet, so it can guide you though the oncoming holiday season nicely.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D9Lfmd1ZJo[/youtube]
We've already covered the goodies dropping today as a part of Record Store Day's Black Friday. Check those here.
Also dropping today…
Genus Ordinis Dei – Great Olden Dynasty (Eclipse) – Symphonic death metal
The Modern Age Slavery – Stygian (Innerstrength) – Death metal/deathcore
Scorpions – Born To Touch Your Feelings: Best Of Rock Ballads (Sony) – Heavy metal
Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (AFM) – Hard rock
Souldrinker – War Is Coming (El Puerto) – Groove metal
Strife – Live At The Troubadour DVD (War) – Hardcore
Thantifaxath – Void Masquerading As Matter EP (Dark Descent) – Black metal
