This week's new heavy metal releases include side projects, ninjas, and more!
To the metals…
Bonded – Rest in Violence 
Genre: Thrash
Origin: Germany
Label: Century Media
Former Sodom members Bernemann and Makka are back with the new thrashy outfit Bonded. The band is rounded out by Chris Tsitsis (ex-Suicidal Angels), Ingo Bajonczak (Assassin), and Marc Hauschild. Fans of Sodom will probably dig this, but really anyone that's fond of aggressive, shreddy, grooves should get on Rest in Violence.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsD0G3wI1s][/youtube]
British Lion – The Burning 
Genre: Rock/Heavy metal
Origin: London, England
Label: Explorer1
Legendary bassist Steve Harris' other band has returned with their first batch of new tracks in eight years. The Burning is a melodic heavy metal throwback band with guitar harmonies and galloping rhythms which makes sense considering the source. It's super apparent that the mind behind much of Iron Maiden is behind this, so this should hold fans over until the next Maiden.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vea6oT3DEw8][/youtube]
Ether Coven – Everything Is Temporary Except Suffering 
Genre: Doom/sludge
Origin: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Label: Century Media
This is an angry fucking record, and they fly that flag in the album's title. Hardcore fans that are looking fore some more down-tempo jams should throw this on and slow dance in the pits. Imagine two people leisurely throwing elbows in the pit, but while in one another's embrace. It's a beautiful thought.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlQ3T-VqvPI][/youtube]
Mark Morton – Ether EP 
Genre: Rock/acoustic
Origin: Richmond, Virgina
Label: Rise/BMG
Lamb of God's Mark Morton seems to be feeling the freedom of doing his own side project. Last year saw the release of his debut solo outing and he's already back with five more tracks of his trademark guitar rock. Like Anesthetic, this one features lots of vocal guests. This time you've got Howard Jones (Light The Torch), John Carbone (Moon Tooth), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), and Mark Morales (Sons of Texas). This one also features some covers of tracks originally by Pearl Jam and Black Crowes. Can't say I saw either of those coming.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZikUXDnupo][/youtube]
Sons of Apollo – MMXX 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: California/New York
Label: InsideOut
Just a year after their pretty incredible live album, Live with the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony, prog's biggest supergroup are welcoming the new year with their second album. MMXX (aka 2020, because calendars) sees Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, and Jeff Scott Soto obliterating any fears of a sophomore slump with Sons of Apollo. When you've been in the game as long as these guys and have been successful for as long as these guys, there's really no doubt they they're going to crush it the second time around.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZlyaCqqZ0A][/youtube]
Victorius – Space Ninjas From Hell! 
Genre: Power metal
Origin: Wolfen, Germany
Label: Napalm Records
Like me, Space Ninjas From Hell! could very well be your introduction to Victorius. Well let me introduce you. This is Victorius, They play ninja metal, and this is actually their fifth album. Think DragonForce, but somehow more about ninjas. In a world where we have pirate metal, mariachi metal, Ned Flanders metal, and other fun subgenres, I don't bat an eye at this shtick. Instead, I wonder how they are both from hell and space? Guess I'll have to listen to learn how that works.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2uAGRHJvHY][/youtube]
Also dropping today…
Antagonist A.D. – Through Fire (Greyscale Records) – Metalcore
Blessed Black – Beyond the Crimson Throne (Self-released) – Doom
Darktribe – Voici L'Homme (Scarlet) – Power metal
Frogg – A Reptilian Dystopia EP (Self-released) – Technical death metal
Garganjua – Toward the Sun (Holy Roar) – Doom
Horned Almighty – To Fathom The Master's Grand Design (Scarlet) – Black metal
Kaoteon – Kaoteon (Self-released) – Death/black metal
Magnum – The Serpent Rings (SPV/Steamhammer) – Hard rock
Odious Mortem – Synesthesia (Willowtip) – Technical death metal
The Osedax – Meridians (Self-released) – Sludge/doom
Porta Nigra – Schöpfungswut (Soulseller Records) – Avant-gard/black metal
Prospective – All We Have (Long Branch Records) – Metalcore
Rage of Samedi – Blood Ritual (Argonauta Records) – Doom
Rat King – Vicious Inhumanity (Within the Mind) – Death metal/Grind
Sleepwraith – Day Terrors (Self-released) – Progressive/metalcore
Svarttjern – Shame Is Just a Word (Soulseller) – Black metal
The Wolf Howls When I Scream Your Name – Where Flies Will Reign (Self-released) – Alternative rock
