This edition continues the trend of this year just not having much going on with some stuff I don't understand, some underrated death metal, an album covered in its correct release week, and more! To the metals…
The Acacia Strain – Gravebloom
Genre: Deathcore
Origin: Chicopee, Massachusetts
Label: Rise
Buy now on Amazon.com
On their eighth record, The Acacia Strain kind of feel like they're just going through the deathcore motions. Their fan base with probably enjoy the low-tuned everything chugging along as one guitar does some atmospheric stuff, but this likely won't change anyone else's mind about them.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AbatNpPh5M[/youtube]
Cellar Darling – This Is The Sound 
Genre: Folk metal/rock
Origin: Winterthur/Lucerne, Switzerland
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
This band has a hurdy-gurdy. That was enough for me to give them a shot. They sound like Amaranthe or Lacuna Coil with some cool harmonized guitar/hurdy-gurdy sections. Did I mention there is a hurdy-gurdy?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWMiBj0yDJg[/youtube]
In The Presence of Wolves – Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape And The Cage
Genre: Progressive metal/rock
Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Label: self
Buy now on Bandcamp.com
Loyal readers know that I love me some prog, and In The Presence of Wolves are an underrated gem. They remind me of bands like Thank You Scientist, Coheed and Cambria, and other melodic yet complex bands. It's a shame that they're only dropping an EP, because this left me wanting more. Which, I suppose was the point.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5etJZrkwXAo[/youtube]
Origin – Unparalleled Universe 
Genre: Technical death metal
Origin: Kansas/California/New York
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
Origin are one of those bands that I feel like should be much bigger in their scene. They have the formula of technical musicianship, interesting song writing, and cool breaks in the madness to keep things interesting. Yet, they aren't higher on the Summer Slaughter line-up. Anyway, Unparalleled Universe is a great record and it triggered this thought process.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmhcNVUa8Xs[/youtube]
Stone Sour – Hydrograd 
Genre: Hard rock/groove metal
Origin: Des Moines, Iowa
Label: Roadrunner
Buy now on Amazon.com
On their sixth album Corey Taylor and pals are still walking that line between metal and radio rock. It's got it's heavy moments and some cringe worthy pop parts, but overall not bad. Regardless, it's still not a Slipknot record so that alone will keep some folks away. Actually, it's even less of a Slipknot album than their last full-length since this one doesn't have Jim Root playing guitar.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMoxuInvEtU[/youtube]
Sworn In – All Smiles 
Genre: Metalcore
Origin: Grayslake, Illinois
Label: Fearless
Buy now on Amazon.com
This band is the perfect amalgamation of everything that has been happening lately in heavy music that I don't understand. They mix second-wave nu metal grooves, glitchy deathcore effects, soaring post-hardcore melodies, and other shit I can't put my finger on. This one's not for me, but it's for you yipper-snappers out there.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZJ8kHp8FNk[/youtube]
Vintersorg – Till Fjälls del II 
Genre: Progressive folk metal
Origin: Skellefteå, Sweden
Label: Napalm
Buy now on Amazon.com
Gonna end this week in a rather epic fashion. Vintersorg has just been pumping out these records for over twenty years, and on his tenth, he's following up the project's debut Till Fjälls. Dell II features references to the original album, but maintains its identity and firmly stands on it's own as a grand folk metal record.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO-QQNpfTrk[/youtube]
Also dropping today…
Bermuda – Nepenthe (Urban Yeti) – Deathcore/djent
Envy On The Coast – Ritual (Equal Vision) – Rock
Misery Signals – Yesterday Was Everything – Documentary
Mutation – Mutation III: Dark Black (Undergroove) – Thrash-ish/sludge-ish
Ye Banished Privateers – First Night Back In Port (Napalm) – Pirate metal
Weapönizer – Lawless Age (20 Buck Spin) – Black/Thrash Metal
