This edition features bands I put no effort into pronouncing correctly, some 000-00000—–0000000, soaring prog and more! To the metals…
Anathema – The Optimist 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: Liverpool, England
Label: Kscope
Buy now on Amazon.com
These masters of gorgeous progressive rock have yet to mess up. Some may argue their shift from their doom roots may be a misstep, but they've been a band that has constantly evolved. I respect evolution more than a musically consistent heavy band churning out the same album over and over. The Optimist has more of a post-rock than their last few records and vocalist Lee Douglas seems to be at the forefront more than ever. I'm not mad about either of these observations.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y1ROzCUpbU[/youtube]
Foscor – Les Irreals Visions 
Genre: Progressive
Origin: Barcelona, Spain
Label: Season Of Mist
Buy now on Amazon.com
I wasn't familiar to this band prior to this album coming through my new release research, they're cool though. They were clearly a band that meandered from black metal beginnings as I can hear some tinges of grimness here and there. They're current prog state is unlike a lot I've heard. They're like if Borknagar fused with Alcest and Enslaved. Les Irreals Visions will be a record I'll have on repeat for a while.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KwtjzTEHMQ[/youtube]
Necrot – Blood Offerings
Genre: Death metal
Origin: Oakland, California
Label: Tankcrimes
Buy now on Amazon.com
On their debut record, this Bay Area trio are pulling no punches. This is straight up death metal and it should appeal to those still obsessed with the first wave of death metal bands. Stretch your neck so you don't pull something listening to this.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTNas0q5exI[/youtube]
Rancid – Trouble Maker 
Genre: Ska/Punk
Origin: Berkeley, California
Label: Hellcat/Epitaph
Buy now on Amazon.com
Rancid are one of those non-metal band metal guys care about, right? I mean, you probably should. Their ninth record is exactly what one would hope from the band with gang vocals choruses, catchy melodies, some ska up-strokes, and that punk rock snare sound (you know the one). All of this and more in seventeen tracks clocking in at about thirty-six minutes.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPNgtAkaiKw[/youtube]
Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite EP 
Genre: Avant-Garde black metal
Origin: Basel, Switzerland
Label: Prosthetic
Buy now on Amazon.com
These guys can't stop releasing music. I can't be upset though, because it's all really unique and interesting. Fans of Triangle will be excited to hear these seven new tracks in the same realm. Also, I'm excited every time they release something because I have put zero effort in learning the pronunciation of their name and refer to them as "sammich" in my head.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4k3uqR3JjA[/youtube]
Suffocation – …Of the Dark Light 
Genre: Death metal
Origin: Long Island, New York
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
You seem like you're in the market for a good pummeling. Well, look no further than the new Suffocation! They've got a couple new guys in tow, but they're the same ol' death metal darlings you've grown to love. Eight records in, and they're still kicking the shit out of your eardrums. Imagine if you shit out of your ears. That'd be metal or something.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56jDbL6dzLw[/youtube]
Volumes – Different Animals 
Genre: Djent
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Label: Fearless
Buy now on Amazon.com
Alrighty, now let's end this edition on something divisive. These low-tuned guitar chugging so and so's are djent machines. Like, breakdown after breakdown all on that bottom string, with the occasional melodic break. This, their third record, probably won't convert naysayers, but fans will eat this up.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4Ue3nXABuk[/youtube]
Also dropping today…
Barrabus – Barrabus (Undergroove) – "Metal Lounge Pop"
Maim – Ornaments Of Severity (Soulseller) – Death metal
Petyr – Petyr (Outer Battery) – Stoner
Rise Against – Wolves (Virgin) – Punk
Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow – Live In Birmingham 2016 (Eagle Rock) – Live heavy metal
Space Witch – Arcanum (HeviSike) – Stoner
Stahlmann – Bastard (AFM) – Industrial
Twelve Noon – Saints And Sinners (Eclipse) – Alt metal
Walpyrgus – Walpyrgus Nights (Cruz Del Sur) – Heavy metal
White Skull – Will Of The Strong (Dragonheart) – Power metal
