This turned out to be the week of metalcore – showing off its brutal, melodic, catchy and progressive sides across a slew of strong releases. There’s other stuff too, but let the young bloods enjoy the spotlight a little, eh?
The Algorithm – Data Renaissance
Genre: Electronic/progressive metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
I almost wanted to classify this as psychedelic, cause this stuff is trippy. It’s almost entirely synth driven, and you get a lot of that 80s cyberpunk vibe. There’s some guitar and drums in there I’m sure, but they’re mostly too processed to notice. It’s delightfully varied and melodic, but don’t expect the heavy.
All Things Fallen – Shadow Way
Genre: Heavy/progressive metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
To me, this only really qualifies as prog metal courtesy of its tone, cause I don’t really think it’s contributing to the progression of anything. That’s not saying it’s bad or anything, but it’s fairly straightforward modern sounding heavy metal with a few folky elements, a solo happy guitarist and that tone.
Artificial Brain – Artificial Brain
Genre: Technical/experimental death metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad stuff like this exists, but I’m not gonna pretend to understand or like it. The tone they’re going for is obviously disturbing, with three guitars creating a near-impenetrable web of riffs, tremolo and dissonant melody, and the vocals sort of mutedly gurgling in from the bottom. I’m sure there’s a method to the madness, and hats off to the people taking the time to crack the code.
Astronoid – Radiant Bloom
Genre: Ambient metal/metalcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This is metal wrapped in a cushion of feather-light, bright matter to induce the sweetest dreams as you fall, nodding to the catchy riffs, into a deep trance of utter bliss. Okay, that’s probably stretching it, but if you don’t mind the sugary vocals or ambient nature of the melodies, this is absolutely something to get lost in in between all the spikes, gore and screaming rage. It’s a little too tonally monotonous for me though.
Battlelore – The Return of The Shadow
Genre: Symphonic metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
We’ve got some Lord of the Rings-themed, epic symphonic metal coming in here. It’s got a strong bass bottom and a steady rhythm that underpins the melody really well. You get a very proficient meld of different vocal talents both clean and harsh, and the production is laudable, not going too airy or clean. However, in my opinion, for such a melody driven concept, the melodies simply aren’t strong enough, and aren’t delivered with enough inflection by the vocalists.
Bleed From Within – Shrine
Genre: Metalcore/melodic death metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Pedal to the metal, baby. No effort saved here, and it’s so fucking fantastic to see bands just getting heavier as they gain popularity, rather than the other way around. It genuinely sounds like they’re venting their rage on this record, and the energy is infectious. This is brutal metalcore edging on melodeath, strutting with enthusiastic and highly competent musicianship. Only now and then do they get a bit anthemic, but with the aggression they’ve got backing it up, I’d say it’s well deserved. Check out “Temple of Lunacy” and “Stand Down”.
Crobot – Feel This
Genre: Hard rock
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Loud and bold hard rock, incoming. A suitable amount of sleeze and attitude on top of excellent production and lyrics causing a minimum of cringe. It’s quality genre stuff, and feels genuine enough. It’s too clean and straightforward for my taste.
DAMPF – The Arrival
Genre: Heavy/symphonic/pop metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 3/5
At first a tantalizing mix of dark, crisp and ultra catchy riffs with a modern, darkened heavy metal style. Then the full weight of the pop production kicks in and sort of make a mockery of the rest. But that completely depends on which would you enter from. This might very well work as a gateway to the dark side.
Druids – Shadow Work
Genre: Doom/psychedelic metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
These guys have definitely got a tone going here that’s really working for them. A strong, driving bass propels the songs forward, with some crunchy riffs and meditative melody lines seizing the moments. It feels contemplative, dark and a bit trippy.
Encephalon – Echoes
Genre: Electronic metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
As far as I can tell an entirely synth-driven record that seeks to capture the mood of dark, industrial metal, but can’t help slipping into disco.
Fortis Ventus – Vertalia
Genre: Cinematic/symphonic metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
Some ultra grandiose, operatic metal to provide the soundtrack for something so theatrically glorious that it’s hard to imagine.
Grave Infestation – Persecution Of The Living
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A modern sounding death metal record leaning into an old school style. It’s quite competent, with a nice, doom-y tone. It would score higher if not for the fact that the progression is kind of laggy, with the momentum getting lost in rigid start-stop rhythms.
Gwar – The New Dark Ages
Genre: Heavy/thrash/stoner metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Time for some fuck-you-thrash of the good old half-serious kind. It’s a bit janky, it’s rowdy and puts the message before the melody. Which is exactly how it should be, but this doesn’t quite hit hard enough to make it worth it for a non-fan.
Hypermass – Empyrean
Genre: Melodic/technical death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
A very eager-sounding melodeath band with technical and progressive tendencies. They definitely are at their best when they really go for it and pour on the aggression and tempo, as some of the slower parts aren’t as well utilized. But they do a fantastic job of creating a vibrant soundscape with every instrument working to expand it in different directions. All the members seem to play different roles, yet still work to tell the same, unified story. It does fall a little in between subgenres, and lacks a little bit in character, but it’s nevertheless highly competent and a delightfully engaging listen. Give it a go with “The Degenerate Strain” and “Hivemind”.
Las Cruces – Cosmic Tears
Genre: Doom metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A very classic, moody doom sound slightly mismatched with expressive vocals that distract from the rest with their intensity.
Electric Mountain – Valley Giant
Genre: Grindcore
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
I could probably get behind this extremely short, extremely violent and abrasive piece of grindcore if not for the cassette-straight-from-the-toaster-sounding production.
Memphis May Fire – Remade In Misery
Genre: Metalcore/alternative metal
Subjective rating: 1.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
The overt trend-leaning and pop sensibility of his stuff makes it barely listenable to me, but I’ll set that aside for the objective rating. They’ve got good energy going, catchy and fairly strong melodies, and a good bit of heavy to balance it out. Should get some heads banging both from inside and outside the genre.
My Diligence – The Matter, Form And Power
Genre: Progressive/stoner metal/hard rock
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
A record that takes you to colorful, weird and wonderful places riding on a wave of heavy, crunchy riffs with just the right amount of fuzz added to it. I would have loved it to go even heavier at parts, but that might honestly be outside their realm. Stay inside, and you get treated to characterful songs that balances power and groove with melody and atmosphere in an immersive way. If you don’t mind a bit of lower tempo and musical exploration, knowing that you’ll be rewarded with standout moments and a cohesive whole, I highly recommend you give it a go. Start with “On the Wire” and “Embers”.
The Oklahoma Kid – Tangerine Tragic
Genre: Progressive/experimental metal/djent
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A moody, screamy mix of djent and elements of modern prog. They’ve got a decently consistent tone going, but the melding of the other elements seem a bit uninspired – more formulaic with the intention of ticking certain boxes. There are still some good melodies on here, and enough atmosphere to float along with it.
Origin – Chaosmos
Genre: Technical death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Here we go with a slightly different take on the tech death subgenre from what you typically expect. Sure, it’s still fast as fast-forward hell, but they’re working with a rawer riff tone and less of the robot bumblebee-sounding solos. It’s dark and furious and slightly muted, which takes a bit of that sharp edge off and makes you listen intently for all the instrumental details zipping past your eardrums. Check out “Chaosmos” and “Decolonizer”.
Orphantwin – Future Classic (EP)
Genre: Experimental metalcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Now for something that sounds personal, in stark contrast to its alienating use of highly processed, harsh instrumentation and disturbing sound effects. There’s a clear message underneath, and a strong idea for how to deliver it in an unconventional way. It loses a bit of cohesion in the exploration, and gets a little over-sincere for my taste, but will still be enjoyable to many.
Red Handed Denial – I’d Rather Be Asleep
Genre: Progressive metalcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 4/5
This is some vibrant, energetic metalcore that manages to be progressive without simply adding a few strings to the guitars and introducing odd rhythms. It’s a churning maelstrom of melody, riffs, rasps, bangs and puffs of softness. The vocals go from angelic to growling and deliver soaring, fairly pop-oriented lyrics. The choruses can slow down and get pretty conventional, but the next burst of tempo, interesting tangent or catchy riff section is rarely far away.
Seeking Sirens – Departing Ways (EP)
Genre: Metalcore
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Here’s some more conventional metalcore leaning into typical, modern tropes and a fairly emo sensibility. The heavy stuff hits hard, but doesn’t challenge in any way.
Sijjeel – Salvation Within Insanity
Genre: Brutal death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This one delivers a feeling of being constantly attacked. It claws and stabs and bludgeons you, and every pause is but a momentary respite from the onslaught. Tonally it’s great, but it does get old after a while.
Somnus Throne – Nemesis Later
Genre: Psychedelic stoner metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
These guys lay it on thick with the fuzz and spacey, reverb-y vocals. In the end they don’t really distinguish themselves in the subgenre, but works well as something to sit and nod slowly to while staring at nothing.
Temple Of Void – Summoning The Slayer
Genre: Death/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Here’s some heavy doom that can’t fully decide whether it wants to be atmospheric or crushingly brutal. You get a fair bit of both on here, and the two complement each other rather well thanks to a unifying tone that’s both evil, lamenting and gothic in nature. The vocal style remains the same throughout, which functions as a binding seam, but also adds an element of monotony. Personally I would have liked an even more pronounced contrast in intensity, but with a bit of patience you do get rewarded with a fair bit of variation for a death doom record. And production wise it sounds fantastic. Listen to “Behind the Eye” and “Hex, Curse & Conjuration”.
Thornhill – Heroine
Genre: Progressive metal/metalcore
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Here we have a band with a vice grip on their style of sonic expression. This entire album sounds incredibly cohesive and organic in its progression. It revels in its melancholic melodies but has plenty of punch and instrumental spice to dole out. And it manages to be soft without getting sappy or sugary. It’s not one you go to for a pure adrenaline rush, but settle in and you’re treated to a real experience. Delve into “Leather Wings” and “Casanova”.
Witchfinder – Endless Garden
Genre: Doom/stoner metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A two song EP to get lost in. This is some deep, bass-y, darkly melodic doom with a good crunch to the riffs. The sound is so immersive that you forget that it’s a bit monotonous, and you learn to appreciate the subtle changes. Check out both songs, why not? That’s all there is to it.
Wrang – De Vaendrig
Genre: Black/folk metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Gotta love some snarly, melancholy black metal with a bit of groove and riding on a wave of rousing folk melody. The rhythm and vocal style follow the ebb and flow of the melody beautifully, whether it sounds gloomy or triumphant. And there’s room for headbanging to spare, with a selection of thundering riff sections that’ll get your blood pumping. Check out “Jachttijd” and “Afgunst”.
As always, if you think I’m completely off on an observation, unfairly dissed your favorite band or need to give an album another shot, do feel free to express yourself in the comments section below.
The Metal Dispatch 