It’s time to throw caution to the wind. This weeks highlights might be a mixed goodie bag of different subgenres, but they demonstrate supreme confidence in their chosen lane and go all-out, be it the way of aggression, brutality or melodic madness.
10,000 Years – III
Genre: Stoner/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A heavy stoner record that starts off with a bang, then unfortunately runs out of steam along the way. It’s got a great crunch/fuzz tone and some nice, groovy rhythms, and it’s not that I don’t like the atmospheric parts – I just think they’re used too much and in the wrong places.
Alestorm – Seventh Rum Of A Seventh Rum
Genre: Folk/party metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
If you’re just looking for fun background music at your party in the festival camp grounds, don’t hesitate to add this to the list. But there really isn’t much more to look for on here. Overly anthemic, hollow-sounding, with most of what makes it metal feeling like it’s added as a coating over simple, synth-driven melodies.
Aximoa – Sepsis
Genre: Black/sludge metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Here’s some sludgy black metal, of which the listening experience feels a bit like going through a meat grinder. The pace is relentless and even to the point where repetitiveness sets in. It’s dark and snarly, and should offers enough variation to satisfy a fan of the style.
Betraying The Martyrs – Silver Lining (EP)
Genre: Symphonic metalcore/deathcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
How about a medium dose of big, beat driven, chorus focused metalcore leaning heavily into its shadow side of deathcore? As a showcase this EP works very well to deliver a uniform impression of where the band is at, and if this style is your jam, then chances are good you’ll really dig it.
BongBongBeerWizards – Ampire
Genre: Atmospheric sludge/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
This album is all atmosphere and ground shaking riffs. Listening to it conjures images of massive subterranean shapes moving through the earth. It’s definitely concise, to the point where the whole thing might as well be a single song, which works well if you just want to lean into the experience.
Candy – Heaven Is Here
Genre: Hardcore/grindcore
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
If you feel like the sonic equivalent of sandpaper passing through your ears is just the ticket to scratch that special little itch that nothing else seems to get to, then here’s some medium-to-coarse grit for you. This is dissonant and hellishly aggressive stuff, but let it tap into your dark side and it’ll get your blood pumping to the rhythm of chugging riffs and gritting your teeth to hoarse roars. It’s not all punishment, though – every now and then your persistence is rewarded with headbanging-friendly beats and a slight bit of groove.
Coheed and Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window Of The Waking Mind
Genre: Progressive hard rock
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
I’m gonna try to be short on this one, cause it’s a little outside my realm. This is obviously a well established sound crafted by people who are very well in sync. And still they jump from base to base on this one, trying new things. The fact that I have little love some of those styles means it’s largely not for me, but it’s all excellently blended and finished.
Dali Van Gogh – New Blood, Old Wounds (EP)
Genre: Hard rock
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2/5
I appreciate the dark tone they’re going for, but overall it feels stale and almost entirely lacking any sort of finesse.
Darkane – Inhuman Spirits
Genre: Melodic death/thrash metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
The melodeath/thrash mashup isn’t one you get served every day, and perhaps with good reason? While they do make it work to a certain point on this album, there’s still a bit of a disconnect where the heavy, slightly ponderous death metal side tugs on the reigns of the punky thrash racehorse that just wants to sprint and leap hurdles all day. Still, there’s good dark melody and groove on here, so definitely give it a spin if you’re exited that these guys are back with something new.
DAWN OF DESTINY – OF SILENCE
Genre: Power/symphonic metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
This is one of those where, really, you’ve heard it all before, but there are just a few details lifting it clear of mediocrity. There’s a bit of folk mixed into here, and they know how to match instrumental and vocal output to whatever level of intensity they’re going for at any point.
Dying Desolation – Midnight
Genre: Alternative metal/metalcore
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A youthful outburst of moody aggression, electronic melodies and those slightly whiny, over-sincere clean vocals that makes my skin crawl. They’ve got a decently dark tone going though, and do get into a few cool riff sections.
Fallen Sanctuary – Terranova
Genre: Power metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
Some fast, extravagant and melodic power metal that is at its best when it’s all bells and whistles. Unfortunately, like you might expect, they are very ballad prone.
Final Light – Final Light
Genre: Industrial/doom/electronic metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
No matter what you might think of the mashup of subgenres I use to try and pin down the style of this album – if you like dark, slow and expansive metal, then go for it. Even if you’re not into electronic instrumentation, you really won’t mind it, cause a lot of the time it produces more or less the same effect as a low tuned guitar, with an added spookiness factor. This is a work which explores dark spaces and tells (growls) you wicked tales along the way. The immersion is fantastic and it all just sounds great. Become spellbound with “In the Void” and “Ruin to Decay”.
Guillotine A.D. – Born To Fall
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Some real sinewy death metal on the menu here. With great deliberation it grinds painfully along, sometimes letting go and skipping into higher gear. If you’re all about mid tempo then you’re in for something ominous, that uses repetition for effect and throws in subtle variations for a bit of flavor.
Hats Barn – Y.a.HW.e.H
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
We’re into some classic low-fi black metal here, with little to no bass, dry ice guitars and ragged vocals. The execution is not bad, it’s just exactly what you expect and very little more.
Horned Wolf – Become Like They Are
Genre: Melodic death/sludge/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This one has the scent of great potential. It’s not really like anything I’ve heard before – mixing dirty tone, sharp vocals and a fairly thin production with the heft, groove and dark melody of melodeath. The biggest clash comes when the vocal disharmony meets the fairly clean, melancholic instrumental melodies. As a concept it’s very interesting – what lacks so far is a little more creativity in the details and maturity in the composition.
Hush – The Pornography of Ruin
Genre: Sludge/experimental metal/funeral doom
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Let the melancholy wash over you. This is anguished sludge that transitions into these long death sighs of slow, tortured melody. Everything seems a little uncertain about where it wants to go next, which works well conceptually, but makes it a tough listening experience.
Khold – Svartsyn
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Some times it’s just such a relief to hear that old school, primitive black metal sound still alive and kicking among all the avant-garde, speed-punk, post-psychedelic darkwave noise. And these guys don’t compromise by trying to be ironic or tongue-in-cheek in any way. This is bleak, spiteful and to the point. Maybe not the most distinct sound you’ll hear in your life, and not really innovative in any way, but it’s quality. Dive into “Apostel” and “Ødslet Blod”
Knoll – Metempiric
Genre: Death metal/grindcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Ready for an all out assault from a dissonant, monstrous, unholy creation of the deep? Listening to this feels like experiencing the most harrowing part of a horror tale continuously and without letdown for the duration of the album. Which is certainly an experience to be had if you’re interested, but also quite tiring.
Limbs – Coma Year
Genre: Melodic metalcore/hardcore
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Some rage-out-loud, melodic and melancholic metal/hardcore with those over-sincere choruses that I’m pretty much allergic to. The aggressive stuff is fairly technical, and the melodies are memorable, so it works well for what it is.
Mine Collapse – Delusions
Genre: Sludge metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A noisy and rough thing that cruises on groove and embraces chaos the moment it speeds up. It’s got a nice fullness to it and a bit of melancholy in the melody, but overall it doesn’t really progress much across the record.
Mirror Queen – Inviolate
Genre: Heavy/psychedelic metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Here’s a light-stepping record that manages a fusion of tranquil and gloomy atmosphere while riding on classic riffs and some understated shredding. The whole thing feels a little sedated, and doesn’t leave too much of an impact.
Mystery Dudes – Exit Through the Wormhole
Genre: Stoner metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
I don’t often call for more sophistication in a stoner record, but let this one serve as an exception to the rule. Don’t get me wrong, I like the laid back attitude that’s demonstrated here, but performance wise it feels like the equivalent of a dilapidated house with various loose materials clanging in the wind.
Our Dying World – Hymns of Blinding Darkness
Genre: Symphonic/melodic death metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A superficially heavy death-ish record that just doesn’t hold up performance or composition wise.
Paganizer – Beyond The Macabre
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
Some delightfully morbid crypt-death coming your way. Like you’ll probably expect, it doesn’t offer much in the way of innovation, but it’s also remarkably far from stale, in great deal thanks to some effective drum work. The tone, especially that of the guitars, is perfect for this, and the collective output comes together to create a determined beast of a thing, bulldozing its way ahead on its own terms. It’s old school in style, with all the punch afforded by a modern production. Jump into “Raving Rhymes of Rot” and “You are What You Devour”.
Pathos & Logos – Cult (EP)
Genre: Progressive metal
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A short record so momentarily fleeting in what it’s trying to achieve at any given time that it’s near impossible to get a firm grasp. Also, the slow solo work just doesn’t hold up.
Philosophobia – Philosophobia
Genre: Progressive metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A solid attempt at creating something coherent out of something wildly tangent-prone. And the consistency throughout is good, showing potential in marrying heavier and more melodic styles of prog. But the craftmanship is not quite there yet, as you’re left without any strong traits or really outstanding parts.
Profiler – Profiler (EP)
Genre: Progressive/alternative metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Some progressive, alternative hard rock infused with the heaviness of nu metal and a bit of djent. And it’s not a formulaic thing – some though went into this, crafting solid, edgy melodies and great sounding, pummeling riffs for a nice, stompy contrast to the more atmospheric cleaner sections.
Projected – Hypoxia
Genre: Alternative metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A melodic and slightly melancholic record that feels genuinely sincere. There are traces of modern melodeath on it, but for the most part it’s much more mellow than that. Maybe a little too mellow for its own good. But it’s well composed and justified in its moodiness.
Rebel Priest – Lesson In Love (EP)
Genre: Heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Imagine a mix of Mötorhead and Van Halen, then low-fi-stomp the production, and you’ll end up with something like this. It’s not as bizarre to listen to as it might sound, just a little… unsatisfying. Lots of great playing on here though.
RXPTRS – Living Without Death’s Permission
Genre: Hardcore/hard rock/emo
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Apart from lively heavy riffing and pretty great drum work, this is fairly standard emo rock dressed in wolf’s clothing and near-impersonating Myles Kennedy’s vocal style. Each side works well by itself, but standing on the shore of metal, this doesn’t quite cut it.
Saor – Origins
Genre: Folk/black/progressive death metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
This is a prime example of how to make an atmospheric-sounding album without it feeling sluggish or overly dwelling. A spirited folk… spirit… prevails here, forcing an eager and upbeat progression, even when the sound is otherwise dark and brooding. The use of traditional instruments doesn’t at all feel gimmicky, even working over galloping rhythms, and they sprinkle character and nuance all over the record. The musicianship is outstanding, while not alienating in its technicality. Instead inviting you in with a well of enticing detail and enthusiasm. Give it a go with “Origins” and “The Ancient Ones”.
Serpent Spawn – Crypt Of Torment (EP)
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
Some enjoyably evil-sounding death metal that’s a bit lacking in the composing and vocal department. A good few things to like here, though, so lots of room for improvement.
Veter Daemonaz – Muse Of The Damned
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A simultaneously aggressive and atmospheric work of black metal that sounds and feels grand in scope and level of ambition. And while it unquestionably sounds good – raspy, dry and full at the same time – the dominating harsh and heavy parts are simply too hard to tell apart. It feels like the same structure and rhythm over and over, for large sections of the album. With a bit more variation this could have been truly excellent.
Victorius – Dinosaur Warfare Pt. 2 – The Great Ninja War
Genre: Power metal
Subjective rating: 1.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
As concept albums go, this has got to be as silly as they come. The lyrics and melodies are as clichéd as can be, the production is thin and the whole thing feels as organic as a twinkie. But if you find the lyrical theme entertaining, you’ll probably see past all that.
Volcandra – Border World (EP)
Genre: Melodic black metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
An explosion of an hyper-aggressive, technical and melodic black metal EP. It’s got some traces of sci-fi and video game inspiration sprinkled over it, which to the right audience will make it all the more interesting. With the intense riffage going on they still found room for some melody, and it manages the difficult task of riding that dark/epic edge without sounding corny. Try “Guardian” and “Tallon IV”
Werewolves – From The Cave To The Grave
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
I didn’t think it was possible for these guys to sound even more pissed off than they did on their previous record, which dropped last year by the way. But somehow they’ve outdone themselves, and their music has benefited from it. This is balls-to-the-wall aggression, with jackhammer-on-speed drums and woodchipper-from-hell guitars. It’s perfectly over-the-top and cheekily diabolical, and while it gets a little repetitive towards the end, it never loses that insane glee that for me elevates this above a lot of other tongue-in-cheek, hyper violent death metal. Give “We Are Better Than You” and “All the Better to Eat You With” a listen.
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 