In this episode of last ditch releases of the year we’re getting a some groove and prog highlights and otherwise a good mix of good-, and bad natured metal.
Bloodclot – Souls
Genre: Hardcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Classic hardcore with pretty noticeable Motörhead vibes. It’s fast, loud and in your face, with equal weight to attitude and rock ‘n roll groove. Nothing truly outstanding, but satisfying none the less.
Congealed Putrescence – Within The Ceaseless Murk (EP)
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Given the band name, the sound they produce should come as no surprise whatsoever. This is grimy, down-in-the-abattoir-runoff death metal with just a little room for some free standing riffs and modest melody sections.
Green King – Hidden Beyond Time
Genre: Heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Some highly enjoyable, slightly gritty heavy metal with a folky medieval theme going on. There’s a mild sludginess to the vocals in particular, and a hint of doom to the tone, which turns the mood away from your typical skygazing, rousing battle hymn. With two out of eight songs being interludes, there’s not a lot of content, and I’ve heard smoother instrumental work, but it works very well for what it is.
Hartlight – From Midland And Beyond
Genre: Folk metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A modest portion of tonally epic folk metal, complete with Nightwish-vibe symphonic elements, but with the rhythm of run-of-the-mill heavy metal and a very muted grandeur. If you find that this kind of stuff usually gets too lofty, then this might be more your cup of tea.
Mallus Spiritus – Vultures of Despair
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
This is black metal that likes to hide out in caves. It’s got major creeping-around-the-corner vibes, and plays around with both growly, melodic stuff the likes of early Immortal, as well as some deeper, more doomy tones. Arrangement wise it’s a bit here and there, but it sounds like they had fun making it.
Percussor – Ravenous Despondency
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
While this is clearly not the most mature musicianship out there, the intention is written all over the result, which is semi-melodic death metal with mild influxes of early Soilwork and Slipknot, although the band itself might disagree with me on that.
Vented – Cruelty And Corruption
Genre: Groove/melodic death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
You’re getting a highlights reel of different groove and melodeath influxes on this one. There’s DevilDriver, Machine Head, Lamb of God, and a little bit of Decapitated, to name a few. There’s also enough thrash in there to make sure you’re getting your constant headbang-ability, next to dry screams and clever rhythms. It feels moody, but never gets close to any kind of emotional earnestness. If a genre-sampling goodie bag is what you’re after, then you’re getting your fill. If you’re looking for something to take the subgenre in a new direction you’re not gonna find that here.
Highlights: “The End Game” and “Self Destruct”.
The Wring – Spectra
Genre: Progressive metal/rock
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Closing off this short week with some vibrant prog. You get the feeling that this is music leading the musician, and not the other way around. A tone is set, and then the rhythm skips and bounds along happily, but not so uncontrollably that the melody can’t keep up. It does trip over itself a little every now and then, but that usually just feels like flexing right before the release of a playful guitar solo. There’s not much direction, but sometimes you just gotta let go a little.
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 