The underground rises up and overshadows the big frontrunners of this week, offering both simple pleasures and acquired tastes.
Alien Weaponry – Te Rā
Genre: Groove metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
The riff-happy trio from under down under are back. Their third full-length has them sounding like a big, matured and experienced band, both in good ways and not. Those hoping for a return to the simple thrash/groove riff worship and shouted Māori lyrics of the early days will be pleased with this one. Those hoping for something more conceptual and story-driven that builds on the uniqueness of the band’s sound might be a bit disappointed. I find myself avoiding the big single tracks, as they feel consciously crafted for wider appeal, closing in on metalcore-like territory. BUT, that being said, there are a good few heavy and aggressive tracks on here, and a couple of careful forays into prog as well. It’s a well rounded album that pleases in a lot of ways, not taking any risks, but also showing promising growth.
Highlights: “Tama-Nui-Te-Rā” and “Te Riri o Tāwhirimātea”
Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
Genre: Melodic death metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
As a longtime fan of this band, I hold them to a fairly high standard, as is only appropriate for a band this size anyway. I have certain expectations for what an Arch Enemy album should sound like, with an open mind for shifts in style, as long as they’re honestly committed to it. In this regard, “Blood Dynasty” exists in a kind of void, offering morsels of actually ferocious, actually inspired, melodic death metal in the style that they honed and championed for at least a couple of decades, and a few attempts at incorporating other styles, like heavy metal and punk. But they are overshadowed by the obvious prioritization of anthems and big, accessible riffs. As a whole, the album is still quite entertaining and pleasantly varied, but I call it neither bold nor faithful.
Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power
Genre: Avant-garde black metal/blackgaze
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
As a complete outsider to this band’s history, I cannot compare their latest effort to former work and styles, but the short story of this album is that it offers both some of the most gripping black metal/blackgaze I’ve heard in a while, and also some of the more unengaging dips into dreamy ambience in comparison. What I will say though, is that the contrast leaves a real impact, and offers an intriguing depth. You have to be prepared for both the harshest that the blackened metal world has to offer, as well as some of the more sedate stuff out of the realm of shoegaze and art rock. I’ve definitely heard way weirder and more experimental stuff before though, and a consistent tone ties it all together. It will shake you and it will soothe you, and it will not leave you indifferent.
Highlights: “Magnolia” and “Revelator”
Decrepisy – Deific Mourning
Genre: Death/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Whatever creature of the gloom this music personifies, it’s not something you want to run into during a late night river stroll. This is dark, monstrous, murky death doom that seeks to envelop and crush you under impenetrable, obsidian misery taken physical form.
Desert Smoke – Desert Smoke
Genre: Psychedelic/stoner metal/rock
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A warm, alluring vibe is what this band go for on their second, self titled full-length. It’s instrumental psychedelic rock with the heaviness and groove of stoner metal, and for the absolute most part they do perfectly fine without the usually leading and heavily character-influencing element of vocals. The progression forms an elegant dance that, for the most part, keeps moving forward at a moderate pace. The rhythms are engrossing and the lead guitar work seductive.
Doomsday – Never Known Peace
Genre: Thrash metal/hardcore
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Straight-to-business crossover thrash, with an emphasis on the thrash part. I was a big fan of their 2022 release “Depictions of Chaos”, which technically only qualified as an EP, making “Never Known Peace” their debut full-length. You probably wouldn’t guess listening to it though. It sounds mature, despite its rowdy energy, knows when to play it fast, when to go heavy and when to give it the beans and charge off. Apart from some technically excellent playing, it’s not particularly complicated, and some of the riff sections might be a bit too predictable for some. But they successfully add an epic dimension to the sound with the guitar-led melodies and solos, and the fuck-it-all attitude shining through every seam makes it difficult not to like.
Highlights: “Never Known Peace” and “Remnants of Spite”
Gallower – Vengeance & Wrath
Genre: Black/thrash metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
An endearingly rough-edged dive into chaotic, fantastical medieval war and witchery, courtesy of the Polish blackened thrashers of Gallower. While it’s undeniably dark and fairly aggressive throughout, there’s a sense of adventure and “just go for it” attitude that has command of the reigns, throwing you into one spirited charge after another. It’s just janky enough that you quickly understand the level of fun you’re supposed to have with it. The riffs have real personality, and are served up in tight, rhythm-driven sections that bring to mind Anthrax. Not all of it screams “unique”, but any fan of playful thrash, speed and black metal should get a real kick out of it.
Highlight: “Relentless Retaliation”
Hexecutor – Where Spirit Withers in Its Flesh Constraint
Genre: Black/thrash/heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
What an oddball album! These French speed-thrash cultists know how to make blackened metal with a flavor of its own. Utterly restless, it morphs between bitter blast beats, unhinged speed riffing and morosely epic classic metal melodies. The tempo can shift suddenly from mid- to frantic, and a lot of the time disharmony is used to maximize the touch of madness that colors proceedings. On top come unrefined, barking, snarling and shrieking vocals, further adding to the eccentric nature of the sound. Sometimes you might find yourself asking if this music has any direction at all, until the next soaring lead guitar part comes sailing in, and everything makes a bit more sense for a few brief moments.
Highlight: “Les Lavandières de la Nuit”
Industrial Puke – Alive To No Avail
Genre: Crust punk/death metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Take the buzzsaw guitar riff tone of classic Swedish death metal and add it to pretty much any genre – it’s going to get real heavy, real fast. Combining it with crust punk is hardly a new invention, but it’s a proven formula that, when done right, is an effective shortcut to getting your blood boiling and head bobbing. Industrial Puke do it right, and while there’s nothing on “Alive to no Avail” that should surprise a regular metallic hardcore or death metal listener, they keep serving up track after track of short-lived, fierce sonic beatings that keep you engrossed by way of chokehold.
Highlight: “Biblical Corpse”
Lucifer’s Child – The Illuminant
Genre: Melodic black metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A Greek, epic-sounding black metal project led by sharp vocals and precise drumming, with a thrumming riff-tremolo wall propping it up and a rumbling low end forcing it all forward. Perconally I can’t find quite enough that feels new and piques my interest, but it’s undeniably solid work that will appeal to the more “serious” end of the melodic black metal fan base.
Paths to Deliverance – Ten
Genre: Progressive black metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A technically progressive, traditionally toned black metal project that clearly has a concept, or at least a strong theme, in mind. There’s a hint of dark dementia attached to the sound, although it never blossoms into anything profound. In the end, it’s a bit too long and unfocused, failing to hone in on that core trait that will separate it from the herd, but there’s a lot of great musicianship, and promise, on here.
Savage Master – Dark & Dangerous
Genre: Heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A back-to-basics female-led heavy metal project with thrash-leaning riffs and a doom-leaning tone. It’s peppy and prioritizing effective, memorable hooks and melodies. The hilariously silly album cover should tell you most of what you need to know about the band’s style, although don’t be fooled into thinking that they’re doing it unironically. For me, it’s a bit too rhythmically rigid and decidedly mid-tempo, but it offers plenty of tantalizing guitar work, great atmosphere and cool vocals.
Teitanblood – From the Visceral Abyss
Genre: Black/death/war metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
This is the sound of abyssal hatred and horrifying, monstrous evil. If you go in expecting “traditional”, Behemoth-style blackened death metal, you’ll probably be taken aback by the level of violent noise and unrelenting dedication to unsettling, hostile darkness that leaps out at you. This is a sound you have to surrender to. Let it in and allow it to corrupt your senses until you accept it as the only reality, with no hope of light at the end of the tunnel. You simply cannot take this album in on a superficial level, because it will only sound like an untamed, unrefined cacophony. But listen attentively, and you will find that it breathes, builds, rises and hunches, like a terrible beast, the appearance of which you can only gleam as a black contour. If you think that the vast majority of dark extreme metal is too safe, then this is for you.
Highlights: “Strangling Visions” and “From the Visceral Abyss”
Telepathy – Transmissions
Genre: Avant-garde/progressive metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
This instrumental album immerses you in expansive electronic ambience and mid-strength progressive sludge. Each song is a different little tale, taking you on journeys of different duration. It’s a sincere kind of sound that goes from gentle to dramatic, managing an impressive, cinematic scope. The rhythm work doesn’t always flow as smoothly as it should, and certain sections are less gripping than others, but if you first get into it, you will very likely want to stay with it for the duration.
Wretched Path – Sea of Death
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This one took me by surprise, because there seems to be very little attention paid to this band. It’s a clearly old-school inspired, crunchy-riffed, groove-heavy death metal album treading the border into classic melodeath, without ever crossing over fully. What separates it from the expected is just how goddamn catchy it is. Completely stuffed to the brim with skull crushing riffs, served out on easy-to-follow rhythms that sometimes take on a hardcore-like flavor. If it wasn’t for the awesome riff tone, roaring vocals and delicious solo work, I’d be tempted to call it one-dimensional, but it has all the right elements to make me a pure addict. A bit of added complexity and distinct atmosphere would probably elevate it beyond the highly enjoyable into something truly outstanding, but for now I’ll be happy that it exists in its current form.
Highlights: “Wretched Path” and “Sea of Death”
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, why not pop a comment down below?
The Metal Dispatch 