No way around it, this is a damn short week, but that just means you have more time to pay attention to the small handful of gems in store.
Anger Machine – Human Error
Genre: Thrash metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
This is the second full-length of this Dutch thrash outfit. Theirs is a groove-centric sound, not without speed but also not showcasing the most neck-breaking rhythm maneuvers. The biggest downside is the lyrics and choruses, which are heavy handed and fairly rigid, breaking up the flow. But there’s a bunch of cool riffs, and the tone is great.
Meth Leppard – Gate Keepers
Genre: Grindcore/death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
14 minutes and 33 seconds is short even in the coked-up-hummingbird world of grindcore, but the amount of ground covered by this Australian outfit on their second full-length makes you start to question just how much of the material on records three or four times the length is actually essential for the listening experience. To be fair, this stuff is extremely to-the-point. Boosted by roaring vocals and a vey death metal-esque rhythm section, this isn’t quite your typical punky grindcore, but a merciless barrage of gut-punches in the irreverent and relentless style of fellow countrymen Werewolves. Yes, it’s a tad one-dimensional, but it’s also so damn focused and entertaining.
Highlights: “Mind-Ctrl-Alt-Delete” and “Algorithm & Blues”
Mortual – Altar of Brutality
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This is death metal that’s never seen the light of day. It’s an abomination of the dark, hissing and gurgling curses from the shadows. The band is clearly much more concerned with vibes than any sort of innovative songwriting or crowd-pleasing attributes like groove, but it’s also far from hopelessly drowned in a mire of noise or fuzz. Although it’s not the most punchy thing in the world, the low-end is very much present and threatening, and it knows how to jab at your throat with its murderous and impressively precise riff work.
Highlight: “Fiendish Visions”
Seasons In Black – Anthropocene
Genre: Groove/doom metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
I’m pretty sure that if Dethklok turned into a groove metal band, this is more or less what they’d sound like, just more varied. The problem with this is that there’s a slightly comical edge to the heavy-handed rhythms, on-the-nose tone and forced-serious vocal style, that very likely isn’t meant to be taken as such. In fact, the doom-like mood and dark themes work very well in short amounts and on a very superficial level, but it’s a bit too stiff and stereotypical to stand up to a closer inspection.
Stygian – Dreadlands
Genre: Black metal/hardcore
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A casual listen to this might excuse mistaking it for blackened death metal, as it boasts deep growls, a slightly muted production and a good rumble to the low end. But pay half attention and you’ll soon recognize the whole-body-banging rhythms and fairly simplistic structures of hardcore. A bit more energy would have done this album good, as it seems a bit sedated at times. Still, the tone is spot on unholy troublemaker, and the switches from cult-y black metal vibes to punk anger make up an engaging dynamism.
Warkings – Armageddon
Genre: Power/heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Not being the biggest power metal buff, I didn’t discover Warkings until they dropped their 2022 release “Morgana”. Their riff-focused, rather aggressive sound struck a chord with me, and although their typically Germanic, bombastic approach to songwriting and production is evident, it’s not overpowering. “Armageddon” is an epic, chest-beating, war-romanticizing beast, but if you don’t care to join in with the chants, then there’s plenty of chugging riffs and solos to divert your attention. This album stands out as one for the power metal enthusiast though, as it includes guest performances by Orden Ogan, Dominium and Subway to Sally, and the interesting, dynamic tracks are balanced out by the anthemic, fairly by-the numbers ones. That being said, even these ones are mostly solid, so it’s still absolutely a listen to recommend.
Highlights: “Armageddon” and “Circle of witches”
Wytch Hazel – V: Lamentations
Genre: Heavy metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
What a beautiful sound this album has. From the exquisite vocal quality to the warm embrace of the production, eager rhythms and tastefully understated but-ever-present riffs, it doesn’t break stylistic stride for a single second of its 45 minute, 9 second runtime. For those unfamiliar, this is medieval-styled heavy metal of the NWOBHM-variant, and yes, it’s retro, but not in a way that limits it. I raved about their 2023 release “IV: Sacrament”, and am more than happy to repeat myself in regards to this one. Although its mood is a tad brighter than the slightly doomy feel of its predecessor, I still recognize the use of epic groove and moderate melancholy to be like “Ghost at their absolute best”, to quote myself. It’s not an album for headbangers, although it’s not a sleepy affair. It’s more about storytelling and overall vibes, but keeps surprising you with inspired instrumental contributions and gorgeous melodies.
Highlights: “I Lament” and “Elements”
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 