The Blog of Doom
  • About
  • News
  • Album Reviews
  • Concert Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Miscellaneous
  • Contact
  • FAQ

This Week's Recommended New Releases (01/22/16)...

1/26/2016

0 Comments

 
This week's recommended new releases (01/22/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
Picture
Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Arc EP (Relapse)

I wouldn’t normally listen to a Grindcore band, but this prolific Springfield, MA quartet is stepping out of the comfort zone this year with four EPs that cover the musical influences of each member. Luckily for us, the first in the series delves into the realm of Sludge/Doom Metal. The powerful riffs are as doomy as it gets and there are even a few groovy, classic metal riffs in there. The vocals are in the hardcore shout/shriek range and the lyrics are a bit angsty for my taste, but I really enjoy the music on this record. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series as the year progresses.

Picture
Borknagar - Winter Thrice (Century Media)

I’ve heard of Borknagar for years but I always assumed they were a shitty raw Black Metal band because “Borknagar”, so the 10th album from the Norwegian 6-piece was a delightful surprise. They’ve apparently morphed into a Progressive Viking/Folk Metal band and I can never get enough solid Viking Metal. They shift between Black Metal vocals and downright majestic soaring vocals and it all works together perfectly. There’s a shocking amount of melody here for a former titan of Black Metal and that’s not a bad thing. The guitars and keyboards weave seamlessly together, creating a regal soundscape worthy of the Vikings.

Picture
Gygax - Critical Hits (Creator-Destructor)

This album would have been pretty stunning if it was released about 10-15 years ago, but with the glut of retro-metal releases over that span, this one doesn’t quite have the immediate impact that it should have. Regardless, the debut album from the Ventura, CA quartet is a fun listen. Thin Lizzy-esque twin guitars weave over top of the smooth, D&D-influenced vocals. Pretty standard stuff here, really. The bassist/vocalist is the same dude from Gypsyhawk, so it's all pretty similar to that band's output. If you dig the late 70’s-early 80’s metal sound, you’ll probably enjoy this one. We might as well enjoy a few more of these releases before the Retro Metal bubble bursts in the next couple of years.

Picture
Latitudes - Old Sunlight (Debemur Morti)

Despite being saddled with the dreaded “Post-Metal” tag, this London quintet manages to worm just enough Doom and Sludge into their compositions to make a pleasant blend that really stands out. On their 3rd album, the band mixes Thrash and Doom riffs with some ambient, atmospheric pieces, keeping the vocals as sparse as possible. I actually dig the vocals – kind of a Pallbearer thing going on there – but I think more vocals may detract from the overall sound, so they made a good call there. This is more of a car album for me; solid background noise while I do my deep thinking. It’s not really a headbanger, but it’s heavy enough to make the grade this week.


0 Comments

This Week's Recommended New Releases (01/15/16)...

1/21/2016

0 Comments

 
This week's recommended new releases (01/15/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
Picture
Bloodiest - Bloodiest (Relapse)

Chicago 6-7 piece; 2nd album; Sludge Metal/ Post-Rock

Picture
Fifth to Infinity - Omnipotent Transdimensional Soulfire (Avantgarde)

Swedish trio; Debut; Black/Death Metal

Picture
Hordak - Padre (Casus Belli Musica)

Madrid quintet; 4th album; Pagan Metal

Picture
The Lumberjack Feedback - Blackened Visions (Kaotoxin)

French quintet; Debut full-length; Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal

Picture
Lycus - Chasms (Relapse)

Oakland quartet; 2nd album; Funeral Doom Metal

Picture
Old Forest - Dagian (Avantgarde)

London trio; 3rd album; Black Metal


0 Comments

This Week's Recommended New Releases (01/08/16)...

1/15/2016

0 Comments

 
This week's recommended new releases (01/08/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
Picture
Exmortus - Ride Forth (Prosthetic)

Whittier, CA quartet; 4th album; Technical Melodic Thrash/Death Metal

Picture
Hag - Fear Of Man (DNAWOT)

London trio; Debut album; Sludge/Noise Metal

Picture
The Lion's Daughter - Existence Is Horror (Season Of Mist)

St. Louis trio; 2nd album; Progressive/ Blackened Sludge Metal

0 Comments

    Archives

    May 2018
    February 2017
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.