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This Week's Recommended New Releases...

8/27/2015

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This week's recommended new releases (08/21/15):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
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Myrkur - M (Relapse)


While not as cohesive and stellar as her debut EP from last year, the full-length debut from this solo Danish artist is nonetheless a solid entry in the atmospheric Black Metal catalogue. From the slower, doomy parts with floating, haunting vocals to the more traditional BM sections with vicious snarled vocals, this one is kind of all over the map. There’s even a track that starts out with a straightforward classic metal riff that kind of comes out of nowhere is actually a bit jarring. The only complaint is that this feels more like a collection of songs than an album and when you’re trying to go atmospheric, it helps to keep things flowing. Other than that, it’s a pretty enjoyable listen.

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Skraeckoedlan - Sagor (Razzia)


I don’t even know where to start with this one, other than the fact that it’s the best Stoner Metal album I’ve heard in a long time. The 2nd album from the Swedish quartet gets right down to business out of the gate with some of the tastiest riffage to grace my ears this year. The guitar tones are incredible and the songs are absolutely crushing.  They get a little experimental in places, but I think the progressive nature serves them well over the course of 10 songs. The lyrics appear to be in Swedish, but they sound fantastic and on a record with riffs like these, the vocals are an afterthought. If you pick up one album this month, make it this one. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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Tomb of Finland - Below the Green (Mighty Music)


The debut album from this Finnish quartet is fairly straightforward, combining Doom, Death and Black Metal into a furious amalgam of sorrow. There’s not much revolutionary going on here, but it’s a solid metal album that ticks off all of the necessary boxes. There are killer riffs, anguished vocals, moody interludes and stunning leads, which is pretty much all you need. At first listen, I thought maybe these guys would be better served focusing on on genre and exploring the possibilities, but after a few rotations I kind of dig the fact that they just do everything quite well.

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This Week's Recommended New Releases...

8/18/2015

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This week's recommended new releases (08/14/15):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
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Antagonist Zero - No Tears EP (Inverse)


The Finnish quintet returns with their second EP, sandwiched around a full-length release in 2012. At 36 minutes long, this release is a bit beefier than your typical EP, but it does include a couple of covers, including a Doom:VS track. The band describes their sound as both “catatonic metal” and as the “soundtrack for dark Autumn nights”. I really can’t do much better than that, as they’ve pretty much nailed the sound with those descriptors. They pretty much the Doom/Death thing down cold, melding devastating riffs with melancholy guitar leads and alternating vocals between grisly growls and soaring cleans. Can’t wait to crank this one up on a dark Autumn night. 

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Dreadnought - Bridging Realms (Sailor)


The 2nd release from this Denver quartet is one of the most unique and amazing albums that I’ve heard since I started doing this blog thing. Combining elements of Doom, Folk, Progressive and Psych Metal, Dreadnought creates almost a jazzy feel as they explore uncharted soundscapes on their extended jams. It seems that no instrument is off-limits, but nothing sounds out of place. The vocals range from haunting and strangely soothing to absolutely fierce screams. This is one of the first records that I’ve enjoyed in a while that wasn’t entirely riff-based. These folks can riff the fuck out, but their genius goes way beyond that. Highly recommended.

Editor's Note: For my Cincinnati readers, these folks will be in town tomorrow night (8/19) at The Drinkery OTR. I strongly encourage you to see them live. If I wasn't still exiled in Canada, I'd see you all there. - JO

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This Week's Recommended New Releases...

8/7/2015

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This week's recommended new releases (08/07/15):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
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Istapp - Frostbiten (Trollzorn)


Here’s a rare Black Metal inclusion in my recommendations, the second album from the Swedish duo Istapp, which translates to “icicle” in Swedish. This is definitely an icy affair, with razor sharp tremolo riffs punctuated by balls to the wall drumming and raspy vocals. However, the beauty of this album reveals itself through the melodic interludes, harmonized leads and monk-like chanting. There is absolutely a Gothenburg influence or two throughout the record and that elevates this one above the heap of Black Metal releases that gets pumped out every week. This is a nice, frosty reprieve from the Summer heatwave.

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Majestic Downfall - ...When Dead (Pulverised)

The fourth release from this Mexican duo follows and expands on the blueprint established by the classic Doom/Death bands. After a somewhat tranquil 2 minute intro, the remaining 4 tracks clock in at over 50 minutes, with enough massive riffage to keep your head banging throughout. The vocals are as punishing as they need to be and the single-note guitar melody lines are brilliant and serve as a grounding point when the songs begin to wander a bit. It’s a lot to digest in one sitting, but the payoff is worthwhile.

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Sweat Lodge - Talismana (Ripple)

After a couple of solid EP releases, the Austin, TX     5-piece has finally delivered a full-length album. Combining the delicious fuzz of 90s Stoner Metal with the crunch of Proto-Metal, these dudes swagger their way through 9 tracks like seasoned veterans. While comparisons to fellow Austin stoner rockers The Sword are sure to plague the band, these guys have a little more Fu Manchu in their sound and a little less obvious Sabbath worship. I wouldn’t exactly call this a party album though. There’s plenty of ominous atmosphere to go around, separating these guys from the rest of the “Hey, man…let’s pretend we live in the 70s” crowd.

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Albums That I Missed (Part II)...

8/4/2015

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Continuing on yesterday's post, since there were no solid albums released last week, I'm digging through my archives to bring you several albums that I didn't get a chance to listen to prior to their release, but which stand out as strongly as everything else that I usually recommend. 
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
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Sons of Huns - While Sleeping Stay Awake (Riding Easy)


2nd album from Portland trio; Stoner Rock

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Stoned Jesus - The Harvest (Інша Музика)


3rd album from Ukranian trio; Stoner/Doom Metal

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Stonegriff - Come Taste the Blood (Metal On Metal)


2nd album from Swedish quartet; Doom Metal

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Without God - Circus of Freaks (Solitude Productions)


2nd album from Russian quartet; Stoner/Doom Metal

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Wooden Stake - A Feast of Virgin Souls (Razorback)

2nd album from SD/NY duo; Doom/Death Metal

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Albums That I Missed (Part I)...

8/3/2015

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Since there were no solid albums released last week, I'm digging through my archives to bring you several albums that I didn't get a chance to listen to prior to their release, but which stand out as strongly as everything else that I usually recommend. I'll post a few more this week if I have time.
[Click on band name for samples and more info]
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Arkham Witch - Get Thothed Vol. I (Metal On Metal)


EP from English quartet; Heavy/Doom Metal

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Einherjer - Av Oss, For Oss (Indie)


6th album from Norwegian trio; Viking Metal

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Midhaven - Spellbound (Universal Music)


Debut album from Mumbai, India quartet; Progressive Sludge Metal

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The Morningside - Letters from the Empty Towns (Solitude Productions)

3rd album from Moscow quartet; Death/Doom Metal

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Sequoian Aequison - Onomatopoeia (Solitude Productions)

Debut album from Russian quartet; Post-Metal/Doom

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