Six new albums were released this last Friday. Just to put that into a little perspective, that’s a lot of rock music to digest! Luckily, we do the majority of it for you so you don’t have to, giving you a gist so you only need to check out what sounds the best to you! Check it out below:
Biffy Clyro: The Myth of the Happily Ever After
The Scottish rock trio released their ‘Sister album’ to 2020’s A Celebration of Endings, and new Biffy music is always intriguing. I would like to think I am a big fan of the band, but they have also put out some questionable (in my opinion) music in my time. Heck, I thought the last album was pretty middle of the road, personally. I reviewed it when it came out and I think it got a 6.5 or 7, pretty middling for a band so big. I shan’t spoil much of my full review, which will be up soon, but I do have to clarify that it is definitely better than their last one!
Don Broco: Amazing Things
After much delays (a common and very annoying part of this series so far) Don Broco finally released their fourth studio album, Amazing Things. I have to admit I’ve never been the biggest fan of the band, but even I have to admit that they have done something special with this release. Again I shan’t say much as we should hopefully have a full review out of it soon, so stay tuned!
Dream Theater: A View From the Top of the World
Prog metal titans Dream Theater return with their much anticipated 15th studio album, A View from the Top of the World. Over an hour of music split between just seven songs definitely isn’t for everyone, but goddamn if this isn’t a rock musicians dream album. Heck, we get four different riffs across three time signature changes in the first two minutes of the album before any vocals have even come in. It’s safe to say the band have fully gone for it with this one. There is plenty of heavy riffage while still having the lighter, piano driven stuff throughout, both of which fit with James LaBrie’s vocals. And the epicness is still there, of course, the final track being a whopping 20+ minutes. If you can stomach the length though, it is one hell of a track, and my personal highlight of the album. 8/10
Cradle of Filth: Existence is Futile
Legendary extreme metal band Cradle of Filth are not only still going thirty years into their career, but are putting out maybe some of the best music they have ever done. This is another band that are not for everyone and for very good reason, one listen or even a look at the album artwork would explain it. Heck, I didn’t think I was into them until I took a proper listen a few years ago, and now I do really like them! This album is extreme metal at its finest, with opening track ‘Existential Terror’ and the ridiculously named ‘How Many Tears to Nurture a Rose?’ being definite highlights. 7.5/10
STARSET: HORIZONS
Another band that I have only gotten into recently, it was mainly off the back of one of the singles off this album, ‘THE BREACH’. That chorus alone makes it a great song and even a great album, it’s that good a chorus, but the rest of the album is also fantastic. The band have managed to find the perfect blend of heavy, BMTH-style riffs and Imagine Dragons-esque catchy vocal parts. All three of the singles are amazing, but there are redeeming qualities of just about every track on this album. 8.5/10
Every Time I Die: Radical
Finally we reach the other heavy band on this list, Buffalo’s own Metalcore titans Every Time I Die. This is the band I can get on with the least on this list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a decent album. There is some surprisingly catchy parts throughout this album and The Butcher took time out of his busy schedule to write and record some HEAVY thrash riffs for this album. An enjoyable album for anyone into the heavy stuff, with Thing With Feathers being surprising awesomeness. 6.5/10
And there we have it, another week down. Hopefully soon the world can get its plastic and cardboard supply under control so all these albums stop being delayed and mess up my plans. Then we can finally get the BFMV and Devin Townsend ones I’ve been waiting all month for! Stay tuned next week, who knows who may be delayed by then!
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