As we reach the end of the year, typically the releases slow up a little. However, here we are, at the end of November and still with a pretty stacked week of new music. Let’s dive in and check it out!
Guided By Voices: Nowhere to Go But Up
The Ohioan indie rock band have been going for 40 years at this point, which is insane to think about. What’s even more insane is that this is the second album we’ve covered by them on this series this year alone, and their third release of the year. Their last album, Welshpool Frillies only came out back in July. We gave it a 6.5 (find the review here). Honestly, it’s so hard not to compare this release to that one. And, overall, my feelings are pretty similar. It’s fine. There are enjoyable tracks like ‘Puncher’s Parade’ and ‘Jack of Legs’. And there are also tracks that bored me a tad and I’d happily not listen to again.
I feel like this band suffer from the same issue as Weezer have in the past. While I admire the hell out of their insane work ethic, they leave absolutely nothing on the cutting-room floor. They’ve released 37 tracks this year alone, 137 in this decade and we’re only four years into it. Even if they were the greatest songwriters in the world, that’s a fucking lot. It feels like there is no quality control here. I’d rather have had one album this year by them filled with 11-15 of the best tracks across the three albums, than three releases with a tonne of filler.
I’m sure this band have plenty of fans that will love this album. However, I am not one of them. This felt weaker than their previous release, despite a few highlight tracks, so this gets a 5/10
Almost Honest: The Hex of Penns Woods
We’ve already checked out this awesome album. Read the full review here!
NOPROPHECY: As the Bridge Collapses
The debut album of Singapore’s own modern metal band, NOPROPHECY, is finally out. After the release of their debut EP back in 2016, we have been slowly drip-fed releases by the band, including two singles from this upcoming album this year. It has all lead to their much anticipated debut through Rockshots Records, which I cannot wait to check out!
Honestly, it’s really damn good. The perfect blend of black, death metalcore, it’s packed full of amazing riffing, insane drumming and plenty of incredible screams and clean vocals. The heavy parts are the highlight for me personally, but the cleans are just as good. The dynamic between the two vocals is massively entertaining, too. Tracks like the title one (that breakdown at the end, *chef’s kiss*), singles ‘Ghost of Yesterday’ and ‘Broken’, and ‘Higanbana’ are all massive highlights. However, there really isn’t a bad track on the album. Honestly, my only issue with the album is that it’s only nine tracks long, especially when one is an intro track!
As a debut album, it’s ridiculously impressive. Their brand of heaviness honestly feels pretty unique, blending together so many styles and influences that I honestly cannot think of a band to compare them to overall. It can both make you want to bang your head and mosh and then also sing along to the epic chorus within seconds of the same song. I cannot wait to hear where the band go from here, because after this release, they should be well on their way to becoming massive in the scene. 9/10
Silent Angel: Unyielding, Unrelenting
One of the best genres of the year, power metal, is getting another top notch release courtesy of the Italian/Malaysian band. The album has been a long time coming, with single ‘Tears of Celestine’ being written back in 2015, when the band first reformed. So, to hear it finally released after all these years is something really special. And for that single to slowly translate into a full debut album after all these years, I cannot wait to hear what guitarist Eric “StormBlade” Poon has in store for us!
An epic intro track leads perfectly into opener ‘Against the Tides’. It sets up the album perfectly, having an old-school NWOBHM vibe as well as the obvious power and symphonic metal sounds. From there on out it’s just one symphonic power metal banger after another. Tracks like ‘A Destiny In Shadows’ and ‘When Dusk Meets Dawn’ are early Nightwish in the best ways. Meanwhile, ‘Through Selene’s Eyes’ is a beautiful, powerful ballad that rivals just about any other in the genre. The album is solid throughout though, and if anyone is into the genre at all, they’ll find a lot to love with this release. 8/10
Wet Cactus: Magma Tres
The Spanish desert rockers returned with their third studio album this week. I wasn’t familiar with the band until this point, but they most certainly have a new fan in me! Right from opening track ‘Barren Landscape’ they had me hooked with their grungy, stoner sound. It feels like the perfect blend of Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains, and I love it. There are also hints of Tool in there with more proggy tracks like ‘Mirage’. Heck, the first two plus minutes of ‘Million Tears’ is an INCREDIBLE build-up that serves the rest of the track perfectly. It’s my favourite track on the album, and a true testament to the band’s skill in writing that they can do somehow proggy desert rock.
There really isn’t a bad track on the album, either. The tracks mentioned above are for sure highlights, as is ‘Hell Dweller’. However, the album is incredibly well crafted, with no sound or style ever dragging or feeling overused. I didn’t get in any way bored while listening to this, and it went by far too quick. It’s arranged perfectly and each style compliments each other amazingly. If you’re a fan of rock in general, you have to check this out, it’s an incredible album! 9.5/10
Yesterday’s Hero: Ways to Hate
We’ve also managed to check out this album in full too! Check it out here!
Pessimystic: Burnt Offering
The debut album of Canadian heavy band Pessimystic is up next. Blending black and death metal together pretty seamlessly, the album is an all out assault in the best way. It’s heavy, technical and surprisingly epic. It’s very atmospheric, and tracks like ‘Visions’ and the title track paint a really fantastic scene with their music. It feels like a blend of Behemoth and Machine Head, taking some of the best parts of each.
My only slight issue is that it’s far too short. At only five tracks long, it might as well be an EP. However, I think that with the song lengths it just about qualifies as an album, in my eyes anyway. But yeah, more of this, please. MUCH more. And this is coming from someone who typically isn’t a black/extreme metal fan all that much. However, Pessimystic have something special going on here, and I cannot wait to hear more already! 7/10
Degenerator: The Abyssal Throne
Firstly, we need to talk about this absolutely stunning album artwork. It’s incredible. Props to the artist, it may be my favourite album sleeve of the year!
I have no idea how to describe this music. Equal parts prog, post-grunge, alt metal, doom and tech, it really is in a world of its own. And, honestly, it’s awesome. The opener alone goes through sounds like Sevendust, Bush, Tool (sorry, it’s a very Tool-y week!) and Lonely the Brave. Then the following tracks take that formula and run with it, as well as turning it up to 11. Tracks like ‘Finality’, ‘Darkness Prevails’ and ‘Hiraeth’ are personal favourites of mine. However, everything on the album is fucking phenomenal. It honestly gives me first time listening to Lateralus vibes, which I definitely don’t say lightly!
It is both a blessing and a curse that a lot of this album sounds similar. On the one hand, it’s nearly 50-minutes of dark, brooding awesomeness. However, I feel like 11 tracks that are pretty samey can put at least a few listeners off. For once, thankfully, I am in the former camp. This is the perfect album to sit down and listen through in a single sitting. So, if you’re into more proggy, concepty stuff, grab a drink and sit in a dark room to check this out. You definitely won’t be disappointed! 9/10
Noturnall: Cosmic Redemption
Not ones to slouch or relax at all, the band’s latest album drops while they are currently on tour with Iron Maiden legend Paul Di’Anno. One of Brazil’s biggest musical exports, the band are back with their fourth studio album. And, honestly, it’s a bit good. Those who are familiar with the band will know exactly what to expect out of their sound, and they pull it off to perfection these days. A modern twist on NWOBHM, it reminds me a lot of the recent KK’s Priest, Burning Witches or even Dragonforce albums.
It’s nothing bad at all, but also certainly isn’t anything new. Tracks like ‘Reset the Game’, ‘Scream! For! Me!!!’ and the epic ‘Shallow Grave’ are all great and certainly highlights. However, with such an abundance of this music these days, and so much of it being done perfectly, I probably won’t listen to this much moving forward. Plus, at over an hour across just 11 songs, fuck is it long. 7.5/10
Pete Briley: Album #1
rock singer-songwriter Pete Briley released his much anticipated debut album last Friday. The Outlaw Orchestra multi-instrumentalist takes a small step away from the country/bluegrass sound and more towards indie and 70s/80s pop rock with this release. Tracks like ‘Elvis’ and ‘Sick and Tired’ remind me of the perfect blend of Band of Horses and David Bowie. Meanwhile ‘Ronda’ and other tracks go back to the more blues/folk sound that fans of his are probably more used to.
It’s a beautiful, chilled collection of songs. Pete’s done an amazing job arranging the tracks and in writing such a varied, interesting selection of music. ‘Angels Ain’t Singing My Name’ is a personal favourite of mine. The intensely emotional, personal track resonated massively with me, especially for such a stripped-back track. The same could be said about most of his lyrics, though. They’re masterfully written and will most likely ring true for a lot of peoples’ feelings these days. ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ and ‘Highflyer’ are also massive album highlights.
Honestly, if you are into the softer side of music, check this out as soon as you can. Pete is one hell of a songwriter and has produced something that feels wholly unique with this release. I can’t think of anything I’ve checked out recently that sounds like this, and that’s certainly a good thing! It’ll more than tide me over until the upcoming Orchestra release, and I’ll be having this on a lot in the coming weeks! 9/10
i Helvete: Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta
Yep, I have no idea how to pronounce that album title either. However, it’s time for some extreme metal all the way from Finland, so I’m pretty damn excited!
It’s certainly extreme metal, that’s for sure. The combination of the atmosphere from black metal and the aggression of death metal is merged perfectly by the band. The real highlight for me is the instrumentation. On tracks like ‘KKK’ and ‘Valittu Kansa’, the bridge and solo parts have a real epic feel to them, adding so much to an otherwise rather straight-forward song. Having said that, the cleaner, more operatic vocals on tracks like ‘Uuden Ajan ABC’ were also amazing. As someone who’s not the biggest black metal fan, the band adding this to keep their sound varied and interesting had me hooked throughout. The listener is constantly kept guessing as to where the band would go from here, and that for one deserves massive props.
Don’t get me wrong, this still isn’t particularly my sort of thing. I wouldn’t optionally listen to this. However, it’s that well written and performed that I definitely wouldn’t turn it off if it was on, and I would love to see it live! If you’re into the heavy stuff, you’ll love this! 7/10
Paradogmata: Endetid
We keep it heavy to finish the week, with Norwegian thrash/death metal. And, as if to keep up with the tradition of the week, it’s a LOOONG album. 10 tracks at just over an hour. Strap in, ladies and gentlemen!
I absolutely love the slow, dark, almost satanic sound that starts the album. It gets heavier, veering into the death metal, but builds up pretty perfectly into the higher tempo across the opening two minutes. From there, ‘Endetidsbundet’ continues to be an awesome track. Meanwhile, tracks like single ‘The Seeds of Greed’ and ‘?’ are balls to the wall thrash death, and they’re awesome. However I have to admit, surprisingly I find myself enjoying the slower, more atmospheric tracks more, like ‘The Cleansing Flood’. Plus, Chris Hathcock’s vocals on the track are incredible and work so well with the rest of the music. It almost has an early Volbeat feel to it, and is definitely a highlight track!
Overall, there really isn’t a bad track on this album. Honestly, describing this as just thrash or death metal almost feels like a disservice. There is more going on here. There’s elements of black and extreme metal, but also doom, sludge, and groove. It feels pretty interesting unique, and I enjoyed it a lot. I’ll definitely be listening to this again, a fair bit in the coming weeks! 8/10