zealotry

Upcoming Metal Releases: 12/2/18 -- 12/8/18

zealotry

Here are the new metal releases for the week of December 2nd — December 8th, 2018. Release dates are formatted according to proposed North American scheduling, if available. Expect to see the bulk of these records on shelves or distros on coming Fridays unless otherwise noted, or if labels and artists get impatient.

See something we missed or have any thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Plus, as always, feel free to post your own shopping lists. Happy digging.

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ANTICIPATED RELEASES

Zealotry — At the Nexus of All Stillborn Worlds | Unspeakable Axe Records | Death Metal | United States (Massachusetts)

This Boston-based death metal quartet is back with their third full-length, angrier than ever. You get winding threads of old-school guitar ripping (including some bonkers solos), from-the-depths screaming, plenty of overall technicality to keep things interesting, and more. At the Nexus of All Stillborn Worlds aims very much to be your one-stop-shop for death metal: there are doses of experimentation (nothing too overwhelmingly cutting-edge), but this doesn’t make Zealotry feel unfamiliar at all. Quite the opposite, actually.

Viscera/// — City of Dope and Violence EP | Third I Rex | Post-Metal | Italy

From my premiere of Viscera///’s new EP:

It’s best to think of the City of Dope and Violence EP as three distinct movements or snapshots rather than a linear story. The first track “Marauders” plays out as the most straightforward continuation of the prior full-length with its shaper edge, thick layering, and well-timed climax. It might actually fit on the prior album, but its relative gentler approach to building atmosphere would set it apart. Nevertheless, this song demonstrates that, yes, this band still has the energy to push forward even after nearly two decades. Then, the eponymous middle track offers itself as abstract pause: fuzz, voices, echoes, noise surround your head and dislocates you to aid the finale’s final hit.

OF NOTE

Rauhnåcht — Unterm Gipfelthron | Debemur Morti Productions | Black Metal | Austria

Folk melodies and synth make their appearance very known on Rauhnåcht’s upcoming third full-length, but don’t distract from the album’s ripping guitar leads, drumming, and basswork either. This is high-energy black metal. Tune back in later this week for a full stream premiere prior to Friday’s official release date.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

Faceless Burial — Multiversal Abattoir EP | Blood Harvest | Death Metal | Australia

On the heels of their scorching debut Grotesque Miscreation, this Aussie outfit is poised to drop a just-as-scorching EP. Featuring five tracks much in the same vein as the last release, the band again proves itself as an all-trades death metal behemoth. Faceless Burial foregoes any unbridled speed for something a bit more methodical and gnashing, making the listening experience less anxiety-inducing than perhaps other similar death metal. That said, the riffs, production, and instrumentation here are all still nasty and gruesome.

Sulphurous — Dolorous Death Knell | Dark Descent | Death Metal | Denmark

Keying up old-school veins but maintaining a definitively modern vibe, Danish outfit Sulphurous’s debut full-length seeks that tough-to-nail middle ground between the sounds of yore and those of the future. And with the force of Dark Descent behind them, it looks like dreams may become reality with Dolorous Death Knell: as dry as bleached bone but as rich as any other death metal, this album prays for your soul.

FROM THE GRAVE

Ulver — Sic Transit Gloria Mundi EP | House of Mythology | Avant-Garde, Electronic | Norway

At last, Ulver’s magical EP from last year sees release in physical media formats, including a limited edition vinyl which includes 25 minutes of bonus live material. Perhaps the strongest track on this EP is the cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love” — vocalist Kristoffer Rygg nails the execution (and the mood) flawlessly. It seems that no matter what Ulver does, they do it with a sense of triumph and beauty, and this EP (despite being brief) is no exception.

Mayhem — Grand Declaration of War | Season of Mist | Black Metal | Norway

Season of Mist will be reissuing Grand Declaration of War nearly two decades after its original release. It will be a remix, reworked from original tapes for a completely refreshed sound. Also new is a giant, limited-edition box set, including seven LPs, booklet, and more. Is it Mayhem season? It’s Mayhem season.

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