living tomb

Upcoming Metal Releases: 1/27/19 -- 2/2/19

living tomb

Here are the new (and recent) metal releases for the week of January 27, 2019 – February 2, 2019. Release reflect proposed North American scheduling, if available. Expect to see the bulk of these records on shelves or distros on Fridays unless otherwise noted.

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.

Send us your promos to: [email protected]. Do not send us promo material via social media.

Recent Surprise Releases

PanopticonThe Crescendo of Dusk | Bindrune | Black Metal | United States (Minnesota)

The almighty Panopticon has returned with two fresh tracks after last spring’s double-album magnum opus (our review here). The verdict: The Crescendo of Dusk is as lush and expansive and downright beautiful as Panopticon has always been, if not even more. As an ode to the northern lights, this roughly 22-minute anthemic one-sider screams into echoless night skies and humbly asks for nothing in return. And almost as if the cosmos is silently responding to Panopticon mastermind Austin Lunn’s soaring screams, we’re gifted with all the vivid closed-eye visuals that this brand of black metal can deliver. If you’ve never witnessed the northern lights for yourself, let this new album guide your mind through epic landscapes and limitless ceilings all the same.

Light DwellerIncandescent Crucifix | Black Metal, Death Metal | United States (Arizona)

The debut full-length of one-man black/death metal project Light Dweller picks up where last year’s solid and crushing Nullity of Light EP left off, but also sees the development of full-on storytelling and narrative versus mere songwriting gusto. And while still relatively brief, Incandescent Crucifix remains densely packaged and without any wasted time whatsoever: these seven tracks rip and roar across modern (and post-modern) landscapes of demanding but liberating sonic destruction.

Upcoming Releases

ZohamahSpread My Ashes | Redefining Darkness | Black Metal, Doom Metal | Israel

With his debut full-length Spread My Ashes, one-man Israeli project Zohamah has emerged from black chasms of obscurity to deliver an unprecedented combination of black, death, and doom metal. Here, Zohamah spews a vitriolic mysticism that washes over the listener as harrowing, cavernous vocals lumber across sinister blood-and-gravel riffs. Painting scenes of yearning and adventure with a palette of depressive, blackened tones and hues, this offering of nihilistic devastation juxtaposes the macabre, frostbitten timbre of black metal against the intrepid yet melancholic sprawl of epic doom. Spread My Ashes also demonstrates considerable musical range within its seven tracks; songs like “Black Cloud” use elements such as double-bass and tremolo riffs to emphasize Zohamah’s blackened death influences, while “Emptiness,” a much slower, groovier track, is the record’s most direct interpretation of traditional doom that ventures almost into sludge territory. Ultimately, Zohamah strikes a golden balance between the vintage aesthetic qualities of classic metal and a more polished, refined modern sound that is equal parts nostalgic, fresh, and exciting.

— Thomas Hinds

OssuariumLiving Tomb | 20 Buck Spin | Death Metal | United States (Oregon)

Fucking dag-nasty West/Green Coast death metal in line with what you’d expect on 20 Buck Spin. While Ossuarium is relatively new to the scene (Living Tomb being their debut full-length), the outfit feels exceptionally mature and progressed already. You get abstract melodies encased in horror-fueled riffing which ebbs/flows along lengthy, diverse tracks. You get bombastic drumming, deep and gnarly growls, and monster distortion. You get what death metal promises: death incarnate.

AstronoidAstronoid | Blood Music | Blackgaze, Post-Metal | United States (Massachusetts)

Astronoid has held their own for several years now, unleashing a pair of EPs and their debut full-length Air (2016) to fanfare and joy from all over the metal spectrum. This project has been incredibly successful with their blackgaze/post-metal blend, and this new self-titled sophomore release offers solidification, permanence, and a new sense of wonder to their overall sound. In some sense, Astronoid has always been about elevation: catalyzing an ascendant vibe and letting it play out over the peaks and valleys of emotive, gazing tunes. Here, in their newest output, Astronoid delivers as expected, but thoroughly ups the intensity and dreaminess.

Pulchra MorteDivina Autem Et Aniles | Ceremonial Records | Death Metal | United States

It feels like debut after debut after debut so far in 2019, with so many new bands accelerating themselves into the scene in waves of fresh talent. Pulchra Morte (whose lineup includes current and former members of Eulogy, Wolvhammer, Withered, Exmortis, Harkonin, and more) joins the inflow with Divina Autem Et Aniles, both assaulting and meditative due to its mid-paced style and heavy, swathy movements. “Patient” would be a fitting description of this band’s brand of death metal overall, but would also fail to capture when Pulchra Morte fully unleashes their riffy, dark attitude (which they do at perfectly timed moments). The full album premiered at BrooklynVegan.

IthacaThe Language of Injury | Holy Roar | Hardcore | United Kingdom

Fans of technical, obtuse hardcore rejoice: Ithaca’s The Language of Injury absolutely nails a wide range of emotive choruses and churning, body-moving breaks within its complex framework. Mastering both catchy melody and raw power in short-format bursts, this London-based outfit seems to bring everything to the table at once without overloading the album. Clean and transparent shifts from abrasive, gnarly riffing to buttery-smooth blasting round out the already-impressive songwriting on The Language of Injury, plus this band retains the ever-important ability to gut-punch you right in the feels (just as they should).

Support Invisible Oranges on Patreon.