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Upcoming Metal Releases 6/17/2018-6/23/2018

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Here are the new metal releases for the weeks of June 17, 2018 – June 23, 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 the coming Fridays unless otherwise noted or if labels and artists get impatient. Blurbs and designations are based on whether or not I have a lot to say about it.

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

As a little bit of a challenge, include your own opinion about anything you want to add. Make me want to listen to it!

Please note: this is a review column and is not speculative. Any announced albums without preview material will not be covered. Additionally, any surprise releases which are uploaded or released after this column is published will be excluded.

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ANTICIPATED RELEASES

Craft – White Noise and Black Metal | Season of Mist | Black Metal | Sweden
Ah, Craft. Those of us who waited for Void with baited breath found ourselves extremely disappointed with the newfound simplicity within. Following the multi-faceted and intense Fuck The Universe years and years later with something so simple and stomping might have been interesting, but it wasn’t what the world deserved. Craft is meant to be over the top all the time, which is what is found here on the poorly titled White Noise and Black Metal. The Darkthrone-esque minimal riffing is there, definitely, but Craft takes the atmospheric route through Lang’s harsh monochrome. For all its discordant glory and distilled fury, White Noise and Black Metal still manages to sound more like the successor to the legendary Fuck The Universe than its disappointing follow up. For those who weren’t into black metal in the late 2000s, this new Craft album is a pretty fun little time machine, but modern enough to fit into the current era.

Anicon – Entropy Mantra | Vendetta Records | Black Metal | United States
From Jenna’s premiere of “Names Written In Tar”:

Black metal’s devilish points are utilized where appropriate. But ultimately, the takeaway of embracing strength and determination is conveyed by melodious guitars filling the embankment anchored by mighty bass and swift beats.

Their upcoming release Entropy Mantra will mark Anicon’s eighth contribution, with “Names Written in Tar” serving as a glimpse into the album’s cult of musicianship. The overarching devotion to technical performance over feathered filigree makes every second count. Tethered together by a tenacious tempo, harmonious guitar breaks are challenged to a duel with a sinister alter ego.

Khemmis – Desolation | 20 Buck Spin/Nuclear Blast | Doom Metal | United States
I was always a little “on the fence” about Khemmis. For a band who was so damn good at a more traditional, anthemic style of heavy/doom metal, they tried to do too many things alongside it and ended up losing a central sense of identity. On Desolation there is the concentration I’ve so desperately desired from the Khemmis camp. This is a great balance of doom metal’s variety of feelings — the desperation of crushing, deeply emotive slowness and the oddly fun and exciting, mid-pace of a solid gallop.

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OF NOTE

Ancient Moon/Prosternatur – Secretum Secretorum | Iron Bonehead | Black Metal/Ambient / Black Metal | International
Pure mysticism in black metal form. Head back later this week to hear the whole thing.

Embrace of Thorns – Scorn Aesthetics | Iron Bonehead | Black/Death Metal | Greece
From my premiere of “Mutter Aller Leiden”:

It reeks of war, death, and despair. Though Embrace of Thorns and Penderecki may not sound alike — a metal band and modern classical music piece couldn’t be more dissimilar in most cases — the mournful and catastrophic sounds communicated through this band’s crushing blackened death metal finds the two occupying a spiritual center.

Amarok – Devoured | Translation Loss Records | Sludge/Funeral Doom Metal | United States
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Amarok, as it’s been at least five years since their split release with Hell. The band’s first full-length release, Amarok plays the long game with four tracks totaling to a staggering 66 minutes of somber, despondent doom sounds.

Satan’s Basement – Appeal to Your Denial | Independent | Death/Doom Metal/Hardcore | United States
Ian Covelli, otherwise known as the goofy man behind the Unrefined Jagoff podcast, certainly keeps it serious with Satan’s Basement. With the project’s first album in years, Covelli draws upon his own experiences in the pharmaceutical industry and expresses deep, disappointed frustration through sludgy, grimy death metal riffwork.

FROM THE GRAVE

Flaskavsae – Discography 2005-2010 | EEE Recordings | Black Metal (“Unblack Metal,” I guess) | United States
A wonderfully creative, strange black metal band in that whole EEE/Gud er Sannhet scene (Njiqahdda, Light Shall Prevail, et al) which was unfortunately kicked aside due to “W/Wavy Svendersuhn”‘s then-Christian beliefs. Honestly, revisiting Flaskavsae’s oddity is more than just nostalgia, it’s pure oddity. It’s no wonder tUMULt Records wanted to release a large collection of this microscene’s works. Now you can hear Flaskavsae’s entire discography on a… seven CD set? It’s pretty monstrous.

OTHER RELEASES

Arthedain – Infernal Cadence of the Desolate | Naturmacht Productions | Black Metal | Czech Republic
Musically, Arthedain is absolutely lovely. Infernal Cadence of the Desolate has this classic feel to it, almost like a No Fashion Records release: all riff, all atmosphere, melodic and chilling (aside from a few metalcore-esque breakdowns, which are fine). However, these vocals really kill it. I’m all for a great vocal performance, but what is found on this record are so loud that the music ends up almost entirely drowned out.

Construct of Lethe – Exiler | Everlasting Spew Records | Death Metal | United States
Perfectly fine modern death metal, pretty resemblant of Hate Eternal’s static melodicism and crazed drum performances. This isn’t really the kind of stuff I listen to a ton, but the Rutan school is definitely an under-utilized composition style.

Curse Upon a Prayer – The Three Woes | Saturnal Records | Black Metal | Finland
If you are aware of the Finnish school of melodic black metal (always have to make the distinction as there are multiple strains of black metal inherent to this country), Curse Upon a Prayer certainly follow their scene’s lineage. Haunting, incensed stuff.

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