Upcoming metal releases: June 2011
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This month’s lists have more obscure names than usual – but that doesn’t mean the selection is weaker. Really, nowadays one month’s selection of metal could suffice for a year (well, except for December’s usual rubbish heap). We are blessed that bands still put out music in an economic climate where it makes no sense to do so. I am loving the quirkiness of some of these releases. They reflect a humanity often lost in higher-profile releases.
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For the “full” (i.e., compiled to the best of our limited ability) calendar of releases, see here.
Use the Agenda view on the top right, and click on entries to expand and collapse them.
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SHOULD RULE HARD
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I’ll go through these in order. Aenaon: very progressive black/death metal; Akercocke and Secrets of the Moon come to mind. Gigan: Hate Eternal on psychedelics. Looking for an Answer: filthy, ripping grindcore from Spain. Moon: Australia’s answer to Xasthur, complete with never-ending chord progressions; very deep feeling. Ogen: I am all about this Italian black metal act right now; full EP streaming here. Origin: Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists; by terrorists, I mean lamers. Pharaoh: Did you know Chris Black plays drums really well in a prog/power metal band? One song even has the Melechesh reggaeton beat! Premonition 13: Wino’s more modern/less stoner rock side comes out; it’s still super-soulful. Tombs: Mike Hill & co. stepped up their game; stream full album here. Wolverine: After five years, Swedish proggers return in a big, big way with a gorgeous record.
Aenaon – Cendres et Sang
Gigan – Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes
Looking for an Answer – Eterno Treblinka
Moon – Caduceus Chalice
Ogen – Black Metal Unbound (EP)
Origin – Entity
Pharaoh – Ten Years (EP)
Premonition 13 – 13
Tombs – Path of Totality
Wolverine – Communication Lost
Premonition 13 – “Senses”
[audio: PREMONITION13_SENSES.mp3]
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MIGHT RULE HARD
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Guy Kozowyk’s Blackmarket Activities label breaks its silence with Ed Gein (I’m really looking forward to hearing this – their last record was crazy), Engineer, and Khann. Faces of Bayon: new doom from an ex-member of Warhorse; sounds big and raw and good. Forest of the Soul: acoustic project featuring two members of Nechochwen; hear it below, it’s lovely. Morne: I haven’t “gotten” this band, but they’re Fenriz-approved and now also Profound Lore-approved. Peste Noire: I never “got” this band, either; they seem like more bark than bite, but, hey, I like that artwork above. Symphony X: Sometimes they seem like the respectable prog/power alternative to Dream Theater; sometimes they seem like utter cheese. Devin Townsend: More productive than most of us.
Ed Gein – Bad Luck
Engineer – Crooked Voices
Faces of Bayon – Heart of the Fire
Forest of the Soul – Restless in Flight
Khann – Erode
Morne – Asylum
Peste Noire – L’Ordure à l’état Pur
Symphony X – Iconoclast
Devin Townsend – Deconstruction
Devin Townsend – Ghost
Forest of the Soul – “Alone/Desert Rose”
[audio: FORESTOFTHESOUL_ALONEDESERT.mp3]
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MORBID ANGEL
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Probably everyone here has seen this video. But if you haven’t, here you go. Digby Pearson, Morbid Angel’s former label head, had some surprisingly nuanced things to say about the band. Note also these supportive statements by Morbid Angel’s peers. (Thanks to David A for the tip.) I myself will reserve judgment until I hear the record.
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Hitler reacts to new Morbid Angel album
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