Upcoming Metal Releases: 10/3/2021-10/9/2021
Here are the new (and recent) metal releases for the week of October 3rd, 2021 to October 9th, 2021. Releases reflect proposed North American scheduling, if available. Expect to see most of these albums on shelves or distros on Fridays.
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 (streaming links preferred) to: [email protected]. Do not send us promo material via social media.
Upcoming Releases
Blood Red Throne — Imperial Congregation | Nuclear Blast | Death Metal | Norway
I was initially not sold on this release—it definitely seems a little over-reliant on chugs and isn’t really doing anything new—but the band’s got a solid grasp of melody and has an uncanny ability to weave their chuggy riffs into these melodies to create interesting song structures.
–Ted Nubel
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Trivium — In the Court of the Dragon | Roadrunner Records | Metalcore + Thrash + Heavy Metal | United States (Orlando, FL)
Yeah… I don’t know about this. If you’re thinking that you want to listen to Trivium in 2021, I’d remind you that you can still listen to The Crusade just fine.
–Ted Nubel
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Kowloon Walled City — Piecework | Neurot Recordings | Sludge + Noise Rock | United States (San Francisco, CA)
On their first album in six years, Kowloon Walled City put neither the noise nor rock in noise rock. Instead, their latest single “Piecework” is an example of bludgeoning blank space. It’s sparse and brittle like exploring their namesake city’s ruins.
–Colin Dempsey
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Atræ Bilis — Apexapien | 20 Buck Spin | Death Metal | Canada (Vancouver, BC)
The jagged, intra-dimensional riffs on Atræ Bilis’ eagerly-awaited full-length debut are handily up to the task of splitting your brain into multiple pieces. It’s ‘thoughtful’ death metal, sure, but only while you’re still capable of having thoughts.
–Ted Nubel
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Alda — A Distant Fire | Eisenwald | Atmospheric Black Metal | United States
Alda fuse black metal and folk into a heartwarming, wistful experience — A Distant Fire isn’t their first time doing so, but it’s not getting any less powerful four albums in.
–Ted Nubel
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Le Chant Noir — La Société Satanique Des Poètes Morts | Personal Records | Black Metal | Brazil
Heavy gothic overtones on this one, as if you couldn’t tell by the name La Société Satanique des Poètes Morts. The swirling synths, organ centerpiece, and snarling vocals sell the album’s grandeur, to the point that the closing “OH SATAN” refrains are the only way a track like “Prière à Satan” could end.
–Colin Dempsey
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Black Sites — Untrue | Independent | Heavy + Progressive Metal | United States (Chicago, IL)
From Ted Nubel’s track premiere of “Sword of Orion”:
On their upcoming album Untrue, Black Sites forges a progressive assault that strikes deep with clever riffs and soaring melodies, continuing their singularly elevated brand of heavy metal that goes beyond retro worship. While it retains the classical appeal of catchy twin-guitar metal, Untrue captures not only the heart but the imagination as it explores the incredibly lucrative potential of enriching the tried-and-true with heavy instrumental prowess and an ear for tasty hooks.
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Antichrist Siege Machine — Purifying Blade | Profound Lore Records | Black + Death Metal | United States (Richmond, VA)
Committed to an uncompromising, subtlety-free aesthetic, Antichrist Siege Machine’s second full-length continues their purposeful assault on the senses, hammering home blasphemous riffs with gnarly vocals and no shortage of snare drum.
–Ted Nubel
https://antichristsiegemachine.bandcamp.com/album/purifying-blade
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Creeping Death — The Edge of Existence | eOne | Death Metal + Hardcore | United States (Denton, TX)
At this point, I’m pretty much automatically going into any Texas death metal band with high expectations, and Creeping Death sure doesn’t disappoint. Surrounded by massive vocals, their death metal/hardcore mix yields lots of nasty riffs and headbang-friendly riffs, along with departures into odder, progressive territory that recalls the madcap experimentation of early genre classics.
–Ted Nubel
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Devil’s Reef — A Whisper From the Cosmos | The Artisan Era | Technical Death Metal | United States
Although the album art is an obvious tribute to Massacre’s From Beyond (that I’m hoping is intentional!), this mostly isn’t old-school death metal; instead, it’s a technical death metal offering with solid lead work and interesting riffs that occasionally dips into some classic stylings… oh, and it’s all nautical themed, if that wasn’t evident.
–Ted Nubel
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Hegemon — Sidereus Nuncius | Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions | Black Metal | France
Fiercely philosophical, Sidereus Nuncius is in a state of constant schism between piercing insight and bitter detachment: frosty and inhuman riffs contrast with mysterious melodies.
–Ted Nubel
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Forest of Jinn — Wendigo | Independent | Black Metal | United States
Forest of Jinn fit inside the rarely-trodden pocket between NWOBHM and first-wave black metal. There’s no gloss here, just a sheen from the ‘80s riffing and four-on-the-floor drums. It’s nostalgia-baiting rather than derivative, and that’s a compliment.
–Colin Dempsey
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Outer Heaven — In Tribute… | Relapse Records | Death + Doom + Hardcore | United States
A sweet collection of death and grind covers to prove Outer Heaven’s supremacy — all streaming now, as it happens!
–Ted Nubel
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Stheno — Wardance | 7 Degrees Records | Black Metal + Grind | Greece
There’s something pure about Stheno’s grindcore. Maybe it’s their dedication to war theatrics (evidenced by the album art and song titles), maybe it’s their disinterest in anything but speed, or maybe it’s that they’re only here to commit acts of violence.
–Colin Dempsey
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The Breathing Process — Labyrinthian | The Artisan Era | Blackened Death Metal | United States
The enormous amount of ‘extras’ that The Breathing Process wedges into their music seem to overwhelm the death metal at the heart of it—we’re talking symphonic stuff, black metal, and some -core elements. It works though, providing enough sensory overload and interesting moments for your brain to ignore the fact that it’s not really sure how to categorize this without getting out a whiteboard.
–Ted Nubel
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Knife — Knife | Dying Victims Productions | Heavy + Black + Speed Metal | Germany
From Brandon Corsair’s track premiere of “Inside the Electric Church”:
Dirty black speedpunk is a particular favorite of mine when it’s done well, and cult German label Dying Victims Productions have a special ear for the stuff. Their latest offering is from German compatriots Knife, whose sharp-edged aesthetic (seriously, not a pun—just check out that handsome bladed logo!) matches well with a sense for heavy metal melody that helps them stand aside from waves of other bands that worship at the twin altars of Venom and Motörhead.
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Untamed Land — Like Creatures Seeking Their Own Forms | Napalm Records | Epic + Atmospheric Black Metal | United States (Akron, OH)
Untamed Land’s debut was one of the best implementations of the “Western” sound in atmospheric black metal, and they’ve only improved since then. Organ lines and epic percussion mix with creatively-textured black metal for a genuinely unique take on the genre.
–Ted Nubel
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