Upcoming Metal Releases: 11/17/2013 – 11/23/2013

…

As 2013 starts to set in a blaze of apathy, IO continue to keep snouts to ground for magnetic morsels that will pack your record racks. The Anticipated slate may appear slight with only three entries, but Code are already podium-bound and awaiting year-end gold, especially in the eyes of those searching the sky for bright specks like Arcturus. Speaking of colors, Ephel Duath are no strangers to textures and shades. After a brief break in the wake of a canine concept album, their loom-like fusions are now a family affair. As a contrast to the vets, Psalm Zero make their debut, generating old-guard excitement in the space of seven inches. For good reason — their industrial transmogrifier adds new wrinkles to the flesh of gods.

While those albums deserve headlines, Of Note’s varied collection might be of greater interest to anyone willing to test their predilections. A bevy of the modern metalhead’s bugaboos have made the list, including Chastain and Coven 13 trying to Febreze away their attic smell. Then, the back-to-power Satan’s Host are a heat-rock for folks left cold by true metal’s traditionalism. If “heavy metal” is a slur in your lexicon, those three will try to prove that it’s more than a four-letter word. Finally, this is secretly the week for the bong-bedecked. Stoner in all of its strains fills the air here. Want the weirdest head high? Scroll to Sun and Sail Club‘s robot rock. Asimov’s fourth law? Puff puff pass.

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

…

New metal releases for the week of 11/17/2013 – 11/23/2013. 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 Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Blurbs and designations are based on available promotional material and perceived buzz.

…

Anticipated Releases:

Code – Augur Nox | Agonia Records | Prog metal, black metal
This UK/Norway collaboration drapes a Victorian veil atop Oslovian experimentation. However, they never forget hooks are a key part of any song hypothesis.

…

Ephel Duath – Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness | Agonia Records | Prog metal
Joined by his wife, vocalist Karyn Crisis, Davide Tiso and his jazz hands explore a slower, more deliberate meditation on the black-tinged breakouts of The Painter’s Palette and Pain Necessary to Know.

…

Psalm Zero – Force My Hand | Last Things Records | Industrial
Andrew Hock (Castevet) and Charlie Looker (Zs) create a heck of a hypnotic buzz, unifying a myriad of styles into one unique experience.

…

Of Note:

Beast – Infernal Hangover… Wrecked in Space | Slaney Records | Thrash
Spanish rethrashers booze through a thick Frost influence.

Bones – Sons of Sleaze | Planet Metal | Death metal
Ex-Usurper Chicagoan heavies bring death metal back to its embryonic incarnation while covering it with crust.

Chastain – Surrender to No One | Leviathan Records | Heavy metal
A year before their 30th anniversary, one of Cincinnati’s finest reconvene with the original lineup. Weighty trad with a touch of power.

Coven 13 – Destiny Of The Gods | Shadow Kingdom Records | Heavy metal, doom
Dormant for 22 years, Detroit’s doom-tinged gods gallop once more.

Exhale – When Worlds Collide | Pulverised Records | Grindcore
These Swedes turn death to flour by grinding it with Nasum’s millstone. Courtesy of members from Crimson Moonlight and Anata.

Funeral Circle – Funeral Circle | Shadow Kingdom Records | Doom
Canadian epicus doomicus with a melancholy undercurrent gets a proper pressing thanks to SK.

Hanging Garden – I Was a Soldier | Lifeforce Records | Melodic death/doom
Second release of the year from the Finns who ditch typical despondent tropes for a meatier take on the modern style.

Harsh Toke – Light Up And Live | Tee Pee Records | Psych rock, stoner rock
San Diegan leaf hounds get earthless after glazing their lungs with verdant delights.

Lord Fist – Wordless Wisdom of Lord Fist | Ektro Records | Heavy metal
Ektro‘s Jouko Ahola-strong year keeps rolling along with this inescapably catchy and rather Spartan run through the NWOFHM.

Mortifera – Bleüu de morte | Apparitia Recordings | Black metal
Solo side-project of Celestia‘s singer/six-stringer Noktu.

Reciprocal – New Order of the Ages | Self-released | Death metal
Hollywood-residing tech-death widdlers grow a bit of black on their carcass. A lot more songcraft on display than you’d expect.

Sandrider – Godhead | Good to Die Records | Stoner rock
Feel-good, roadtrip rock played with a core ferocity. Ballpark: Unsane carpooling with Scissorfight, maybe.

Satan’s Host – Virgin Sails | Moribund Records | Blackened power metal
The long-running devils from Denver. After a near-decade of blackened death bangers (the Harry Conklin-less, underrated stretch of records from 2000 – 2009), Jag Panzer‘s Tyrant returned in 2011 to lead Beelzebub’s surrogate back towards rousing badassery. If you think you hate power metal, try this.

Sons Of Huns – Banishment Ritual | Easy Rider Records | Stoner rock
Easy Rider Records keeps it astral with another act reliving the best of Man’s Ruin.

Sun and Sail Club – Mannequins | Play This Riff | Stoner rock
Members of Fu Manchu and Kyuss re-imagine a world where every modem croons like Focus. Or, a rock album for Janelle Monáe? Klaatu barada nikto?

Tombstoned – Tombstoned | Svart Records | Stoner rock
Finnish holy mountaineers step back in time for bouncy, classic rock boogies.

…