Upcoming Metal Releases: 6/1/2014 – 6/7/2014

…

If there’s a theme this week – besides the surprise that every band didn’t align their release to land on Friday (6/6) – it’s matchmaking. Nearly all of the entries here can be paired with another. Some, in fact, have already come prepackaged as splits: Helms Alee and Young Widows, Belus and Anicon, Ruins and Usnea, and Varathron and Den Saakaldte. Beyond those examples of environmentally-conscious sharing, the rest of the listed records have natural partners present, even if the styles are dissimilar. Darkest Era and Saor evoke Celtic folk. Nuclearhammer and Sacrocurse play in the murk. Incarnated and Volturyon love a guitar tuned by a tablesaw. For a matchmaker? These are heaven (hell?) made. None of these players need a Love Meter-calculated elaborate algorithm or a nudge from the Love Boat to find each other.

That said, one particular strummer is left all by his lonesome. Alas, poor King Buzzo only has his guitar. Even Things We Missed couldn’t provide Buzz a bud (though it did couple two together from the outstanding Caligari Records). Not that Buzz minds, his killing machine makes enough noise for many.

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 6/1/2014 – 6/7/2014. 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:

Belus / Anicon – Anicon / Belus | Dead Section Records | Black metal, blackened doom
Two NYC heavies trade epics. Belus, featuring a member of Mortals, play pepped up doom with a blackened bite. Anicon excel at sprawling USBM. Stream part of Belus’ side here.

…

The Cutthroats 9 – Dissent | Lamb House Records | Noise rock, sludge
Chris Spencer (Unsane) unexpectedly resurrects his West Coast noise rock collective. Expect a slightly looser take on Unsane’s churning noise rock.

…

Darkest Era – Severance | Cruz Del Sur Music | Heavy metal, folk metal
This Irish quintet plays galloping heavy metal gilded by Celtic folk grandeur.

…

Helms Alee / Young Widows – Helms Alee / Young Widows | Sargent House | Post-hardcore, noise rock
Two bands born from the newer school of noise rock put a catchy spin on buzzy basslines and punk chords. Helms Alee include ex-Harkonen frontman Ben Verellen. Young Widows were formerly Breather Resist.

…

King Buzzo – This Machine Kills Artists | Ipecac Recordings | Melvins
Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne strips his sound down to just an acoustic guitar and his voice, yet the results are varied and texturally rich.

…

Nuclearhammer – Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer | Nuclear War Now! Productions | Blackened death metal
Ruthless death metal swathed in atmosphere. The opening lyrics tell the story: “Spiraling cosmic chaos void.” Hometown: Toronto. Of course.

…

Saor – Aura | Northern Silence Productions | Black metal, folk metal
This Scottish solo project is self-described as “atmospheric Celtic metal.” Accurate. Think if Moonsorrow were transplanted to Glasgow.

…

Of Note:

Capilla Ardiente – Bravery, Truth and the Endless Darkness | High Roller Records | Doom
Riff-centric and lead-heavy doom of the epic variety. Shares members with fellow Chileans Procession and Atomic Aggressor.

Cloven Hoof – Resist Or Serve | High Roller Records | NWOBHM, heavy metal
Sole remaining member Lee Payne keeps Cloven Hoof trotting along. Aside from Payne, the band is manned by all new riders, including X Factor contestant Joe Whelan.

Deus Ignotus – Procession of an Old Religion | Forever Plagued Records | Blackened death metal
This Greek duo follows up 2012’s Chrismation with an EP of equally succinct blasts.

Dweller in the Valley – Younger Dryas | Grimoire Records | Blackend death metal
A Baltimore trio snapping Incantation riffs into second-wave black metal structures.

The Great Sabatini – Dog Years | Solar Flare Records | Noise rock, sludge
These Montreal mates take the AmRep sound and beef up the guitar tone.

Incarnated – Try Before Die | Selfmadegod Records | Death metal
Brutal Poles give OSDM an aggressive read. Not unlike Disgorge (MEX) with a tighter hold on the reins.

Loudness – The Sun Will Rise Again | Thunderball667 | Heavy metal
33 years into their run, Japan’s heavy metal institution is still trad-ing.

Midnight Chaser – Lion’s Choice | Self-released | Heavy metal
This Bay Area band has greater flare than other retro reenactors. Lyrical themes: “Being a bad ass.” Noted.

Return from the Grave – Gates of Nowhere | Argonauta Records | Doom
Uptempo Sabbath worship recommended to those who roll with Orange Goblin.

Sacrocurse – Unholier Master | Hells Headbangers Records | Blackened death metal
An intense, low-fi battering from this Mexico-based two-piece. Guitarist/vocalist ZK also played on a Morbosidad album.

Usnea / Ruins– Ruins / Usnea | Halo of Flies | Blackened doom, crust
A split from two longform composers inhabiting different styles. Usnea are bleak, sludgy doom from Portland. Germany’s Ruins play metallic and emotive crust.

Varathron / Den Saakaldte– Old Demons Rise | Floga Records / Hell’s Fire Records | Black metal
Greece meets Norway on June 6. Both tracks are previously unreleased.

Volturyon – Human Demolition | United Guttural Records | Death metal
Grinding death in a similar spirit as the related Coldworker.

…

Things We Missed:

• Black Metal

Bland Vargar – Perpetual Return (ITA, black metal, blackened doom)

Blitzgeistig – Worship The War Against Yourself (BRA, DSBM)

GIDIM – GIDIM (USA, blackened thrash)

• Core/Punk

Scalped – Demo (USA, hardcore, punk)

VEILS – Unquestionable Appreciation Of Suffering (ESP, hardcore, crust, noise punk)

War Emblem – Constant Defeat (USA, hardcore, punk)

• Death Metal

Aposento – Aposento (ESP, death metal)

Tyrants Of Hell – Repulsive Worship (USA, death metal, death/thrash, grind)

HEAVYDEATH – Demo III A Long Obscure Trip – Demo II Darkness of No Return (SWE, death/doom, death metal)

Siakel – Jatenentolpen Thejin (CHI, blackened death metal)

• Grind

Internal Rot – Mental Hygiene (AUS, grind)

…