HOW AWESOME IS THE NEW BURST RECORD, YOU ASK?

And it’s a question I can’t answer just yet, because I haven’t heard all of Lazarus Bird, which drops September 16th on Relapse. But from the three songs I’ve heard on their MySpace page (“I Exterminate the I,” “Cripple God” and “We Watched the Silver Rain”), I can tell you this: it is without a doubt going to be fucking phenomenal. Like, you-need-to-drop-what-you’re-doing-and-go-listen-right-NOW kind of awesome.

As I’ve said time and time again this Swedish (where else?) quartet mixes the prog of Opeth, the fire of Mastodon and the energy of Refused with something wholly unclassifiable and entirely unique. Fresh, passionate, dynamic metal, lofty heights that few metal bands ever reach — and yet barely anyone in the U.S. seems to be paying attention. Not that this is a new band, either — the band formed in 1993, and Lazarus Bird will be their fifth album (plus several EPs and splits). So what the fuck? PAY ATTENTION!

Remember when we continuously jocked At All Cost, Protest the Hero, Textures and Sikth? Would I lead you astray, people?? No. So be prepared.

-VN