SH*T THAT COMES OUT TODAY: FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Winter is usually fairly slow for releases, but it’s not even March and a bunch of cool stuff has already dropped. This week, we update you and your wallet on the second chapter of Earth’s double album, new jams from Orange Goblin, and excellent records from Pilgrim, Goatwhore, and Iron Mask.
Amoral
Beneath (The End)
On a playlist with: Edguy, Angel Witch, Kotipelto
Listen “Same Difference” (here)
Amoral have some above average heavy metal chops, and the addition of singer Ari Koivunen’s dramatic range and vocals take it to the next level. Unfortunately, when power metal gets this slick its poppiness starts to wear on you pretty quickly. For those that love power metal with an ear for maximum melody, take a listen. For anyone that needs their metal raw, you will be disappointed. Hard to believe Amoral was a death metal band when they started.
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Avatar
Black Waltz (eOne)
On a playlist with: new In Flames, Nine Inch Nails, Skrape
Listen “Black Waltz” (here)
Avatar brings together melodic death metal, sort of a nu-metal chunkiness, and electronics on Black Waltz. And it bored the hell out of me.
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Beneath The Massacre
Incongruous (Prosthetic)
On a playlist with: Death, Psyopus, Suffocation
Listen “Left Hand” (here)
Beneath The Massacre’s third is a death metal record composed of sheer brutality and technicality. Just one listen to “Left Hand” and “Grief” shows the band experimenting with incredibly complex guitar work but never losing sight of intensity. Brutal drums can get monotonous, but Justin Rouselle’s fills and beats keep BtM fresh. And Incongruous is the kind of record that keeps death metal fresh. MetalSucks Wallet Worthy
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Carnalation
Deathmask (Spinefarm – IMPORT)
On a playlist with: Brutal Truth, Six Feet Under, Through The Eyes Of The Dead
Listen “Resistance” (here)
Death metallers Carnalation play heavy, fast tunes, but there’s a spark missing here. The Finnish band needs to add something to the mix to make their tunes more recognizable or something, because as soon as the song is done you’ve already forgotten what you listened to.
***
Earth
Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II (Southern Lord)
On a playlist with: A John Carpenter soundtrack, Mono, Jesu
Listen “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine” (here)
The Earth sound since 2005’s Hex; Or Printing In The Infernal Method is difficult to even categorize as metal. It’s clean guitars, cello, and bass. It’s simple chords and rhythms repeated amid moments of change. But somehow, the music is much more than its parts. I wouldn’t blast Earth at a party, but this album is a great addition to last year’s Angels I.
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Goatwhore
Blood For The Master (Metal Blade)
On a playlist with: Witchaven, Skeletonwitch, Blut Aus Nord
Listen “Parasitic Scriptures Of A Sacred Word” (here)
Goatwhore is a fiery blast of blackened thrash, and the Erik Rutan-produced Blood For The Master is a beast. 2009’s Carving Out The Eyes Of God was a masterpiece of the genre, showing Sammy Duet and crew’s evolution as songwriters. This record continues that, and continues to deliver in a big way.
Full MetalSucks review here.
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Iron Mask
Black As Death (AFM)
On a playlist with: Primal Fear, Brocas Helm, Iron Fire
Listen “Broken Hero” (here)
Iron Mask’s fourth album is more incredible power metal with amazing instrumental work and vocals that are high-pitched but not over the top. The band includes former members of Magic Kingdom, Kamelot, and Yngwie Malmsteen’s band.
***
Orange Goblin
A Eulogy For The Damned (Candlelight)
On a playlist with: Electric Wizard, Kyuss, Black Cobra
Listen “Red Tide Rising” (here)
There is yet to be an Orange Goblin record that I didn’t fucking feast on with my ears. The band’s sound has evolved over each successive record, but they always unleash serious stoner metal fury. This time around, OG gives us some rock and roll flair — and it fucking rules. This is easily some of the best stuff they’ve written this decade, impressive even among their never-weak, always-peak material. Horns in the air, this one rules. MetalSucks Wallet Worthy
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Pilgrim
Misery Wizard (Metal Blade)
On a playlist with: Saint Vitus, Yob, Cathedral
Listen “Astaroth” (here)
Sludgy doom creeping along at a snail’s pace. It’s not new, but it rules, and Pilgrim excel on this debut record. The dreary lead vocals are supplemented by the backup group choruses, and the guitar work nods to Sabbath as well as newer doom masters: well-written leads and a sludgy tone really bring power to Misery Wizard. Doom metal gets a good start in 2012.
***
The Devastated
Devil’s Messenger (Century Media)
On a playlist with: Lamb Of God, At The Gates, A Life Once Lost
Listen “Devil’s Messenger” (here)
The Devastated includes current and former members of Impending Doom and Oblige. Devil’s Messenger is the hybrid of metal and hardcore we’ve heard so much, and it doesn’t even really succeed in that. The music is a watered-down version of the style and lacks real melodies and moments that grab your attention. Nothing from this record stays with you.
-VV
Shit That Comes Out Today returns next week to check out all the newest molten metal. We’ll wear gloves.
