Shit That Comes Out Today: January 26, 2018

No drunken stories this week. Shocking, I know. Instead I’ll be using this week’s intro to remind all of you to never hesitate when it comes to cutting toxic people out of your life. Unlike post-Taco Bell binge Axl Rose, don’t be afraid to trim the fat that’s weighing you down. Whether people treat you like shit or are just getting in the way of the things you want to do, burn the fucking bridge and don’t look back. It’s a lesson that has taken me a very long time to learn, and one that I still need a reminder of once in a while. It’ll suck when you do it, but I promise that once the fire has stopped and all is said and done, nothing is more satisfying than pissing on the ashes of all the crappy things in your life with a nice, cold beer in hand.

Machine Head
Catharsis (Nuclear Blast)
On a playlist with Slipknot, Shadows Fall and Fear Factory
Listen: “Beyond the Pale”

This was a surprisingly easy week for me to pick what to cover. For those of you wondering why I’m not writing about Phil Anselmo’s new release, it’s because he’s a dick. Anyway, I am  amazed that Machine Head are still a band, not because they suck, but because they’ve been around forever now. That being said, I’m not crazy about what I’ve heard off this new album. Yes, Robb Flynn said that it wouldn’t be the heaviest album in the world, but I don’t know. It’s just… lacking. If you like this album, more power to ya. You have as much range as Machine Head do.

Tribulation
Down Below (Century Media)
On a playlist with Enforcer, In Solitude and Repugnant
Listen: “Lady Death”

Since our own Snaximus spent enough time with this album to write a review, I’ll give you his opinion because it is far more educated than mine: “Tribulation has actual mystique. They write real songs.  If you were to boil Down Below down, I guess you’d call it Appetite for Destruction meets At the Heart of Winter, with acid-sheet dabbings of Bitches Brew and The Number of the Beast. Down to the minute: Trib’s panned guitar parts are almost tossed off, just like Slash and Izzy used to do.” Sound good? Sure as shit does. Check this out.

Howling Sycamore
Howling Sycamore (Prosthetic Records)
On a playlist with Dream Theater, Ephal Duath and Faith No More
Listen: “Let Fall”

Howling Sycamore are a difficult band to describe, so once again I am going to use someone else’s words instead of my own: ““Let Fall” is a song of opposites. While groovy melodies pull you up at first, the bleak, introspective lyrics come in to drag you down after. In the heart of the song, during a Tony Iommi-infused riff, the Sycamore tree is summoned with prayer-like singing, referencing it loud and clear as the guide-like entity that it is for the concept of the band itself….” See, wasn’t that informative? Who said being a journalist blogger was hard?

Portal
Ion (Profound Lore)
On a playlist with Gorguts, Impetuous Ritual and Blood of Kingu
Listen: “Phreqs”

If someone put a gun to my head and asked me who is the most inaccessible band playing music right now, there would probably be 100 shit grindcore bands I would name. BUT, if they cocked the gun and then said bands that matter, I would tell them Portal. Portal are a band that are not for the weak of heart. Hell, they aren’t even a band for the strong of heart. In fact, Portal essentially write music for nobody, but that’s what makes them great. Like Howling Sycamore, this is a band that is difficult to describe, so go listen and then when you’re still confused, read Snaximus’ review.

Mammoth Grinder
Cosmic Crypt (Relapse)
On a playlist with Iron Reagan, Cannabis Corpse and Primitive Man
Listen: “Mammoth Grinder”

Everyone remembers 90s death metal — just kidding, only 90s kids remember the 90s — so imagine if you took the grime of 90s death metal and recorded it on the proverbial potato that black metal bands all seem to love. That’s what we’re looking at with Mammoth Grinder. It might sound like a weird combination, but Mammoth Grinder are straight to the point with their music. It’s raw, it’s brutal and it’s death metal with no bullshit. As far as “normal” releases go, this is the best one dropping this week, if for no other reason than that the band is fucking called Mammoth Grinder.

SHIT THAT COMES OUT TODAY
Accu§er The Mastery (Metal Blade) listen
Agrimonia Awaken (Southern Lord) listen
Anguish Magna Est Vis Suignah (High Roller) listen
Atala Labyrinth Of Ashmedai (Salt Of The Earth Records) listen
Centuries The Lights Of This Earth Are Blinding (Southern Lord) listen
Black Moth Anatomical Venus (Candlelight) listen
Die Young The God For Which We Suffer (Good Fight Music) listen
Dommengang Love Jail (Thrill Jockey) listen
Hooded Menace Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed listen
Into the Great Divide Into the Great Divide (Wilshire Records) listen
In Vain Currents (N/A) listen
Labyrinth Return to Live DVD/CD (Frontiers) listen
Loudness Rise To Glory (earMUSIC) listen
Orphaned Land Unsung Prophets And Dead Messiahs (Century Media) listen
Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons The Age Of Absurdity (Nuclear Blast) listen
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue (Housecore) listen
Primal Rite Demon (Revelation) listen
Sleeping Giant I Am (Facedown) listen
Various Artists American Satan Soundtrack (Sumerian Records) listen

SHIT THAT COMES OUT AGAIN TODAY
Alestorm Captain Morgan’s Revenge (10th Anniversary Edition) (Napalm) listen
As I Lay Dying Frail Words Collapse (Vinyl) (Metal Blade) listen
As I Lay Dying Shadows Are Security (Vinyl) (Metal Blade) listen
August Burns Red Messengers Remixed (Solid State) listen
Unearth The Oncoming Storm (Vinyl) (Metal Blade) listen