Shit That Comes Out Today: November 1, 2019
It’s Friday, which means it’s new metal day! I’m honored to have been asked to take over this column. Look forward to my usual idiosyncratic recommendations as well as things people actually want to hear about. Without further ado, here are some suggestions to start your November.
Angel Witch
Angel of Light (Metal Blade)
Listen: “Don’t Turn Your Back”
NWOBHM legends Angel Witch continue to show the kids how to do it forty years into their existence. Along with fellow reformed veterans Satan, their post-millennial/post-reunion work has been just as strong as the classic stuff. You want killer riffs and tasty melodic guitar leads? Get out your goddamn air guitars.
Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra
Legacy of the Dark Lands
Listen: “This Storm”
I guess this is technically a side project? No guitars, no Blind Guardian. I’m not gonna lie — as someone who grew up listening to showtunes, I kinda dig this. It’s big and stupid and overly dramatic, but at least it’s not turgid like The Astonishing. Your mileage will definitely vary — in other words, stay away if you’re expecting a proper power metal record from the best power metal band in the business. If you want a fantasy-themed musical, have at it.
Nile
Vile Nilotic Rites
Listen: “Vile Nilotic Rites”
Read the MetalSucks review
While still an acquired taste, Nile take huge strides towards opening their sound to a wider audience here — relatively speaking. Band purists probably still prefer their earlier work. That said, this makes for a thoroughly satisfying technical death metal assault. Whatever they’ve changed this time around, they make the darkened depths seem appealing once more.
Midnight Odyssey
Biolume Part 1 – In Tartarean Chains (I, Voidhanger)
Listen: “Pillars in the Sky”
Midnight Odyssey can be a hard band to sell — one-man cosmic black metal act with new age elements and songs that regularly top 10 minutes? If you can get past that, you’ll find one of the most innovative, dynamic acts of the past decade. Dis Pater’s latest opus continues his streak as he finds hidden beauty behind every asteroid. It’s very easy to get lost in these stars.
Year of the Cobra
Ash and Dust (Prophecy)
Listen: “Into the Fray”
Psychedelic doom two-piece from Seattle with the good sense to hire Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nirvana, Bruce Dickinson) to record their album? Hell yeah! Their stoner rumble contains echoes of Clutch and Kylesa at times, but Amy Tung’s college rock-style vocals give YOTC their own unique angle. Endino makes Ash and Dust sound like its title.
OTHER SHIT THAT COMES OUT TODAY
American Grim – Ultra Black (eOne) Listen
Cannabis Corpse – Nug So Vile (Season Of Mist) Listen
Dawn Of Disease – Procession Of Ghosts (Napalm) Listen
Deaf Rat – Ban The Light (AFM) Listen
Eskimo Callboy – Rehab (Red) Listen
Fire From The Gods – American Sun (Eleven Seven/Rise) Listen
Novembers Doom – Nephilim Grove (Prophecy) Listen
Paganizer – The Tower Of The Morbid (Transcending Obscurity) Listen
Rising Insane – Porcelain (Long Branch) Listen
Sarke – Gastwerso (Indie) Listen
Stray From The Path – Internal Atomics (UNFD) Listen
Une Misere – Sermon (Nuclear Blast) Listen
Violation Wound – Dying to Live, Living to Die (Peaceville) Listen
Voyager – Colours Of The Sun (Season Of Mist) Listen
SHIT THAT COMES OUT AGAIN TODAY
Cradle Of Filth – Cruelty And The Beast (Reissue) (Music For Nations) Listen
Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York (Vinyl) (Geffen) Listen
