Sh*t That Comes Out Today: March 26, 2021
New week, new releases. And no, I’m not reviewing Evanescence.
Genghis Tron
Dream Weapon (Relapse)
Read the MetalSucks review
Wrote this one up as the featured review in the Decibel April 2021 issue, but in summation: this rules. First album in 13 years for this beloved “nintendocore” act will piss off purists but make literally anyone else with ears happy. Replacing spastic grind with moody synth goodness is like trading in a 1993 Toyota Corolla for a goddamn Tesla. Nothing but positive progress here, folks.
Greenleaf
Echoes From A Mass (Napalm)
Swedish sativa aficionado Tommi Holappa (Dozer) has guided this spaced-out capsule through 20 years of solid stoner rock and about as many members. He’s miraculously maintained the same lineup for two records in a row, giving their eighth full-length some actual continuity with 2018’s Hear the Rivers — and it definitely helps them lock into all the goddamn grooves in Scandinavia. The tundra is a desert, too.
Sanguisugabogg
Tortured Whole (Century Media)
Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover. Like the Necronomicon: that’s made from human leather and will bite you, you can draw some pretty definite conclusions about the internal contents from that. Such is the case with Sanguisugabogg! They spew out their drug-fueled nightmares in the form of some very NSFW death metal, and their vomitous logo and sketchy Thing-inspired cover art does a perfect job of preparing you for the madness within. If you can look at that image without feeling kinda nauseous, open wide.
Tomahawk
Tonic Immobility (Ipecac)
Possibly the least weird of Mike Patton’s many projects (which would still make it really weird for just about anyone else), Tomahawk still take a hatchet to expectations. But what else would you expect from a band featuring dudes from Faith No More, The Jesus Lizard, Helmet, and Mr. Bungle? Although it’s been a while since their last release, their bizarre chemistry still causes violent reactions. They’re kinda alt-rock but in the sense that they’re an alternative to everything else.
Witchseeker
Scene of the Wild (Dying Victims)
“Let’s rock this night away tonight” is an actual line from an actual song on Witchseeker’s sophomore wrecker, and I absolutely love that — there’s a refreshing lack of irony to their throwback speed metal that elevates this above mere pastiche. They don’t make ’em like they used to, except apparently in Singapore. Laundry list of influences: Maiden, Ozzy, Dokken, Tokyo Blade, all the classics. Strap on your hightops and go sorceress hunting with Witchseeker.
OTHER SHIT THAT COMES OUT TODAY
1782 – From the Graveyard (Heavy Psych) Listen
As Everything Unfolds – Within Each Lies The Other (Long Branch) Listen
Budderside – Spiritual Violence (Motorhead/Silver Lining) Listen
Cryptosis – Bionic Swarm (Century Media) Listen
Evanescence – The Bitter Truth (BMG) Listen
Grande Royale – Carry On (The Sign) Listen
Hound – I Know My Enemies (Metalville) Listen
Lamb Of God – Lamb Of God Deluxe Edition (Epic) Listen
La Morte Viene Dallo Spazio – Trivial Visions (Svart Records) Listen
Memoriam – To the End (Reaper) Listen
Metalite – A Virtual World (AFM) Listen
Natur – Afternoon Nightmare (Dying Victims) Listen
Putrescine – The Fading Flame (Tridroid) Listen
The Quill – Earthrise (Metalville) Listen
Shiva the Destructor – Find the Others (Robustfellow) Listen
Smith/Kotzen – Smith/Kotzen (BMG) Listen
