Sh*t That Comes Out Today – March 17, 2023
“The Emerald Piper. That’s our hell. It’s an Irish bar where it’s St. Patrick’s Day every day forever.” Cope with your feelings about Saint Patrick’s Day by checking out these new releases.
Ecstatic Vision
Live at Dunajam (Heavy Psych Sounds)
The Philly psych rockers’ latest was recorded at Duna Jam, as the title suggests, and it’s a scorcher. The festival’s private setting and low attendance give Live at Dunajam an intimate feel as Ecstatic Vision rip through high-octane versions of their songs. Come for the vibes and stay for the extended jam sessions on these songs. (Gimme Metal)
Kamelot
The Awakening (Napalm)
The Awakening is Kamelot’s first album since crossing the 30-year threshold in 2021, an achievement that deserves to be saluted regardless of genre. The symphonic metallers’ 13th album is as powerful, melodic and fist-pumpingly catchy as anything else in their discography, anchored by few massive-sounding singles “Eventide” and “One More Flag in the Ground.” Vocalist Tommy Karevik, who’s been with the band since 2012, is a star on The Awakening with a vocal range and control that elevates the theatrical songs to a new level. Get it via Gimme Metal.
Kruelty
Untopia (Profound Lore)
Following an ass-beating split with anticapitalist outfit Terminal Nation, Japan’s premier death metal band for hardcore kids are back with their second album. As first single/second song “Harder Than Before” suggests, Untopia is just Kruelty but turned up to 11. Untopia is a testament to the fact that not every band needs to reinvent the wheel—sometimes they just need to bash you over the head with it. Own the album, lest you be considered Less Hard Than Before.
Contrarian
Sage Of Shekhinah (Willowtip)
Prolific progressive death metal crew Contrarian rip through their fifth album in eight years with Sage of Shekhinah. Featuring a retooled lineup featuring two new members and a returning one, Sage of Shekhinah is loaded to the brim with “betcha can’t play this”-style riffs and tight musicianship. Contrarian walk the line between technical and progressive death metal with experience and finesse, eschewing technical wankery for actual songwriting. Own it now.
Night Demon
Outsider (Century Media)
California’s Night Demon remind why they’re one of heavy metal’s best standard bearers in 2023 with third album Outsider. Following a collection of EPs released during the pandemic, Outsider is the first proper album from Night Demon in six years. Led by frontman Jarvis Leatherby and his anthemic vocals, Night Demon have made an album that will appeal to longtime heshers and the new breed of heavy metal fans.
