Sh*t That Comes Out Today – April 7, 2023
We know you’re just here until you get the latest Mötley Crüe update, so let’s jump into this week’s new releases.
Linkin Park
Meteora – 20th Anniversary Edition (Warner)
The 20th anniversary version of Meteora brings together a ton of odds and ends—a grand total of 89 tracks!—to make a collection that will please even the most diehard fan. Along with the original album, the 20th anniversary version of Linkin Park’s sophomore album also includes live sets from Nottingham and Texas, 2003-2004 rarities, demos and two previously-unheard songs. As we said in our Revisit Review, Meteora is the album that made a million metalheads, so this is a nice return to the roots.
Scowl
Psychic Dance Routine (Flatspot)
California hardcore crew Scowl embraced their softer side on new EP Psychic Dance Routine, working melodic, L7-style punk into their aggressive sound. There’s a little something for everyone; “No Spirit Within” sticks to the sung vocals, “Wired” keeps it hardcore and single “Shot Down” combines the two. Scowl are a band name you’ll be hearing a lot in the future, so get hip to Psychic Dance Routine.
Sunrot
The Unfailing Rope (Prosthetic)
After a decade in the underground, New Jersey sludge peddlers Sunrot signed to Prosthetic Records for the release of their second album The Unfailing Rope. 40 minutes of uncompromising, noisy sludge and post-metal, The Unfailing Rope is a massive, cathartic album. A must hear for fans of Amenra and their ilk.
Thy Art Is Murder / Fit For An Autopsy / Malevolence
The Aggression Sessions (Nuclear Blast)
The Aggression Sessions is an interesting release—the three-way split features one original and one cover each from Thy Art is Murder, Fit For An Autopsy and Malevolence, and it leads to some interesting choices. The original songs are what you expect from the three bands at this point in their careers but the covers are unique. Fit For An Autopsy cover At the Gates’ “Under a Serpent Sun,” which works strangely well in their style. Malevolence cover pop singer Anastacia and Thy Art is Murder take on “Hammer Smashed Face,” which comes across as a case of eyes bigger than your appetite. Still, if you’re a nerd for covers like this writer, it’s worth a play.
Tribulation
Hamartia (Nuclear Blast)
In Greek tragedies, hamartia refers to the fatal flaw that brings about the demise of the tragic hero, such as Antigone’s loyalty to her brother. In terms of Gothic black/death metal, Hamartia refers to the stellar new EP from Finland’s Tribulation. Their first full release since 2021’s Where Gloom Becomes Sound, the EP continues to explore the band’s Sisters of Mercy influences as much as their extreme side. A cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s “Vengeance (The Pact)” closes the EP, topping off the three new originals.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Angel Vivaldi, A Way With Words: Part 2 (Self-release) Listen
Bad Blood, The Bad Kind Decides (Flatspot) Listen
Covet, Catharsis (Triple Crown) Listen
Devangelic, Xul (Willowtip) Listen
Heretic Plague, Context Is A Stumbling Corpse (Selfmadegod) Listen
Lotus Thrones, The Heretic Souvenir (Disorder/Seeing Red) Listen
Powerwolf, Interludium (Napalm) Listen
