Sh*t That Comes Out Today – August 18, 2023
The best album of 2023 is out today. And no, I’m not talking about those Black Sabbath reissues.
Atreyu
The Moment You Find Your Flame EP (Spinefarm)
Can you believe Atreyu have been around for more than two decades at this point? Following up earlier-this-year’s The Hope of a Spark EP is another EP, The Moment You Find Your Flame. The four songs present different angles of Atreyu, ranging from electronic-influenced metalcore to pop-punk and radio-rock influenced tunes. It doesn’t reach the highs of their early days but fans will be happy for more Atreyu.
Bat Sabbath
Masters of Duality (Bat Skull/New Damage)
Spoiler alert: Bat Sabbath is actually the alter ego of long-running Canadian outfit Cancer Bats. So it’s Cancer Bats covering Black Sabbath, which works surprisingly well. Cancer Bat Sabbath’s renditions meet somewhere in the middle of Black Sabbath’s bluesy doom and Cancer Bats’ metal-influenced hardcore punk. They don’t get particularly adventurous with the song selections (“War Pigs,” “Children of the Grave,” “NIB,” “Into the Void” and “Iron Man”), but it would have been neat to hear their take on a deep cut or two. Bonus points for recording the album live in studio. Do you think Ozzy has heard of Cancer Bats?
Godthrymm
Distortions (Profound Lore)
Epic doom unit Godthrymm, led by ex-My Dying Bride and Vallenfyre guitarist Hamish Glencross, follow up their debut full-length with Distortions. It comes as little surprise that Distortions is a killer album—soaring melodies, heavy-ass riffs and a general sense of gloom that permeates every song. Glencross’ voice is killer and the introduction of his wife, Catherine Glencross, on vocals and keys, only serves to add more to the music. Seek this album out.
Horrendous
Ontological Mysterium (Season of Mist)
Horrendous have been one of the most exciting and interesting bands in death metal for a long time. Their breakout album, Anareta, showed oceans of potential and follow-up Idol began to tease that out of them. On Ontological Mysterium, Horrendous pull out all the stops—the line between progressive, heavy and death metal is almost totally blurred, resulting in one of the most thrilling death metal albums in years. You don’t need repeat listens to understand that Horrendous have crafted a masterpiece but each return reveals something new. This is the best album of the year, and probably next year.
Ringworm
Seeing Through Fire (Nuclear Blast)
Metalcore slash blackened-thrash unit Ringworm are back with their ninth album since reforming nearly 25 years ago. Unlike Horrendous, Ringworm don’t really do the whole progressive or subtle thing. In fact, they do the exact opposite, serving up 11 songs in 31 minutes. There might be some variance in the ways that Ringworm attack the problem, but it’s all reliably what you’ve come to expect from Cleveland’s finest. Listen to this one if you like getting your ass kicked for fun.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Cherubs, Icing (30 Years Plus 1) (Brutal Panda) Listen
Cyhra, The Vertigo Trigger (Nuclear Blast) Listen
Dripping Decay, Festering Grotesqueries (Satanik Royalty) Listen
Fall of the Albatross, Rite (Fall of the Albatross) Listen
Fiddlehead, Death is Nothing to Us (Run for Cover) Listen
Flo, Long Way Done (Horror Pain Gore Death) Listen
Orbit Culture, Descent (Seek & Strike) Listen
Oxx, The Primordial Blues (Nefarious Industries) Listen
Skálmöld, Ýdalir (Napalm) Listen
Spirit Adrift, Ghost at the Gallows (Century Media) Listen
Warmen, Here Are None (Reaper Entertainment) Listen
Worm Shepherd, The Sleeping Sun (Unique Leader) Listen
