Sh*t That Comes Out Today – August 4, 2023
Just another week where you try to reconnect with God while I know that he’s passed out behind the Arby’s dumpster.
An Autumn for Crippled Children
Closure (Prosthetic)
Dutch black metal outfit An Autumn for Crippled Children don’t make an effort to reinvent the wheel on Closure but they don’t need to. The tenth full-length from the prolific post-black unit deals in the blackgaze-meets-dream-pop sound that An Autumn for Crippled Children have always had over 10 songs and 43 minutes. The atmosphere and emotion are strong on Closure; if you miss Sunbather-era Deafheaven, check this one out.
Crypta
Shades of Sorrow (Napalm)
Shades of Sorrow is probably the most-hyped release on the calendar today, the sophomore album from São Paulo’s Crypta. There’s not a whole lot to say about this one that we haven’t by now—if you like ripping, no-frills death metal, then Shades of Sorrow will be right up your alley. Bassist/vocalist Fernanda Lira has a killer high scream that partners with the band’s strong riffcraft for a memorable sound.
Devin Townsend
Devolution Series #3 – Empath Live In America (Hevy Devy/InsideOut)
This one is probably for the diehards but it’s a slow release week. Devolution Series #3 is the latest live album from Devin Townsend, recorded on the Empath tour. In addition to Empath material, he touches on various other points in his discography, which has become impressively large at this point. The album features a rendition of Strapping Young Lad’s “Love?” near the end, which is an exciting thing if you’re a terminally-online nerd who got into extreme metal in the 2000s!
Mammoth WVH
Mammoth II (BMG)
Wolfgang Van Halen plays all of the instruments on Mammoth II, the second outing from his Mammoth WVH project, but it feels like he forgot to include any human emotion. “Another Celebration at the End of the World” and “Miles Above Me” have riffs and many of the other songs reach for shimmering high points. The production and musicianship are top shelf but Mammoth II could’ve used some more time in the incubator.
Skindred
Smile (Earache)
Seeing the Earache label and hearing a band that sounds like Skindred will probably always give me cognitive whiplash. The British group combine reggae and metal in a bright way and Smile is definitely not for every metalhead. Some singles, like “L.O.V.E. (Smile Please),” really go for the reggae sound while others (“Gimme That Boom”) prefer more of a fusion. You’ll know right away if Skindred’s sound is for you, so give it a try.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Blight House, Blight the Way (Syrup Moose) Listen
Hallucinate, Bowels of the Earth (Caligari) Listen
Humanity’s Last Breath, Ashen (Unique Leader) Listen
We’re still watching movies on Thunderflix. You should sign up and do it too! Here’s some of what they have to offer.
Total Thrash – The Teutonic Story
Dive into the groundbreaking documentary chronicling the rise of the German thrash metal scene from the ’80s to present day. Featuring interviews with iconic bands like Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, and Tankard, witness rare archival footage and epic live shows that shaped the genre’s history. Don’t miss this metal extravaganza and discover the influential and respected world of German thrash metal. Stream it now on Thunderflix and headbang your way through the heart of metal history.
Thrash with Traitor!
Formed in 2004, this German metal band’s aggressive sound and energetic live shows will blow you away. Stream their intense performance at Wacken 2018, and don’t miss Teutonic Slaughter Live now streaming on Thunderflix!
