Weekly Release Roundup – Friday, 2nd August, 2024
From thick doomy groove and stoner intensity, to cinematic djent, anthemic rock, and old-school thrash metal, to technical death metal, deathcore, and re-worked power metal, it’s a big week for releases and we’ve got a list for you to check out. All these releases are out today!
Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (APF Records)
An album that showcases a band pouring every inch of themselves into it, bringing forth thick doomy groove and stoner intensity in an infectious way. It’s both the Barbarian Hermit of old and the Barbarian Hermit of now. Looking forward, while also reminding listeners just why they are considered such a powerhouse of metal.
Check out our full review here.
Vanitas – Chaos Theory (Self Released)
Their rise is notable, but it’s a rise based off quality and this EP proves that fact unequivocally. Vanitas aren’t just a bright prospect in the UK metal scene, they’re looking like a dominant worldwide force already.
Check out our full review here.
Black Smoke Trigger – Horizons (Self Released)
If there was pressure to deliver on this new album (and there must have been some), Black Smoke Trigger aren’t showing any effects. Delivering a twelve-track rock album that lives up to anthemic expectations, and then some. Where any occasional lulls or lack of sparks are massively outweighed by the groovy, energetic, sometimes moody, sometimes fun, and often interesting overall vibe.
Check out our full review here.
Acid Mass – Worship (Morbid And Miserable Records / Motorpunk Records / Vicious Witch Records)
Turning the clock back to a time when thrash had a more primordial edge and the sound was designed to be uglier and harsher on the ears. Acid Mass’ Worship is not a lovable listen, thanks mainly to a rawness that is saturated throughout the whole thing, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyably frenzied and furious.
Check out our full review here.
Parasitic Entity – Artificial Hell Construct (Self Released)
One of the most notable aspects of this EP that emerges early, is that while it has strong focus on technical proficiency, it’s never at the expense of heaviness. In fact, in almost all cases, the sharp and serrated contrast makes the experience both heavier and harsher sounding.
Check out our full review here.
Gravemind – Introsphere (Greyscale Records)
It’s no easy task to sum up the Gravemind sound, but at its simplest it can be called deathcore/metalcore with a techy edge. Yet, that doesn’t do the anthemic value of the album justice, as for all the wild intensity and brutal heaviness of this record, Gravemind deliver a mightily infectious release that demands you give over as much blood, sweat, and tears as humanely possible.
Check out our full review here.
Sepulchre by the Sea – Seven Chambers (Self Released)
It won’t surprise regular listeners of Sepulchre by the Sea to learn that Seven Chambers covers a wide array of genres. Across the seven epic tracks of this album, you’ll experience black, death, doom, shoegaze, atmospheric metal, and more. Yet, in a twist to the Sepulchre by the Sea formula, there is some experimentation here that enters more drone soundscapes, utilising electronica and ambient elements to fully capture the extravagant horror on show.
Check out our full review here.
Lost to Light – Conceal (Self Released)
Getting a spot on the New Blood stage is no easy feat, so it says a lot about Lost to Light that they earnt theirs pre the release of their debut EP. Very impressive, indeed, but do you know what’s also impressive? The five explosive tracks that make up Conceal. If you’re going to Bloodstock you’re going to want to hear these beastly anthems in person.
Check out our full review here.
Blind Guardian – Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited (Nuclear Blast Records)
There’s nothing necessary about this release, unless you’re a Blind Guardian superfan, but it’s still an exceptionally well put together re-recording of a classic record. There’s a ton of content, the re-recordings are complimentary to the original, and it captures the brilliance of this band as they were, as they are now, and as they will be in years to come.
Check out our full review here.
