Weekly Release Roundup – Friday, 4th October, 2024
From heavy, dreamy shoegaze and doom with Middle-Eastern influence, to power metal and sludge, to heavy rock and black 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!
Sugar Horse – The Grand Scheme of Things (Pelagic Records)
It’s hard to imagine Sugar Horse topping the brilliance that is the album, ‘The Live Long After’, but ‘The Grand Scheme of Things’ manages it. Even if comparing the two isn’t as straight-forward as you may expect. Yes, this new album is Sugar Horse and the group continue to genre-bend in mesmerising ways. However, there is also a simplicity to this album that results in some of their most accessible music to date.
Check out the full review here.
Lowen – Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran (Church Road Records)
Helmed by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nina Saeidi, who was born into exile from Iran in the UK as there, playing metal is illegal and women singing unaccompanied risk execution. This cruel oppression has served to inspire Lowen to create glorious intense progressive doom. Mixing fantastical stories with deep dives into history and shining a light on important modern issues across six epic listens.
Check out the full review here.
Bile Caster – Writhing Between Birth and Death (Cursed Monk Records / Masochist Records / Eggy Tapes)
One of the most substantial EPs of the year from a doom and sludge perspective, Bile Caster force their thick sound down the throats of anyone brave enough to press play on this release. Vomit is guaranteed if you stay, but it’s the kind of nasty sound that is simply impossible to walk away from.
Check out the full review here.
Wind Rose – Trollslayer (Napalm Records)
Dwarven warriors unite! Wind Rose have returned and with them comes plunder of epic proportions bearing the name of Trollslayer. The power metal band are back, sticking exclusively to type, and delivering a thoroughly enjoyable blast of head banging anthemic fun.
Check out the full review here.
Civil Service – /// Light (Ripcord Records)
Words may not be able to truly do this album justice because of just how wide the sonic landscape is. Civil Service sink to unfathomable depths, reach impossible highs, skirt the line between light and darkness perfectly, and still manage to create even more vibrant imagery in the mind as the album unfurls its detail.
Check out the full review here.
Gloam – Well Dwelling (Self Released)
There’s a dreaminess to Gloam’s sound that encapsulates their shoegaze makeup perfectly, yet, it is just one aspect and a thick vein of post-hardcore influence runs through this record. Alongside twists to well-worn alternative rock formulas, all of this results in a mighty memorable release. One that features five unique listens and manages to envelop the listener warmly. Even if the dreamy style does have a dark edge.
Check out the full review here.
Texas Hippie Coalition – Gunsmoke (MNRK Heavy)
Living up to their name and what is expected of their sound, Texas Hippie Coalition continue a good run of form with their latest blast of heavy rock groove. One that leans even more into their Southern style but, importantly, retains a heaviness that sets them apart from other bands of this ilk.
Check out the full review here.
Sørgelig – Φθορά (Tragedy Productions)
This is more than just a clattering of dissonant instruments and vocal horror. This is the kind of cold that speaks of worlds long lost, empty and desolate, there is a strong scent of sadness in the air.
Check out the full review here.
Undeath – More Insane (Prosthetic Records)
The putrid stench of death metal isn’t just strong here, it’s downright overpowering and it’s because of Undeath’s decomposing style. Where the rot doesn’t stop them from delivering something furiously fast and horribly heavy, their behaviour more akin to wicked demons desperate to claim your soul.
Check out the full review here.
Allt – From the New World (Century Media Records)
Such a creative vision would be difficult for many to embody in musical form, and certainly from a listenable perspective. So, it is simply astounding to not just find the album’s varied vignettes equally transfixing, but to find an overarching narrative that creates some of the most vivid scenery. Allt have set a very high bar with this album, one that measures cinematic scope and storytelling depth, while not focused on specifics. Something that allows the music to connect with its audience on a more universally relevant level.
Check out the full review here.
