August 2022 Metal Release Tracker

 

 

I'm currently compiling metal and metal-adjacent music for Territory's Edge, my monthly recap column on New Fury Media.  After the last Friday of the month (August 26), I will select 5-8 albums or songs to discuss in detail.  My favorites as the month progresses are marked with 🐅 symbols.

August Release Tracker

Singles

In Flames - "The Great Deceiver" (Aug 1, melodic death metal)

Alter Bridge - "Silver Tongue" (Aug 2, alternative metal)

City of Caterpillar - "Decider" (Aug 2, hardcore)

Stray From the Path/Jesse Barnett - "Bread and Roses" (Aug 2, punk/hardcore)

Borders - "Suffer" (Aug 4, deathcore)

Fallujah - "Soulbreaker" (Aug 4, progressive metalcore/technical death metal) 🐅

I AM - "Surrender to the Blade" (Aug 4, death metal)

Xenobiotic - "Autophagia" (Aug 4, technical death metal) 🐅

Dragoncorpse - "Terror Eternal" (Aug 5, power metal/death metal)

For the Fallen Dreams - "Sulfate" (Aug 5, metalcore)

The Comfort - "Supernova" (Aug 5, post-hardcore/alt rock)

Outline in Color/Loveless - "Do Your Worst" (Aug 5, alternative rock/post-hardcore)

Slipknot - "Yen" (Aug 5, nu metal) 🐅

Time, the Valuator - "Ivy" (Aug 5, progressive rock/alternative metal)

What Lies Below - "Vitiate" (Aug 5, progressive metalcore)

Boundaries - "Heaven's Broken Heart" (Aug 11, metalcore)

Revocation/Trevor Strnad/Corpsegrinder - "Re-Crucified" (Aug 9, technical death metal)

Slaughter to Prevail - "1984" (Aug 9, deathcore)

Sylosis - "Heavy is the Crown" (Aug 9, melodic death metal)

Aviana/Marcus Vik - "Paradox" (Aug 10, metalcore/alternative metal)

Exmortus - "Oathbreaker" (Aug 10, death/thrash)

Miss May I - "Free Fall" (Aug 10, metalcore)

Weeping Wound - "fourthh.love" (Aug 10, atmospheric metalcore)

A Wake in Providence - "The Horror Ov the Old Gods" (Aug 11, deathcore)

Bloodbath - "Carved" (Aug 11, death metal)

Fit for a King - "End (The Other Side)" (Aug 11, metalcore)

156/Silence - "Say the Phrase" (Aug 12, metalcore) 

Bit Back - "Quantum of Solace" (Aug 12, hardcore)

Chelsea Grin - "Origin of Sin" (Aug 12, deathcore)

Phobophilic - "Survive in Obscurity" (Aug 12, death metal)

An Abstract Illusion - "In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster" (Aug 15, death metal)

Oceano - "Mass Produced" (Aug 16, deathcore) 🐅

Irist - "Heal" (Aug 16, progressive metal)

Gaupa - "Diametrical Enchantress" (Aug 17, psychedelic rock/stoner doom)

Vermin Womb - "Denvoid" (Aug 17, grindcore/death metal)

Holy Fawn - "Void of Light" (Aug 18, blackgaze/post metal) 🐅

UnityTX - "Burnout" (Aug 18, rapcore)

AVOID - "Whatever" (Aug 19, punk/post-hardcore) 🐅

Oceans Ate Alaska - "Nova" (Aug 19, metalcore)

Starset/Breaking Benjamin - "Waiting on the Sky to Change" (Aug 19, alternative metal)

Vatic - "No Sleep" (Aug 19, metalcore)

Foreign Hands - "Chlorine Tears" (Aug 23, melodic metalcore) 🐅

Orbit Culture - "Vultures of North" (Aug 25, progressive death metal)

Dayseeker - "Without Me" (Aug 26, post-hardcore)

Within Destruction/Lil Lotus - "Dying World" (Aug 26, deathcore)

Glassing - "Dire/Sulk" (Aug 26, sludge metal) 🐅

A Hope For Home - "Years of Silicon" (Aug 29, post metal) 🐅

Currents - "The Death We Seek" (Aug 31, metalcore)

Fit for an Autopsy - "Walk With Me in Hell" (Aug 31, Lamb of God cover)

Love is Noise/Jason Aalon Butler - "Movement" (Aug 31, alternative metal/post-hardcore) 🐅

Albums

Ether Coven - The Relationship Between the Hammer and the Nail (Aug 5, sludge metal)

In Hearts Wake - Green is the New Black (Aug 5, metalcore)

Psycroptic - Divine Council (Aug 5, technical death metal) 🐅

Soulfly - Totem (Aug 5, groove/thrash metal) 🐅

Dispar - Hopeless (demo) (Aug 6, blackgaze)

Fugitive - Maniac (Aug 8, hardcore/thrash)

Arch Enemy - Deceivers (Aug 12, melodic death metal) 🐅

Aronious - Irkalla (Aug 12, technical death metal) 🐅

Ascent of Autumn - Awakened (Aug 12, deathcore)

Contrition - Constancy (Aug 12, hardcore/metalcore)

In Disarray - Trauma (Aug 12, hardcore/metalcore)

Norma Jean - Deathrattle Sing For Me (Aug 12, metalcore/alternative metal) 

Of Virtue - Sinner (Aug 12, metalcore/alternative metal)

Seventh Storm - Maledictus (Aug 12, power metal)

Seyr - Flux (Aug 12, progressive metal)

The Halo Effect - Days of the Lost (Aug 12, melodic death metal)

The Omnific - Escapades (Deluxe Edition) (Aug 12, instrumental metal)

Unprocessed - Gold (Aug 12, progressive rock)

Revaira - Journey (Aug 18, progressive metalcore)

Abest - Molten Husk (Aug 19, sludge metal/hardcore)

Alpha Wolf and Holding Absence - The Lost & The Longing (Aug 19, metalcore)

Dawnwalker - House of Sand (Aug 19, progressive metal) 

I Prevail - True Power (Aug 19, alternative metal/nu metal) 

Orthodox - Learning To Dissolve (Aug 19, hardcore)

Russian Circles - Gnosis (Aug 19, instrumental progressive metal) 

Soilwork - Övergivenheten (Aug 19, melodic death metal)

Spirit Adrift - 20 Years Gone (Aug 19, doom/traditional heavy metal)

Spite - Dedication to Flesh (Aug 19, deathcore)

Auriferous Flame - The Great Mist Within (Aug 26, atmospheric black metal) 🐅

Becoming the Archetype - Children of the Great Extinction (Aug 26, melodic death metal/metalcore) 🐅

Blackbraid - Blackbraid I (Aug 26, black metal)

Cyborg Octopus - Between the Light and Air (Aug 26, progressive metal)

Dreadnought - The Endless (Aug 26, progressive metal/black metal) 

Eaten By Sharks - Eradication (Aug 26, technical death metal)

fallfiftyfeet - Lonely If You Go (Aug 26, mathcore)

Ghost in the Ruins - Return to Ash (Aug 26, metalcore) 

God of Nothing - Terrible Things (Aug 26, deathcore)

KRIMH - The Eternal Return (Aug 26, progressive death metal)

Machine Head - Of Kingdom and Crown (Aug 26, groove metal/thrash) 🐅

Obsidian Mind - Obsidian Mind (Aug 26, metalcore) 

Sigh - Shiki (Aug 26, experimental black metal)

thoughtcrimes - Altered Pasts (Aug 26, mathcore)

Westhand - Cyanide Culture (Aug 26, rapcore/metalcore)

Illuminate Me - Dying on a Hill That Nobody Remembers (Aug 28, metalcore)

 

 

Territory's Edge - July 2022

Metallica made plenty of headlines this summer.  The surging popularity of their 1986 hit "Master of Puppets" - due to its inclusion in the show Stranger Things - marked a rare crossover moment, potentially introducing a vast array of listeners to heavy metal.  Another familiar name returning to the spotlight is Rage Against the Machine.  The rap rock legends, whose last album Renegades released in December 2000, embarked on their first tour in eleven years, which has proven to be a massive success. However, we had no shortage of metal and metal-adjacent bands releasing and announcing brand new music either.  Slipknot returned with a new single "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" and a September album announcement. Lorna Shore continue to be huge in the deathcore scene, and also have a new song out and an album on the way. Holy Fawn, Erra, and Silent Planet similarly remain consistently top-tier bands with their new singles. Oceans Ate Alaska dropped a new song at the beginning of the month and confirmed a new album at the end. Highlights among the smaller bands we had to talk about this month include Hated delving into the evils of abuse on "Dr4gged",  Philippine technical death metal Emperium hailing the horned ones on "Majestic Goat", and modern deathcore band The Archaic Epidemic from Fairfax, Virginia making a strong showing with "Lords of Misery".  South Florida band Leveled live up to their name on their EP One World Comes Back Around, and Atlanta's In Somni are a promising new band with two explosive songs.

 

 

Silent Planet - ":Signal:"

 

Ten years after their first EP Come Wind, Come Weather, Silent Planet now maintains a dedicated, supportive fan community and substantive respect within progressive metalcore circles. From the beginning, frontman Garrett Russell has shown why he is a top-tier lyricist and songwriter. His lyrics have discussed many topics including the generational and historical trauma experienced by Native Americans ("Native Blood"),  the horrors of war and impact of PTSD on combat veterans ("Panic Room") and his own battle with mental illness ("Terminal"). However, the band's new single, ":Signal:", continues to keep listeners guessing. This song ventures into mathcore territory, with an eerie, mysterious visual to match. Above all, ":Signal:" is crushingly heavy, displaying an unpredictable chaos akin to Loathe at their heaviest. Buster Odeholm of Humanity's Last Breath mixed this track, contributing to its dark and heavy atmosphere. Distant clean vocals in the waning seconds finish the song on an enticing note. Silent Planet's music has a profound depth, spirituality and sincerity, and this new song provides the first taste of something massive.  

Wake - Thought Form Descent

 

While this band from Calgary, Alberta started out playing grindcore, their sound has gradually shifted with each album. Now on their sixth full-length, Wake's current blackened death metal style is characterized by densely layered, highly technical compositions. Thought Form Descent is full of intriguing, melodic guitar riffs that will hook just about any fan of extreme metal. The profiency of the band's two guitarists, Arjun Gill and Rob LaChance, keep each track engaging throughout. The melodic death metal riffage on single "Swallow the Light" is a prime example of the guitar work carrying the song. Additionally, the two instrumental tracks "Pareidolia" and "The Translation of Deaths" add a valuable diversity. Both of these short breaks balance out the intensity of the other six songs. "Observer to Master" makes good use of blast beats and a guitar solo from Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts. "Bleeding Eyes of the Watcher" incorporates a Mastodon-sounding guitar line and a seamless atmospheric transition into the closer "The Translation of Deaths". Thought Form Descent is themed around a science fiction story contained to the album. According to vocalist Kyle Ball, the narrative follows a character who enters a paranormal realm during a near death experience, then tries to recreate that plane of existence again through means of altered states, meditation, and lucid dreams. Musically, Wake cite inspiration from classic metal bands like Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Celtic Frost, as well as genres like post punk, doom, and black metal. However, the band makes it a point to not let any particular influence overtake the others. The eight-minute sonic cacophony of "Venerate (The Undoing of All)" encapsulates this mindset perfectly, a track as nuanced as it is chaotic. Wake have created a masterful extreme metal record here.  

Scarcity - Aveilut

 

At first glance, classical sensibilities within an experimental black/drone metal record may seem unusual. Scarcity, a two-person project from Brooklyn, New York, proves that this influence can translate well even without the use of traditional classical instrumentation. Instrumentalist Brendon Randall-Myers is both a guitarist and composer who has written for classical music performers and symphonies. He is joined by vocalist Doug Moore from the New York technical death metal band Pyrrhon, who in addition to his unearthly low growls is a skilled writer and former monthly metal columnist. Aveilut, titled after a Hebrew term for mourning, centers around processing loss and the inevitability of death. It is a challenging yet cathartic listen. Randall-Myers specifically wrote the album about the deaths of two people close to him, and the bleak tone of the music conjures up images of staring into the void. Reflecting both a personal and universal meaning, Aveilut is a harrowing, yet spacious, drone/dark ambient 45 minute album.  Split into 5 tracks numbered I-V, it is meant to be listened to as one composition.  

Krisiun - Mortem Solis

 

The success of Sepultura in the '90s helped open up the door for more Brazilian metal bands to break through to a worldwide audience. One of those bands was Krisiun.  Their brutal third album, Conquerors of Armageddon, was unleashed in March 2000, marking their first major release on Century Media. Krisiun is composed of three brothers, and they're still going strong eleven albums into their career. Therefore, it's fitting that on August 7, they're playing alongside the Cavalera brothers Max and Igor, on the tour celebrating 25 years of Sepultura's Roots. Krisiun has maintained an old-school death metal ethos throughout their career, occasionally embracing a progressive edge as on 2012's The Great Execution. Krisiun's latest album provides a good introduction to any newcomers to the long-running trio. Bridging the gap between early and modern death metal, the band stays true to their sound without coming across as stale or out of ideas. Mortem Solis is characterized by thrashy tempos and death metal vocals, but they switch it up enough to keep the whole album engaging. Track 4, "Necronomics" slows to a measured groove metal pace. The instrumental "Dawn Sun Carnage" which leads into the cavernous "Temple of Abattoir" is another highlight.  

Conjurer - Páthos

 

While this young British death/doom metal act gained some previous attention from the underground scene with the EP I, their sludgy debut full-length, Mire, earned them a strong following among some well-known metal musicians, particularly Trivium's Matt Heafy. On Mire, Conjurer mixed in some post-metal dynamics with tracks like "Hollow" and "Thankless", and their second album develops in this direction further. The highlight of Páthos is "All You Can Remember", a somber, dynamic post-metal track written in memoriam of guitarist Dan Nightingale's grandmother. Similar to "Constance" by Spiritbox, the lyrics explore the the grief of having a loved one battle dementia. A guest female vocalist, Alice Zawadski, provides a spoken word section before the cathartic climax. The sludgy "Basilisk" is the most stylistically similar to Mire and provides a contrast between the band's past and present. Frontman Brady Deeprose's low roar is comparable to Aaron Turner of the bands Isis and Sumac. Similarly, the music is reminiscent of a heavier Oceanic with undercurrents of death and sludge metal swirling through the tides. Let Páthos pull you in to its murky depths.

Oceans of Slumber - Starlight and Ash

 

Oceans of Slumber are unafraid of change. The band's initial gothic metal/progressive doom metal sound drew comparisons to Opeth with a female lead vocalist, while maintaining a sound of their own. Heavy yet soulful tracks like "The Adorned Fathomless Creation" displayed a similar sense of duality. Given how Opeth has dramatically reinvented their sound while still finding success, the description is even more apt today. Yes, Oceans of Slumber took a left turn, softening their sound - to their advantage. The group fully captures the southern gothic sound by honing in on a sultry, humid atmosphere. In fact, the only minor flaw here is some imbalance in the production, as the guitars are buried in the mix compared to the drums during the heavier moments. Frontwoman Cammie Gilbert's vocals are the undisputed focus of the album, and her commanding presence is the reason the stylistic shift succeeds. "Salvation" displays her gospel influences both sonically and lyrically. While Starlight and Ash is more of a rock album than a metal one, there's still some elements of metal present. "Red Forest Roads" is a good example, building from a somber ballad to a fast climax with furious drumming. "Just a Day" starts off similar to an Evanescence piano ballad but finishes out on heavy, with the final minute of fuzzed out distorted guitar.

July 2022 Release Tracker

 

I'm currently compiling metal and metal-adjacent music for Territory's Edge, my monthly recap column on New Fury Media.  After the last Friday of the month (July 29), I will select 5-8 albums or songs to discuss in detail.  My favorites of the month are marked by 🐅.

July Release Tracker

Singles

Oceans Ate Alaska - "New Dawn" (Jul 1, metalcore)

The Wise Man's Fear - "Sunchaser" (Jul 1, post-hardcore)

Bring Me the Horizon - "Strangers"* (Jul 6, pop punk/post-hardcore)

Armor for Sleep - "How Far Apart" (Jul 6, post-hardcore)

Parkway Drive - "The Greatest Fear" (Jul 6, alternative metal)

Revocation - "Diabolical Majesty" (Jul 6, technical death metal)

Boston Manor - "Passenger" (Jul 7, alternative metal)

Erra - "Pull from the Ghost" (Jul 7, progressive metalcore) 🐅

Fallujah - "Embrace Oblivion" (Jul 7, technical death metal) 🐅

Norma Jean - "Spearmint Revolt" (Jul 7, metalcore)

In Lessons - "Slow Small Hits" (Jul 8, post-hardcore)

The Mars Volta - "Graveyard Love" (Jul 8, progressive rock)

Soulfly - "Filth Upon Filth" (Jul 8, thrash)

Termina - "Translucent" (Jul 8, progressive metal) 🐅

Architects - "Tear Gas" (Jul 12, industrial/alternative metal)

Beartooth - "Riptide" (Jul 12, metalcore)

Holy Fawn - "Dimensional Bleed" (Jul 12, black metal/shoegaze) 🐅

I Prevail - "Bad Things" (Jul 12, metalcore)

Carnifex/Oceano - "Lie to My Face" (Jul 13, deathcore)

Ether Coven - "Of Might and Failure" (Jul 13, sludge)

Orthodox - "Cave In" (Jul 13, hardcore)

Russian Circles - "Betrayal" (Jul 13, instrumental post-black metal)

Within Temptation - "Don't Pray for Me" (Jul 13, symphonic metal)

Arch Enemy - "In the Eye of the Storm" (Jul 14, melodic death metal)

Becoming the Archetype - "The Remnant" (Jul 15, progressive death metal)

Fire From the Gods - "Soul Revolution" (Jul 15, nu metal)

In Search of Solace - "Death Follows Me" (Jul 15, metalcore)

Psycroptic - "A Fool's Errand" (Jul 15, technical death metal)

Soilwork - "Dreams of Nowhere" (Jul 15, melodic death metal)

Vended - "Ded to Me" (Jul 15, nu metal)

Graphic Nature - "Into the Dark" (Jul 18, nu metal/metalcore)

Polyphia - "Neurotica" (Jul 18, instrumental progressive metal)

Alter Bridge - "Pawns and Kings" (Jul 19, progressive metal/alternative metal)

Dead Cross - "Reign of Error" (Jul 19, thrash)

Future Static - "Venenosa" (Jul 19, alternative metal/hardcore)

Lacuna Coil - "Tightrope XX" (Jul 19, gothic metal)

Slipknot - "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" (Jul 19, nu metal)

Spite - "Dedication to Flesh" (Jul 19, brutal deathcore)

thoughtcrimes - "Keyhole Romance" (Jul 20, mathcore)

Acres - "Burning Throne" (Jul 21, alternative metal)

Norma Jean - "Sleep Explosion" (Jul 21, mathcore)

156/Silence - "To Take Your Place" (Jul 22, progressive metalcore)

Silent Planet - ":Signal:" (Jul 22, progressive metalcore/thall) 🐅🐅

Turnover/Brendan Yates - "Myself in the Way" (Jul 25, hardcore punk/funk)

Counterparts - "Whispers of Your Death" (Jul 26, metalcore)

The Devil Wears Prada - "Time" (Jul 26, metalcore) 🐅

Goatwhore - "Born of Satan's Flesh" (Jul 26, black metal)

Behemoth - "The Deathless Sun" (Jul 27, blackened death metal)

Lorna Shore - "Cursed to Die" (Jul 27, deathcore)

The Gloom in the Corner/Ryo Kinoshita - "Ronin" (Jul 27, metalcore)

Lamb of God - "Omens" (Jul 28, groove metal)

Bullet for My Valentine - "No More Tears to Cry" (Jul 29, metalcore)

 

Albums

Conjurer - Pathos (Jul 1, doom metal) 🐅

Blood Command - Praise Armageddonism (Jul 1, skate punk)

Greg Puciato - Mirrorcell (Jul 1, alternative metal)

Municipal Waste - Electrified Brain (Jul 1, thrash)

Saint Asonia - Introvert (Jul 1, alternative metal)

Satyr - Totem (Jul 1, post-hardcore)

Shinedown - Planet Zero (Jul 1, post-grunge)

Speaking With Ghosts - At Its End (Jul 1)

Coldrain - Nonnegative (Jul 6)

Blind Channel - Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous (Jul 8)

Wormrot - Hiss (Jul 8, grindcore)

Kruhl - Sanguine Nihilism (Jul 9, technical death metal)

Haunt - Windows of Your Heart (Jul 14, traditional heavy metal)

ATLVS - The Wound, the Blade (Jul 15, metalcore)

Graveshadow - The Uncertain Hour (Jul 15, symphonic metal/power metal) 🐅

Imperial Triumphant - Spirit of Ecstasy (Jul 15, avant-garde black metal/death metal)

Mantar - Pain is Forever and This is the End (Jul 15, sludge metal)

Prismatic - Subversion (Jul 15, progressive metal)

Scarcity - Aveilut (Jul 15, progressive/experimental black metal) 🐅

Senses Fail - Hell is In Your Head (Jul 15, post-hardcore)

The Wakedead Gathering - Parallaxiom (Jul 15, death metal)

Ashenspire - Hostile Architecture (Jul 18, progressive black metal)

Tracheotomy - Dissimulation (Jul 19, deathcore)

Fame on Fire - Welcome to the Chaos (Jul 22, metalcore/emo rap)

Nicolas Cage Fighter - The Bones that Grew From Pain (Jul 22, hardcore)

Oceans of Slumber - Starlight and Ash (Jul 22, doom/gothic rock) 🐅

Palisades - Reaching Hypercritical (Jul 22, alternative metal)

Patient Sixty-Seven - Wishful Thinking (Jul 22, metalcore)

Wake - Thought Form Descent (Jul 22, progressive death metal) 🐅

Saltwound - Vol 2: Despair (Jul 26, hardcore/deathcore)

Chaosbay - 2222 (Jul 29, progressive rock/hard rock)

Ithaca - They Fear Us (Jul 29, melodic hardcore)

Krisiun - Mortem Solis (Jul 29, death/thrash metal) 🐅

Oceans - Hell is Where the Heart is (Jul 29, metalcore)

Stick to Your Guns - Spectre (Jul 29, hardcore)

Territory's Edge - June 2022

Written for New Fury Media on July 4, 2022. 

We're at the halfway point of 2022.  Significant new releases across the world of heavy music this month included Spiritbox releasing a surprise EP, Vatican making their mark on the scene with a diverse, fast-paced 14-track album, and Motionless in White gaining phenomenal chart success with their latest album Scoring the End of the World.  Individual tracks spanned a variety of styles.  Lorna Shore continue to be popular with the brutal "Into the Earth", and experimental black metal band Imperial Triumphant collaborated with jazz musician Kenny G.  Canadian metalcore band Counterparts' fast, unpredictable "Unwavering Vow" transitions several styles within its three minute runtime.  In Flames returned to melodic death metal with "Slate of Slow Decay", while I Prevail channeled Beartooth in both title and sound on "Body Bag".

Desiccation - Cold Dead Earth

Desiccation's debut is a unique, cohesive blend of post metal, atmospheric black metal, and doom metal, often including all three styles within the same song.  The band is composed of husband and wife team Soell Silent Hawk (vocals) and James Bratt (guitar) along with drummer/bassist Patrick Hills.  In their words, Desiccation represents the "existential dread and diaspora of attempting to thrive among end stage capitalism and a declining planet due to climate change, wildfires and windstorms."

The album opens with the atmospheric "Beneath Crumbling Skies of Flesh and Bone".   This song has shoegaze elements as Soell sings ethereally over an Alice In Chains-style doom riff.   The production is excellent and really brings out this heavy, rich guitar sound.  The opener transitions into the longest track “Unknown Monoliths”, which similarly opens with her clean vocals over low-tuned guitar.   In contrast, “The Fall” has a soft, ambient intro, slowly transitions to atmospheric black metal, and contains only harsh vocals.  The following title track and the closer “Depths Sown by Sorrows” are foreboding and majestic.

Along with their environmental stance, the band’s duality of majestic atmospheric passages with fast-paced black metal sections reminded me of Wolves in the Throne Room's Two Hunters and Celestial Lineage at times.  The haunting vocals and sludgy riffs will also appeal to fans of artists like Kylesa.  However, Desiccation provides their own unique take on these styles and it's hard to find a band that sounds exactly like them.  Cold Dead Earth is a fantastic five-song debut.  This album is available for free/name-your-price download on Bandcamp, so go give it a listen!

 

Astronoid - Radiant Bloom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Kbk8x00uo

Astronoid is a truly a unique entity.  Signed to Periphery's label 3DOT Recordings, Astronoid’s ethereal sound combines shoegaze with spacey progressive rock (and early in their catalog, Deafheaven-styled black metal as well).  The Boston band has a very specific sound that characterizes every song - it's breezy like a zephyr, while still containing multiple aspects of metal.  They sometimes describe themselves as "dream thrash" and tracks like "Sedative” and "Orchid" live up to that moniker.  These two songs are characterized by speedy guitar riffs, blast-beat drumming, and the contrast of Brett Boland's airy vocals, which resemble dream pop more than anything else.

In contrast to the foreboding sense of danger some of the bands on this list convey, Radiant Bloom is decidedly light and euphoric.  At the same time, they include plenty of substance. "Decades" is the laid-back seven-minute closer, with the vocals entering at the 1:30 mark. "Eyes" and "Sleep Whisper" are energetic and upbeat, and are good choices for singles, with the most memorable hooks on the album.  For those looking for something optimistic - or just something different in metal - Radiant Bloom captures the energy and euphoria of flying above the world.

 

I AM - "The Iron Gate"

The first single from the Dallas deathcore band's new album Eternal Steel is a study in calculated aggression.  "The Iron Gate" opens with a doomy, melodic guitar line that commands attention.  One minute in, they unleash the heaviness that includes both thrashy chaos and slow, intense riffs.   I Am cites crossover thrash/hardcore band Power Trip (who originate from the same city) and old-school thrash and death metal as influences, which are evident on here.  Regarding this song, vocalist Andrew Hileman said, "When searching for solace and protection, I tend to find it’s often met with opposite hostility. The process of growth only occurs when forced into these uncomfortable situations. ‘The Iron Gate‘ is that place of cruelty that I find so beautiful for the soul. Beware and enter if you dare.”

The album art, designed by Caelan Stokkermans, reflects that sentiment.  Within a post-apocalyptic mountain setting, a Cerberus-like three headed panther accompanies a stoic woman who holds a chain in one hand and a skull in the other.  The cover is unmistakably metal, and it's clear one would quickly regret testing the patience of either the warrior or the panther alongside her.  Originally written back in 2019, Eternal Steel was shelved for a while, and will drop on September 9.  You're in their domain.  Approach with caution.

 

Lamb of God - "Nevermore"

The title makes a literary allusion to Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven",  and the cover depicts a skeletal bird reminiscent of the cover of their groundbreaking anti-war album Ashes of the Wake.  This is signature Lamb of God, and they're back with their latest single ahead of their major tour with Killswitch Engage.  As a writer from Virginia, whenever my state's biggest metal band releases something new, I’m more than happy to discuss it.  "Nevermore" is driven by a mid-tempo groove from guitarist Mark Morton.  Frontman Randy Blythe makes use of four different yet familiar vocal styles here - his regular growled delivery during the chorus, spoken word in the first verse, clean singing in the second, and pitched screams near the end.

"Nevermore" is the first single from the Richmond band's upcoming album Omens, out October 7.  While it's nothing too out of the ordinary for Lamb of God, Randy Blythe's sharp lyricism remains as top-tier as ever, and the band continues to hold their own nearly three decades into their career.

 

Kardashev - Liminal Rite

The word 'liminal' is defined as a transitional, in-between stage, neither here nor there.  It's also a pretty good description of Kardashev's sound.  The band describes themselves as "deathgaze", bridging the gap between two dissimilar styles by cohesively melding the aggressive chaos of death metal with the calm atmosphere of shoegaze.  Vocals are alternatively soft and emotive at one point, and raspy growls at another.  "Silvered Shadows", the album’s first full song following a spoken-word intro track, best represents this stark dynamic.  Numerous interludes and instrumental passages nicely connect these disparate points together.

Thematically, Liminal Rite explores the use of nostalgia as self-medication.   On their Bandcamp page, Kardashev contemplates how selective remembrance of only the best aspects of the past can sometimes become an unhealthy addiction.  The album title essentially represents being trapped in a liminal state between the present and past, and unable to move forward.  Illustrating this concept is the narrative of a character called the Lost Man, whose grip on reality is slowly unraveling.  Fans of similarly experimental groups like Rivers of Nihil will find a lot to like on Liminal Rite, especially the closer "Beyond the Passage of Embers", complete with saxophone.

 

Enterprise Earth - "Psalm of Agony"

While Enterprise Earth has gone through multiple lineup changes throughout their eight years of existence, replacing a founding member and frontman can be a daunting task.  "Psalm of Agony" marks the progressive deathcore band's first song with new vocalist Travis Worland.  He replaces original vocalist Dan Watson, who decided to step down from the role earlier this year.  January's album The Chosen marked Watson's final contribution to the band.  Not to fear though, for Travis Worland more than holds his own.  While the band's sound remains recognizable, he doesn't try to copy his predecessor's vocal style either.

Therefore, it's fitting that the single's cover artwork depicts a magnificent red phoenix rising from flames.  "Psalm of Agony" accurately represents a rebirth for the band.  While the track lasts just under seven minutes, it never feels too long, and has a lot going on.  There's a well-placed acoustic guitar break in the middle of the brutality, a crushing breakdown, and a very memorable vocal hook on the chorus. Some fans have also drawn positive comparisons to Avenged Sevenfold, particularly regarding Gabe Worland's guitar solo and technical skill.  Make no mistake, Enterprise Earth haven't lost any momentum.

 

Spiritbox - Rotoscope

A recap of June wouldn't be complete without addressing one of the most discussed releases.  Spiritbox dropped a surprise three-song alternative metal EP on June 22.  The title track has already proven to be quite polarizing - check reaction videos on YouTube and you will see several differing opinions.   "Rotoscope" begins with a danceable 90s alternative-inspired sound that initially threw listeners for a loop when the song premiered.  Nevertheless, Courtney LaPlante's signature screams are still present and impactful.  In addition, her band has the charisma and versatility to succeed no matter the creative direction.

While the band explores a few different avenues, a careful listen reveals that the signature Spiritbox sound hasn't gone anywhere.  The EP starts off catchy and poppy in the opening minutes of "Rotoscope", and closes out on an aggressive "Holy Roller" style breakdown at the end of "Hysteria".  "Sew Me Up" is most similar to the overall sound of last year's Eternal Blue.  Spiritbox are one of the biggest new bands in rock and metalcore, and they aren't going anywhere soon.

June 2022 Metal Release Tracker

 

 

I'm currently compiling metal and metal-adjacent music for Territory's Edge, my monthly recap column on New Fury Media.  After the last Friday of the month (June 24), I will select 5-8 albums or songs to discuss in detail.  My favorites of the month are marked with 🐅.

June Release Tracker

 

Singles

Counterparts - "Unwavering Vow" (Jun 1, metalcore)

Ether Coven - "Psalm of Cancer" (Jun 1, sludge)

The Callous Daoboys - "What is Delicious? Who Swarms?" (Jun 2, mathcore)

Amon Amarth - "Get in the Ring" (Jun 3, viking/death metal)

Babirusa - "Mandatory Malevolence" (Jun 3, deathcore)

Demon Hunter - "Freedom is Dead" (Jun 3, metalcore)

Fire From the Gods - "SOS" (Jun 3, rap rock/metalcore)

Floorless - "Healing" (Jun 3, industrial)

I AM - "The Iron Gate" (Jun 3, progressive death metal/deathcore) 🐅

Motionless in White/Mick Gordon - "Scoring the End of the World" (Jun 3, electronic rock/alternative metal)

Satyr - "Attrition" (Jun 3, post-hardcore/progressive)

The Halo Effect - "The Needless End" (Jun 3, melodic death metal)

The Machinist - "Pig" (Jun 3, deathcore)

Parkway Drive - "Glitch" (Jun 7, nu metal)

The Devil Wears Prada - "Salt" (Jun 7, metalcore/alternative metal) 🐅

ATLVS - "Synthetic Heaven" (Jun 8, metalcore)

Common Rule - "Realworld" (Jun 9, metalcore)

Holding Absence/Alpha Wolf - "Aching Longing" (Jun 10, post-hardcore)

Imperial Triumphant/Kenny G - "Merkurius Gilded" (Jun 10, avant-garde)

Lamb of God - "Nevermore" (Jun 10, groove metal) 🐅

Soulfly - "Scouring the Vile" (Jun 10, thrash)

Grieve - "I Love Myself and My Beautiful Life" (Jun 10, nu-metalcore)

In Flames - "State of Slow Decay" (Jun 13, melodic death metal)

Norma Jean - "Call for the Blood" (Jun 16, metalcore)

Enterprise Earth - "Psalm of Agony" (Jun 17, deathcore) 🐅

I Prevail - "Body Bag" (Jun 17, metalcore)

Oceans of Slumber - "The Lighthouse" (Jun 17, gothic rock)

Psycroptic - "Exitus" (Jun 17, technical death metal)

Satyr - "Whelmed" (Jun 17, post-hardcore)

Wake - "Infinite Inward" (Jun 17, progressive death metal) 🐅

Koilos - "Lock, Load, Destroy" (Jun 17, rapcore/hardcore)

The Mars Volta - "Blacklight Shine" (Jun 21, progressive rock)

Machine Head - "Unhallowed" (Jun 21, groove/progressive metal) 🐅

Lorna Shore - "Into the Earth" (Jun 22, deathcore)

Sleeping With Sirens/Spencer Chamberlain - "Crosses" (Jun 22, post-hardcore)

We Came As Romans - "Plagued" (Jun 22, metalcore)

Alpha Wolf - "Hotel Underground" (Jun 23, metalcore)

Fit For a King - "Reaper" (Jun 23, metalcore)

Krisiun - "Sworn Enemies" (Jun 23, death/thrash)

AVOID - "My World" (Jun 24, metalcore/punk)

Becoming the Archetype - "The Lost Colony" (Jun 24, progressive death metal/metalcore)

Hostile Array - “Wounds” (Jun 24, post-hardcore)

Low Life/Ben Hoagland - "Burning Both Ends" (Jun 24, metalcore)

Ozzy/Jeff Beck - “Patient No. 9” (Jun 24, heavy metal)

Nothing More - "Spirits" (Jun 24, alternative metal)

Time, the Valuator - "Black Water" (Jun 24, djent/progressive metalcore) 🐅

House Divided/Dropout Kings - “Stay” (Jun 25, rapcore)

Ocean Sleeper - "Your Love I'll Never Need" (Jun 28, metalcore)

Miss May I - "Earth Shaker" (Jun 29, metalcore)

Cyborg Octopus - "Seizure of Character" (Jun 29, progressive metal)

Veio - “Like Cyanide” (Jun 29, progressive rock/alternative metal)

Invent Animate - "Shade Astray" (Jun 30, metalcore) 🐅

Oceans Ate Alaska - “New Dawn” (Jun 30, metalcore)

The Archaic Epidemic - "Lords of Mercy" (Jun 30, deathcore)

 

 Albums/EPs

Antagonist A.D.- Through Fire All Things Are Renewed (Jun 3, hardcore)

Artificial Brain - Artificial Brain (Jun 3, technical death metal)

Astronoid - Radiant Bloom (Jun 3, progressive metal/shoegaze) 🐅

Bleed From Within - Shrine (Jun 3, metalcore)

Gwar - The New Dark Ages (Jun 3, crossover thrash)

Memphis May Fire - Remade in Misery (Jun 3, rock/metalcore)

Origin - Chaosmos (Jun 3, technical death metal)

Red Handed Denial - I'd Rather Be Asleep (Jun 3, metalcore)

Sable Hills - Duality (Jun 3, metalcore/deathcore)

Terminal Nation/Kruelty split - The Ruination of Imperialism (Jun 3, death metal/hardcore)

Thornhill - Heroine (Jun 3, alternative metal/shoegaze)

Unprocessed - Boy Without a Gun (Jun 3, progressive rock)

Deathwhite - Dark Everlasting (Jun 10, doom metal)

Emberthrone - Godless Wonder (Jun 10, death metal)

Ill Nino - IllMortals (Jun 10, nu metal/Latin metal)

InRetrospect - Current State (Jun 10, progressive metalcore)

Kardashev - Liminal Rite (Jun 10, deathgaze) 🐅

Motionless in White - Scoring the End of the World (Jun 10, electronic rock/nu metalcore)

Outsider - Reflection of You (Jun 10, metalcore)

Respire - Respire - Audiotree Worldwide (Jun 10, blackened hardcore)

Rise Against - Nowhere Generation II (Jun 10, punk)

Shut/Eye - Unnatural Disasters (Jun 10, post-hardcore)

Soreption - Jord (Jun 10, technical death metal)

Still Stayer - Everend (Jun 10, progressive metalcore)

Tomb Mold - Aperture of Body (Jun 10, death metal)

Yatra - Born Into Chaos (Jun 10, death metal/stoner doom)

Desiccation - Cold Dead Earth (Jun 13, black metal/doom/post metal) 🐅

Dir En Grey - Phalaris (Jun 15, nu metal/visual kei)

Exocrine - The Hybrid Suns (Jun 17, technical death metal)

Grey Daze - The Phoenix (Jun 17, grunge/alternative metal) [vocal tracks and original songs from 1994 and 1997]

Inexorum - Equinox Vigil (Jun 17, melodic death metal)

Myteri - Illusion (Jun 17, crust)

Loose Ends WMBD - Manifest Destiny (Jun 17, hardcore)

Vatican - Ultra (Jun 17, metalcore)

White Ward - False Light (Jun 17, black metal)

Spiritbox - Rotoscope (Jun 22, nu-metalcore/alternative metal/industrial) 🐅

Alexisonfire - Otherness (Jun 24, post-hardcore)

Axioma - Sepsis (Jun 24, progressive black metal)

Candy - Heaven is Here (Jun 24, experimental hardcore/noise)

Coheed and Cambria - Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind (Jun 24, progressive rock) 🐅

Earthists - Have a Good Cult (Jun 24, post-hardcore)

Final Light - Final Light (Jun 24, industrial/post metal)

Knoll - Metempiric (Jun 24, deathgrind)

Light Dweller - Lucid Offering (Jun 24, death metal)

0n0 - Unwavering Resonance (Jun 24, industrial/doom) 🐅

Porcupine Tree - Closer/Continuation (Jun 24, progressive rock)

Profiler - Profiler (Jun 24, nu metal)

Projected - Hypoxia (Jun 24, alternative metal)

Sever the Memories - Hollow Shell (Jun 24, deathcore)

Vicious Blade - Siege of Cruelty (Jun 24, thrash/crust)

Volcandra - Border World (Jun 24, progressive death metal)

Territory's Edge - May 2022

I wrote this monthly recap for New Fury Media on June 1 and you can view the original post here.

New metal music from this month offered plenty of surprises and crossing of genres.  Spiritbox, one of heavy music's most hyped new names, dropped a collaborative single with electronic artist Illenium.  Knocked Loose frontman Bryan Garris lent his signature barks on Motionless in White's aggressive song "Slaughterhouse".  Young metal bands like Wake, Inexorum, Conjurer, and Greylotus are names to watch, as they each meld various styles of extreme metal for a sound as intense as it is innovative.

A familiar name under a new alias, Trivium's frontman Matt Heafy released the debut album of his side project Ibaraki.  A collaboration with long-time producer Ihsahn, Rashamon incorporates elements of styles like progressive and black metal while still remaining accessible to Trivium fans.  Notably, the nine-minute epic "Rōnin" features snarling screamed vocals from Gerard Way. (If you've been out of the loop, My Chemical Romance recently dropped their first new song in years - and it's a heavy one).  Cave In also made an unexpected comeback with Heavy Pendulum, a driving, grungy heavy rock record that takes influence from Soundgarden both in sound and length.  Below, I'll delve into some of the songs and albums that caught my attention in May 2022.  Picks include a rising metalcore act you should add to your radar, a pair of albums exploring Indigenous American heritage with extreme metal, and more.

 

Hollow Front - The Price of Dreaming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ULzD2Mbh0

On their first UNFD release, Michigan metalcore band Hollow Front prove they are a name to watch.  The Price of Dreaming has enough hooks, riffs, breakdowns, and variety to appeal to any fan of the genre.  Stylistically, this band pulls influence from 2000s NWOAHM mainstays like Killswitch Engage, as well as current progressive metalcore groups like Erra or Invent Animate.   They don't break new ground or reinvent the genre, they play pure metalcore and they do it very well.  Guitarist Dakota Alvarez splits vocal duties with Tyler Tate, and has more of a presence here in comparison to the band's 2020 full-length Loose Threads.  "Two Worlds Away" and "In the Spotlight" are softer and driven by Alvarez's clean singing, and contrast with the aggressive, relentless tracks like "Heritage" and "Treading Water".   Hollow Front have a knack for massive, soaring choruses, and "Thick as Blood" and the title track are prime examples of the band's effective use of hooks.

 

Nechochwen - Kanawha Black

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOZnYPoL45Y

Initially started by Aaron Carey as a project that combined Appalachian folk music with traditional Native American instrumentation, Nechochwen (a Lenape word meaning "walks alone") has gradually morphed into a black metal band while still retaining those original lyrical themes.  One example is "The Murky Deep", which describes a legend relating to the Horned Serpent, a supernatural monster of Native American lore that dragged prey down underwater.   The album's name Kanawha Black explores the history of the band's home state of West Virginia, with the title referencing the Kanawha River and the black flint found in the region.  In a recent interview with the Rez Metal Podcast, Aaron Carey said that the title is also an allusion to West Virginia's "black cloud" of poverty and economic depression.

Overall, this is a diverse, very accessible black metal album with elements of progressive rock, doom and folk.  Songs like the opening title track and "Visions, Dreams and Signs" fit comfortably under the black metal label, while "A Cure For The Winter Plagues" ventures into doom metal, and "The Murky Deep" is comparable to early Opeth.  However, the main standout is "Generations of War".  A flute melody laid over driving riffs and blastbeats gives this blackened battle song an epic atmosphere.  Overall, Kanawha Black is a solid album with excellent storytelling from a unique group.  You can read an overview of the band's discography here.

 

Tzompantli - Tlazcaltiliztli

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5itJGvb84kQ

Tzompantli (which translates to 'skull rack') is a death doom metal project led by Brian Ortiz from Xibalba.  While Ortiz's primary band is named after the Mayan word for 'underworld', it is Tzompantli that fully centralizes themes of indigenous rituals and history.   In honor of the band's Mesoamerican roots, each track title is written in the indigenous Nahuatl language.  The band also incorporates traditional tribal percussion instruments of huehuetl drums, shells, and shakers into their sound.  As stated in the album notes, "Tlazcaltiliztli is dedicated, and an offering, to the indigenous peoples, nations & tribes of the North, South, East & West of the American continents."

In other aspects, Tzompantli's sepulchral riff-driven sound is similar to that of Xibalba, but with greater dynamics.  Excellent production allows each crushing downtuned riff and bassline to be clearly heard.  The opening two tracks "Yaohuehuetl" ('war drums') and "Tlatzintilli" ('something begun; a creation') progress from tribal drumming, to an ominous guitar line, to ferocious death metal riffage.  The calculated, slow tempo and minor key melodic guitar sections throughout give the album an slight post metal sensibility as well, especially on the closing track "Yaotiacahuanetzli" ( 'warrior blood').  At thirty-three minutes in length, Tlazcaltiliztli is succinct and brutal, never overstaying its welcome.

 

Cane Hill - "A Form of Protest"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JByoypu2YB4

Cane Hill never made it a goal to fit neatly into one category.  This New Orleans-based group has pushed the boundaries and ventured outside their nu metal/metalcore sound before, with their acoustic EP Kill the Sun pulling influences from Alice in Chains' classic Jar of Flies and americana music.  Cane Hill's latest song exemplifies the opposite end of the spectrum as frontman Elijah Witt growls over driving, downtuned riffs, with clean vocals nowhere in sight.   "A Form of Protest" goes for the throat and is easily Cane Hill's heaviest song to date.  It is also their first song out under the Out of Line label, following a series of EPs released independently throughout the last two years.   Elijah Witt has stated that this single is the first of a new "relentless and uncomprising era" for the band.

 

Satyr - "Vector"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY3UztmbPN0

Satyr plays technical post-hardcore that should appeal to fans of artists like Good Tiger, Fall of Troy or Dance Gavin Dance.  Formed in 2016, they are a relatively new band on the scene, and have one full-length and one EP in their catalog.   Locus was a promising 2020 debut from this Atlanta band, and was released independently.  "Vector" is the introductory single from Satyr's follow-up album, and is their first song released under Kill Iconic Records.  Satyr has a lot going on instrumentally and incorporates uncommon time signatures into an accessible form.  Their sound has the feel of a jam session with the guitarists Janald Long and Michael Campbell laying down a driving groove.  The band's second album Totem will be released on July 1, and a second single, "Attrition", drops on June 3.

 

Oceans of Slumber - "Hearts of Stone"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHw3NkP8zUE

Oceans of Slumber, a progressive/gothic metal band from Texas, released two songs from their upcoming album Starlight and Ash, which is set for a July 22 release date.  Both singles, "The Waters Rising", and "Hearts of Stone", emphasize the gothic rock side of the band's sound.  These two are comparable to previous softer songs like "The Colors of Grace" and a gorgeous cover of The Moody Blues' 1967 hit "Nights in White Satin".  Conversely, this unique and versatile band is also known for the chaotic black metal/doom influenced sound of tracks like "The Adorned Fathomless Creation" and progressive metal epics like "Winter" and "Pray for Fire".  It remains to be seen whether each track on Starlight and Ash will follow the same trajectory as the first two singles, or if the heavier side of Oceans of Slumber will be present as well.   In either case, it's hard to go wrong with vocals as commanding as frontwoman Cammie Gilbert's soulful delivery, which remains the band's most central component.

May 2022 Metal Release Tracker

 

I'm currently compiling metal and metal-adjacent music for Territory's Edge, my monthly recap column on New Fury Media.  After the last Friday of the month (May 27), I will select 5-8 albums or songs to discuss in detail.  

May Release Tracker

Singles

Suicide Silence - "Thinking in Tongues" (May 3, deathcore)

Wake - "Swallow the Light" (May 4, deathgrind/post-metal)

Thousand Below - "Venenosa" (May 4, post-hardcore)

Stray From the Path - "III" (May 4, hardcore)

Cabal/Joe Badoloto - "Magno Interitus" (May 4, deathcore)

Soulfly - "Superstition" (May 5, thrash)

Inexorum - "Equinox Vigil" (May 5, melodic death/black metal)

Satyr - "Vector" (May 6, post-hardcore)

Zillakami/Jeris Johnson - "Raining Blood" (May 6, trap metal)

Polyphia - "Playing God" (May 10, instrumental prog metal)

Spite - "Hangman" (May 12, deathcore)

Greg Puciato - "Never Wanted That" (May 12, alternative metal)

Bleed From Within - "Flesh and Stone" (May 12, symphonic metal/metalcore)

My Chemical Romance - "The Foundations of Decay" (May 12, emo/punk/doom)

Oceans of Slumber - "Hearts of Stone" (May 13, gothic rock/progressive metal)

Motionless in White/Bryan Garris - "Slaughterhouse" (May 13, metalcore)

Illenium/Spiritbox - "Shivering" (May 13, electronic/metalcore)

Soilwork - "Övergivenheten" (May 13, melodic death metal)

The Hu - "This is Mongol" (May 13, Mongolian folk metal)

Lorna Shore - "Sun//Eater" (May 13, symphonic deathcore)

The Wise Man's Fear - "What Went Wrong" (May 15, metalcore)

Thrice - "Dead Wake/Scavengers (acoustic)" (May 17, alternative rock)

Psycroptic - "Rend Asunder" (May 17, technical death metal)

Scarcity - "II" (May 17, experimental black metal)

Astronoid - "Human" (May 18, post metal/shoegaze)

Cane Hill - "A Form of Protest" (May 18, hardcore/djent)

Kardashev - "Glass Phantoms" (May 18, deathgaze)

Bleeding Through - "Rage" (May 19, gothic metal/metalcore)

Wormrot - "Grieve/Weeping Willow/Voiceless Choir" (May 19, grindcore)

Municipal Waste - "High Speed Steel" (May 19, thrash)

Alexisonfire - "Sans Soleil" (May 19, post-hardcore)

Arch Enemy - "Sunset Over the Empire" (May 20, melodic death metal)

Negatives - "Pinbacker" (May 20, progressive metalcore)

Imperial Triumphant - "Maximalist Scream" (May 20, avante-garde/jazz/black metal)

Eighteen April - "Polaris" (May 22, metalcore)

Greylotus - "Chiaroscuro" (May 23, progressive/technical death metal)

LIMBS - "Slow Burn" (May 24, hardcore/metalcore)

Miss May I - "Bleed Together" (May 25, metalcore)

Inanimate Existence - "Into the Underworld" (May 25, technical death metal)

Aviana - "Anomaly" (May 25, electronic rock/metalcore)

Brand of Sacrifice/Ryo Kinoshita - "Demon King" (May 25, deathcore)

Emberthrone - "A Bitter Path" (May 26, death metal)

Conjurer - "Cracks in the Pyre" (May 26, post metal/sludge)

Yatra - "Reign of Terror" (May 26, death metal)

In Disarray/Kyle Anderson - "Illuminator" (May 27, deathcore)

Bullet For My Valentine - "Stitches" (May 27, metalcore)

Krisiun - "Serpent Messiah" (May 27, death metal)

Oceans - "I Want To Be Whole Again" (May 27, alternative metal)

Will Haven - "Wings of Mariposa" (May 27, hardcore)

In Hearts Wake - "W2HA" (May 30, metalcore)

thoughtcrimes - "Panopticon" (May 31, mathcore)

 

 

Albums/EPs

Terror - Pain Into Power (May 6, hardcore)

Ibaraki - Rashomon (May 6, progressive metal/black metal from Matt Heafy of Trivium)

Tzompantli - Tlazcaltiliztli (May 6, death/doom metal)

Tómarúm - Ash In Realms Of Stone Icons (May 6, technical death metal/black metal)

Upon A Burning Body - Fury (May 6, deathcore)

Vital Spirit - Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind (May 6, western folk/black metal)

Halestorm - Back From the Dead (May 6, hard rock)

Three Days Grace - Explosions (May 6, hard rock)

Silverstein - Misery Made Me (May 6, post-hardcore)

Windwaker - Love Language (May 6, electronic rock/metalcore)

Massic - Cognisant (May 13, hardcore/groove metal)

Primitive Man - Insurmountable (May 13, death doom)

Nechochwen - Kanawha Black (May 13, black metal)

Moon Tooth - Phototroph (May 13, progressive/stoner rock)

Jungle Rot - A Call to Arms (May 13, death metal)

Misery Index - Complete Control (May 13, death metal)

Amiensus - All Paths Lead to Death (May 16, progressive black metal) [digital release, EP from 2017]

Cave In - Heavy Pendulum (May 20, hardcore/post-rock)

Baest - Justita (May 27, brutal death metal)

Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Out of Light (May 27, post-hardcore)

Hollow Front - The Price of Dreaming (May 27, progressive metalcore)

IATT - Magnum Opus (May 27, progressive metal/symphonic black metal)

Black Void - Antithesis (May 27, black metal/crust punk)

Notions - Notions (May 27, nu metal/rapcore)

Black Lung - Dark Waves (May 27, doom metal)