After last week’s short release list, we get a veritable swarm of new albums today. No time for synopsis – let’s just dive in!
Cannibal Corpse, A Skeletal Domain (Metal Blade)
On album number thirteen, Cannibal Corpse is still delivering the most gruesome, gore-spattered death metal this side of an autopsy table. However, it’s the diversified and darkened guitar melodies that have preliminary reviews calling this the best Cannibal Corpse album in the past decade. Get a sample of that by checking out “Sadistic Embodiment” here. You can also read our interview with drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz and find out what his favorite Cannibal Corpse album covers are.
Anthrax, Chile on Hell DVD (Megaforce)
This DVD was filmed during Anthrax’s Worship Music world tour, which took up most of last year for the band. The actual show that was filmed for the DVD took place on May 10th, 2013, at the Teatro Caupolican in Santiago. The setlist covers a lot of Anthrax’s classics, with a fair representation of songs from Worship Music included. Chile on Hell is also available as a Blu-ray, if you want to see the concert in HD.
Flyleaf, Between the Stars (Loud & Proud)
Flyleaf’s fourth full-length album marks a number of firsts for the Texas-based Christian rockers. This is the first full-length album to feature new singer Kristen May, who replaced Lacey Sturm in 2012 and debuted on last year’s Who We Are EP. This is also Flyleaf’s first album with new label Loud & Proud, after spending their entire career as part of A&M/Octone, and it’s also Flyleaf’s first foray into crowdfunding, completing a successful PledgeMusic campaign on February 2nd.
Motionless in White, Reincarnate (Fearless)
Pennsylvania “horror metal” group Motionless in White have managed to become one of the hottest bands around in a very short time, rising to the forefront of the metal scene in just four years. Reincarnate is only the band’s third album, but it’s been called one of the most anticipated albums of the year by several publications. Reincarnate will feature guest performances by Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth), Maria Brink (In This Moment), and Tim Skold (Marilyn Manson, KMFDM).
The Contortionist, Language (eOne)
Indiana’s The Contortionist have been following a sped-up version of Cynic’s career trajectory. After hitting the scene with their tech-death debut Exoplanet, The Contortionist opted for a progressive death metal vibe with ambient influences on their second album Intrinsic. Language will see the ambience increased even more, as evidenced by the tracks “Language I: Intuition” and “Primordial Sound“. This album marks the recording debut of new vocalist Mike Lessard (Last Chance to Reason).
Otherwise, Peace at All Costs (Century Media)
Otherwise is a Las Vegas rock band that broke into the mainstream with their 2012 Century Media debut, True Love Never Dies. Prior to that, their biggest claim to fame was that lead singer Adrian Patrick performing a duet with Maria Brink on In This Moment’s third album A Star-Crossed Wasteland. Otherwise was one of the first bands brought over to Century Media’s new rock-focused imprint Another Century, and Peace at All Costs will be the first release for the band as part of the imprint.
Texas in July, Bloodwork (Equal Vision)
Similar to what fellow Pennsylvanians August Burns Red have done with their career, metalcore upstarts Texas in July have grown quickly from their origins, transforming into one of the most promising young bands in their genre in a very short time. Bloodwork features some of the heaviest material that the band has ever written, and it’s likely to surprise some of the naysayers calling them just another scene band. Check out the track “Sweetest Poison” for a sample of the heaviness that Bloodwork will be serving up.
Sleepwave, Broken Compass (Epitaph)
Sleepwave is the new project fronted by former Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. Stepping aside from his ‘core roots in a big way, Chamberlain has crafted a full-on rock ensemble with Sleepwave, having some of the same instrumental intensity that Underoath thrived on, but completely devoid of screaming vocals and breakdowns. Broken Compass can be streamed in its entirety on AltPress.com, if you want to check it out.
Iron Reagan, The Tyranny of Will (Relapse)
Richmond, VA has its fair share of metal heritage, but Iron Reagan is most certainly welcome to add to that. The crossover thrash group holds nothing back on their sophomore album, and those unfamiliar with the band will likely count The Tyranny of Will as their surprise album of the year. You can stream the whole album (and read about the band’s favorite burgers) here, and you can find out here what albums guitarist Mark Bronzino loves that everyone else seems to hate.
Philm, Fire from the Evening Sun (UDR)
After parting ways with Slayer in 2013, Dave Lombardo went back to his project Philm to create a follow-up to 2012’s debut album Harmonic. Joined by vocalist/guitarist Gerry Nestler and bassist Pancho Tomaselli, Fire from the Evening Sun combines the aesthetics of classic punk with the frenetic speed and power of Lombardo’s thrash roots. It’s raw, different, and definitely worth your attention.
Noctem, Exilium (Prosthetic)
Noctem is a Spanish metal group that combines blackened death metal with thrash styles. A combination of Behemoth and Skeletonwitch would be the best way to describe Noctem’s sound. Exilium is the group’s third full-length album, and it will definitely appeal to fans of Belphegor, Septicflesh, and other genre-crossing black metal groups.
Old Wounds, Death Projection EP (Good Fight)
Old Wounds first showed up on our radar in 2011, when we featured them in Unsigned & Streamed. Fast forward to now, and Old Wounds has a new deal with Good Fight and is appearing on the fourth edition of MetalSucks’ NYC Sucks compilation. The band’s post-hardcore sound with metallic elements still is reminiscent of Converge, but the band has added a melodic touch that will get these songs stuck in your head and keep them there for a long time.
Next Week: An extremely short release list will have to tide us over. Be ready though, because September is going to end with a bang!
