New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. This week features new releases from John 5, Wolfheart, Within the Ruins, and a live version of Converge’s Jane Doe. If you want to check out last week’s releases or see the latest sales numbers you can do so here, and here.
Converge, Live Jane (Deathwish)
American metalcore band Converge have released a live version of their critically acclaimed 2001 release, Jane Doe. Jane Live was recorded live during their set at Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands last year. The recording was mixed by their guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou at God City Studio, and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. The release also comes with a re-imagened cover, playing off the iconic image that adorns the studio version.
John 5 and the Creatures, Season of the Witch (self release)
Season of the Witch is the newest release from guitarist John 5 (Rob Zombie, ex-Marilyn Manson). This marks his eighth studio album, but the first one billed as John 5 “and the Creatures.” Over the past year they have released music videos now for six of the 13 songs on the album, and each one is as eccentric and diverse as the songs themselves. You don’t have to take my word for it, John: “It’s completely instrumental, and it’s really fun. We play all different styles of music: Western swing, Spanish-style flamenco, heavy stuff,” with him even going so far as saying “out of my catalog, this is by far my favorite solo record.” Today they kick off a 35 date tour across the US in support of the album in Seattle, WA.
Within the Ruins, Halfway Human (eOne)
Halfway Human is the fifth studio album from Massachusetts deathcore band Within the Ruins. Last month they released a video for the first single “Beautiful Agony,” and just yesterday we got another one for “Objective Reality.”Halfway Human is the first album to feature Paolo Galang on bass.
Junius, Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light (Prosthetic)
Post rock meets ambient metal with the Boston band’s third full-length. You’ve likely seen the band’s videos for “The Queen’s Constellation,” “Clean the Beast” and “A Mass For Metaphysicians.” If you like the more ambient moments of Deftones and haven’t heard this band yet (and you should, they’ve been around since the early 2000s), get on it now.
Senses Fail, In Your Absence (Pure Noise)
For their 15th anniversary as a band, american post-hardcore group Senses Fail have released the five song, acoustic EP In Your Absence. Later this spring they will be touring the US alongside Counterparts, Movements and Like Pacific, where they playing their 2006 album Still Searching in it’s entirety and other fan favorite tunes.
Wolfheart, Tyhjyys (Spinefarm)
Tyhjyys is the third full length album from Finnish melodic death metal band Wolfheart. There hasn’t been much very much buzz about the album, but has been receiving generally positive rating, having received an 8+/10 rating between the reviewer and users on Metalwani. They have released music for the first two singles The Flood and Boneyard.
Emmure, Look at Yourself (Sharptone)
Look at Yourself is the band’s seventh studio album, and the first since the sudden departure of everyone aside from vocalist Frankie Palmeri. They have a released music video Flag of the Beast and Russian Hotel Aftermath so far, and it’s also available on vinyl.
