It’s been a great summer of releases so far, and that trend continues this week. It may be a short week in terms of numbers, but quality remains high with one of the greatest death metal acts in the world leading things off. Check it all out here!
Kataklysm, Of Ghosts and Gods (Nuclear Blast)
Canada’s originators of “northern hyperblast” are back with album number twelve. We’ve already shown you “Thy Serpents Tongue” and “Soul Destroyer”, and those are perfect indications that Kataklysm is still on top of their game. The second album with former Neuraxis drummer Oli Beaudoin shows that he has fully integrated into the band and knows what is required of him. European fans will get to experience this album live first, as a European tour with Septicflesh and Aborted is coming early in 2016. North American fans will just have to hope that they’re next.
Xandria, Fire & Ashes EP (Napalm)
Last year’s full-length Sacrificium proved that Xandria had found a winning lineup with the addition of vocalist Dianne van Giersbergen. Now they look to expand on that with the Fire & Ashes EP, which features three brand new songs, two re-recordings of older songs from the band’s library, and two covers. With a new full-length also in the works, it looks like Xandria is finally moving towards breakout status.
Year of the Goat, The Unspeakable (Napalm)
Year of the Goat is a Swedish band that mixes prog rock with doom styles and occult themes to create a very unique sound. The Unspeakable is the sophomore follow-up to 2012’s Angels’ Necropolis, building off the love of 70s rock that the older album showed. Year of the Goat will be perfect for fans of Ancient VVisdom, Bloody Hammers, and other prog groups.
