Upcoming Metal: Week of May 18th
…And Oceans
The Regeneration Itinerary
Releases May 23rd on Season of Mist
Genre: Industrial Metal
From the opening barrage of blast beats of “Inertiae”, …And Oceans deliver a brooding, forboding and ominous sound with their seventh album. Capturing its sonic roots from it’s early years, while also incorporating the industrial influences of the later years. The album has a lot less industrial elements and more to the symphonic, which I actually like, even though that is a distinctive sound for the band. Harsher, more anguishing vocals by Mathias Lillmåns is accented by cavernous reverb on songs like “Chromium Lungs, Bronze Optics”. Good record for both new fans and old fans.
SCORE: 4 / 5
Krematorium
Sinister Seduction
Releases May 23rd on Witches Brew
Genre: Thrash Metal
Thrashers Krematorium deliver the staples of thrash on their new album. From the sing-along/gang vocals on the album’s opener “Stonehearst Asylum”, to the driving riff attack from Erik Perušić & Sebastijan Živković on “D.F.T.E.”, this Croatian act really is delivering a solid, thrash record that draws comparisons to Exodus & Hirax. A solid record of thirty minutes of pit-starting riffs, air guitar sessions and gang vocals throughout.
SCORE: 4.5 / 5
Midnight
Steel, Rust and Disgust
Releases May 23rd on Metal Blade Records
Genre: Black/Speed Metal
A compilation of covers and a couple new songs, Midnight pays homage to their influences and adds new, heavier spins to each track. Capturing the booming, speed metal style of Motörhead on the album’s opener “Cleveland Metal”, the band just adds that punk-rock hostility and aggression on every song. From their cover of Synastryche’s “I’m Insane”, to a pretty fist-pump inducing Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover of the song “Frenzy”. Midnight has been on a roll with releases and this is another to add more gas to their runaway train of success.
SCORE: 4.5 / 5
Unmerciful
Devouring Darkness
Releases May 23rd on Willowtip Records
Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Brutal death metal act Unmerciful return after a five year gap with Devouring Darkness. The bludgeoning opening track “Miracle in Fire” hits like a ton of bricks and shows the band hasn’t lost a step in those five years. Trynt Kelly flies over the entire kit with such precision and speed, its almost machine-like fast. I loved “Unnatural Ferocity”, and “Relentless Malevolence” just goes for the jugular with its aggressive riff and commanding double bass behind. One hell of a record and as a fan of the band, was definitely worth the wait.
SCORE: 5 / 5
