This edition includes underrated legends, a top hat with a wig (allegedly) sewn into it, heaviness, and more! To the metals…
Aborted – TerrorVision 
Gerne: Death metal
Origin: Beveren,, Belgium
Label: Century Media
2016's Retrogore was a celebrated album, and its follow-up will likely be no different. Aborted are in a pretty solid groove almost a quarter century into the band's run. These death metal masters are still showcasing their mastery here.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzgSeeLbFls][/youtube]
Dragonlord – Dominion 
Gerne: Symphonic black metal/thrash
Origin: San Francisco, California
Label: Spinefarm
Eric Peterson (Testament) has brought his blackened metal project back to life after thirteen years or dormancy. Dominion is a epic and evil journey that reminds me of bands like Ihsahn, Cradle of Filth, and Dimmu Borgir. It's been a hell of a wait, but it was worth it.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zweLMniS-fQ][/youtube]
Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Living The Dream 
Gerne: Rock
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Label: Snakepit/Roadrunner
It's no surprise that this album is guitar driven rock that fans sounds a lot like Gun N Roses, it does surprise me that this is the third album of this project. However, and I feel like I probably said this about the last album, the name of this band is still infuriating. The band is typically made of four guys (and a live rhythm guitarist who I'll ignore for the sake of this next bit), two of which are in the named, and the other two are The Conspirators. Slash and The Conspirators has a better ring to it. I blame Myles.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQzrpRQlKo][/youtube]
Sumac – Love In Shadow 
Gerne: Sludge
Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia
Label: Thrill Jockey
Earlier this year Sumac released their difficult to digest (for some) collaboration with Keiji Haino, and the band is already back with another album of their own. Love In Shadow is more of what we'd expect from the band with crushing post-metal swells with Aaron Turner in the driver's seat. I can see this one being enjoyed more by fans, whereas the collaboration album will be respected, yet perhaps not a go-to for repeat listens.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6noU0V6IR5Q][/youtube]
Voivod – The Wake 
Gerne: Progressive metal
Origin: Jonquière, Quebec
Label: Century Media
First off, I cannot believe that it's been five years since Target Earth dropped. Time is a bastard. Anyway, I also can't believe how weird and good Voivod still are. This band have always been in their own world while being adjacent to your more traditional metal genres. For instance, there is a lot of thrash on this album, but this is far from a thrash album. It's a fun whatever album it is though. Chad has a full review here.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCuSHngMy-g][/youtube]
Zao/Yashira – Split 
Gerne: Metalcore/Sludge
Origin: Parkersburg, West Virginia/Jacksonville, Florida
Label: Mind Over Matter
Buy now on Mind of Matter
Zao and Yashira are hitting the road, and this EP just happens to release on the first day of the tour. Coincidence? I'd wager not at all. Although they're on tour with The Atlas Moth who are abcent from this, seemingly, celebratory release. I'm having a hell of a time finding what exactly is on this (as of this writing anyway), but if you're a fan of either band you'll probably want this.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBgHRZM7dYs][/youtube]
Also dropping today…
Abysmal Torment – The Misanthrope (Willowtip) – Brutal death metal
Bangladeafy – Ribboncutter (Nefarious Industries) – Tech Death
Cortez & Wasted Theory – The Second Coming of Heavy; Chapter IX (Ripple Music) – Stoner
Cosmic Void Ritual – Grotesque Infections Of Planetary Divide (Iron Bonehead Productions) – Death metal
Dark Sarah – The Golden Moth (Inner Wound) – Cinematic metal
Dead Letter Circus – Dead Letter Circus (Rise) – Alt rock/progressive
I:Scintilla – Swayed (Alfa Matrix) – Industrial
MaYaN – Dhyana (Nuclear Blast) – Symphonic death metal
Nashville Pussy – Pleased to Eat You (earMUSIC) – Rock
Plainride – Life on Ares (Ripple Music) – Stoner rock
Sage – Anno Domini 1573 (Rockshots Records) – Power metal
Therapy? – Cleave (Marshall Records) – Alternative metal
The Three Tremors – The Three Tremors (Self) – Heavy metal
Wytch Hazel – II Soujorn (Bad Omen Records/RidingEasy) – Heavy metal
