This week’s new heavy metal releases include a pair of significant EPs, a couple live albums, and more! To the metals…
Armored Saint – Punching The Sky
Genre: Heavy metal Origin: Los Angeles, California Label: Metal Blade
On their first record in a half a decade John Bush and the gang are aiming their fists skyward. This album will have you pumping your fists from the sheer energy and rock n roll of it all, which of course has you Punching The Sky. Even now, Armored Saint are way better than they get credit for.
Brutus – Live In Ghent
Genre: Progressive rock/post-hardcore Origin: Leuven, Belgium Label: Sargent House
Brutus are an absolute force on their records and I was hoping to see them in person soon. Then, well, you know, the world ended. This album sounds like you're in the room with them. It's raw, emotional, and all I could hope for. This will have to do until I can see them.
Fever 333 – Wrong Generation EP
Genre: Rock/rap Origin: Inglewood, California Label: Roadrunner/33 Wreckords Crew
Hyper-political trio Fever 333 are dropping this EP to accompany their Virtual Demonstration series. The little I've heard of Wrong Generation hits hard both musically and lyrically. This will serve as a time capsule for a moment when corruption and pain are at an all time high.
Leaves' Eyes – The Last Viking
Genre: Symphonic metal Origin: Ludwigsburg, Germany Label: AFM
Now for something with some whimsy. The Last Viking is their second record with Elina Siirala on vocals and their first with guitarist Micki Richter. With this they solidify the fact that band are able to adapt to new (and newish members), and they haves adapted well.
Oginalli – Pendulum
Genre: Psychedelic/progressive Origin: Nashville, Tennessee Label: Devil In The Woods
Oginalli are a band that sort of came out of nowhere for me, but I immediately fell in love. They mix psychedelic rock with desert rock and prog to create a sound that should appeal to sludge fans and indie fans alike. They're like a chill Brutus or a heavier Mr. Gnome, yet unlike anything I've heard before.
Pallbearer – Forgotten Days
Genre: Doom Origin: Little Rock, Arkansas Label: Nuclear Blast
Pallbearer have clearly mastered what they're known for. Forgotten Days has all the super-catchy guitar harmonies, chunky riffs, soaring vocals, and haunting atmosphere you'd expect from the band. Long time fans may cry sellout as they have THREE songs on the record under five minutes, but don't fret. The other five are lengthy epics.
Sevendust – Blood & Stone
Genre: Hard rock/groove metal Origin: Atlanta, Georgia Label: Rise
Sevendust have been on a pretty consistent with new music every few years, and honestly just as consistent quality wise. Their guitarist Clint Lowery is very busy as this is his third release of the year. Splitting his time didn't hurt this album one bit though. The guitar work even sounds reinvigorated. Then of course, Lajon Witherspoon sounds godlike as always.
Devin Townsend – Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1
Genre: Progressive metal Origin: Vancouver, British Colombia Label: InsideOut
This one hurts my heart. I was a week and a half away from attending my area's stop of the Empath Volume 1 tour before the shit hit. Having this slick documentation of a previous stop on the tour is very welcomed to this Devhead. Along with new tracks from Empath, fans can enjoy less common live tracks like "Coast," and "Heaven's End," staples like "Deadhead" and "Kingdom," and even a cover of The Trammps' "Disco Inferno." The best part of the entire thing might be haring Ché Aimee Dorval on more of Dev's stuff than ever.
Wrapping this week with a very timely and intense release from Manuel Gagneux. His previous Z&A albums were blackened blues records, and some of that remains, but this is largely new territory for the project. Then lyrically this discusses violence on black lives. It's maybe the angriest thing dropping this week, and rightfully so.
Also dropping today…
Big Scenic Nowhere – Lavender Blues EP (Heavy Psych Sounds) – Stoner/desert rock
