Between the name and the album art, you know what you’re getting into with Manual Manic Procedures. This is a heavy, violent, and evil sonic explosion of death metal. At some point in this column, I said something to the effect that we’re in another golden age of death metal, and this is another entry into that golden age. J. Andrew‘s review is right here.
Aberrance – Son of Dirt
Genre: Death/groove metal Origin: Paradise, California Label: Silence Pendulum
In the mood for some more nasty death metal? Well, great news! On the first Aberrance record in seven years, these NorCal lads are bringing you guttural vocals, crushing drums, and hefty grooves. Hits like a brick, and keeps on hitting.
Amarok – Resilience
Genre: Sludge/doom Origin: Chico, California Label: Vulture Print/Vendetta Records
With Resilience, we’re sticking to the greater NorCal area, but slowing things waaaaaaaaaaaaay the hell down, and getting heavy in more way than one. Sure this is heavy as fuck doom, but it partially inspired by the California wildfires that wrecked their area a bit ago.
Nothing More – Carnal
Genre: Alternative/progressive metal Origin: San Antonio, Texas Label: Better Noise
Now for a complete shift in tone across the board. Like every Nothing More record this album includes anthemic earworms and massive grooves throughout. This one is full of guests. You’re getting David Draiman (Disturbed), Sinizter, and Eric V (I Prevail).
White Stones – Memoria Viva
Genre: Progressive death metal Origin: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Label: Reigning Phoenix Music
On Memoria Viva, Opeth‘s Martín Méndez is back once again with his death metal sidepiece. Unsurprisingly, rhythmic weirdness is the star here, but it’s also just an odd album that keeps you guessing. Those that still miss the death metal side of Opeth (and still haven’t given this band a shot for some reason) should hop on now.
X-Cops – Xcab
Genre: Thrash/crossover Origin: Richmond, Virginia… I think? Label: Pit
Taking this week in for a landing with a brief but interesting EP. For the unfamiliar, X-Cops is a Gwar offshoot with members past and present performing dressed as police officers instead of alien monsters. It’s political while also tongue-in-cheek. This is their first outing in almost thirty years and it’s a wild return.
Also dropping this week…
Alexisonfire – Live Born & Raised 2022, St Catharines ON (Dine Alone) – Post-hardcore
Altar Of Oblivion – In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay (From The Vaults) – Doom
Anvil – One And Only (AFM) – Heavy metal
Banks Arcade – A Muse (UNFD) – Hard rock/modern metal
Big Sun – Rite De Passage (Mighty Music) – Hard rock
Bridear – Born Again (Psychomanteum Records) – Power metal/metalcore
Chaser – Small Victories (Thousand Islands) – Melodic punk
Louise Patricia Crane – Netherworld (Peculiar Doll Records) – Progressive/folk
Crocell – Of Frost, Of Flame, Of Flesh (Emanzipation Productions) – Black/death metal
Crossfaith – AЯK (UNFD) – Electronic metalcore
Crystal Viper – The Silver Key (Listenable) – Heavy metal
Devolution – Deceiver, Believer (Close Encounter Records) – Groove metal
Drift Into Black – Voices Beneath The Rubble (Black Lion Records) – Gothic metal/doom
The Eternal – Skinwalker (Reigning Phoenix) – Gothic metal/doom
The Exies –Closure (Self-released) – Rock
Firewalker – Hell Bent (Triple B Records) – Hardcore
The God Awful Truth – All That Dark & All That Cold (Dark Trail Records) – Technical deathcore