This week brings a wave of new music releases across the heavy metal spectrum, featuring live orchestral performances, innovative experimental hardcore, and classic death metal. Fans can explore a diverse range of sounds from established bands and emerging artists.
Key Takeaways
- TesseracT and Persefone deliver ambitious live albums with orchestral and choral backing.
- Fucked Up continues its unique Zodiac series with a two-track experimental hardcore release.
- Blood Red Throne and Upon A Burning Body offer new material for death metal and metalcore enthusiasts.
- Bandcamp is supporting artists by giving 100% of proceeds directly to them on specific days.
Progressive Metal Bands Release Live Albums
Two prominent progressive metal bands, TesseracT and Persefone, have unveiled new live albums. Both acts took an ambitious approach, incorporating additional musical elements to enhance their sound.
TesseracT's new album, "Radar," showcases the band performing with Choir Noir. This collaboration adds a significant layer of depth to Daniel Tompkins' vocals and the band's intricate arrangements. The album heavily features material from their recent "War Of Being" record, which lends itself well to this grander live presentation.
Did You Know?
TesseracT's "Radar" is not their first live album, but it marks a notable expansion of their live sound with the inclusion of Choir Noir.
Persefone, from Andorra la Vella, released "Live In Andorra," their first live album. This recording features the band performing with the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra. The album spans their career, offering fans a chance to hear classic tracks with vocalist Daniel R. Flys, who joined more recently. The orchestral backing provides a new dimension to their progressive sound.
"For some, this live album will be their first time hearing classic Persefone material with new-ish vocalist Daniel R. Flys, and it's a hell of an introduction."
Brass Against Delivers New Covers Collection
New York's Brass Against has released "Brass Against VI," continuing their tradition of brass metal covers. The band is known for reinterpreting classic rock and metal songs with a prominent horn section. While an official tracklist was not immediately available, it is expected to include recent covers such as Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tears," Faith No More's "Epic," and The White Stripes' "Icky Thump."
Experimental Hardcore and Death Metal Offerings
The week also sees significant releases from the experimental hardcore and death metal genres, providing heavy and intense listening experiences for fans.
Toronto's Fucked Up has launched "Year of the Goat," the first part of a ten-part conclusion to their long-running Zodiac series. This album features two tracks, each nearly half an hour long, exploring various genres the band has touched upon throughout their career. The music is dense and complex, offering a deep dive into their experimental approach. While physical and streaming releases are set for next week, the album is available now on Bandcamp.
The Zodiac Series
Fucked Up's Zodiac series is a collection of albums, each named after a zodiac sign, known for its experimental nature and lengthy tracks. The series has been a cornerstone of the band's unique identity.
For death metal aficionados, Norway's Blood Red Throne has released "Siltskin." This album delivers a straightforward, no-frills death metal experience. It features classic elements like divebombs in solos, melodic shredding breaks, and heavy grooves designed to engage listeners with its intensity.
Metalcore Release from Upon A Burning Body
San Antonio's Upon A Burning Body has released their seventh album, "Blood Of The Bull." This marks their first self-released record. The album offers chunky deathcore with a notable juxtaposition of melody and mayhem. The sound aims to be jarring in a positive way, evoking a powerful and aggressive feel.
Additional Releases This Week
Beyond these highlights, numerous other bands have released new material across various heavy genres. This includes a wide array of death metal, black metal, doom, thrash, and progressive metal albums.
- Abbinormal – "Italia’s Gore Talent" (Death metal/grindcore)
- Age Of Emergence – "The All Seeing Eye: Part 2" (Groove/progressive metal)
- Bläkken – "Swiatowstret" (Black/death metal)
- Booby Trap – "L(i)mbo" (Thrash/crossover)
- Buried Souls – "Here Comes The Void" (Blackened death metal)
- CAŁ● – "Ludzie błądzący w Nocy" (Avant-garde death metal)
- Death Obvious – "Death Obvious" (Death metal/doom)
- Deos – "Augustus Omnipotens" (Black/death metal)
- Discovery Through Torment – "Telesynthetic Rebirth" (Death metal/slam)
- Enthroned – "Ashspawn" (Black metal)
This diverse selection ensures that fans of heavy music have a wealth of new sounds to explore this week, from the symphonic to the brutally aggressive.