156/SILENCE – Irrational Pull
Overall, the Irrational Pull album is a solid addition to the hardcore genre that may not reinvent the wheel, but definitely polishes the hubcap some.
Swamp Witch – Dead Rituals
It’s nasty, caustic stuff, and really I mean that in the best way possible.
Moto – Underground
On Underground, Moto continue to create unique music that is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
Violent Opposition – Utopia/Dystopia
Utopia/Dystopia makes me feel out of control, off balance, angry, lost, belligerent, and more, all at once.
Deathstorm – The Unfathomable
…a triumphant masterpiece, drawing the listener forward in a measured way, all while also channeling the utter chaos of the void.
Misanthropic Rage – Igne Natura Renovatur Integra
The rest of the album, and the rest of the opening track, is this weird hybrid of experimental Black and Death Metal.
Decoherence – Ekpyrosis
Ekpyrosis rises from the deepest pit of the void, a creature unleashed to slither forth upon the unsuspecting masses.
Verano’s Dogs – Summoning the Hounds
The band does not reinvent the wheel, but firmly implants themselves as a worthy entry into the annals of grindcore done well, done in an interesting manner, and done with fury and passion.
Gourmand – Blossoming From The Grave
What Gourmand do so well on this album is to seamlessly mesh weirdo, technical death metal with strange time signatures, bizarre riffs, and the like on one hand, and seriously emotional, passionate music on the other.
Dark Fortress – Spectres From The Old World
Dark Fortress both digs deep and imagines large on this hour long effort. With black metal as their vehicle, they ride through the cosmos and traverse the wide spaces between atoms, all of it in the service of understanding our insignificance.