SYNCHRONY is a weekly feature focusing on relevant heavy music news, new releases, upcoming releases, as well as a week in review to help folks keep up with all of the content on Grizzly Butts. This’ll also include a list of upcoming releases and some preliminary notes on upcoming reviews or coverage. If I can’t hear it, I won’t cover it! If you have New Releases, show announcements, or important heavy music news that’ll be relevant or interesting to folks contact me at: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com
THIS WEEK IN NEWS (10/17/20 – 10/24/20)
- Chilean thrash metal band NUCLEAR have released a second single from their upcoming full-length, ‘Murder Of Crows‘. “Abusados” confronts the reasons behind recent Chilean social outburst and speaks to how excessive and inhuman the response has been from the Chilean Government. The music video features brutal footage from the rebellion many might not have been aware of. The song is classic Nuclear, a mid-paced burner with tanklike riffs, which reminds me of earlier Transmetal, achieved via a thunderous guitar sound. ‘Murder of Crows’ releases November 13th via Black Lodge Records. Check out the video for “Abusados” over on YouTube: [MORE INFO]
- Roman elektro war metal duo INTOLERANT have announced their debut album, ‘Primal Future‘, will release through Time to Kill Records this coming November 27th. Two singles are available to stream via opener “Bastard Humans” as well as the title track. If the intent is to push extremity into new places, fresh highs, then they’ve achieved something compelling for my taste by mixing dark/harsh industrial effects with brutal punkish black/death metal blast, riff and reverb toxicity. Check out both songs over on Bandcamp: [MORE INFO]
- Malaysian black/thrash metal trio NECRÖSPEED have announced their debut demo tape ‘Demo 2020‘ will be released (today) October 23rd on Nailbat Tapes in North America and by Hostile Records in Asia. These guys aim for an over the top classic evil and extreme speed metal a la Sabbat (Japan). [MORE INFO]
- We just keep on killin’ for Satan this week as Helter Skelter Productions/Regain Records have set January 20th, 2021 as the release date for SATANIZE‘s sixth album, ‘Baphomet Altar Worship‘, on CD and vinyl LP formats. These guys have been around for a while and you’ll definitely know what to expect here, hard-blasting black/war metal that hits right in the guts. Pure destruction on this belligerent album opener/title track “Baphomet Altar Worship”, check it out over on Bandcamp: [MORE INFO]
- Atmospheric black metal project BRÒN have signed with Nordvis Produktion and announced their upcoming album ‘Pred dverima noći‘ due out this December 11th. Bròn was originally formed in Scotland by Barshasketh’s KG who has since relocated to Serbia. After some stylistic experimentation spanning a number of releases the addition of drummer GH (A Forest Of Stars) signals a shift back to their early atmoblack style. Pre-orders and more information is up over on the label’s website: [MORE INFO]
- Helter Skelter Productions/Regain Records have set February 12th, 2021 as the international release date for classic Greek black metal band CAEDES CRUENTA’s third album, ‘Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults‘, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette. From the sound of it they’re reworking some songs from recent EP/splits that came after their prior opus ‘Ερείπια ψυχών’ in 2014, alongside other new pieces. So far we just have the release date and album art but I’m no less stoked for the album, everything they’ve done is notable. More information on the band’s Facebook: [MORE INFO]
- Iron Bonehead Productions has set January 22nd, 2021 as the day of release for German black metal band GRABUNHOLD‘s debut album, ‘Heldentod‘, on CD and vinyl LP. Their sound is melodic, verbose and austere as one would expect from German black metal but they’ve aimed their impact towards a certain flavor of Norwegian innovation naming bands like Satyricon, Aeternus, and Hades by suggestion. Of course those are incredible places to draw from, you can decide which elemental forces you hear on “Flammen und Schatten” over on SoundCloud: [MORE INFO]
- Kill the thought on Weverin and conjure OREAMNOS a spiritual and physical successor from ex-Weverin members Samuel (Phthisis, Governmental Crucifixion) and Matthew (Valdur, Sxuperion, SXAP). Their debut album ‘Into The Night‘ will be released this coming November 27th on the heralded Bloody Mountain Records. Of course if you don’t know Weverin’s heavily atmospheric and menacing satanic death metal sound then you won’t know what to expect from this new formation of the band, now a duo. “Shadows of Misery” feels incredibly inspired, occult death metal that emphasizes menacing cavernous sprawl. Check it out for yourself over on Bandcamp: [MORE INFO]
- Czech progressive/experimental deathgrind band !T.O.O.H.! return with their fifth album ‘Free Speech‘, to be released via Lavadome Productions this coming November 17th. If you were around for deathgrind’s triumphant creative burst in the early 2000’s you’ll remember this band from their albums leading up to and including ‘Order and Punishment’ but they’ve been active intermittently since. I still have the ‘Pod vládou biče’ (2003) CD and still regard the band as a fine example of all left-field ideas coming together for something that is ultimately brutal, see how that idea lines up with the first single from their latest album “Pět neděl ve srubu” over on YouTube: [MORE INFO]
- Italian death metal band CRAWLING CHAOS have announced they will release their new album ‘XLIX‘ on November 20th this year through the tastefully curated Time To Kill Records. Here you’ve got the ‘right’ kind of modern death metal band, influenced by current and classic extreme metal and incorporating their perspective on progressive, melodic and destructive traits. The result is menacing and melodramatic in a satisfying sort of way. [MORE INFO]
- Copenhagen’s most infamous sewer-to-cryptborn barbaric n’ cannibalistic death merchants UNDERGANG let rip their fifth full-length ‘Aldrig i livet‘ this December 4th via Dark Descent Records/Me Saco Un Ojo. If you’re not familiar with their brutal, punkish horror death then let the music video for “Menneskeæder” be the perfect first grind, taking their ‘Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious’ obsession to a new level and, devouring a stomachful of human meat along the way. Easily the best death metal music video I’ve seen all year, gore and enough T.G. Warrior grunts for five songs. Reminds me of those early years when Gorefest was cool. Check out the video over on YouTube: [MORE INFO]
- NOTABLE ALBUMS AT PRESS THIS WEEK FROM: Azarath, Skelethal, Undergang, Sodom, Hoaries, !T.O.O.H!, Crawling Chaos, Nader Sadek, Oreamnos, Cave Dweller, Dodenkrocht, Farer, Beaten to Death, Necrospeed, Speedkiller, Obscurae, Wyrmwoods, Stellar Death, Witchwood, Gjoad, Ruff Majik, Case 39, Okrutnik, Bron and several more. Look for coverage in the near future. Don’t see your album listed? Send it to me: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com
GRIZZLY BUTTS‘ WEEK IN REVIEW (10/17/20 – 10/24/20)
FEATURES:
- …From the Tomb 10/19/20: “Despair will appear, in blistering glory.”
- This year Ten From the Tomb changes to …From the Tomb and is no longer limited to ten releases. It will post every Monday with a list of at least ten new releases coming out during that current week and a short review will be included for each one.
- This week I chose to cover 11 New Releases from October 9th – October 23rd, 2020.
- Favorites: Wobbler, Kevel, Celestial Season.
REVIEWS
Big releases this week from Invincible Force, USA Nails, Iskandr, Griffon, Undeath, Wobbler, Coexistence, and Uncle Woe. Though I didn’t get the new Mörk Gryning for review, I am stoked for it. Likewise, I didn’t receive Pallbearer‘s latest for review so, I’ll be discovering that in the next week or two. My own personal hype for the band’s future calling hasn’t been too hot since the last record, though it was good. A demo, split and rarities compilation for Spectral Voice was released today. Also, if you were interested in the Kraken Duumvirate record I’d reviewed a couple of weeks back, the digital version + streaming are available now.

RELEASED/RECOMMENDED THIS WEEK (10/17/20 – 10/24/20)
NOTE: This small sample includes overlooked releases that are either not yet reviewed or covered but nonetheless recommended. Some of these will still be featured in other coverage. An asterisk (*) indicates that a review is drafted or in preparation. A plus (+) indicates that the album has already been reviewed. Click/Tap on RECORD LABEL name for preview, stream, or store.
- ISKANDR – Gelderse Poort [October 23rd, Eisenwald]+
- INVINCIBLE FORCE – Decomposed Sacramentum [October 22nd, Dark Descent Records]+
- USA NAILS – Character Stop [October 23rd, Hex Records/Bigout Records]+
- GRIFFON – ‘o Theos, o Basileus’ [October 23rd, LADLO]+
- PROMETHEUS – Resonant Echoes From Cosmos of Old [October 23rd, I, Voidhanger Records]+
- UNDEATH – Lesions of a Different Kind [October 23rd, Prosthetic Records]+
- WOBBLER – Dwellers of the Deep [October 23rd, Karisma Records]
- UNCLE WOE – Phantomescence [October 23rd, Packard Black Productions]
- THANATOPSIS – Initiation [October 23rd, Extreme Metal Music]
- WEALD AND WOE – The Fate of Kings and Men [October 23rd, Folkvangr Records]+
- DEMONICAL – World Domination [October 23rd, Agonia Records]
- DISTANT – Dawn of Corruption [October 23rd, Unique Leader]
- THRASHWALL – Thrashwall [October 19th, Firecum Records]
- COEXISTENCE – Collateral Dimension [October 23rd, Transcending Obscurity Records]*
- KEVEL – Mutatis Mutandis [October 23rd, I, Voidhanger Records]
- KOSMOVOROUS – Glorification Sermons [October 23rd, I, Voidhanger Records]
- OLD MOTHER HELL – Lord of Demise [October 23rd, Cruz Del Sur Music]
- CELESTIAL SEASON – The Secret Teaching [October 23rd, Burning World Records]
- CELESTIAL SEASON – Forever Scarlet Passion/Solar Lovers [October 23rd, Burning World Records]
- SOMNUS THRONE – Somnus Throne [October 23rd, Burning World Records]
- CONVULSIF – Exctint [October 23rd, Hummus Records]
- BLEAKHEART – Dream Griever [October 23rd, Sailor Records]

UPCOMING RELEASES (10/25/20 – 10/31/20)
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list, some titles are already reviewed and/or covered and some have yet to enter the final queue for consideration and processing. An asterisk (*) indicates that a review is drafted or in preparation. A plus (+) indicates that the album has already been reviewed. Click/Tap on RECORD LABEL name for preview, stream, or store.
- SACRAMENTUM – Finis Malorum [October 30th, Vic Records] Remaster
- MALICIOUS – Deranged Hexes [October 30th, Invictus Productions]*
- WOMBRIPPER – Macabre Melodies [October 26th, Memento Mori]*
- OCCULT BURIAL – Burning Eerie Lore [October 30th, Invictus/Electric Assault/Stygian Black Hand/Temple of Mystery]*
- NOXIS – Expanse of Hellish Black Mire [October 30th, Rotted Life/Pulverized]*
- CYNABARE URNE – Obsidian Daggers and Cinnabar Skulls [October 30th, Helter Skelter/Regain]*
- CARCASS – Despicable [October 30th, Nuclear Blast]*
- CONVULSE – Deathstar [October 30th, Transcending Records]*
- SARCATOR – Sarcator [October 30th, Redefining Darkness Records]
- SVARTSYN – Requiem [October 30th, Carnal Records]
- FUNERAL HARVEST – Funeral Harvest [October 30th, Signal Rex]*
- SAD – Misty Breath of Ancient Forests [October 31st, Purity Through Fire]*
- DISRUPTED – Pure Death [October 26th, Memento Mori/De:Nihil]*
- WATASHI DAKE – Feral [October 26th, Inferna Profundus Records]
- VYRION – Nil [October 26th, Self-Released]
- BEGRABNIS – Izanaena [October 28th, Weird Truth Productions]
- KRATZER – Alles Liegt In Scherben [October 29th, 7 Degrees Records]
- SVABHAVAT – Black Mirror Reflection [October 30th, Eisenwald]
- JUNIOR BRUCE – Pray For Death [October 30th, Sludgelord Records]*
- DEAD HEAD – Kill Division [October 30th, Petrichor] Remaster
- HOLY DEATH – Deus Mortis [October 30th, Self-Released]
- SLAGMARK – Radical Malice [October 30th, Purity Through Fire]
- THE KRYPTIK – Behold Fortress Inferno [October 30th, Purity Through Fire]
- YAOTL MICTLAN – Sagrada Tierra del Jaguar [October 30th, American Line Productions]
- GONG WAH – Gong Wah [October 30th, Tonzonen Records]
- SULPHUR SUN – Placodermic Heraldry [October 30th, Self-Released]
- SCARDUST – Strangers [October 30th, M-Theory Audio]
- ICARE – Kaos [October 30th, Division Records]
- INSIDIOUS DISEASE – After Death [October 30th, Nuclear Blast]
- ASPHYXIATOR – Trapped Between Two Worlds [October 30th, Vic Records]
- REVEREND – A Gathering of Demons [October 30th, Vic Records]
- BLEEDING OUT – Lifelong Death Fantasy [October 30th, Profound Lore Records]
- VIOLENT LIFE VIOLENT DEATH – The Color of Bone [October 30th, Inner Strength Records]
- SERPENTS OF SECRECY – Ave Vindicta [October 30th, Moving the Earth Records]*
- DEAD END AMERICA – Crush the Machine [October 30th, Southern Lord Recordings]
- NAHEMIA – Ar-Caosaji [October 30th, Misanthropic Assault Productions]
- ALISON COTTON – Only Darkness Now [October 30th, Cardinal Fuzz]
- ALIEN MUSTANGS – Beat of the Earth [October 30th, Cardinal Fuzz]
- MUGSTAR – Graft [October 30th, Cardinal Fuzz]
- THE BAND WHOS NAME IS A SYMBOL – Berserkir Volume II [October 30th, Cardinal Fuzz]
- DESASTER / DECAYED – Split 7″ [October 31st, Helldprod Records]
- ESSENCE OF BLASPHEMERS – Calyx of Black Metal Blood [October 31st, Purity Through Fire]
- ODIOSOR – Syvyyksistä [October 31st, Purity Through Fire]
- MAVORIM / AD MORTEM – Iudicium Ultimum [October 31st, Purity Through Fire]
- OCTOBER FALLS – Syys [October 31st, Purity Through Fire]
- RUFF MAJIK – The Devil’s Cattle [October 30th, Mongrel Records]
- SUMMONING DEATH – One Step Beyond [October 31st, Chaos Records]*

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