terraasymmetry Features

NEWS, Week in Review & Upcoming Releases (3/19/21)

A weekly feature focusing on select heavy music news, primarily involving new and upcoming releases with a list of ’em provided at the end. This also serves as a week in review, collecting all of the most recent content on Grizzly Butts in a brief additional list. Want to see what came out this week? Read the “Annihilate This Week” column every Monday. 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 send it to: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com

THIS WEEK IN NEWS (3/13/21 – 3/19/21)

  • Norwegian Christian metal label Nordic Mission have announced they’ll be releasing the definitive issue of Arkansas death/thrash-gone-metalcore band LIVING SACRIFICE‘s 1991 self-titled debut album ‘Living Sacrifice‘, a well respected death/thrash metal record which has long been compared to early Malevolent Creation and late 80’s Slayer. I mean, you can tell I like this record and no doubt their first two albums are a bit lost to time because few early fans would follow them into their far more popular Christian metalcore reality. Even if you’re not a fan of religious music, this is a fine thrash metal album that truly deserved this remaster. Sounds solid so far, it’ll come with some extra liner notes and release on CD and vinyl LP this coming April 23rd, you can pre-order over on Nordic Mission’s webstore: [LINK]
  • Norwegian black metal band DJEVEL will release their seventh full-length ‘Tanker som rir natten‘ this coming May 14th through Aftermath Music. The first single “Englene som falt ned i min seng, skal jeg slippe fri med brukne vinger og torneglorier” is a signature piece for the band, and as poetically achieved as its title suggests. I am looking forward to this one. It is already available to preview on YouTube and pre-orders are now open for the album at the band’s website or directly through Aftermath: [LINK]
  • Antiq Records have announced the third full-length from Breton warrior duo HANTERNOZ will find them striding fearless and howling under the banner of ‘Au Fleuve de Loire‘, on digibook CD and double-LP vinyl this coming May 3rd. Even if you’ve not heard of them before this album will leave its mark within even the most casual preview; the first single “À Cul de Grève” bears some immediate appeal for its heavy metal finesse and paganistic bombasti. Hanternoz should be known to Hyvermor (Véhémence, Grylle, Régiment) and Sparda’s (Créatures, Cataèdes) work but definitely keep an ear on them if you are a fan of melodic, medieval, and pagan black metal energy. Check out “À Cul de Grève” over on Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • Edged Circle Productions have sets April 23rd as the release date for TO THE DOGS‘ debut 7″ EP which will be titled ‘To The Dogs‘. Self-released digitally as late December ’20 demo, this Wisconsin-based trio make a garage-shaking first impression with their crossing of crust punk, Venomized metalpunk and some blackened thrashing mania. This one is way, way up my alley as a simple but effective strike at metalpunk brutality. You can check out the whole thing over on ECP’s Bandcamp and pre-order if you’re up for it: [LINK]
  • Swedish psychedelic doom metal quartet ALASTOR have gone a bit boogie rock’n bellbottom twisting doom rock on the first single from their latest album ‘Onwards and Downwards‘ which’ll be released this coming May 28th through RidingEasy Records. I discovered their last album ‘Slave to the Grave’ back in 2018 during a long flight and have been anticipating their next step since. Ah, the first single is “Death Cult” and it has a bit of a Hellacopters swing to it thanks to a piano tappin’ riff and quite a different beat than we’d found on their Electric Wizard-esque past. Check it out for yourself over on Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • English black/death quartet WODE have released a third single, “Lunar Madness”, from their upcoming third album ‘Burn In Many Mirrors‘, which releases April 2nd through the fine folks over at 20 Buck Spin. Excellent opener and good reason to go check it out ahead of release. Hit up their Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • Chaos Records have announced Belgium-based death/doom metal band GATEWAY‘s return to the fray will happen May 7th when they release their ‘Flesh Reborn‘ EP on CD. The project had split back in 2018 but I’m glad they’re back, definitely my style and a project to check out if you’re into Disembowelment and their ilk. Listen to “Slumbering Crevasses” over on Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • Australian “acid metal” band SABÏRE have announced their debut album will be titled ‘Jätt‘ and will release in 2021 through Listenable Records. The visionary and lead singer comments “It has been a long, hard two year journey. Nothing about this album has ended up being straight forward. It has been exactly as its title suggests: Hell. And that has not been a good thing.” I’m actually psyched about this, the darker the result the better as their inventive approach to 80’s metal has been impressive to say that least thus far. : [LINK]
  • Finnish doom-metal duo DESOLATE REALM have readied their self-titled debut full-length album, which is set for self-release on April 23rd. Formed by members of Decaying and Altar of Betelgeuze, the Helsinki duo take equal influence from epic doom and traditional heavy metal, counting Candlemass and Savatage as key mentions. Check out the album opener “Spire” over on Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • Canadian speed/heavy metal band ICE WAR take a bit of an ‘epic’ turn on the first single from their recently announced fifth full-length album ‘Sacred Land‘ which releases through Fighter Records on May 18th on CD, 12″LP, Cassette and digitally. Ice War is the brainchild of prolific musician Jo Capitalicide (ex-Iron Dogs, Aphrodite, Expunged). I appreciate that his yearly cycle of new material has steadily improved, experimented and featured pretty sharp cover art across the board. “Sacred Lands” showcases his rough-edged style and heavy metal spirit, check it out over on YouTube: [LINK]
  • Indianapolis technical death metal band FLESHBORE have announced they will release their full-length debut album ‘Embers Gathering‘ through Innerstrength Records. So far the album is aiming for a late Summer release. Not sure if they’re my gig but I love the album art. The official video for the title track is available now at: [LINK]
  • After eight long years of waiting we’re finally treated to new material from Swedish viking/pagan metal band THYRFING in the form of “Döp dem i eld”, the first single from ‘Vanagandr‘ the forthcoming eighth full-length from these Stockholm-based fellowes who’d formed back in the mid-90’s. Despotz Records will be handling the release which is set for August 27th. Thryfing are one of my most listened to bands in this sub-genre field, about equal my obsession with Falkenbach and for my own taste the evolution of their sound has been strong across all releases. “Döp dem i eld” is quite cinematic and feels like a grand entrance with some familiar aspects still driving their intensity. Of course this fits well with the music video they’ve released for it, check it out over on YouTube: [LINK]
  • Living Temple Records have conspired with LVX MorgenStern to announce May 21st as the release date for Russian black metal storm cult THANATOMASS‘ second album, ‘Black Vitriol & Iron Fire‘. If there is one song from 2021 that I can point to as a true gateway to Hell, it is the first preview track from the album, “Deathmass Extasis”. Pure violence, scalding riffs and echoing horror from below. This’ll appeal to both chaotic black metal fiends as well as bestial war metal mutants. Check the song out over on Bandcamp: [LINK]
  • NOTABLE ALBUMS AT PRESS THIS WEEK FROM: Snet, Hanternoz, Thanatomass, Bloody Head, Hagel, Throat, Morbid Breath, Book of Wyrms, Desolate Realm, Majestic Downfall, Excruciation By Silence, Gateway, In Asymmetry, Noeta, Askog, Crucifixion Ritual, Rorcal & Earthflesh, To the Dogs, Shiva the Destructor and several more. Look for coverage in the near future. Don’t see your album listed? Send it to me: grizzlybutts@hotmail.com
KANKAR – Dunkle Millenia (Eisenwald)

SITE WEEK IN REVIEW (3/13/21 – 3/19/21)

Something is missing, starting to go dead behind the eyes, finding a lot of music dispassionate or rote lately. Took a day off this week, mostly to contemplate how much longer I’ll do 6-7 full reviews per week. I don’t have writer’s block so much as a need to do something different. The final part of An Exhaustive Study: Death Metal/Crust Punk will have to wait as I catch up with a few things. Without a doubt I’d struggled through March releases this year and the end of February as well. So far the strongest previews (with next week in mind) are from: Wode, Moral Collapse, Black Mass Pervertor, Marasmus, La Morte Viene Dallo Spazio, and possibly Necronomicon‘s (Germany) latest for the sake of examining their legacy and appreciating their classics. Obvurt, Solbrud, and Sarkrista are in the “strong maybe” alternate pile. I’ll get to Kankar, Monte Penumbra, Medieval Demon, and Natur soon enough. You can assume each record mentioned is solid from my point of view.

NATUR – ‘Afternoon Nightmare’ (Dying Victims Productions)

UPCOMING RELEASES (3/20/21 – 3/31/21)

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 full review is drafted or in preparation. A pound (#) indicates a short review is warranted and in process. A plus (+) indicates that the album has already been reviewed. Click/Tap on RECORD LABEL name for preview, stream, or store.

  • CAMBION – Conflagrate the Celestial Refugium [March 26th, Lavadome Productions] +
  • MONTE PENUMBRA – As Blades in the Firmament [March 26th, End All Life Productions/Oration Records] *
  • SARKRISTA – Sworn to Profound Heresy [March 21st, Purity Through Fire] *
  • LA MORTE VIENE DALLO SPAZIO – Trivial Visions [March 26th, Svart Records] *
  • NATUR – Afternoon Nightmare [March 26th, Dying Victims] ! CD issue
  • MARASMUS – Necrotic Overlord [March 26th, Transcending Obscurity Records]
  • OBVURT – The Beginning [March 31st, Brutal Mind] #
  • SOLBRUD – Levende I Brønshøj Vandtårn [March 26th, Eisenwald] *
  • MURA – Doom Invocations and Narcotic Rituals [March 30th, Caligari Records]
  • GHOSTS OF ATLANTIS – 3.6.2.4. [March 26th, Black Lion Records] #
  • NECRONOMICON – The Final Chapter [March 26th, El Puerto Records]
  • BLACK MASS PERVERTOR – Sodomiittien Seura [March 26th, Self-Released] *
  • CELESTIAL SANCTUARY – Soul Diminished [March 26th, Redefining Darkness/Church Road] #
  • STONUS – Seance [March 26th, Electric Valley Records]*
  • MOURNING DAWN – Dead End Euphoria [March 26th, Aesthetic Death] #
  • XIFICURK – 1410 [March 31st, Void Wanderer Productions] #
  • SANGUISUGABOGG – Tortured Whole [March 26th, Century Media Records]
  • BAALBERITH – Manhunt [March 25th, Godz ov War Productions] !
  • FUNERAL STORM / SYNTELEIA – The Ancient Calling [March 31st, Hell’s Headbangers Records]
  • VALOSTA VARJOON – Das Flammenmeer [March 21st, Purity Through Fire]
  • ABJECTION – Malignant Deviation [March 25th, Godz ov War Productions]
  • WITCHFUCK – Black Blood Baptism [March 25th, Godz ov War Productions]
  • NORDICWINTER – Sorrow [March 26th, Hypnotic Dirge Records]
  • GRAND CELESTIAL NIGHTMARE – Forbidden Knowledge and Ancient Wisdom [March 20th, New Era Productions]
  • NACHTIG – Der Stille Wald [March 21, Purity Through Fire]
  • AUSSICHTSLOS – Völlig Aussichtslos [March 21st, Purity Through Fire]
  • REVENANT MARQUIS – Below the Landsker Line [March 21st, Inferna Profundus Records]
  • THE MOBILE HOMES – Trigger [March 26th, Wild Kingdom] #
  • DECLINE OF THE I – Johannes [March 26th, Agonia Records]
  • AZIOLA CRY – The Ironic Divide [March 26th, Sensory Records]
  • DIRGE – Vanishing Point [March 26th, Self-Released] Compilation
  • BLINDFOLDED AND LED TO THE WOODS – Nightmare Withdrawals [March 26th, Self-Released]
  • BYRON – The Omega Evangelion [March 26th, Goatmancer Records]
  • THERMOHALINE – Maelström [March 26th, Onism Productions]
  • NEKKROFUKK – Mysterious Rituals in the Abyss of Sabbath & Eternal Celebration of the Blakk Goat [March 30th, Putrid Cult]

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