Well, we’re starting to get into the year a little bit, aren’t we?
So vampiric rockers (is that a thing?) Tribulation are releasing Down Below. This is going to be a tough one for me here, as the metal community really likes this band, but I gotta say, I don’t get it. I’m not going to say it’s bad (a little polished for my liking), this is a good record and it’ll be well received by metalheads. So, here’s the deal: this is part black metal, part goth, part rock, has some psych elements, some melodic elements and some well… Tribulation elements. Down Below smacks of the 80’s without sounding like a throwback at all, but the main problem with it is that it’s mid-paced almost the entire way through and seems to almost drag because of it. Most people are going to dig this, and it’s a solid record, but I’m not a people, I’m a parrot so… 8 Fucking Pecks (for people)
There’s a French band called Bind Torture Kill and their new record Visceres (take THAT spell check) is… interesting. I went into this expecting total gore death, but this is pretty ripping post-hardcore in the vein of Trap Them or a nastier Converge. This has a really raw sound and helps out with the chaos here. This is pretty mean, and while it can come off as samey here and there, it’s an exercise in nastiness. I’d be willing to bet that this is a fun live show to witness… 6 Fucking Pecks.
I’ve been waiting for this… Genocide Pact. Stoked on this finally coming out. Relapse is slapping us in the face with Order Of Torment, the DC trio’s sophomore effort. This is nasty-ass groove death metal, but not like “groove.” Think more along the lines of Bolt Thrower with a little Entombed thrown in. That’s not to say this is a clone of those bands; Genocide Pact has their own sound without coming across as a rip off. The production here is STELLAR, clear and concise without taking away any of the bite and really helps this stay mean. This is my favorite release of the year (so far) and this band is killer. Go snag this bitch. 8 Fucking Pecks
Peace out, guys…
