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SadusThe Shadow Inside

✦✦✧✧ Holy crap, new Sadus! Not that I was asking, but this album finally settles the question, What would this band sound like without bass legend Steve DiGiorgio? Answer: not-as-interesting Bay Area thrash. That’s not to say it’s bad by any means, so if that’s your mood and you want something new-ish and shreddy, give this a listen!

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CapraErrors

✦✦✦✧ It doesn’t get more hardcore than this, Capra’s second album. This album may have a runtime of 31 minutes, but you definitely get your money’s worth here. Anyway, it’s hard to criticize anything on here, without feeling the guilt of spending time outside of the swirling circle pit that this music requires.

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CryptopsyAs Gomorrah Burns

✦✦✦✧ Mein gott… this is some furious, nasty, grindy techdeath! The riffs come fast and furious, are really interesting and unique, and at times could even be described as “catchy.” Fans of Carcass, Archspire, and Gorguts will love this; anyone else will be too scared to complain. Ya gotta hear this at least once, and I do mean all the way through, but don’t think the 33-minute runtime means an easy listen.

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The Acacia StrainStep Into The Light

✦✦✧✧ This album has the same predilection for massive, plodding riffs, just like its companion piece Failure Will Follow. The difference is that, on this album, all but one track clocks in at under 3 minutes. The result is a collection of pieces that feel incomplete and fragmentary sketches. Perhaps this sort of thing will give metal new life on The Kids’ Social Media, but I find it harder to get into this particular material this particular way.

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SoenMemorial

✦✦✦✧ Punchy and radio-friendly prog metal? Yes please! This is Soen sounding more than ever before like Porcupine Tree (or unlike Tool). The previous comparisons to Leprous still hold firm, only this music has more swagger. Interesting and fun!