Svarttjern — Ultimatum Necrophilia
★★☆☆ Slightly more interesting than just by-the-numbers black metal, but this still manages to not come across as surprising or inventive. It falls somewhere between Burzum and Dethklok somehow. See the rest here
First Listens With Two-Star Ratings
Winger — Better Days Comin’
★★☆☆ This is an oddly satisfying album. It never strays far from its bun-shaking hair metal roots, but it comes atcha by way of a surefooted technicality and progressiveness a la King’s X. This is a must-hear (especially the stand-out track “Tin Soldier”), but probably just once. See the rest here
I Killed The Prom Queen — Beloved
★★☆☆ Very well done mathcore that yet somehow fails to inspire. You’ll nod your head, but kinda because you just have to, ya know? Nice interesting and “brutal” breakdowns, though, so there’s that. See the rest here
Pyrrhon — The Mother Of Virtues
★★☆☆ This is pretty much Gorguts by way of The Melvins or Fantômas. If you’re into that sort of thing. It’s expertly done, but there’s no way I can do anything other than hold on to the dash for a whiteknuckled ride that is impossible to remember as soon as it’s over. See the rest here
Anubis Gate — Horizons
★★☆☆ This album is confusing, like a mashup between Textures, early Devin Townsend, and Scar Symmetry (with a smidge of Opeth thrown in for good measure). It’s proggy as the day is long, and a pleasantly unusual ride. Unfortunately, I can’t say that any of it is particularly memorable. See the rest here
Cripple Bastards — Nero In Metastasi
★★☆☆ This is some choice noise, with hints of Sick Of It All, SOD, and Fantômas. The latter is probably why this album of 2-minute songs still manages to feel a little overlong, however. See the rest here
Coffinworm — IV.I.VIII
★★☆☆ Slightly more palatable and melodic black sludge that goes down smooth. And while it does suffer from the monochromaticism typical of the genre, it does also offer interesting sound choices (and is blessedly not overlong). See the rest here
Gridlink — Longhena
★★☆☆ Jazzier than your usual grindcore fare, but just as typical in its brevity, this 22-minute EP is a fun enough hit-and-run that you’ll nevertheless have a hard time remembering past the first few tracks. See the rest here
Austrian Death Machine — Triple Brutal
★★☆☆ This album has some truly great moments, surrounded by truly unremarkable stretches. The Ahnold schtick has never sounded more tired, but the unavoidable skits are quickly forgotten in the face of all the different shredz. And yet, never has 46 minutes felt so long. Triple Brutal is worth a listen, if you are man enough to make it all the way through. See the rest here
Cynic — Kindly Bent to Free Us
★★☆☆ This is very interesting and enjoyable. This is also about as hardcore as Mahavishnu Orchestra. It actually sounds a lot like UK in places. So I give it enthusiastic praise for modern jazz fusion, but it’s a complete waste from a metal perspective. See the rest here
