★★☆☆ An entertaining journey without much of a destination or impetus to get moving in the first place. It’s enjoyable, mind you, but it lacks the gravitas that can’t be explained away simply by a lack of vocals. See the rest here
★★☆☆ Of the many bands to be produced by Kurt Ballou this year, Skeletonwitch may have benefited the most from his touch. Their latest album is as short and unsubtle as ever, but it’s definitely punchy, accessible, and fun. See the rest here
★★☆☆ This album has a damn fine sound, clearly written by a band who never gave up the dream of thrash. All the same, it does take some time to warm up, and the high points are eclipsed by tedious tropes that we’ve heard before (not that that’s a bad thing, but their staleness is made all the more obvious by the surprising freshness found in other places). See the rest here
★★☆☆ A trippy, confusing work, “Infinitas” sounds like a djentier Protest The Hero, with a liberal dash of synth earcandy. Their innovations may be entirely based on the surprising mashups they foist on the listener, patching unsurprising and well-worn bits together into a novel whole, but at least it ain’t a boring listen. See the rest here
★★☆☆ At its best (ie: “Bad Vibes”), this album demonstrates an energy and vitality that is undeniable and infectioous. At its worst, it is just another forgettable exercise from The Kurt Ballou School Of Overdrive. See the rest here
★★☆☆ While others are trying to reform their djenty excesses, Vildhjarta doubles down on their latest EP. The result: a somewhat satisfying, yet very confusing, 24 minutes that goes whichever way it pleases. Perhaps it’s the unpredictability that makes the EP’s high points so good… but the overall experience is not unlike getting roofied (or so I hear). See the rest here
★★☆☆ This is a tricky album. On the one hand, it’s an excellent bit of metalcraft. On the other, it’s somehow existentially boring. There’s nothing I can put my finger on very easily… it just doesn’t seem very interested in itself, beyond the rote regurgitation of modern metal tropes. Perhaps the best response I can come up with for this album is, “Yep. See the rest here
★★☆☆ As always, this Soulfly album suffers greatly from a seriously lacking self-editing. Here, you’re treated to some interesting (albeit already belabored) ideas, but heavily encrusted with the unshakable feeling that you’re listening to Max Cavalera noodling around without wit or reason. It’s a well-produced indulgence, but one that never lets you forget you’re in Max’s world, like it or not. See the rest here
★★☆☆ It’s been a long time since I actually cared about a Fates Warning album, but this one is a pretty good one to come back for. Don’t be fooled by the first 20 minutes, which are marred by hints of Parallels-era weakness, and definitely don’t miss the three-song prog powerhouse of “I Am,” “Lighthouse,” and “Into The Black”; these old boys still have some energetic surprises in them yet. See the rest here
★★☆☆ The most monstrous of this year’s Cookie Monster vocals, this album still manages to keep things interesting, taking unexpected musical turns that verge on progressive… while still staying firmly rooted in the familiar detuned deathcore territory of bands like The Acacia Strain and Thy Art Is Murder. Original enough to not be completely disposable, but not excellent enough to withstand obsessive re-listens, Oceano still turns in an album worth at least one perusal. See the rest here
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