Gojira–Magma
Genre: Progressive Metal, Groove Metal, Alternative Metal
FFO: Meshuggah, Torche, Slipknot
Metallic French quartet Gojira return for LP number six creating their catalogue’s most layered, ambitious offering. Groove-laced, pounding Pantera-inspired riffage shakes hands with melody smoothly allowing a more fresh, unique approach to the band’s established style.
The Low Anthem–Eyeland
Genre: Indie Folk, Psychadelic Rock, Lo-Fi
FFO: Great Lake Swimmers, Deer Tick, The Cave Singers
After a half decade of silence, Rhode Island-based Indie Folk outfit The Low Theory return with a concept album addressing the blurred lines between illusion and reality through the lense of adolescence. The group blends Lo-Fi Indie Folk with occasional psychadelic theatrics to deliver a both unique and captivating concept record.
Nails–You Will Never Be One of Us
Genre: Powerviolence, Hardcore Punk, Grindcore
FFO: Cursed, Weekend Nachos, Dead in the Dirt
Californian Powerviolence trio NAILS once again prove their mastery of the craft of Grindcore/Powerviolence-influenced Hardcore Punk with a third LP that manages to smoothly balance lightning-faced instrumentation and crushing brutality. You Will Never Be One of Us just barely hovers over the twenty minute mark with 9 short bursts of relentless rage setting the stage for the crushing eight minute finale “They Come Crawling Back.”
If you are a fan of intense, crushing, extreme takes on Metal and Hardcore, You Will Never Be One of Us could very well grace your year end list.
Spook The Herd–The Small Wins
Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Grunge
FFO: Culture Abuse, Rozwell Kid, Swervedriver
Check out the new EP from Boston’s own fuzz duo Spook the Herd. The Small Wins is a fun collection of bright, summery, optimistic indie pop jams with a fuzzy, grungey twist. Recommended for fans of brighter, quirkier takes on 90’s grunge as presented by Pinkerton-era Weezer coupled with the pedal worship of Mezcal Head-era Swervedriver.
Swans–The Glowing Man
Genre: Experimental Rock, Post Punk, Post Rock, Orchestral Rock
FFO: Sonic Youth, Angels of Light, Slint
The Glowing Man serves as a bid farewell to another generation of the genre-bending, modern rock-revolutionizing, experimental rock outfit Swans. Like the previous two records, The Glowing Man is an epic, sonic journey only recommended for those prepared for its theatrics.
The third and final piece of the more grandiose, current rendition of Swans is a more laid back rendition of orchestral movements that gently glide into each other blending many unlikely genres along the way. The group’s 14th LP appears less intense than The Seer or To Be Kind at its surface, but its musical depth and chilling lyricism allows The Glowing Man to serve as the ideal finale for this chapter of Michael Gira‘s musical pilgrimage.
Terra Tenebrosa–The Reverses
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Tombs, Rorcal, Draugnim
Immerse yourself in the horrifying, nightmarish realm conceived by Swedish Black Metal outfit Terra Tenebrosa. The Reverse creates a truly agonizing, tortuous atmosphere through soundscapes that generate and explore the darkest of lyrical themes including nightmares, horror, and the unknown. Not a recommended listen for the easily frightened.
Twin River–Passing Shade
Genre: Dream Pop, Garage Rock
FFO: Living Hour, Plush, Beach Skulls
Vancouver’s Twin River crafts an unlikely combination this time around blending the ethernal nature of Dream Pop with raw, untamed Garage Rock. Passing Shade is a fun, nostalgic ride that manages to paint lush soundcapes while maintaining a raw, rockin’ edge.
Told Slant–Going By
Genre: Indie, Folk, Emo
FFO: Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade, Bon Iver
The Epoch is a New York-based collective consisting of bands such as Florist, Bellows, Eskimeaux, and anchor project Told Slant. Between the release of Told Slant‘s debut LP and Going By, members have actively participated in the touring and writing of each other’s projects allowing musical experimentation and growth for a solidied sophomore LP. Primary writer Felix Walworth steps back up to the mic with a vocal and instrumental performance that comes off as a tip of a hat to Isaac Brock but relies more upon the impact of emotional sincerity along the lines of Justin Vernon.
Fans of Lo-Fi, Indie Folk should view this release as the ideal record to sip your coffee to and help start their day.