Bongripper–Terminal
Genre: Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Post Metal
FFO: Sleep, Sunn O))), Weedeater
The criminally underrated mammoth musical act known as Bongripper has returned for their seventh LP released independently through the band’s own label. If you are unfamiliar with this band I will attempt to describe their sound to the best of my ability: prepare to have whatever speakers you are using to listen to this get completely annihilated.
Everything that has encompassed Bongripper’s sound is present in Terminal. We have two absolutely devastating, sprawling tracks of unapologetic Stoner/Doom/Sludge that with plenty of twists and turns and horrifying moments that your attention span will remain fully intact.
Light up and stream below.
Invoke–No Law Beyond
Genre: Hardcore, Death Metal
FFO: Entombed, Jesus Piece, Disgrace
Hailing from North Carolina, Invoke burst through the gates of hell equipped with a debut EP blending Death Metal and Hardcore Punk in perfect harmony.
No Law Beyond is short but sweet yet does quite a bit of damage during its brief stay.
Invoke present a solid debut effort encompassing crushing riffage, powerful leads, and overall very well-written heavy tunes guaranteed to force the listener to bang their head.
Khemmis–Desolation
Genre: Doom Metal, Stoner Metal
FFO: Black Sabbath, Baroness, Pallbearer
This Colorado doom metal act has returned with a third full length that expands the group’s sound even further. Similar to their counterparts, Pallbearer, Khemmis embraces a more poppy, upbeat approach to their sound this time around and it is packed with plenty of 80’s era heavy metal flare and beautiful melodic solos.
If you’re hungry for some doom metal but not necessarily in the mood for the crushing heavy tendencies of the genre, Desolation was made specifically for you.
Secret Cutter–Quantum Eraser
Genre: Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Grindcore
FFO: High On Fire, Converge, Black Tusk
Hailing from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sludge trio Secret Cutter unsheathe a bludgeoning sophomore LP.
The riffage found on Quantum Eraser is absolutely brutal with a thick, mud-like tone, the bass is powerful and groovy and the kit sonically resembles a horrifying, booming thunderstorm.
The three piece delivers track after track of atmospheric, dark sludge with some fast-paced, grindy suprises on this one. I highly recommend you stream this record below.
Vein–Errozone
Genre: Metalcore, Mathcore
FFO: Converge, Code Orange, Dillinger Escape Plan
Local metalcore act Vein unveils the debut LP everyone was waiting for. Errorzone maintains polished production with unhinged instrumental insanity channeling even the likes of Iowa-era Slipknot or early Mudvayne with just enough modern flavor to win over fans of acts such as Code Orange, Knocked Loose, and so on.
I have followed this band since they first stormed the scene with their demo about five years ago, and since then the Massachusetts hardcore scene has waited with great anticipation to see what this young act would evolve into.
Errorzone is here. Stream below and expect it to wind up on your year end list.