FFO: Black Sabbath, Pallbearer, Beastmaker, Torche
Gothernberg Doom outfit Monolord take “sabbath worship” to the next level with this crushing two song offering.
Pallbearer–Fear and Fury
Genre: Doom Metal
FFO: Black Sabbath, Monolord, Lycus
Arkansas Doom quartet Pallbearer tithe fans over with a brief EP showcasing a previously unreleased track coupled with the group’s fantastic renditions of Black Sabbath‘s “Over & Over” and Type O Negative‘s “Love You To Death.”
Dinosaur Jr–Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock FFO: Sebadoh, J. Mascis and the Fog, Swervedriver
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is the recycled mantra for many longstanding musical ensembles.
Sometimes it can be used to discourage necessary experimental progression and other times it benefits bands with trademark sounds.
Western Mass-bred guitar wizard J. Mascis and his two loyal buddies are the posterchildren to this idealogy and release an eleventh studio album proving experimentation is no longer needed.
Mascis’ take on guitarwork is as strongly unique as it ever was and helps to provide the ideal feel-good record of the summer. Field Mouse–Episodic Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Dream Pop FFO: Pity Sex, Tiger’s Jaw, Wildhoney, Japanese Breakfast
Field Mouse is the musical brainchild of Rachel Browne backed by accompanying friends.
Episodic is her third LP and is filled with charming tracks channeling dream pop-infused yet guitar heavy Alternative Rock.
The strength and memorability of each song shine brighter than any of her previous releases and illustrate the fitting growth and maturation of a talented artist worth giving a listen.
Haley Bonar-Impossible Dream Genre: Alternative Rock, Alternative Country, Dream Pop FFO: Laura Gibson, Low, Mazzy Star
South Dakota’s Haley Bonar has come a long way from her teenage beginnings playing stripped down folk tunes that tugged at our heartstrings.
Teenage Dream illustrates the artist’s growth throughout the past 15 years with full-band twangy tunes promising that no matter how old you are, you don’t really ever “stop growing up.” The AltCountry/Dream Pop formula Bonar takes on is highly recommended for fans of Mazzy Star.
Russian Circles–Guidance Genre: Post Metal, Instrumental FFO: Pelican, Isis (The Band), Red Sparrowes
True instrumental talent lies in the ability to tell a story as well as convey deeply layered emotions without the use of vocals.
Chicago Post Metal trio Russian Circles have managed to do just that quite successfully in their 12 year career time and time again and Guidance is no different. Allow Russian Circles to take your eardrums on an emotional journey like no other.
Descendents–Hypercaffium Spazzinate Genre: Punk Rock FFO: Black Flag, Bad Religion, NOFX
Milo Aukerman and the boys illustrate once more their refusal to grow up with their latest comeback LP.
Hypercaffium Spazzinate is a return to form serving as an intentional self parody the captures all of the band’s strongest moments in one compact disc.
In their almost fourty year run, the Descendents have never learned to take themselves seriously and their seventh record shows no sign of slowing despite the age of the members.
Owen–The King of Whys Genre: Indie Rock, Folk FFO: American Football, Into It. Over It, Joan of Arc
While emo veteran Mike Kinsella may sacrifice intimacy on his latest LP, what we are left with is his most textured, full-sounding album to date.
The King of Whys serves as the eighth entry to the former American Football frontman’s solo catalogue under the Owen moniker, and the first to be recorded outside of his home studio.
The record’s sound features Kinsella’s signature acoustic finger-picking beauty with a full-band, distortion heavy makeover. The raw bedside magic may take a backseat to the newly found layers of Rock instrumentation, but The King of Whys is still undoubtedly the Owen we know and love at its core.
Ringworm–Snake Church Genre: Thrash Metal, Hardcore Punk FFO: Integrity, Converge, Mindsnare
Cleveland Metallic Hardcore outfit Ringworm have proven time and time again that age is not a factor in musical intensity.
Throughout their quarter century career, Ringworm has enticed the audience with classic after classic including The Promise, Birth is Pain, Justice Replaced by Revenge, Venemous Grand Design, up until 2014’s Hammer of the Witch.
The group has served as the ideal meeting ground for metalheads and punks since their debut dropped in ’93 and modern bands in the scene should take note of their solid catalogue and mindblowing progression.
Snake Church is an intense half hour rollar coaster of heavy metal riffage and proves to be a grand addition to an already solid discography.
Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Psychadelic Rock
FFO: Dungen, The Cure, The Smiths
Swedish supergroup The Amazing return for a gloomy fourth LP jampacked with psychadelic, reverb-soaked lullabies.
Ambulance is a depressing yet enticing record from The Amazing showcasing the group’s departure into darker territories. Such a drastic change in style works well for the band and proves to be their most intriguing release thus far.
Harakiri For the Sky–III: Trauma
Genre: Black Metal, Post Rock, Melodic Hardcore, Post Metal
FFO: Deafheaven, Alcest, Totem Skin, Ulver
The marriage of Post Rock and Black Metal is not an unexplored formula in the slightest. Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, Ulver, Alcest, and many other acts have carved their mark in the style. Once the unexplained explosion of Deafheaven‘s Sunbather took place, it was hard to not find a Blackened band that referred to themselves as anything but “Blackgaze.”
However, the third LP from Hungarian duo Harakiri in the Sky adds an entirely refreshing dynamic to the genre recipe and proves to be one of the most and innovative Metal albums this year.
The songwriting features a solid foundation in the Post Rock genre featuring pristine, twinkly licks and switches back and forth upon prompt between ethereal and agressive instrumentation borrowing from elements of not only Black Metal but melody driven Hardcore Punk.
Heavy Drag–Sábana Ghost
Genre: Psychadelic Rock, Stoner Rock
FFO: Creepoid, True Widow, The Black Angels, Queens of The Stone Age
Miama-based Psych Rock outfit Heavy Drag welcomes you to their dark, pessimistic blend of entracing Psychadelia and crushing riffs that will appease the Stoner crowd.
Fans of True Widow will appreciate the tranquil, reverb-soaked vocal performances backed by crushing, Sabbath-esque riffage found throughout this debut LP’s tracklisting.
Numenorean–Home
Genre: Black Metal, Post Rock
FFO: Deafheaven, Ghostbath, Wolves in the Throne Room
Calgary-based Post-Black outfit Numenoreon avoid the brighter, melodic tendencies of the genre with their latest LP.
Home is a record centered in sorrow, horror, loss, and the death of innocence. A solid entry for fans of the Post Black movement avoiding clichès and generating atmosphere balancing beauty and horror.
Trust Punks–Double Bind
Genre: Post Punk, Jangle Pop
FFO: Wire, The Fall, Mac DeMarco, King Krule
New Zealand Post Punkers Trust Punks show a more jangley side to their sound with their sophomore album.
Double Bind pairs throwback nods to Post Punk legends such as Wire and The Fall with modern Jangle Pop influences.
Heliotropes–Over Here That Way Genre: Alternative Rock, Psychedelic Rock FFO: Black Mountain, Smashing Pumpkins, Mazzy Star
Formally an all girl affair, Brooklyn Alt Rock quartet Heliotropes resurface with a newly assembled lineup and a drastically different sound.
Over Here That Way is a World World II themed record surprisingly brighter than their debut. The band’s new-found sound conveys 90’s nostalgia finding the comfortable halfway point between the aggressive, guitar-driven nature of Smashing Pumpkins and the delicacy of Mazzy Star.
MAKE–Pilgrimage of Loathing Genre: Post Metal, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Experimental Black Metal FFO: Isis (the band), Black Tusk, Pelican
Chapel Hill Post Metal outfit MAKE‘s third LP balances a Post/Sludge combo along the likes of ISIS (the band) with elements of both Doom and Ambient Black Metal.
Pilgrimage of Loathing expresses anger towards the corrupt nature of the US Government, and the instrumental backdrop conveys these emotions flawlessly.
MJ Guider–Precious Systems Genre: Dream Pop, Synthpop, Ambient, Drone, Shoegazing, Ambient FFO: Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode, No Joy, Purity Ring
MJ Guider is the official brainchild of young artist Melissa Guion and her only companions are an army of machinery.
Allow Guion to delicately grace your eardrums with her unique, beautiful, yet destructive take on Pop music.
Precious Systems is a hazy cloud of cathedral chants, ethereal electronics, and droney ambiance guaranteed to take your mind on a journey to the deepest depths of the imagination.
No Joy–Drool Sucker Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Shoegazing, Dream Pop FFO: My Bloody Valentine, Pity Sex, Wildhoney
Drool Sucker is supposedly the first of a wave of mini albums Shoegaze quartet No Joy plans on releasing throughout the rest of the year.
A series of smaller releases as opposed to a full album is quite an interesting move in the modern music industry and while it may lessen the chances of filler it also lessens the overall strength of the album working as a cohesive unit.
Drool Sucker is only a mere three songs but all three work as solid singles and perhaps their most well-written in years.
This release/band is highly recommended for any fans of “The Scene That Celebrates Itself”. We shall see what the remainder of 2016 brings for No Joy.
16–Lifespan of a Moth Genre: Sludge Metal FFO: Crowbar, Melvins, Neurosis
If you are from from Massachusetts, you are probably sick of seeing moths at this point. However, if you are a Metal head, I strongly recommend you give the new 16 record a spin.
’90s Sludge sensations 16 maintain heir claim to fame with a solid LP proving once again that Relapse Records has been absolute killing the Metal scene in 2016.
Lifespan of a Moth may appear linear at first listen, but every point is hit and every track is as well written as it is crushing.
Aphex Twin–Cheetah EP Genre: Techno FFO: Squarepusher, Boards of Canada, Daft Punk (old)
Electronic legend Richard D. James is at it again with another release encompassing his bizarre antics as well as his ambient tendencies.
Cheetah boasts a more simplistic take on the Aphex formula with a safer tempo approach one can groove to without having a panic attack.
The latest release from Aphex Twin is the ideal launch pad for newcomers to the nonsensical nature of Richard D. James as well as rookies to the wonderful world of techno itself.
However, this does not take away from the brilliance of Cheetah in the slightest.
Asphalt Graves–The New Primitive Genre: Death Metal, Grindcore FFO: Nails, The Red Chord, Dying Fetus
Many of you probably have the new Nails record on constant rotation aching for more, and I have incredibly good news for that specific demographic:
Asphalt Graves is a Richmond, Virginia-based “Deathgrind” supergroup consisting of members of Dying Fetus, Gwar, and The Black Dahlia Murder and they just released a debut LP that is guaranteed to melt your face right off.
The New Primitive is a no-nonsense 25 minute burst of anger and ferocity. There is no technicalities. No pristine solos. Just straight brutality right off the cuff. The Avalanches–Wildflower Genre: Electronica, Ambient, Psychedelic, Hip Hop, Dance, Disco Pop, Plunderphonics FFO: Gorillaz, MF Doom, Toro y Moi
It’s been a long sixteen years since Australia’s The Avalanches dropped their electronic, sample-driven opus known as Since I Left You.
Rumors of a follow up record have popped up again and again for the past decade and a half and now it’s FINALLY here. The group’s long-awaited sophomore effort picks up exactly where they “left us.”
Wildflower is a colorful collection of sun-soaked, sample-driven pop tracks guaranteed to be our summer anthems.
Guest spots include Father John Misty, Danny Brown, MF Doom, and many more.
Think of Wildflower as Since I Left You‘s highly anticipated sequel that patiently waited for its time to shine with a more modernized take on the music industry. Just try to imagine the vast differences in pop culture jabs the recently announced Spaceballs sequel has in store. This is the musical equivalent.
You may know Toronto Experimental Jazz quartet BadBadNotGood from their well-received collaboration record with the one and the only Ghostface Killah of Wu Tang fame.
Sour Soul showcased a more laid-back, aged Ghost blending into the euphoric jazz-funk instrumentals provided by the BadBadNotGood ensemble.
The group’s follow up and fourth studio LP simply titled IV once again proves why this band was hand-chosen by Ghostface himself.
Immerse yourself in captivating, smooth jazz borrowing from elements of genres along the likes of Hip Hop, R&B, Funk, and many more.
Copywrite–Blood, Bath, & Beyond Genre: Hip Hop, Rap FFO: Cage, RJD2, Sean Price
Columbus, Ohio’s underground Hip Hop act Peter William Nelson (aka Copywrite) storms the scene with a fourth LP dealing with far more personal matters than predecessors.
Substance abuse, loss of a loved one, and many more intimate themes encompass the newfound heart-on-sleeve lyrical stylings found on Blood, Bath, & Beyond.
Nelson’s sincerity, individualism, and commitments to never selling out come across powerfully with each lyric spat.
Frameworks–Smother Genre: Screamo, Melodic Hardcore FFO: Touche Amorè, Barrow, Pianos Become the Teeth
The sophomore LP from Gainesville, Florida’s Frameworks channels a far more aggressive and passionate take on the Screamo genre than their debut.
Smothered is a loud whirlwind of emotions finding the ideal meeting ground between raw screamo and pristine, beautiful Melodic Hardcore. Gone is Gone-“Self Titled EP” Genre: Rock, Progressive Rock FFO: Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, Failure
Gone is Gone is an LA-based rock trio consisting of members of Mastodon, At the Drive In, and Queens of the Stone Age.
With Troy Sanders taking vocal command, the group’s surface sound bares a striking resemblance to Mastodon‘s, but the overall edge is less metallic, and the songwriting approach is far more linear but not void of progression.
Gone is Gone‘s debut EP is a hard-hitting, straight-forward rock experience that achieves a strong atmosphere on every level.
Ian William Craig–Centres Genre: Drone, Avant Garde, Ambient, Electronic, Neo Classical, Post Rock FFO: Sigur Ros, Boris, Merzbow
Perhaps this week’s most ambitious release comes from the heart of Vancouver, Canada.
Known for his unique usage of cassette players, synthesizers, and reel to reel machines to create entrancing ambience and powerfully atmospheric drone, Ian William Craig continues to illustrate his mastery of the art with his ninth LP.
Centres is a self destructive abstract piece where each textured layer of sound feels like a paint stroke with our ears as its canvas.
Inter Arma–Paradise Gallows Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Black Metal FFO: Ulcerate, Neurosis, Black Tusk, Terra Tenebrosa
Richmond’s sinister sludge outfit Inter Arma strike back with a crushing third LP.
Paradise Gallows expands upon the group’s signature three way blend of Doom, Sludge, and Black Metal with shifting tempos and vocal ranges finding the ideal balance of horror and chaotic brutality.
Omni–Deluxe Genre: Post Punk, Indie Rock FFO: Protomartyr, Interpol, The Strokes, Wire
Meet Omni.
They are a Post Punk-inspired Indie Rock trio based out of Atlanta, Georgia fronted by Frankie Balkans (formerly of Deerhunter fame).
Their debut LP Deluxe is a fun, bright, poppy take on the genre basking in the sounds of ’80s era nostalgia.
The record is filled with funky arpeggio-based riffage coupled with some jangley, toe-tapping tunes.
ScHoolboy Q–Blank Face Genre: Hip Hop, Rap FFO: Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Mozzy
West Coast Hip Hop titan ScHoolboy Q makes no comprises releasing his most ambitious yet least mainstream-sounding effort to date.
Blank Face is LP number four for Q and here we see the artist spending a good chunk of the record revisiting 90’s Gangsta Rap flavors similar to the likes of Wu Tang.
Many will agree the 90’s era of Hip Hop saw the most passionate, authentic form of street poetry and Blank Face serves as a tip of the hat to that era whilst blending modern sensibilities in the mix (such as a cameo from Kanye).
TTNG–Disappointment Island Genre: Emo, Math Rock, Indie Rock FFO: American Football, Foxing, Minus The Bear
UK Math Rockers TTNG (fka This Town Needs Guns) have very little to prove after two fantastic LPs illustrating a flawless balance between pristine, twinkly Emo and busy, complex Math instrumentation.
The group’s third LP Disappointment Island shows a more relaxing melancholic songwriting approach while still far more simple instrumentation.
The record may appear less jaw-dropping than its predecessors at first listen, but it is a solid addition to TTNG‘s catalogue comfortably seeking a more mature surface to scratch.
Wolverine–Machina Viva Genre: Progressive Metal FFO: Between the Buried and Me, Dream Theater, Candlemass
Swedish “Progmetal” act Wolverine strike back with a deeply layered, textured fifth LP.
Machine Viva is multi-dimensional Prog experience calling upon endless layers of strong, graceful, lush, atmospheric instrumentation with heavy usage of dark electronics and subtle trumpet and string usage.
The vocal performance may sound dated but it remains true to the core of Wolverine‘s signature style and only serve as a mere spice to the complex recipe that is Machina Viva.
Gøggs-“Self-Titled” Genre: Post Punk, Noise Rock, Garage Rock, Lo-Fi FFO: Ex-Cult, Ty Segall, Fuzz
Gøggs is the yet another project brought to you by Garage Rock master Ty Segall.
The trio functions as a unique supergroup trio fronted by Ex-Cult‘s Chris Shaw backed by Segall‘s signature fuzzy, raw riffage.
What makes Gøggs different than the many Segall incarnations is its fast-paced, abrasive Punk Rock nature coupled with Shaw‘s low-pitched shouted vocals making a unique contrast to Segall‘s high pitched, shrieky presentation.
Any fans of Punk Rock or many of Ty Segall‘s musical achievements should check this new one out.
Grave Desecrator–Dust To Lust Genre: Blackened Death Metal FFO: Behemoth, Entombed, Obituary
Brazillian Blackened Death ensemble Grave Desecrator release their first LP since 2011 this week.
Dust to Lust summons the most evil, brutal elements of both Black and Death touching upon the occult, violence, lust, their views on religion, and the dark nature of manking.
Nothing groundbreaking here but the formula works and sounds as fresh and horrifying as ever.
San Francisco’s Noise pop quartet Deerhoof manages to still maintain strong flavor despite being chewed by increasing audiences worldwide for two decades. Album number sixteen still maintains frontwoman Satomi Matsuzaki’s signature, jovial vocal performance hovering over mathy, avante garde instrumentation blending pop and noise rock. The Magic lies in the group’s newfound genre playground toying with Punk, Metal, Hip Hop, Dream Pop, and R&B this time around. If you long to pursue music that pushes boundries, I’d say The Magic is as good of a starting point as any.
Less Win–Trust
Genre: Post Punk, Noise Rock
FFO: Iceage, LOWER, Eagulls, King Krule
Danish Post Punk trio Less Win shatters genre’s clichès with a captivating, dense, debut LP experimenting with various unique instrumentation whilst maintaining a rock solid edge guaranteed to win over fans of the current Post Punk revival movement.
Puro Instinct–Autodrama
Genre: Synthpop, Dream Pop
FFO: Tamyrn, Purity Ring, Cocteau Twins
The sophomore LP from Los Angeles pop duo Puro Instinct is a fun, sugary-sweet, dance album blending ’80’s era dreamy nostalgia with more modern sensibilities as well.
RiFF RAFF–PEACH PANTHER
GENRE: VERSACE HiP HOP
FFO: CODEiNE, HUSKYS, DiAMONDS, MAKiN’ iT RAIN
THE MOST LONG-AWAITED ALBUM IN THE HISTORY OF HiP HOP IS HERE. FORGET “DETOX” NONSENSE GET YOUR VERSACE HEADPHONES READY FOR THE GREATEST MUSiCAL EXPERiENCE SINCE NEON iCON. RiFF RAFF SWITCHED HIS SOUND UP WITH THIS FOLLOW UP SOPHOMORE LP PROViN’ THE HATERS THEY AiNT GOT SHiT ON THE PEACH PANTHER. GRAB SOME KOKAYNE AND YOUR LOVED ONES AND GET READY FOR JODY HiGHROLLER DOiN’ WHAT HE DOES BEST.
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.
Genre: Progressive Rock, Post Hardcore, Ambient Black Metal, Shoegazing
FFO: Saosin, Of Machines, Alcest, Deafheaven
Hailing from Groverland, Massachusetts, self-coined “Dream Thrash” outfit Astronoid release a truly refreshing debut LP blending the Post Hardcore/Emo tendencies of groups such as Saosin, Circa Survive, or Of Machines with bright, dreamy, optimistic, atmospheric Black Metal musicianship along the lines of Alcest of Deafheaven. The result of this unorthodox recipe is as satisfying as it is bizarre.
Earring–Tunn Star
Genre: Post Punk, Stoner Rock, Psychadelic Rock, Sludge Metal, Emo
FFO: Cloakroom, Solids, Great Pig Pile of Leaves, True Widow
Chicago rock duo Earring deliver an immersive, genre bending LP catering to fans of both Emo and Stoner Rock. Tunn Star consists of a deep, baritone vocal performance floating graciously above vast plains of droney riffage alternating between pristine licks and crushing sludge.
Sumac–What One Becomes
Genre: Post Metal, Sludge Metal
FFO: Isis (The Band), The Ocean Collective, Neurosis
Aaron Turner of Isis (The Band) fame has been hard at work with various musical endeavors (Mammifer, Old Man Gloom, House of Low Culture, Sumac) since Isis disbanded in 2010. It goes without saying Sumac is undoubtedly his heaviest project yet zeroing in on every intense and aggressive aspect Isis previously displayed generating a far more crushing take on the Post/Sludge Metal hybrid the group became known for. What One Becomes is highly recommended for any metal head looking for brutality they can get lost in.
