Category: staff picks

New Metal

Check out these new releases in our Headbanger Listening Station!

Revocation – Chaos of Forms

Exploding out of Boston, these thrashing tech-death masters have unleashed their third album (and second on Relapse) to the masses. Strewn with references to some of the gods in the pantheon of metal-dom, I have no doubt that this will be on many year-end best of lists. If you’ve got eyes, keep them fixed on these guys.

STAFF RECOMMENDED

Check this out if you like Slayer, Necrophagist, and Evile

 

Architects – The Here and Now

With three albums under their belt, Architects have now come around with a fairly different sound. The Here and Now sees the use of less technical aspects and a bit of a push towards a more post-hardcore, poppy sound. They’re still searching for their exact niche, but it should only be a matter of time until they’ve found it.

Check this out if you like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Bring Me the Horizon, and A Day to Remember

 
 
Arch Enemy – Khaos Legions

For over ten years now, Arch Enemy have been able to lay claim to arguably the most infamous female vocalist in metal. Fortunately, Angela Gossow’s pipes have been showing no signs of letting up and she still sounds as horrifying as she did way back on Wages of Sin. The rest of the band has also shown great resolve, with Khaos Legions being one of their best releases in years.

Check this out if you like In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and At the Gates

New Metal (not nu metal)

Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction

Devin Townsend is most famous for Strapping Young Lad, but said band was dissolved way back in ’06. Since, he’s embarked on many endeavors. Deconstruction is the last in a four-album series which began with 2009’s Ki. There’s lots of craziness, with influences ranging from black metal to industrial metal and even a little carnival waltz in one song.

Check this out if you like Fear Factory, Dimmu Borgir, and Dream Theater

STAFF RECOMMENDED

Origin – Entity
In the tech-death world, Origin are certainly a household name. Coming off the heels of their acclaimed 2008 release Antithesis, we are now getting Entity, yet another excellent album. Keep in mind, though, that this is not light stuff. If you like your lyrics discernible, time signatures straightforward, and guitars in standard tuning, this isn’t for you.

Check this out if you like Necrophagist, Brain Drill, and Decrepit Birth

 

Turbid North – Orogeny

 Alaska never exactly been a haven for metal bands. However, Turbid North, a fresh band out of the tiny city of North Pole, could be spearheading something. With a sound somewhere in between groove thrash, and proggy NWOAHM bands, expect to see these young eskimos gain some ground in the wake of their sophomore release.

Check this out if you like DevilDriver, Evile, and Slayer

What’s New at Pure Pop: Metal

Check out these new releases in our Headbanger listening station!

Tombs – Path of Totality

Third album from these Brooklyn-based behemoths. They wield a deftly constructed combination of black-, sludge-, and post-metal and come across tighter than on any other release with this effort. Expect Path of Totality to breathe a little cold air into our lives when it gets hot this Summer.

Check this out if you like Isis, Kylesa, and Immortal

STAFF RECOMMENDED

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COHNQjtOsaE]

 

 

Portrait – Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae

Recently, with bands like White Wizzard, Ghost, and Cauldron, the metal sound of the ’80s has seen an incredibly renaissance. Portrait, a Swedish quintet, are one of those carrying the torch in this movement. On Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae, a sophomore release, they prove themselves able to walk among the godfathers of metal.

Check this out if you like Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cywlJWyzS-k]

 

 

Scar Symmetry – The Unseen Empire

With several years and four previous albums under their belt, it finally seems like Scar Symmetry are coming unto their own. The Unseen Empire, their fifth release, contains everything you’d expect from the band at this point: down-tuned, Meshuggah-esque guitars, contrasting clean and growled vocals, and the occasional synthesized texture. Don’t expect any surprises, but if you like what the band’s done in the past, you should be satisfied.

Check this out if you like In Flames, Meshuggah, and At the Gates

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArELZEYr444]