Lightest month of releases this year, at least from my lists, but there are a couple that will most likely end up on my year end list. Australian bands are heavy on my list this month. I’ve had the list basically done for a few days but with the last release date being the 31st I wanted to give it a couple of days to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
The Pulse of Annihilation by Psycroptic
Technical Death Metal from Australia
These monthly lists are not typically in any specific order but this is my favorite one from this month. Absolute banger. I have a couple of their CD’s but after this one, I really need to revisit their entire catalog. Jon Barbas over at Heavy Metal Philosophy said we are missing groove when it comes to tech death. And he’s absolutely right. It fits in perfectly here.
Parable Of The Sewer by Faustian
Black Metal from Australia
Debut album after an EP from these guys. Formed from the members of death metal supergroup Werewolves. Which is all I needed to check this one out since I’m a big fan of theirs. The Werewolves release from last year was fantastic and they have another one coming out later this year so they’re keeping themselves busy.
Sink Towards The Light by In Throes
Atmospheric Post Black Metal from Australia
Another debut release from an Australian band. Really solid album. Some slow parts sprinkled in with the sludge-y post black metal with lyrics focusing on sorrow, grief and self loathing.
Dreaming by Litosth
Melodic Blackened Death Metal from Brazil
Fourth album from this duo. From their Bandcamp, “The album descends layer by layer through what remains when everything that was imposed is stripped away: faith, morality, purpose, and the illusion of ascent. What remains is not liberation. It is only ashes, emptiness, and silence.”
A Universe Bereaved by Destruction of the Healer
Melodic Death Metal from Australia
Fourth really good album from Australia this month. Second release from this band with this one being more technical and brutal than their previous album but still maintaining the melodic parts.
And the honorable mention section:
Death / Doom from Italy. Being an EP, it didn’t make the main list but it is still worth mentioning.
Groove Metal from the US. To me, this is their best release in years.
Debut album from these guys out of Canada spanning several subgenres and is worth a listen.