Metal playlists from the underground
Harpoon is a Chicago-based duo (now beefed up to a trio) whose grindcore meets metal batterings are backed by programmed drums, an element that sets a definitive tone for DOUBLE GNARLY/TRIPLE SUICIDE. Coming off as sterile and clinical when artificial beats become inhumanly overbearing (“Throngs”) despite maintaining a crushing concoction of blasting guitars and glass-gargled […]
Blistering speed and sheer volatility fused together best describes the aural assault San Francisco quintet Voetsek are responsible for on their 17-track, 21-minute punk meets power violence excursion. Fronted by a female vocalist who sounds like she’s undergoing an exorcism, this squad’s blend of throttling thrash metal guitars (“Frozen Heart,” “Bully With a Badge”) and […]
Nashville, TN outfit Shirock comprise their 12-track offering EVERYTHING BURNS with a plethora of stadium-filling choruses and big rock mystique, developing a huge sound likening the band to U2 or Oasis (“Drag You Down”). Slick production screaming for adult alternative airplay, flawless male-female vocal tradeoffs, and the familiarity tracks like grandiose “Time Goes By” radiates […]
Swedish death metal merchants Those Who Bring The Torture reinforce their band’s moniker by carrying out a sublime shot of what their name suggests on TANK GASMASK AMMO. While this quartet won’t be scoring any awards for most unique metal crew, their ’90s death metal meets groovy grindcore redux (“All Hail The Goat”) fits snugly […]
For all of you guitarists that are frustrated by practicing songs without a full backing band, there is a great piece of computer software out there called Guitar Pro that allows you to fully rock out to your favorite tunes. With rhythm guitars, vocal melodies, bass lines, and drum patterns, your private practicing will become […]
Connecticut-based classic power metal band Sacred Oath issues this 10 track self-titled release with blistering thrash guitar riffs and licks that take the listener on a mid-1980’s flashback. Dio-esque vocals, galloping guitars, and aggressive drumming lead the charge on Sacred Oath approximately 22 years too late, and not in the good Anvil sort of way. […]
German experimental hardcore troupe flu.ID have made an album proper by repackaging two previous 10-inch releases with a few bonus tracks and a strange assortment of electronic interludes to create a 15-track collection of schizophrenic heaviness and offbeat weirdness titled IOTS. Imagine Refused jamming out with Dillinger Escape Plan while a techno party looms in […]
Exploring the epic evilness of the black and pagan metal scenes, German by way of Central Asian (Kyrgyzstan to be exact) unit Darkestah have plotted out a dastardly five-track, 54-minute excursion laden with a folksy degree of traditional instrumentation and a general sense of damnation seeping through this squad’s infernal pores (“Inner Voice”). Fortified by […]
Welsh troupe Lethargy bundle hard rock heft of the 90’swith progressive rock compositions and classic rock durability into their 11-track sophomore sojourn PURIFICATION. Sounding at times like a cross between Porcupine Tree, Staind, Alice in Chains, and Warrior Soul, tracks like “Bleechin’ Bones” and “14:9” pack a wallop with its mid-tempo mix of melodic metal […]
Long overdue, prolific NYC punk troupe Blackout Shoppers have unleashed a proper album in the form of PASS OUT. Overflowing with the spirit of the NYC underground prior to the gentrification of the LES, this tenacious 20 track assault embraces hardcore punk’s roots and NYHC mayhem to kick up a sterling showcase of sneering anarchic […]