St. John’s alternative rock / hard rock / grunge band Alter have released a brand new EP. Entitled Currents and Unknowns, this EP contains four tracks and was initially released on May 20th, 2023 but was only recently uploaded to Bandcamp.
You can listen to Currents and Unknowns through our Bandcamp embed below.
~ Akhenaten
Blockbuster is a new slowcore / alternative rock / shoegaze / grunge band from Liam, Kyle, and Jacob Cherwick, a trio of musicians whose musical output is unceasing and ever-growing. The band released their first recordings, a pair of singles, through Bandcamp on April 26th, 2024. The tracks in question are entitled “Phone Calls” and “YouTube”.
You can listen to Phone Calls / YouTube through our Bandcamp embed below.
~ Akhenaten
Despite being on the road in a completely different country I still will find the time to provide you with eight killer album recommendations because music is what makes the world go round. On that topic I’ve encountered a number of bands over the past week that definitely deserve a bigger audience.
Black
The first time I was exposed to Infant Island it was when they were added last minute to a huge mixed bill that featured the likes of Gatecreeper and Fearing. It was odd but given how mixed the bill was I guess it made sense to toss a screamo band on there. Admittedly I wasn’t all that into them for this live show but decided to check out their new record when it dropped earlier this year and was shocked to find out just how damn much I liked it. This album is fucking phenomenal, featuring tons of atmosphere, triumphant guitar work that screams out over relentless blast beats and passages of intense, cathartic screaming. Screamo and black metal may seem at polar ends of the musical spectrum but bands like Infant Island manage to bridge that gap almost flawlessly and this record is proof of that. Obsidian Wreath is a phenomenal release that deserves your attention.
Death
Eyecatcher is a four piece death metal outfit that my own band Ratpiss played with while on tour in Long Island City, New York. This Maryland quartet was amazing in the live setting and their brand of Obituary / Power Trip worshipping death metal was right up my alley. Checking them out on the recording side of things I am happy to report that their first self-titled release is just as good sounding as the live versions of these songs were. This is ripping death metal with thrash metal and grindcore influence that would not go unwelcome on a playlist next to bands like Frozen Soul and Sanguisugabogg. While this EP is “blink and you’ll miss it” short, it’s packed with more killer riffs and drum beats that you can shake a disembodied leg at. If the cover art doesn’t sell you on it already, let the song titles like “Blood Carnival” and “Wormtongue” entice into the grotesque nature that awaits.
Doom
I was first introduced to Horndal through my friend Tyler. Admittedly when I first checked it out I wasn’t sure about it but after numerous repeat listens it dawned on me: this album is fucking incredible. This thing combines elements of the bright, harmonized guitar work of groups like Thin Lizzy or Kvelertak along with the progressive riffing nature of bands like Mastodon as well as the raw sense of urban decay ushered in by bands like Tombs or Morne to create a sound I’ve never quite heard before. This thing is a beast of modern metal, and not in the same way that people describe Lamb of God. This is the pinnacle of modern metal music, utilizing every aspect of heavy music that I personally love in such a way that I’ve never been privy to. It’s experimental while also being catchy as fuck, all while the gruff caveman vocals detail stories about the history and legends of the band’s hometown for which they are named.
Prog
Orbs was a band of particular interest to me back in 2010 when they first emerged onto the scene of modern, nu-progressive artists that had readers of the blog Heavy Blog is Heavy fawning. Featuring such notable names as Dan Briggs from Between the Buried and Me, Adam Fisher of Fear Before the March of Flames, and Ashley Jurgemeyer of Abigail Williams, this was a supergroup of sorts that existed to blend elements of jazz, prog, and space rock with a post-hardcore affectation and approach to songwriting, and holy moly did they ever knock it out of the park. Almost 15 years after the fact I still come back to this album and can sing along to all the words like no time at all has passed. Relentlessly interesting and masterfully composed with hooks for days both on the vocal front as well as the instrumental front, it’s a shame Orbs hasn’t been more active in the intervening years.
Punk
Another band that Ratpiss has shared the stage with, multiple times now. Philadelphia’s Diuretic absolutely fucking rule. Not only are they super cool people, but their music fucking rips too. The band has released one EP and a demo as of their existence so far, with Martyrfucker being the most recent effort. Pissed off, aggressive, loud and nasty, this is grindcore as it should be. Along with the general angry vibe of the music it also sounds raw as fuck. It’s not really “pure” grindcore in a sense since most of the music on here doesn’t rely exclusively on blast beats, and there are a lot of groovier sections with two-step parts that lean them a little bit more towards the hardcore punk side of grindcore. That said Diuretic is still full of angst, piss, and vinegar, and this EP is a prime example of just what the Philadelphia grind scene has to offer.
Thrash
This Montreal thrash trio, which has since evolved into a quartet, have been slowly making a name for themselves over the past year in Quebec and the wider Eastern Canadian scene. Taking influence from both the realms of old school thrash metal legends like Slayer and Anthrax as well as newer crossover institutions, the band doesn’t really fall squarely into one category or another. There’s a hefty amount of hardcore punk influence going on here, especially on the EP’s opener “Chernobyl”, but the ripping thrash doesn’t take long to kick in. Guitarist Christophe Michaud has one goal in mind and that’s to rip your head from your neck by making you headbang like a fucking lunatic. He accomplishes that goal in spades on here, while making sure the punk influence keeps things fun and upbeat.
Trad
Vancouver’s Gatekeeper are the best kept secret in the world of the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal originating from Canada. This band embraces every classic metal cliche, taking as much influence from bands like King Diamond and Mercyful Fate as they do bands like Blind Guardian. They straddle the line between old school heavy metal outfits like Dio as well as pure power metal that emerged from Europe in the 80’s and 90’s a la Helloween. Delightfully melodic and impossibly catchy, every song on this record is absolute fucking banger and deserves to be blasted at max volume. With lyrics inspired by the works of famous fantasy and horror authors like Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, listening to this album makes me feel like Conan the goddamned barbarian, riding a mighty steed across the plains of uncharted wilderness, a great broadsword strapped across my back.
Non-Metal
Have you ever been on a long-ass drive that you started early in the day, like before noon, and you keep on screaming down the highway, still having not reached your final destination as the sun goes down behind the hills and it seems like night is going to last forever? You’ve had one too many energy drinks and you’re wearing sunglasses to minimize the glare of the searing lights of the construction zone you’re passing through? Well this album is the soundtrack to that vibe. This is a night driving album if there ever was one. Much like other synthwave artists like Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, or Filmmaker, Com Truise has made a career off of perfectly encapsulating the atmosphere of the liminal space that is a highway after dark. That said Com Truise’s music is a bit more chillwave-leaning than the retro and horror inspired vibes of those other artists, but the comparison is still apt.
~ Akhenaten
St. John’s blackened thrash metal trio Goreforge are returning for their first show in a considerable amount of time on Saturday, April 27th at the Gower Street United Church, and to commemorate their triumphant return the band has had a batch of t-shirts printed. The shirts feature the cover art from the band’s first album Mythos. You can get these shirts at the show tomorrow.
~ Akhenaten
St. John’s blackened experimental hardcore outfit The Order of the Precious Blood have revealed new t-shirts that they’re selling at their upcoming shows and upcoming Maritime tour. The shirts were first revealed through social media on Friday, April 19th, 2024 and feature art designed by Kris Thornhill.
~ Akhenaten
Happy Valley-Goose Bay stoner rock / doom metal outfit Wild Step have returned with their first new release since 2021. This new demo, entitled Demo 2024, was released on April 20th, 2024 and featured three demo recordings of songs that will be featured on their upcoming full length record. This is also the first release from the band to feature Mike Murphy on second guitar and John Wall on drums.
You can listen to Demo 2024 by Wild Step through our Bandcamp embed below.
~ Akhenaten
St. John’s hardcore band MiR have released their debut recording. The new release is a self-titled EP that dropped on April 20th, 2024 and features seven tracks of ripping, metallic hardcore. The EP can be found on streaming services as well as Bandcamp.
You can listen to MiR by MiR through our Bandcamp embed below.
~ Akhenaten
St. John’s hardcore band Of the Black have released their first piece of new music since 2020. Their new EP, entitled A Structured Narrative, is the first since 2020’s series of five EPs numbered One through Five which dropped over the course of that year. This new EP features 6 tracks, was recorded at Paradise Sound Studio and was mixed by Bryan O’Reilly. It was released on April 16th, 2024.
You can listen to A Structured Narrative through our Bandcamp embed below.
~ Akhenaten
St. John’s avant-garde / jazzcore band Killer 9000 have revealed new t-shirts that feature the band’s logo in white against a black backdrop. The shirts will be available at the band’s show tonight at the Peter Easton Pub alongside The Order of the Precious Blood, Of the Black, and Kaspam Cult.
~ Akhenaten
As I’m ready to head off into lands unknown I figured I’d leave you with one more entry into The Scrolls of Akhenaten to tide you over until next week. Read on, dear viewers, for a heavy helping of hellbound hymns.
Black
If you don’t know Japanese blackened crust outfit Gallhammer then you should. This band is one of the few who I’ve ever heard properly emulate the sound of Darkthrone’s crust punk era, and while it may not be a perfect emulation, it’s close enough in spirit that it more than earns its status as a legendary record in metalpunk circles. it’s got it’s own flair for the disgusting and the ethereal and melds both of them together wonderfully. The song “Crucifixion” should be a crust anthem, in my opinion. There’s a significant amount of disgusting atmosphere that this album is drenched in from front to back, as if the whole thing was dipped into a sickly mixture of vomit and other bodily fluids. It’s gross and offensive to the senses, and I love every second of it. It’s a shame that the band is currently on hiatus as I would love to hear with this Japanese trio would have to offer in the modern day, but for now this album is always great to come back to.
Death
Death metal warriors Necrot have more than made a name for themselves in recent years following their past few records which have been warmly and well received in extreme metal circles. This new album of theirs, Lifeless Birth, is no different. While Necrot aren’t exactly breaking new ground with this album they are doing what they do very well, and as my friend Tristan put it, I can feel my IQ being lowered with every caveman riff they heave upon my eardrums. The song “Drill the Skull”, which was released as a single ahead of the album’s full release, set the stage for what’s to come, but is honestly one of the best tracks on the record. It’s low down, dirty, groovy, and filthy as fuck, with this awesome start-stop riff during the chorus. Inspired as much by Cannibal Corpse as they are by their contemporaries, it’s not shocking Necrot has achieved the level of popularity they have. They deserve it.
Doom
Faetooth are a particular breed of doom that I truly wish was more prevalent. This atmospheric brand is softer and quieter than most doom metal but still packs a hell of a punch. It’s elegant and pretty but dark and brooding and filled with nothing but catchy hook after catchy hook. If you listen to only one doom record today, make it this one. Every one of the songs on this album is not only dark and moody, but also immensely catchy. The ending track “Saturn Devouring His Son” is a monolithic piece of doom where their singer repeats “First the head, and then the bod’, and half his blood, spills down the jaw” is impossible to get out of my head. This is only the first full length offering from this California crew but considering the quality of it then I’m excited to hear whatever they come out with next.
Prog
Cell Press have been around the Montreal underground music scene for a while now but this is their first full length offering and holy shit does it absolutely rule. This album really defies description as while the foundation of it is noise rock it incorporates elements of sludge metal, grindcore, mathcore, and prog into the entire mixture. There are some very strange time signature changes and tempo switch-ups on this thing that, while I’m used to now as I’ve listened to umpteen thousand times, definitely threw me for a loop when it first came out. It’s chaotic and frenetic, with nothing but killer riff after killer riff along with mesmerizing drumming throughout the entire runtime. Noise rock is a bit of a hit or miss genre for me but this one is a banger. Don’t let it pass you up.
Punk
Another group from Montreal who have been around the city for some time these past few years. I’ve seen this group play live a bunch of times and every time it’s always an enrapturing experience. Their brand of atmospheric, depressive post-punk is addictive, catchy as hell, and fun as fuck to listen to. The same can be said for this release, the band’s second EP, which dropped last year. If you want to listen to Gothic punk that’s both insanely danceable as well as something that’ll put you in a dour mood then this EP is for you. The Montreal punk scene is full of tons of great post punk and Ilusión are just one of many who are injecting new life into a genre that had its heydey decades ago.
Thrash
Another new release that came out just last week, this album totally shocked me by its quality. I was already aware of Vulture but when I listened to this new album it totally took me aback due to just how great it is. If you like old school thrash metal from the 80’s then this album is absolutely without a doubt for you. Everything from the quality of the songwriting to the production on this album to the vocal affectation just screams 80’s, and as such this album is right up my alley. Songs like “Transylvania”, “Realm of the Impaler”, and “Where There’s a Whip (There’s a Way)” just absolutely rip. So far 2024 has already been a fantastic year for new releases but Vulture has slowly woven its way to the top echelon of my list.
Trad
I know that this may be considered blasphemous in some circles but I don’t care. Attic does what King Diamond and Mercyful Fate did but better. It’s the same style of vocals, mimicking the King to a tee. Yet their riffs are just so much more interesting and engaging than the material found on those early Fate records. It is often said that those who pioneer something are not those who perfect it, and I think this album is the prime example of that. The musicianship present on this record is just more compelling and creative, and I love every second of it. Every moment of this album grabs you by the balls and doesn’t let go, telling a horrific Gothic tale of nuns, convents, illicit love affairs, and demonic births. It’s a fantastic record, and while Attic did just release their first new album in many years a few weeks back, this is the one that I always find myself coming back to.
Non-Metal
I first discovered Rodrigo Y Gabriela through the Rock Band series of video games years ago as a teenager. Their brand of acoustic-only rock music derives itself from flamenco music as much as heavy metal, as the band’s two members have influences that are far reaching across the music spectrum. Regardless of influences, their playing abilities and musical acumen cannot be disputed. Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are absolute shredders on their respective acoustic guitars and showcase the total speed and precision that they are capable of from front to back on this thing. On top of that the music isn’t just technical and masterfully performed, it’s also tasteful and catchy as hell. Every song on this record stands apart on its own and offers hooks for days, sinking their claws into you and forcing you to dance with reprieveless gusto. It may be metal in spirit, but defies genre expectation.
~ Akhenaten
HeavyNFLD 