Written by Westin, Kep, Ellis, Rae-Aila, and Kirk
Well folks, the year is halfway over. That means 50% of 2023’s release Fridays are in the past. And while much of the world seems to be going to the shithouse (especially in the US), at least our cup is overflowing with kickass music. Let’s run over the music from June that we, the Noob Heavy writing staff, loved.
As usual, here are quick links to our reviews of June releases:
Pupil Slicer – Blossom
Thantifaxath – Hive Mind Narcosis
Eremit – Wearer of Numerous Forms
Project: Roenwolfe – Project: Roenwolfe
Rană – Richtfeurer
Memorrhage – Memorrhage
…Stay… – tears of happiness
Voidhaven – Lithic
All Men Unto Me – In Chemical Transit
Burner – It All Returns to Nothing
Mothman and the Thunderbirds – Gazer
None – Inevitable
Now on to more June favorites!
Creeping Death – Boundless Domain
Death metal/hardcore from the US
The Texas hardcore/thrash/death metal crossover local scene has exposed the world to a glut of fresh young bands doing exciting things in one of the most retread genres in the underground. The largely independent Creeping Death have been steadily building up a following after last year’s acclaimed Edge of Existence EP, and the long awaited sophmore LP does not disappoint. Full of dive bombs, groovy bass highlights, sick solos, and the burning energy of the scene’s hardcore origins, this album just kicks ass and keeps kicking ass the entire time. This is going to be a definitive album for not just the band but the wave as a whole.
– Westin
The Mosaic Window – Plight of Acceptance
Melodic black metal from the US
From one-man force Andrew Steven Brown comes this, the project’s debut full-length which follows 2021’s Hollow EP. I almost missed it, but the artwork caught my eye and thank goodness for that, because Plight of Acceptance is a fantastic record. This is the sort of melodic black metal that sticks with you after the listen ends, with searing leads that work their way into your memory and a palpable sense of spectral melancholy pervading all. The guitarwork is the star, of course, as Brown makes great use of his fiery tone and burns through viciously singing riff after viciously singing riff, occasionally peeling off for a bit of wail-and-shred soloing or grasping desperately at your chest with mournful long lines. And the performance on drums and vocals measures up, with crisp driving rhythms and throaty, haunted cries (plus a few eerie cleans) that are perfect enhancers to that killer guitar. Add in a high-quality mixing and mastering job courtesy of Horrendous frontman and prolific producer Damian Herring (a massive upgrade from the sound on that first EP) and you’ve got one of the most pleasant surprises of the year so far. Plight of Acceptance is outstanding.
– Kep
Miracle – Miracle
Metallic hardcore from the US
Miracle share members with memento., they’ve released their debut EP on The Coming Strife, and they’re from Florida: that’s three huge ticks right off the bat for a metallic hardcore band and the four tracks presented on the record do not disappoint in the slightest. There’s something about the sound that feels very distinct to their home state in particular, that more melodic edge to the ferocity pioneered by the likes of Strongarm and later made way bigger by bands like Poison the Well and Shai Hulud. In Miracle’s case though, the emphasis is definitely more on the 90s side of things, with a bit more pain and strain in the vocals and a nice amount of rawness on the production that often sounds way better than the more polished stuff that came later. Apparently they’re all vegan too which may or may not be an additional selling point for you, but definitely reflects a care for the environment and the world around them which should always count as a W.
– Ellis
Twisted Horn – There is Only Gasoline in Heaven
DSBM/blackgaze from Australia
One of the glories of using Bandcamp is running into things you feel like you shouldn’t be finding. On a random scroll session, I discovered “There is Only Gasoline in Heaven”, the fourth release from the Sydney, Australia DBSM/blackgaze act Twisted Horn. Full of sparkly riffs and drowned-out screams, the 30-minute project sounds as if there was a lovechild between Deafheaven and Your Arms Are My Cocoon. Though the instruments mash together from the lo-fi processing, none of the intimacy is sacrificed; the longer and longer the project goes on, the deeper the band falls into a pit of self-depreciation. The songwriting is the highlight of this project — detailing the relationships we suffer through, and the inevitable feeling of putting the blame for things and the weight of the world on ourselves.
– Rae-Aila
Bodydrinkers – Swamp Hammer
Death metal from Ireland
I know what you’re thinking. “Kirk, what exactly is a ‘swamp hammer’?” Well, the easy answer is more simple than you might realize. It’s the badass new EP from Irish death metal “supergroup” Bodydrinkers. The first song—the title track—is just straightforward in-your-face death metal. There’s a certain amount of swagger to it that makes it fun, and you’ll be headbanging in no time. The second track, “Byzantine Blinding”, has a touch of death-doom to it reminiscent of Coffins. Nothing sad about this song, it’s just slow and pounding like a migraine after a heavy thunderstorm. And the closing track, “Bio Terroristic Occult Sermon”, is a little more experimental but slams nonetheless. Originally released independently on January 20th, Fiadh Productions has given it their signature cassette treatment, so be sure to pick up a copy if tapes (or physical media in general is your thing. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!
– Kirk
The Anchoret – It All Began With Loneliness
Progressive metal from Canada
Progressive metal is a fairly divisive genre – unappealing to many regular metalheads and equally disliked by a large number of prog rock elitists, though for ostensibly different reasons, many of these bands are wading into fairly niche waters. The Anchoret bridges this gap somewhat I think by reincorporating traditional progressive rock sounds into the metal in a way that doesn’t feel genre fusion so much as time fusion. The album has a real sense of sonic dynamics, with lulls and swells and very unheavy sections featuring pan flutes or jazz drumming that organically flow into full walls of distortion or blast beats. I really enjoy this record and you should give it a chance. The guitars are smooth and capable, the drumming is stellar and vocalist Sylvain Auclair has a compelling vocal tone, backed up by secondary/guest vocalist Nimawari who absolutely kills every role she plays.
– Westin
Artifact – Insurrection
Metalcore from Australia
There are some people in the metal community who treat the word “metalcore” like it’s a slur. Which, okay, yeah, I kinda get it. Not all of the metalcore I’ve listened to has been all that great, but Artifact are a completely different story. No, they’re in a completely different league altogether. While they may be fresh to the scene, Artifact mean business. On Insurrection, their second EP in just two years, they’re ready to make believers out of all the metalcore haters out there, and they have the chops to do it. Whether you’re a lover or a hater, this is one EP you don’t wanna skip!
– Kirk
Aodon – Portraits
Atmospheric black metal from France
French black metal is notoriously rife with fascists, so I don’t listen to much of it, but thank god for Willowtip Records, winner of 2022’s Holy Shit Label of the Year Award (very prestigious, I know). Aodon‘s third record is a finely-honed blade of sharp and potent black metal that cuts right to the heart of what makes the genre so compelling. Where sole studio member M-Kha truly excels is composition, with a real grasp for song structure and energy, as album opener “Swen” kicks off immediately, aggressive tremolo guitars joined by punching vocals, while the drums dance around in various tempos to create genuine dynamics. It’s not redefining the genre but it is a very well made piece of music that will speak to anyone looking for great traditional black metal.
– Westin
Nithing – Agonal Hymns
Brutal death metal from the US
In the wide scope of what metal is there are some styles that just aren’t that accessible to the average person’s ear, and Nithing falls proudly into that category. Chaotically brutal, unrelentingly fast, and with that pinch harmonic/ping snare/toilet bowl vocals combo in heavy use, this album packs a massive amount of shit into its 23 minutes, and distinguishes itself from the rest of the brutal death metal pack with high levels of sheer complexity and dazzling technical ability balanced with juuuuuust the right amount of experimenting. Sole member Matt Kilner (who drums in both Gorgasm and Vitriol) screeches and shreds through alien guitar solos, plays such a monstrous bass that it pops across the runtime and despite the saturated mix, and the drumming is impressively nuanced for its bedlamic speed. There are even some bits of electronic sounds in the mix here and there, with repeated blares that sound like alarm klaxons and bits of industrial metallic noise especially in the last track. Brutal death like this doesn’t crop up often.
– Kep
Militarie Gun – Life Under the Gun
Alternative rock/hardcore from the US
Like Drug Church last year and Turnstile the year before that, Militarie Gun have produced without doubt the hardcore soundtrack to the summer with their debut full-length Life Under the Gun. Fronted by Ian Shelton of Seattle powerviolence outfit Regional Justice Center, it’s honestly baffling how catchy this record is considering how much he usually deals in something far more caustic. Even as he gets pretty vulnerable as a lyricist, the energy of this album is absolutely infectious; it’s got a really bright and crisp production, and there are huge hooks absolutely everywhere – especially in singles like “Do It Faster” and “Very High”, but also with just as much saved for the record like “Seizure of Assets” and the big sadboi anthem “Never Fucked Up Once”. Who says hardcore has to be mean all the time?
– Ellis
Minas Morgul – Nebelung
Any metalhead worth their salt has an undying love of The Lord of the Rings. I don’t make the rules, but you know I’m right. We all have a certain penchant for that medieval lore—the sword and sorcery—and the mystique that comes with it. That’s where Minas Morgul come in; naming themselves after the stronghold of the Nazgûl, they make Lord of the Rings-themed black metal. And while this is far from new material, Minas Morgul continue to release dynamic and compelling music, Nebelung being their eighth and most recent album since forming in 1998. Whether you’re a fellow fan of The Lord of the Rings, a fan of German black metal, or just a metalhead in search of a few good riffs, you don’t want to miss out on this one.
– Kirk
Protean Shield – Protean Shield
Epic heavy metal from Greece
Protean Shield delivery heavy on the drama on this fantastic debut record. There is a power metal adjacent flair for being over the top, as vocalist Harris Stampoulidis grabs you by the ear and never lets go. The guitarwork is tasty, the scope is huge without feeling like an overstep, and the rhythm section is super groovy and tight. Harris has so much character in his voice and routinely sounds like butter, this project is smooth beyond measure. But they’re still capable of some of the gnarl and grit of bands like Manilla Road that make the listening experience so visceral. This is a standout in the genre, as the new wave of trad metal continually keeps digging up gems from the bowels of the earth and dropping them on our plates. I, for one, am grateful for all the free food.
– Westin
Oromet – Oromet
Doom metal from the US
Doom metal is definitionally quite morose – after all, it’s in the name. But the self-titled debut by this Sacramento duo explores the edges of what “doom” even means. It is massive and trudgerous as doom is wont to be, but it’s also plaintive and mournful, painting on an emotional landscape far more complex than than expected. The pair touch on elements from post-metal/post-black as they weave together achingly beautiful passages of reverb and tonality, full of a brightness and sense of atmosphere that I would never associate with the genre. I love what they’ve done here, and remind us that there’s still novelty in the depths of the familiar.
– Westin
Vampire Squid – Decade of Mutiny I
Technical death metal/deathcore from the US
Vampire Squid, the tongue-in-cheek, nautically-themed mathy techdeath/deathcore squad from Southern California, had been quiet for a few years before 2023 arrived, and their comeback EP Plasmic back in February was a welcome return. This EP, the first of a planned two, is a return to their 2013 self-titled debut album, with five of the band’s favorite tracks from that record chosen for a production facelift re-record. Yes, they’re technically treading old waters, but there’s no denying that 1) they sound great here and 2) this is some of the most fun you’ll have with heavy music in 2023. Enjoy slams? This has ‘em. Like mathcore-style syncopations and rhythmic trickery? Got ‘em. Super clean and tight tech riffs? Soooo many. Punny song titles like “Where is Your Cod Now” and silly gore-soaked lyrics to match? That’s pretty much their whole brand. And even on these songs from their very first album you can hear Vampire Squid writing songs that are, y’know, actually good songs and not just meme music. It’s a blast.
– Kep
The Biscuit Merchant – Phobia
Death/thrash metal from the US
This very engaging young project happens to be a one man band, courtesy of Justin Lawnchair. One-man bands are typically associated with black metal or prog, so it’s refreshing to see more of this type of project in other genres. There’s a strong cohesion to Phobia, credit owing to the singular vision of Justin. There’s a good balance of punky thrash aggression and the more extreme and technical elements from death metal coming together to make a record that sounds like showing off in a kool way. There is also just a dash of the weird and progressive that lends a truly unique character to the sound of the record, setting it apart from countless other extreme thrash bands. Justin‘s a great guitarist and it never comes across like a vanity shred project – “Frail Sister” is one of my favourite tracks on the LP, as it features some tasty melodic leadwork and a hooky as fuck Trivium-inspired chorus that would put most metalcore bands to shame.
– Westin
The Mansters – Lessons in Giving Up
Hardcore punk from Norway
How do you like your hardcore? Do you prefer it melodic with lots of “ooohs” and “aaahs” of bands like Bad Religion, or are you a fan of the fast, frenetic, and aggressive style of bands like OFF!? Personally, I like both and, depending on my mood, will listen to them back-to-back. That’s what’s so great about The Mansters, they manage to somehow perfectly straddle that line between melodic and aggressive hardcore without losing one iota of ferocious intensity. From the moment you fire up Lessons in Giving Up, their first full-length in seven years, be prepared to feel the heat from your speakers. This is easily some of the most intense ten minutes you’ll spend listening to an album this year, but it’s worth every second. And it gets better every time you play it.
– Kirk
Krigsgrav – Fires in the Fall
Blackened death/doom metal from the US
That this is Krigsgrav‘s seventh album in 13 years should alone be enough to convince you this outfit has put in the effort to carve out an identity and truly refine it, and they’ve proven he genre blending is perfectly suited to their path. The band channels Paradise Lost-style death/doom through the lens of blackened death metal, with the gothic flourishes of the Peaceville sound replaced with black metals melodic chill and sense of distant pain. Goth and black metal are certainly cousins in many respects, which lends a natural feel to the vibe of the record, one that goes hand in hand with its subject matter and focus. This is an incredibly emotive record, fully immersed in a sense of beauty and mourning in a way only this genre fusion can accomplish. If you’re a fan of the Peaceville Three or Katatonia, this is exactly the kind of band you’ll be kicking yourself for having never heard before.
– Westin