Now Playing – May + June 2018

The column is back after a break last month due to me being on holiday. I’ve added the albums that I was listening to in May too. Check it out.

May releases

I am shocked at the lack of buzz online about this album. The second album from the band is a prog masterpiece and will feature on the “best of” lists of many at the end of the year. Just listen to the album closer “Rise of the Cephalopods” if in doubt.

The debut release from the Portuguese grind act featuring members of The Ominous Circle, Holocausto Canibal, Heavenwood and Colosso caught me by surprise. I was really impressed with their blistering sound and bleak outlook. Cannot wait till hear more music from them in the future.

The 11th album from the long standing experimental metal act sees them taking further the avant garde sound of recent albums. Deeper Underground prominently features elements of d-beat and reggae/dub rhythms.Download the digital copy of the album from bandcamp for the ebook Exploring The Depths Of The Underground, a reflective essay that complements the album.

Enjoy the metal and potatoes death metal? This is the album for you, Just click on play below. Else check out the next album

Only Love is not your average metal/hardcore album. The first listen of the album left me gobsmacked and hitting repeat for more. Recommended for those who enjoy listening to bands that push the envelope.

 

June releases

Disappointed with the recent Morbid Angel album? Exiler will make up for it with it’s dissonant death metal sound. A recent discovery courtesy Everlasting Spew Records.

And You Will Obey Me.. is the latest release from Down among the Dead men featuring death metal masters David Ingram & Rogga Johansson. If those names do not convince you to grab a copy of the album, not else will.

The only non extreme metal release featured this month. The debut full length from the Australian act is well executed power/heavy metal devoid of the any cheesiness. Guitarists Denis Sudzuka and Matt Carroll put on an impressive showcase. I am surprised that the band are still unsigned.

I’ve listened to this album the most the past month. This could be due to the gloomy rainy days in Mumbai but mainly because this is the best black metal release I have heard recently. The hooded Portuguese act have produced a truly unsettling listening experience.

Manor of Infinite Forms is a vicious album further enhanced by it’s raw production. Listening to it, I was reminded of my favorite death metal records from the 90’s. A slamming debut full length from the Canadian act. A must listen for death metal fans.

Now Playing – April 2018

The album technically was released in March but I have been listened to it a lot more in April. Illusive Golden Age is a stunning release from the band after a gap of 9 years. The album combines their trademark death metal sound with scientific and esoteric lyrics.

 

This album will be remembered by many as the one where Boss keloid transitioned to a psychedelic and progressive sound compared to the sludge one on their previous albums. The 6 jams on Melted on the Inch are all in excess of 5 minutes and will leave your grooving along after multiple listens.

Chepang released one of my favourite grindcore releases from last year and last month put out a split with Test from Brazil. The Brazilians kick off the release with 2 tracks of percussion led grind attack. Chepang continue the aural assault their immigrindcore sound. Just under 10 minutes of pure grind.

There has been a lot of buzz about this album in the months leading up to it’s release, one listen of Penumbra is all that is required to believe that is is true. Møl stand out among the Deafhaven clones. Jord will definitely feature as one of my favourites at the end of the year.

The third album from the veteran Bahraini band is a skull crushing release from start to end. The only respite comes in the form of some tasty guitar solos. Easily one of the best extreme metal releases from the Middle East this year.

 

Now Playing – March 2018

No April’s Fool joke, this feature is back on the blog after over 3 years. Will attempt to publish it monthly. Here is what I have been listening to the past month.

(in alphabetic order)

The first release in 3 years from the Heavy metal act is a belter. The track follows the storytelling vein of their previous material and is a commentary on the current state of the Indian metal scene. By the end of the track, you won’t be able to resist singing along with the chorus “We are all sheep”.

 

Purge is a crushing debut from the Mumbai based death metal quartet. A lethal mix of technical and brutal death metal with sleek production. The razor sharp riffs of Keshav Kumar are complemented by the growled vocals of Nitin Rajan. The Bombay Death metal Legion lives!

 

I somehow missed out on Empires of Ash, the debut album from the International black/folk metal band. Their latest album is a cracker. The guitar playing is accentuated by the dual vocals and sublime production. The album avoid the avoids the cheesy cliches of most folk metal ensuring multiple listens for the rest of the year.

 

The third release from the solo project of Deepak Raghu (Bevar Sea, Dying Embrace) features an artsy and experimental sound. I was surprised to hear a completely different side of the purveyor of doomy and sludgy music. The EP features a refined sound and introspective lyrics, not your typical sappy singer songwriter music. Buy the EP on bandcamp for an exclusive lyrics booklet with additional art by Simon Fowler.

 

The 4th album from the one man thrash act is a relentless assault on the senses. The catchy riffs and raw production will leave you unable to resist headbanging along, wherever you are. Easily the best material from the long standing act.

 

 

#mwe (Music Writers Exercise)

Last month, you might have come across #mwe on your Twitter timeline. The Music Writers Exercise is challenge started by music journalist Gary Suarez in 2015. The challenge is during the month of February to listen to an album that you have never heard before and write one tweet about it. I decided to take part this year, could not write for all 28 days as I fell sick during the last week of the month. Here are the albums I listened to and tweets about them.

 

Pissed off grinders from Philly deliver a potent mix of grindcore & noise in just over 5 minutes.

Skullcrushing split between old school death metal bands from Philipines and Malaysia. Raw production will please purists.

4 tracks of claustaphobic metallic hardcore. Last release from the Immigrant Core quartet. 3 members went on to form Chepang. Killer artwork by Anoop K Bhat

Shrieked vocals and chilling riffs complemented by raw production. Released last year by Transcending Obscurity and overlooked by many.

Mid tempo death metal from Texas. Could not resist headbanging while listening to the album. Razorback Records edition includes a live track and a Motorhead cover.

Chernobyl death metal! The third album from the German band is an sonic assault on the ears and mind alike.

Third release from the Polish guitarist is smooth as top shelf whiskey. Got it on loop since morning.

The first solo release by the vocalist/guitarist of doom metal band Beastmaker is a mix of low crooning vocals and dual guitar melodies. Reminded me of heavy metal from the 80’s.

Deadstar’s Nihal Anand trades his electric guitar for an acoustic one. The relaxed pace and chilled out vibe of the tracks make it an essential listen over the weekend.

Youtuber AlaaWardi is known for his creative covers. His second A Cappella release is a mix of catchy hooks and beatboxing. An enjoyable listen for non – Arabic speakers too.

 

Foreign Beggars are one of the few rap/hip hop groups that I listen to. Their latest release features sharp verses with bass drops and topped with syrupy hooks.

Checked out this release after being impressed by the Brazilian doomsters second album out on Transcending Obscurity. Their first full length is sludgier with rawer production. A must listen for doom fans.

I checked out this album as it is not often that you get an email from black metal band from South Africa. Well executed black metal with cosmic themes. Brought to mind bands from the second wave of black metal.

The third album from the Germans is under an hour of twisted death metal. A surprise at each turn. Easily one of the best death metal albums of 2017.

Latest release from the Oriental metallers is a concept album inspired by Plato’s Allegory Of The Cave. Another gem in the band’s illustrious discography.

 

 

Formed by members of The Slow Death in tribute to their deceased band member. The album has an melancholic vibe and one can sense their loss. Not an easy listen.

A New band from members of Swallow the Sun, Amorphis and HIM. The albums features the last writings of Juha Raivio’s partner Aleah Starbridge. A soul crushing listen.

As a Thrash metal and Crossover Thrash fan, I was guilty of not checking out this album earlier. The tracks showcase a band at it’s peak. Moshpit inducing riffs

 

Playlist of all the tracks/albums.