Photo - Chat Pile by Bayley Hanes
CHAT PILE - COOL WORLD (The Flenser)
OKC collective Chat Pile had one of the most outstanding records in the way of heavy music in 2022 with the debut of God's Country. A combination of thematic bite and serrated musical tear, the album was universally praised and landed the band on the greater radar of heavy music, well outside of the noise rock niche. The sophomore full length, Cool World, marks an important first for the band. Enlisting Ben Greenberg of Uniform, the latest album is first to showcase a final mix from someone outside of the band. Thematically, Cool World builds off the dejection and despair of God's Country, only this time widening the scope to shift the focus from the band's immediate environment to their vantage point of the depraved world we all live in.
TOUCHÉ AMORÉ - SPIRAL IN A STRAIGHT LINE (Rise Records)
Touche Amore has debuted their sixth full length studio album, Spiral In A Straight Line, commencing the band's debut on Rise Records. Additionally, the album features the Midas Touch of legendary producer, Ross Robinson as well as a pairing of dynamic guest assists from Julien Baker and Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. Showcasing the songwriting expertise of Jeremy Bolm, the 11-track effort combines smart compositions with articulate aggression making for a Touche record that far exceeds their own gold standard.
VOMIT FORTH - TERRIFIED OF GOD (Century Media)
Northeast death metal horde Vomit Forth set out to unleash the most unsettling brand of death metal with the follow up to their acclaimed 2022 full length, Seething Malevolence. Combining punishing riffs, a relentless percussive pace and a vile vocal spew of Kane Gelaznik, it's clear why the band has earned such a teflon reputation with even the most staunch death metal purists. Terrified of God showcases the band's influences of Internal Bleeding, Deicide and Suffocation in a way that pays homage while still building upon that established brutality. Combined with the production of Randy Leboeuf, Vomit Forth is death metal modernized.
SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET - SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET (Sumerian Records)
The passion project from System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian has sparked the interest of the greater rock community. Enlisting a pro collective in Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer, acclaimed producer and Winds of Plague guitarist Morgoth, as well as Alejandro Aranda and Josh Johnson also previously in Winds of Plague, the band's trio of introductory singles, were all targeted, direct hits. Tracks LIke "Radiance", "Alive" and "Paradise" emphasize Odadijan's intention in crafting something melodic, while maintaining the metallic heft that has defined his career. Along with Taylor Barber on the mic and Morgoth on the board, the band's first outing suggests they are in it for the long haul.
ORANSSI PAZUZU - MUUNTAUTUJA - (Nuclear Blast Records)
Finnish avant-garde practitioners of black metal psychedelia Oranssi Pazuzu have shared their sixth full length masterclass with Muuntautuja - translated to 'Shepeshifter' in English. Much like the title suggests, the album dominates in various forms, functioning like an epic score for the descent into the pits of hell. The album manages to meld moments of discordant devastation with instances of moody, mesmerizing melody - creating a musical journey that plays out over eight consuming tracks. This album is an absolute mindfuck in the best way possible.
