Photo by @clay_patrick_mcbride
MANY EYES - THE LIGHT AGE (Perseverance Media Group)
Anchored by the strength of the succession of singles of singles in "Revelation", "Future Proof" and "Mystic Cord" - the performative prowess of Keith Buckley is on full display with Many Eyes. Written in tandem with songwriters and veteran players Nick and Charlie Bellmore, The Light Age resonates well for fans of Buckley's work in ETID while allowing the songwriter and storyteller to venture out on his own creatively and cultivate his artistic identity outside of his previous projects. Articulate, aggressive and most importantly, authentic, Many Eyes marks the reintroduction of one of the genre's best frontmen - period.
CASTLE - EVIL REMAINS (Hammerheart Records)
The sixth full length studio effort from the Bay Area occult-heavy doom trio is a celebration of psychedelia and classic metal packaged into eight well-constructed tracks. The band's first effort in six years, the time away has seemingly allowed the trio to come back refreshed, refocused and musically locked in better than ever before, showcasing healthy riffage and actual hooks on a doom album. A stylish, sinister showcase of heft with classic metal sensibilities, Castle more than levels up on Evil Remains.
BODYSNATCHER - VILE CONDUCT (MNRK Heavy)
Among the leaders of the next wave of modern deathcore, Florida unit Bodysnatcher lands a knockout blow with their latest EP. Backed by walloping singles, "Murder8" with Jamey Jasta and all out blitz of "Infested", Vile Conduct showcases the band's musical brawn complete with menacing vocals, powerful percussion, violent guitars and the kind of hard-hitting breakdowns that make for highlights. Combined with personal, poignant vocals and a message unlike the hyperviolence typical of the genre, Bodysnatcher is on the come up.
GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT - EMBERS (Napalm Records)
The Irish progressive psych trio of God Is An Astronaut has delivered their eleventh studio release in their lengthy tenure - a project that serves as their longest-running to date, emphasizing the band's continued evolution of their dynamic sound. A sonic amalgam that veers from progressive rock to black metal, Embers is the kind of album that is as expansive as it is ethereal. Weaving rich musical tapestry that transforms songs into vivid scenes, the band's latest full length is a masterclass of melody, songwriting and the ability to channel emotion into composition.
PEELINGFLESH - THE G CODE (Unique Leader Records)
Combining guttural death metal, the dynamics of slam and the swagger and style points of Middle America hip hop, PeelingFlesh have established their footing as practitioners of gangsta groove. Implementing a Chopped and Screwed component atop a weighty musical brawn, the band weaves a sound that pays homage to greats like Dying Fetus as much as it does Three Six Mafia simultaneously. Bolstered by a slew of guest features from Tim Louth of Cold Hard Truth, DJ MRD, Alex Erian & Steve Marois of Despised Icon and more, The G Code bangs as much as it brutalizes.
