New Metal Out Today: 9/25

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It’s Friday, which means two things: giving this week the finger, and new music! Tune in every Friday for The Pit’s round-up of new releases, from singalong hard rock to pus-drenched underground death metal. Keep those ears bleeding!

Deftones, Ohms (Reprise Records)

For fans of: Chevelle, Today Is The Day, The Cure

Standout track: “Urantia”

At this point in their careers, Deftones can really do whatever they want on a record, which indeed they do with Ohms. This isn’t a metal album, but it’s also not an ambient goth album the way the band are sometimes miscategorized today; instead, it’s a creature all its own, languid and artsy while still heavy when it needs to be. Point is, if you were a huge fan of Around The Fur, this might not give you the scream you’re trying to hear, but if you’re willing to keep an open mind, there’s a lot going on here.

Uada, Djinn (Eisenwald)

For fans of: Wolves In The Throne Room, Enslaved, Hammers of Misfortune

Standout track: “The Great Mirage”

With each consecutive album, Portland’s Uada has incorporated more and more of a wily, elemental side to their black metal, and on Djinn they officially go all-in. To even call this ‘black metal’ feels a little misleading, as the album is much more of an ultra-metallic occult rock record, its guitars serpentining between ritualistic vocals and galloping drums. This one might even put off fans of Uada’s early Mgla-oriented material, but it’s definitely a great starting point for newcomers interested in the band as they’ve evolved. Like eating a deliciously-prepared vegetable platter–deeply satisfying, even as it’s good for you.

Dropdead, Dropdead (Armageddon Label)

For fans of: Iron Reagan, Warbringer, early Napalm Death

Standout track: “Torches”

2020 needs a record like Dropdead’s newest release. A destructive circle pit of gnashing riffs, skipping rhythms, and pure political discontent, this is the crossover thrash classic that never got made in the late ‘80s. Tracks like “Only Victims” bring the face-smashing power of death metal, while cuts like “Vultures” exude the boundless energy that always made punk rock impossible to ignore. This record may not have a not of empty space or quiet moments, but then again, neither has this year.

LIK, Misanthropic Breed (Metal Blade)

For fans of: Dismember, Skeletal Remains, Necrophobic

Standout track: “Flesh Frenzy”

Sweet mother of all things unholy, this album rules. Stockholm’s LIK have quickly become the melodic death metal band to beat, and one spin through Misanthropic Breed proves why. Whether they’re scalding your face with the boiled blood of “The Weird” and “Flesh Frenzy” or stomping your guts into salsa on “Morbid Fascination” and “Female Fatal To The Flesh” (what a title, by the way), these dudes refuse to let you leave this album alive. We obviously asked the right band about their favorite gore scenes.

Laser Dracul, Hagridden (Majestic Mountain Records)

For fans of: Monolord, Weedeater, Salem’s Pot

Standout track: “Mother Midnight”

Vampires and doom metal — not two things you normally lump together. And yet Sweden’s Laser Dracul have combined them to incredible effect, producing a record whose grassy, leather-clad biker doom still exudes the vicious command of Hammer’s Dracula. The occasional flourishes of ‘70s style organs help with that atmosphere, but even then, it’s the band’s big swingin’ riffs that make one feel as though they’re spending the night in a decrepit castle that the locals have a lot of opinions over (they know their stuff, too, as evidenced by their list of the greatest vampire movies ever). Meet one of your new favorite bands.

Other crushers:

  • Svalbard, When I Die, Will It Get Better? (Translation Loss Records)
  • Infesticide, Envenoming Wounds (Blood Harvest)
  • Miasmal Sabbath, Ominous Radiance (Unholy Prophecies)
  • Rumours, Neither Innocent Nor Wavering EP (Lupercalia Records)
  • SpellBook, Magick & Mischief (Cruz de la Sur)

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Words by Chris Krovatin