New Metal Out Today: 4/2

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It’s Friday, which means two things: giving the 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!

SpellForger, Upholders of Evil (Personal Records)

For fans of: Satan’s Wrath, Hellripper, Bonehunter

Standout track: “Metal Crusaders”

Aw, shit yes. Indonesia’s SpellForger are here to throw a metal party, and they might destroy every appliance in your house. The band’s music drips with leather, spikes, chains and bulletbelts, both emulating the black thrash titans of old and giving their sound a solid dose of modern warlike black metal. If you’re not here for the old-school, you probably shouldn’t worry about this band too much; if you live and die by traditional metal, these guys’ll rip you apart. In a good way.

Wode, Burn In Many Mirrors (20 Buck Spin)

For fans of: Aosoth, The Ominous Circle, Vreid

Standout track: “Sulphuric Glow”

You might see the cover art of Burn In Many Mirrors and think, ‘Ah, so Wode play ultra-harrowing black metal.’ And, yeah, sort of. But this underestimates the level of galloping speed that these Brits bring to the table. Though many of the tracks on Burn… kick off sounding like a crumbling church, they often erupt into moments of killer blackened thrash, and even occasionally indulge in some arch-ass gothic flourishes. The album is always full of surprises, and they all absolutely slay.

Blue Ox, Holy Vore (Self-released)

For fans of: Dillinger Escape Plan, All Pigs Must Die, KEN mode

Standout track: “Fly By Blight”

Whoa! Blue Ox’s new record is sort of like being mugged — when it’s all over, your first thought is, What the fuck was THAT?! Though loaded with the distortion and throat-punching breakdowns of modern hardcore, the majority of the album moves at breakneck speed, using thick, low riffs to make that momentum come off as heavier and more engaging than that of many thrash bands. We didn’t expect this kind of record from a band with this name, but we’ll never doubt them again.

Steel Bearing Hand, Slay In Hell (Carbonized Records)

For fans of: Warbringer, Skeleton, Vampire

Standout track: “Per Tenebras Ad Lucem”

EEEEEAAAAAARGH! Now is the time for blood to spill forth from your navel! Lucifer’s legions of unholy priapism demand you listen to Steel Bearing Hand’s acid-salivating sophomore effort until you get dick cancer ON YOUR FACE! From its rancorous start to its untimely demise, this record exudes complete and total thrash darkness, to the point where one must look at diehard fans of the Big Four and ask, “Do you even slay, bro?” If you put this album anywhere near your pets, IT WILL IMPREGNATE THEM.

Other crushers:

  • Haunt, Beautiful Distraction (Iron Grip)
  • Avaland, Theater of Sorcery (Rockshots Records)
  • Plaguewielder, Covenant Death (Disorder)

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Words by Chris Krovatin