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!
The Limit, Caveman Logic (Svart Records)
For fans of: Alice Cooper, Red Kross, The Obsessed
Standout track: “These Days”
When a band is fronted by Pentagram vocalist Bobby Liebling and releases an album named Caveman Logic, you better be ready for some solid, stoner-friendly classic rock. And on their debut album, supergroup The Limit deliver just that, with big, jaunty songs about doing your damnedest and feeling bad. The second topic is prevalent throughout; Liebling does an excellent job of bringing that downer-rock vibe to the otherwise high-flying mix. Definitely a van jam.
Purgatory, Lawless to Grave (Unbeaten Records)
For fans of: Biohazard, Body Count, Xibalba
Standout track: “Can’t Stop Our Reign”
If your moniker of choice is “Midwestern street metal,” you better bring some thick, corn-fed juds. Purgatory do so with flying colors on Lawless to Grave, mixing together hardcore’s sheer weight and death and thrash metal’s surging riffs and dark atmospheres. The combination comes off as distinctly American, exuding a sort of durable nihilism that feels like it could only be spawned in the good ol’ U.S. of A. If the current cavernous death metal trend has felt a little too gooey for you, these guys will cure what ails you.
Soothsayer, Echoes of the Earth (Transcending Obscurity)
For fans of: Exgensis, Stomach Earth, Malachi
Standout track: “Outer Fringe”
Your first reaction to Soothsayer’s music might be, Wow, these dudes come from Ireland? And then, after a while, you’ll think, Fuck yeah, of course it does. With the Emerald Isle’s long history of folk magic and societal upheaval, it’s unsurprising that an album both so epically pained and so eerily arcane would emerge from the rolling hills, stomping tirelessly with a mouth full of embers and a broken sword in hand. This record rules, but man, it’s no picnic, so get ready for the deep, evil shit.
Sahara, The Curse (Regain Records)
For fans of: Lizzard, FIDLAR, The Misfits
Standout track: “Hell on Earth”
Yeah, so Sahara’s album cover looks like it was drawn in the back of a social studies classroom — and the album sounds like it was recorded there, too! But art and production aside, this is one cool, gnarly stoner metal record. With surprisingly-original riffs (it’s stoner metal, after all), classic wailed vocals, and solid drum accenting, The Curse is the kind of album you can blast at ear-damaging volume while being a vintage dirtbag. Let’s hope these guys get a deal with some money so we can hear them make a polished recording — but then again, maybe that’ll spoil it.
Other crushers:
- Horndal, Lake Drinker (Prosthetic)
- Massen, Contraesthetic (Apostasy Records)
- Goath, III: Shaped by the Unlight (Van Records)
***
Words by Chris Krovatin
