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 metal releases, from singalong hard rock to pus-drenched underground death metal. Keep those ears bleeding!
Fear Factory, Aggression Continuum (Nuclear Blast)
For fans of: Strapping Young Lad, Static-X, Mudvayne
Standout track: “Collapse”
This is real simple: the new Fear Factory record is slightly heavier than you expect it to be. The band really went in on Aggression Continuum, venting a lot of straight-up rage on the album. While they don’t skimp on the cinematics and electronic elements, these are definitely used to temper the overall venom of the songs. So there you go: you probably expect this record to be really heavy, but it’s heavier than that. Time to pretend you’re a bitchin’ cyborg.
Moanhand, Present Serpent (Burning Shrine)
For fans of: Spirit Adrift, A Pale Horse Named Death, Exgenesis
Standout track: “Nightwings”
You gotta give it to Moanhand — they’re really shooting for the storm clouds here. The heaviness and emotionality of Present Serpent (gasp, they’re anagrams! Clever Moanhand!) is really far-reaching, which elevates them above many of the acts making similar music. Rather than try to ooze, these guys really strike an airy, elemental chord which makes the music as inspirational as it is crushing. Do not mix with depressants.
Helloween, Helloween (Nuclear Blast)
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Edguy
Standout track: “Cyanide”
With a new Helloween record, there’s little to say other than WOOOO! The German power metallers really bring the main-stage-at-Wacken vibe here, providing all manner of gang wails and neon solos. While the Eliran Kantor cover art does seem a little much for what is such an old-school metal album, one does appreciate that the band are treating themselves like the legends they are. Wait, does Michael Kiske say “Pants off” on “Cyanide?” We really hope so.
Soldiers of Destruction, Cause and Affect (American’t Records)
For fans of: Iron Regan, Dead Kennedys, Motörhead
Standout track: “Amphetamines”
Metal is nothing without punk to occasionally kick it in the ass, and Soldiers of Destruction are wearing steel-toed boots. Cause and Affect shouts in your face so close that you can smell the Old Grand Dad on its breath, and it doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to calling out society, the fuzz, and of course, your dumb ass. If you’re here for the Helloween record above, this might stick to the roof of your ears a bit; if you don’t cry over the occasional black eye, roll up, motherfucker.
Other crushers:
- Bossk, Migration (Deathwish Inc.)
- Heavy Temple, Lupi Amoris (Magnetic eye Records)
- Hacktivist, Hyperdialect (UNFD)
- Various Artists, Dark Knights: Death Metal Soundtrack (Loma Vista)
Want to check out other great new metal releases we’ve spotlighted recently? Good. Here you go.
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Words by Chris Krovatin
