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!
Trivium, In The Court of the Dragon (Roadrunner Records)
For fans of: Himsa, Battlecross, old In Flames
Standout track: “Feast of Fire”
When Trivium decided to put a big-ass gold dragon and a bunch of Centurions chivalrously murdering each other on their album cover, they were obviously aware of what they had. In The Court of the Dragon features Heafy and Co. sounding as imperious and grandiose as they ever have, really reveling in some for-the-love-of-metal shit. But that doesn’t mean they’ve gone full elf rock; fans of their classic aggression will love this mythic new size of sound. Music to get your head lopped off to by a band who’ve been patiently eyeing your neck for some time now.
Creeping Death, The Edge of Existence EP (eOne)
For fans of: Gatecreeper, Plague Years, Outer Heaven
Standout track: “Relics from the Past”
It’s good to hear Creeping Death evolve. One could’ve simply written this Texas crew off as another cavernous death metal band, but The Edge of Existence shows them switching up their sound in small but effective ways. There’s less full-on reverb here, and the tempo shifts throughout in ways that are exciting. A solid EP that provides a stepping stone between the band’s killer initial sound and the new things they undoubtedly have in store.
Blood Red Throne, Imperial Congregation (Nuclear Blast)
For fans of: Benighted, Bloodbath, Vital Remains
Standout track: “Inferior Elegance”
Fuck, man, how does an album make one instantly remember the smell of beer and cigarettes in the unwashed hair of the dude in front of you? Imperial Congregation sounds like the death metal of old that we know and love, and as such transports the listener back to every grody, sweaty show at which they’ve ever lost their shit. Blood Red Throne have been doing this for a while now, so it’s no surprise that this motherfucker rules in a classic way, but we definitely didn’t expect this record to be THIS good. Put it on and remember that awesome time you got thrown out of the venue covered in your own blood.
Outer Heaven, In Tribute… EP (Relapse Records)
For fans of: And of the bands Outer Heaven are covering
Standout track: “Secret Face”
There’s nothing like a tribute album that feels like something you dreamt about which came true. In Tribute… sees Pennsylvania wrecking crew Outer Heaven covering some of death metal’s greatest bands, from Repulsion to Pig Destroyer to Death themselves. The result is everything you want it to be — gross, brutal, and heavy as a pile of obese corpses. Just put this on and have yourself the dumbest time.
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
