This Toilet Tuesday (8/13/19)
Fear not: Toilet Tuesday is still on, and there’s still lots of new music to be had. There’s actually lot of good stuff coming this week, and the two I’ve picked out are but a small helping of a much larger course. Check out the big list for more solid jams; you’re sure to find something you like.
Twilight Force – Dawn of the Dragonstar (Nuclear Blast) [Symphonic Power Metal]
Listen to “Dawn of the Dragonstar,” “Night of Winterlight”
The powerest of metal bands is back, older, wiser, and as whimsical as ever. Dawn of the Dragonstar follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, leaning heavily into the symphonic side of the “symphonic power metal” tag, and it’s also this side of the music that’s seen the most improvements. While I still think the orchestral parts overshadow the rest of the band a bit too much in some places, the two work in tandem much better this time around, and the songwriting overall is much more varied and memorable. New vocalist Allyon doesn’t have the grit that Chrileon did, but he absolutely kills it when it counts, and Lynd’s lead guitar work is somehow even tighter and stronger than the past two albums. This is hands down the best power metal album I’ve heard all year, and it’s going to take a serious beast to top it. 8/16/19 (Spear)
Shadow of Intent – Melancholy (Independent) [Deathcore]
Listen to “Malediction”
I would hate deathcore a lot less if more bands did this kind of thing. Shadow of Intent has always been one of the better bands in the genre, and if “Malediction” is anything to go by, they’re elevating their game to a completely new level. Their riffs are tense, but melodic, tastefully augmented with synths and some impressive lead work. These guys have always done solid work, but this is the first time I’ve been well and truly excited to hear the fruits of their labor. 8/16/19 (Spear)
1349 – Through Eyes of Stone (Season of Mist) [Black Metal]
Listen to “Through Eyes of Stone”
Abysmal Lord – Exaltation of the Infernal Cabal (Hells Headbangers) [Black Metal]
Listen
Adrex – Dimensions of Misery (Independent) [Black Metal]
Anfel – Echoes of Buried Hope (Independent) [Symphonic Metal]
Stream
Anticosm – The Call of the Void (Independent) [Black Thrash]
Listen to “Scorched Earth”
Ark Royal – Arise (Independent) [Power Metal]
Listen to “Altar of Sacrifice”
Bastard Grave – Diorama of Human Suffering (Pulverised Records) [Death Metal]
Listen to “Diorama of Human Suffering”
The Brood – Democratic Warfare (Downfall Records) [Grindcore]
Preview
Cerebral Rot – Odious Descent into Decay (20 Buck Spin) [Death Metal]
Listen
Dämonenblut – Schrei der Bestien (Division Black Metal) [Black Metal]
Deadspace – The Grand Disillusionment (Independent) [Black Metal]
Listen to “Lungs”
Deadwood Lake – Immortalised in Death (UKEM Records) [Black Metal]
Stream
Detherous – Hacked to Death (Redefining Darkness) [Death Thrash]
Listen
Devourment – Obscene Majesty (Relapse Records) [Slam]
Listen
Dialith – Extinction Six (Independent) [Symphonic Power Metal]
Listen
Diocletian – Amongst the Flames of a Bvrning God (Profound Lore) [War Metal]
Listen
Enenra BC – Ave Luciferi: Summoning the Fallen (Independent) [Blackened Death Metal]
Listen
Funeral Oration – Eliphas Love (Avantgarde Music) [Black Metal]
Stream
Gorebringer – A Craving for Flesh (Gate of the Silver Key) [Death Metal]
Listen
HammerFall – Dominion (Napalm Records) [Power Metal]
Listen to “Dominion,” “(We Make) Sweden Rock”
Jormungand – Beautiful Riot (Independent) [Symphonic Power Metal]
Listen to “Beautiful Riot”
Killswitch Engage – Atonement (Metal Blade) [Metalcore]
Listen to “Unleashed,” “I Am Broken Too”
Mefitis – Emberdawn (Independent) [Death Metal]
Listen to “Grieving the Gestalt”
Nevain – Hidden (Independent) [Doom]
Listen to “The Blackened Dawn”
Now Everything Fades – Mass Suicide Carnival (Maa Music) [DSBM]
Listen to “Mass Suicide Carnival”
Parallel Dimension – Angular Perceptions (Independent) [Prog Metal]
Listen
Picture – Wings (Pure Steel Records) [Heavy Metal]
Pijn/Conjurer – Curse These Metal Hands (collab- Holy Roar Records) [Prog/Doom]
Listen to “High Spirits,” “Endeavour”
Red Razor – The Revolution Continues (Independent) [Thrash]
Listen to “Born in South America,” “Violent Times”
Reign in Blood – Missa pro Defunctis (Iron Bonehead) [Black Metal]
Listen to “Dawn of a Dying Soul”
Repent – Condemned to Fail (High Roller Records) [Thrash]
Listen to “Pride of Creation”
Tarchon Fist – Apocalypse (Independent) [Heavy Metal]
Listen to “My Destiny,” “Proud to be Dinosaurs”
Uniform/The Body – Everything That Dies Someday Comes Back (collab- Sacred Bones Records) [Noise]
Listen
Void Omnia / Insanity Cult – Contemplation In Discordance (split- Vendetta Records) [Black Metal]
Waingro – III (Sludgelord Records) [Stoner Doom]
Listen
Wraith – Absolute Power (Independent) [Black/Speed Metal]
Listen
Did we forget a new release? Is there a way we could improve this list? Let us know in the comments!
