Talk about a week of consequential releases. On one hand, you have the return of a band long thought dead because of some horrific news involving the vocalist, and on the other you have an album that’s literally just the lead singer because everyone else suddenly quit for… reasons. Either way, there’s plenty to listen to this weekend, so here we go.
As I Lay Dying
Through Storms Ahead (Napalm Records)
I’m not going to take up too much time to talk about this record, since we’ve already blown way past our Tim Lambesis coverage allotment, which many of you have reminded me was *checks notes* zero. Still, the story surrounding this release and the future of As I Lay Dying was too big to ignore and this record — for better or worse — has a lot more eyes on it after the spectacular implosion we all witnessed.
Chelsea Wolfe
Unbound (Loma Vista Recordings)
As the third and final piece of what Chelsea Wolfe is calling the “She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out triptych,” this EP features stripped down versions of some of her more recent songs featuring just vocals and either a guitar or piano. It’s vulnerable, open, and raw.
Full Of Hell/Andrew Nolan
Scraping The Divine (Closed Casket Activities)
Step right up, Toronto-based industrial artist Andrew Nolan — you’re the next artist to put out a collaborative album with grind/noise band Full of Hell! As the two genre descriptors suggest, this one’s discordant by nature, as both halves work together to create a sound that’s uniquely their own. Apparently the album was worked on between 2019 and 2023, so this one’s been a long time coming. Come for the spectacle, but stay for the special guest features from Taichi Nagura (Endon), GxCx (Contagious Orgasm, BBVGC, ex-Guilty Connector), Justin K Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu, JK Flesh), Intensive Care, and Alex Hughes (Hatred Surge, Holy Money).
Linkin Park
From Zero (Warner Records)
Say what you will about there being new Linkin Park music seven years after vocalist Chester Bennington’s death, but this has been one of the biggest musical happenings in a long time. So many of us grew up listening to Hybrid Theory, that it’s hard to imagine the band without Chester’s vocals, but Emily Armstrong does a decent enough job in the role. Remember, she’s not replacing him. She’s only helping the band create a “new chapter.” Just don’t look too deeply into the skeletons in her closet…
Poppy
Negative Spaces (Sumerian Records)
If you don’t think Poppy deserves a space in the modern metal conversation, you’re fucking crazy. The music she’s been consistently putting out lately has been off the wall bonkers in a good way. Raw, full of rage, and willing to rip your face off while looking cute doing it, you need to recognize that this YouTuber turned metal artist is legit. It should also be noted that she worked with ex-Bring Me the Horizon member Jordan Fish on this one, so it’s definitely doing things and going places.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Bodybuilder, There’s No There, There (Wormholedeath)
End Of Dawn, Primordial Darkness (Wormholedeath)
Gotho, Gothron Versus Fartark (Supernatural Cat)
Lurking Terror, A World In Darkness (M-Theory Audio)
Mammoth Grinder, Undying Spectral Resonance (Relapse Records)
OBEYER, Chemical Well (3DOT Recordings)
Pig Destroyer, Terrifyer (20th Anniversary Edition) (Relapse Records)
Primal Code, Opaque Fixation (Relapse Records)
Thy Catafalque, XII: A Gyönyöru Álmok Ezután Jönnek (Season Of Mist)
Tribal Gaze/Deadbody, Split (Closed Casket Activities/Maggot Stomp)