New stuff Friday ...

[LarryD]

I might actually have to pick up the blu-ray when it's released...

***Who are you and what have you done with my uncle Claus ?

[introclaus]

Slow week ...

Full albums:

KILLING - Face the Madness
Total thrash metal assault similar to classic Destruction, Kreator, Slayer, etc. Lots of fun, lots of melody.
https://youtu.be/igC2HQwqdEU - official video for "Kill Everyone"

FUNERAL CHASM - Omniversal Existence
This album has so much potential, but it fails miserably because of the production. Musically it is very epic funeral doom death, somewhere in between Ahab and Doom Vs (funeral), Saturnus (melodies) and Scald (epic), and graced with a singer who can do growls, deep baritone, shrieks and even some great cleans (but alas, often he is off pitch thanks to the lack of a producer). This album sounds like something I could do better with my iphone, and it is therefor ruined. So much potential, but it would have benefited from a real studio production, and a great producer to keep the band in check.
https://youtu.be/8QbXM7eBdQQ - full album stream

MAIDEN UNITED - Sailors of the Sky
Triple live CD from their 2019 tour. I'm loving this live performance so much - can't get enough of it to be honest. Main vocalist here is Frank from Gamma Ray (yes, the dude that had the audacity to join the German power metal gods a few years ago to assist an aging Kai Hansen), and contrary to all expectations he is AMAZING here. Absolutely brilliant. He sounds like a mixture between Damien Wilson, Doogie White and that style of laidback vocalists ... so much "emotion" in his voice. I'm shocked.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5 ... IufLP8Hk1c - full album playlist

Singles:

TRIVIUM - Feast of Fire
Second single from upcoming album, and it's (like any other Trivium tune) great
https://youtu.be/mue8XLsKYtQ - official video

[introclaus]

It's been 3 weeks or more since last post on what new stuff I've picked up, so here goes:

Full albums

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Colors II
This is what prog metal is all about - innovative as heck, yet plenty of nods back to the classics. I hear Faith No More, Dream Theater, Mr Bungle and Devin Townsend all over this, but most of all, it sounds like BtBaM!
https://youtu.be/445arWTPkxo (The Future is Behind Us video)

HOODED MENACY - The Tritonus Bell
Doom death from Finland that sounds more like it came straight out of the UK in the early 90's. Good stuff but nothing new.
https://youtu.be/12epQaCI6qw (full album stream)

TESSERACT - Portals
Live album from the prog djent masters. Incredibly well recorded, and the song choices are excellent. I'm loving this album.
https://youtu.be/8NcxUzH9KrM (Concealing Fate Pt 1 video)

NEAL MORSE BAND - Innocence & Danger
This is beautiful and well composed. Currently fighting with Cast about being the best prog-rock album of the year for me. I like how Neal and company had a little bit more restraint this time around, and instead of creating 5 hours of music only ended up with 100 minutes lol Yes, it's still a bit too much, but it's all quality.
https://youtu.be/cufdlPEabj0 (Beyond the Years - 30 minute long epic tune)

LEPROUS - Aphelion
I've said it so many times already that there's no need to say much more ... I absolutely love everything these guys do, and "Aphelion" is no different.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBzB ... 4ho3dW9xDd (full album stream)

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA - Aeromantic II
These guys continue what they do best. No need to change a winning formula.
https://youtu.be/b7vqNG1IQSY (Change video)

RISE TO THE SKY - Per Aspera Ad Astra
Beautiful doom-death somewhere in the realm of Swallow the Sun meets My Dying Bride. Love this stuff!!!
https://youtu.be/WLEhGnv3FpE (full album stream)



Singles

EIDOLA - Hidden Worship
EIDOLA - Perennial Philosphy
Two new singles from upcoming album (which now have 3 singles available) - great stuff in the progressive post-hardcore genre.
https://youtu.be/p6yExMTbyNY
https://youtu.be/IS0556h2_ic

OBSCURA - A Valediction
Second single (and title track) from next album. Sounds like Obscura, which is to say techy prog-death with groove and melody.
https://youtu.be/EMsTtZSBcXg

SOEN - Virtue
Final of the 3 stand-alone singles the band chose to release this summer (all were released as bonus tracks on various versions of "Lotus" a few years ago). This is by far the best of the three, and really a strong tune on its own.
https://youtu.be/bjJmz0NnKJ8

LUTHARO - To Kill or to Crave
LUTHARO - Lost in a Soul
Canadian female fronted power metal that occasionally goes into thrash territory, and occasionally into aggro-mode. Imagine Unleash the Archers mixed with The Agonist! It's metal as heck!!!
https://youtu.be/LKEeHhSLiak
https://youtu.be/tm3CqckIi3s

ALCATRAZZ - Guardian Angel
Yet another single from upcoming "fake-Alcatrazz" release. Not bad, but sounds more like a Reign of Fire song than an Alcatrazz one. Definitely has Joe Stump's signature writing all over this.
https://youtu.be/cGlNo1TQrhk

ETERNITY'S END - Arcturus Prime
Power metal done by a bunch of tech-death metallers, fronted by a brilliant vocalist. This is the lost link between Lost Horizon and Dragonforce, done with the class of the first-mentioned.
https://youtu.be/xmVnGfDlHo0

DIZZY MIZZ LIZZY - Amelia
22 minutes of brilliance. This song is just pure genius! Imagine if Mars Volta, Tool and Muse melted together ... Glenn said this reminds him of Anathema, and I won't disagree with that either.
https://youtu.be/rT-oPOlXS0w

ARCHSPIRE - Bleed the Future
Second single (and title track) of upcoming album. The melodies here are subtle but once you've listened a few times they become more and more prominent and by now I can't get this tune out of my head. And DAMN these guys can play!
https://youtu.be/WuSD92fIWXg

BEAST IN BLACK - Moonlight Rendezvous
Guilty pleasure - total cliche 80's hard rock mixed with power metal. Don't judge, but I enjoy this stuff.
https://youtu.be/tXZK2PIL3pc

[prog_powermetal99]

It's been 3 weeks or more since last post on what new stuff I've picked up, so here goes:

BEAST IN BLACK - Moonlight Rendezvous
Guilty pleasure - total cliche 80's hard rock mixed with power metal. Don't judge, but I enjoy this stuff.
https://youtu.be/tXZK2PIL3pc

Love Beast in Black. They remind me alot of the formula of Eclipse(also a band I love). Sometimes the verses don't stand out, but you always know that an amazing hooky chorus is right around the corner

[introclaus]

UNTO OTHERS - 3 singles from upcoming album
Looks like the "major" (well in metal at least) labels finally listened and went ahead and made their bids for Idle Hands. Roadrunner Records is the lucky label, that'll be releasing the next full length by this awesome act. Okay, so they've changed their name from Idle Hands to Unto Others, but music is still the same: gothic rock mixed with metal. An interesting mix, that sounds like the retro metal scene got infused by old school Sisters of Mercy/The Mission/Fields of the Nephilim style.
https://youtu.be/Es4o0t3Z0C8 - Downtown video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6on1U8imwo - When Will Gods Work Be Done video
https://youtu.be/8RwHkoT0n-c - No Children Laughing Now video

KHEMMIS - Living Pyre
First single from the next album by Denver based sludgy epic doomsters. Somewhere in style between Candlemass and Mastodon with a strong Trivium-vocal presence (especially on this new single it's like listening to Matt Heafy in a doom setting).
https://youtu.be/ArXF9cAa2XA

INFERI - Vile Genesis
Potentially the best tech death album of the year (although I'm still looking forward to both Archspire and Obscure to kick my butt!). There are plenty of proggy and techy stuff going on here, but also huge melodies (the Gothenburg melo-death scene hasn't gone unnoticed by these guys) and a symphonic blackened edge here and there (think Cradle of Filth). The guitar solos are where it's all at though - damn, these two guitarists are on fire!
https://youtu.be/15pm5WmdXZA - Mesmeric Horror video
https://youtu.be/WFjaXyIzAkc - Vile Genesis video

[Mardoch]

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Probably the hottest thing in metalcore right now? Female fronted progressive djenty metalcore, touching perfection on each genre label I would put on them. This album's got my dopamine stuck in the ON position today. The only thing that I don't like about it is that my favorite single of theirs, Blessed Be, didn't get put on it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... Yoz2r2J6IR

I Built the Sky (with Jake Howsome Lowe) - Coalesce
Really good guitar-driven instrumental stuff. Djenty heritage, tons of chops and heavy riffage, but most of all good songs.

https://ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com/album/coalesce

[introclaus]

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Probably the hottest thing in metalcore right now? Female fronted progressive djenty metalcore, touching perfection on each genre label I would put on them. This album's got my dopamine stuck in the ON position today. The only thing that I don't like about it is that my favorite single of theirs, Blessed Be, didn't get put on it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... Yoz2r2J6IR

I Built the Sky (with Jake Howsome Lowe) - Coalesce
Really good guitar-driven instrumental stuff. Djenty heritage, tons of chops and heavy riffage, but most of all good songs.

https://ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com/album/coalesce

I Built The Sky
… I really wish this had vocals on it!

Spiritbox
… I really wish this was instrumental!

Lol

[jhallum]

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Probably the hottest thing in metalcore right now? Female fronted progressive djenty metalcore, touching perfection on each genre label I would put on them. This album's got my dopamine stuck in the ON position today. The only thing that I don't like about it is that my favorite single of theirs, Blessed Be, didn't get put on it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... Yoz2r2J6IR

I Built the Sky (with Jake Howsome Lowe) - Coalesce
Really good guitar-driven instrumental stuff. Djenty heritage, tons of chops and heavy riffage, but most of all good songs.

https://ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com/album/coalesce

I Built The Sky
… I really wish this had vocals on it!

Spiritbox
… I really wish this was instrumental!

Lol

I mean...I gave myself a choice between the new Rage, the new Brainstorm, the new Alien Weaponry, the new Pentakill and the new Spiritbox, and I went with everything but Spiritbox. A lot of hype, but in my eyes, it didn't deliver.

[introclaus]

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Probably the hottest thing in metalcore right now? Female fronted progressive djenty metalcore, touching perfection on each genre label I would put on them. This album's got my dopamine stuck in the ON position today. The only thing that I don't like about it is that my favorite single of theirs, Blessed Be, didn't get put on it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... Yoz2r2J6IR

I Built the Sky (with Jake Howsome Lowe) - Coalesce
Really good guitar-driven instrumental stuff. Djenty heritage, tons of chops and heavy riffage, but most of all good songs.

https://ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com/album/coalesce

I Built The Sky
… I really wish this had vocals on it!

Spiritbox
… I really wish this was instrumental!

Lol

I mean...I gave myself a choice between the new Rage, the new Brainstorm, the new Alien Weaponry, the new Pentakill and the new Spiritbox, and I went with everything but Spiritbox. A lot of hype, but in my eyes, it didn't deliver.

I really like the new Rage. Best in many years.
What’s Pentakill? Is that the project w Jorn? If so, first single didn’t do much but I might have to check out entire disc…

[jhallum]

I mean...I gave myself a choice between the new Rage, the new Brainstorm, the new Alien Weaponry, the new Pentakill and the new Spiritbox, and I went with everything but Spiritbox. A lot of hype, but in my eyes, it didn't deliver.

I really like the new Rage. Best in many years.
What’s Pentakill? Is that the project w Jorn? If so, first single didn’t do much but I might have to check out entire disc…

Yeah, it's that Riot/League of Legends metal disk. I had to laugh, unlike the first disk, which had Bissonette, Sherinian, and a few other players credited, for the most part, most of the instruments are credited to 'Riot Staff'. It's a blend between melodic metal and some other modern influences. Jorn doesn't sing every track. There's some Noora from Battle Beast and other singers I don't immediately recognize. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtaMAN9zX4

[introclaus]

CRADLE OF FILTH - Necromantic Fantasies
Second single from upcoming album. As always this band keeps reminding me of one of my absolute favorite all times thrash bands, Sabbat. Sure, this is symphonic black metal, but there’s something about this that reminds me so much of what the first two Sabbat albums were all about.
https://youtu.be/PiV5XupV-TI

CYNIC - Mythical Serpents
First single from new album. Besides a one off single three years ago this is first sign of “life” since 2015’s “Kindly Bent …” album. Where that one was a prog rock album in many ways, this sounds more like a mix between dreamy prog rock and metal. Could be really good for sure. I played this song like 20 times in a row…
https://youtu.be/LNFn_phSuE4

HOLLOW - The Tower
New single - sounds like what we’ve come to expect from Andreas. His voice is always so smooth, like a mix between Tom Mallicot and Geoff Tate with a tad of Midnight thrown in, and that is also what this reminds of musically (Lethal, Qryche, Crimson Glory). Perhaps not the best song he has ever written but it’s quite decent and I’m looking forward to the album.
https://youtu.be/dlExXc_b0wc

EIDOLA - The Architect
This album is seriously great. Vocals are super strong, the melodies phenomenal and the production is killer. Musically it’s close to Dance Gavin Dance meets Coheed & Cambria. This genre (progressive post hard core) is one of my current favorites, and while a lot of the bands are really within a very tight sound niche (same could be said about all genres with one or two true defining acts really) it seems like Eidola aren’t content just sounding like another DGD swancore act. Again, the melodies here are amazing!
https://youtu.be/uXuRd9_VhXI

RAGE - Resurrection Day
Best Rage album in many years - probably all the way back to 2003's "Soundchaser". I've got soooo many Rage albums on my shelves, and here's another one, but whereas most bands who create this amount of albums, Rage still manages to sound unique and for first time in years, fresh to my ears.
https://youtu.be/aqbMZnQKjTg

[Mardoch]

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Probably the hottest thing in metalcore right now? Female fronted progressive djenty metalcore, touching perfection on each genre label I would put on them. This album's got my dopamine stuck in the ON position today. The only thing that I don't like about it is that my favorite single of theirs, Blessed Be, didn't get put on it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... Yoz2r2J6IR

I Built the Sky (with Jake Howsome Lowe) - Coalesce
Really good guitar-driven instrumental stuff. Djenty heritage, tons of chops and heavy riffage, but most of all good songs.

https://ibuiltthesky.bandcamp.com/album/coalesce

I Built The Sky
… I really wish this had vocals on it!

Spiritbox
… I really wish this was instrumental!

Lol

Whhaaattt!? Courtney is one of my favorite vocalists in all of metal right now. I mean I know our tastes in this arena diverge significantly, but I'm still more than a little surprised. I agree that the I Built the Sky material could really benefit from vocals. They did a single with Andy Cizek (if I'm remember correctly) that was really killer.

[Mardoch]

I haven't yet checked out the new Aeon Zen, but the new Rivers of Nihil (The Work) is amazing. It's everything I could've wanted from a followup to Where Owls Know My Name.

https://riversofnihil.bandcamp.com/album/the-work

[introclaus]

I haven't yet checked out the new Aeon Zen, but the new Rivers of Nihil (The Work) is amazing. It's everything I could've wanted from a followup to Where Owls Know My Name.

https://riversofnihil.bandcamp.com/album/the-work

I’m trying my best with this one, but I didn’t like any of their previous outputs even if Glenn praised the heck out of “Where Owls…” and tried to convince me into liking it. The new one is sitting a little better w me but still not convincing me to push purchase. The intro sounds like the intro to last Black Crown Initiate (who RoN actually sounds quite a lot alike on this disc), there’s a bunch of BtBaM moments (but the new BtBaM is just on a completely different level) and unfortunately way too much Devin Townsend worship over this album. I’ll give it one or two more spins later but not really expecting my opinion to be changed.

[introclaus]

VOLBEAT - Shotgun Blues
First (or 3rd) single from upcoming album. Apparently they are saying this will be a more "metal" and back to the roots album, but tagging the two "summer singles" onto it isn't really indicative of that. Anyway, "Shotgun Blues" itself is a nice Volbeat rock'n'roll stomper, and while it isn't going all the way back to the early days, this does indeed promise well.
https://youtu.be/SQMFRSo3DSE

SWALLOW THE SUN - Woven into Sorrow
Nice first single - lots of melancholy, lots of melody and at the end of the ~8 minute long song even a bit of death doom of old school style (which I thought by now the band had abandoned). Love this band, and "Moonflowers" will probably end up really high on my year end list.
https://youtu.be/XKq4iECc8EA

UNTO OTHERS - Strength
I mentioned this album before (a few weeks ago when the first three singles came out), and it's really great. For anyone who miss the old gothic metal days of Type O, To/Die/For, Cemetary etc, this has that feel to it, but also combines it with classic goth rock (Sisters of Mercy/Mission/Fields...) and modern power/retro heavy metal.
https://youtu.be/deqQXMud8ss

[gazinwales]

SWALLOW THE SUN - Woven into Sorrow
Totally forgot about this, sounds amazing album a couple of months away, can't wait.

[introclaus]

Also picked up these:

PARADOX - Heresy II
Eight album by these long standing Germans, but for some reason I end up losing track on them now and again. I just checked my collection and I actually only own 3 other of their albums, and now this one as well. Among the ones I do have, it's their second album, 1990's "Heresy", that's my favorite, and it was the notion that they put out a "Heresy II" follow-up here 31 years later that made me decide to check in on them again. Glad I did, as this is a really solid thrash/speed/power metal album, somewhere between the styles of teutonic power metal (Blind Guardian, Rage), US speed metal (think Metal Church and Heathen), and some melodic thrash (Metallica, Heathen). Joining band leader (vocals, guitars) Charly, who has one of those voices that isn't really fantastic, but works well in this setting, are long-standing bassist Olly, as well as returning original drummer Axel, who has been gone from the scene completely for 30 years. Wow! However, it's the great guitar playing of Christian Muntzer (Obscura, Eternity's End, Alkaloid...) that is truly the icing on the cake here - what a talented dude. I'm digging this album tremendously, and am looking forward to many more spins.
https://youtu.be/v282VHlHclc (lyrics video for "Priestly Vows")
https://youtu.be/HgY16ks9XJg (audio stream for "Mountains & Caves")

ETERNITY'S END - Deathrider
Second single from upcoming album, and second release this week with the amazing Christian Muntzer on guitar. This is what Judas Priest' "Painkiller" or Hammerfall's "Glory to the Brave" would (should?) sound like if done by a tech metal band. In all honesty, it brings me back pretty close to the feeling I had when I first listened to Lost Horizon's legendary debut album twenty years ago. The playing skills here are insane, and the song itself is absolutely wonderful.
https://youtu.be/9kX8y2DT-qU (lyrics video for "Deathrider")

SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE - Wherever I May Roam
I did not realize that SM had put out this cover tune of the Metallica song, but here it is. Sounds like SM's own style, and not just a clone, which makes it so much better than most of the other 'tallica covers out there. If you ever wanted to hear a middle-eastern take on Metallica, look no further.
https://youtu.be/yGtcKX2hxl8 (video for "Wherever I May Roam")

[venidominefan]

ETERNITY'S END - Deathrider
Second single from upcoming album, and second release this week with the amazing Christian Muntzer on guitar. This is what Judas Priest' "Painkiller" or Hammerfall's "Glory to the Brave" would (should?) sound like if done by a tech metal band. In all honesty, it brings me back pretty close to the feeling I had when I first listened to Lost Horizon's legendary debut album twenty years ago. The playing skills here are insane, and the song itself is absolutely wonderful.
https://youtu.be/9kX8y2DT-qU (lyrics video for "Deathrider")

One of my friends recently sent a link to a playthrough video and that was my first time listening to them. Killer stuff!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmVnGfDlHo0

[Hearing Aid Man]

CYNIC - Mythical Serpents
First single from new album. Besides a one off single three years ago this is first sign of “life” since 2015’s “Kindly Bent …” album. Where that one was a prog rock album in many ways, this sounds more like a mix between dreamy prog rock and metal. Could be really good for sure. I played this song like 20 times in a row…
https://youtu.be/LNFn_phSuE4

Wasn't sure what this would be like without Sean on Drums? My interest is peaked though. Definitely would pursue this release after this track.

[Hearing Aid Man]

I haven't yet checked out the new Aeon Zen

Just listened to the new AZ - transversal. It smokes!!! Immediately clicking with me.

[introclaus]

I haven't yet checked out the new Aeon Zen

Just listened to the new AZ - transversal. It smokes!!! Immediately clicking with me.

I tried, but I've never enjoyed Andy Kravijaca's voice, and I feel like he is holding this back as well.

[introclaus]

Full albums in the past week:

SKEPTICISM - Companion
The originators of funeral doom return after a long (6 year) break, with what might be one of the most massive slabs of dark gloom anyone will listen to this year. If you enjoy this kind of music, it's a no-brainer. If the thought of something slow and depressive scares you, then stay away.
https://youtu.be/05rjYI8hom8 (video for "Swan and the Raven")

WARNING - Watching from a Distance Live at Roadburn
15 years ago UK doom band Warning put out their "Watching from a Distance" and with that one album the face of epic doom was forever changed. Combining the best of Candlemass, While heaven Wept, St.Vitus, Count Raven and even Black Sabbath, this masterpiece stands as something that probably will never be reached again in the genre. In 2017 the band performed the album live in its entirety at Roadburn Festival in Holland, and this is the recording of that show. If you have any interest at all in epic doom at least check it out.
https://youtu.be/TbDz40Jw1bs (song "Bridges" from this show)
https://youtu.be/A9SzZlElSoE (full stream of original "Watching from a Distance" album)

KATATONIA - Mnemosynean
Double album of B-sides and rarities from my favorite band. Can't really go wrong with that, right? Hmmm, some of it is actually not that great to be honest, and perhaps it should have stayed in the dusty corners of the studio never to be seen/heard, but oh well ... it's still a "new" Katatonia album, and as such I'm a happy man
https://youtu.be/1kn7k5YzPjE (video trailer for album)

Singles:

MONUMENTS - Lavos
To be honest, I haven't really been a big fan of these UK djenters much, except I thought their 2014 album "The Amanuensis" was really strong. I checked out the new single and was very positively impressed - enough to purchase it. Reminds me of the early days of djent but crossing nicely over into more modern styles with some progressive metalcore phrasings thrown in.
https://youtu.be/RMVn5kGHj5k

ARCHSPIRE - Drone Corpse Aviator
Third single from upcoming album, and once again its a completely blasting shred fest with insane rhythmic patterns and a vocalist that just rips!
https://youtu.be/MlnGYcMpxgU

TRIVIUM - The Phalanx
We're also on third single here - and it showcases just how damn strong this album is. I love Trivium, and "In the Court of the Dragon" is another wonderful album from them. "The Phalanx" is quite a Metallica-styled thrasher with a great melodic chorus, and the epic b-part towards the end is freaking awesome!
https://youtu.be/yMoOqlhC-l4

BEAST IN BLACK - One Night in Tokyo
Second single, and not really very good ... in fact, it's quite horrible if you ask me. This whole dance pop in a metal version was already done by Amaranthe (and it wasn't any good there), and we don't need more of that. Oh well, hopefully rest of album will be better.
https://youtu.be/EF2PrtDjR50

EPs:

RONNIE ATKINS - 4 More Shots
Acoustic EP from Pretty Maids vocalist Paul Christensen (Ronnie Atkins). As always, one of the best vocalists in the hard rock/metal genre, and the songs are nice enough. But, like his solo album, it's a bit on the softer side, and being acoustic doesn't up the metal side of things obviously. Anyway, it's always wonderful to hear his voice, and here's to hopefully keep hearing more new stuff from him for many more years, once he beats that damn cancer he is currently battling.
https://youtu.be/q4lpMbhj3AA (video for "Picture Yourself")

[Mardoch]

MONUMENTS - Lavos
To be honest, I haven't really been a big fan of these UK djenters much, except I thought their 2014 album "The Amanuensis" was really strong. I checked out the new single and was very positively impressed - enough to purchase it. Reminds me of the early days of djent but crossing nicely over into more modern styles with some progressive metalcore phrasings thrown in.
https://youtu.be/RMVn5kGHj5k

I'm sad that Olly left the band, but if the new record is full of tracks like the singles they've put out it'll be a high bar for them.

[introclaus]

MONUMENTS - Lavos
To be honest, I haven't really been a big fan of these UK djenters much, except I thought their 2014 album "The Amanuensis" was really strong. I checked out the new single and was very positively impressed - enough to purchase it. Reminds me of the early days of djent but crossing nicely over into more modern styles with some progressive metalcore phrasings thrown in.
https://youtu.be/RMVn5kGHj5k

I'm sad that Olly left the band, but if the new record is full of tracks like the singles they've put out it'll be a high bar for them.

I wouldn’t know their guitarists from each other so it’s not a big deal to me.
Like I said, I’ve only casually listened to them besides “The Amanuensis”, but man, this new single is wonderful.

[introclaus]

Singles:

CONCEPTION - Roll the Fire 2.0
Re-recording of their most famous song (well, at least the one that kickstarted their career), which has some nice new elements in there. Roy still sounds just as good as ever. Love this band.
https://youtu.be/vBsw_0152Zk - (official video)

TORI AMOS - Speaking with Trees
It's Tori! According to my newly updated list, I now own 112 different titles of Tori Amos' music (singles, EPs, albums, ltd editions, bootlegs etc.).
https://youtu.be/ybHkWbHsRd4 - (official audio)

ALCATRAZZ - Grace of God
4th single from upcoming Bonnett-less Alcatrazz, and this is the best song so far. Actually not bad at all, but somehow it sounds more like what Doogie White did with Schenker's Temple of Rock than Alcatrazz, up until the solo part obviously.
https://youtu.be/RH1YvDbJUY4 - (official video)

Full albums:

TRIVIUM - In the Court of the Dragon
Top 10 of the year for me - hands down. I've had the promo for a while, but now finally own the full album. It's amazing. Just damn great melodic modern metal, with influences from thrash, heavy, power, prog, metalcore...
https://youtu.be/bnMMe_amFKc - (official audio for "Like a Sword Over Damocles")

MERCURY CIRCLE - Killing Moons
Gothic alt-rock with slight "Finnish doom metal" and a hint of "Swedish melodic prog goth". Think Katatonia, To/Die/For, Sentenced, HIM, Amorphis, The Rasmus and Swallow the Sun blended together. It needs more spins, but so far I'm quite impressed.
https://youtu.be/UE8u-gI_oh0 (official video for "Like Matches")

[Mardoch]

OBSIDIOUS - Iconic
Great tech-death in the vein of Obscura, Beyond Reality, Alkaloid, etc. (it's actually 3 ex-Obscura members behind this). Unfortunately only a stand-alone single, but man, it's killer. The clean vocals are better than 99% of the ones normally used in the genre. Thanks to Glenn for pointing them out to me.
https://youtu.be/DLwV4C2GRrA (off video for "Iconic")

I missed this one when you originally posted it and just found it in a roundabout manner, but this is great. Tech death is usually plagued by total ass sounding vocals, but this band has no such issues. The cleans are great and the distorted vocals are also very good. I'm definitely going to buy this album when it comes out.

[introclaus]

OBSIDIOUS - Iconic
Great tech-death in the vein of Obscura, Beyond Reality, Alkaloid, etc. (it's actually 3 ex-Obscura members behind this). Unfortunately only a stand-alone single, but man, it's killer. The clean vocals are better than 99% of the ones normally used in the genre. Thanks to Glenn for pointing them out to me.
https://youtu.be/DLwV4C2GRrA (off video for "Iconic")

I missed this one when you originally posted it and just found it in a roundabout manner, but this is great. Tech death is usually plagued by total ass sounding vocals, but this band has no such issues. The cleans are great and the distorted vocals are also very good. I'm definitely going to buy this album when it comes out.

Agreed, this is one of my most looking-forward-to albums of the coming months (? year ?).

[introclaus]

Full albums:

ALCATRAZZ - V
Finally the full album is out, and while I've given it plenty of spins, the jury is still out on "how good" it actually is. There's plenty to like here; great guitar playing, Doogie sounds wonderful (I'm a Doogie fanboy, so ...), the music is well composed and overall it's "nice". However, what it is not doing, is taking any chances. This is by-the-numbers melodic hard rock / neoclassical metal (more hard rock than metal) somewhere between Rainbow (the Joe Lynn Turner years actually, not the Doogie, nor the the Graham years!), Schenker's Temple of Rock, and some Malmsteen-lite (what else to expect from Stump?). I think I would rate this even more favorably if it wasn't called Alcatrazz, as that to me is all about Graham Bonnet. That said, it's a very nice album.
https://youtu.be/DVR7B60ObbY (audio stream of the song "Nightwatch")

Singles:

HOLLOW - Every Drop of My Blood
Second single, and it's really good. It made me go back and spend lots of time w both "Modern Cathedral", "Between Eternities of Darkness" and especially "Architect of the Mind" this week. I'm looking forward to the new disc for sure.
https://youtu.be/3pNBXUwrn2k (lyric video)

TORI AMOS - Spies
Not nearly as good as "Speaking with Trees", but at least it's a different direction that what we've come accustomed to from Tori in the past decade, so there's that. Interesting little pop tune, that somehow reminds me of something Kate Bush could have created.
https://youtu.be/g0uhawUvfp0 (audio stream)

KHEMMIS - House of Cadmus
Yeah, this is (in my opinion) what Trivium would sound like if they were a doom metal band. I'm totally digging this.
https://youtu.be/Sd9piVecSAw (official video)

[introclaus]

A few weeks without updates, so there's a lot here ...

Full albums:

DREAM THEATER - A View From the Top of the World
As others already mentioned, this is classic style DT - well, classic in the sense that it sounds like most everything they've released in the past 15-20 years of their career. That's not a bad thing at all, and in fact this might be their best since "Black Clouds ..." or even "Train of Thought"! All 7 songs on here have their own little parts that makes them great and very DT'esque, and honestly it's only opener and first single "The Alien" that I'm still not in love with. To say that this album is a big surprise would be an overstatement (as honestly, we knew what it would sound like before even listening to it), but it also would be an understatement in the quality area (as this is way better than expected). Nice!
https://youtu.be/zeOkeoXyt-4 - video for "Awaken the Master" song

1914 - Where Fear & Weapons Meet
Blackened death metal, somewhere in the vein of Behemoth. There are occasionally some symphonic elements (think Fleshgod Apocalypse), some old school death metal (think Bolt Thrower) and even some doom death elements popping up (think Paradise Lost), but overall it sticks in the blackened death metal mode. This album is an intense listen, but it is absolutely incredible if you like the aforementioned style and bands, with great performances from this Ukranian band ... and the production is killer as well!
https://youtu.be/dC8sqWQxU9g - video for "FN .380 ACP#19074" song

TORI AMOS - Ocean to Ocean
I'm a Tori-whore! 'nuff said!
https://youtu.be/OMKXIm3qTwo - stream of "Ocean to Ocean" song

CRADLE OF FILTH - Existence if Futile
Dani and his (skeleton) crew are back at it again, and this is obviously one of those situations where you know what you're gonna get. Over-the-top dramatic gothic-tinged symphonic black metal with lots of shrieks and screams, tons of smashing drums, beautiful keyboards, and thrash-styled guitar solos. I would have liked one or two songs as "immediate" as "Wester Vespertine" or "You Will Know the Lion by his Claw" from 2017's Cryptoriana album, but I'll take it as is.
https://youtu.be/X6TXyGKivGk - full album stream

COUNT RAVEN - The Sixth Storm
The Swedish doom metal masters are back with their 6th album after a long hiatus. Musically this is (as always) Black Sabbath doom with tiny hints towards the more epic Candlemass-style. Soundwise we have a lot of crunch and it almost hints at stoner metal without really going all way over there. It's an incredibly long album with very long songs, and if you're not into the style, you will be bored! There's not a lot going on, but with this kind of music it's all about the atmosphere and the gloom for me, and this works.
https://youtu.be/MId4uiQu7bc - full album stream

FIRST FRAGMENT - Gloire Eternelle
Canadian prog/tech death with a very neoclassical background to it. In honesty, this sounds like Cacophony and Racer X in a 2021 death metal setting. Super cool guitar playing, a bass player that is just unbelievable (Dominik Lapoint - ex-Beyond Creation/Augury) and phenomenal songs.
https://youtu.be/4mU_qLoa3Ds - video for "Pantheum" song

BEAST IN BLACK - Dark Connection
I was very worried for this album, but luckily the first 2 singles were not indicative of the full album. In fact, they might be the worst of the bunch! This is power metal (think Nightwish/Stratovarius) with lots of hard rock (think Bon Jovi/Steelheart) melody and a ton of fun (think Steel Panther) injected. I'm a fan of the over-the-top vocal style, and I can do with a bit of fun here and there. Best thing about the album though; the two final songs on the disc - the cover of Manowar's "Battle Hymn" and the cover of Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us", both of them done true to the original but very well done and with the Beast in Black imprint all over them.
https://youtu.be/5bjT5NDrm5E - full album stream

ARCHSPIRE - Bleed the Future
The most intense 31 minutes of music this year. There are more rhythm shifts and more notes being played here than in Dream Theater's entire catalogue put together (well ....)!!! I don't expect this to be everyone's cup of tea, so to speak, but for those who can handle it, this album is a clear winner in my book, and with every single spin I am loving it more and more.
https://youtu.be/o8H9ahswldM - full album stream

Singles + EPs:

CIRCA SURVIVE - A Dream About Love
If you're not familiar with Circa Survive, they are one of the bands that straddles the line between alternative rock meets progressive post-hardcore, similar to Coheed and Cambria or The Dear Hunter. The main attraction here is vocalist Anthony Green, who is absolutely brilliant (in my opinion).
https://youtu.be/wtBYJUjbgIk - video for "Imposter Syndrome" song

SABATON - Christmas Truce
First single from upcoming album, and it sounds like you'd expect a Sabaton ballad to sound like. Not bad, not earthshakingly new, but done really well, and I enjoy the video.
https://youtu.be/HPdHkHslFIU - video for single

GREEN CARNATION - My Greater Cause
Single edit of part 1 of the ~16 minute tune "9-29-045" from GC's 2006 album "The Acoustic Verses", which they are now preparing for a re-release. Sure, I already have the full album, but I couldn't pass up on this single edit.
https://youtu.be/_OTzbhp2AD4 - lyrics video

ALLEGAEON - Into Embers
First single from upcoming album - yes, it's still prog/tech death, but the melo-death aspect has been upped a little I feel. Nice stuff, and I'm pumped for the full album.
https://youtu.be/vE9NqfSMXTg - video for single

SWALLOW THE SUN - Enemy
Second single from the upcoming disc, which (judging by first 2 songs) will be absolutely amazing! Give me doom and gloom all day long!
https://youtu.be/_y8TPj7ULXM - video for single

[Hearing Aid Man]

ARCHSPIRE - Bleed the Future
The most intense 31 minutes of music this year. There are more rhythm shifts and more notes being played here than in Dream Theater's entire catalogue put together (well ....)!!! I don't expect this to be everyone's cup of tea, so to speak, but for those who can handle it, this album is a clear winner in my book, and with every single spin I am loving it more and more.
https://youtu.be/o8H9ahswldM - full album stream

This is some intense stuff! Definitely an interesting listen.

[Chris R]

Lots of stuff to pick through
New Beast in Black and Nightflight Orchestra up there with the year's best
Dream Theater every once in a while remembers the things that made them "the kings of prog"
This is an example...

[Hearing Aid Man]

Didn't see any mention of New Memory Garden. New CD out in December...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADUQTdSZ-q8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfl41Qh9y0k

Always like the melodies from this band.

[Mardoch]

Sound Struggle - The Bridge
https://soundstruggle.bandcamp.com/album/the-bridge

Glenn charted their 2015 album Rise in his annual top 50 list that year and I became a fan after that. I was wondering if we'd ever get another album, and now we have. They say it very well might be the last album from this band, and if so...what an exit. Jazzy djenty madness abounds. It's damned near 2 hours and full intensity for pretty much the whole ride.

[introclaus]

Didn't see any mention of New Memory Garden. New CD out in December...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADUQTdSZ-q8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfl41Qh9y0k

Always like the melodies from this band.

Only one of the singles are available so far for purchase (at least through) iTunes … I’ve had it for a week or so and obviously love it (it’s doom, it’s melodic and it’s a bunch of my old buddies …). I have one complaint and it’s gonna sound stupid - I love Stefan’s voice but his lisp has always annoyed me and still does. A shame because he is a wonderfully gifted vocalist.

[LarryD]

I'm almost ashamed to admit that my last 15 or so disc purchases had NO metal in them whatsoever.........
I haven't said much lately due to that - not sure that everyone wants to hear about Neo-Prog / Prog Rock as much ....... that and I don't want Claus to pull out the "Wuss" word on me again ......... I get enough of that from Glenn .........