New Release Radar - October 4th Releases

Check out our records of the week from Friday, October 4th's new releases.

Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere
Genre: Cosmic Technical Death Metal
FFO: Tomb Mold, Immolation, Gorguts, Morbid Angel, Chthe'ilist
Rating: 9.5/10

Taking a unique approach to death metal with the use of synths, sampling, ambience and sci-fi inspired wizardry to create Morbid Angel influenced Death Metal meets Pink Floyd with a sprinkling of War Of The Worlds, Blood Incantation have always been the masters of creating progressively cosmic and ridiculously heavy soundscapes. With this record in particular, the band have taken huge inspiration from Tangerine Dream, the German electronic-rock band formed in 1967. In fact, the inspiration is that palpable that Tangerine Dream's Thorsten Queschning features on the track 'The Stargate [Tablet II].'

Chunky riffs, blast-beats bellowing everywhere, progressive time signatures, spooky synths, mellow jazz moments, echoing growls and haunting cleans plus huge guitar solos and more. Lie down in a dark room, close your eyes and fully immerse yourself in this intergalactic cosmic wonder.

Check out our full and detailed review of Blood Incantation's Absolute Elsewhere HERE.

Undeath - More Insane
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Bolt Thrower, Carcass, Cannibal Corpse
Rating: 8/10

No nonsense, in your face, pure death metal. Undeath have proven that they are More Insane than ever before. Chugging riffs, blistering blast-beats, mid-tempo stomps and frantic energy all supported by a dense layer of groove. Screaming guttural vocals completely decimate you and command your attention.

With their roots firmly in the old school death metal style, Undeath continue to produce consistently incredible death metal records with modern ideas. Alternating between addictive groove-stomps and spiraling shredding madness, More Insane is one of the strongest death metal records of the year.

Check out our full and detailed review of Undeath's More Insane and interview with vocalist Alex Jones HERE.

Maul - In The Jaws Of Bereavement
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Obituary, Gatecreeper, Tomb Mold, Sanguisugabogg
Rating: 8/10

Another Death Metal gem was released this week in the form of Maul's In The Jaws Of Bereavement. Groove-heavy, nasty death metal with influences from the heavier side of Hardcore guaranteed to get you moshing and head-banging. Devastating breakdowns, chugging rhythm-dense riffs and crushing basslines complete with thunderous drums and punishing guttural vocals. The guitarwork here is incredible with screaming intricate solos and addictively harsh melodies.

This record harbors an unrelenting power of sheer ferocity, bulldozing its way into your brain and crushing it with the unhinged vigour of a sledgehammer, but make it groovy.

Lowen - Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran
Genre: Progressive Doom Metal
FFO: Mastodon, Baroness, Oceans Of Slumber
Rating: 8.5/10

London-based crushing progressive doom metal steeped in the history of the ancient middle-east and the empty vistas of space. Utilising Iranian instruments and elements within their devastating death/doom metal sound whilst exploring ancient Sumerian and Akkadian poetry with modern Farsi and English lyrics, this record is dynamic, multi-layered and gorgeously unique.

Nina's clean vocals are powerful, emotive and soul-destroying. The guitars are soaring and intricate and the drums are thunderous. The melodies are rich and dense with doomy grandeur, however the record itself is incredibly dark and dramatic. A huge stand-out record for 2024 that entices you into a world unknown.

1349 - The Wolf & The King
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Mayhem, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Dark Funeral
Rating: 7.5/10

Raw passion, frantic energy and straight to the point, no nonsense dark and brutal black metal. The album title comes from a classic alchemical allegory: A wolf devours a king. Then the wolf is devoured by flames, and a new king rises from the ashes.

This record capitalises on the bleak grimness and opulently evil tones of the second wave of the Black Metal movement. Crushing guitars of never-ending shreddage and flurries of riffs on a base of groove supported by rolling drums and chugging basslines. The vocals are venomous and rasping with pure demonic aggression and dissonant spoken word chants. A solid record from a well-established black metal force of nature.

Check out our full and detailed review of 1349's The Wolf & The King HERE.

Wind Rose - Trollslayer
Genre: Power/Heavy/Folk Metal
FFO: Turisas, Ensiferum, Blind Guardian, Powerwolf
Rating: 9/10

Grab your hammer, grab your ale and settle down in the darkened tavern whilst Wind Rose sing tales of Tolkien's fantasy world; specifically, the Dwarves.

Catchy choruses, opulently grand atmosphere, dense melodies and flying guitars compliment the low guttural growls and heavy riffage. The drums are monstrous and the basslines are heavy which creates a rather impressive rhythm section. Key elements such as orchestration, violin, harpsichord and accordions add a folk element to the instrumentation. A rousing record full of fun, battles and the occasional drink or twelve.

Check out our full and detailed review of Wind Rose's Trollslayer HERE. You can also check out our interview with the band's guitarist Claudio Falconcini HERE.