INTRODUCTION Outside of the realm of radio airplay and mass consumption, metal bands struggle to distinguish themselves while subjected to ever-shifting standards set by short-lived trends. All groups with media presence seem to have something to prove, and Florida native Chuck Schuldiner was no exception. When denounced by the other members of his band Death, Schuldiner arrived at a creative waypoint; he knew that he wanted something cleaner, and to “move forward musically.” In 1991, Death released Human, and Schuldiner claimed "this is much more than a record to me, […] it’s revenge,” in a 1991 interview. Though the trademark style of Death was called Floridian death metal at the time, listeners would later recognize Human as one of the first albums of technical death metal. Long before the term became accepted, Chuck Schuldiner and few other contemporaries maintained the sentiment of the subgenre, seeking analytical complexity over the basic stereotype of incomprehensibly growled…
Periodically over the course of the year, we will produce two lists to highlight a few of each month's new albums. This list spans multiple genres, with each album ordered best to worst. With about 40 albums in both lists, make sure you Don't Miss These Albums! - - -
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing
Katie Gately – LoomLoom is only Katie Gately’s second release, but she can already craft a deeply moving, complex, and emotional album. Her experimental approach is less written than designed, shaping the sound to match her chaotic yet intentional vision. The middle track “Bracer” is one of the most brilliant avant-garde/electronic pieces I have ever heard, moving through a series of increasingly intense and eerie sonic concoctions – however, this is just one-quarter of an album filled with adventurous and transportive material from start to finish.
Sepultura – Quadra
Now long past losing their original members (and, as some would say, most essential), this Brazilian group finally puts all the pieces…
Periodically
over the course of the year, we will produce two lists to highlight a few
of each month's new albums. This list spans multiple genres, with each album
ordered best to worst (here’s a link to the best albums of February). With over 40 albums in both lists, here are the Less Good albums of February! - - -
⭐⭐ Satisfactory
Wrekmeister Harmonies – We Love to Look at the Carnage
This experimental duo has never feared to let the darkness creep into their music, but beauty often shows up as well. We Love to Look at the Carnage is one of
the band’s least heavy releases so far, but the brooding atmosphere is still
present. The contrast between the darkness and light is not very
subtle here, but the results are a complex tapestry of emotions frequently not
easy to process.
Khruangbin/Leon
Bridges – Texas Sun [EP]
While this is most certainly a one-off compared to their usual output, this four-track EP by Leon Bridges and Texas band Khruangbin is undoubtedly a good listen…
Score: 1.25
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