WØLFENSTEIN is a four-piece hardcore band from Stuttgart Germany. Their new album, Staedter, is a concept album based on a poem by Alfred Wolfenstein. It deals with the perspectives of several different people living in a metropolis and their resulting feelings of isolation, hopelessness and loneliness despite being constantly surrounded by thousands of other people. True to the genre, this is all told in a fast and noisy fashion. Staedter is nothing if not an aggressive punch to the gut and knee to the nose. The 30 minutes fly by in a series of short, abrasive tracks broken up by a few sludgier moments. Among my favorites are "Wolves at my Doorstep," "Zweiter Teil In den Staub," and "Klamm." Excellent album for fans of groups like The Chariot, though the intro to "A Sort of Escapism" actually reminds me of The Haunted. Teaser below, album drops 10/22.
Horn Impaler is a Polish black metal band featuring Pavulon (Hate, Vader, Antigama) and led by musician Adam Goryszewski & vocalist Paulina Gołda. They recently released their debut EP, Deforming The Imperfection. While the 3 tracks are brief, they speak quite a bit on behalf of the group's potential. Like the simple and mysterious-looking cover artwork, their music is equally dark and curious. There is certainly some avant-garde influence, though the compositions maintain fairly traditional structures. Despite mostly serving as a dramatic, instrumental intro, I really love the opening title track. The chugging guitars have a crushing tone that clash nicely with the softer transition to "Schismophrenia," whose picking has a more hypnotic quality. The eclectic influences on the riffs from rock to 2nd wave, as well as Golda's voice, somewhat remind me of Immortal Bird. Solid EP and a new band I hope to hear more from soon.
Neverlight Horizon are nicely summed up as "brutal old school death metal from Belgium." I'd throw technical in there as well, but mostly that's all the information you need for this album. From French label Great Dane, Dead God Effigies doesn't have time for new frills. They're not here to reinvent the wheel. Neverlight Horizon are here to do only one thing: mash the listener's brain into a pulpy cube of viscera. Dizzying riffs that bring out the best highlights of Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus, brutal-yet-engaging vocals, and plenty of energy make this album a total blast. If you enjoyed my recommendation for Gloom's Doggod last year, I think you'll enjoy this one as well.