Playlist for June 3 – 30, 2024
Quick playlist highlights:
– In Hearts Wake released another surprisingly heavy tune. Their new album is set to release on July 12 and I’m pretty excited. It’s supposed to be the “dark” version of their 2012 debut album, ‘Divination,’ which is widely regarded as their best release.
– Left To Suffer is pumping out music like crazy. Their new album is due August 16. I need to go over their whole discography again and try to make sense of it. I loved their 2021 EP, but I wasn’t crazy when they started experimenting with cleans. Then, to my surprise, I actually enjoyed the singing on the three ‘Noah’ tracks. Who knows what they’ll have in store for us this time.
– Fallujah is releasing a remixed and remastered version of ‘The Flesh Prevails’ on July 5. This album and ‘Dreamless’ are two of my favorite progressive death metal albums of all time. If you haven’t heard of this band before, this is the perfect time to jump in.
– Oceano is gearing up for a new album on August 30. Their last album came out in 2017 so I’m excited to see what these legends bring to the table this time around. I really liked hearing them lean into their melodic side on this one.
– I’m very into Half Me. They popped onto my radar last year, placed 22nd on my end of the year list, and they already have four new songs in 2024 that I return to often.
– Heavensgate‘s EP in 2023 was extremely good, taking 6th place on my end of the year list. This new track is great, but it’s too similar to Dealer and Alpha Wolf. At this point, I don’t need more bands with that sound, and while Heavensgate kind of has a right to that style because it’s another one of Josh Ang’s bands (meaning it’s an offshoot of Dealer), I don’t get why he would create several different bands if they’re all going to sound the same. Bring back the 2018 Loathe influences and leave the Dealer copycat efforts to Pincer+.
–Falling In Reverse released a country song. It’s outrageous…but it’s not bad. I’m kind of scared that I’m going to like their new album more than I should.
– I’m so glad that Hollow Front seems to have figured out how to merge their heavy sections with their softer ones. They’re one of my favorite melodic metalcore bands.
– I saw Convictions live as my last show before I left Washington DC. Such a good group of guys with a positive message. Everything they’ve done lately has been excellent. Very excited for their new album.
– Galleons has a new single already! Their album from a few months ago is still one of my favorites of the year so it’s cool to get another song already. This one isn’t very heavy but I dig the vibes.
– The Black Dahlia Murder released their first song since the death of Trevor Strnad (their vocalist from 2001 – 2022). Brian Eschbach, the band’s only other original member, is leaving his guitar behind to take over vocal duties. All things considered, this seems like the best thing TBDM could do and I wish them the best.
– Seven Hours After Violet is a new band, but I expect we’ll be hearing a lot more from them soon. Look at this insane roster. The band consists of Shavo Odadjian (bassist of System of a Down), vocalist Taylor Barber (Left to Suffer), guitarist Michael Montoya (Winds of Plague), and drummer Josh Johnson (Winds of Plague). The amount of music Taylor Barber is involved in is insane.
– Lamb of God decided to re-record “Another Nail For Your Coffin” with Kublai Khan and Malevolence. I’m a massive fan of LoG’s early work and the end result here is phenomenal.
– Crossfaith‘s new album is great. I’ve gone through it a few times, but I still want to give it a proper listen. They’ve always been one of my favorite Japanese bands.
– A Skylit Drive is back with a new song. It’s not great, but I kind of love it. This specific kind of metalcore from 2008 will always have a special place in my heart. Just don’t ask me about the band’s current line up – I don’t think I could make heads or tails of it even if I dedicated a whole drama section to it. Their own Wikipedia page only goes to 2017 because different members have tried to rename the band, take over its social media pages, and create reunion tours.
– Soulkiller is back with more new music. This is the new project of vocalist Shawn Spann (you probably remember him from I The Breather). It seems like I The Breather’s reunion is on hold while Shawn focuses on Soulkiller, but I like the direction he’s going. The EDM elements are a nice touch.
– Dematerialize have a new album. I still need to give it a full listen, but wow, the vocals on “Rancid Earth” remind me a lot of Adrian Fitipaldes (Northlane’s original vocalist). I loved his sound and have been looking for someone to fill that hole in my heart for ten years. Dematerialize might do it.
– After 11 years without new music, Ever Forthright have returned. This is a huge comeback from an exciting progressive metal/djent band. Hopefully they’re back in full force.