Wipe the blood from your teeth and get in the pit; it’s time for a recap of this week’s best hardcore, metal, and punk rock. We dug through the record crates to find the new tunes we think you need to spin and rage to. Strap in, kiddies; it’s time to rock.
The thick, mean, atmospheric sound of Planning for Burial’s Somewhere in the Evening is like a chaotic fever dream. It’s a wall of oppressive sound that hinges between black metal, noise, garage, and The Body. It’s beautiful stuff, even when it terrifies and confounds. It haunts you like the ghost of the past you can’t let go; like memory flickering and fading, nearly lost to time. This is an album you have to hear, something truly special and unique. Heavy and laced with feedback, Planning for Burial take us to sonic places we have rarely traveled.
There is something comforting about metal done right. Bathsheba is a crawling monster of doom, a sludgy beast of a band that lumbers through darkness and melodic horrors. It’s hypnotic, in no small part because of the lead vocals. Michelle’s tone is unforgettable and instantly gives Bathsheba a sound all their own. The gentle harmony of her voice over fuzzy, rhythmic guitars gives the whole thing a classic rock vibe, in the best possible way. Bathsheba is metal done right. They’re rock and roll of darkest order, the kind of jams that make you throw up some horns and bang your head. Also, they have a track with a pretty fierce saxophone solo, which is something not a lot of metal can or would say.
(Noisey)
Weltesser continues to impress the hell out of us. “Guide” is the latest single off their stellar Crestfallen record, which you can pick up right now. It’s big, ugly post-metal; an angry brew of reverb and crunch. These guys move slow and deliberate; there’s not a wasted note or breath. “Guide” is a crusher of a tune, a wave of sound that pummels you into marrow and pulp. Weltesser is a band that’ll make you bleed and beg for more. They are the score of your nightmares.
Woe is almost too slick. These guys play black metal that is ripping and technical, laser focused stuff that borders on being way overdone. Somehow, it’s not too much. They take you right to the edge and then let you breathe, but just a little. Woe hits a groove the moment you think you can’t take anymore insane riffing and blast beats. They become just human enough that you let your guard down and get swept away in the tide of hollow screams, blackened growls, and tremolo. It’s good stuff, in other words, and fans of black metal that ditches atmosphere in favor technical prowess will love it. Crazy talented band, no doubt.
(Decibel)
We spend a lot of time wallowing in bleak and bitter metal bands. In dark times, dark tunes feel appropriate, but everyone needs little brightness in their life. Sometimes, you just need some pop punk, the sort of stuff that you sing-along to while you bounce and sway. For times like that, The Bombpops are perfect. No frills pop punk that’ll worm its way into your brain and stay there for days. Those of us who grew up with the punk bands of the 90s will fall in love hard with The Bomobpops. Raw, infectious, and fast, this band is utter perfection. Give them a listen and you’ll be hooked, we promise.
That’s it for us this week. Throw some horns up and go wreak havoc. On your way out, make sure you hit up the comments below and let us know what grind, thrash, doom, hardcore, punk, and metal is filling your earholes currently.
Image:Â Bathsheba
Gif: Adventure Time/Cartoon Network
Benjamin Bailey writes for the Nerdist and can be found on Twitter talking about Godzilla, comic books, and hardcore music.
