Following on from our singles look-back, we now move onto some of the best LPs and EPs to release in August. Including the return of grindcore legends Implosive Disgorgence, Florida death metal from Graveview and the latest atmospheric black metal offering from Trhä.
FINAL GIRLS – Occult Classic (EP) (Independent)
Running out of North New Jersey, FINAL GIRLS have unleashed their debut record, Occult Classic. Showing their blend of hardcore and thrash/groove metal with a 90s punk sheen, there is plenty variety packed into the 20 minute run-time packed into the record. Thematically drawing on horror tropes, Occult Classic offers up even more than just some good beats to throw down to.
FFO: Pest Control, Light This City & Algor Mortis
Premeditated – No Gods No Masters (EP) (Independent)
Premeditated‘s debut EP is a sprint, with “Snake Stompr” and “Onethreeonetwo” being both the full tracks within No Gods No Masters. Each element compliments and builds the track, whether it’s the groove filled riffs, barking vocals or the pummelling drums. Layered with spite and fury, this is hopefully the first many from the Quebec straight-edge trio.
FFO: End It, Punitive Damage & Mindforce
Implosive Disgorgence – War Crimes (EP)
A name you might not have seen in the death grind/core movement, as they’ve been on ice since 2008. If they were previously ahead of their time, they’re right on trend now, offering a fully-realised sound that leaves the crusty demos of yesteryear in the closet. War Crimes embraces triggered drums, maximised production, and hyper-speed on the first three tracks. “Consuming Greed” is a little slower, and “Power to Control” is a breakdown in and of itself, before “Disconnect” brings back the thrills. The band took the time to sync the lyrics of Spotify, so can enjoy kareoke if you also happen to be a world class death growler.
FFO: Psycho-Frame, Primal Horde, Abominable Putridity
A Thief’s Blade – Not in Dreams…But in a Nightmare (EP) (Independent)
Their guitar tone says metalcore, but the messy vocals enter screamo territory, giving Massachusetts band A Thief’s Blade a unique edge. This EP is their debut offering, opening with the mosh-starting “Adynamia” before thrash riffage ensues. “(Polemos)” shows they can have catchy riffs if they want to, and they don’t over-cheese their breakdowns. They’re surely a powerful live act as this release sounds raw as hell. The short EP runs all of its tracks together smoothly, no tuning breaks required, making it more substantial than its 12 minutes might imply.
FFO: Balmora, Razel Got Her Wings & Threshold
Prevention – Split The World (EP) (Delayed Gratification Records)
Delivering and improving year-on-year since their formation in 2019, Prevention show us what they have to offer latest EP, Split The World. Hooks a plenty vocally, ‘Erase my mind, this is my path defined, a piece of meat, eaten up by time’ on “Erase My Mind” and ‘They will see you, before you do‘ on the closer “Before You See Them“. Backed by chunky guitars and tight drums, Prevention more than match the level they set themselves with previous EP, The Search.
Instinct – Counterfeit (EP) (Independent)
From the outset on “The One Who Knocks“, it’s quickly evident that Instinct are not fucking around. Their gargantuan sound of pacey kicks, a popping snare and massive riffs all coming together with Taylor Roark‘s growls and barks smashing through. There are big breakdowns aplenty, including the shattering heaviness that closes out track “Made of Stone“.
FFO: Vengeance, Volatile Ways & Malevolence
Graveview – RUTHLESS OBLIERATION OF SANITY (EP) (Night Shift Merch & The Swamp Sound)
Graveview are proudly Floridan death metal, leaning toward the brutal end with next to no gimmicks in their sound on RUTHLESS OBLIERATION OF SANITY. Each ham fisted guitar chord has the weight of a rusty coffin nail, every snare bap a hefty punch, and the foul vocals call forth from a frothing goblet of gibbage. The title track’s outro is absolutely disgusting, slowing to a near hault and lurching between the swaggering main riff and stabbing feedback, sure to be a live highlight. There’s a quick feature from Devin Swank (Sanguisugabogg) which might give this EP some extra traction, and overall we hope it gathers the group the momentum they deserve.
FFO: Celestial Sanctuary, Defeated Sanity & Logistic Slaughter
Trhä – alëce iΩic (Independent)
For a long time, Trhä has been Sadness (Damián Antón Ojeda)’s outlet for particularly fuzzed out, darkly atmospheric black metal. On this release, the line between the two projects becomes blurred, as the “trve” aesthetics are worked into uplifting epics (22 and 45 minutes each). This is just one of three releases this month on this project alone, so I’d forgive you for thinking this was all shovelware. What is sought by Trhä is an atmosphere – the beauty of condensation inside a cracked window, or the fizz of a computer monitor under LED light – crystallised to an intensity that you can’t fathom. If that’s not lost on you, get lost in it on a record like this.
FFO: Sadness, Paysage d’Hiver & Woods of Desolation
Nothing // Special – Dreams in Decay (Independent)
Shoegaze is a genre that should feel a bit DIY, which Nothing // Special demonstrate on this release full of bunkbed ballads. They bring an emo sway to their choruses, like “Slow Bloom” or “Listless”. Both singers are perfectly imperfect – Amanda Mefford sings clean and distant, and Ian Johnston becomes more harsh and gritty as the record goes on (“Recluse” and “Spinning” being heavier numbers). The project wouldn’t be half as good if not for the unison of their voices. They’re plenty creative instrumentally too, showing off on “Interlude” with a soaring shoegaze breakdown. The record’s production is in a good sweet spot, aiming not for high fidelity but a nostalgic quality. In particular, the drums (usually a low point on a first release) sparkle, meaning it all fits together.
FFO: Graywave, Duster & Slowcrush