In what has been the busiest month of the year and contained some of 2023’s biggest releases, we now take a look at some of the best releases from October that may have gone under the radar. Including the grand sophomore full-length from CAPRA, gorgeous atmosphere building from Flower Language and another stellar release from xNOMADx.
CAPRA – Errors (Metal Blade Records)
It wouldn’t be amiss to call CAPRA‘s latest record’s one of the gems of this month. Blending earworm guitar riffs with provoking and emotive vocals, with lyricism that make for a listen that is stark but enthralling. Tracks such as “Human Commodity” and “Trauma Bonds” are furious and potent, with the record closing out on gorgeous “Nora (Last Call)” as it asecnds on shoegaze stylings that see CAPRA take a moment of contemplation.
FFO: Better Lovers, GEL & POOL
Flower Language – Thrown Into Air (A3C)
Thrown Into Air outwardly seems to be record that is shoegaze in spirit, but it’s actually quite down to earth. The all important guitars sell it: tasteful leads over gaze-like rhythms that can crunch as required, and it’s awash with shrill feedback at every pause. There are many singles in the alt rock vein, but there’s also plenty of tracks that will suprise you. “Consume Your Vision” and “Echoes of the Natural World” both turn from blissful ballad into heaviness at epic proportions, a level of dynamism I cherish, and “Lovely One” is a stunning acoustic interlude.
FFO: Slow Crush, Hum, Narrow Head
Detachment – Lack (Independent)
Blending together influences of emo, shoegaze and metal within their hardcore on Lack, Detachment make for one of the most expansive release of October. As each track passes, there in a sense that the Huntington, NY squad want to keep the listener on their shoes, as each track moves between differing sounds. This makes for a record that doesn’t feel stale at any moment.
FFO: Static Dress, Trauma Bonds & Parting Ways
headcage – under my skin (Independent)
Arriving with their debut EP, Newcastle unit headcage show themselves to be an impressive and exciting prospect out of the North East. A raw and forceful listen that is brought to life with an authentic emotiveness that you’ll yearn for more of after each listen. Those based out of the UK should be looking to get behind headcage sooner rather than later.
FFO: Lake Malice, newshapes & The Comfort
Sentenced 2 Die – Parasitic Infection (Maggot Stomp)
This young band (formed 2021) already sound venerable, thanks to their confident, classic death metal sound. Parasitic Infection has got the glossy production that Sentenced 2 Die have deserved since their first release. I love the speedy blast beats that segue from circle pit grooves, and the mix of deep vocals and quick screams. At 28 minutes long, they’re not wasting your time either way.
FFO: Undeath, Witch Vomit, Undergang
Azshara – Demo (Ephyra)
Ephyra newcomers provide a unique metalcore style with their rustic and harmonious that truly feels like something plucked out of the early 00s. Each element from the slamming kick, the snarling vocals and rough riffs pieces together something that provides an unexpected and satisfying listen, and see another excellent addition to an already impressive roster.
FFO: Underoath, Balmora & CANDY
bulletsbetweentongues – i will be here until the end and even then, when everything comes crashing. (Ephyra)
With technicality far beyond the grainy production, bulletsbetweentongues run a full gamut from black metal to emo in a short span of time of six minutes. “i took a swing at the devil, he simply shook my hand” is every idea at once, the sound of a three-piece finding their feet right before you, and sticking the landing. “you’re on the side of angels” is the more emo cut, with angry triumph in its riffing and sullen, whispered vocals in a small break. Watch out for its breakdown and the cold, agonising outro. It’s their very first release, and I can’t wait to hear more – even at this level of production, as it’s quite fitting for the raw anguish bulletsbetweentongues are brandishing.
FFO: Knoll, Record Setter, Death Goals
Afterbirth – In But Not Of (Willowtip)
I’ve devoured a lot of death metal since 2020, but nothing I’ve heard has scratched the same itch that Afterbirth had managed, until now. In But Not Of is their triumphant return that I wasn’t expecting. Afterbirth‘s approach to prog death involves non-linear songs that brim with colour ideas. Heaviness is up to brutal levels through their suprisingly articulate gutteral vocals. It’s rare to find an extreme metal album where the bass has been mixed as an equal to the rest of the band, letting you hear it in full precison. Afterbirth are also, frankly, an antidote to the often percieved weaknesses of brutal death metal, thanks to that suprisingly clean production and the prog elements. On 2020’s Four Dimensional Flesh, several brilliant prog instrumentals gave the record brilliant pacing, and now those stellar atmospheres are even more readily combined with full death metal swing, particularly on “Devils With Dead Eyes” and “In But Not Of“.
FFO: Faceless Burial, Artificial Brain, Cynic
xNOMADx – On Skylines of Embers (Ephyra)
After xNOMADx‘s demo earlier this year, it was difficult not to get exciting about what may be to come from the Northeast US band. Returning sooner than expected with On Skylines of Embers, they delve into both the self and societal lyrically, accompanied by precise and excellent guitar work that make for one of the strongest EPs of 2023. If there any justice, this should see xNOMADx propelled to the forefront of the hardcore-come-metalcore scene.
FFO: World of Pleasure, A Mourning Star & Magnitude