Variety is the spice of life so I have heard. So when a week in metal which contains metalcore titans, djenty destruction, inter-dimensional extreme wizards, and a cappella metal, ’tis a good week it be. Mighty forces have travelled through time to test the might of earth’s greatest heroes. The battle for our salvation is upon us. Another round of Metal Track of the Week commences!
So to kick off this week, we have the long awaited first release from supergroup Wizardthrone – featuring members of Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Aether Realm, Forlorn Citaden and Nekrogoblikon. As a first effort, Frozen Winds Of Thyraxia is a barnstorming release. Think Wintersun style melodeath, crossed with the techie madness of early Children of Bodom, sprinkled with a topping of interdimensional sorcery. Their debut album Hypercube Necrodimensions cannot come quick enough. Extreme Wizard Metal has arrived!
US hardcore titans Beartooth continue with the releases from their forthcoming album Below. Hell Of It is keeping with the theme of ‘heavy at all costs’ on their latest efforts, spewing piss and vinegar, and with a crushing breakdown. They never lose their sense of melody and hook-filled chorus’, a staple of Beartooth‘s sound. Vocalist Caleb Shomo proclaimed “Hell Of It is one of my favourites on the album. It’s meant to try and melt as much face as possible“, and it’s understandable why he has come to this proclamation.
Bodom After Midnight this week released their debut EP Paint the Sky with Blood. Which represents the final piece from the legendary late Alexi Laiho. Payback’s a Bitch is the second original track on the EP, and showcases the direction Bodom After Midnight would have taken but for Alexi‘s tragic passing last last year. There is a throwback nature to the chaos of early Children of Bodom, but with the Blooddrunk era melodic passages. Originally intended as a prequel to a later full release, we now have an homage to the riff machine who inspired a generation to pick up an electric guitar. R.I.P Alexi Laiho, heavy metal will not be the same without you.
Of Mice & Men have kicked off their forthcoming second EP release of 2021 with new track Bloom. The track delves into the loss of a family member, and the profound grief that follows profound love. “We were born to bloom, Destined to deteriorate, No beauty in plastic flowers”, is a rather poetic way of detailing how true beauty is found in that which is destined to die. The straight forward pumping riffs is nothing particularly original, but a standout track lyrically.
Can metal be heavy without distortion? Does downtuning guitars equal more heavy? It seems obvious…right? Well anyone who has listened to Master of Puppets can attest there are 2 things that really signify whether something is ‘heavy’, and that is tone and composition. A well written riff in a crushing tone can obliterate any 8 string chugging. Germany’s Van Canto take this to the extreme, foregoing instruments in favour of the power of the human voice (except for a real drummer). Falling Down is their latest single, and typifies their epic “hero metal a cappella” with terrific melody and composition.
Gothic symphonic metal’s Blackbriar finally unveiled their debut album The Cause of Shipwreck this week, alongside new single Walking Over My Grave. The instrumentation sits largely in the background throughout, only popping up to accentuate on occasion, but it is frontwoman Zora Cock who carries the track with her unique, sweet, child-like soaring vocals. Putting a terrific vocalist front and centre on a track can never go wrong, much in the way Epica do.
Another new album out this week. Swedish horror metal’s Mister Misery seem to have found a lost track from Blink 182‘s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket on their latest track Home. Not that it’s a bad thing (that is a terrific album after all), and there is no denying the catchy hooks and melody throughout. A depart from the heavier and creepier side of the rest of their other tracks, and a contrast to their previous track Mister Hyde. Their latest album A Brighter Side of Death is out now.
Tallah had a little fun this week, releasing a cover of the Aladdin classic Friend Like Me. The nu-core breakthrough act have presented the lovable genie in a terrifying new light. This will be the first of a number of Aladdin covers to be presented on their upcoming Talladin EP. Rather than butchering a classic (as many covers do), this seeks to simply brutally destroy the timeless Disney track. Tallah – formed by Max Portney (who has a rather famous father), released one of the best albums of 2020 in their debut album Matriphagy.
British djenty metalcore upstarts VEXED have release their third single Misery off their upcoming debut album Culling Culture. For a third time now, VEXED have shown they are not slowing down, and are ready to turn our faces to crumpled mush with their full length release. Misery is full of progressive chuggy riffs over ambient soundscapes, but the standout is vocalist Megan Targett. Her brutal death growls really push the track along and match the ruthless nature of the track.
Lost to the sands of time – well since December 2019, which feels like a generation ago. The Last Martyr have finally released a track recorded back in the before days with their new lineup. New bassist Ricky Andreas brought a nu-metal inspiration with him on new track Hindsight. Ambient verses, bouncy riffs, a catchy chorus, and of course a punishing breakdown. Nu-metal 101, but executed extremely well. Things are looking bright for the new chapter of The Last Martyr.
Well where has all that left us? It has been a thrilling week for metal releases, no-one can complain there isn’t something for them such is the variety. I particularly enjoyed the crazy rendition of Tallah‘s Aladdin classic. But the winner this week has to be the debut release Frozen Winds of Thyraxia from Wizardthrone. When the epic quests of Gloryhammer are turned up to 11 and intwined with storming melodeath, it has to be victorious. Wizardthrone are bringing the extreme wizard metal. None shall be spared!
WINNER: Wizardthrone – Frozen Winds of Thyraxia
Check out last week’s Metal Track of the Week
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