I couldn't find a topic like this, so I'm not sure if there's a lot of interest in it. But since one of the biggest reasons for my coming here is to discover new music, I think we ought to have a topic dedicated to recommending the latest and greatest music to have just been released. We have staff picks and great reviews already, but a lot of stuff goes under the radar. So share your exciting new discoveries or the comebacks of old favorites with the rest of us here.

I guess it's nice to start this from the beginning of the year, but you can of course recommend some 2010 albums you think were overlooked, too.

My recommendations that haven't already been covered by MS reviews are, so far:

Crowbar - Sever The Wicked Hand: Kirk got sober and found Jesus. Good for him, I guess. It doesn't show in the music, which is as thick, sludgy and melancholy as ever before. Another solid addition to an incredibly consistent discography, if not quite their strongest effort.


DoomSword - The Eternal Battle: I've been pretty unfamiliar with DoomSword for a long time even if I've known about them and heard a song here and there. That's still the case. From what I can tell, though, The Eternal Battle is not quite as doomy and epic as their first albums but rather leans towards traditional heavy metal with the faster riffs and stuff. Pretty impressive nonetheless, there's something authentic and endearing about the band. (Couldn't find a sample, sorry.)

Weedeater - Jason... The Dragon: The sludge/stoner act Weedeater buzzes and crushes away with a deep, heavy sound that really appeals to me. When they're loud, they're tight. There's some strange filler and interludes on this album that don't really fit in, though.


Orchid - Capricorn: Orchid have released a lauded EP already, but Capricorn is their first full-length. They play groovy old school Sabbath worship. It's not new, but why should it be when it's this good?

I actually find the newest Crowbar to their weakest by far, which is a shame.
Oh, and for Orchid... they had only released one e.p. prior to Capricorn. capricorn I still have to hear in its entirety. But will finally have the album in in a couple of weeks.
As for 2011 releases I heard and enjoyed immensely I will have to look that up
but I am sure the 40 Watt Sun album will be amongst them once I hear it.

One word: Mitochondrion.

Oh yeah of course. The new Mitochondrion is awesome.

I'd actually heard a bit of Orchi'd Through The Devil's Doorway on Spotify before, I'd forgotten about it for a time. I'd read how the band "finally" released their expected LP so many times that I somehow got the impression they'd been doing more demos and EPs. Should've looked more carefully.

I've seen that Mitochondrion name-dropped before. I didn't think it'd be quite my thing, but I guess I'll give it a go.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 09.03.2011 at 03:11

One word: Mitochondrion.

I second this, it's legendary. I'll add 40 Watt Sun's The Inside Room which is Epic Doom Metal, Sabbat's Sabbatrinity Kvlt Black/Thrash Metal, Negative Plane's Stained Glass Revelations which is very original Black Metal, Trap Them's Darker Handcraft which is Hardcore/Grindcore, Doomsword's The Eternal Battle Epic/Heavy Doom Metal, Deafheaven's Roads to Judah Post-Black Metal, Kaoteon's Veni Vidi Vomui which is Chaotic Black Metal I'm listening to those the most atm.

Don't really get the hype over that Mitochondrion record to be honest. Pretty bland and repetitive stuff. Just strikes me as yet another in a long line of death metal bands covering up for lack of songwriting innovation with a murky, "evil" production and guitar tone. Each to their own of course.

ULCERATE! Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Destroyers Of All (Genre: Post-death/Label : Willowtip Records)

Written by Guest on 09.03.2011 at 18:25

Don't really get the hype over that Mitochondrion record to be honest. Pretty bland and repetitive stuff. Just strikes me as yet another in a long line of death metal bands covering up for lack of songwriting innovation with a murky, "evil" production and guitar tone. Each to their own of course.

Parasignosis is more than just well executed Death Metal, it pushes the boundaries with its murky production and cavernous sound, there are some intricacies that you could only notice after more than just a few listens, and some harmonies that wouldn't work normally manage to make it through. I honestly think that people who like Deathspell Omega would really enjoy this, because even if it doesn't similar at all, it has the same chaotic vibe and special aspect that makes it more original than run of the mill DM records.

Written by Mikyz on 10.03.2011 at 09:05

Written by Guest on 09.03.2011 at 18:25

Don't really get the hype over that Mitochondrion record to be honest. Pretty bland and repetitive stuff. Just strikes me as yet another in a long line of death metal bands covering up for lack of songwriting innovation with a murky, "evil" production and guitar tone. Each to their own of course.

Parasignosis is more than just well executed Death Metal, it pushes the boundaries with its murky production and cavernous sound, there are some intricacies that you could only notice after more than just a few listens, and some harmonies that wouldn't work normally manage to make it through. I honestly think that people who like Deathspell Omega would really enjoy this, because even if it doesn't similar at all, it has the same chaotic vibe and special aspect that makes it more original than run of the mill DM records.

It doesn't feel like they're pushing any boundaries when Incantation and the like explored those cavernous sounds quite a while ago and then had it modernised by Portal et al. I just think people are suckered in by production these days where death metal is concerned. Needs to be a lot weirder and out there to keep my attention though the melody you mentioned is a nice diversion at least.

Written by Guest on 10.03.2011 at 12:00

It doesn't feel like they're pushing any boundaries when Incantation and the like explored those cavernous sounds quite a while ago and then had it modernised by Portal et al. I just think people are suckered in by production these days where death metal is concerned. Needs to be a lot weirder and out there to keep my attention though the melody you mentioned is a nice diversion at least.

Well most of the reviews I've read, are labeling the likes of Mitochondrion and Ulcerate as "Post-Death Metal" or Leaders of the new wave of DM... So I do agree that it's been a tad overhyped, I mean it's practically impossible not to think of Immolation, Autopsy and the likes while listening but still as an experimental DM record it's a success, and I also think that if they attempted to be more experimental then they already are whilst still trying to maintain this cavernous sound the end result would have been bad to say the least. Oh, and I'd choose this over Portal any day XD It has some sort of epic feeling that I don't really encounter in usual DM records, so I still think you should give this another chance. And yeah this album IS rooted in its production, but it does that because it has to build the proper atmosphere, it does have more than just a couple ambient moments, namely the outro (which I don't enjoy much). That's really all I have to say at the moment (sorry I wrote this in a rush but still hope it cleared why I find it as good as I say it is)

Written by Mikyz on 10.03.2011 at 13:02


Well most of the reviews I've read, are labeling the likes of Mitochondrion and Ulcerate as "Post-Death Metal" or Leaders of the new wave of DM... So I do agree that it's been a tad overhyped, I mean it's practically impossible not to think of Immolation, Autopsy and the likes while listening but still as an experimental DM record it's a success, and I also think that if they attempted to be more experimental then they already are whilst still trying to maintain this cavernous sound the end result would have been bad to say the least. Oh, and I'd choose this over Portal any day XD It has some sort of epic feeling that I don't really encounter in usual DM records, so I still think you should give this another chance. And yeah this album IS rooted in its production, but it does that because it has to build the proper atmosphere, it does have more than just a couple ambient moments, namely the outro (which I don't enjoy much). That's really all I have to say at the moment (sorry I wrote this in a rush but still hope it cleared why I find it as good as I say it is)

Well as I've probably said before I find I'm easily spoiled by death metal. Suffocation's 'Effigy of the Forgotten' ruined anything remotely older in style and Portal did the same for the modern stuff. Mould breakers I suppose. I can get behind Ulcerate though, I'd say they're definitely Deathspell for the death metal fan. Haven't heard the new one though. But anyway I get why you like this so much, you're reply didn't seem rushed at all ;]

For all my power metallers out there: the new Axenstar is amazing! Solid as ever, and a great way to start off the year.

I supposed i should start checking out 2011 releases. at least a couple i am interested in have been released... 40 Watt Sun, Colosseum... not that I am likely to find either here on record store shelves. too busy catching up to December 2010 releases courtesy of Solitude Productions.

Written by Susan on 10.03.2011 at 16:54

For all my power metallers out there: the new Axenstar is amazing! Solid as ever, and a great way to start off the year.

And for anyone who likes US Power Metal, Jag Panzer's new one, Scourge of the Light is fuckin awesome. Classic Jag Panzer!! Totally amazing.

Written by BitterCOld on 10.03.2011 at 18:02

I supposed i should start checking out 2011 releases. at least a couple i am interested in have been released... 40 Watt Sun, Colosseum... not that I am likely to find either here on record store shelves. too busy catching up to December 2010 releases courtesy of Solitude Productions.

Yeah I had quite the 2010 hangover for a while but this year I'm flat out determined to stay up on new albums. We'll see

Written by Susan on 10.03.2011 at 18:23


Yeah I had quite the 2010 hangover for a while but this year I'm flat out determined to stay up on new albums. We'll see

Not a hangover so much as the fact they had like 8-10 albums released the last two weeks of 2010*, which is a shame. Lots of good tunes too late for 2010 MSA's but not eligible for 2011. Sucks. My guess is 2011 will go the same way virtually every other year has... slow start, try to keep up, and get absolutely crushed in Nov/Dec when Awards are drawing near and everyone pumps out their lists.



* released in Russia, so from our standpoint they might very well be 2011 releases. I'll give S.P. a pass, but i still have no idea why bigger labels cannot release an album on the same fucking day (or even month) on both sides of the pond... why we have to wait an extra month for bigger bands like Candlemass is beyond me. seems all the delay does is promote piracy and the downloading the industry hates so.

Guys! come to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_in_heavy_metal_music, i have thrown up a wiki page every year since 2008 for heavy metal releases. From Alternative metal to Technical Death Metal its covered, so check it out!

Oh ya, 7th Nemesis are streaming their new full-length on their MySpace page. I have to wait for it to be released digitally in order to hear it, but I'm betting it's pretty good shit.

Wormfood - Posthume, great album, definitelly worth checking out, and this guys are not yet on MS, so please vote for them here - http://www.metalstorm.net/bands/band_suggestions.php?suggested_search=wormfood

Written by Starchild on 11.03.2011 at 14:24

Wormfood - Posthume, great album, definitelly worth checking out, and this guys are not yet on MS, so please vote for them here - http://www.metalstorm.net/bands/band_suggestions.php?suggested_search=wormfood

Not bad, I really liked Wormfood's 'France' album so I'll check that out.

Saille -Irreversible Decay some really nice symphonic melodic black metal. Great clear yet poweful production. Okay, not too original but the way it is executed makes up for it. Btw the cello, violins and flugelhorn are all played by real musicians so no samples used at all.
Great Belgian band. Album was released by Code666 last week.

I love and hate threads like these, because obviously I get the chance to check out new stuff, on the other hand, my need-to-check-out-soon list is crowded enough as it is! XD

There's a new Lord Vicar/Griftegård split, and the former did a really cool cover of the amazing Cardigans song Do You Believe?



The new Blood Ceremony is also cool, but the year's first metal album to really catch me by surprise and leave me gasping for breath is 40 Watt Sun's debut, The Inside Room. So beautiful.

I'll recommend the new Benighted - Asylum Cave in which they're following their groovy and catchy style of Brutal Death Metal.

I am really into a newer band called Wooden Stake, who have released a shitload of material just in the last year:
Vampire Plague Exorcism (MCD) - 2010
Invoke The Ageless Witch (7" EP) - 2010
Split with Blizaro (CD) - 2011
Split with Druid Lord (7" EP) - 2011
Black Caped Carnivore (7" EP) - 2011
Dungeopn Prayers and Tombyard Serenades (Full-Length CD) - 2011

Also, Druid Lord relesased a killer debut last year called Hyms For The Wicked.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 11.03.2011 at 14:37

Saille -Irreversible Decay some really nice symphonic melodic black metal. Great clear yet poweful production. Okay, not too original but the way it is executed makes up for it. Btw the cello, violins and flugelhorn are all played by real musicians so no samples used at all.
Great Belgian band. Album was released by Code666 last week.

Ah, is the album out ? At the end of 2010 I lost track, but now I'm triggered again.
With musicians from Suhrim, Fleshmould, Herfst and Fractured Insanity and In-quest this can't go wrong.
Gert used to be our drummer back in the days...

Lately, I've been digging Subrosa. They're an all-girl sludgy stoner band who have released I think three albums. Quite nice:

Hmm, no love for Blaspherian it seems. Well, check'em out!



Oh, and Abysmal Dawn

Written by Holy Man on 10.03.2011 at 18:05

Written by Susan on 10.03.2011 at 16:54

For all my power metallers out there: the new Axenstar is amazing! Solid as ever, and a great way to start off the year.

And for anyone who likes US Power Metal, Jag Panzer's new one, Scourge of the Light is fuckin awesome. Classic Jag Panzer!! Totally amazing.

Hell yea it is.