THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER – Royal Discordance

Melbourne metalcore wonders, THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER, are back with their most accessible record to date. That’s not to say Royal Discordance is the band selling out – no way – they’re still their theatric and heavy selves, but the songs are polished, well structured and a lot of fun! If you like your metal with a dramatic storytelling spin, akin to early MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and even MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, then THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER will be right up your alley.

The band prove they haven’t lost their edge with opening track, The Problem With Apocalyptic Tyranny, which is on the deathcore side of theatric metal (think: SHE MUST BURN) and they pull you in with the story. The heaviness of the first track is balanced by the absolute belter of a second track, You Didn’t Like Me Then (You Wouldn’t Like Me Now), which has huge choruses and climatic build.

Painkiller Soliloquy rewards listeners with a crackin’ breakdown, while Nope (Hollow Point Elysium) is nothing short of sassy. The band slow things down with the stirring epic, Shadow Rhapsody II, but they save the best for last with the ambitious Love II A Walk Amongst The Poppy Fields which features some of their most heartfelt and memorable melodies on the album. A super talented band who deserve more attention.

UNSEEN FAITH – Fractured Will EP

Denmark’s calibre of heavy bands is huge, with the likes of CABAL flying the flag for deathcore, BAEST for death metal and GHOST IRIS for tech metal. However, one band has been the unsung (or, the ‘unseen’) hero of Danish metal, and that is UNSEEN FAITH.

After three consistently heavy EPs and two full-lengths, UNSEEN FAITH have pulled out all the stops for latest EP, Fractured Will – and it is an even bigger dive into deathcore. UNSEEN FAITH make a statement with the title track, which provides an absolute pummeling of an opener; the machine gun riffs, techy grooves and the disgustingly brutal guest feature by DISTANT, all make for a devastating introduction to the EP.

First Hate (featuring SPLIT) sees the band reaching the deepest depths of their sound, which makes sense when you learn Chris Kreutzfeldt (CABAL) produced the record. The band call upon fellow Danish darlings, MØL, for the brilliantly intense Graveheart, but by the time the EP rolls round to Hollow Reign, you realise UNSEEN FAITH don’t need to rely on guest features to put their stamp on metal. Crackin’ stuff.

MØL – DREAMCRUSH

It is impossible to be a casual listener of Denmark’s MØL. Third album, DREAMCRUSH, follows Jord (2018) and Diorama (2021) as an immersive, emotional experience. MØL have always perfectly balanced the chill of black metal, with the warmth of sonic walls of sound, but with DREAMCRUSH the contrast feels more like finding the light against the darkness. The riffs are sunnier and more triumphant, and we hear more clean vocals from Kim Song Sternkopf, but it makes the heavier and grittier moments all the more intense and demanding.

Just when you thought the band couldn’t be any more captivating, they release this weighty beast which commands every ounce of your attention. The sonics of opener, DREAM, pull you into the familiar cacophony of blackgaze, but Young throws you into their reinvigorated mix of uplifting riffs and crushing vocals. On Hud, Sternkopf returns to his native Danish, but the universal language of loss, acceptance and hope can still be felt.

Lead single, Garland, interestingly straddles the nostalgia of their blackgaze origins and their contemporary jump into more melodic shoegaze influences. A Former Blueprint is a standout track with a structure and sound we are not yet familiar with from the band, as well as a more classic rock feel in Dissonance. These dabbles into new territory are welcome as MØL’s passion and emotion need to seep into every genre of heavy music. Phenomenal stuff, as always.

CRYSTAL LAKE – The Weight of Sound

Since releasing their break-out album, True North ten years ago, CRYSTAL LAKE continue to release solid albums. However, each album was a little inconsistent in sound and style. The Weight of Sound changes that, and the band now have a commitment to penning powerful metalcore tracks. It is unclear if this is due to the introduction of new vocalist, John Robert Centorrino, but the tech metal flourishes and hardcore grooves remain.

Upon initial listen, it is clear the riffs and technicality are still stealing the show here, but after digesting the album a few times, The Weight of Sound is a seamless slab of polished metalcore. It helps having guest vocals from metal royalty, such as Jesse Leach (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) on the emotive Dystopia, David Simonich (SIGNS OF THE SWARM) on the crushing opener, Everblack, and Karl Schubach (MISERY SIGNALS) on the dynamic track, Undertow.

However, CRYSTAL LAKE do not need to rely on the guest appearances, as the standout tracks prove – including the epic and melodic title track, the groovefest of Sinner and the unexpectedly melodic, Coma Wave. A lot to unpack, a lot to enjoy.

IN A HOUSE OF HEARTBEATS – Divination of Dreams

Essex instrumental trio IN A HOUSE OF HEARTBEATS have quietly been honing their craft of atmospheric post-rock for the last four years, and they are finally ready to unleash their debut album, Divination of Dreams. It’s an apt title, as the album is the perfect soundtrack for the unconsciousness. The dreamlike sequences, tense atmospheres and thoughtful sonics make for an enthralling listen.

Being a debut album, it is a little rough around the edges, but it works in the band’s favour as it adds to the charm and authenticity of the album. The mastering on the other hand, is by the legendary Magnus Lindberg of CULT OF LUNA fame, which is appropriate as second track Cambion delves into deep CULT OF LUNA-esque textures and monstrous post-metal riffs.

Opening track In a Perpetual State of Wonder is an ambitious introduction, just shy of eleven minutes, but the band fill that time with mesmerising rock which shape-shifts between doom, shoegaze and classic post-rock. The band start as they mean to go on, and it is the unexpected twists and shifts in the songs which will keep your attention and entice you into the fold.

BLANKET – True Blue

British atmospheric rockers, BLANKET are back with their most accomplished record to date. True Blue showcases a band who are truly confident and comfortable with their sound. Their influences can be heard loud and clear, but you can listen to True Blue and immediately identify BLANKET from their warm sound and deep leanings into shoegaze.

Hole In My Head can melt the January chill with its summery riffs and shimmering production. The mix is glorious and the vocals melt into the guitars, enveloping your ears with BLANKET’s blissful sound. MY VITRIOL fans would love Levitate, with its nostalgic shoegaze rock and dreamy chorus, while DEFTONES fans would go crazy for Bind and its powerful second half.

Leaning On You provides a sleepy interlude before Summer Skin delights the soul with a guest appearance from Lynsey Ward (EXPLORING BIRDSONG/ ESPERA. The title track provides an epic finale with sonic magnificence; hushed passages, walls of sound and a soaring melody. What more could you want?

COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS – With All That’s Left

Danish alt-metallers COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS claim their fourth album With All That’s Left is a redefinition of the band – and they ain’t wrong. They’ve shed their technical skin and transformed into something equally as hard-hitting, albeit emotionally. Every fibre and soul of the members has been poured into this record and we are definitely seeing COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS in their most sincere and honest form.

The brutally raw lyrics are contrasted by some of the catchiest hooks we have heard by them. Sure, they’ve explored more melodic avenues, but they stay true to their progressive roots with their approach to songwriting – there is lots happening behind the big choruses, with the singles Dance For You, .44 Lifeline and I Am Only Fear being perfect examples.

The title track is an intriguing opener with its dark melodies and VOLA undertones and it brilliantly reintroduces the band. They prove they can still write riffs, with Changeling featuring a bold motif, while These Blind Spots and Bittersweet Echoes dip back into nostalgic intensity.

Emotional intensity ensues with album finale Melancholy Waves, and it’s clear the band have saved the song with the biggest punch for last – this song will get under your skin and move you to hit play to start the album all over again.

FEATHER MOUNTAIN – A Liminal Step

Danish prog metallers FEATHER MOUNTAIN have been showing oodles of promise for the past few years, but even the most dedicated fan will be blown away by this record. Their third album might be called A Liminal Step, but it is a huge step up from 2022’s To Exit a Maelstrom. FEATHER MOUNTAIN have enhanced their sound in every manner possible, and it makes for an immersive listen.

Opening with Sigil, it’s immediately clear the shift in sound the band have taken, channelling heavier prog influences such as DISTORTED HARMONY. It’s a statement track, with big tunes, memorable riffs and an experimental thread throughout with curious electronic motifs. Rope Me In leans into dreamlike sequences circa TESSERACT and SKYHARBOR, but FEATHER MOUNTAIN do it with such a flourish it avoids being melodic-prog-by-numbers.

Realignment reflects the band’s shift in sound from the quietly melodic, to the bold and beautiful. The track euphorically blends into standout track Prayer Wall which is easily one of the most emotive prog tracks of the year. Words cannot describe the journey this song will take you on; progressive in every sense of the word and sonically ambitious – it’s an absolute treat for the senses. Lead single The Hedonist closes proceedings, and it becomes evident it was a genius choice for first single as it showcases the band’s vibrant and ambitious direction. It is also a genius choice for album finale. What is next for FEATHER MOUNTAIN?

SPANISH LOVE SONGS – A Brief Intermission in the Flattening of Time

SPANISH LOVE SONGS continue to write hymns for jaded millennials with new EP, A Brief Intermission in the Flattening of Time. However, this EP feels like a different beast to 2023’s album, No Joy. Four tracks with guest appearances on each, along with a slight shift in instrumentation, this body of work steps into new territory and offers comfort in creativity and sincere song writing.

Opening track Lifers Too, featuring THE WONDER YEARS, will easily become another SLS anthem, but the delicate guitar notes and sunny synths makes it the perfect soundtrack for a sunset. It is impossible not to mention the warm production of this EP, helping to keep the tracks sounding organic and human. Second track Cocaine & Lexapro, featuring Kevin Devine, is a classic SLS ode to existential dread with nostalgic melodies and chilled vibes.

Standout track Heavenhead, featuring ILLUMINATI HOTTIES, harks back to 2020’s Brave Faces Everyone and really leans into the energetic indie side of the band. It’s a special track which almost sounds uplifting. Closing track Berlin, featuring TIGERS JAW, is a synth-heavy slow-burn which gets you excited for another full-length by these masters of indie punk.

STITCHED – Terminal

It feels like this debut album has been a long time coming! Black Country groove metallers STITCHED have been churning out singles and EPs for the last few years and they’ve been building up to their nastiest release yet, Terminal. Is it offering something new? No. Is it the heaviest thing you’ll hear all year? Also, no. However, Terminal is a reliable album if you want a no-nonsense record. In a time where you’re constantly being offered the next big thing or have the next ‘innovative’ band shoved down your throat, you sometimes just want a straight-up record that only offers a good time (or a nasty time in the case of Terminal).

STITCHED begin their onslaught with the down-tuned filth of Indolent, which sets the hardcore precedent for the remainder of the album. They quicken the pace with the riff-fuelled Hook, Line & Sinker which becomes an absolute stomper, while Poison Addict puts a devastating metalcore spin on proceedings. The mean Cask of Amontillado will keep the BLACK TONGUE and AVERSIONS CROWN fans keen with a guest spot from Alex Teyen, while they channel their inner MASTIFF on the brutal Man Down. The album takes some interesting turns with tracks such as Mirelurk which has some dissonant and sludge influences, while Nil by Mouth boasts a deathcore groove. Hints of possible directions to come.