WORM/DREAM UNENDING, “Starpath” (20 Buck Spin): Dream Unending and Worm, two of the most intriguing bands on the 20 Buck Spin roster, continue to take death metal into strange new circles. And on “Starpath,” they combine forces on this mesmerizing split effort. This five-track, 45-minute collection is hardly these two bands dumping a few songs into your lap on the way to their next full-lengths. These are meaty, deadly pieces that feature Dream Unending’s jazzy, dreamier creations along with Worm’s cosmic, brain-freezing demons that drill deep into your psyche. This was a year-end treat for listeners who have had a metallic bounty so far and who can fall over into the bounty of one more death metal harvest. (Oct. 20)
For more on the band, go here: https://www.instagram.com/thedreamisunending/
And here: https://www.instagram.com/wormgloom/
To buy the album, go here: https://www.20buckspin.com/starpath
For more on the label, go here: https://www.20buckspin.com/
UNDULATION, “An Unhealthy Interest in Suffering” (self-released/I, Voidhanger): Taking on “An Unhealthy Interest in Suffering,” the debut EP from black metal force Undulation, is like experiencing an altered version of reality. Yes, you’ve heard sounds like this before, and it should be something that’s somewhat familiar to those who indulge in heavier music. But there’s something mysterious afoot. These six tracks weigh heavily on the psyche, delve into historical and occult horrors, and act like a beast that has mutated from the cells of others only to grow deadlier and more immersive. This is a band that defies description, and once their sounds reach more ears, there’s bound to be a groundswell of interest and a fervor of enthusiasm for this unique machine. Plus, vocalist the Executioner balances piercing shrieks with operatic calls, a chilling and devastating approach she and the band use to dress “Judith Beheading Holofernes,” “Failures of the Demiurge,” and “Dressed for Her Execution.” (June 10)
For more on the band, go here: https://undulationdeath.bandcamp.com/album/an-unhealthy-interest-in-suffering
To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://metalodyssey.8merch.us/
Or here (international): https://metalodyssey.8merch.com/
For more on the label, go here: https://i-voidhanger.com/
IRESS, “Solace” (Dune Altar): Dreamy LA-based doom quartet Iress have faced a lot of the tumult like we all have, including a global pandemic you may have heard about. Undeterred, the band has returned with a new four-track EP “Solace” that starts to bridge a gap from their excellent last full-length album “Flaw” to whatever comes next. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves, and we shouldn’t do that because this is a mesmerizing, emotionally arresting piece that contains some of Iress’ finest work. Vocalist Michelle Malley is a beam of light in the murky darkness, and she and the band navigate through “Blush,” “Ricochet,” and “Soft.” A new full-length would be very welcome. (May 12)
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/weareiress
To buy the album, go here: https://weareiress.bandcamp.com/album/blush?label=244832377&tab=music
For more on the label, go here: https://www.dunealtar.com/
SPECTRAL LORE, “11 Days” (I, Voidhanger): Metal has been a strong base for protest music since the start (again, reference Sabbath, Black), and Spectral Lore and its sole creator Ayloss never have been shy about their mission to support social justice and progressive goals. The project’s latest is an EP called “11 Days,” named that for the length it time it takes people to travel the refugee sea route to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. That trek has resulted in the deaths of about 26,000 people between 2014 and 2022 (according to the Missing Migrants Project), an incomprehensible toll for people just trying to find a better life. Musically, it’s some of the most daring and spacious music Ayloss has created yet, and it’s an incredible piece that hopefully can help do some good in the world. (March 21)
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/spectral.lorebm/
To buy the album, go here: https://spectrallore.bandcamp.com/album/11-days
REZN/VINNUM SABBATHI, “Silent Future” (Blue Funeral Recordings): “Silent Future” can be that means of flexing into the stars without having to be a giant rich idiot in order to do it. It’s the product of a collaboration between Chicago-based psyche power Rezn and Mexico City galactic wanderers Vinnum Sabbathi, and together this force creates something riveting that can take you beyond the earth’s crust. “Born Into Catatonia” is a brief instrumental that slowly tears open this collaborative world as spoken messages swim in the murk, feeling like a strange transmission from beyond that slips into “Unknown Ancestor” where guitars spill, and new sounds slowly surface. “Hypersurreal” is muddy and doomy when it starts, the speaking making your blood chill as it continues to tell its alien story. Closer “Obliterating Mists” mesmerizes and rumbles and the singing hypnotizes, pulling you into mystery. Exceptional late-night listening for staring into the void of stars. (Aug. 11)
For more on Rezn, go here: https://www.facebook.com/reznband
For more on Vinnum Sabbathi, go here: https://www.facebook.com/VinnumSabbathi/
To buy the album, go here: https://www.bluesfuneral.com/collections/releases
For more on the label, go here: https://www.bluesfuneral.com/
Meat Mead Metal 