Week 2: Doubling Down

Alright it's week 2 and we've got some insane new material. Sometimes I simply can't decide what my favorite release from a week is and that's the case here. Between the new Knocked Loose album and some more new material from Car Bomb, I decided to go ahead and share both.

First we have Laughing Tracks, the debut LP from hardcore heavyweights, Knocked Loose. This band is really starting to blow up the scene with their genre bending sound. While I've listened to plenty hardcore bands, there really is something special going on with this group. I heard it on the first EP they put out as a split as well as their EP Pop Culture, and with Laugh Tracks they have really found their stride. This LP is 11 tracks of down-tuned brutality complimented wonderfully by Bryan Garris' intense and emotional lyrics. This band is willing to experiment and step outside of the typical hardcore boundaries and I can't get enough of their material.

Next up on the chopping block is Car Bomb. This veteran mathcore band have now released two singles from their upcoming album Meta. The first was From the Dust of this Planet which made me realize how much I've missed this band since their 2012 LP. However, the most recent track, Sets, is what I'd like to focus on. This track is ridiculous and seems to have shifting time signatures throughout. The grooves feel very obscure, even for math rock, but it works so well along with their dissonance to generate a truly unique sound. This track also features Frank Mullen of Suffocation which displays the caliber of musicians Car Bomb are respected with. Definitely interesting seeing him lend his vocals to this style of metal. As for the instrumentals, it can't even be explained. They are sporadic, heavy, technical, and strangely melodic. Definitely keep an eye out for this album, due out October 28th.

Week 1: Welcome Aboard!

Welcome to week 1 of my new blog: The Metal Detector! I will be posting my favorite song or new material from the week that I think people should give some attention to. This does focus on metal, but my music taste is quite varied so don't be surprised to find something not quite the norm!

As for the first week I'm actually starting with an album from earlier this year. "Set Course For Andromeda" by Sithu Aye. Sithu is an independent guitarist and he's primarily focused on solo work such as this album and his previous LP from 2012. Long story short, this album is a masterpiece. The first half plays more like a standard album with varied ideas and not necessarily many connections between the songs. However, when you switch into the second half with The Andromeda Pt 1-6, you truly find something magical. An insanely progressive and beautifully melodic journey where I still find new intricate details every time I give it another listen.

This is my first choice for a weekly post because I feel this album truly has something that can appeal to everyone. Sithu progresses through soaring ambient melodic sections and then transitions perfectly into heavy djent based verses, all with ease. Also being instrumental, listeners are able to truly appreciate the fidelity of this mix and musicality. Plenty of other talented musicians lend their hands on multiple tracks, but this is Sithu's masterpiece. Definitely one to give your full attention to.