Indricothere – II (Gilead Media)
A veritable one-man wrecking crew, Colin Marston is surely enjoying some extra face-time by way of his current gig with Canadian death metal monsters Gorguts. It’s deserved, for the man has emerged on the American front as one of the more creative and unique artists, having made his mark with Krallice, and now figures to expand his reach by way of the all-instrumental Indricothere. The man’s guitar action is instantly identifiable for those who have dove after Krallice, so the seven-part II is stocked with all sorts of maniacal chord melodies, off-center melodies, and extremity of the digestible sort. How Marston stays so productive while remaining consistent is anyone’s guess, but keep it coming. – David E. Gehlke (Indricothere on Bandcamp)
Magna Vice – Serpent of Wisdom (Inverse)
A Finnish progressive metal band writes and records a 67 minute concept album about a war veteran suffering from hallucinations. Intriguing on paper, executed flawlessly in terms of the Dream Theater meets Rush by way of Led Zeppelin reference points (check out the “Ramble On” mirror parts for “Hope You Find Your Way Out”) – but the second half of the album contains three 10 minute-plus arrangements that could exhaust listeners. The eagle adorned cover art gives you a clue that this is not a simple-minded affair. Magna Vice on their debut album leave no stone unturned; the question is, will enough invest in their musical ways? – Matt Coe (Magna Vice on Facebook)
Reflections – E(x)ist (eOne)
Supposedly a band whose members are all from the same neighborhood, who play infuse the “stagnant” elements of the genre with fresh insight and passion, Reflections are the bottom-feeders of the deathcore movement. If there’s an album less willing to color outside the lines than E(x)ist, then by all means, let’s have it, as from the intro music, cute little guitar effects (pick slides, artificial harmonics) and utter reliance on stupid/clumsy staccato, E(x)ist is nothing more than a 14-year old’s remedial modern metal album. Total crap; it’s like every opening band on Summer Slaughter or Mayhem Fest’s second stage crammed into one. – David E. Gehlke (Reflections on Facebook)
Root – Viginti Quinque Annis In Scaena (Agonia)
A live set commemorating 25 years of Root, the ultra-cult, but highly respected Eastern Europe extreme metal stalwarts, Viginti Quinque Annis In Scaena is a fresh foray into the curious live album arena. To be frank, a lot of these albums just chew up contractual obligations or are for kicks. It’s like, what’s the most notable extreme metal live album? Entangled in Chaos? Live Equilibrium? Live in L.A.? Yeah, not exactly mandatory releases, which is where Viginti Quinque Annis In Scaena falls, even though mainman Boss and his in-between song rants are humorous (but in Czech), eliciting some laughs from the gathered. Songs to rock to include: “Sonata of the Chosen Ones” and the Candlemass-inspired “In Nominae Sathanas.” – David E. Gehlke (Root on Facebook)
Sorronia – Words of Silence (Bakerteam)
A fresh-faced Hungarian symphonic metal act (we need more bands from Hungary, but not of the symphonic metal variety), Sorronia prove on their Words of Silence debut to be a few paces ahead of similarly-aged bands. The template for this style is so easy to follow, and wisely, the band stays within the lines, letting vocalist Anna Kiraly play the role of soft temptress, while neo-classical doodles sprint across the land. Some cool, harmonious hooks are evident on lead single “Enemy of Yourself,” while the piano sprawls of “Serenade of Memories” recall Oceanborn-era Nightwish…always a good thing. A promising start. – David E. Gehlke (Sorronia on Facebook)