Mobius – Kala
Kala is not only the Sanskrit word for “Time” but also the universal word for spiritual djent in its most elevated form. This is the second record from France’s Mobius, and an album where the word “authentic” truly finds its meaning. It’s a strong progressive record that is undeniably technical, yet it feels raw and natural due to the strong Indian and World music influences. Sometimes chaotic, other times tranquil, it’s a contrasting yet seamless blend of opposites, guaranteed to take you by surprise, and lyrically it deals with concepts about death, rebirth and everything in between. For prog/djent listeners, it’s the perfect musical start to the new decade!
Thoughts Factory – Elements
Germany’s Thoughts Factory unleashes the sophomore Elements after a six year gap since the debut release Lost. Telling the story of a growing young man that has to deal with all the issues of our messed up world as well as his own personal struggles, the album takes you on a journey full of contrasting emotion, atmosphere, energy, melody and most importantly, riffs. This is the kind of album that touches your heart by banging your head and at the same time, clearly displays a ton of epic musicianship, originality and complexity. This is prog done right!
Proscrito – Llagas Y Estimas
Barcelona’s Proscrito’s debut, Llagas y Estigmas, is a nasty piece of doom/death that leans far more heavily towards the latter. There are shades of early Bolt Thrower, Winter, Celtic Frost and the like here, all drenched in an occult atmosphere that reeks of depravity. The riffs are chunky, with cavernous growls, and a massive-sounding rhythm section. While this album bludgeons from start to finish, it also is the kind of release that requires a couple listens to wade through the dense murk. Highly recommended for fans of the filthier end of the death metal spectrum.
Thy Catafalque – Naiv
Tamas Katai’s creature proves to be still at the top of its game, and blesses us with yet another fantastic release. Naiv is probably the Hungarian one man band’s most accessible, but also varied, effort to date, a refined exercise in avantgarde metal that is sure to please the ears of the most demanding listeners, and to suit the taste of those looking for something really unpredictable and exotic to get their hands on.
Nero Di Marte – Immoto
The 2014 release of Nero di Marte’s sophomore effort Derivae should have been huge. The atmosphere, the song-writing, the intensity; the record was a significant step up from their excellent debut released a year prior, but, for whatever reason, the hype never took, and the Italian quartet entered a six-year hibernation. Immoto is their new album, and this time, no question, the masses will bear witness. With new skinsman Giulio Galati (Hideous Divinity, Bethledeign) on board, Nero di Marte have scaled once more to a greater, loftier ledge. Their sound remains hard to nail down; sundry parts progressive death metal and atmospheric sludge and post-metal, latticed together to form a uniquely massive achievement, one eerie and ominous and quiet and then so incomparably dense as to stun the listener into submission. The year is young but the race for its top album may have just ended.
Magnum – The Serpent Rings
Despite being in their seventies by now, the dynamic duo of Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley is still running as strong as ever and The Serpent Rings is yet another outstanding album to add to their already illustrious back catalogue. Straddling the line between melodic and hard rock they display the same knack for catchy yet not shallow melodies and gripping atmospheres as they ever have. Add to that the inimitable voice of Catley and you have a band that has managed to remain valid throughout decades now and still has enough creative power to forge ahead instead of just resting on their laurels. Another contender for album of the year!
Khand – The Sage Of Witherthorn
Folk-fueled, medieval atmospheres collide with old school dungeon synth. Khand is starting the 2020 year with a bang, as The Sage of Winterthorn is going to be the dungeon synth album that every other project tries to top. So much atmosphere, it’s like listening to a soundtrack to an imaginary movie and is perfect for listening to while catching up on that stack of fantasy books that is sitting on the table next to your bed.
Haunt – Mind Freeze
Haunt is the most prolific heavy metal act of recent memory without a doubt. Their third full-length in three years definitely shows how much their sound has evolved. The focus is still on Trevor William Church’s unique voice, but in addition to the regular heavy metal melodies, we get some thrash metal riffs representing themselves and the keyboards are also here to enhance the experience. Incredible solo work, catchy choruses, fresh ideas, and an all-around more mature sound. A fantastic way to start 2020 off!
Annihilator – Ballistic Sadistic
Utterly blowing my mind from start to finish with that oh-so-familiar Jeff Waters frenzied guitar style, the new Annihilator record is one that actually delivers on its ‘return to form’ claims. Some may berate it for ‘rehashing’ or being ‘too similar’ to previous CDs (honestly, some fuckers are never pleased!) – but this is blatantly the sound of one of thrash’s most beloved icons totally rip-roaring through 10 technical speed metal beasts, and loving every minute of it. This album truly is both Ballstic and Sadistic, hammering away at your face with riff after solo after solo after riff, leaving you with nothing but a skeletal grin. Pure 100% thrash metal done the way only Canada knows how.
