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| Portal |
One of the
first releases of 2013 that’s garnering attention is the long awaited return of
Cult of Luna, who will release their new record Vertikal in January and it’s
already received some promising reviews. The first two months of 2013 will be
jammed with some quality bands releasing records and the list is impressive,
with Iron Lung releasing a new LP and a potentially impressive debut from
Secrets of the Sky around the corner. Death metal horror will come in the shape
of Portal’s Vexovoid in February along with a new EP from Finnish grinders
Rotten Sound that same month.
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| Light Bearer |
There will
be a slew of records in those two months that I’m personally quite excited
about like Cloud Rat’s Moksha, Fen’s Dustwalker and Skagos’s Anarchic. The
latter released two lengthy new tracks recently and looks set to be the
Cascadian black metallers’ finest, most enthralling moment yet. One of the most
promising things will be Light Bearer’s new album Silver Tongue. As you may
know, I adore the last album Lapsus and the band will begin recording in early
January, with an online release possible later that month and the physicals
coming later in the year.
2012 was a
pretty good year again for Irish releases like Eternal Helcaraxe, Sodb, Fern
Floor and Drainland to mention a few. But 2013 is already looking pretty
enticing with Altar of Plagues (more on them in a paragraph or two) but also,
black metal project Slidhr who released two new tracks earlier this year and will
finally unleash Deluge through Debemur Morti and then there’s Refraction. If
you remember correctly they released my favourite Irish album in 2011 and a new
EP is on the cards. Add to that, one of the country’s finest doom offerings
Mourning Beloveth will unveil Formless in February, which has promised to be a
departure of sorts but still quintessentially Mourning Beloveth. Meanwhile,
Cork’s Rest will release I Hold The Wolf. There are plenty more to mention but
with possible new releases from Zhora, Coalinga, Twisted Mass, and who knows
who else at the moment, around the corner, it should be a decent year on this
island.
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| Altar of Plagues |
2013 is
slated for a number of other records big and small that still have no official release
dates just yet like Carcass returning with a new album after 18 years, which is
causing equal levels of anticipation and anxiety as to whether the death metal
legends have a great album left in them. Meanwhile, Altar of Plagues are
nearing completion on a new album that’s been promised to be something of a step
into new territory, featuring supposedly ten tracks opposed to the usual four
on the previous albums. The only update offered by the band so far was: "We are nearing the completion of our third album. If
you expect us to repeat ourselves you will be disappointed."
As for labels, it looks like Southern Lord will be continuing their trek into crusty lands, having signed Agrimonia for the release of their next LP in 2013 and what other signings and new records from recent signings they have up their sleeves is anyone’s guess.
As for labels, it looks like Southern Lord will be continuing their trek into crusty lands, having signed Agrimonia for the release of their next LP in 2013 and what other signings and new records from recent signings they have up their sleeves is anyone’s guess.
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| Thou |
The Flenser were a label that truly impressed me throughout
2012 with the new album from Wreck and Reference, the Kólga demo and the split
cassette between Merkaba and Wheels Within Wheels. Already slated for new
albums from Botanist and Aussie BM outfit Loss of Self as well as Kólga hopefully
releasing a full-length, it’s full steam ahead for the label.
The
inhumanly prolific, and one of the very best sludge bands of recent years, Thou
will inevitably release a record or a few in 2013, with luck it may be a new
full-length. Speaking of prolificacy, Fuck the Facts are also working on a new
full-length offering to follow-up 2011’s absolutely storming record Die
Miserable. Then on the more mainstream metal end of the spectrum, Killswitch
Engage will be releasing a new album with Jesse Leach back on vocals. 15 year
old me is stoked beyond belief.
Some of the
death metal albums I’m eagerly anticipating is the new LP from Baring Teeth,
new song HERE, as well as Ulcerate who are now with Relapse Records and last
record The Destroyers of All was just stunning. Ok, time to stop. The word
count of this post will just keep pushing and pushing if I don’t cap this
off now. The moral of the story – there is a lot coming. Keep your ears peeled.
Happy New Year!
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| Ulcerate |
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