Weekly Release Roundup – Monday 17th Feb 2025 – Friday 21st Feb 2025
From metalcore to blackened death metal, to deathcore, stoner, groove, post-hardcore, and alternative rock, it’s a big week for releases and we’ve got a list for you to check out. All these releases are out this week!
Killswitch Engage – This Consequence (Metal Blade Records)
Packed with strong metalcore anthems, and as we all know, they’re quite untouchable when it comes to delivering those. It delivers exactly what most expect, and while it won’t set the world alight, it’s got more than enough enjoyable aspects to slot alongside some of the high points of their 25-year career.
Check out the full review here.
Abduction – Existentialismus (Candlelight)
Extreme music has never sounded so appealing as it does on this new Abduction record. A band synonymous with bleak and black brutality, they continue to push the boundaries of metal with Existentialismus. Not only finding deeper and darker depths to explore but showcasing a more introspective soundscape. This is Abduction at their most personal, stripped back in grisly style, but retaining all the fire and fury that long term fans have come to expect.
Check out the full review here.
Acid Magus – Scatterling Empire (Mongrel Records)
Leaving the listener with much to contemplate come the end, Acid Magus’ new album proves to be one of the most thought-provoking listens heard so far this year (if not longer). From the first track to the last, Acid Magus deliver an utterly gripping listen. One that showcases their power in unforgettable fashion.
Check out the full review here.
Traitors – Phobias (Self Released)
Hold on to your asses, the giants of the deathcore scene are back and spitting blood, fire, and fury with an album that takes the best of who Traitors are (sonically) and gives it a blacker, more twisted feel. It’s not about being heavy (which it is, of course), it’s about exposing the darkness that lives inside all of us.
Check out the full review here.
Soul Syphon – Reality is Bleak (Self Released)
So, what can Soul Syphon offer a genre that is notably over-saturated? The answer is simple. High quality, anthemic intensity with a level of personal attachment that isn’t always present in this sound. Soul Syphon deserves a ton of credit for crafting something exciting and interesting within the metalcore world and doing it solo.
Check out the full review here.
OCRE – So Often Lifeblood Comes from Ashes (Atypeek Music / Araki Records / Urgence Disk)
An enigmatic debut album that explores fresh territories within the alternative rock world, all by looking to the past, and infusing familiar post-hardcore style into things. There’s a mood to this album.
Check out the full review here.
Seum / Temple of the Fuzz Witch – Conjuring (Black Throne Productions)
On face value, these bands seem to have very little in common and them sharing a split album is odd. However, this has just meant both bands have had to try and be a bit creative. Experimenting with their sounds and exploring new, exciting locales.
Check out the full review here.
Wren – Black Rain Falls (Church Road Records)
An album about grief. An album about loss. With that, of course, comes a tsunami of feeling distorted by heavy sounds. Not just experimental, but dark, moody, and mean, to some degree. That’s just the sound of sludge, especially one crossed with post metal ideology, and shaped by creatives who clearly set no boundaries when it came to crafting this record.
Check out the full review here.
To Obey A Tyrant – Frigore Inferni (Seek and Strike)
Refining their sound and pushing the boundaries of deathcore, To Obey a Tyrant are back with an absolute beast of a record. Evolving, finding new depths to sink to, but also finding new heights to soar to.
Check out the full review here.
Silverstein – Antibloom (UNFD)
It speaks volumes about Silverstein’s prolific nature and confidence that they have been able to produce two albums, and that both will see the light of day this year. It’s a celebration, not only because they have hit the 25-year mark, but it has arrived in such vivid fashion. It’s Antibloom, and it’s a high point of Silverstein’s musical career to date. The celebration is fully underway, and it’s here with a bang, all thanks to a kickass album.
Check out the full review here.
The Dark – The Dark (Arising Empire)
Five tracks, five creative rock-focused, industrial-tinged bangers, and five reasons to be very excited about the future of this band, The Dark are here, and they’ve got some great ideas.
Check out the full review here.
