There isn’t a ton of new music this month but what does come out today sends July out with a bang...
Stick To Your Guns
Spectre (Pure Noise)
If melodic hardcore with big choruses and energetic performances is your jam, then Stick To Your Guns‘ first album in five years is a must hear. These songs are just begging to be played live—first real track “Weapon” is a singalong banger and songs like “Hush” bring plenty of chances to spinkick a teenager in the pit.
Bad Wolves
Sacred Kiss EP (Better Noise Music)
The official band of Monster Energy returns with a batch of news songs that Bad Wolves hope will stick in your head (in your head, in your head…). The title track to the EP features current Of Mice & Men vocalist Aaron Pauley and hits a similar vein as his main band. There’s also an acoustic version of the title track, plus two new songs.
Dance Gavin Dance
Jackpot Juicer (Rise)
No, we have no idea what a jackpot juicer is but Dance Gavin Dance sure know how to make pretty music about it. The post-hardcore heroes have experienced a lot of turmoil in the last year. Bassist Tim Feerick died in April and, in June, they parted ways with vocalist Tilian Pearson over sexual assault allegations. Dance Gavin Dance have always attempted to weather the storm and that hasn’t changed with Jackpot Juicer.
Funeral Chic
Roman Candle (Prosthetic)
The kings of sleazy underground metalpunk ‘n’ roll return! Roman Candle is Funeral Chic‘s third full length and somehow the group has only found more evil swagger. Combining rock ‘n’ roll swing with dirty punk rock, headbangable thrash and early black metal—think Venom, not Mayhem—has always been Funeral Chic’s formula but they’re only getting better at using it. Roman Candle also ends with a cover of Roky Erickson’s “Two Headed Dog,” so Funeral Chic earn points for originality.
Chat Pile
God’s Country (The Flenser)
Emerging from Oklahoma City with a sound as toxic and corrosive as the piles of mining waste that inspire their name, Chat Pile wear their influences on their sleeve; they just also add a new layer of nastiness. There’s DNA from Melvins, Eyehategod, Godflesh, Jesus Lizard, Helmet, Unwound and their ilk but God’s Country is far darker than any of those bands. This record won’t make you happy, like, at all—Chat Pile are dissonant, angular and dystopian—but it’s an underground standout.
Krisiun
Mortem Solis (Century Media)
The Brazilian kings of old-school brutality are back with number twelve. After more than 30 years as a band, Krisiun have their death metal sound locked in. Mortem Solis is like a club to the head, anchored by tight grooves and impressive shredding.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Black Magnet, Body Prophecy (20 Buck Spin) Listen
Dimmu Borgir, Northern Forces Over Wacken (Nuclear Blast) Listen
Haunted Horses, The Worst Has Finally Happened (Three One G) Listen
Ithaca, They Fear Us (Hassle) Listen
Loudness, Sunburst (earMUSIC) Listen
Reeking Aura, Blood and Bonemeal (Profound Lore) Listen