NEW MUSIC OUT TODAY: 5/27/2008

Executive Editor Brandon Geist’s quick takes on the new albums hitting record stores on this day of our lord, May 27, 2008:

B’S PICK: Cannabis Corpse - Tube of the Resinated (Forcefield)



I don’t know how I forgot to include a track from these red-eyed blunt-trauma artists in my 4/20 List: The Greatest Stoner Metal Songs. Actually, I do know how I forgot: It was 4/20. But let me make it up to the death-metal dudes (including Municipal Waste bassist Landphil) by fully endorsing their latest stash of reefer riffage. The song titles may not be as fucking brilliantly hilarious as those on their debut, Blunted at Birth, but the tunes are better.

36 Crazyfists - The Tide and Its Takers (Ferret)

Check these Alaskan icebreakers out on this summer’s Mayhem fest—as this, their latest record, shows, they’re more than capable of cranking out some solid, seriously catchy metalcore. And having hung with the dudes at the Download festival a few years ago, I can tell you that they’re nice guys, to boot.

Carcass - Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious CD/DVD

This reissue of what many consider to be Carcass’ best album (though I personally prefer Heartwork), is pretty killer, but really, all we Carcass fans care about right now is the reunited death/grind legends touring the fucking States already.

Dark Tranquillity - Fiction CD/DVD (Century Media)


Reissue of these Gothenburg melodic death metallers’ last album, with bonus tracks and DVD. For completists only.

Endwell - Revenge Is a Healthy Motive (Mediaskare)


These Queens, New York–bred bruisers’ new EP sees them dropping the pop-punk influence for all-out hardcore. Good move—and good album art design, care of Dimitri Minakakis, former frontman of the Dillinger Escape Plan.

Fallen From the Sky - Tonight We Radiate (Eulogy)


Raw-throated melodic punk rawk along the lines of Rise Against and Set Your Goals. Not my kinda thing, but I can see the appeal.

The Famine - The Raven and the Reaping (Solid State)


Headbanging, not Bible-banging, deathcore from original members of Christian extreme-metal outfit Embodyment.

From a Second Story Window - Conversations (Black Market Activities/Metal Blade)


I dig schizo bands like Dillinger Escape Plan (I’m actually wearing one of their tees as I type) and Between the Buried and Me. But this is way too all-over-the-place for me. Sounds like the band is having “conversations” with a few of its own multiple personalities.

The Gates of Slumber - Conqueror (Profound Lore)


These guys play traditional doom, a la St. Vitus and Pentagram, and a goodly number of people love ’em for it. Personally, I’m not down with the power-metallish vocals. I prefer my doom a little more dopesick and dopethroned.

Hatchet - Awaiting Evil (Metal Blade)


At first I was stoked on this whole thrash-revival thing; I mean, Skeletonwitch, Warbringer, and the aforementioned Municipal Waste are pretty kickass bands. But this shit is getting old quick. And denim-clad speed-metal rehashers Hatchet aren’t doing much to make it sound new.

Kataklysm - Prevail (Nuclear Blast)


More “northern hyperblast” from the progenitors—and only practitioners(?)—of the self-named subgenre. Actually, on this, the Canada death metallers’ umpteenth album, the blast is a little less hyper and a little more groovy.

Means - To Keep Me From Sinking (Facedown)


Sophomore full-length from this Cali-based post-screamo youth group. Why bands continue to think that it’s a good idea to alternate between roaring hardcore vocals and the whiniest of whiny emo vocals, I’ll never understand.

Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure (Metal Blade)


In his four-outta-five-star review of this album, our writer Peter Giannascoli said that Shai Hulud are “back at their heavy-riffing, tempo-shifting best.” And upon reading the review, guitarist Matt Fox of “your friendly neighborhood Shai Hulud” sent us this message: “I just wanted to drop a short thank-you note for the fantastic review of our new album. We were ecstatic when we read it. It seems Peter Giannascoli objectively listened to the album and, above all, made a fair assessment. That’s more than anyone can ask for.” Matt, thanks for taking the time to send us the kind words—not only does your bands’ new album rule, you fucking rule.

Strapping Young Lad - 1994-2006 Chaos Years CD/DVD (Century Media)


Yes, Strapping Young Lad are officially dead. How do we know? Because Devin Townsend cut off the fucking skullet. Not sure which I’m gonna miss more: the band or the ’do. Actually, judging from the kickass tunes on this best-off collection, I guess I’d have to say the band.

Underoath - Survive, Kaleidoscope CD/DVD (Solid State)

For all of us not fortunate enough to have been invited to listen to Underoath’s new album in the studio (goddamn you, Tom Beaujour), we have this new live CD/DVD to tide us over until early September when the thing’s supposed to drop.