This week sees new shit from Anthrax, Cannibal Corpse, Clutch, Davey Suicide, Intronaut, Six Feet Under, and more hitting stores. Check out the list of releases below and let us know which ones you’re snagging a copy of and which record should be the Album of the Week. Pick your favorite and feel free to vote as many times as you want. Voting ends on Monday, March 25, at noon, when the results will be announced.
UPDATE: The poll is closed. For the results, click here.
]]>Photos by Justin Borucki
[futureusgalleryimagebrowser id=13] ]]>On “Obeying the Iron Will,” Matthewson plays lively licks that give way to heavier riffs, followed in turn by his bandmates’ calmer drum and bass section. The group delves into more atmospheric metal on the instrumental “Flight of the Echo Hawk,” a track reminiscent of the work of KEN mode’s recent tourmates Pelican. At other times, when the band tries to take its noise-rock sound in a more progressive direction, the songs don’t work so well, like on “Never Was.” Matthewson’s whispered vocals over a quiet palm-muted guitar riff come across more forced and boring than dark. Meanwhile, the heavy chunks of the tracks sound unoriginal, and ultimately the eight-minute song feels about four minutes too long. Other songs suggest bad imitations of Converge. While Venerable does represent a more mature sound for KEN mode, it seems the band still hasn’t quite mastered a solid mix between its harsher, noise-rock inclinations and its progressive aspirations. DAVID MCKENNA
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