Here at Revolver, we're always on the hunt for great new music — indeed, it's a big part of our jobs. With that in mind, here are the tracks released this week in metal, hard rock and hardcore that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we've also compiled the songs in a Spotify playlist, which will grow each week.
Gatecreeper - "War Has Begun"
With a double bass attack over a mid-tempo guitar assault, "War Has Begun" proves standard fare from the Arizona death-metal outfit, which is to say — we've got another white-hot, riff-heavy exercise in misanthropy on our hands. With "War Has Begun," you can practically hear the tank tracks turning skulls to dust, the wails of soldiers leaving their foxholes ... and far off in the distance, scores of wannabe death dealers weeping in defeat.
Corrosion of Conformity - "The Luddite"
Corrosion of Conformity's 10th album No Cross No Crown was far and wide the most hotly-anticipated sludge album of the month, and rightly so: It's been practically an eternity (OK, 12 years) since the North Carolina band last cut a record with powerhouse vocalist-guitarist and Down co-founder Pepper Keenan. Clamorous tracks like "The Luddite" prove single-handedly that the eternity-long wait was worth it. Just like the divine BBQ endemic to their home state, Corrosion of Conformity's low-and-slow metal requires a shitload of time, sweat, grit and heat — but you can bet the end product is something very, very special.
Turnstile - "Moon"
While technically a full-band effort, "Moon," the latest single from Turnstile's coming Time & Space LP, derives most — if not all — of its gravitas from one man, bassist/vocalist "Freaky" Franz Lyons. His full-bodied dulcet croon (paired here with guest vocals by Sheer Mag's Tina Halladay) provides the Baltimore band with a powerful melodic engine, an aural ace-in-the-hole that lays bare the bleeding heart and unshakable soul that lives in every hardcore song worth its salt.
The Crown - "Iron Crown"
"Iron Crown," the latest track from Sweden's the Crown, could easily pass for a deep cut by arcane greats like Wolfpack or Tragedy. Utilizing a d-beat attack punctuated by ear-splitting blasts, its chunky riffs propel the track to breakneck speed as melodic leads guide the way. We at Revolver are always down for a nice, scenic romp through Hell — and the Crown know just the path to take.
Knelt Rote - "Alterity"
Knelt Rote's last LP, Trespass, made a dent in both the black-metal and grindcore scenes, leading to accolades from CVLT Nation, Metal Injection and others. Sadly, the band eventually called it quits in 2015, so the fact that they're announcing a new record now undoubtedly scans as a surprise to followers. Don't overthink: Just blast this fine ripper from the Bay Area bruisers and get ready for the restart. It's gonna be a good one.
Hooded Menace - "Sempiternal Grotesqueries"
A tempestuous new face-melter off Hooded Menace's upcoming Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed, "Sempiternal Grotesqueries'" finds the Finnish extremists assimilating their death, doom and sludge-metal juggling act into a more streamlined, formalist spectacle that, by this band's filthy standards, proves remarkably easy to dive into — and accordingly, even harder to escape.
