#RiffTakes

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Hot takes on new and recent releases as well as some that we just discovered.

Beastmaker – Eye Of The Storm

With one final EP release (the 11thin less than a year!) Trevor Church winds down the mighty Beastmaker so that his new project, the more traditional metal band Haunt can rise up.  The EP series was an amazing feat that ends on a high note with our favorite of the series. Eye Of The Storm combines the best elements of Beastmaker with the new stylings of Haunt to craft a perfect epilogue to the Beastmaker era and prologue to what is to come from Haunt. 

Gale – Gale 

Arizona band Gale immediately hits you in the face with huge riffs on the opening track of their new self-titled release.  Big, thick riffs paired with vocalist Brandon Tutty’s distorted screams make for a formidable follow up to the band’s 2014 release Vol.1.  The decimated forest on the cover of the album is a perfect wrapping for this scorched earth sludge release.

Flight – A Leap Through Matter

A fresh slab of late 70s NWOBHM from Norwegian group Flight.  The band takes a big leap in both production and song writing on their second release A Leap Through Matter.  Flexing their guitar muscle on tracks Reviving Waves and One With The Sun show that the band is comfortable stretching out a tight riff with a solo or two to create a dynamic metal album.

Green Lung – Woodland Rites

The highly anticipated full-length debut from Green Lung lives up to the hype with eight tracks of fuzzed out occult rock.  Green Lung brings a slightly more subdued, melodic sound to Woodland Rites which ups the sinister feel of each track without losing their edge.  Let The Devil In pulls back just enough to let the hook really grab you before the riff takes over.  

#RiffTakes

Standard

Hot takes on new and recent releases as well as some that we just discovered.

Jesus Piece – Only Self

Philly hardcore band’s much anticipated first full-length does not disappoint.  Dense production and multiple influences elevate this album above the standard hardcore fare.  Only Self firmly establishes Jesus Piece as the standard-bearer of the new generation of hardcore bands.

Deathbell – With The Beyond

French doom band that absolutely kills it on their first release.  Soaring female vocals float over huge riffs.  If Windhand is your thing, pick up this release right away.

Potion – Women Of The Wand

Doom three piece out of Sydney, Australia adds some big guitar solos and psych flair to the fuzzed-out riffs.  Two excellent singles released so far.

Shadowmaster – Shadowmaster

Cinematic doom metal in the vein of Electric Wizard or Ramesses.  Hypnotic riffs awash in swirling cymbals punctured by tortured, distorted vocals.

Vuil – Hell

Old school thrash out of Scotland takes us back to the early 80’s packing plenty of speed and riffs.  The band channels Motorhead on the ferocious track Hellracer.