April's Top 10 Albums

Already time for March's top 10 albums. Staying abreast on the month's highlights might help casual readers see what they missed, and give this the option to check these artists out. I am not doing little blurbs on them, just linking the reviews. This will help me organize my lists for the end of the year, by listing the genre of music the album falls under. This does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most, I have albums in my in-box that are not coming out til July, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month there is a wide variety from Shoe-gaze to pop to hard-core, so you may find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums for April 2024.

10-Darkthrone-"It Beckons Us All" 

Metal

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/darkthrone-it-beckons-us-all.html

9- Ride - "Interplay" 

Indie rock

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/ride-interplay.html

8-Terminal Nation - "Echoes of the Devil's Den

Hard Core

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/terminal-nation-echoes-of-devils-den.html

7-Pallbearer-"Mind  Burns Alive" 

Doom -gaze

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/pallbearer-mind-burns-alive.html

6- Pearl Jam - "Dark Matter" 

Rock

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/pearl-jam-dark-matter.html

5-Whores- "War" 

Noise Rock

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/whores-war.html

4-Snow Strippers -"Night Killaz Vol 2" 

 Pop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/snow-strippers-night-killaz-vol-2.html

3 METZ- "Up On Gravity Hill" 

Post-punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/metz-up-on-gravity-hill.html

2-Glassing- "From the Other Side of the Mirror" 

 

Post-metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/glassing-from-other-side-of-mirror.html

1- Taylor Swift -"THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT" 

Pop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/04/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department.html

Unleash the Archers : "Phantoma"

 Not a lot of power metal gets reviewed here as it is generally all too happy for me. However, given my penchant for twenty-sided dice, I am up to giving it a shot from time to time. I front was willing to give this band a shot thanks to frontwoman Brittney Slayes.  She does bring something to the table that her male counterparts do not, but can it keep my attention for an entire album? We shall see. The opening track reminds me more of Dokken than what I think of as power metal. Thought maybe Canadians just do the genre differently. 

They get into the sound I am not a fan of on the second song. The busy synth and guitar harmonies racing around sounds like an anime soundtrack. Not aggressive enough to feel like metal to me. "Buried in Code' continues this celebratory galloping, which works better than the previous one as her vocal melody is more nuanced. By the time we get to "The Collective," the hurry up and solo pace of the songs are all beginning to sound the same. It is also too happy again. It is a well-produced album, as all the instruments sit where you want them and cut through crisply. In terms of the arrangements, things are pretty straightforward with little surprises. 

"Gods in Decay" shows me what works most effectively is to pursue this more 80s-tinged arena metal style that has more in common with Dokken or the Scorpions it works better for them. It is what makes this one of the album's best songs. I appreciate the conceptual nature of the lyrics. They tap into the 80s thing again this time it feels more like Ann Wilson fronting Def Leppard. It works really well that is for sure. "Ghosts in the Mists" does not cash in on the 80s feel and feels like it came out during the days of Myspace, but works better than the album's happier moments. "Seeking Vengence" is kinda bland and does not grab my attention. They do a better job of that with the heavier "Blood Empress" that closes the album. It mixes a heavier modern sound with the whole 80s thing. I will give this album an 8.5 , it might not be on the level of say Nightwish or Kamelot, but is better than most when they lock into the sound that works best for them. Drops on Napalm Records May 10th. 

Who Not to Miss At Welcome to Rockville 2024 ( a curated guide)

Lots of bands playing throughout the weekend at Welcome to Rockville this year, with festivals set times are compressed, so how can you make the most of your time, while still giving yourself time to rest so you make it to Sunday. Here is a guide to getting the most from your money, with the bands that are going to give you your money's worth. Let's face it tickets for the entire weekend are expensive even on the payment plan. from. I am not suggesting the most popular bands, so if you want to avoid the crowded stages this list is for you, but most of these suggestions are due to the fact I hate most radio rock, so we are going to be avoiding that and picking the most interesting artist who deliver consistently live. 

Thursday 

Fuming Mouth 12:30 Vortex Stage

One of the best new death metal bands with enough hard-core influence to make them interesting. 

Cold 2:00 pm -Apex Stage

One of the most underrated bands of the late 90s who bridged the gap between grunge and nu-metal. 

Amigo the Devil 3:10 Apex Stage

You can stick around the Apex Stage. It's not Danny's first dance at Rockville, but having to pick him over New Year's Day as his new album is better than theirs. 

Fleshwater -4:10 - Garage Stage 

Emo doesn't have to be a bad ward, as these dudes are in their feelings and still rock. 

Anthrax- 6:00- Apex Stage

Since reuniting with Joey Belladonna these thrash masters have been consistent and deliver live. 

Biohazard -7:30- Vortex Stage 

Not sure why these guys have a later slot than Anthrax but they ruled in the 90s with their brand of cross-over hardcore that influenced what we think of as nu-metal. 

Kerry King - 9:10 Vortex Stage

Stick around the Vortex stage for the dude who is going to prove he is Slayer. 

Friday 

Harms Way - 3:00 -Garage Stage 

You can sleep in for Friday, but make sure you get to the Garage stage for the bad who had the best hard-core album last year, they are certainly Friday's heaviest band and perhaps the weekend. 

Mushroomhead - 4:10 -Inferno Stage

Not just a Slipknot ripoff, they have a more industrial sound that has matured over the years. 

Kittie - 5: 20 -Inferno Stage

Might as well stick around for these gals who have a lot to prove with their comeback, Saw them back in the day and they got blown away by Mudvayne who was opening for them, but maybe they are better now. 

Nitzer Ebb- 6:00 -Vortex Stage 

Industrial legends. Nuff said. 

Slaughter to Prevail - 6:45 -  Inferno Stage

This band has a lot of buzz around them as their career keeps gaining momentum, with a new album coming out soon they have to bring it big time. 

Falling in Reverse - 8:10- Apex Stage

I like Tech N9ne, but rap tends to suck live as it comes across like karaoke, so these guys will bring it better live. 

Mr. Bungle- 9:10 Vortex Stage 

The best band playing this weekend, half the nu-metal or wacky metalcore bands would not exist if not for what these guys started 

Saturday 

Crobot- 1:50 - Inferno Stage

Smoke a joint and check these guys out as they are just fun straight-up hard rock n roll. 

Red Fang  4: 10- Inferno Stage 

Stick around the Inferno Stage to check out these guys, who are hard-hitting stoner rock with punk smarts.

All Them Witches -5:20 - Inferno  stage

The Inderno Stage seems to be the best bet to camp out at today, as these guys are some of the more interesting rockers for those with THC in their veins. 

Baroness -6;45-Inferno stage

Higher energy live than their albums might lead you to believe, a great live band. 

Code Orange - 8;15 

It's a hard choice between these guys and Clutch, have seen Clutch before, but have not seen these guys, and I prefer their sound to Clutch's as it's darker and industrial... have also seen Queens of the Stoneage before, so missing them would not be that big of a deal either. 

Sunday 

The weakest day of the weekend, but if have been out in the Florida sun all weekend you are going to need a less active day. 

GEL - 1:25 - Vortex  Stage

Best punk band of the weekend, not that there's much actual punk, if you think bands like Sum 41 are punk should see this band to get educated. 

Miltarie Gun - 2;30-Vortex Stage

Well, there aren't Turnstile,  but they would like to be. 

Enter Shakari - 5:25  Inferno Stage

Of all the Myspace-era rock this weekend these guys are the best of that crop

Slipknot- 10:15 Apex

If you attend this fest regularly chances are you have already seen these guys, but they have a new drummer, and worth checking out.

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TORTURERS' LOBBY :" Deadened Nerves"

This Tampa band takes thrash to a more aggressive place, not unlike early Sepultura, but with more of a lurking hard-core influence. They have some hooky riffs, and the harsh bark of the vocals has more purpose than most bands of their ilk these days. I can hear how this might appeal to fans of Power Trip. There is a little more of a straightforward chug being hammered into place by a torrent of double bass on the second song. The riffs are not as hooky as those on the opening track, and the faster tempo makes the vocals feel rushed at times. Even then things work more often than not. The challenge they face is one many bands of their kind do when the temptation to throw caution to the wind and play faster sets it. They have to find the most prudent manner to do this which serves the song. 

This album has a production value that reminds me of "Beneath the Remains" as the reverb creates a cavernous backdrop. "Captured Pieces" is even faster so shows less restraint than the previous song, at under two minutes in length. As a young band, they are eager to throw down. I like the darker punk riff that opens "Reaper's Impunity" to give a crustier feel to things. But once again the focus is on the building momentum of the song rather than where they could have gone with that melodic theme. "Hypnotic Seeds Sown' finds a more blackened element creep in with the blasting. It works well enough but has the same hurried approach most music of this sort finds itself getting lost in. 

The haunting throb of "Humanity's Husk" is more stirring. The dark deliberate nature is largely cultivated. It taps into a place where all is not metallic rage, but a sonic heaviness. This makes it one of the album's best songs. "Re-education " is propelled by a thrashing punk energy. The instrumental "Enduring Spirit" shows the guitars have pretty formidable chops, and this is likely his band. The last song meets at that crossroads between death metal and thrash. The burly bass tone gives it a backbone. These guys are good at what they are doing, it really depends on if you are in the mood for what they do., I will give this album a 9. The album drops June 7th on Caligari Records.  

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Insect Ark : "Raw Blood Singing"

The doomy murk of this duo's fourth album is tangible.  I have not spent more time with their albums. The answer that makes the most sense is, that there are only so many hours in the day, so I can only get to some things. Over the years I have become more efficient and able to cover more stuff, but some things slip through the cracks, like this project's first three albums. I like how atmospheric they are. The eerie dissonance that is created makes things heavier sonically than heavier in the metallic sense. 

"Youth Body Swayed" has a marginally more post-rock feel though the vocals are more purposeful creating an effect not unlike the place where Chelsea Wolfe operates, without trying to mimic her or blatantly flaunt that influence. Granted artists like Swans certainly were doing it before Wolfe. Siouxsie's more introspective moments would also be a fair comparison. Though not sure I would call this goth. However, I do like it and I am an old-school goth despite not dying my beard for some time,  so there might be something to that. 

In terms of dynamics from a songwriting perspective, the formula latches onto something and then drones it out, introducing melodies as we go.  While I reference post-rock earlier and a similar comparison to that genre might apply to "Cleaver Hearted" where it parts from post-rock there are no big cinematic climaxes. They do take their time and linger over the ambiance. When constructing instrumental pieces the heaviness lurks under the more ethereal nature of what they do. Effective enough. "the Hands" finds them returning to a more conventional structure. This gives her s the room to make the most of her moody musings. I am still determining how this will translate live, but enjoying the album so far. The last two songs are a bath of reverb and shimmering ambiance, which sounds cool but not much in terms of songwriting, it's as if I did some acid and wanted to improvise.  I will give this album an 8.5, as the focused songs are wonderful, and overall all there are stunning sounds, I just prefer stunning songs. They excel at the sound they do make and maybe that is more your thing, I appreciate what is being done here either way. 

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Glassing : "From the Other Side of the Mirror"

Their last album "Twin Dream" made it known that these guys are one of the best heavy bands going. There is more darkness and melody right from the opening track of this album giving me even higher hopes. I have avoided any singles allowing me to go into this with fresh ears. On "Nothing Touches You" the screamed vocals offset what might otherwise be creepy bass-driven shoe-gaze. They get feral and in your face for "Defacer" in an attempt to deface your eardrums. The anguish of the vocals is tangible. I am also not going to ignore the fact the sung vocals that appear on this album are more thoughtful, and this is coming on the heels of their last album scoring a 10 and being the number 7 album on our top 10 metal albums of 2021. The bar is high, and this band is killing it.

"Ritualist" is beautiful no matter the genre they are defying. The way the vocals sit is incredible. The guitar makes a swathe of sound closer to what you expect from a post-rock band, while the bass and drum keep a downtrodden doomy pulse. The album's harshest moment yet comes with " As My Heart Rots" which finds them not only lashing out but tapping into some deep emotional unrest. They take another turn toward black metal on "Circle Down". This is black metal by way of screamo. 

Then on the last song, they prove they can just straight-up write catchy weird indie rock flavor screamo. The overall songwriting is even more refined. It's not as accessible as what Deafheaven did with "Sunbather" but they could win over the same demographics if put in front of larger audiences. Though none of this is contrived or thought out from a marketing perspective by a record label this is just where they are, perhaps even angrier than the previous album though there is a wide range of emotional colors being used here. I will give this album a 10. 

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Accept : "Humanoid"

 

Wolf Hoffmann has to make a living. The last time I paid any attention to  Accept was when they were touring without Udo for "Eat the Heat". Accept was opening up for WASP, when I caught them. I thought it was weird then, but now with just Wolf as the band's sole original member, it is just business. Mark Tornillo does a fair enough job replacing Udo, he gets the right sound from his vocal chords, but his personality is a little bland. There was something darker and more deviant about Udo. This more vanilla element to his voice is heard in the second song. He sounds like any generic thrash singer in the vein of Overkill, who was taking inspiration from Accept in the first place. 

"Frankenstein" still does not grab me after a second. I can appreciate the songwriting invested in "Man Up" even though lyrically the chorus is silly. "the Reckoning" works as generic middle-of-the-road 80s metal, and sounds like something from the new Judas Priest album. This us funny because that album got praised but brown nosing press, but this one will be ignored when they are of the same quality. "Nobody Gets Out Alive" sounds like it should be on the next Motley Crue album. "the Ravages of Time" is a fitting power ball with a hint of melancholy to it, this is true to who the band is.  When they try to reach back into the past with "Unbreakable' it feels similar to the last Judas Priest album where it feels like they just asked AI to write an Accept album. Totally dialed in with little fire to it. 

The big chorus to "Mind Games" feels more authentic, despite being stuck in 80s tropes. 'Straight Up Jack" is a drinking song, for a generation that has already been to rehab, which makes it feel more like an AC/DC song. "Hava Drink on Me" if we are going to get specific. "Southside of Hell" is more metallic, but not that much more inspired. I will give this album an 8.5, which is what the latest Priest album got, it's fitting since its top-tier talent dialing it in, is better than mid-level talent dialing it in. Just dropped on Napalm Records. 

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