Gothtober- Dreamwheel : "Redeemer"

 I went into this album expecting shoe-gaze and instead got the drive of post-punk with the delicate croon of Julia Gaeta, who carries some power in her pipes that keeps the song grounded. She is joined by Skeletonwitch bassist Evan Linger. The second song "'Chain of Fear" maintains the established momentum. Not sure if this is due to Linger's penchant for faster tempos with Skeletonwittch, though this is far from that kind of trashing, but enough to keep the drummer on their feet, and remind you of the punk side of the post-punk equation.

 I think this also helps the band retain their sense of identity, as bands like Temple of Angels and Healthyliving are not far removed from this sonic zip code. "Promised Land" is darker in the vocal delivery, as well as the more rock direction. It finds them slowing down but feels heavier. Her voice works well in the smoky alto she purrs this one out with. The melodies are their hookiest yet. "Bayou Ridge' is less nuanced, and feels like a collision of jangling 90s alt-rock. There is nothing wrong with it, but they raised the bar for them on the previous song, making it hard to match without the fine-tuned hooks. 

Though those return to some extent with "Wild Days", The tempo picks up. The vocals drop down to a more sultry alto. The mix for this song is different from the version they released as a single two years ago, as the vocals are not mixed as low. This benefits the song, as the subtle vocal melodies on this one really give it the needed push over the edge into greatness.  I will round this album up to a 10, not as goth-leaning as the Temples of Angels album, but a solid piece of forward-thinking classic sounds to guide the melodies.  

Wolvhammer : "the Monuments of Ash & Bone"

These guys are intermingled with many other American metal bands some more blackened than others. The members play or have played with Abigail Williams, Skeleton Witch, Chrome Waves and Nachtmystium. The first few song have a mean spirited mid-paced rumble to them. Almost having more in common with more aggressive strains of sludge than black metal. On the second song the vocals take on more of a scowl. A guitar solo surfaces on the second song proving these guys can be as fleet of finger as needed. The rough edges of their sound certainly warrant an Entombed comparison, though there is less of a death metal edge to their sound. Sung vocals come in when the song slows midway through, which is a nice touch. They are low and mournful, almost Burton C Bell like.

In comparison "Law of the Rope" is much less interesting in it's deliberate throb. The vocals are a roared static sound. The solo is pretty cool though and they do stumble into some blast beats on the way home."Bathed in Moonblood and Wolflight" is a great title. As a song it's pretty decent too. It moves at a steady gallop. It good but is not the band's best song. I find increased feeling in the atmosphere to "the Failure King" more interesting. Then the are back to more of  an Entombed styled thrashing on "Dead Rat Rotting Raven". One of the album's most interesting moments is the last song which is also it's least heavy. There is a cold melodic longing to it as clean vocals float against the bleak gloom of the guitar chords.

I'll give this album an 8.5 as I am most impressed with the fact that continue to show the maturity to expand there sound and bring in more melodic elements. This sets them apart from many extreme metal bands who find being crushing to be more satisfying than writing songs and growing with their sound. That is not the case here as they journey they take you on reflects the journey that is their body of work.This comes out May 4th.