Sh*t That Comes Out Today: June 20, 2025
Yesterday was Juneteenth and some states are treating today like the observed holiday. Regardless of when it’s being celebrated, we in the United States should always celebrate the “hideous blot” of slavery that plagued the U.S. Though systemic racism is still a fucking problem these days, it’s heartening to know metal remains a sacred space and outlet for everyone, regardless of the color of your skin, your sexuality, or your religious beliefs. Metal is for everyone.
Alestorm
The Thunderfist Chronicles (Napalm Records)
Yarrrrr, mateys. Pirate party posse Alestorm are back with their eighth full-length studio album and these guys are still carrying the same banner they’ve been carrying since 2007. It’s just more cheesy, good-natured fun for fans of that folky power metal combo.
Brinicle
Perceptions Of Reality (Wormholedeath)
Colombian technical death metal is on display with this one. Apparently Perceptions Of Reality has been out since last September as an independent release, but this is the first time it’s getting out there under the Wormholedeath banner. Still, the melding of tech death with groove metal creates a brutal, aggressive style that people can still jam to.
Cryptopsy
An Insatiable Violence (Season Of Mist)
As one of Canada’s biggest metal exports, Cryptopsy is a past JUNO award winner and if this album’s any indication, they could be on their way to another. Still brutal and still fucking vile, Cryptopsy has found a way to iterate and evolve as a band in a way that pushes death metal forward. Their brand of death metal continues to prove that Canadians can buck the stereotype and be absolutely diabolical when they want to.
Hiroe
Wield (Pelagic Records)
This post-rock/metal five-piece based out of Philly creates absolutely massive sounding music. Having introduced the world to their sound back with the release of their debut EP back in 2022, today’s drop further cements their ability to build and create something appropriately epic over the course of this record. For example, the track below was crafted to “evoke aural imagery akin to an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object.” I’d say they achieved that goal.
Malevolence
Where Only The Truth Is Spoken (MLVLTD/Nuclear Blast Records)
This is British deathcore, so you know what that means. Crushing rhythms. Chunky riffs. Fucking ignorant breakdowns. Pissed off vocals. If you want the soundtrack to your next street fight, this might be what you’re looking for.
Other Shit That Comes Out Today:
Black Majesty, Oceans Of Black (Scarlet Records)
En Masse, newviolenttrends (Fever Ltd.)
Haggus, Destination Extinction (Tankcrimes)
Helheim, HrabnaR / Ad vesa (Dark Essence Records)
Helms Deep, Chasing The Dragon (Nameless Grave Records)
Nad Sylvan, Monumentata (Century Media)
Patristic, Catechesis (Willowtip)
Reflection, The Battles I Have Won (Pitch Black Records)
Skinhead, It’s A Beautiful Day, What A Beautiful Day (Closed Casket Activities)
Witherer, Shadow Without A Horizon (Hypaethral Records)
