New Music Round-Up: 11th April 2015

Agnostic Front

Formed way back in 1980, Hardcore / Punk / Thrash / Crossover legends, Agnostic Front have consistently banged out fast and furious albums and unlike many of their contemporaries from 'back in the day', the band have staunchly refused to 'mature' or to grow old gracefully. Even with all that taken into consideration, "The American Dream Died" definitely ranks among the band's best albums in recent years - The catchy, punchy Hardcore anthems come thick and fast, all delivered with the passionate and unique vocal style of Roger Miret. Not only still relevant, but so far ahead of most of today's Hardcore bands that it's almost ridiculous.

Cancer Bats

What is there to say about Cancer Bats other than they continue to deliver their own distinct brand of no-nonsense Hardcore Punk. What you won't find here are polished, radio-friendly "Punk" anthems or obvious pit-fillers. No, these Canadians are the real deal. Nasty, in your face Art Punk (is there such a thing?). The songs ebb and flow in a deliciously messy feedback-fuelled whirlwind which, at times, brings to mind (fellow Ross Robinson produced punks) Amen. Brilliant, as always.

Trepalium

I have heard this band described as Herbie Hancock meets Pantera and while, to my ears, that isn't entirely accurate, it certainly prepares you for what you about to hear. Having previously experimented with Eastern melodies and Slavic folk, this French Progressive Metal band have certainly proved that they have the swagger and the confidence needed to pull off and audacious clash of musical styles like this and they do so with apparent ease. On their latest release, "Damballa's Voodoo Doll" they turn their attention to 1930's / 40's era Jazz, backed up with heavyweight groove-filled riffs. If you want something a little different, then Trepalium might just be the band for you.

Himinbjorg

People often (some might say, obviously) look to Scandinivia and the Nordic region for quality Viking / Pagan Metal, but if you are a true connoisseur of the scene then you'll know that France also has its fair share of Folk / Pagan Metal bands, among the cream of the crop being, Hininbjorg. Taking their name from Norse legend and with the subject matter focussing on Scandinavian mythology and Vikings, it would be very easy to dismiss Himinbjorg as, at best, cliched and at worst, wannabe Norwegians. To do so, however, would be selling them short and denying yourself the pleasure of one of the very best bands the sub-genre has to offer. If you're late to the party, I would highly recommend going way back to the band's debut "Where Ravens Fly" from 2000 and working forward before jumping straight in to the new album. Of course you don't have too, but if you do, you'll thank me later.

The Resistance

The Resistance are something of a Death Metal "Supergroup", featuring current and ex-members of bands such as In Flames, Nightrage, Dimension Zero and The Haunted. With a pedigree like this, you would be forgiven for expecting greatness. Well, you won't be diappointed. If you heard the band's first album (2013's "Scars"), then you know what this is going to sound like. If you are not familiar with The Resistance, start by clearing your mind of any ideas of similarities with In Flames and the more melodic "Gothenburg sound" as this fits definintely and distinctively into the thrashier Stockholm Death Metal camp with a style more reminiscent of bands such as Entombed and Dismember.