New Music Round-Up 17th October 2015

Amorphis

The Finnish Folk Metal legends have just released their strongest album in years and possibly the best since current singer, Tomi Joutsen joined the band a decade ago. The band's unique and trippy take on Folk (tinged) Metal is still as distinctive as ever, as is Tomi's diverse vocal range with his Gothic Metal style clean voice contrasting sublimely with the throaty roar of his harsh vocals. There really is no other band out there like Amorphis and their sound continues to evolve and grow, 25 years after their inception. "Under The Red Cloud" is yet another triumph.

Trivium

Trivium are always going to be a divisive band. They really are the Marmite of the Metal world. I happen to love them (as I do Marmite), but even I acknowledge that their road hasn't always been a smooth one, with the bumps of average albums along the way. In 2015,  however, Trivium are a very different beast. Vocalist / lead guitarist, Matt Heafy (still yet to turn 30!) has been the driving force of his band for 15 years now and on "Silence In The Snow", it has finally come of age. Gone are the growling vocals, mainly due to health issues, admittedly, and in their place is a much more Trad Metal vocal style which is better suited to Matt's songwriting / playing style. Trivium have never sounded better and even if you've never been a fan before, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. "Silence..." is the band's strongest album to date and signals a rebirth for the band.

 

Vreid

This is how Black Metal should sound in 2015. Vreid are a Progressive Black Metal band in the truest sense of the word.They are constantly pushing their sound forward and evolving as a band, but without losing sight of who they are and where they come from. Style-wise, you could compare them to fellow Norwegians, Enslaved (without the excessive Prog Metal and 12 minute songs) and Kampfar. At times there are tantalising reminders of the band's roots -  just listen to the song below, Sólverv, and tell me that it doesn't invoke the cold dark beauty of early Windir.

Heart Of A Coward

I know these guys have been around for a while now (since 2007), but I have always steered clear of them due to the band name. For me, it carries unfortunate overtones of Bullet For My Valentine and their ilk. It just brings to mind horrible Emo / Metalcore. Thankfully though, HOAC are nothing like BFMV. Their sound is crushing and relentless. There are definite traces of Metalcore in the vocals at times, but for the most part this is the next stage of Metalcore progression. Along with bands like Parkway Drive (see last week's post), HOAC are ushering in a new era of Groove Metalcore with a sound that owes as much to Pissing Razors as it does to Killswitch Engage.

Children Of Bodom

This unfairly maligned band is something of a mystery. Seemingly disliked by everyone you talk to, yet still managing to sell a respectable number of records and play shows and festivals the world over. COB hasn't been a consistent band by any means, but new album "I Worship Chaos", while not being as fast or as immediate as previous releases, is the sound of a band back on form. The frenetic pace of old has been replaced by a mid-paced tempo and  Alexi has reigned in his penchant for showing us how fast he can play. This is the sound of a more mature, confident band.