New Music Round-Up 14/11/15

After another short period on inactivity (or living in the real world as it could otherwise be known) I am feeling the inspiration to throw together another collection of new stuff for your delicate little listening appendages.

Kampfar

It's not often you come across a band who not only get better and better with age, but who have seemingly not yet peaked. Last year's "Djevelmakt" was a stunning example of just how much Black Metal still has to offer, but "Profan" is even better. Yes, not only are Kampfar hitting their stride now, after two decades, but they have also released an album for two consecutive years, with the latest being the band's best to date. "Profan" finds these ferocious Norwegians on fine form and not only are Kampfar easily the best Pagan Black Metal band out there right now, but they are definite contenders for THE best Black Metal band. They really are that good.

Skindred

From clinical Norwegian Black Metal brutality to rabble-rousing Welsh Reggae Metal. Welcome to my world. Skindred have carved their own very specific niche and if you have heard them before (of course you have) then you will already know what to expect. This is business as usual and while  Benji's voice is as powerful and distinctive as ever and there are some heavier riffs than on previous albums, these veterans are starting to sound a bit predictable. There is nothing particularly wrong with (new album) "Volume", but what sounded fresh and interesting a decade ago sounds a little old hat now. Still, as I said previously, Skindred have a unique sound of their own and fans are sure to love this.

Avatarium

2013's self-titled debut album from Swedes, Avatarium - the brainchild of Doom Metal legend, Leif Edling of Candlemass fame - was a decent enough, if not world-shattering release, but the follow-up, "The Girl..." is truly spectacular. There are still elements of Leif's "other" band, but this time around the music ebbs and flows in all manner of interesting directions, largely thanks to the phenomenal and distinctive pipes of the wonderful Jennie-Anne Smith. She may be a newcomer to the Metal world, but with a voice like this, she is sure to be spoken of in terms of hushed reverence in years to come.

Murashita

You may not have heard of Murashita yet, but multi-instrumentalist and sole member, Masaki Murashita is a talent to be reckoned with and it's only a matter of time before the Metal world sits up and takes notice of his band. Of course, talent will only take you so far, you need good songs too and I'm pleased to say that Murashita more than deliver in that respect too. The band's interesting and distinctive take on the Melodic Death Metal sound is sure to hit a chord (sorry) with fans of the genre in years to come, so remember where you heard the name first.

Puscifer

That Puscifer features the distinctive and sublime voice of the one and only Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), should be enough for you to go out and buy this album right now. If you are not yet familiar with the band, it is essentially an Art-Rock collective with a revolving door of musicians (Keenan being the only constant member), and stylistically, it leans more towards the mesmerising atmospherics of A Perfect Circle than it does to the hypnotising soundscapes of Tool, although to be fair, it isn't trying to be like either band and I am just trying to provide a point of refernce."Money Shot" is a captivating and wonderous collection of songs which should help pass the time until the next Tool record.