It has officially begun. The release calendar has hit its stride, and with that stride we get a strong selection of high-profile new albums. Topping today’s list are two albums from one of America’s premier young bands, a progressive metal group that has been at the top since their debut a few years ago. Plenty of other big names follow up on this list, so read on for all of the excellence!
Periphery, Juggernaut: Alpha and Juggernaut: Omega (Sumerian)
Periphery’s ambitious third album is a double album that reflects both sides of their sound. Alpha contains many of the band’s technical riffs jammed into shorter, more brutal compositions. Omega, meanwhile, reflects the band’s longer songs with refined, progressive structures. Just five years into their career, Periphery has emerged as the leading technical and progressive metal band in the country. These two records will ensure that they stay entrenched in that position.
Napalm Death, Apex Predator – Easy Meat (Century Media)
The world leaders in grindcore have returned with their fifteenth album. Napalm Death has made a career of defiance, anti-establishment politics, gore, death, and generally upsetting the balance. Apex Predator continues that tradition for the English band, mixing all the best lyrical styles of Cannibal Corpse and Minor Threat while pummeling listeners with a sonic sledgehammer.
Venom, From the Very Depths (Spinefarm)
Another legendary English metal band, Venom’s fourteenth studio album is another excellent offering in one of the most consistent careers in the genre. Mixing thrash and black metal to vicious effect. Venom has always been at the very top of the food chain in their chosen style. Serving as inspiration for countless bands, From the Very Depths will surely bring about even more flatterers and imitators.
Battle Beast, Unholy Savior (Nuclear Blast)
The third album from Finnish power metallers Battle Beast comes as the band is in the midst of a European tour opening for Sabaton and Delain. Unholy Savior has already been released in Europe, and the album has made it to the top of the Finnish charts. This is an impressive accomplishment for such a young band, and it shows promise for similar performances on sales charts throughout the world.
