In anticipation of their upcoming album, here’s a helpful primer on prog-metal stalwarts, Riverside (they live in a van down by the river).
Dolphin Whisperer
EEEEE EEEEEEEEE, San Jose State University
Turbid North – The Decline Review
“If you’re looking for thick-stringed pummel somewhere on the heady but heavy spectrum between Anciients and Today Is the Day with a kiss of Machine Head, you might be in the market for Turbid North. I know that sounds like mouthful, but these extreme metal frontiersmen make it a point to switch from Southern rock drones to chug-led beatdowns on a dime.” Trve north?
Screamer – Kingmaker Review
“Screamer doesn’t shout in the face of tradition—they never have and, predictably so, never will. Yes, here in this brand new year of 2023, young(ish) names chase the 40-year (or more) legacy of established icons like Rainbow, Van Halen, and Judas Priest, and there’s nothing wrong with that as many such surviving progenitors have trouble playing after bingo hours these days.” Still sreaming in the night.
![mizuirino_inu – TOKYO VIRUS LOVE STORY [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mizuirono_inu-TOKYO-VIRUS-LOVE-STORY-01.jpg.webp)
mizuirino_inu – TOKYO VIRUS LOVE STORY [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]
“A great album takes me on a journey, and TOKYO VIRUS LOVE STORY lands no different in that respect, even if I can’t understand most of the narrative. And while that understanding can add color to thematic punctuation, mizuirono_inu manages throughout their narrative to put emotion and purpose behind each line.” Infectious.
![Sunrise Patriot Motion – Black Fellflower Stream [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Sunrise-Patriot-Motion-Black-Fellflower-Stream-01.jpg.webp)
Sunrise Patriot Motion – Black Fellflower Stream [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]
“Sunrise patriot motion—a dutiful salute and march against the hazed morning light. In this abstraction of a man dissolving to his own isolated madness as he seeks to unearth oil, the two brothers Skarstad (Will and Sam of Yellow Eyes and Ustalost) strike a different treasure with their recognizable blend of screeching melody and reverent, ethereal structures.” Post-patriot.
![Sadist – Firescorched [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sadist-Firescorched-01.jpg.webp)
Sadist – Firescorched [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]
“Nearly 30 years into their career, Sadist still manages to fly under the radar. For the olde and young who dig through the single-word glossary of 90s tech/prog/weirdo death metal, Sadist falls curiously along the progressive spectrum. True to the Italian horror spirit that Sadist embodies, their work tiptoes the line between abstract and abrasive to unsettling effect, and just plain meandering and ineffective.” Sadistic biscuits, firescorched.
![Wormrot – Hiss [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wormrot-Hiss-01-2048x2048.jpg.webp)
Wormrot – Hiss [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]
“Time—Hiss took even more time than Voices. For 21 tracks that span 33 minutes, six years? Well, unlike Wormrotߵs last outing, Hiss, in the spirit of the full-color rendering that garnishes the cover, is lush, which is not a word we often associate with the furious and grinding arts.” What’s that noise??
Stabbing – Extirpated Mortal Process Review
“December falls upon us, each day the sump pumping less, but to my surprise, out flumped Extirpated Mortal Process, a glut of death metal excess. Alas, spit-roasted and splattered, tired and tattered, I no longer urge for any of this expired mess. You see, I tried Stabbing on a plane and Stabbing in a car. I tried Stabbing in my office and Stabbing while afar.” Better to shiv than receive.
Hammers of Misfortune – Overtaker Review
“It’s not easy being John Cobbet, legendary underground guitarist of Vhöl, ex(ish)-Ludicra,] ex-The Lord Weird Slough Feg, and mastermind of Hammers of Misfortune. Along with his long-collaborating partner Sigrid Sheie (also of Vhöl), Cobbet has, at his own pace, pumped out eclectic success after eclectic success with his rotating Hammers crew.” Hammers time.
Risingfall – Rise or Fall Review
Losing a friend sucks. Whether human or animal, sudden or expected, chronic or acute, death comes as part of life and rarely does it arrive when we most need it. Unfortunately, shortly before the release of Risingfallߵs debut album, Rise or Fall, one of their founding members, Yoshiki, gave way to a chronic illness. However, Risingfall knew they couldn’t let this hold them down—this throwback act hailing from Japan knows there’s only one way to celebrate death: heavy metal.” Metal never dies.
