1) Aethereus - Leiden

Release Date: 1/14/2022 | Label: The Artisan Era | Genre: Technical Death Metal

Aethereus returns in 2022 with their second full-length, Leiden. The Tacoma-based five-piece pulls off a challenging and engaging take on tech-death without succumbing to the usual tropes of self-indulgence and wankery that we so often see in this genre. Instead, the band takes a more abstract approach to their riffing, with non-repeating sections of sustained notes and extraterrestrial harmonies cycling between the twin guitar parts. Even with this style making up the majority of the riffing on Leiden, the riffs maintain a satisfying heft to them thanks to guitarists Kyle Chapman and Benjamin Gassman’s strategic placement of low chugging accents. The bass plays a prominent role in the composition here as well, as Scott Hermanns is not afraid to play higher up on the fretboard to cut through and add his own flavor into the mix. With tight performances all around and their interesting approach to songwriting, Aethereus’ Leiden is a challenging release that is definitely worth a listen.

2) Ereb Altor - Vargtimman

Date: 1/14/2022 | Label: Hammerheart Records | Genre: Epic Viking Doom/Heavy Metal

Ereb Altor has been flying relatively under the radar since the early 2000’s, continuing to carry the Bathory torch with their brand of epic Viking-inspired doom and heavy metal. Vargtimman features the same production style that the band has used on their last few releases, which heavily emphasizes the low end to give the music a dense feeling of weight. This complements the composition perfectly, as the minimalist approach to riffing benefits hugely from the noticeable presence of bass and thundering drums. To top it off, vocalists Daniel Bryntse and Crister Olsson alternate between soaring chants and harsh black metal shrieks. The clean vocals are the highlight here, as their powerful delivery makes the record sound heroic and triumphant. Album closer, Heimdal’s Horn, demonstrates this perfectly, as the thick instrumentals and chanting of lyrics “Hear the sound of Heimdal’s horn” sound absolutely monstrous against the low war horn that plays in between repetitions. While Vargtimman is not the band’s strongest album, it is certainly one of the best of the month.

3) Power Paladin - With the Magic of Windfyre Steel

Release Date: 1/7/2022 | Label: Atomic Fire Records | Genre: Power Cheese

Power Paladin is an Icelandic power metal band debuting in 2022 with With the Magic of Windfyre Steel. This record is packed with melodic choruses and references to popular movie and video game franchises that make it a memorable listen all the way through. Singer Atli Guđlaugsson does an excellent job of delivering his lines with an enthusiasm and technical proficiency that is both impressive and captivating, as he soars through his incredibly wide vocal range. The band also structured this album well, leaving out most of the cringe that is so often seen in power metal albums. Thankfully, there is no ballad here to slow the record down and make us question our choices. Each song here contributes its own ideas, which keeps the listening experience fresh as the album progresses. While this style is definitely not for everyone, these cheese-covered anthems are a guaranteed good time for those who appreciate metal’s silly side.

Check out my full review here: https://www.mountainofmetal.com/power-paladin-with-the-magic-of-windfyre-steel/

4) Verikalpa - Tunturihauta

Release Date: 1/14/2022 | Label: Scarlet Records | Genre: Folk Metal

It takes a certain type of person to want accordion in their metal, but Verikalpa makes the folk instrumentation more palatable on Tunturihauta. Unlike a lot of folk metal, this record is actually heavy since it keeps the metal at the forefront and only uses the keyboards for melodic support and texture. The main folk instrument heard here is accordion, which is mostly used to play melodies in unison with the guitar. This gives the music a very Finntroll-esque aesthetic, especially when combined with the natural and harmonic minor scales that are used as the foundation for most of these tracks. The vocals are another highlight on this record, as bestial growls and screams are the driving force throughout the entirety of the record. While this record definitely doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary for the genre, Verikalpa brings all of the necessary elements to make Tunturihauta a blast to listen to while throwing back a few pints.

Read my full review here: https://www.mountainofmetal.com/verikalpa-tunturihauta-review/

5) Celeste - Assassine(s)

ase Date: 1/28/2022 | Label: Nuclear Blast | Genre: Post-Black Metal

Celeste is a French black metal band that is known for their experimentation and genre-defying style. On Assassine(s), the band refines the stylistic shift that began on their previous release, moving away from riffs that are derived from a chaotic array of dissonance in favor of rhythmic chugging and melody. The band’s sound benefits from this hugely, making this their most focused and cohesive record to date. The songwriting here is memorable and exciting, with each track presenting a point of interest that keeps listeners engaged throughout the entirety of the album’s runtime. Assassine(s) is also the band’s first release under Nuclear Blast Records, which has predictably impacted the album’s production. The mix on this release is impeccable, as every instrument is distinct and the overall sound is thick and balanced. Assassine(s) is a well-written and impactful album with meaty riffs, excellent production, and a striking vocal performance. Aside from the obvious Wilderun release, this is by far my personal favorite release of the month and I can not recommend it highly enough.

Full review: https://www.mountainofmetal.com/celeste-assassines-review/

Written for The Metalheads Podcast by Joshua Landau