Aug 032011
 


July is behind us, and the last month of the summer has begun. Drifting along even more stupidly than usual, I let the first day of the month come and go without posting our usual monthly  installment of METAL IN THE FORGE. So, we’re late with this, but I have a feeling no one was holding their breath waiting for it anyway.

You know the drill:  In these posts, we collect news blurbs and press releases we’ve seen over the last month about forthcoming new albums from bands we know and like (including occasional updates about releases we’ve included in previous installments of this series), or from bands that look interesting, even though we don’t know their music yet. In this series, we cut and paste those announcements and compile them in alphabetical order.

Remember — this isn’t a cumulative list. If we found out about a new album before July, we wrote about it in previous installments of this series. So, be sure to check the Category link called “Forthcoming Albums” on the right side of this page to see forecasted releases we reported earlier. This month’s list begins right after the jump. Look for your favorite bands, or get intrigued about some new ones. And feel free to tell us about how we fucked up by omitting releases that you’re stoked about. Continue reading »

Jul 122011
 

Goreaphobia is a Philadelphia-based death metal band with deep roots in the death-metal underground. Not long ago, we saw the news that the band had joined up with the Dark Descent label for the release of their new album, Apocalyptic Necromancy. It’s scheduled for release on August 9, and it features the band’s new guitarist, VJS (Kult ov Azazel, Crimson Moon, Demoncy).

It also features that awesomely eye-catching piece of cover art above, created by Linsey Wasiuta.

Today, Decibel premiered a track from the album called “Xurroth Rreeth N’ves Helm”. I nearly swallowed my tongue trying to pronounce that. I found it easier to use the English translation that appears in parentheses next to that title — “City of Rot and Decay”. And don’t ask me from what language the title words are drawn, because I have no fucking clue.

What I do know is that the song is an absolutely monstrous delight. Goreaphobia guitarist Alex Bouk describes it thusly: “This is one of those songs that just came very easy. To me it has a Venom meets Iron Maiden-type feel to it. This is more of a straight heavy metal track. It sounds like nothing else on the record.”

Well, I sorta hope he’s wrong, because the song is a killer — gore-drenched vocals paired up with a slaughterhouse full of riffs, a filthy guitar solo, and a hard-rockin’ beat. I’m definitely now stoked to hear the rest of this album. Go bang your head at Decibel and let us know what you think, won’t you?