The experimental sludge metal of Mudbath gloomily shines on their upcoming album, Brine Pool, out on May second. The nearly forty minutes of pain are more than reason enough to listen to the album in isolation, on repeat. The band has a unique sense of melody and harmony that’s dissonant and highly evocative, and doesn’t fall into the clichés of the genre. It’s honestly one of the best album I’ve heard all year.
There is no single available for the current album, so here is one of their previous one.
Mnhm (previously Mannheim) is a progressive noise rock band not too far from post-metal, from the Netherlands. Of Empires Past is the name of their upcoming album, which is due on May fifth. The group seems to have distanced themselves significantly from the sound of their debut. Indeed, the rhythmic focus of Super-Empowered has moved to instead highlight atmospheres and chordal movements. Moreover, the role of the saxophone seems to take a step back after their name change; it’s still there, but underneath the guitars and thick atmospheres. Their new form is much more post-rock-ish than their previous one, which was leaning more towards progressive rock and math rock. Still, it’s a fantastic listen if you expect the right thing from it! So, hopefully you can taste it when they release a single.
Chii is a British experimental metal project from Richii Wainwright, and Drowning in This Fire is their third album. The EP marks a departure from its predecessors, as it’s much more atmospheric, even ambient. You can still find some sick riffs here and there, like on ‘Fortress Falling’, but the most of it is really atmospheric. It goes into many different territories, and generally hits the nail right on its head! It’s a really good EP from a promising solo project. One thing to improve, in the long run, would be to work with better drum plugins or, preferably, use real drums.
Norway’s Église released two EPs in the span of two days. The first one, The Past, clocks in at almost thirty minutes, while the second one, Burial is ten minutes long. They are quite different, too, in their feel and production. In short, they’re both some sort of blackened hardcore, and both really good at that! They also released a single, ‘Paths’ that’s not found on either EP. Their release schedule might be a bit puzzling, but their music is not: it’s solid.
From Norway we move to Sweden and to No Omega another blackened hardcore mastermind from Scandinavia. Culture is set for release on May fifth, but you can stream the whole album on their bandcamp right now. Shame is the release that got me into the band, and I still think of it the highest, but this new addition is nothing to turn down. Be sure to grab it once it’s out!

Listen to ‘IV’ on Metal Injection.
French experimental hardcore mastodons Comity are releasing their fourth album, The Long Eternal Fall, on May third. This album is quite different from their habitual releases. For one, it isn’t made entirely from long-form songs like The Journey Is over Now, or from ninety-nine parts in four acts, like … As Everything Is a Tragedy. However, their experimentation with shorter substructures pays off; The Long Eternal Fall is one massive and bleak release that you absolutely need to hear. May third…
Where the Merfalo Roam is the latest release from progressive doom metal band Into the Storm; it came out in November of last year. Their music is tinged with colours of stoner metal and psychedelic prog, which makes for an almost entrancing, sludgey experience. The guitars are sometimes barely distorted, but most of the album consists of heavily fuzzed-out bass and slow, nasty riffs to which to bob your head. Consider checking this one out!
Naegleriasis released two EPs on April thirteenth. Both seem to be gore cybergrind concept albums on two different pathogens and their infection of someone. Aggressive Disintegration of Neurological Material and Naegleriasis 0 put staples of goregrind and cybergrind in the blender, namely gurgling or bubbling sounds as ‘vocals’ and ridiculously over-the-top drumbeats. Both EPs include spoken passages that help you follow the infection’s phases – and might make you germophobic. I wonder if the vocal recording was made by screaming into a water-filled tank…
Oh, Iceland… A place of natural wonders, socialism, and great music. Var just released Vetur, a post-rock album seemingly influenced by compatriots Sigur Rós. Their slow-paced falsetto melodies over simplistic yet highly effective chord progressions make for an awfully good time. If you enjoy any of the above, I recommend you take a sip of this celestial elixir and let yourself be convinced.