Disemballerina – Fawn; A Stick and a Stone – Root Shock (2021)

Good afternoon! If you’ve been hanging around here for a bit, you’ve probably heard Disemballerina, whose 2014 and 2016 albums were covered here, and A Stick and a Stone who had a release we discussed back in 2017 and one just this past January.

But if you haven’t — both are musical projects that generally tend toward the folk/ambient, sometimes a bit on the experimental side with unusual instrumentations, but always highly expressive, cathartic responses to both inner and outer turmoil. And over the past few months each has released a new single or EP, both of which I’d like to point in the direction of your ears today. Enjoy!

 

DisemballerinaFawn (Riff Merchant Records, 06 August 2021)

 

A Stick and a StoneRoot Shock (Spirit House, 03 November 2021)

 

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Pyrexia – Gravitas Maximus (2021)

Yes, there are still a couple weeks left in the year, but I feel fairly confident naming this the Brutal Death Metal album of the year. Get ready.

 

PyrexiaGravitas Maximus (Unique Leader Records, 10 December 2021)

 

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Anatomy of Habit – Even If It Takes a Lifetime (2021)

After seven years of relative radio silence following 2014’s brilliant Ciphers + Axioms, today sees the emergence of the first of two anticipated new albums by Chicagoans Anatomy of Habit

 

Anatomy of HabitEven If It Takes a Lifetime (self-released, 10 December 2021)

 

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The Electric Mud – Black Wool; Blue Heron – Black Blood of the Earth (2021)

For your listening enjoyment, a pair of recently-released EPs. One from the coastal swamplands of Florida, the other from the New Mexican deserts, and with sounds that match each location well.

 

The Electric MudBlack Wool (self-released, 25 September 2021)

 

Blue HeronBlack Blood of the Earth / A Sunken Place (self-released, 03 December 2021)

 

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Red Fang – Blade to Waste Video Game (2021)

 

Hey folks. I won’t waste my time or yours trying to introduce you to Red Fang, because obviously you are already familiar with them — American stoner rock band for the past decade and a half, aficionados of cheap beer and good times, probably as well-known for their goofy videos as for their music itself?

Well in case you missed it, earlier this year Relapse Records put out the band’s fifth album Arrows, and as par for the course, the band also filmed a video for the title track “Arrows” (which you can check out below if you haven’t seen it yet).

Once you’ve checked out these four-plus minutes of the bandmates whacking every imaginable object in half with swords, your initial reaction is likely to be how much fun this would be, and how much you would like to try it for yourself. If that’s true, well then you’re (somewhat) in luck…

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Desalmado – Mass Mental Devolution (2021)

The weekend is practically upon us! Here’s some politically-charged Brazilian death-grind for you!

 

DesalmadoMass Mental Devolution (Gruesome Records, 08 October 2021)

 

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LLNN – Unmaker (2021)

It’s been about three and a half years since the last time we checked in on these Danes, shall we see what they’ve been up to lately?

 

LLNNUnmaker (Pelagic Records, 24 September 2021)

 

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Wolven Daughter / Molten Dagger – Split; Vinterdracul – Necrotethical Prelude (2021)

Good afternoon and Happy Monday, readers. Just one quick question: do you — in the words of Ol’ Dirty Bastard on his groundbreaking 1995 album Return to the 36 Chambers — “like it raw“?

If so, I’ve got two brand-new releases that just may be right up your alley, both of which came out on Bandcamp just a few days ago, and both of which represent black metal of the RAW variety…

 

Wolven Daughter / Molten DaggerSplit (self-released, 05 November 2021)

 

VinterdraculNecrotethical Prelude (self-released, 05 November 2021)

 

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Mors Verum – The Living (2021)

Hey gang — it’s Bandcamp Friday! Let’s talk about death metal! Again!

Mors VerumThe Living (Total Dissonance Worship, 05 November 2021)

 

 

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Creeping Death – The Edge of Existence (2021)

Death metal week (unofficial) continues here at Valley of Steel HQ with this EP that dropped last month from a band out of DFW, Texas, that’s been garnering some attention lately…

 

Creeping DeathThe Edge of Existence (MNRK Heavy, 08 October 2021)

 

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