This week, having survived some Memorial Day havoc, let us celebrate with some new releases from Relapse Records, Housecore Records, Armory, and The Compound! and let me sayeth unto you, o lucky reader, that having listened to the advanced copies, you shalt carry the Riff and Grind deep within your hearts! And without further ado, our releases of the week:

BLACK ANVIL
Hail Death
Relapse Records
27 May 2014

New York-based black metal crew, BLACK ANVIL, have been blowing minds and eardrums since forming in 2007, but their third full-length, aptly titled Hail Death is their most epic and fully realized album to date. It’s one of those rare releases that not only stays true to the band’s roots but manages to transcend them in a way that works all of their seemingly disparate influences into an amalgam of heavy music that’s as original as it is earth-shaking…

ENABLER
La Fin Absolue Du Monde
The Compound/Creator-Destructor
27 May 2014

Following recent broadcasts informing the public of ENABLER’s deadly revamped lineup, the Midwest-based trio now expose the details on their anticipated second full-length release, La Fin Absolue Du Monde. Translated from “the absolute end of the world,” the title of the new album is yet another of the band’s works inspired by filmmaker John Carpenter, in this case in referencing his movie, Cigarette Burns. La Fin Absolue Du Monde was tracked with Shane Hotchstetler at Howl Street Recordings (Expire, Northless) and mixed by Steve Austin (Today Is The Day) at his Austin Enterprises, and packs the band’s most diverse material to date into a thirty-six minute battering with fourteen tracks…. (It also has the distinction of being my favorite album cover in this batch of releases)

EYEHATEGOD
Eyehategod
Housecore
27 May 2014

Following countless years of personal hardships, studio disasters and times of music industry indecision, New Orleans’ own EYEHATEGOD, with much relief and excitement, are proud to announce the release of their brand new full-length! Assembled and financed entirely by the band along with US label partners, Housecore Records, the self-titled, eleven-track long player will be released on May 27th by Housecore Records in North America. Already dubbed, “the record that EHG fans have been waiting for; a stomping and venomous set of eleven tracks that reignite the band’s amazing propensity for down-trodden, electric blues and with their late drummer LaCaze behind the kit,” by Vice Magazine mega music portal, Noisey, Eyehategod features vocals recorded and produced by Housecore president Philip H. Anselmo at his own Nodferatu’s Lair and serves as the band’s first proper release in over a decade. The domestic version will come in a CD digipack, while the LP will be housed in a gatefold jacket. The first pressing will be limited to 1600 copies and made available in the following color variations: black (600 copies), purple (300 copies), clear (400 copies), purple and grey (300 copies)….

SERPENTINE PATH
Emanations
Relapse Records
27 May 2014

Following a two-year release stretch since their bold self-titled debut LP was issued, Relapse Records this week unveils the release details on the highly-anticipated second LP from New York City-based morbid sludge metal executioners, SERPENTINE PATH. Born from within the smoldering remains of Unearthly Trance in 2011, UT members, bassist Jay Newman, drummer Darren Verni and vocalist Ryan Lipynsky (The Howling Wind) recruited guitarist Tim Bagshaw (ex-Ramesses, ex-Electric Wizard) to complete the SERPENTINE PATH lineup. Their crushing, self-titled debut full-length was referred to as”thudding death-doom that will have genre enthusiasts rolling their stoned skulls in graveyard genuflection” by Revolver, and “a contender for doom album of the year” by Decibel….

VANHELGD
Relics Of Sulphur Salvation
20 Buck Spin
27 May 2014

Relics Of Sulphur Salvation, the third LP from Swedish death metal quartet, VANHELGD, is set for Spring release in North America via 20 Buck Spin and internationally via Pulverised Records. Following their 2007 formation, VANHELGD’s Nuclear War Now! Productions-released Cult Of Lazarus debut LP, Praise The Serpent EP and Church Of Death LP, have cultivated the band a diehard following in the death metal underground, the band’s smoldering, riff-fueled, warfare upon the religious sects of the human population in a traditional approach yet still retaining a freshness in their delivery. Relics Of Sulphur Salvation destroys with eight intricate yet memorable songs that strike with an urgent ferocity; pure death, played with relentless and nuanced savagery….

UNISONIC
For The Kingdom EP
Armoury Records
27 May 2014

Two years following their celebrated eponymous debut album, German hard rock supergroup, UNISONIC, which features within their illustrious ranks Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen, Dennis Ward, Mandy Meyer and Kosta Zafiriou, returned with For The Kingdom EP. The EP serves as a precursor to the band’s forthcoming new full-length, slated for release this Summer via Armoury Records….