Howdy! Last Saturday of the month,
folks, so it’s time for the September issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! Autumn
is here and with it comes a truckload of killer music releases. So, without
further ado, here are my top five picks of what stood out the most for me in September
in chronological release order.
First, ExpiatoriA, the heavy doom
band from Genoa, Italy released on September 6th a live record of
their debut album Shadows from 2022. One
of the reasons for recording a fresh new live version of their first LP is
because many of the band’s members have departed since their debut’s release,
including the lead singer. AngeleX is now fronting the band and to be honest, I
find his vocals fit the band better. The band sounds raw and the atmosphere is
gloomy throughout: the perfect conditions for a live record from ExpiatoriA. Some
of the highlights for me include the catchy “When Darkness Falls”, the ultra
doomy “7 Chairs and A Portrait”, the gorgeous instrumental “The Asylum of the
Damned”, and the slower and more retro tune “Krieg (My Last Song)”. If you’re
looking for a great live doom metal LP, Shadows
– Live is bound to satisfy your craving.
ExpiatoriA on Bandcamp: https://expiatoria-official.bandcamp.com/album/shadows-live
Second, New Jersey’s hard
rock/heavy metal legends Skid Row, with the help of former H.E.A.T lead singer Erik
Grönwall, unveiled their first live album, Live
in London, last week. It’s hard
to believe it took this long for the band to record a concert album but it was
well worth the wait. It’s a bittersweet affair; this show was recorded in the
fall of 2022, and at the time of release, Erik is no longer part of the band,
having left due to health reasons. The band plays tight and Erik’s vocals are a
thing of beauty, reaching all the high notes. It’s great to hear him sing the
classic Skid Row songs. They cover all the hits from the band’s first two records—Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991)—and even do a cover of The Ramones’ “Psycho
Therapy” which they’d initially covered back in 1992 on their B-Side Ourselves EP. They also perform
three tracks from their sole LP with Erik, The Gang’s All Here: "The Gang’s All Here”, “Tear It Down”, and “Time Bomb”.
If you’ve ever been a fan of Skid Row and even if you’re not familiar with Erik
as a frontman, you owe it to yourself to take Live in London for a spin, it’s ten shades of awesome!
Skid Row Online: https://www.skidrow.com/
Third, Thrasherwolf, a kick-ass
thrash metal band from London, England will unleash their sophomore LP, Inside the Sickened Mind, on October 4th.
What an absolute blast this album is! A super fun and catchy as all hell
record! From the blistering earworms that are the two first singles, “Final Act
of Aggression” and “Gratuitous Bodily Harm”, to horror movie-worthy tunes like “Scream
till Death” to the epicness of “Haunted” (my personal favourite) and the title
track, there isn’t a dud on here. The striking cover art perfectly represents the
type of package you’re getting from this talented band. This is old school
thrash metal done right. Shades of vintage Metallica abound, chock-full of fun
lyrics, cool vocals, melodic guitar solos; Inside
the Sickened Mind has it all! It certainly gets my vote as the best thrash
album of 2024 and a strong contender for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list.
Thrasherwolf’s Bandcamp page: https://thrasherwolf.bandcamp.com/album/inside-the-sickened-mind
Fourth, High Reeper, the
doom/stoner metal quintet from Wilmington, Delaware will release their third
and most ambitious album yet, Renewed by
Death, on October 4th.
I’ve always liked High Reeper’s music, but I didn’t love it. On their previous
records, I always thought they came close to making a memorable record, but there
was always something missing. Renewed by Death
is that notable LP I’ve been seeking. It feels more polished, the band is in
top form, and the songs deliver on their promise to kick your ass. From the
riff-heavy title track to the outstanding single “Alluring Violence”, to the violent
“Broken Upon the Wheel”, the excellent, more subdued combo of “Jaws of Darkness”
and “Smoldering Remains”, to the relentless “Torn from Within”, the boys have cooked
up one hell of a solid record. New and old fans alike will really dig High
Reeper’s latest offering.
HPS Records’ Bandcamp page for High Reeper: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-reeper-renewed-by-death
Fifth, Aeternal Chambers, a new
instrumental trio formed by three of the guys from prog/psychedelic band Obiat,
will release their self-titled debut EP on October 14th. Comprised of
four lengthy tracks and running 31 minutes in length, it’s a solid beginning
for this new band/project they’ve got going. Each piece has a unique identity
of its own, evoking a diverse range of emotions. From the opening track, “Husk
of Mortal Despair”, which perfectly sets up a melancholic atmosphere, to the
heavier “Drive Me to Ruin”, to the more reflective “Paved with Gold”, to my
personal favourite, the dreamy yet powerful closing track, “Glitch in the Mist”.
At times heavy, other times quiet, but always melodic, this set of instrumentals
really puts the listener through an aural journey that’ll stick with them long
after the record’s stopped spinning. Close your eyes, hit play, and let the
music do the talking.
Aeternal Chambers on Bandcamp: https://aeternalchambers.bandcamp.com/
And that’s all she wrote! The third issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks is in the books. Let me know, dear readers and listeners, if you like this new format for reviews. Share your comments here on the blog or on the Harbinger of D.O.O.M.’s Twitter/X page. I’ll see you at the end of October; till then, stay safe and enjoy the tunes!
