I feel like usually January is a dry month for good metal album releases, but damn, this year is different. This past month brought forth some exceptional records, actually all across Asia.
Takatak
Influx
Released via Flux Media
Based in Lahore, Pakistan
While there’s very little metal coming out of Pakistan, Takatak is leading the modest scene with the confidence of the world. I loved the Tesseract-adjacent sound of their previous album – Acrophase, but this new sound they’ve developed hits even deeper. Influx strengths their groove-driven djent foundation with the most infectious vocals and moods, mixed by Keshav Dhar (Skyharbor) and mastered by Forrester Savell (Karnivool, Animals as Leaders, Twelve Foot Ninja).
FFO: Meshuggah, The Devil Wears Prada, Volumes
‘Influx‘ available on Bandcamp
Uuhai
Human Herds
Released via Napalm Records
Based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
From the grassy mountains to cold, cultured cities, a Mongolian metal scene is emerging. Vocalist Saruul Tsogt-Erdene leads the Uuhai seven piece alongside horsehead fiddle / throat singers Khurtsgerel Damiranjav and Zorigoo Battsooj as well as guitarist Dalaitseren Nasanbuyan, bassist Anand Naranbaatar, and percussionists Batbayar Dulamsuren and Otgonbaatar Damba. Their debut album Human Herds is powerful, proud, whimsical, and would honestly sound amazing in a live setting. I hope their future material is even heavier or finds a way to push outside the sounds of their Mongolian contemporaries.
FFO: The Hu, Nine Treasures, Tengger Cavalry
‘Human Herds’ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, and CD
Crystal Lake
The Weight of Sound
Released via Century Media
Based in Tokyo, Japan
Crystal Lake are so back. This new album is packed with a crazy amount of guest vocalists: Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), David Simonich (Signs of the Swarm), Taylor Barber (Left to Suffer, Seven Hours After Violet), Myke Terry (Volumes), and Karl Schubach (ex-Misery Signals). Founding guitarist Yudai Miyamoto is joined by bassist Mitsuru, drummer Gaku Taura, guitarist Taji Hisatsugu, and vocalist John Robert Centorrino (ex-The Last Ten Seconds of Life). Oh, and the record is mixed and mastered by Jeff Dune (Knocked Loose, Make Them Suffer, Currents). If you’re a fan of modern metalcore, The Weight of Sound is for you, but expect some extreme twists.
FFO: Erra, Tallah, Veil of Maya
‘The Weight of Sound’ available on streaming services