Young Widows - Old Wounds (Temporary Residence)
Helms Alee - Night Terrors (Hydra Head/ Robotic Empire)
Cult of Luna - Eternal Kingdom (Earache)
Supermachiner - Rust (Deathwish Inc)
Gray Machine - TBA (Hydra Head)
Integrity - The Blackest Curse (Deathwish Inc)
Envy/ Jesu - Split (Hydra Head/ Daymare)
Caithlin de Marrais - My Magic City (End Up Records)
Narrows - EP and LP (Deathwish Inc)
The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound (Side One Dummy)
Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life (Matador)
These Arms Are Snakes - TBA (Suicide Squeeze)
Settle Down City was my personal number one record in 2006. I am not saying that this is long overdue, but come on already. What I have heard of the new songs live is pretty exciting. Regardless, I am anxiously waiting the September release of this album.
The self-titled EP from Ben Verellen (ex-Harkonen, These Arms Are Snakes, and Roy) and company was quite a pleasant surprise and really piqued my interest for this full-length due in August sometime. Check out the EP if you can find it to whet your appetite before hand.
This album will be out by the time that you read this. If you know who they are, you will want this. If you are still as yet unfamiliar with this Swedish outfit that plows sonically similar territory to Isis and Neurosis and a myriad others but do it better than 95% of the pack, do yourself the favor and grab this.
Some people might remember this group's only previous effort, The Rise of the Great Machine from some time ago. Supermachiner is Jake Bannon and some friends (including fellow Converge member Kurt Ballou) belting out some brooding noise that is at times relaxing and at others downright disturbing. Rust is a collection of all of the unreleased material that this outfit recorded in their lifetime.
What happens when Aaron Turner of Isis (and numerous other outfits), Justin Broadrick of Jesu (and numerous other outfits), and other members of Broadrick's accomplices get together? Gray Machine is supposed to be releasing their debut album sometime later this year. I cannot wait.
What Integrity will we get on this latest album? Dwid's infamous nature will at least guarantee some intrigue. All reports point to this being the more vicious Integrity style as opposed to the spotty brooding of some albums. What little snippets I have heard are definitely exciting.
A surprise release of sorts with Envy's split with Thursday getting much more press than this split, which is definitely the more intriguing release. Somehow this is Jesu's first release this year as this will be out in Japan in July. The U.S. release is supposed to be vinyl-only and on the way in August.
This will be the first solo album from the former vocalist and bassist of Rainer Maria. Teaser tracks put this as sounding much more mellow than what Rainer Maria was known for, but her voice is in top shape.
Seriously, members of Botch, Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes and other groups form this band. It is Dave Verellen (former vocalist of Botch) singing/ screaming his head off again. Aren't you interested enough yet? Without hearing this, Narrows set everyone chattering. The EP is coming first and then a full-length later this year. Both of them are definitely anticipated by many people.
Talk about Internet hype. The kids over at Punknews.org love this band apparently. I mean, I enjoyed Señor and the Queen and Sink or Swim, but can The 59 Sound live up to those? I guess we will find out when this drops in August.
Another Internet hype band that garners quite a bit of critical praise, The Chemistry of Common Life will be Fucked Up's first album for Matador. Most people into punk rock know who these guys and gal are by now. In October when the album comes out you will either get it or have downloaded it when it leaks. Don't lie; I know you will.
Why does These Arms Are Snakes continue to skirt widespread notoriety? Following the exceptional Easter album, this as yet untitled record has much to live up to for some people. Due out in October, I will definitely be listening when this comes out.
(Bob)
