Weekly Roundup: December 28th, 2020
Featuring Conway The Machine, Shelter, Hayley Williams, and more.
MOSH PITHY:
A curated selection of cool shit for you to listen to.
Conway The Machine – “Jesus Khrysis”
It’s been a banner year for Griselda Records and the release of Conway The Machine’s debut solo record, From A King to A God, was one of the many highlights. The Buffalo MC has always displayed a knack for spitting the hardest bars in the game, and latest single “Jesus Khrysis” is no exception: “No driver’s license, I drove a Benz/ Everything I drop an album of the year contender, here I go again/ Made a few milli and I barely announced it / Rappin’ better than n****s, I can barely pronounce shit.” Suss out the video for the track below:
Pustilence – The Birth Of The Beginning Before The Inception Of The End
Despite that word-salad title, the debut release from Brisbane bruisers Pustilence is some primo death metal hellfire. If you’re into chainsaw riffage and raging rhythms in the vein of classic Entombed and Dismember, then stream the three-track EP here (Bandcamp).
Shelter – “Why Can't I Just Get Through to You”
Krishnacore flagbearers Shelter are making a comeback with a twentieth anniversary remaster of their now-iconic record When 20 Summers Pass (2000), out December 31st through End Hits Records. Check out the previously unreleased bonus track “Why Can't I Just Get Through to You” here.
Gravesend – Methods of Human Disposal
With one of the heaviest sonic profiles in the scene, NYC grind merchants Gravesend are all set to bulldoze into 2021 with the release of their debut full-length album, Methods of Human Disposal (out February 19th on 20 Buck Spin). Preorder the album and listen to searing lead single “Needle Park” here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Enforced – “Hemorrhage”
Alongside Texan heavy hitters, Frozen Soul, Virginian thrashers Enforced are bringing back death metal crossover for Century Media in 2021 with the release of their blistering new album, Kill Grid. Lead single “Hemorrhage” is a total ripper, with relentless riffage from the outset and propulsive drums that feel like the kind of blunt-force trauma you’d expect from a feudalistic battering ram. Suss out the visualizer for “Hemorrhage” here.
Skinshape – Arrogance is the Death of Men
Another unexpected Bandcamp gem, Arrogance is the Death of Men is a one-man project from English singer-songwriter Will Dorey. Performing as Skinshape (a pretty metal moniker if you ask me), Dorey churns out breezy, effervescent indie rock that floats by without a second thought. It’s super chill and perfect for kicking back and contemplating nothing at all. Stream the full album here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Hayley Williams – “Find Me Here”
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Petals for Armor, the solo album from pocket rocket songstress and Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, released earlier this year. It felt a little too self-indulgent and deliberately obtuse for repeat listening. However, I’m definitely on board with the selection of B-sides on offer with her follow-up EP, Petals for Armor: Self Serenades. Listen to “Find Me Here” below:
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – The Helm of Sorrow
Last month, I covered the release of May Our Chambers Be Full, the collaborative LP from folk singer-songwriter Emma Ruth Rundle and sludge metal outfit Thou. It was an unholy union that I cherished very much, and now the group have decided to bless us once more with the release of a B-sides EP, titled The Helm of Sorrow (out January 15th, 2021 through Sacred Bones Records). Pre-order the EP and stream their stellar cover of The Cranberries’ “Hollywood” here (Bandcamp/Label).
You can also find all these tracks on the TPD December playlist, updated each week.