I'm alive! A long weekend led to a short week, but as most people know, having fewer work days in a week doesn't typically lead to a reduction in the amount of work that needs to be done. In other words, I've been really busy with my day job, which resulted in a quiet week here on the blog. But I'm back, armed with some great new tunes. New music ahoy!

If you're the type of person who reads an obscure blog's metal recommendations, then you're probably already listening to The Spiritual Sound by "ecstatic black metal" band Agriculture. If not, get on that shit. This has been in constant rotation for me since it dropped a week ago, and I grabbed tickets for their show in Minneapolis next February. I'm pretty certain this will finish in my personal top 10 for the year. It's energetic, surprising, and and full of hooks. I absolutely love it. 

I previously wrote about the first singles from the new Author & Punisher album, Nocturnal Birding, and the full album also dropped last week. It's a very solid album and I've played it several times since it released. A&P's music is pretty abrasive by design (I realize many people would say that about ALL the music I write about) so it's not latching onto my brain as deeply as some other releases, but I suspect I will continue to discover things I enjoy about this on future listens. Funny story - I loaned my earbuds to my son for our road trip last weekend, which I connected to the family iPad. When he tried to watch something the first time, he said they were broken and only playing weird noise. It turns out they were still connected to my phone and it was playing this album. 

The new Frayle album Heretics and Lullabyes is perfect for spooky season. Moody and dark, heavy and gothic, this is album is a perfect addition to any Halloween playlist. Highly recommended for fans of Chelsea Wolfe's Hiss Spun, especially the track with guest vocals from Aaron Turner. 

I previously covered the single from the new self-titled Coastlands album, and now the full album is out. I know these guys as Russian Circles-esque instrumental group, but this album is loaded with vocals. It's solid post-metal, and it's nice to see them evolve. 

Finally, here's Thou's cover of "Suck" by Pigface/Nine Inch Nails from the upcoming NIN tribute album. It's every bit as grimy and nasty as I expected, but the actual structure of their take is pretty surprising. Check it out, it's fantastic stuff.