Notable rock and metal releases , end of August 2016

Have the recent releases been abundant with good thrash metal or have I just been noticing them because that's the mood I've been in?

My Regime - Dogmas : Singer/guitarist Spice has some frustrations and says "I can't think of a better way than to express it through some good old thrash songs... Thrash the way it was in the beginning. Fast, angry and raw." As he says, it's old-school thrash, done well.
★★★★☆

Paradox - Pangea : The seventh album from German band Paradox (going back to mid-eighties). I really like the slightly agitated, quite high-pitched vocals. Who do they remind me of? Flotsam and Jetsam maybe. If I remember I'll edit this. Quality. A keeper.
★★★★★

Helstar - Vampiro : Still with the thrash, but with a black theme this time, or rather (going by the song titles and album name) a vampire theme / atmosphere. Which for the record are the best and sexiest monsters and I would willingly offer my neck if I met one. Although I'd probably then be like Bradd Pitt in Interview with The Vampire and live on rats because I couldn't bear to kill another person. Anyway, immortal music!
★★★★☆

Vicious Rumors - Concussion Protocol : I'm starting to feel that a theme of a planet breaking apart indicates a great thrash album. (see also Pangea by Paradox in this post and previously Destruction, Under Attack and I'm sure there are more). There's also something noticeable about the bands who've been around for a long time (also applies to Paradox) I don't know whether it's the tightness from musicians with long experience or something old-school in the style but you can spot the longevity in the sound alone.
★★★★☆



Meshiaak - Alliance of Theives : Debut album from a new Australian band (although formed from some accomplished musicians). Sounding timeless but with some modern metal polish. Mixed feelings; it's heavy and it moves, but I'm not sure I like the newer flavours.
★★★☆☆

I've enjoyed Michael Sweet's album, One Sided War. Brilliant vocals, skilful guitar work. Hard rock / classic metal. The Christian theme isn't so 'in your face' as with his band Stryper.
★★★★☆

Running Wild - Rapid Foray : Pirate metal done a little more seriously than the brilliant Alestorm. (If you can play at being pirates more seriously.) Great songwriting on some engaging themes and some very listenable music from a another band that's been around for aeons. I feel this is going to become a firm favourite.
★★★★★

Going back a week or two there's Sabaton doing more of what they do so well with The Last Stand. Solid metal with a 'we were heroes' theme. They've done something novel with the track The Lost Battalion, use sampled period guns and explosions for drums. Overall the sound can get a little samey but it's a good sound.

An honourable mention for SkeletonWitch - The Apothic Gloom. It's a teeny bit on the doomy and growly side of my taste, but I've enjoyed this particular album from them.


As always, all of the rock and metal releases that I like go into the 'New Rock and Metal Releases' spotify playlist.

I've begun a new system. They've been piling up in there, which is OK as you can sort by date to bring the newest to the top. but each week I'm now moving some older ones out into a 2016 rock and metal releases playlist, so the 'new' one just has the last couple of weeks-worth and is a more playable playlist.