From the grief-stricken heaviness of The Ember, The Ash, to the southern catharsis of Myles Kennedy, rock fans have plenty of great new music to enjoy this week.
Life will probably never be the same as it was before the COVID pandemic took the world by storm. Mourning the loss of the world we knew is normal, but it’s important to recognize all the good that continues to exist. Each new week brings us music that has the potential to change countless lives, and this week’s batch of new releases is no exception. There are too many good records for us to mention, but here are four we believe everyone should experience. This is the best new music of the week.
The Ember, The Ash – Fixation (Prosthetic)
The solo endeavor of a musical polymath who goes only by the name 鬼, THE EMBER, THE ASH is a project shrouded in mystery and offers recognizable glimpses into emotional turmoil. Fixation is a sleek and complex offering, joining together symphonic black metal with the unrelenting heaviness of metalcore. As the album welcomes you into its crushing embrace, listeners embark on a journey through a traumatic event and the ripple effect it creates not only for the victim but those around them. As the band searches for meaning in the calamity, listeners bear witness to the grief process and all that it entails. Fixation is not for the faint of heart, but it is easily one of the most memorable albums of 2021.
Mouth For War – Life Cast In Glass (1126 Records)
Standing at the crossroads of Groove metal and death metal is Mouth For War, an ambitious Colorado band dead set on becoming a familiar face in the hard music community. Singer Trae Roberts wrote the album to honor his little sister, who was killed in January 2020. The songs reflect the pain, confusion, and seemingly endless heartache that follows such a tragic loss. As Roberts and his bandmates work through their feelings, listeners are given brutal instrumentation that will shake them to their core. This is the kind of album that can carry you through your darkest days. It will provide you with hope when you feel like you have no hope left, and it will keep you company when it seems like the world has left you behind.
Bernth – Elevation
Elevation is a record unlike any other on this list. Not only is it an entirely instrumental release, but it is created by a leading YouTube personality whose most significant goal is to make the ultimate guitar album. Bernth believes the guitar is far from dead, and he uses Elevation to make a strong argument for its continuing influence over all areas of music. He seamlessly blends jazz, rock, metal, pop, and everything in between together to create a whirlwind of sound you won’t be able to quit. Bernth knows he’s attempting something special, and he puts his all into making this record the best possible creation.
Scar Of The Sun – Inertia (Napalm Records)
Greek metal band Scar Of The Sun has been the talk of the international music community for several years. Inertia, the band’s third album, should be the one to put them on the map. Featuring precision instrumentation and biting vocals are brought together through exquisite production, Inertia is a hard-hitting release that has already won over metal icons and influencers worldwide. Scar of the Sun is your favorite band’s favorite band, and they deserve to be yours as well. Make time in your schedule for this record. You won’t regret it.
Myles Kennedy – The Ides of March (Napalm Records)
It is easy to argue that Myles Kennedy has nothing left to prove. The fixture of the hard rock world for the better part of a quarter-century, Miles has become synonymous with southern catharsis. He has the voice and songwriting chops to make you feel things that you’ve been trying to avoid for years. Slips between the mesh of whatever shield you use to protect yourself from the harsh realities of this existence and begs you to consider doing the emotional labor necessary to lead a better life. The Ides of March puts this skill set in the spotlight while also highlighting its ability to write straightforward rock songs that move your feet and heart in equal measure. We often say that there is something for everyone on new music Friday, but that has rarely been more true than when it comes to this record. Myles Kennedy is an everyman making music for the everyman, and we cannot wait to see what he does next.
New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.
