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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of August 27, 2021

new music 827

From the return of Grayscale to the protest-ready work of Confused, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Grayscale – Umbra (Fearless Records)

Grayscale is not so much a band or group as it is a movement influencing every corner of the modern alternative music landscape. On Umbra, Grayscale’s third full-length album, the band sheds the wide-eyed optimism of earlier releases in preference of a more mature but still fun collection of tracks that probe life’s biggest questions. It’s as if the band can take any small moment and turn it into a metaphor about living better, healthier lives. You will walk away from this record thinking about the pop-rock genre differently, and that’s entirely due to Grayscale’s commitment to constant growth and progression. They don’t want to be the biggest band in the world, but they do want to be the next band that changes your life. Let Umbra move you. 

Jinjer – Wallflowers (Napalm Records)

The world wasn’t ready for Jinjer when the band burst onto the international music scene in 2012, but that’s okay. Like all good groups that eventually become great, Jinjer needed time to refine their unique approach to music. Their sound is a combination of multiple metal influences combined over a soulful bed of rock aesthetics. Wallflowers, the band’s latest, continues Jinjer’s efforts to become the biggest rock band on the planet. Boasting massive hooks and unforgettable riffs, each song on Wallflowers plays with the same exciting unpredictability that has become a signature of the group’s sound.

For anyone feeling lost or defeated, Wallflowers is the record for you. It’s chock-full of anthems about the resilience of the human spirit, and really, who doesn’t need a reminder about their strength at a time like this?

Confused – Riot (Confused Records)

Canada’s Confused have written the must-hear album of 2021 for anyone looking to cause a little political upheaval. Riot is a raucous collection of protest songs and punk anthems for underdogs everywhere who are sick of living under broken systems controlled by the ultra-elite. It’s the kind of album you expect to be played during an actual riot, combining memorable hooks with crunching guitars. Vocalist Al Del Barrio summarizes everything nicely in a press release for the record by claiming, “We’ve never been shy about expressing what’s on our minds, and these songs definitely reflect where we are in 2021 after all the bullshit we’ve all experienced in the last couple years.”

If you’re sick of the world, Riot is for you. Please don’t sleep on it.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 23, 2021

From the cathartic anthems of Capstan to the raw rock fury of Heavy Water, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. This is the new music you need to hear:

Capstan – SEPARATE (Fearless Records)

Many alternative groups are written off for what people perceive to be childish or immature lyrics. Critics of the genre seem to feel that upbeat heavy music is best when marketed toward teenagers who know nothing of the world at large. Capstan argues that alternative music is for everyone. SEPARATE is an album born from feelings of isolation and loneliness. It came to life amid a pandemic, just a short period after the band’s guitarist and songwriter began divorce proceedings. All the pain, confusion, and frustrations of those two life-changing events are channeled into this record, and the result is a wonderfully cathartic ode to the resilience of the human spirit.

Sleep Waker – Alias (UNFD)

Rock music is angry again. After years of the genre’s biggest names churning out regurgitated versions of the same tired anthems about overcoming obstacles and persevering through hard times, a new crop of musicians is refusing to fall in line. Sleep Waker writes music for people trying to find meaning in the chaos of existence. Their songs rally against the dying of hope and community with ferocious vocals and thunderous production. Every track off Alias is just as likely to spark a revolution as they are to incite mosh pits. You need the release this album can provide. The last year has left us all feeling a little shaken, but Alias offers a chance to purge those emotions for good. Let go.

Heavy Water – Red Brick City (Silver Linings)

With a name like Heavy Water, you know the music must be good. Saxon’s Biff Byford and his son Seb Byford spent 2020 working together on the material that would become Red Brick City. The result is a ten-song collection of classic rock inspired music that marries gritty modern rock edge with the rough and tumble blues that helped birth the genre. It’s the kind of album you expect to find sitting on someone’s shelf between titles from Led Zeppelin and The Who, and the tracks have the same level of staying power. The pandemic will eventually end, but Red Brick City will be spinning on stereos for years to come.

Hookers & Blow – Hookers & Blow (Golden Robot)

Originally formed in 2003 as an excuse to drink for free in Hollywood by long-time Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, Hookers & Blow have reached icon status among fans of the Hollywood Strip music scene. The band’s debut covers album is full of staples and deep cuts from rock’s biggest names, including The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and Led Zepplin. Each cut honors the legacy of the tracks while finding fresh energy in their presentation. It’s not hard to close your eyes while listening and picture yourself rubbing shoulders with your fellow rock fans at a dingy nightclub in the early hours of the morning while the band rips through yet another incredible set. In that sense, Hookers & Blow offer music fans a kind of time machine capable of reconnecting you with the moments when rock made you feel the most alive, and you would be foolish to miss out.

Necrogod – In Extremis (Transcending Obscurity)

The latest promising metal act to rise from Sweden has brought sonic devastation and engrossing storytelling to In Extremis, their fantastic new record. We’re pretty the amount of noise that Necrogod creates with only two members goes against the laws of nature. It’s a punishingly brutal affair from start to finish, and it’s elevated by brilliant structural decisions, including surprising tempo changes and fiery solos. In Extremis is the type of record that keeps you on your toes throughout. It’s a rich and propulsive exploration of darkness. So, if you love your music heavy, Necrogod may offer your favorite release of the year.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 9, 2021

From the return of The Maine to the debut of Domination Campaign, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. Here is the new music you need to hear:

Domination Campaign – Onward To Glory (Prosthetic)

There is an undercurrent of aggression running throughout Onward To Glory that may cause listeners to drive fast, act reckless, and completely stop caring about the opinions of others. Domination Campaign has crafted an album for the battles we face in life. Each song plays like a call to arms, commanding listeners to get off their butts and make something of themselves. It’s engaging and propulsive to such an extreme extent that you cannot help being impressed at the band’s ability to maintain such a high level of energy throughout the record. You won’t need coffee or Red Bull after Onward To Glory enters your life. All you need to do is figure out what you’re going to accomplish first. 

The Maine – XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time (Photo Finish / 8123)

The members of The Maine are outliers in the world of alternative music. After sneaking into the late-era neon phase of pop-rock with sugary sweet songs about young love and bad decisions, The Maine blossomed into touring professionals with a knack for infectious songwriting. They outlasted virtually every one of their peers by refusing to play by the established rules of the corporate music industry. The Maine owns their branding, their songs, and their legacy. They choose their destiny, and their fans help them make it a reality. XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time is another entry in an arguably flawless catalog, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, it’s incredibly good.

Empty Heaven – Getting The Blues (self-released)

There is no other artist like San Antonio’s Empty Heaven. An amalgamation of synthesizers and punk distilled with heavy literary influence, empty Heaven crafts genre-blurring songs about life and the concept of existence. You never know where the tracks will take you, but that’s part of the fun. Empty Heaven has the unique ability to make you think while also making you want to move your feet. It’s like listening to Aristotle ponder life’s biggest questions while simultaneously serving as the DJ for a party taking place in a middle-class American basement that is known online as a popular DIY venue. Suffice to say, Getting The Blues is the sound of the underground. 

Lost Symphony – Chapter III (Self-released)

Lost Symphony exists at the crossroads of heavy metal and classical music. It’s a place where anything is possible, yet only a few groups dare explore. Every release is a big, bold, and expansive composition carefully constructed with the hope of sparking your imagination. It’s not hard to close your eyes during Chapter III and find yourself exploring a strange alternate reality filled with mythical beings and life-altering quests. It’s kind of like a choose your own adventure novel, only with a better soundtrack.

Trivium – In The Court Of The Dragon (Roadrunner)

New Music Friday is usually reserved for albums. There are far too many singles for us to highlight every song released every week by one of our clients, but every now and then, attract comes along that we must discuss. Trivium returns just a year after their last album with a brand new song that is sure to be played on a loop by metal fans worldwide. If anyone out there still doubts the talent or appeal of this band, “In The Court Of The Dragon” will convert them. It’s a sprawling tale of blood, death, and dragons that combines all the qualities that make Trivium’s music so great. The video is also a short film. Check it out!

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 2, 2021

From Born of Osiris to Postcards From New Zealand, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. This is the new music you need to hear:

Born Of Osiris – Angel Or Alien (Sumerian Records)

There is a moment near the end of “Poster Child,” the opening track on Born of Osiris’ latest album, where the track is stripped down to reveal its jazz-friendly foundation. In those few fleeting seconds, Angel Or Alien shows its true colors. For as heavy and digitally engineered as the production may be, BOO continues following the footsteps of music legends from previous generations. Their sound may be more chaotic than their influences, but the technical skill of the group is never up for debate. There is a craftsman-level quality to every aspect of this record. Finding that kind of precision in metal today is increasingly rare, but BOO makes it look easy.

Postcards From New Zealand – We Watched Them Devour, Vol . 3: City Islands (Self-release)

It’s hard to explain Postcards From New Zealand to the uninitiated. In the simplest terms, the group crafts atmospheric rock records that distort your sense of time and reality to illustrate epic tales of people grappling with an impossible reality. The band comments: “City Islands is the third chapter of a saga that we started in 2017 with We Watched Them Devour. The music follows a group of survivors who experienced that “something” came down from heaven and wiped out all life and all of society.”

If you’re looking for a sonic journey unlike any other, look no further than this record.

Nanowar of Steel – Italian Folk Metal (Napalm Records)

There are very few successful parody metal bands in the world. We can debate the reasons for this all day long, but suffice to say, writing genuinely good heavy metal that is also humorous can be difficult. Nanowar of Steel more than rise to the challenge with Italian Folk Metal. The ambitious thirteen-track collection blends the band’s signature powerhouse sound with elements of Italian folk music to create an engrossing journey through some of the country’s incredible folk tales. We admittedly don’t speak Italian, but we know good music and storytelling when we hear it. Manowar Of Steel is making history fun again. Don’t miss out.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of June 11, 2021

From Wristmeetrazor’s powerful second album to the impressive debut of Mammoth WVH, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. Check it out:

Hammer King – Hammer King (Napalm Records)

There is no room for confusion with a name like Hammer King. Either you deliver the best power metal anyone has heard in years, or you give up and go home. Since 2015, Hammer king has delivered on the promise of their name by dropping banger after banger on the international metal scene. The band’s sincere devotion to old-school power metal shines on their latest self-titled release. It’s a loud and cathartic offering that will awaken the thunder within your spirit. You’ve not heard another album like this one in 2021.

Wristmeetrazor – Replica of a Strange Love (Prosthetic)

Two years after taking the metal market by storm with Misery Never Forgets, Wristmeetrazor returns to center stage with their highly-anticipated second record. Replica of a Strange Love is a musical shotgun blast to the chest. The album plunges listeners into the doom and gloom of a generation obsessing over sex, death, and romanticism with big hooks and pummeling instrumentation. These songs would’ve put the band on the map 15 years ago when the modern metalcore scene rose to the public spotlight. In 2021, Wristmeetrazor is positioned to become the new leader in its field. They are making the kind of music people say they wish artists in this genre still made, and they are doing it as well as anyone can. 

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth WVH (EX1)

Trying to make a name for yourself as the son of a celebrity is difficult. Trying to become known when your father is considered a god among men is even harder. Wolfgang Van Halen, son of the late Eddie Van Halen, uses his self-titled debut album for staking his claim to the modern rock throne. The 14 track release posts incendiary reps, soaring vocals, and hooks that will keep you singing along while drumming on your steering wheel all summer long. It’s the kind of album that lets you know the talent behind it will be with us for a long time. It is the dawning of a new king, and he goes by Wolfgang Van Halen.

Living Dead Girl – Exorcism (Self-released)

Canada’s Living Dead Girl doesn’t waste any time on her debut album. Exorcism offers 11 banging tracks that deliver what founding member Molly Rennick describes as her “goth girl gone bad” attitude. Her sound combines Motionless In White, Rob Zombies, and any number of notable riot grrrl bands. The resulting sonic concoction is down-tuned upbeat goodness that argues goth rock is far from dead. With the right tour or placement, it’s not hard to imagine Living Dead girl quickly becoming the next household name in hard rock. 

Sinoptik – The Calling (ONErpm)

Ukrainian psychedelic stoner rockers Sinoptik hold nothing back on The Offering. A complex release offering meaningful lyrics and a unique perspective on existence, the record aspires to resurrect an age when larger-than-life rock songs were the norm. Each track stands on its own as a complete work filled with emotion, creative instrumentation, and poignant thoughts. The fact it all flows together is proof of Sinoptik’s immense talent. They give us volumes of stories and ideas in the same amount of space others use to share a single thought. They are magicians as much as they are musicians, and The Calling argues they deserve much more recognition in the years ahead. 

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of May 7, 2021

From the return of Staind to the empowering new record from Diamante, 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.

Staind – LIVE: It’s Been Awhile (BMG)

2021 is a year of new beginnings for many in the music industry. Not only are artists starting to shake off the dust from a year spent off the road, but many musicians are returning to the Spotlight for the first time in a long time. Maybe the pandemic inspired them to engage with fans again, or perhaps this was the plan all along, but Staind is kicking off their return with a live album that celebrates their impressive rock catalog. The band’s first live album, recorded in New England just a few years ago, reminds us of the group’s ability to tap into the human condition with raw emotion and aggressive hard rock. It’s the kind of record that makes you want to go to a concert, and considering the band’s growing tour itinerary, it could not arrive at a better time.

Diamante – American Dream (Independent)

When you grow up playing in bands on the Sunset strip and fighting for attention in an increasingly crowded Los Angeles music scene, having talent isn’t enough to make a career. Diamante, a sapphire-haired rock Queen, has talent to spare. She writes excellent songs, puts on one hell of a live show, and regularly engages with fans. She does everything you would expect a successful rock musician to do, but that’s not what makes her special. The reason you should care about American Dream is that it strips away the falsehoods that run rampant throughout much of the rock ‘n’ roll you hear on the radio. It’s a raw and honest picture of somebody fighting tooth and nail to make their dreams come true. You will find yourself relating to every line, and in no time at all, you will also sing along. American Dream is a record for the underdogs.

MOD SUN – Internet Killed The Rock Star – Deluxe Edition (Big Noise)

Deluxe versions of albums rarely deliver something more impressive than the original release. More often than not, the initial version of an album was the only version listeners needed to hear. MOD SUN’s expanded Internet Killed The Rock Star is an exception. Featuring eight new tracks that nearly double the album’s length, this deluxe edition takes fans deeper into the life and experiences of one of music’s most enigmatic performers. The rapper turned rockstar turned everybody’s best friend spills his guts over a collection of driving rock and punk songs meant to elicit the biggest response possible. You will want to laugh and cry and fight simultaneously, which is precisely what MOD SUN wants.

Book of Wyrms – Occult New Age (Desert Records)

We don’t know you personally but believe us when we tell you that you need more psychedelic doom metal in your life. Book of worms is one of the genres leading ask, and their third record is their best to date. Packed with heavy riffs, prog aesthetics, and haunting vocals, Occult New Age is a wild ride through the expansive imagination of musicians whose talents rarely receive the recognition they deserve. This is the kind of album that converts nonbelievers into metalheads. It will mark a dividing point in your life between before and after you have experienced everything Book of Wyrms has to offer. You will never be the same. 

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.

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for December 18, 2020

Offering something for everyone, the latest new music Friday features Swedish metal legends and Australian pop-punk newcomers.

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.

grabyourface – Sea
(Negative Gain)

The new face of modern goth, grabyourface explores the depths of their soul by crafting lush, expansive songs about the human condition. Sea is a six-song collection focusing on mental health. The record addresses how anxiety and depression can inform our worldview while also tackling abuse, PTSD, and more violence in a manner that only they can. If that sounds heavy, it’s because Sea is exactly that, but it’s also one of our favorite EPs of the year. Allow yourself to become lost in the melodies of this record. You never know what you may discover.

American Dream Machine – Deadhearts

For many people, 2020 has felt like an ending, but American Dream Machine might disagree. The modern rock band is releasing its debut album, Deadhearts, this week. The record takes all the uncertainty, stress, and frustrations that many of us feel right now and channel those elements into hard-hitting songs with soaring hooks you won’t soon forget. These 10 tracks flow seamlessly together, and the production from  Kile Odell (Motionless in White, Awake At Last) will no doubt keep you coming back for more.

Stuck Out –
Lie Through Your Teeth (Sharptone Records)

Australians are handling COVID-19 better than most Americans, and now they’re bringing that same skill level to pop-punk. Stuck Out’s four-song Sharptone Records debut brings the energy of Warped Tour and pairs it with a grounded sense of realism. This is about as close to pop-punk for adults as any band can hope to create. It’s a fresh bit of harsh reality set to anthemic song structures that leave you feeling hopeful, even if the world is still falling apart.

WOMBBATH –
Tales of Madness (Transcending Obscurity)

It’s no secret that Europe knows metal. Every other continent may believe they’ve gotten a handle on the medium, but European musicians are heavier, more prolific, and more interesting than any other group on the planet. With that in mind, Sweden’s WOMBBATH delivers a devastatingly brutal epic with Tales Of Madness, an eight-track record that is not for the faint of heart. The release reimagines some of the group’s earliest work, which may be new to fans outside the group’s home country, and takes listeners on an unforgettable journey. Make sure you wear a seatbelt and a helmet when embarking on this ride. 

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.

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for December 11, 2020

New York hardcore heroes Cro-Mags and Ohio’s Foxy Shazam are just two groups with thrilling new music releases 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.

Foxy Shazam – Burn (EEEOOOAH)

Ohio’s Foxy Shazam emerges from a half-decade long hiatus with Burn, an album as wild and unpredictable as its members. Lead by the singular voice of Eric Nally; the band expands on their signature blend of punk and classic rock to create a sprawling sonic landscape of endless possibilities. There are songs here that will reassure you the chaos of 2020 won’t last forever and others the delight in watching the world burn. It’s the kind of album that deserves to not only be heard but experienced, and we are cursing this awful year for robbing us of the opportunity to see the band perform. 2021 may be better, but even if it isn’t, at least Foxy Shazam is back and better than ever.

Cro-Mags – 2020
(Mission Two)

When former Victory Records’ head Tony Brummel launched Mission Two Entertainment, the Cro-Mags were the first band to join his roster. A longtime favorite band of Brummel, Cro-Mags lay the foundation for a rebellious future with 2020, their second release in this wretched year. The New York hardcore legends do what they do best on this release, taking down everyone and everything that stands between them and absolute freedom. The title track may be the most ferocious of the bunch, with thunderous drums and hypnotic riffs, but we’d wager it’s the aptly titled “Chaos In The Streets” that listeners will be returning to for years to come. 

Less Than Jake –
Silver Linings (Pure Noise)

Another album that feels fitting of the year we’ve just endured, Silver Linings finds ska-punk legends Less Than Jake at the top of their game. The raucous opener, “The High Cost Of Low Living,” sets the stage for a record that urges the audience to find joy wherever they can. That energy continues throughout the release thanks to “Keep On Chasing,” “Dear Me,” and “Move,” all of which blends hopeful optimism with Less Than Jake’s knack for humorous self-deprecation. You may feel like there is nothing left to cheer for in the world, but the music contained in this release argues otherwise. We may always mess up, forget who we are, and lose our way, but Silver Linings reminds us that somedays, just being alive is worthy of celebration. Put this record on and forget everything else. Your problems won’t go away, but after spending an hour with Less Than Jake, your troubles might not seem so bad.

The Inferno Doll – Sacrifice

It can be hard to describe the forward-thinking metal of The Inferno Doll without using cliche phrases like wicked, witchy, or occult. Vocalist and songwriter Laura Vargas has crafted a darkly entertaining collection of material that channels the energy of a summoning ritual and offers it to listeners willing to submit to whatever ethereal beast may answer their cries for help. It’s a hypnotic voyage into the spiritual realm that is equal parts catchy and demonic but only in the best possible ways. 

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for November 27, 2020

Rock legends Smashing Pumpkins and alternative newcomer Year Over Year deliver some of this week’s best new music.

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.

Smashing Pumpkins – Cyr (Sumerian Records)

A band that needs no introduction, Smashing Pumpkins continue to evolve with Cyr, their eleventh studio album and first release with Sumerian Records. The twenty-track record finds Billy Corgan and his bandmates exploring new sonic territory without sacrificing the songwriting that built their career. There are songs about the passing of time and the regrets we carry with us and several tracks addressing the state of the world. It’s a wild and unruly journey that will keep fans enamored with the seemingly boundless talent of modern rock’s most interesting band.

Year Over Year – The Love We Think We Deserve (Independent)

Being in your twenties can be difficult. Between transitioning from childhood to adulthood, changing social circles, searching for careers, discovering your identity, and longing for love, chaos abounds. Doing all that amid the first global pandemic in a century is enough to break even the strongest people, but thankfully, music exists to help keep our heads above water. Year Over Year‘s new album, The Love We Think We Deserve, takes the calamity of life today and channels it into a deeply soulful journey that provides comfort as you process whatever is causing you pain. It’s the happy-sad record of the year. Please don’t sleep on it.

Within the Ruins – Black Heart (eOne)

No one would blame Within The Ruins for resting on their laurels. The Massachusetts-based group has spent the last decade rising through modern metal’s competitive world with a slew of beloved records. They can play anywhere, and an audience will appear ready to mosh and scream along to every track, but that isn’t enough for them. Black Heart is a battle cry. Within The Ruins don’t want to be one of the best in their field. They want to be the number one band on the planet, and they are fighting for that position with a relentlessly aggressive release that more than proves their strength.

Hatebreed – Weight of the False Self (Nuclear Blast)

COVID-19 delayed the release of Hatebreed‘s new album for seven months, but the wait was worth it. Weight of the False Self finds Jamey Jasta and crew at their absolute best, delivering anthems of perseverance and mental fortitude despite impossible odds. The album urges fans to shake themselves from the illusion that they are somehow special or different than others. We are only here for a limited time, and we will struggle every day that we have air in our lungs. The only way to get ahead is to fight for what we want, work together, and never lose hope. That is all that matters, and Hatebreed gives us a collection of songs on this album to cement that information in our hearts and minds.

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for November 20, 2020

Ahead of the holiday season, four of the year’s best releases arrive in time for all your gift-giving needs.

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.

Bearings – Hello, It’s You (Pure Noise Records)

Canadian rock band Bearings deliver a large amount of heart and hooks with their latest full-length record. Hello, It’s You captures the epic highs of young love and our deep-rooted longing to belong in a manner that never ceases to captivate its audience. Do you wish you were anywhere else doing anything else right now? Have you found yourself yearning to find a way back to a simpler time? Are you embracing the endless possibilities of adulthood with wide-eyes and a cautious spirit? If one or more of these questions hit home, then there is at least one song on this record for you.

Refused – The Malignant Fire EP (Spinefarm)

Refused is as close to an iconic group that you can find in punk today. They literally wrote the record that shaped the future of the genre. The Malignant Fire, which arrives thirteen months after their last album, combines covers and new originals to create a fiery burst of anarchic energy. Tracks like “Malfire” will have you driving 80 in a school zone, while the rambunctious “Organic Organic Organic (Go Fuck Yourself)” will have you ready to riot. You will long to hear these songs live, but with the right wireless headphones, you can still mosh in the comfort of your home.

Tombs – Under Sullen Skies (Season of Mist)

Tombs fall into an incredibly rare space where music fans are undeserving of their talent. Under Sullen Skies reinforces this idea with twelve songs that serve to unite the metal and hardcore communities with apocalyptic anthems tailor-made for the end of all things. It’s the kind of album best experienced while riding atop of white stallion through the remnants of fallen empires while thrusting your battle-ax as far into the sky as your arm will reach. We know many of you may never get to do that, but Under Sullen Skies will make you feel like you did.

Jinjer – Alive In Melbourne (Napalm Records)

Jinjer spent 2019 ascending through the metal hierarchy at breakneck speed. Strong music, coupled with critical and fan acclaim, set the group up for a massive 2020 that was, unfortunately, derailed by COVID-19. Before the global lockdown, the band’s final bow was a wild and unpredictable performance in Australia that is now available for fans worldwide. Alive In Melbourne doesn’t completely replace the live experience, but it’s the closest many of us will come to engaging with a concert until mid-2021 (at the earliest).

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