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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music Of May 14, 2021

New Music

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.

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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 Recommends: The Best New Music of April 30, 2021

From Dropkick Murphys to Tetrarch, there is something for everyone among this week’s best new releases.

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.

Dropkick Murphys – Turn Up That Dial (PIAS)

What more needs to be said about Dropkick Murphys? The Boston punk outfit has outlasted nearly every one of their peers, thanks to a fierce commitment to fan engagement and constant progression. Their latest combines heartfelt odes to simpler times and Punk anthems for a new generation that refuses to submit to society’s demands. At this point, it seems evident that Dropkick Murphys would rather die on stage than retire, and honestly, we aspire to that level of commitment in our craft. Long live Ken Casey. Long Live Al Barr. Long live DKM.

The Undertaking! – Funeral Psalms (Solid State)

When you add an exclamation point to your name, you better make good on the promise of delivering something worth shouting about. The Undertaking! does just that with their Solid State Records debut, Funeral Psalms. The ten-track offering leaves little room for interpretation, as the band pours every thought and emotion they have regarding the human experience into the record. Their relentless, in-your-face approach to songwriting will rattle your bones and help your soul break free from the confines of a culture that demands you put in eight hours every day working a job you hate to pay bills for the things you need to survive. This is retaliation. It is a work of art intended to incite change in whatever form that may be, and it couldn’t arrive at a better time.

Tetrarch – Unstable (Napalm Records)

Unstable finds Tretrach fulfilling their destiny. The forward-thinking metal band has been called the next big thing by every influential publication known to man. That kind of praise and adoration can make some skittish, but not Tetrarch. Unstable find the group honing their already impressive skills while finding creative new ways to drive home urgent messages regarding the finite nature of our existence. The record pulls back the curtain on mental health and economic anxiety to explore how growing up in the chaos of our world can inform our every waking thought. Some artists shy away from these topics because they view music as an escape, but Tetrarch sees it as a form of medicine. Through their art, Tetrarch is making it okay for everyone to admit they’re not okay, and that catharsis could very well usher in a better world for us all.

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 April 23, 2021

From Body Void to Tilian, there is something for everyone among this week’s best new releases.

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.

BODY VOID – Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth (Prosthetic)

BODY VOID is one of the noisiest bands that we have ever heard. It’s almost impossible to describe just how much sound two individuals pouring every bit of emotion they feel into music can produce. Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth addresses the state of America in the context of our dying planet. The duo draws parallels between the crumbling infrastructure of the United States and the careless way humans are destroying the only world they call home. That may all read as defeatist, but on the contrary, BODY VOID is far from giving in or giving up. The band understands that we must first face the horrific reality of our situation if we ever hope to make positive changes. As discordant and harsh as moments on this record may be, there is an underlying thread that we can get through whatever the universe throws our way as long as we are willing to put in the effort to be better. 

Bodom After Midnight – Paint The Sky With Blood (Napalm)

All we can do in response to our lack of control is laugh and keep going. Paint The Sky With Blood was written to help usher in a new chapter for Bodom After Midnight, but it inadvertently became the final bow of a metal icon. The three-song EP is a fitting farewell to vocalist and guitarist Alexi Laiho, whose sudden passing recently sent shockwaves throughout the metal community. These songs are a testament to his enduring legacy, as well as a love letter to the genre itself. We consider this essential listening for any fan of heavy music, and we believe it is a fitting, albeit unfortunate, end to Laiho’s iconic career.

Racquel Jones – IgnoRANT

We need Racquel Jones more than Racquel Jones needs us. A painter, model, rapper, and more, Jones is on a mission to make us more honest. She understands that life is too short to Chi away from confrontation, and she views her art as a means to start conversations. Her music touches on everything from sexual identity to religion, and it’s delivered in such a way that it makes you think while also moving your feet. You can dance to it or cry to it, but you shouldn’t live life without it. Racquel Jones is the future. Don’t get left behind.

Altarage – Succumb (Season Of Mist / Underground Activities)

Nothing can prepare you for what Altarage offers listeners on their fourth full-length album. Succumb is a sonic pummeling that will no doubt impress and devastate metal fans worldwide. The record dives into the destructive nature of many things, including nostalgia, and doubles down on the technical precision that has become a trademark of the mysterious group’s sound. From the relentless pace of “Negative Arrival” to the twenty-one-minute closing track, Altarage pulls out all the stops to deliver something special. 

Tilian – Factory Reset (Rise)

As if being in Dance Gavin Dance didn’t provide enough opportunities to explore every wild idea that came to mind, Tilian Pearson is back in the spotlight with his fourth solo studio album. Factory Reset does its absolute best to defy expectations. It’s an amalgamation of rock, pop, and soul aesthetics that never focuses on one idea or sound for too long. Tilian wants to remind listeners that life and art are what we make of it, and he does so by embracing the boundless possibilities of his artistic identity. He understands that if we cannot define him, we may realize that the same is true for ourselves. We can be anything and anyone we want, but it is on us to make our dreams a reality. Factory Reset is here to inspire experimentation, and it does so with wildly catchy hooks listeners won’t soon forget.

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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Haulix New Music Recommendations for October 30, 2020

This week’s new music recommendations offer something for everyone, from the technical prowess of rock icons to the surgical lyricism of a hip-hop legend.

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 five from our clients that we believe everyone should experience.

Ice Nine Kills – I Heard They KILL Live (Fearless Records)

After riding a wave of critical and fan acclaim for their horror-themed record, The Silver Scream, Ice Nine Kills close the most important chapter in their history with a live record. I Heard They KILL Live, a reference to a NOFX live album from 1995, was recorded in INK’s hometown of Worcester, MA, during the last nationwide tour. The theatrics that served as hallmarks of the record and tour production translate well to a live recording, as the band brings 19 songs and frenetic energy to a hungry audience that is more than happy to sing every word at the top of their lungs. 

In a year without concerts, I Heard They KILL Live plays like a soothing balm applied to an open wound that won’t heal until live music returns.

Puscifer – Existential Reckoning (Alchemy Recordings / BMG)

Of all Maynard James Keenan’s musical projects, Puscifer is perhaps the most consistently engaging and original. Without taking anything away from Tool or A Perfect Circle, which both thrive on pushing the boundaries of what rock and metal can be, Puscifer is a genre-less beast whose work is more unpredictable than any other group in music today. Existential Reckoning is a mesmerizing exploration of where we come from and what it means to be human. Each track has a unique identity, and they play like individual journeys that combine to create a sonic odyssey that listeners will want to explore over and over again. You cannot fully appreciate everything Puscifer is doing in a single listen, and that’s a good thing. Existential Reckoning is an album you can sink your teeth into, delivering one delicious bite of artistic expression after another until you’re too full to do anything else except surrender yourself to the noise.

Busta Rhymes – Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (EMPIRE)

Eleven long years have passed since Busta Rhymes dropped Back On My B.S. The world has changed several times over in the last decade, but nobody old or new has been able to fill the void left when Busta stopped releasing records. We can’t say why he stepped away, but if that’s what needed to happen for Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God to come into existence, then it was worth the wait. Across twenty-two tracks adding up to nearly 80-minutes of music, the master of quick-tongued lyricism reminds everyone why he’s among the most outstanding artists ever to touch a microphone. The insights Busta offers on the state of the world, the chaos of being, and the state of hip-hop are what we need right now. 

Mr. Bungle – The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo (Ipecac Recordings)

After reforming for a series of concerts at the beginning of 2020, fans everywhere hoped Mike Patton’s band of rock icons and outcasts would have more to offer sooner than later. The group heard their cries and are now delivering The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny demo, a raucous batch of material that is sure to incite headbanging and mosh pits in places where such things typically do not occur. It’s a riot of a record, brash and relentless in its pursuit of something to shake you from the stupor of everyday existence. Mr. Bungle was never for everyone, but Wrath will be a welcomed addition to the band’s far too small catalog for those that get it.

I Prevail – Post Traumatic [Live/Deluxe] (Fearless)

It shook the alternative music community to learn I Prevail was nominated for a GRAMMY in the back-half of 2019. That disbelief was not a criticism of the band, who had the respect of their community, but a compliment. The Recording Academy’s recognition of their talent was a reminder that any artist can gain international attention and success if they write passionately about deeply personal topics. Post Traumatic is a celebration of what is possible when hard work, honesty, and determination collide. The bonus tracks will keep fans champing at the bit for more new music, but those songs take a deep backseat to the live material. Each live cut comes from a different performance where the energy was undeniable, and the group’s signature high-quality production harnesses that excitement into an equally satisfying personal listening experience. 

Discover even more new music from Haulix clients by streaming our essential fall playlist on Spotify.

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for October 23, 2020

Brimming with furious riff and soaring hooks, this week’s new music roundup offers a bounty of radical rock releases that you would be a fool to miss!

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 five from our clients that we believe everyone should experience.

Sevendust – Blood & Stone (Rise Records)

Most bands are lucky to release three studio albums before going on hiatus or breaking up. Blood & Stone is Sevendust’s thirteenth record, and it sounds just as energetic as their 1997 self-titled debut. From the crunchy riff of “Dying To Live” to the cathartic “What You’ve Become” and reflective “Wish You Well,” the Georgia rock band uses their latest creation to analyze the lessons learned throughout their career. The group stops short of saying they’ve figured out how to live and succeed in the modern age, but they now share a bond that time and struggle cannot break. Blood & Stone tells us that Sevendust is here to stay, and they’re urging us to be as bold as them in everything we attempt during our short time on this planet.

Pup – This Place Sucks Ass (Rise Records)

No one understands the challenges of chasing dreams as a human born in the late twentieth century better than Pup. Their nihilistic optimism creates a space where listeners can scream about all the things going wrong in their lives while figuring out how to live in the present. It’s a delicate balance between clinging to hope and calling out the things we cannot change, but these Canadian gentlemen make it seem easy. This Place Sucks Ass is precisely what fans have come to expect. Complete with gang vocals and the creeping suspicion we might feel the way we do right now for the rest of our lives, it’s everything we need to keep fighting for a time when things might improve (even if we know they never will).

Undeath – Lesions of a Different Kind (Prosthetic Records)

Offering a new take on a classic sound, New York’s Undeath has quickly built a ravenous following in the death metal scene. Lesions of a Different Kind is leaps and bounds beyond the material found on the band’s 2019 demo, but it stays close to the themes and aesthetics that initially helped the group take the heavy music scene by storm. This is the kind of record that genre fans will have on repeat throughout the winter, and with each subsequent listen, they will find themselves developing a tight connection to the three-piece that should lead to strong ticket sales once live music resumes in 2021. Lesions is an album that deserves to be heard in concert, and the work ethic displayed on it tells us that we will have many opportunities to witness Undeath’s rise through the metal ranks in person in the years to come.

Hands Like Houses – Hands Like Houses (UNFD)

Summer may have come and gone, but there is a vibe running throughout Hands Like Houses’ self-titled EP that hits you the same way that only a road trip with the windows down in mid-July can. It’s easy and breezy on the surface, but the deeper you dig, the more immersive the experience becomes. “Space” tackles the struggle of figuring out who you are when you’re trying to be something to everyone, while “Dangerous” seeks to harness the power we possess within ourselves. Like the other tracks on the record, these songs serve as a collection of rapturous moments where the band — along with listeners — can take stock of how a life with music has shaped the people they’ve become. This is therapy as much as it is an artistic expression, and the fact it works on a commercial level argues that Hands Like Houses should continue using this approach moving forward. 

The Bouncing Souls – Volume 2 (Pure Noise Records)

Creativity is an endless journey that can radically evolve with time. The way someone writes a song or paints a portrait in their youth may look and feel nothing like the work they do later in life, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost touch with themselves. It often means the opposite because time gives us the gift of perspective, enabling us to view our history with fresh eyes. The Bouncing Souls have seen and done everything a band can hope to do. They’re using the gift of a long career to revisit their catalog and reimagine the material that still resonates deep within their souls. Volume 2 is the latest in this series of second chances, and it proves that no matter how the band chooses to express themselves, their songs will always hit close to home. 

Discover even more new music from Haulix clients by streaming our essential fall playlist on Spotify.

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