Every month, I will recap the music I discovered on Bandcamp or were submitted that spoke to me. I find music through word of mouth recommendations, recommendations from artists on their profile, Bandcamp editorial lists, and, occasionally, the site’s recommendation tools. These albums may or may not have been released in the month in which I am reviewing. The criteria is simply that I found them during that month. I will give each release a brief review and share the Bandcamp link. At the end of the article, a Spotify playlist of my favorite tracks from each release will be embedded. As always, you are welcome to follow the playlist, but I highly encourage you to purchase music from artists on Bandcamp.

The hits keep coming. Like January, February’s list is piled high with must listen to releases. I think I have assembled a broad enough cross section here to appeal to most listeners of heavy music. I slowed down a bit with coverage in February for a couple of reasons, but I think the volume here will be kicking back up going forward. Without further ado…

Spectral Voice – Sparagmos

Released on February 9th, 2024

Sparagmos is my first exposure to Spectral Voice’s brand of doom laden death metal, and I’m a little upset that I’m late to the party. Spectral Voice assaults the listener for 45 minutes, but it isn’t all abrasive sounds. What sets Sparagmos apart from its peer is the juxtaposition of clean, haunting textures against the harshness of the vocals and other instrumentation, and this is without mentioning how the album frantically oscillates between tempos and vibes. Nearly anyone who enjoys heavy music will find something they love here.

https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sparagmos

Hulder – Verses in Oath

Released on February 9th, 2024

With Verses in Oath, Hulder defies logic and continues to improve upon an already impressive sound and aesthetic. The lo-fi engineering of earlier releases has been cast aside, replaced with an expansive and dynamic mix, creating space for the increased experimentation with both synthesizers and atmospheric textures. Low hanging fruit and all that, but the single, “Hearken the End,” is the standout track, combining all of my favorite elements of the record: layered vocal textures, hypnotic chord progressions at a comfortable tempo, and pummeling percussion.

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/verses-in-oath

Mean Mistreater – Razor Wire

Released on February 2nd, 2024

At this point, you’re well aware I have fallen deeply in love with a number of new wave of traditional heavy metal bands, and you can add Mean Mistreater to the list. Razor Wire is a more stripped back record than other NWOTHM releases I’ve covered, drawing more from earlier, more hard rock leaning groups. Think more Priest and less Iron Maiden. Janiece Gonzalez is an absolute powerhouse of a vocalist, pushing melodies to the front with just the right amount of grit. Razor Wire is the band’s first release, so I’m looking forward to where they go from here.

https://meanmistreater.bandcamp.com/album/razor-wire

Genital Shame – Chronic Illness Wish

Released on February 23rd, 2024

I wrote nearly two thousand words gushing about Genital Shame’s Chronic Illness Wish in January. If you want my full thoughts, I encourage you to the review a read. TLDR: Chronic Illness Wish takes all of the ambitious and adventurous ideas found on Gathering My Wits and cranks the dial to 11. Even harder to define than its predecessor, Chronic Illness Wish bends the definition of black metal far past its breaking point with its heavy use of both atypical textures and structures. As far as I am concerned, this is absolutely required listening.

https://genitalshame.bandcamp.com/album/chronic-illness-wish

Guhts – Regeneration

Released January 26th, 2024

Every once in a while, the aesthetic of an album really catches me off guard and creates a new little niche in my listening, and Regeneration by Guhts is one of those album. I’ve never paid much attention to post-metal, but the way Guhts builds lush soundscapes that ebb and flow like a swift current grabbed my attention as soon as I heard them on Bandcamp’s The Metal Show. The dynamics are especially impressive to me, particularly Amber Gardner’s voice. Guhts sent me a down a whole post-metal rabbit hole for a solid chunk of the month, and I’m not mad about it.

https://guhts.bandcamp.com/album/regeneration

Spotify Playlist

Intended to be played in order.