#236 | Reviews and Other Rambles: Greyhaven, Black Matter Device, Pyrithe, Steaksauce Mustache, and More

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‘ello, fellow vacuum drifters! We hope you’re all doing well. Here we are yet again with another episode chock full of word waffling. As you might expect, much of the material we cover in this one is “dated” in internet terms, but we hope a gem or two you might have overlooked these past few months lurks within.

The releases covered range from noir black metallers White Ward and partycorers Steaksauce Mustache to nature-steeped dungeon synth and berserk mathcore. Connor yammers on about becoming primordial space goop and repeats one too many soundbites from a Counting Crows tune. There’s a whole armada of non-sense to wade through. Below you can peruse the entire list of material we blather about. Timestamps are provided for each single, EP, or album, in case you want to jump to any particular segment of the conversation.

If you have some artists, albums, singles, or any other form of musical media you’d like us to consider for an upcoming episode, please feel free to send us an email or reach out at one of our various social media channels. Thank you all so much for your continued support!

Segment 01: Band Developments

Brief rambles about upcoming music

Drain is back in the studio and recording LP 2. No details on a release date have been divulged yet.

ZOMBIESHARK!, a Philly cybergrind solo project helmed by Cory Swope, dropped his first new single, “Smile Support Society”, since his 2020 record, I Will Destroy You, Myself, and Everything I’ve Ever Loved.

It’s not new anymore (at the time of recording it was), but Psycroptic dropped the lead single, “Rend Asunder”, off their eighth studio album, Divine Council. It will be out via Prosthetic Records on August 5, 2022.

Segment 02: New(-ish) Tracks

Rambles about relatively fresh tracks

White Ward – “Cronus” & “Leviathan” (00:14:49)

The two singles leading up to the third album, False Light, from Ukraine’s noir black metal quintet, White Ward. The entire album was released on June 17, 2022, via Debemur Morti Productions.

SAOR – “Origins” (00:20:48)

The lead single for the fifth record, Origins, from the atmospheric black metal project, Saor. The album officially releases on June 24, 2022, via Season of Mist.

Mutually Assured Destruction – “Spirit Liberation (ft. Randy Blythe)” (00:26:08)

The one single that anticipated Mutually Assured Destruction’s debut album, Ascension. Thrashy hardcore from Richmond. The album was released on May 18, 2022, via Triple-B Records.

WAKE – “Swallow the Light” (00:29:13)

The lead single off the Calgary death metal quintet’s sixth studio album, Thought Form Descent. This one will be released via Metal Blade Records on July 22, 2022.

Candy – “Human Condition Above Human Opinion” (00:32:03)

The opening track (and debut single) off the sophomore record, Heaven is Here, from Richmond’s hardcore punk trio, Candy. Relapse Records will be releasing the album on June 24, 2022.

Imperial Triumphant – “Spirit of Ecstasy” (00:36:00)

The first single from the avant-garde black/death metallers’ fifth record, Spirit of Ecstasy. It will be out on July 22, 2022, via Century Media Records.

Segment 03: EPs, Splits, and/or Demos

Rambles about some newer bite-sized releases

**In-Between – A Taste of Loss (00:40:39)**

A brief EP harboring a bundle of musical ideas from a man living with multiple sclerosis. Calls to mind Cloudkicker in parts.

**Virgin Mother – Marrow (00:43:50)**

One of several EPs released by Seb Alvarez’s (meth.) solo / collaborative project, Virgin Mother. It features Nic Kuczynski (Frail Body) on bass and Jon Karel (ex-The Number Twelve Looks Like You) on drums.

**Warthog – Warthog (00:48:11)**

Raucous crossover from New York City’s Warthog. This one was released on May 6, 2022, via Toxic State Records (U.S.).

Segment 04: Weird Bandcamp Picks

Random, and usually strange, finds from our Bandcamp dredging

**Trǫlláss – The Wobbly Tavern (00:52:32)**

Vivacious dungeon synth from California’s Trǫlláss (translates to Troll God). This was self-released by Storyteller on April 15, 2022.

Ghoulmire/Alkilith – Ghoulmire/Alkilith (00:59:19)

A nature-steeped dungeon synth split between Ghoulmire (U.K.) and Alkilith (Chicago). One winding, tranquil composition from each artist.

Segment 05: Forgotten Recents

Records we've been digging, but don't have the time for a deep dive

Moonshield – The Void Squadron (01:04:59)

The second album from Atlana’s chiptune-spliced melodeath quartet, Moonshield. This was independently released by the band on April 22, 2022.

**Eight Bells – Legacy of Ruin (01:12:06)**

Ethereal, progressive doom from Portland’s Eight Bells. This is their third record, which came out via Prophecy Productions on February 25, 2022.

Segment 06: Albums of Focus

Records we dive into with some depth (in order of episode appearance)

Greyhaven – This Bright and Beautiful World

Timestamp in episode: 01:17:09

The third record from Louisville’s progressive post-hardcore quartet, Greyhaven. Out via Equal Vision Records (April 15, 2022).

Black Matter Device – Autonomous Weapons

Timestamp in episode: 01:30:11

The sophomore record from Richmond’s batshit mathcore outfit, Black Matter Device. Out via Dark Trail Records (April 22, 2022).

Pyrithe – Monuments to Impermanence

Timestamp in episode: 01:42:10

The debut album from Pittsburgh’s experimental sludge/post-metal group, Pyrithe. Features guest vocals from Doug Moore (Pyrrhon, Seputus, Weeping Sores). Out via Gilead Media (April 29, 2022).

Steaksauce Mustache - All Juice, No Noise

Timestamp in episode: 01:54:57

The fourth record from Medford’s chaos’n’roll partycore quartet, Steaksauce Mustache. Out via Silent Pendulum Records (May 13, 2022).

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If you’ve scrolled this far, thank you so much for perusing the bands featured in this episode. All the links to our socials can be found below.