Bandcamp Day May 1 2020
Since the last Bandcamp day was so successful, Bandcamp announced that they’re going to waive their commissions the first Friday of each month through July.
Here are some more great albums to pick up this round.
Sölicitor
Born from the ashes of Seattle’s Substratum, Sölicitor is classic speed metal. It’s fsst, melodic and loads of fun. I had already purchased the EP when it came out, and preordered Spectral Devastation last Bandcamp day. I’m bummed that I won’t be able to see them at Northwest Terror Fest his year as originally planned but hopefully they’ll be back for the rescheduled festival in 2021.
Bone Church
I found out about their latest album, Acid Communion on the March 2020 Doom Charts and became hooked immediately. This is stoner metal with excellent, crushing riffs and catchy hooks. I’ve probably played it through well over a dozen times as it quickly became my go-to for comforting riffs.
Æther Realm
Æther Realm play an infectious style of melodic death metal. Their 2017 album, Tarot easily made my top-10 list that year. I prordered this latest album, Redneck Vikings From Hell, last Bandcamp Day based on the strength of the lead single. The pop elements are considerably more present on the new release and it’s a fun ride.
Haunt
Yes, I listed them last Bandcamp Day. Trevor Church is a beast of a songwriter and Haunt is starting preorders for their fourth full-length in two years tomorrow. This one will be a fully independent release and of you’re a fan of their music definitely pick this up and help support them. I can’t resist a Haunt album so this is getting preordered right away. Haunt is one of the few bands for whom I’d gamble on preordering an album having never
Black Royal
Described as “sludged out death metal” this band checks all of my boxes. It reminds me of late-90’s melodic death metal act Autumn Leaves – whose As Night Conquers Day is one of my all-time favorite albums. Firebride is an addictive album with some really catchy songs like Hail Yourself and Pagan Savior. I know I’m really enjoying an album when almost every track has a little ♥️ next to it in Apple Music as I absent-mindedly click “love” when I hear it.
Despairer
Despairer is either a punk band playing death metal, or a death metal band playing punk rock. Either way it rules. The songs are all fast and D-beat laden which for me puts it in the same company as Hellripper, Bewitcher, and Midnight. Though they only have the 2 EPs (and they’re exclusively on Bandcamp as far as I know), I hope to hear a full length and check out a show whenever we can have shows again.
Witch Ripper
Seattle sludge-metallers Witch Ripper have only one full-length out: Homestead. And it’s really good. Seeing these folks live during their Black Friday show back in 2018 was a ridiculously good time. Since then they’ve also released a split with San Francisco’s Brume, comprising a single 13-minute long track that I think is Witch Ripper’s strongest song to date. I bought a t-shirt last Bandcamp Day; and I’m really excited to see what they have coming out in the future.
Immortal Bird
It’s a toss-up whether Immortal Bird’s Thrive on Neglect or Venom Prison’s Samsara was my absolute favorite album of 2019. Immortal Bird defies genres and you can hear elements of grindcore, doom metal and black metal in their music. Standout track Avolition has this gorgeous eerie melody in it that gets stuck in my head and I adore it. All of these elements together make Immortal Bird more of a challenging listen; but it’s very rewarding when it finally “clicks” and you get sucked into it.
Also check out their older releases and merch.
Witch Mountain
Portland stoner-doom band Witch Mountain have been around a long time. I got into them a couple of years ao when I started deeply exploring the subgenre (an exploration that continues today). Their self-titled album – the first with singer Kayla Dixon – is five lengthy tracks of awesomeness. One of the best albums of 2018 easily. Their live performance is also not to be missed. I took advantage of last Bandcamp Day to pick up a lot of their back catalog.
This time around they have a limited edition facemask for the occasion.
Hellripper
I love speed metal. I love blackened thrash. This is blackened thrash speed metal. It’s like if Motörhead and early Skeletonwitch got together. Punk beats underscore the frantic fast-paced riffing and screeches in this one-man act out of Scotland. I like to blast the Black Arts and Alchemy EP while cooking because the high energy helps keep me focused. All Hail the Goat is one of my favorite songs and it makes me grin ear to ear when it comes on.