SCUMFEAST METAL 666 Looks at the Most Anticipated Releases of 2012

SCUMFEAST METAL 666 Looks at the Most Anticipated Releases of 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen, and you others, this is only the second time I have done a Most Anticipated Releases article. I did one for 2010 but laughed so hard at what others were saying for 2011 I didn't bother. But for 2012 hell why the fuck not plus it keeps the promo people happy that I do read their press releases. Some here are obvious choices while others I've been told about to look out for. Yes the promo people are doing their jobs. For those of you who don't know, you new readers, I have a love/hate affair with these Most Anticipated Releases listings that I see year after year in metal mags or on websites. On the obvious note yeah it's cool to know when one of your favorite bands is coming out with a new release. That way you can plan your parties (not me of course but...) like a former roommate of mine did for that last IRON MAIDEN release. My former roommate and her boyfriend were big MAIDEN fans and they had just seen them on tour not too long before. My former roommate also liked to throw parties, seeking reasons to do so as an excuse to get drunk during the week. (I love ya baby wherever you are, Clayton?) Yes she was great to live with I must say. Anyway on the day of the release her boyfriend scoured the city's record stores looking for that new MAIDEN CD. Unfortunately he couldn't find it anywhere which put a damper on the party. I had it on my computer the whole time since it was sent in for review but I wouldn't say anything about it. It was a turd as you all soon learned. My old roommate wasn't impressed with it either when it finally came out for her boyfriend to pick up. After that she went back to playing DIO's first album since she was still in mourning from his death. (still wearing black as well)

Then there's the pre-release hype associated with the Most Anticipated Releases listings. The best example came in 2010 with ELECTRIC WIZARD's Black Masses. From January onward the hype, whether by schmoozer interviews written up by hacks or the insufferable name-dropping in reviews. Then the release didn't come out on time and that's were the fun started. It was first supposed to come out in October which worked perfect for print magazines in order for them to add it to their best of the year picks articles. Then it didn't come out which kinda made everyone who called it a best of 2010 release look stupid since they never even heard the thing. (yes someone actually listed it as a best of release and admitted they hadn't heard it yet but they just had to put it in) Then there were the Youtube video leaks which had fans, the ones who actually liked the band for more than two years that is, questioning the whole hype thing because those snippets were like lingering fart scents. To make matters even worse the thing was released in Europe which made interweb scribes go on mad Google searches in order to find it leaked on download sites. As it turned out the hype was total bullshit. Black Masses was a complete turd I know because I got it officially and reviewed it. Of course I wasn't let down as much as all of the losers who had hyped it all year and now had to eat crow. So much for their credibility but at least in 2011 they stopped name-dropping ELECTRIC WIZARD every chance they could. Better for them to shut their fucking mouths less they allow everyone to see they're full of shit. (and just for the record I like ELECTRIC WIZARD)

Now we have SCUMFEAST METAL 666's Most Anticipated Releases list for 2012. I tried to make this a "hype free" zone. Enjoy and Learn. But before we get started a few important words to remember.

NAGLFAR - Teras
Label: Century Media
Release Date: spring/summer 2012

It's been five years since one of my favorite Swedish Black Metal acts, NAGLFAR, released their last full length Harvest. As of this writing the band is in the studio finishing-up their sixth album which will be titled Téras. NAGLFAR were always on the melodic side of the blackened cannon and Harvest was decent but I'm hoping for something to rival 1995's Vittra or 2003's Sheol.
Outlook: High

THE DEVIL'S BLOOD - The Thousandfold Epicentre
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: North American release on January 17, 2012
Supposedly some magazines and websites have already opined about this Dutch band's second full-length of psychedelic & occult 70's worshipping rock since it's already out in Europe on Van Records. I wasn't floored by their debut EP or full length as were most Interweb scribes who acted as if they just lost their virginity over em. Yeah well amateurs do that sometimes. We'll just wait for it in a few weeks
Outlook: We'll See

LVCIFYRE - The Calling Depths
Label: Pulverised Records
Release Date: January 2, 2012

London chaos-horde LVCIFYRE featuring, according to their press release; "current and past members of Adorior, Corpus Christii and Necrosadist, will unleash their debut full-length, The Calling Depths in a few weeks. Supposedly LVCIFYRE is a manifestation of pure evil" (yeah we will see) The follow-up to their Dying Light ov God EP released via Sweden's Blood Harvest in 2008, The Calling Depths was recorded, mixed and mastered at Poland's Factory Studio, features album art by Alexander L. Brown (Mitochondrion, Corpsessed, Witchrist, Wodensthrone, etc), and offers up an unapologetic slab of riff-decimating death metal for fans of early Morbid Angel, Angelcorpse and Immolation. In other words it's gonna be old school sounding death metal with a technical edge. Said the band in a collective statement: "LVCIFYRE raise a black flag salute to the ancient powers of Chaos! Our creation is a scream heard in the deep abyss!" Lets hope it's not all hype which will drive it over into the fuckin abyss.
Outlook: Hmmmm?

ASPHYX - Deathhammer
Label: Century Media
Release Date: February 27th, 2012 in Europe and February 28th, 2012 in North America

My favorite Dutch doom-death metal act ASPHYX have now finished work on their 8th studio album, Deathhammer. Recorded at The Mörser Studio as well as at Harrow Studio with their long-time engineer Harry Wijering, Deathhammer was mixed and mastered in Sweden by Dan Swanö, who previously worked with the band on 2009's Death...The Brutal Way as well as on the 2010 Live Death Doom release. Deathhammer features artwork by the band's long-time partner in designs, Axel Hermann (http://www.axel-illustrator.de). Hermann has not only worked on all of the early ASPHYX artwork (and most recently on their Live Death Doom release), but is also responsible for a lot of the classic Century Media artwork by bands like MORGOTH, UNLEASHED, SAMAEL, or GRAVE.
Outlook: High but then I'm bias

GRUESOME STUFF RELISH - (tba)
Label: FDA Rekotz
Release Date: Spring of 2012
Spain's GRUESOME STUFF RELISH, newly signed to FDA Rekotz, plan to release their next full length in the Spring of 2012. GRUESOME STUFF RELISH are considered one of the most intense death/grind bands to ever emerge from Spain's metal scene. The band plays a fusion of old-school Swedish death metal like DISMEMBER or CARNAGE and the splatter/gore sound and feel of early CARCASS, IMPETIGO or NECRONY. G.S.R. was formed in 2000 by members of the early 90's death metal band REPUGNANCE. G.S.R has released two full length albums along with several splits with the likes of Call The Paramedics, Engorged and more. The band's concept revolves around their extreme love for the classic Italian horror films from the 60's, 70's and 80's - Giallo films, cannibals, zombies, and other lurid tales of terror. You get the idea.
Outlook: We'll See

NAPALM DEATH - Utilitarian
Label: Century Media
Release Date: February 2012
As always NAPALM DEATH will be part of many most anticipated releases lists for 2012. Their last one 2009's Time Waits for No Slave was a decent release. Seeing them live that year was much better as showcased by the photo of me, Barney and some friends which you can find by scrolling down the page to the left. NAPALM DEATH has never put out a bad release in my not so humble opinion although some are obviously classic. In this stage of the game you would expect people to treat them with criticism the same way they do with their peers. Obviously there's a double standard in the metal media as far as tastes and favoritism go.
Outlook: We'll See

SAINT VITUS - Lillie: F-65
Label: Season of Mist
Release Date: March 23rd (27th in North America), 2012
SAINT VITUS recently completed the recording of their eighth studio album, their first since 1995. Scott "Wino" Weinrich is behind the microphone again and just about everyone and their buck toothed auntie are dying to hear it, praise it and worship it like a pagan idol. I'm guessing it'll have a the same shelf life as PENTAGRAM did in 2011 with their own "comeback/reunion" release. There was a release which got some hype but was crapped on by the critics. Maybe SAINT VITUS should wait till Fall then release it since the mainstream metal media are such pigs.
Outlook: We'll See


ANGUISH - Through The Archdemons Head
Label: Dark Descent Records
Release Date: February 2012
New Swedish Doom on the rise with this debut full length by ANGUISH. Expectations are high since it's said that this band delivers monolithic doom metal influenced by the likes of Candlemass, Pentagram and Black Sabbath. The band released a demo entitled Dawn Of Doom in 2010 and people went apeshit. Then again since the Gods of Swedish Doom are saying farewell in 2012 and calling it quits afterwards, until the reunion show that is, maybe it's time for new blood.
Outlook: High

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Self Titled
Label: Candlelight
Release Date: Early 2012

Ever since the classic original 3 piece COC line-up of Woodroe, Mike, and Reed got together and started touring and
performing songs from their Animosity and Technocracy releases, as well as some teaser new stuff, the extreme underground has been in a relative tizzy. This is the original COC and not the Columbia records era band. For many people into metal today this line-up is totally unknown to them, present company excepted of course since I've lived in Raleigh since the fuckin mid-80's and seen this line-up perform live a dozen or more times. So to put it mildly this is a big fuckin deal. Early news is that the band has taken parts of all of their past material and placed it on this release. That's enough to blow some people's minds.
Outlook: High

CANDLEMASS - (tba)
Label: Napalm Records
Relase Date: Spring 2012

The Swedish Doom legends are saying farewell in 2012 with one last release and a tour. The band finished up recording this December and hopefully their last release will be out by the Spring. The band plans to to one huge tour in 2012 although I'm guessing it will mostly be festivals.
Outlook: High

PALLBEARER - Sorrow And Extinction
Label: Profound Lore
Release Date: February 21st, 2012

This Arkansas band put out a damm good self released debut this year and I figured that they would eventually be signed by the end of the year. Frankly it was a no brainer about that prediction considering the musical climate these days. I should have been more specific as to who would sign them but then that would have just been as easy to pick. They're Doom so there you go.
Outlook: High

NILE - (tba)
Label: (tba)
Release Date: 2012

According to Karl Sanders’ Facebook page, tracking for the new Nile release is underway. Karl had this to say,
“We are finished tracking drums for the new album – George , Dallas , Neil Kernon and I spent a week with Bob Moore at the Soundlab in Columbia SC tracking drums . We were expecting a long grueling session. Some of this material is very computationally challenging and technically demanding, but George knocked it out by finishing a FULL WEEK ahead of schedule. Some of the drumming on this record will be boggling people’s minds for years to come. At the moment we are back in Greenville and will commence tracking guitars any day now.” Hey as long as it ain't techno goth then it will be well received.
Outlook: High

INCANTATION - (tba)
Label: (tba)
Release Date: 2012

Another death metal legend is poised to set 2012 ablaze. INCANTATION are currently writing new material for an album to be released next year. Along with longtime members drummer Kyle Severn and vocalist/guitarist John McEntee, the band is writing and recording for the first time with newer members guitarist Alex Bouks from GOREAPHOBIA and Chuck Sherwood of BLOODSTORM on bass. This is the first new release by INCANTATION since 2006's Primordial Domination. According to Severn, "The new material we have been writing are by far the darkest and most demented Incantation tracks I've been a part of since Diabolical Conquest." That's not really a bold statement considering INCANTATION has never released a bad album, hell they've never released an average album as well.
Outlook: High

WOLFBRIGADE - Damned
Label: Southern Lord
Release Date: 2012

2012 will be the 30th anniversary of DISCHARGE's Her Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing LP arguably one of the best hardcore LPs of all time as well as being the template for D-Beat. Compared to that WOLFBRIGADE's nine year stint (1995 - 2004) is a blip on the radar. Sure they re-united in 2007 but guess what? There are plenty of D-Beat acts out there today doing the crust thing, the better ones are blackened up. So this is going to be looked upon by thrill seekers (hipsters slumming) as greatness while the punks will be jamming to the likes of DISHAMMER.

Outlook: We'll See

CARNIVORE - (tba)
Label: Abyss Records
Release Date: 2012

Don't get your panties in a wad this is a new Swedish band who put out a three-song EP called Faces of Death last June and the thing sold out in 2 hours. The good people at Abyss Records decided to sign them up now plus re-release their EP early in 2012 as a teaser for their upcoming full length. The band entered the studio in December and we're expecting something based on old school elements with a modern and progressive touch, as well as an philosophical and occult lyrical element. In other words the OSSDM (Old School Swedish Death Metal) revival is still alive and well for another year.

Outlook: We'll See


UZALA - Self Titled
Label: At War With False Noise/Witch Sermon
Release Date: Early 2012

On the "hype machine" we have UZALA a female fronted doom act out of the Northwest who made a quick name for themselves in 2010 by releasing a four song demo which it seems only scribes at Doom websites heard, ergo the hype. Probably the other thing of importance to note is that their vocalist Darcy Nutt also plays guitar which still confounds hipster types. With the exception of Liz Buckingham most hipsters, as far as playing an instrument goes, still feel women are only reserved to just playing bass like in indie rock bands. Personally I believe women can do what ever the hell they want as far as extreme music goes (and they do as documented by SFM666) but hipsters are still in suspense when they see a guitarist with tits. UZALA will supposedly follow in the foot steps of all the other female fronted doom acts which have come before them, especially this year as documented by SFM666. The difference being they'll have a cadre of scribes behind em ready to name drop JEX THOTH and BLOOD CEREMONY every chance they get. I've heard a new song already so how bout we judge em on their own merits for a change.

Outlook: We'll See

IRON SAVIOR - The Landing
Label: AFM Records
Release Date: January 2012

Fans of German power metal rejoice because IRON SAVIOR who haven't been heard from in four years are now back to rock your world with German steel. On this one, IRON SAVIOR´s classic Condition Red lineup has been reunited as their promo states: "resulting in the expected impressive blend of power riffs, haunting melodies and rough, expressive vocals of the band's landmark sound together with full force, while also achieving their most versatile and varied album to date." Ah yeah and like the band's previous albums, The Landing was recorded at founding vocalist/guitarist Piet Sielck´s Powerhouse Studio, and yields eleven powerful tracks. So get ready to taste their German steel.

Outlook: We'll See


OMINOUS CRUCIFIX - The Spell of Damnation
Label: FDA Rekotz
Release Date: Early 2012

This is the long awaited (seriously it is) full length from this Mexican death metal act who have already brutalized listeners with their various splits, demos and EPs. Look here people any band that gets compared to ASPHYX is on my list.

Outlook: High



POISON IDEA - Various Reissues on the way
Label: Southern Lord / TKO Records
Release Date: throughout 2012

Expect plenty of shout outs for a band who I've called the best Hardcore act EVER in my not so humble opinion. Southern Lord Recordings are officially re-releasing several titles from Portland, Oregon's greatest punk/hardcore exports, POISON IDEA. On a personal note if you don't have any of the originals or at least the reissues on Taang from years ago then; A) you're a loser B) you're not punk or hardcore but are dirty and C) here's your chance to really be cool, you hipster retards. Most younger punks, the ones who are not left wing brainwashed idiots, will probably pick these up on vinyl from TKO Records just for the collecter aspect of it. The label did a great job years ago when they reissued all those ANTISEEN albums as well as getting banned from Maximum Rock n Roll which was fine by me because that zine really turned into a joke by 1993 and never recovered. But if you are a real POISON IDEA fan you'll want to have their material on vinyl and CD. Southern Lord will be releasing the CD versions of several POISON IDEA reissues. All of the material is being re-mastered by Jack Control (I don't know who that is) and each release will include new, extensive liner notes as well as never before seen photos and previously unreleased bonus material, aka: cool stuff to look at while the dink is playing.

This POISON IDEA reissue series kicks off January 31st, with the re-release of Darby Crash Rides Again: The Early Years. Boasting twenty-nine tracks from the band's earliest days, the album includes the 100% previously unreleased Boner's Kitchen demo from 1981, the complete Darby Crash Rides Again demo from 1982, the complete uncut live-on-the-air set from the 1983 KBOO radio benefit, and outtakes from the Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes recording session. Much of this material has either been out-of-print or never before officially released! All the recordings have been meticulously restored and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering. The booklet contains liner notes, old flyers and tons of previously unpublished photos from the band's beginnings. This is a complete no-brainer for POISON IDEA fans or any fan of the early days of American hardcore punk. Following Darby Crash Rides Again in January, Southern Lord will also re-release The Fatal Erection Years (Pick Your King/Record Collectors are Pretentious Assholes), War All The Time, Ian Mackaye, Feel The Darkness, We Must Burn and Last Will & Testament throughout 2012. Pig Champion will be happy.

Outlook: High

Some other bands that SFM666 hopes will put something out in 2012, simply because of their past greatness are PIG DESTROYER, FINNTROLL, WARBEAST, COFFINWORM, ENFORCER, DISHAMMER, HOODED MENACE, DARKTHRONE, TRIPTYKON, ACID WITCH, GOD DETHRONED, PROFANATICA, MUNICIPAL WASTE and WATAIN.