Brant Bjork

Here are some of the albums that come out today:

Brant Bjork – Mankind Woman

Three names come to mind as the forefathers of stoner rock/metal, Josh Homme, John Garcia, and Brant Bjork. Yes, I get it, they all drank from the Sabbath well, but it isn’t that simple, and as the three of them just so happened to come from the band Kyuss.

Brant hasn’t let that hold him down, as he’s continued to blaze his own path with Fu Manchu, and as a solo artist, where he’s really let loose. Although the epicenter of his music is the desert rock scene, he’s never been shy to take chances and bring in elements of funk, jazz, or anything else that may be making him and his music vibe at the moment.

Conan – Existential Void Guardian

This UK band is the perfect example as to why a lot of the sub-genres are rubbish. Are they doom metal? Are they sludge metal? Are they stoner metal? Are they hipster metal? Are they just heavy metal?

There is a fine line between all of these categories, and it almost always depends on the reviewer’s taste as to which label they place on a band. Conan could technically be any one of these things on one of their songs, or a combination of them. Regardless of silly labels, their fourth full length is a destroyer, waiting to conquer your ears.

Dream Child – Until Death Do We Meet Again

This band is being classified as a supergroup by many, it is made of three of the components of the last Dio lineup, Craig Goldie on guitarist, Rudy Sarzo on bass, and Simon Wright on drums. Joining them are former longtime Michael Schenker keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Wayne Findley, and Diego Valdez who would be considered the unknown commodity.

Those that are huge fans of Dio, know that Craig and Simon went on to form Dio Disciples, with various well-known singers fronting the band. Diego as alluded to above doesn’t carry the name recognition of Ripper, Oni, or Mark Boals, he doesn’t even come close to receiving the press Jorn Lande receives.

But he sounds a great deal like the late Ronnie James Dio, making him a perfect fit for the band, and possibly fast-tracking himself to being grouped in with some of those big name vocalists.

Grave Digger – The Living Dead

The German heavy metal band is on their 19th studio album, they have been releasing music since 1984’s Heavy Metal Breakdown.  They have consistently put out a new album every few years. They took a short break in the late 80s, but were back on top of things with 1993’s The Reaper.

This album is more of the same you’ve come to love from the band, if you’re into their brand of metal, the one track that kind of veers off course, and may surprise some is “Zombie Dance”, which is a folk metal inspired song, and features a collaboration with this Napalm Records labelmates, Russkaja.

Monster Truck – True Rockers

The Hamilton, Ontario hard rock band continues to build steam and garner new fans with each album. True Rockers is an obvious progression 2016’s Sittin’ Heavy.

The new album takes elements of other bands you love like Volbeat, Danko Jones, and Mustache, blends it all together, and you have Monster Truck. I mention those bands because a lot of the influences are the same, but each of these bands is doing things a little differently.

Monster Truck is no different, blending 70s hard rock, with modern production and stylings.  The album features a cameo by former Twisted Sister lead singer Dee Snider, on the title track “True Rocker”.

Here are some other releases that may pique your interest:

Blind Guardian – Battalions Of Fear Reissue

Blind Guardian – Follow The Blind Reissue

Blind Guardian – Somewhere Far Beyond Reissue

Blind Guardian – Tales From The Twilight WorldReissue

Deicide – Overtures Of Blasphemy

Good Charlotte – Generation Rx

Shim – Shim

Thrice – Palms

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of earpeeler, Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907