North Star Union has released "Echoes of decay", a slice of melodic heavy metal that feels less like a standard studio tracking and more like something dug out of the permafrost. There is a curious quality to Icelandic composer Myrmann’s work here; because he handles all the instrumentation and composition himself at Midgard Studio, the track possesses a singular, frighteningly cohesive nervous system. It...

Outside Pedestrian have spent a quarter of a century dismantling expectations, and their new instrumental single "Drawbridge" proves they still enjoy pulling the rug out from under us. The eclectic trio thrives on tossing familiar setups into the void just to see how they spin. https://open.spotify.com/track/5elBwrs5fHV9ajK4mbQMxJ?si=e95203d6ff6f41a9 Here, they intentionally subvert the physics of jazz-rock and modern metal. Heavy, distorted aggression suddenly fractures, clearing the floor for...