Sinistro - Sangue Cássia

Sinistro - Sangue Cássia

Season of Mist (FRA)  /  2018 / Doom metal

In a genre full of belters, shouters, growlers, crooners, and screamers, it feels odd to hear someone who can legitimately sing. Patricia Andrade's voice makes Portugal's Sinistro sound instantly unique. If you like her idiosyncratic brand of ethereal, haunting vocals, you'll probably love Sangue Cássia. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

Elder - Reflections of a Floating World

Elder - Reflections of a Floating World

Armageddon Shop (US) / Stickman (GER) /  2017 / Stoner metal

Elder received quite a lot of well-deserved press for 2015's Lore, my first introduction to the band. I love Lore, so I was interested to see in what direction the Massachusetts band went with their fourth full-length. Reflections of a Floating World starts off in a similar place as Lore with heavy-rock riffs and a massive, deep sound. I hear echoes of Brent Hinds in the first solo on "Sanctuary," which is where that track becomes more spaced-out than anything I've heard from Elder before. It's these cosmic, ethereal sounds that feel new to Reflections, which lends further dimensions to the sound established in Lore.