SMALL MERCIES

Where EP is short for ‘Epic Potential’

ANTRE Dark Spectrum EP WITHERED HAND

This Nottingham five-piece take an introspective turn on their Dark Spectrum EP

– a bleak kaleidoscope of black, death, thrash and hardcore. Each track is a themed exploration of their experiences of fear, wrath, salvation and sanity. ■■■■■■■■■■

TOM O’BOYLE

HIGH COMMAND Everlasting Torment SOUTHERN LORD

How to clear a path to extreme music cult success: douse crossover thrash in Robert E. Howard and Michael Moorcock novels, copies of Reign In Blood and

Game Over, then watch the moshpits and RPGS breed like rats.

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CONNIE GORDON

INGESTED Stinking Cesspool Of Liquefied Human Remnants UNIQUE LEADER

These Mancs have become a more cutting-edge proposition of late, so their earliest gory compositions being given a bit of spit and polish is a delightful reminder of just how horrible they first were. ■■■■■■■■■■

ADAM REES

DESCEND TO ACHERON The Transience Of Flesh PETRICHOR

These Adelaide-based death metallers conjure a harrowing atmosphere. The Godless I and II and

Plague Of Superstition bring an otherworldly blackness to pertinent issues and their meticulously played, bowel-rumbling assault. ■■■■■■■■■■

ADAM REES

I AM PARIAH Charm Before The Storm SELF-RELEASED

Stoke-on-trent’s nu metalcore upstarts supply three infectious anthems, upping the songwriting ante of EPS past. The trio employ hefty riffs and a decent line in A7X’S grit-laced vocals to go with them. ■■■■■■■■■■

SOPHIE MAUGHAN

WAYWARD DAWN House Of Mirrors MIGHTY MUSIC

Wayward Dawn don’t reinvent the DM wheel, but the fusion of Scandinavian guitar tones and lightningfast, thrash-inspired percussion makes this two-song EP a barrelling brute. These eight minutes definitely don’t go to waste. ■■■■■■■■■■

MATT MILLS