Welcome to Metal Lair’s Seven Deadly Songs weekly feature where we curate songs from the past and the present for your listening pleasure.
Håndgemeng – The Cauldron Born
Norwegian band Håndgemeng (it means “scuffle” in their native tongue, apparently) are due to release their second album, Satanic Panic Attack, via Ripple Music on April 11th, and by all accounts, the album itself is every bit as much of a doozy as its highly amusing title. If you can get past the image on the cover of five men sitting in a huddle, clad only in corpse paint, you’ll be treated to eight songs of superb stoner/sludge metal. Having said that, the opening track is actually reminiscent of WASP’s hard rock classic Animal (Fuck Like a Beast), interspersed with black metal blast beats and festooned with liberal sprinklings of The Real Me by The Who and Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. This is all performed with lead vocals and football terrace-style backing vocals that wouldn’t be out of place on the hardcore punk scene. That’s quite a quixotic blend from the fun-loving Scandinavians.
Written By Kevin McSweeney
https://youtu.be/NtMrqQX25UE?si=WuM3LZA_811Jf5Ny
Allegaeon – The Ossuary Lens
Mick’s pick this week in SDS has a smörgåsbord of metal shenanigans: Speed, hype, Ezra Haynes doing a sick ripper of a pig squeal, and a sweet music video to go with it.
I haven’t really taken heed to Allegaeon since their ripper of a first album Fragments of Form and Function but, I am a huge fan of Ezra Haynes’ vocal style. I tend to be a bit odd in my approach to music as I tend to stick to album one for many bands (I know, I know. Send your hate comments to [REDACTED] But, as I evolve, this changes. The Ossuary Lens is a whole experience that deserves a review here. Here’s the TL;DR on The Swarm: If you like em’ fast, technical, and want to hear your blood pumping as you wrestle your way through this warp speed hype track – give it a listen. It became my new fave Allegaeon track in less than a minute of playtime and gives my AotY a run for its money.
Written By McKauley Kitterman
Speedway – Permission to Dream
Not to be confused with the Scottish pop-rock group of the same name, nor indeed the motorcycle-based sport in which both my father and grandfather were once involved; these Stockholm-based boys are not your typical Swedish band. They are nothing like the death, black or power metal outfits that you might typically associate with the Nordic country. Instead, Permission to Dream is one minute and 49 seconds of pure hardcore madness from an album full of savage NYHC-style tracks strongly reminiscent of the classic era of legends like Agnostic Front, Sick of it All and Madball. There’s nothing fancy about it; just passion, integrity and a lot of heart. Their debut album A Life’s Refrain was released on April 11th via Revelation Records. I strongly recommend that you do not refrain from checking it out.
Written By Kevin McSweeney
https://youtu.be/mmP7jiUfoE0?si=aED0k5UlZcAsseIb
Frost* – Moral And Consequence
“Coming from their fourth studio album, Frost* manage to craft a groovy earworm with ‘Moral and Consequence’. Time signature changes, a vast mix of instruments, and even a (now rare) key change make sure that this track constantly evolves and changes before your eyes! Each individual instrument gets its own time to shine, while the drums feverishly adjust their tempo. Just don’t be fooled by it’s numerous crescendos!”
Written By Graham Burke
SUNN O))) Orakalum
In grand fashion, American drone metal band SUNN O))) is re- releasing their album Oracle, a masterpiece from 2007 just in time for Record Store Day. One track in particular, Orakalum, has a captivating backstoryz It was crafted in collaboration with Banks Violette, a renowned sculptor and installation artist. The exihit took place in London’s Maureen Paley gallery. Locked within a sterile shroud, Attila Csihar became a vessel for darkness as SUNN O))) conjured forth “Orakulum”. The air was heavy with foreboding as they performed amidst a haunting tableau. A salt and resin replica of their stage lay ravaged, its beauty twisted, while a destroyed black coffin stood testament to the desecration of innocence.
Written By Caine Blackthorn
Goat Rider – Black Speed Metal Force
It’s always hugely helpful to a music journalist – especially to idiots cosplaying as music journalists like me – when a band is this literal with their song titles. The Costa Ricans have just released the Savage Steel EP via Violence Records on the 7th of April, and its opening track, Black Metal Speed Force, is a savage and steely serving of, well, black/speed metal/punk/whatever you’re having yourself. (Thankfully, they’re not so literal when it comes to actually riding goats, or so I hope.) It’s exhilarating stuff, and a lot of fun, and it whets the appetite perfectly for their fourth studio album. Hopefully, we won’t have too long of a wait for that one. Also, the EP’s artwork is the second of my selections to feature nudity, this time in cartoon form; so that’s nice.
Written By Kevin McSweeney
Carcass – Corporal Jigsore Quandary
Carcass, the vanguard of Liverpool’s death metal scene, left an indelible mark on the genre. Their fearless experimentation with sound and unapologetic visuals redefined the boundaries of extreme music. The band is reissuing Necroticism – Descanting The Insalubrious in a limited number. This was their groundbreaking third album released in 1991 which introduced Michael Amott’s scorching guitar work to the mix. This special edition boasts striking new artwork courtesy of Marvel Comics veteran Wayne Nichols, presented on stunning translucent green vinyl, available only for Record Store Day 2025.
Written By Christy Lee
