Xander Harris

Former Austin artist Xander Harris relocated to New Orleans a little while back and began work on an ambitious double album...that unfortunately will not come to be.  The artist, otherwise known as Justin Sweatt, was hit by a car while riding his bike, and being an independent musician, his health insurance is shit.  Healing, etc. took time away from the project which has now been slimmed down to a leaner, meaner 9 tracks called "Villains of Romance."  Listen to "Mall Walk" below, pre-order the upcoming vinyl release from Burning Witches here, and throw some money the artist's way by downloading the album from him here.

Dead Cross

And we got a surprise release from Dead Cross today, the hardcore supergroup featuring Mike Patton and Dave Lombardo.  The new self-titled EP has two new songs and a couple of remixes from last year's selft-titled LP.  Watch the video for "My Perfect Prisoner" below and get the album here via Ipecac.

Lost Under Heaven - Bunny's Blues

Earlier this year we got a new track from the duo of Ellery James Roberts and Ebony Hoorn, otherwise know as Lost Under Heaven (of LUH.), and today we get another new tune, and an announcement of a new record out sometime later this year.  Watch the video for "Bunny's Blues" below, a track featuring Hoorn on lead vocals that starts as a whisper and then ends as something a little harsher than the band normally goes for.

Strunkiin

Described by the artist as a tribute of sorts to Bob Ross and his "The Joy of Painting" TV series, "The Joy of Creation," the latest album from Finnish black metal band Strunkiin, plays like some kind of atmospheric, cosmic soundtrack to all of those fluffy little clouds and happy little trees.  It's kind of amazing actually, and i demand somebody put these two things together and put it online for all to see and enjoy.  In the meanwhile, listen to album opener "Island in the Wilderness" below and get the album here.

Thou - The House Primordial

Louisiana sludge metal band Thou released a surprise album this morning, the new full-length "The House Primordial" on Robotic Empire.  The record is perfect match for the weather in Central Texas this week, the thick and ugly metal bursts pairing well with the soup of gray clouds and mist currently hanging over my home.  Listen to the whole thing below, download it here, and be on the lookout for a physical edition sometime in the near future.

Pentagram Home Video

UK synth artist Pentagram Home Video is back this week with a new album, a sequel, "Walpurgisnacht II."  An imaginary film score of sorts, described by the artist as, "a soundtrack to a night when the barriers between our world and The Parallel Realm are down."  The album is full of drones and tones, eerie sounds of a dark night.  Listen to the title track below and snag the cassette here.

Pallbearer - Dropout

"Dropout" premiered a couple weeks ago on Adult Swim as part of their weekly singles thing, but now Arkansas doom metal band Pallbearer have put the track up for purchase.  It feels more instantly accessible than anything they've done prior.  Listen below and get it here.

Cold Cave

Cold Cave's "You & Me & Infinity" EP won't be out in physical form until this summer, but the band has it up for stream/download here right now.  Cold, foreboding, and bouncy darkwave synth pop for the masses.  Listen to "My Heart Is Immortal" below.

Medistation

Forging through the sounds of modern psychedelica, pulling from forebears like Spiritualized, Galaxie 500, and more, Swedish artist Eric Strand's (The Orange Revival) new solo project Medistation has all the trademarks of psych-cool, but veers more towards a pleasant comedown kind of vibe, without the shakes and bitter aftertaste.  The self-titled EP is out now (get it here from Fuzz Club Records), and warm up with album opener "Pool of Blood" below.

Friday Horror Trailer - Final Exam