California progressive death metallers FALLUJAH are swinging upward and venturing outward on new album, »Undying Light«. With new vocalist in Antonio Palermo (also of UNDERLING fame) firmly in position and a no-filler, all-killer songwriting attack, »Undying Light« isn’t the follow-up to »Dreamless«, it’s a massive jump forward. Whereas »Dreamless« wandered intelligently and resonated lithely, new tracks such as ‘Glass House,’ ‘Ultraviolet,’ ‘Eyes Like The Sun,’ and closer ‘Departure’ find FALLUJAH stripped down, razor-sharp, and emotionally charged.

“The songs on »Undying Light« are raw, confident, and new,” says guitarist/primary songwriter Scott Carstairs. “I think the last couple of albums we spent a lot of time experimenting with different elements, such as clean guest vocals, synthesizers, or different kinds of instrumentals. This time around we knew from the get-go that we wanted this record to be raw and honest. We wanted to move the music further but still showcase the sound and emotions this band has always evoked. With the addition of Antonio, we have been able to take the sound to new levels of emotion, a sound we have been striving to achieve for years but couldn’t quite get to until now.”

Isolation can often result in unique outcomes. Hailing from the tiny, frosty, untamed and detached Australian state that is Tasmania, Psycroptic have become an unparalleled act in an enigmatic world wide movement commonly known as death metal. Fifteen years have passed since their formation in 1999, the band having released five critically acclaimed studio albums, all which show an organic progression along a clandestine path from which they will never stray.

On the eve of their sixth full-length, though more technical and brutally intuitive than ever, the four-piece has not been afraid to get in touch with their softer side. Long known as the ‘Tasmanian devils’, they recently became the first band in the world to adopt their own Tasmanian Devil, whom they dubbed Psycro, in an attempt to help preserve the critically endangered carnivorous marsupial. Newer elements too can be expected when the new album is finally unleashed – more vocal variation, a heightened handle on instrumental melody, and an overwhelming sense that this act has truly mastered their craft.

Psycroptic have toured all corners of the globe with names that need no introduction to those in the know – Cannibal Corpse, Suicide Silence, Decapitated, The Faceless, Obituary, Carcass, Nile, The Black Dahlia Murder, Origin, Kataklysm, Aborted, Despised Icon, Suffocation, Veil of Maya, Cryptopsy, Misery Index, Vader, Born of Osiris, Hate Eternal… you get the picture right? They also recently guest hosted the ABC music video program Rage, an honour reserved for only the most class Australian acts. Metal legend Max Cavalera has also been sporting the band’s merch in recent promotional photos, bringing things full circle from the days when they were influenced by Sepultura in their youth. It’s safe to say that Psycroptic’s place in the history of heavy metal is solidified, and that everything that happens from here on in is simply a bonus…

Interloper consists of Miles Dimitri Baker (Rings of Saturn, ex Ænimus), Aaron Stechauner (Rings of Saturn, ex Abiotic), and Andrew Virrueta (Sea of Skies, Vampire Squid). Melodic, Technical, and Progressive music bringing forward a new style of music that fans of all genres can enjoy and appreciate.

Miles Dimitri Baker, as well as Aaron Stechauner met at age 15, and started playing music in several bands together. The idea for what has become “Interloper” was created around age 16. The first three songs, “A Red Letter Day”, “The Conjuration” and “Absolution pt.I” were written between then and age 18, now one year later, almost half a dozen other songs have been written that will be featured on Interloper’s debut album.

As Miles had begun touring with Ænimus, Aaron had already been touring with Abiotic, then shortly after leaving Abiotic, he joined up with Rings of Saturn. All the while Aaron had been filling in on drums for Ænimus on tours, as well as touring with Rings of Saturn.

At this point in time, Miles and Aaron agreed on the idea of having Lucas Mann join Interloper after a very short lived experience of Miles and Lucas writing together for another band.

Technical death metal troupe Cognitive are back with Abhorrence, their fifth full length album and a tremendously worthy successor to 2021’s Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction. This is the New Jersey powerhouse quintet at its brutal best – unrelenting riffs leave the listener stunned, while a wave of thoughtful, devastating lyrics washes over. The album is a turbulent, draining but ultimately fulfilling experience.

Cognitive started work on Abhorrence while touring Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction, sending tracks back and forth to each other while trekking from one intense gig to another.

2024 promises to be a big year for Cognitive, as they take Abhorrence on the road and bring more people into their vile new world. 13 years after the release of their debut EP, the band’s fifth full-lengther sees them continue to make giant strides forward while retaining the elements of their past efforts that got them this far.

Abhorrence may provide therapeutic commentary about how messed up the world currently is, but also, ironically, provides a breath of fresh air. We’re all in this together, so catch Cognitive on the road this year.