Darkest Hour have made their self titled album available for streaming. The 15 track album goes through various different sounds, some typical songs where the Swedish riff worship shines through, to others that are a new sound for the band. Although the new album is now DH’s eighth release, it hasn’t stopped them from trying to become slightly more radio friendly yet all the while retain that Darkest Hour edge that makes them unique. There’s always going to be naysayers when it comes to any bands new release, people that believe that their older material is better, claim the band of selling out in their new release, simply because they want to try something new out. Nevertheless bands that sign to Sumerian seem to have an uncanny way of becoming more accessible, sometimes for the better some for the worse… Whatever your opinion have a little preview of what’s to come.

Nu Metallers Limp Bizkit have premiered “Endless Slaughter” a new song that they have made available for free download. I want to say that I would like it, there sure is a different approach to writing. The guitar sounds very much different, but at the same time the usual Limp Bizkit sound, which is ruined by our man in the red hat. Fred Durst just does not know when to shut up, seeming to try and fit as many badly written lyrics with odd harmonies as possible. But then it takes a turn for the worst and moves into a completely different sound half way through, not content with changing the tone completely they then go and do it again and incorporate some odd guitar licks. It honestly sounds like the band have meshed together 3 demo tracks into one.

The Bay Area thrashers Exodus have unveiled their new album artwork. Collaborating with reknown artwork guru Par Olofsson for their new album titled Blood In,Blood Out. In typical Olofsson style the cover is excellently executed and will fit the album perfectly with the idea behind the cover being Olofsson’s idea, guitarist Gary Holt stated :

Earlier this week polish death metal titans finally unleashed one of their new songs from forthcoming album Blood Mantra and it is a return to old school Decapitated. Many people weren’t happy with 2011’s Carnival Is Forever but this new song, premiered on Dan P Carter’s Radio 1 Show has all the hallmarks that were in their classic Organic Hallucinosis with the new age sound of Decapitated. “The Blasphemous Psalm To The Dummy God Creation” is absolutely brilliant and has made the wait for Blood Mantra that much longer. Its also worth noting that new drummer, Michal Lysejko gives their previous Krimh a serious run for his money.

One of the most hotly anticipated releases in metal is, ironically not a metal album. With their new song “Eternal Rains” Opeth have gone full prog, opening with the sound of the now accustomed mellotron, we’re then shown a lot more distortion than we heard in first single “Cusp Of Eternity” this doesn’t last however. We’re moved slowly into the verse where pianos and clean guitars ring out and finally we hear some vocals followed by a solo and some prog trade offs. An interesting song to be released as a single, but then Opeth have never been one for the conventional.

Wovenwar have made their new effort available for streaming before its August 4th release date next week. One of the most intriguing and hotly anticipated albums of this month for sure. Although retaining the heaviness that As I Lay Dying members forged in their discography the new Oh Sleeper vocalist adds a new dimension to the band, that wouldn’t have been explored had circumstances not led to its formation. Whilst not only adding a new dimension, the band altogether sounds slicker, with more thoroughly thought out ideas for songs and in general has direction.