Still to come in 2018 – Part 4

After a short hiatus to concentrate on a couple of important album reviews, here’s part 4 of my new mini-series where I bring you news of those albums are still to be released during the remainder of 2018. Some have expressed to mew a concern that 2018 has been front-loaded with the best releases, but hopefully this round-up will go some way to counteract those fears.

If you missed the first three parts of this mini-series, they can be viewed here:

Still to come in 2018 – Part 1
Still to come in 2018 – Part 2
Still to come in 2018 – Part 3

And, without further ado, let’s delve into the next set of big albums that I can’t wait to be released:

 

A Dying Planet
‘Facing The Incurable’
CynNormal Lab Recordings/Independent
Date of release: 14 August 2018

It feels like literally everything that Jasun Tipton touches turns to gold. First there was Zero Hour, then there was (still is hopefully) Cynthesis, then Abnormal Thought Patterns. And now we are on the cusp of being presented with his latest musical vision, A Dying Planet.

The album is entitled ‘Facing The Incurable’ and has not come about without significant struggle and turmoil. Indeed the track ‘Resist’ features melodies and lyrics entirely written by Jasun’s brother Troy. It focuses on Troy’s personal struggles, as he has recently had to hang up his bass guitar after unsuccessful surgery on his arm. Up until then, the Tipton brothers were inseparable, almost telepathic partners in crime. I’m convinced that the album title refers to this situation also.

Featuring the vocals of Paul Adrian Villereal (Sun Caged), ‘Resist’ is one hell of an epic piece of music, nudging over the 14-minute mark. And it is easily as good as anything that the Tipton brothers have put their names against. As I’ve said many times before, Jasun Tipton is one of my all-time favourite guitarists thanks to his incredible touch, feel and the emotion that he creates, as well as being as tight as a drum with his delivery. It’s an atmospheric track that leads me to think that this might be a rather emotional, thought-provoking and rich listening experience. With vocals on other tracks from Erik Rosvold and Luda Arno, as well as guest keys from Bill Jenkins, the entire 53-minute album threatens to deliver the goods for prog fans. We shall see, won’t we?!

 

Appearance of Nothing
‘TBC’
Escape Music
Date of release: TBC

 

 

It might not be 100% certain, but according to the band themselves, the new Appearance of Nothing album is likely to be released sometime in late 2018. This is great news as far as I’m concerned. The Swiss progressive metal band might not be a household name in prog circles, but they have been on my radar ever since I picked up a copy of their excellent debut release ‘Wasted Time’ back in 2008. Since then, they have released another two high quality albums, namely ‘All Gods Are Gone’ (2011) and ‘A New Beginning (2014)’.

And now, after a four-year wait, we have a fourth record to look forward to. The progressive metal of Appearance of Nothing is inspired by rooted in the classics of the genre but which offers swathes of atmospheric keys, plenty of chunky, occasionally thrashy guitar chops and riffs, and a vocalist who has a dirty, throaty clean delivery that further underlines the thrash credentials. Latter offerings have also dabbled with gruff growls. Check out the track below, as well as the dark, moody artwork that’s been drip-fed to us in recent months to get a taste of what might be on our way in the not-too-distant future. I’m looking forward to this.

 

Arkentype
‘TBC’
Crime Records
Date of Release: TBC

 

I literally knew nothing of Arkentype until about three days ago when a video snippet crept onto my timeline on social media. The clip was to offer fans the opportunity to hear a first vocal performance from their new record, from new vocalist Kjetil Lund. Needless to say, I was floored by the 44 seconds of material and I went off to find out what I’d missed. Fortunately, I’ve only missed one full-length album, 2015’s ‘Disorientated’ – but what a cracking album that is.

What you get is a modern, djent-fuelled extreme type of progressive metal with a strong electronic, slightly industrial flavour as well as an orchestral vein at times. The vocals blend gruff screaming and clean crooning and the melodic interludes tend to be rather epic. The metalcore overtones might not be for everyone but I really like the approach from these Norwegians and from the briefest of gazes into the world of Arkentype 2018, I’m suddenly extremely interested in hearing what these guys have in store for us, especially with a new frontman in place.