April Music Roundup

Things have fallen off this month and I've not made as much time for listening and exploration as I should have done.

There's lots of things dropped this month as a precursor to launches later in the year, so I'll start with those and see if this actually turns into a music round up.

Firstly, there's a new record due from Stormkeep and their first single is out - Carnal Tapestries of Nailtorn Flesh. Stormkeep have been on my "listen to them more" list for a while because they share a lot of members with my favourites, Wayfarer. 

Secondly, a blast from a while ago - Junius - released a new single ahead of an album launch. Their 2014 Days of the Fallen Sun was a firm favourite of mine so I'm really looking forward to hearing more.

Finally, Fires In The Distance have a new record due - Circadian Promise. With a new frontman and a hint at a slight change in style I'm looking forward to the followup to 2023's Air Not Meant For Us, which I love.

I also snuck a gig in this month - Dragged Into Sunlight at Club Academy, Manchester. This was a masterful job from the mysterious extreme metal masters. At one point during the malestrom of a set I started belly-laughing at how they somehow took what felt like a crescendo and then found another gear to launch off even further from. Stupid heavy. Stupid loud. Massively impressive. I like their records, but there's just something about their live show that hits different. It's a well-oiled machine and it's brutal. Matched with a great sound mix at the venue, it pops in a way that the record just can't. There's a frantic, relentless energy to it that's intoxicating.