Bandcamp Picks - Gorguts, Mitochondrion/Auroch, Archaic Decapitator, Cadaveric Fumes

Nearly 25 years after they first started eroding sanity, Gorguts are still pushing death metal to its outer limits with their latest album/single/headfuck. Over the course of half an hour, Pleiades' Dust takes the listener on a journey, ebbing and flowing through discordance and polyharmonies, with tricky time signatures and multiple tempo changes throughout. It's a work of staggering vision and ambition, and the line for album of the year starts here. [$9.99]

Expectations are high for the next Mitochondrion full-length; in the meantime, they have a new split with sister band Auroch. If their contribution to In Cronian Hour is any indication, Mitochondrion haven't lost their knack for churning riffs and mutating rhythms, all topped by their unique multi-vocalist assault. On the other side of the split, Auroch keeps things atmospheric and unsettling with leads that sound like they were recorded in another dimension. I can't pretend I always understand what these two bands are doing, but I appreciate that it's never what I expect. [$6.66 CAD]


Connecticut isn't particularly known for its technical death metal, and Archaic Decapitator probably won't change that. But Light of a Different Sun is still a shining example of the style, integrating neo-classical melodies and proggy bass lines with shredding riffs and pure blast. With two EPs already under their belts, the band sound like they're ready for a full length. I know I am. [$6.99 ]


The old school revival is in its death throes, and from its corpse emerges far more interesting things like Cadaveric Fumes. On Dimensions Obscure, the French band combines old school death metal with even older school prog rock. Anyone mourning the loss of Morbus Chron should find consolation here. The EP is available as a "name your price" download.