Metal

LAKE is storied in collaboration, sonic adventure and an allegiance to exploring the limits of crafting pop songs. They have toured, recorded and allied with some of the most pioneering figures in contemporary independent music: R. Stevie Moore, Karl Blau, and Phil Elverum's Mt. Eerie, to name a few. "The World Is Real" is LAKE's fourth album for K and fifth overall, (excluding a bevvy of beautiful, more casually released underground cassettes and Eps), a collection of songs adorned with meticulous coloring and both analog and digital orchestration. The songwriting partnership of Eli Moore and Ashley Eriksson is the locus of LAKE's creative engine, but members and longtime friends Andrew Dorsett, Markly Morrison, and Lindsay Schief are just as represented on "The World Is Real". LAKE channels a deeply articulated feeling of discontent and loss on this record, but balances them in tandem with the pop music joys they have so deftly honed for many years. As a lake reveals only is smooth, glossy surface to the world, so does LAKE hold its own, stirring universe beneath its pop exterior. Style: Independent

Hostile Eyes is a slamming brutal death band from Japan Record Label: Amputated Vein Style: Death Metal

Since the late '90s, Germany's FRONT BEAST have been lurking in the darkest corners of the black metal underground. Helmed by mainman Avenger, FRONT BEAST have stayed committed to a pure 'n' proud vision, honoring the ancient ways with a prolific stream of demos and split releases. Now, FRONT BEAST are prepared to storm with vengeance with their second album (and first for HELLS HEADBANGERS), Demon Ways of Sorcery. Fittingly titled, Demon Ways of Sorcery is trend-free black metal of an ancient, mystical hue: damp dungeon atmosphere, crude yet commanding execution, thirsty 'n' miserable vocals, an aura of hideousness and unhealth, and an unselfconscious obeisance of time-honored heavy metal values. When the moonlight calls...obey the Demon Ways of Sorcery! Record Label: Hells Headbangers Style: Black Metal

Clive Nolan Label: METAL MIND

Artist: Iron Man Label: Rise (Irascible Distribution)

Record Label: Blood & Ink Style: Pop Punk

Roky Erickson's career had endured twists, turns and a late-period purple patch marked by incredible music and self-destructive behavior. The Evil One (LITA 097) broke him out of the indie underground and Don't Slander Me showed off his rock 'n' roll sensibilities. But Erickson was difficult to manage - and patience was running out. "I'd given up after the second album," Erickson's then-manager, Craig Luckin, has said. "I had enough." Yet a third album - arguably his best - was to be found, if not created. Gremlins Have Pictures is an anthology of Erickson's solo work following his extended incarceration at the Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane, beginning with his first live performance (opening for a screening of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in Austin) all the way to Don't Slander Me (LITA 098). The core member of 13th Floor Elevators, and an undisputed pioneer of psychedelic rock, Erickson struck big with the howling single 'You're Gonna Miss Me'. "Any kid that played music in the Houston area would tell you the Elevators ruled," says Erickson's future drummer Freddie Krc in the liner notes. "Unlike the West Coast groups, they were our band." But Erickson's '60s dream came to an abrupt end when he was caught with a single marijuana joint on his person. Pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to avoid prison, he was sent to the Rusk State Hospital, where he was 'treated' with electroconvulsive therapy and Thorazine treatment. Released from the institution in 1974, Roky found his legend had grown while he'd been away - not least because 'You're Gonna Miss Me' was included on 1972's Nuggets compilation. He formed a band, the Aliens, and set about honing a hard rock sound that placed the psychedelic garage blues of the Elevators firmly in the last decade. It wasn't just the sound that had changed: Roky's lyrics spoke of vampires, demons, beasts and even presidents - his 'Song To Abe Lincoln'. Collected here, the odds and ends of Erickson's post-incarceration work tell a story of a man finding his musical feet, ranging from Dylan-like folk strumming to the big, Neil Young-like rock of the unparalleled 'Anthem (I Promise)'. The span of time is great - from The Ritz Theatre tracks, recorded in Austin in 1975, at the debut performance by The Aliens, to those troubledDon't Slander Me off-cuts. Other tracks were cut with the Explosives, the band Roky started working with at Raul's punk club in Austin after he'd returned to Austin in 1979, following the departure of the Aliens. Together the various tracks deftly summarize Roky Erickson's recording career. Following reissues of The Evil One and Don't Slander Me, Gremlins is now brought back to life by Light In The Attic Records. This is a chance to pick up a missing jigsaw piece in the history of American rock 'n' roll in deluxe packages. Don't let it pass you by. Record Label: Lightintheattic Style: Psychedelic Rock

From the land of the rising sun comes Japans one-man act DARKCELL. Following multiple demos and an acclaimed debut album, DARKCELL unleashes their sophomore effort and Moribund debut “Nightmare Document Part 2”. Grim, psychotic Black Metal filled with ambient passages, extreme psychedelics, bizzaro breaks and a joyous depressive feeling, DARKCELL create bleak, claustrophobic Black Metal like no other. Let the DARKCELLs flow through your veins and document your nightmare ! * New highlight of the Japanese Black Metal scene! * Highly anticipated second DARKCELL full-length studio album! * CD features 3 exclusive bonus tracks ! * Cover art Mr. Tight Rope. * Bizzaro Black Metal sure to blow the mind of all extreme metal heads! * Mandatory for fans of Sigh, Xasthur, Darkspace, Leviathan, Moon and Arkha Sva. Record Label: Moribund Records Style: Black Metal

Artist: At the Gates Label: Peaceville (Edel)

Artist: At the Gates

Record Label: Pride & Joy Music Style: Metal

Artist: Mysticum Label: Peaceville (Edel)

Artist: Carpathian Forest

Artist: Avulsed Label: Mdd (Alive)

Artist: Carpathian Forest

Artist: Crystal Ball Label: Massacre

Record Label: Shadow Kingdom Records Style: Metal/Rock