Haunt is back with some more heavy hitters to round out the week. With so many metal bands leaning into mathcore, math rock, and general technicality, we don’t wanna leave anything on the table, so below be sure to sample some meaty hooks and delivery set to tear you asunder. You know, as a treat.
Mastodon – “Snakes For Dinner”
We have spent inordinate time worshiping Crack the Skye as well as enumerating our personal favorites from the band on either side of the seminal album. Biases aside, this single manages consensus as a worthy entry into Mastodon’s long anthology while provoking the phantom sensation of losing Brent Hinds. Two examples here are a synth solo appearing where he would have likely contributed and Josh Homme’s vocal feature having similar delivery to that of the late guitarist/singer.
_
The Barbarians of California – “Earthquake”
Barbarians have a kind of industrial metal approach to songwriting for hardcore in the best way, likely informed by singer Aaron Bruno’s background outside of the genre. Songs like “Earthquake” have an anthemic character magnified through big ahh sounding production without sacrificing soul or humanity from a style that demands both. Just know that if a band like Every Time I Die decided to cover the Doom 2016 soundtrack you might get something resembling this output.
_
A Lot Like Birds – “Mausoleum ”
Being one of the detractors that held up DIVISI as their best work, “Mausoleum” seems to synthesize its many qualities with their historical ferocity many fans felt deprived of following the original departure of singer Kurt Travis to the most satisfying effect possible. There’s room only for optimism for the next chapter of this band if this song is any indication.
_
Squid Pisser – Rats
We’re finding ourselves within pissing distance of the squid once again through auspices of the Throat Slave EP. The band showcases a deep well of inventiveness braiding together Marilyn Manson-like vocals and general sludginess with The Locust style chaos and sound design.
_
The Number 12 Looks Looks Like You – “Joy is a Weapon”
All of the things many longtime fans were concluding the band had lost by sampling ONE single last year have been frustrated by this massive return to forms. Almost as a retort, the single seems to cover so much ground supposed to have been lost in equal measure to the backlash they received with the last song. It’s everything one would expect from The No.XII and more, with a Foxy Shazam feature giving it a blindingly colorful finish.
_
(Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out more from Haunt on the At Home With Monsters Bandcamp here or on the Corus app here.)