March 2023’s Essential Rock & Metal Releases

With the month of March now at a close the time has come to highlight some of this month’s essential pickings from the corners of rock, metal, hardcore and the extreme music scenes. Household names from the likes of Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold were among the bigger acts to release top tier tracks, while younger and lesser known talents in the modern hardcore and metal scenes dominated as far as eclectic releases go. Overall, it’s truly remarkable to see the number of unique ways in which many of these bands have evolved traditional aspects of rock and aggressive music, or in some cases repurposed genre tropes and made them their own. That being said, the following bands were among March 2023’s most spectacular releases be it from new LPs, singles or EPs.

Zulu – A New Tomorrow (LP)

For those who fancy hardcore with a bit crossover in the mix, Zulu have delivered a debut LP that’s filled to the brim with groove and personality. A record like A New Tomorrow (via Flatspot Records) doesn’t come around often, that is to say a record that’s deeply rooted in extreme music yet experiments with far removed genres and concepts the average music goer can appreciate. Zulu manage to rewrite the sonic boundaries of hardcore and heavy music from combining elements of Soul and R&B in their power-violence cacophony, and they manage to broaden both hardcore and heavy music’s appeal for a new generation and larger audience. A New Tomorrow is easily one of the year’s best new releases and a record every hardcore fan needs to spin.

Avenged Sevenfold – “Nobody” (Single)

The wait for Avenged Sevenfold’s new album is finally nearing an end as the modern metal titans have released the first single for their upcoming eighth studio album, Life Is But A Dream…(out June 2nd via Warner Records Inc.). It’s not often a band of A7X’s profile and stature output something as sonically refreshing and limitless as “Nobody.” Standing as one of the most bold singles from a major label metal band ever, “Nobody” is a slow burn in all of the right ways and it only goes to reinvigorates the respect and artfulness that’s time and again attributed with A7X. Beyond the epic journey “Nobody” provides, the most interesting aspect to both “Nobody” and this upcoming album is the fact A7X have stated that no two songs on the record share the same sonic vibe. Rather, the entire album was written with the purpose of being experienced in its entirety, front to back, and there’s not exactly a ‘single’ worthy song on the record.

Creeping Death – “Intestinal Wrap” (Single)

Spearheading the charge for death metal’s longwinded resurgence, Creeping Death serve up a barrage of face melting riffs and slamming grooves on their latest single, “Intestinal Wrap.” If the track’s title didn’t make it clear, Creeping Death fully embrace the visual and sonic extremity of classic death metal but they manage to bring things up to modern standards with the infusion of hardcore elements. While the band’s demeanor and lyrical themes certainly aren’t for the average rock listener, Creeping Death have proven themselves to be kings of brutal riffs and punishing break downs, as heard on “Intestinal Wrap.” The band’s sophomore LP Boundless Domain, arrives June 16th via MNRK Records.

Sylosis – “Deadwood” (Single)

With every new album cycle Sylosis manages to remind the metal scene just how overlooked they are as a band, and with their latest single “Deadwood” they continue to do so. Guitarist and vocalist Josh Middleton time and again proves he’s a virtuoso in both guitar playing and metal songwriting, however, on “Deadwood” Middleton takes things one step further by raising his capabilities as a melodic vocalist. Sylosis’s ability to maintain such a high level technical and aggressive ferocity while keeping things relatively catchy is trait far few modern band’s execute as well as they do. Despite there being no public details of a new record on the horizon, it’s a safe to assume that the band has something in the works given the number of singles the band has output recently, “Deadwood” being their latest.

Other ‘Honorable’ March Releases:

Jesus Piece – “Silver Lining” (Single)

For fans of Sepultura, Converge, Code Orange.

Suicide Silence – Remember… You Must Die (LP)

For fans of Korn, early Deathcore, Groove Metal

Spirit Adrift – “Death Won’t Stop Me” (Single)

For fans of High on Fire, Ozzy Osbourne, Ghost.

Metallica – “72 Seasons” (Single)

For fans of old school thrash and heavy metal.

Check out March 2023’s Rock & Metal Release playlist featuring all artists listed above & more!