With everything from the pop-noise stylings of Empath to crushing post-metal of Zeal & Ardor, here is all of the new noise you may have missed from this week.

Empath – Visitor (Fat Possum Records)

Visitor is the sophomore LP for Philadelphia pop-noise group Empath. It’s a record that cements the band as one of the best and boundary-pushing in music today, unafraid to be messy and loose or to pummel the listener with spurts of invigorating noise.

This record embraces pop music in a fresh sense. There are moments of pure beauty, catchy hooks, and carefully constructed walls of noise that sum up into the unique sound of Empath.

Visitor is out on Fat Possum Records.

Find out more about Empath here.

Author & Punisher – Kruller (Relapse Records)

Author & Punisher is the one man brainchild of Tristan Shone. It’s a musical project that pushes the limits of what a single person can do in industrial music. This latest release is some of the densest, most powerful work to date. It’s a never-ending noise fest that crushes the listener.

Featuring Tool bassist Justin Chancellor, the brooding and thick low end of Kruller pulsates, lending a hypnotic element to this record. It’s certainly some of the most spacious work from Author & Punisher. Any fan of the group will be happily surprised with the direction of this record.

Kruller is out on Relapse Records.

Find out more about Author & Punisher here.

Zeal & Ardor – S/T (MKVA)

European post-metal collective Zeal & Ardor have returned with an undoubtedly brilliant third LP. The rhythmic, repeating elements of distorted noise give this record the feel of a new Swans record, if Swans discovered modular synthesizers. Despite the black metal elements of this record, it’s surprisingly melodic and, at times, even quite beautiful.

It’s really on this release that the band prove metal doesn’t need to be all about being the heaviest band in the universe. They find their space, utilize unique instrumentation, and bring elements of folk onto their sound. Check this one out; you won’t regret it!

S/T is out on MKVA.

Find out more about Zeal & Ardor here.

Le Butcherettes / Death Valley Girls – The Universe b/w When I’m Free (Rise / Suicide Squeeze Records)

This is a split single between Le Butcherettes and Death Valley Girls. With just one track each, the two groups seriously bring one of the best singles of the year. Le Butcherettes “The Universe” is a hauntingly captivating track featuring some of the best vocal harmonies on a garage track. It’s an almost entirely acapella delivered song that somehow works as a fantastic rock and roll anthem.

Death Valley Girls bring the track “When I’m Free,” which pairs brilliantly following the A side. A little more upbeat, the track again brings one of the best vocal performances of the week. It’s only two songs, but it’s songs that you absolutely cannot miss out on!

The Universe b/w When I’m Free is out on Rise / Suicide Squeeze Records. 

Find out more about Le Butcherettes here and Death Valley Girls here.

Featured image courtesy of Author & Punisher