JUNIUS

Reports From the Threshold of Death

juniusmusic.com

Proving that metal dudes have feelings—and maybe even listen to Joy Division and the Smiths—Junius offsets violent guitars with epic synths and the sepulchral croon of frontman Joseph Martinez. While “Betray the Grave,” “Dance on Blood,” and “A Reflection on Fire” may read like Slayer song titles, they’re anything but typical metal tunes. This Boston group pouts as it headbangs, bringing a dark stylishness to its chugging riffs. “The Meeting of Pasts” floats closer to Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” than most hard rockers would dare tread, while standout “Eidolon & Perispirit” is all keyboard and vocals for the first 3:15. Then the guitar hits, shattering a calm that couldn’t last. This is metal, after all.