Blending the best of NWOBHM harmonized guitars, aggressive Gothenburg riffs, mid-2000s American death metal and a tasteful smattering of over-the-top falsettos, Ichabod Crane has forged its own path for the better part of two decades and is back with their fourth LP “Renaissance,” stuffed full of enough melody to keep heavy metal fans happy while also appeasing the darker sensibilities of death, black and extreme metal minions. The music is and has always been deadly serious, but the humor and good-natured fun of the band’s live and online image is still intact. Also intact is Ichabod Crane’s lyrical content inspired by horror literature and film, and progressive sociopolitical subtext. “Dicentra” imagines a bloodthirsty plant that grows a second heart in its victims so they can feel empathy, while “Wax Crowns” describes an eternal council of immortal billionaires who manipulate entire countries from their hellish throne room. If you’re here for riffs, you’ll leave satisfied.

Centerless is a Cleveland-based metal project whose genre-blurring sonic identity draws inspiration from legendary influences including The Contortionist, Opeth, Mastodon and Explosions In The Sky, as well as from a shifting cloud of subgenres that reflect each member’s individual tastes. Now, with a diverse and growing fanbase hungry for more after hearing their debut EP, Kenopsia — featured on institutional regional rock radio station 100.7 shortly after its launch in 2023 — Centerless’ momentum remains at an all-time high as they prepare for a busy year ahead, with a slew of releases and plans for future live gigs already in the works, to be announced in due time.