On mid-April metal masterclass Devil Music, Portrayal of Guilt mixes demented orchestral strings with pure, guitar-driven screamo rage. The threepiece expands their black metal underworld with a headlining slot at their self-titled record label’s showcase, fittingly held at the ever-subversive, living-room-sized Chess Club. Post-apocalyptic dance punk crew Nuclear Daisies lean decidedly more shoegaze-y than their label’s creators, but deliver an equally head-banging live energy. Industrial metal duo Burnt Skull live up to their name with brain-melting distortion, while up-and-coming post-hardcore outfit Porcelain releases their debut effort through POG Records in February.
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— Genevieve Wood