Gizmachi ... cuddly gremlin or next big thing in metal?

Hope you've been saving your allowance, there's quite a few CD's out today to bang your head to.

Candlemass - Candlemass (Nuclear Blast)

This self-titled CD is the twelfth album from these Swedish Doom legends, but it’s their first release on Nuclear Blast. Their latest release is a far cry from their classic "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" and is more similar to their albums "Tales of Creation" and "Nightfall."

Falconer - Grime Vs. Grandeur (Metal Blade)

If your "going out" clothes consists of leather pants and/or a blue jean jacket with patches of your favorite bands … Grime Vs. Grandeur is the perfect new release for you. This Swedish band likes their metal grandiose and with lots of guitar solos. Iron Maiden meets Helloween.

LOSA - The Perfect Moment (Metal Blade)

Originally from Nacogdoches, TX, LOSA have developed a unique style that at times combines mammoth rock with As I Lay Dying vocals. You will be hearing more from LOSA in the near future.

Still Remains - Of Love and Lunacy (Roadrunner)

Now that metal-core is fashionable, Roadrunner is signing band after band that all have that certain sound … and look. At best, Of Love and Lunacy combines Atreyu, In Flames, and Bleeding Through. At worst, it sounds like whoever Hot Topic is selling to the kids this week.

And the Austinist "this one goes to eleven" pick of the week is:

Gizmachi - The Imbuing (Sanctuary)

Similar to Candiria in that their style is hard to define, somehow this upstate New York quintet takes the ethereal qualities of dredg and Deftones and fuses it with a hardcore stomp. The Imbuing is on Big Orange Clown Records, a Sanctuary Records imprint. Gizmachi is the flagship artist on Big Orange Clown, the label started by M. Shawn Crahan (the Clown) of Slipknot fame. Gizmachi were recently announced to be one the mystery bands that will be playing the second stage of Ozzfest.