There are some absolute shockers being released this month, with new albums out from stale brit rockers Oasis, a full album from those abhorrent members of Towers of London and The Vines‘ new album ‘Melodia‘ which is guaranteed to be terrible considering their plummet into mediocrity. Even Simply Red are getting in on the action with a billion re-releases this month, but don’t despair because there are some highlights to look out for, and here’s my pick of them.

6th October: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus

I may be in for some criticism for putting in this selection, but I’ve always been a fan of The Mars Volta, and although Omar’s solo releases have certainly walked a fine line between genius and utter wankfest, I’m always willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. A true artist that has never compromised for anyone or anything and is releasing so much music at the moment that even the law of averages is on his side. Not only is he releasing this wonderfully titled effort, but a week later it’ll be followed up with another album ‘Minor Cuts and Scrapes in the Bushes Ahead‘. Worth a try if you fancy something a little challenging.

6th October: A Silent Film – The City That Sleeps

There were some really impressive bands that stood out at this year’s 2000 Trees festival, one of which was A Silent Film. Live they soothed aching backs and sore heads with their early afternoon slot, and certainly went down well with the majority of attendees. This, their debut is an opportunity for them to prove themselves to anyone not fortunate enough to have attended the festival, and for little under seven quid on Amazon it’s definitely worth picking up.

6th October: These Arm Are Snakes – Tall Swallower and Dove

Yep, Brian Cook and co. are back, with a co-headlining European tour with Russian Circles in November to support their fourth full length. Easter had a bit of a mixed response from fans, but there’s no denying the exciting prospect of a new TAAS album, surely to be packed to the rim with tight riffs and fun production that makes this whole post-insert genre here phase more than worthwhile.

14th October: Secret Machines – Secret Machines

Secret Machines’ debut was a masterpiece in proggy tunes, uniting the solid yet spacey production of a Pink Floyd masterpiece with the more technically proficient structure of Dream Theater, providing a wonderful middle ground of space prog rock. Unfortunately they got harsh criticism for their passable second album which swerves onto the side of pop far too much for the majority of people. But they’re back, promising an album that jumps back into that progressive talent they expressed on the debut and that sounds all the more tantalising than ever.

13th October: Gojira – The Way of All Flesh

Of all the bands this month it’s Gojira that have left me a bit cold. Although I can really appreciate their furious technical work and admire their conviction in writing lyrics with ecological themes, the records have always sounded to muddy and flooded to really grip me, leaving them standing in the shadow of the likes of Meshuggah. However, the Frenchies have got talent aplenty, and perhaps with this bone-chillingly titled effort will see me finally realising what I’ve been missing out on.

13th October: Bossk – Trilogy +DVD

Finally I’m going to put a special shout out to this, what will be Bossk’s final release. After three years of hard, underground and underappreciated work the band have decided to call it a day. I’m actually pretty devastated about this – I’ve only recently got into them and have been blown away by their masterful ability to write epic, mainly instrumental songs that never bore but inspire. With only two EP’s under their belt they are a group of musicians who could have promised so much more, but never found their voice within the musical landscape. This release is those two EP’s combined and a DVD, and is an essential purchase if you’re into Russian Circles, Mogwai or Red Sparowes.