So here we are. Six years and two EPs later, the mighty Deathspell Omega have returned with new material. It's not "Doomspell Omega" or a reggae black metal album, and sure, one could complain about a rehash of old ideas here. But I'll be damned if it isn't nice to have these titans of French black metal back on the throne showing all their emulators how the game is really played.

Go and get it.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Auntie Sahar BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod, Marcel Hubregtse

While Cult Of Luna are busy doing five shows with Julie Christmas this week, let's listen once again to what's probably the best post-stuff album this year.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Darkside Momo BloodTears, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox

It seems this bundle of Brazilian funeral/death-doom joy, released 6/6/16, flew under a lot of radars. O Sol is a miasma of negativity from the concrete jungle of Sao Paolo, which has a lot more going on to keep it more interesting than the atypical glacial-beat, four minutes to complete a riff funeral doom. Give it a listen now and toss me an "obrigado" later.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BitterCOld Susan, Nefarious, Marcel Hubregtse, Darkside Momo, X-Ray Rod

Spaceking's Piper At The Gates Of Stoned is instrumental stoner-post with psychedelic/trippy effects tossed in for fun. Spaceking are possibly best enjoyed with Spacegrass.

Whenever it feels right

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BitterCOld Ivor, Introspekrieg, Marcel Hubregtse, BloodTears

If prog along the lines of Unitopia, Neal Morse or Transatlantic is your thing, don't miss out on the début album of Australia's Southern Empire, formed by the former Unitopia's keyboardist Sean Timms. Not only do they know how to write good prog tunes, they also have a handle on producing epics: clocking in at almost half an hour, "The Bridge that Binds" is brilliant and worth every moment of your time. Danny Lopresto on vocals is also top-notch. This album is definitely one of my favourites this year.

Try "Forest Fire" or "Hold" and hear for yourself.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Ivor BloodTears

Spheron's much-anticipated sophomore record was released earlier this year and what a record it is. Technical death metal with such a dense atmosphere and the odd progressive touch make this strong follow-up a must listen. Without sacrificing their immense skill, addictive groove, or crazy aggression, Spheron certainly colors outside the lines with this one. Go exploring.

Melt your face at their Bandcamp.

Picked by:

Susan

If there is an album released this year that will knock you flat on your back then this has got to be Possession, a début album by Vôdûn. A powerful rocking statement, this has been one of the most memorable releases this year and my personal go to album when low on energy. It can kick start you like no other and goes to show that a trio of guitar, drums and vocals is still enough for good music.

Try "Loa's Kingdom" or "Mawu"

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Ivor ScreamingSteelUS, Susan, BloodTears

Apparently the band has read on the internet that their vocals are ridiculously annoying and acted on that. They managed to craft a lot of great music too.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Daniell Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod, psykometal

Intelligent, expansive, diverse. Engaging, intriguing, inspired. If these six adjectives appeal to you, give this album a chance.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Daniell Fat & Sassy!, Marcel Hubregtse

Discussing this with Pippin, he described as "If Orange Goblin and Tool had a psychedelic doom baby". What he said. bandcamp cometh

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BitterCOld Abattoir, Auntie Sahar, Introspekrieg, BloodTears

Far from flawless, but still probably the best folk metal album of the last few months.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

Daniell Susan, psykometal, BloodTears, ScreamingSteelUS

Hooray! loved the "High Octane Anarchy" of Ewïg Frost's EP and now they are back with another Motörhead worship punked-up speed metal Atomic Release. 13 songs, 30 minutes of ugly, gritty, rip-roaring Black Mountain Madness. Get yer smash on!

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BitterCOld Abattoir

It's hard to find massive albums that really engulf you from the start and grab you until the very last note. But Névoa's Re Un is one of those albums. This stellar work from the Portuguese duo owes a lot to their name, Névoa (or "mist" in English). The immersive riffs just hoover around like a dim fog of hopelessness. The atmosphere is everything on this release and so is the unexpected. The music is anything but predicable with sludge, post, black and doom all mixed up into one big cauldron of hypnotic and hallucinatory musings. It's desolate, contemplative and slow. You might look for a beacon of light in Re Un's darkness but you will never find one, only mist.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BloodTears Susan, Paz

Up and coming -core band from my hometown, Houston, TX. Check 'em out. My favorite track is "Foundations".

Bandcamp

Picked by:

psykometal

The self-titled EP by Frenchies Barús is fantastique. Four separate tracks of slightly proggy death with vision, each with their own unique feel and vibe. Listened to this more than a dozen times now over three months, each time enjoying it while hating myself for not pounding out a review saying how much I enjoy it. Thus ends my confession. Hold not my sins against the band. Check it out.

Picked by: Thumbs up:

BitterCOld Nefarious