For anyone wondering where all the good power metal bands have gone, ReinXeed are here with their fourth album of cheesy goodness.

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Baz Anderson GT

*Play* CCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - KKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR - SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - CHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKA *30 minutes later* DDDDDDEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR - CHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKA - KKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR - CCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH *End of the record*

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!J.O.O.E.! Mr. Doctor, wormdrink414

Trying to resume this album with the Prog Rock tag is bound to fail. This is some beautiful, eerie, haunting music, with otherworldy soundscapes (thanks to the Léode), finely crafted melodies and some quite crushing crescendos. Because no, they aren't metal, but they can play some heavy and powerful stuff indeed.

And the mood? Think somewhere around Riverside, but maybe a bit more sad and despondent with the actual state of the world. And for those of you who can actually understand French, you're in for a good deal more listening pleasure, as the lyrics are poetic and really beautifully written.

A must listen for prog fans... and all the others too!

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Darkside Momo Ivor, Ag Fox, Lyrinan

This is about as thick, crude, and altogether awesome as its subject matter: oil. Easily one of the better death metal albums of the year.

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wormdrink414 !J.O.O.E.!, Daniell, DerRozzengarten, Doc Godin, Ag Fox, Troy Gallant, White Winter Sun, Mr. Doctor

A highly anticipated release from this up-and-coming Norwegian outfit, Leprous has exceeded almost insurmountable expectations. Their previous effort, Tall Poppy Syndrome, was thoroughly enjoyable but somewhat derivative (...Opeth). The off-beat brilliance hinted at before is fully realized and really shines with the dynamics of beautiful production. As the touring band for Ihsahn recently, it is appropriate that the man himself would make an appearance to add to the intensity of it all. Soaring vocals, great atmospheres, and techie musicianship make this a recommendation for fans of Arcturus, Devin Townsend and Shaolin Death Squad. (And Opeth... duh.)

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Introspekrieg Ag Fox, BloodTears, Fat & Sassy!, Dane Train, Ivor, Darkside Momo, wormdrink414

Here's something that doesn't suck for you; a nice little prog-thrash hybrid cram-packed with awesome riffs. Don't like prog? Neither do I. Somehow, this just works, though.

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Doc Godin MoraWintersoul, Mr. Doctor

Hell. Rich, noisy pulsating soundscapes, surprisingly restrained and varied with distant chants and hopeless patriotic songs, pounding drum beats like bomb blasts caught in time and inaudible chatter over broken radio static. Paints a picture of an old war; those constant drones the sound of fighter planes with nowhere to go. It's its own visual pallet - just close your eyes. Not a single element of metal here though aside from the sound of scraping iron. Just instinctive nothingness, death.

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!J.O.O.E.! DerRozzengarten, Mr. Doctor

Life getting a bit pretentious for you? Eat a bag of pine cones and crank up Disperse The Curse.

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Doc Godin BloodTears

It's pretty simple: If you like Fleshgod Apocalypse, you'll love Agony. Hop to it, bitches.

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Troy Gallant Baz Anderson, Ag Fox, Darkside Momo, Nefarious

HxC recommendations for metalheads #3: Everyone report to the mosh pit! There's a hard-hitting hardcore party going on that will raise the roof. Can I get a woop woop?

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Thryce !J.O.O.E.!, Mr. Doctor

Having never heard any of this Taiwanese band's previous releases, I kinda figured that the oriental folk elements of the album were going to be obnoxiously forced into the music. But alas, these elements are tastefully blended in with the metal on this album and make for yet another solid release this year that will probably swoop under everyone's radar. Anyone interested in melodic black metal or folk metal should definitely check this puppy out.

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Fat & Sassy! Introspekrieg, Ag Fox, DerRozzengarten, Promonex, wormdrink414, ScreamingSteelUS

This album provides the kind of meal I like. It's got fruit bowls full of hardcore candy with a few plates of meat n potatah thrash. Consider SSS's sense of humor the pitcher of beer on the side.

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wormdrink414 BitterCOld, Marcel Hubregtse, Mr. Doctor

Here's something totally awesome for you. MOAR GRIME.

Seriously, this frantic hardcore/grindcore crust-punk album is a shit-stomping fantasy. Includes bonus Entombed-like production values!

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Doc Godin Thryce, Marcel Hubregtse, Mr. Doctor, wormdrink414, White Winter Sun

HxC recommendations for metalheads #2: this is what metallic hardcore (aka "real" metalcore) is all about. Some will say this blast of an album will knock your brains out, others will call it porn for the blind. Enough reason you ought to check this one out.

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Thryce

2009 was awesome. Everyone knows it. No need for reminders. But you really do need to be reminded that this too came out in that holiest of years. And it has Wino and Jean-Paul Gaster. Working together. Making sweet, sweet music. And it kills.

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wormdrink414 Dane Train