Lighthouse is without contest the most beautiful album released this year, past and future. This young duo from Russia keep improving on their already very skilful song-writing and deliver something that is magical. This time with guest appearances from Gavin Harrison, Colin Edwin and Mariusz Duda. If prog rock built around piano, classically inclined composition and beautiful voice is your thing, don't miss out on it.

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Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Darkside Momo, ScreamingSteelUS, BloodTears, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox

While oppressively heavy and quite abrasive, Graves At Sea manage to remain catchy and subtly melodic at the same time. If doom and sludge are your thing, this album is a must. Even if they aren't, listen anyway.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, Marcel Hubregtse

A refined polymorphic code of madness. Ten slabs of heavy hitting, guitar infused, abrasive electro shit.
Now with added Igorrr / Pryapisme value!

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Endorsed by: Dream Taster, Introspekrieg, psykometal, ScreamingSteelUS

The misanthropic, kvlt-tinged sludge of Primitive Man is ready to throw down with Sea Bastard's lumbering, cavernous brand of doom on this monstrous new split. It's the Primitive Man side that leaves the greater impression, with a pleasant return to a grittier, Scorn-like production, but the crushing Sea Bastard track is nonetheless a powerful, worthy complement. I'm not usually one to get all that crazy about splits, but this one's a definite beast.

Primitive Man HERE
Sea Bastard HERE

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Endorsed by: D.T. Metal, Marcel Hubregtse, wormdrink414

I feel like a ton of bricks has fallen on me. I don't know nor care what this band was without Cammie Gilbert but she makes this album perfect in its little imperfections. I'm floored by her voice. I'm in love with her voice. It scratches the very depths of my soul. This is an album I wasn't prepared to find... And, man, that The Moody Blues cover is just wonderful.

Listen to "Winter" or "Suffer the Last Bridge" or just go get the whole damn album. It's totally worth it.

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Endorsed by: psykometal, BloodTears, Nefarious, Fat & Sassy!, Susan

"Look sire, droids!" -

Fuck that rolling trash can and prissy fembot from the space wars movies. These droids carry an armament that would make an imperial destroyer blush. Riff heavy stoner rock heavy on the heavy. If that description and the fact their facebook page sports the motto "death to false stoner thrash" sound like your thing, these are the droids you are looking for.

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Endorsed by: Ivor, Auntie Sahar, Deadsoulman, Darkside Momo

A wise man once said that "two heads are better than one," and perhaps no album this year has yet demonstrated the truth of this maxim better than Skáphe². The grand result of the combination of the talented Alex Poole (Chaos Moon, Esoterica, Krieg) and the mysterious D.G. (Misþyrming, Naðra), this album is a mesmerizing journey through the capabilities of two of the best composers modern black metal has to offer. AOTY contender.

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Endorsed by: BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod, Deadsoulman, Paz

"I don't feel quite myself..."

Riverside are one of the most talented progressive metal bands of their generation and guitarist Piotr Grudzinski was oftentimes the melody of the band. Their debut album was already a genius masterpiece and he shines brightly. Play it, live it.

In honor of Piotr Grudzinski. (Thank you for the music)

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Ivor, X-Ray Rod, Dream Taster, Daniell, Darkside Momo, Nefarious, Introspekrieg, D.T. Metal, ScreamingSteelUS, Milena

I don't know who this Magruder guy is, but he is one *angry* muthatrucka and he sure can grind. Play and smash stuff.

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Abattoir

The new output from the Norwegian black metallers gone electronic maestros is just more of what Ulver have been doing splendidly for years now. Oozing of drone and psychedelic influence, it's a powerful exercise in transcendent beauty and diversity, with each track managing to have its own distinct flavor while still following a common theme. Forget the fact that you can't pronounce this album's title. Instead, focus on the fact that this is probably the most immersive and stimulating Ulver album in quite a good while.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod

Five years later, these guys are as good as before (or the one guy who is the mastermind behind this project), or perhaps even better. "Bereft" is so varied, that it should satisfy fans of quite a few metal genres.

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Sounds like a pack of grown adults in a Discovery Zone ball pit who also have some anthrax.

Listen

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Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Fat & Sassy!, X-Ray Rod

From the guitar riffs drowning in gloom, to the mixture of somber beauty and ominous power of the male and female vocals, Weeping Silence deliver an album full of poetic pain and mourning for happiness, the individual, and the Earth itself. They pay homage to the withering effects of time, and offer the listener an "icy throne in winter's embrace" to sit in as they stand beside you, as we all watch the sun set one last time.

Listen here

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Endorsed by: BloodTears

It tickles my retro so.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, wormdrink414, X-Ray Rod, BloodTears, Fat & Sassy!, D.T. Metal

It's like when someone tells you that someone you don't know is weird and you go give that someone a shot because "weird" is overused and then you find out that, yeah, he is weird.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: ScreamingSteelUS