I'm not sure what keeps instrumental tech-death musicians from sleeping at night, but as long they keep producing these fantastic insomnia-themed albums, I hope they never find rest. Bonus, better-produced versions of select tracks from 2006's Probing Tranquility. For the sleepless, fans of metal jazz fusion and these bands: Blotted Science, Cynic, Animals As Leaders, Exivious, Atheist, Pestilence, Chimp Spanner, Sky Sanctuary, Anup Sastry, Canvas Solaris, Cloudkicker.

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Nothing new and fancy to see here, folks, just pounding, crunchy sludge with a bit of a bluesy twist that hits the groove gene right where it needs to. If you can't get enough of the sound of bands like Bongzilla, Eyehategod, etc. and you haven't yet heard Weedeater, do yourself the favor. Finger-lickin' good!

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Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, wormdrink414

High On Fire release another album. Bitter runs around Rancho de COld throwing empty beer bottles and air punching. Take a drink. Just be sure to empty it before throwing if you've got this album blaring in the background. That's a pro tip.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith, Daniell, Auntie Sahar, wormdrink414, Marcel Hubregtse, Deadsoulman, Doc G., psykometal, Introspekrieg, ScreamingSteelUS, X-Ray Rod

For some odd and inexplicable reason I tend to forget how damn good My Sleeping Karma albums are. What a fabulous trip this one is. Grab something relaxing to drink, hit play, and enjoy. Oh, and if you have a chance to see them live, do so; trust me, you're in for a treat.

Listen to "Prithvi" or "Moksha" off the new album.

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Deadsoulman, R'Vannith, Ag Fox, psykometal, BitterCOld, ScreamingSteelUS

Grab your sweord and scyld, because those pesky Danes are back demanding their Danegeld. How will you ever be Engla Cyning if you keep throwing all your geld at those wave-walking interlopers instead of building burhs? Arm thyself, ye thegn of Wessex, and let Forefather lead you to æsctír.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith

This is a fantastic album. Awesomeness runs strong in this one beyond my expectations even. I love how some of the songs almost reach out into gothic territories. If amidst the Sólstafir drama you are looking for a new Icelandic favourite, this should definitely be your choice.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith, Ag Fox, Deadsoulman, BloodTears, Nefarious, Dream Taster, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, Starvynth

Are Bong really doing anything new here? No. Do they need to? No. Coming back with another chapter in their sitar-fueled drone rituals, the band's music is as focused, relaxing, and meditative as ever.

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Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, Daniell, X-Ray Rod, Nefarious, Ag Fox, ScreamingSteelUS

Too much of a fanboy? Probably...
Yet I still feel the obligation to remind our users that one of the modern classics of black metal has just turned a decade old.

It remains as unique and soul-draining as the very day it was released.
No happiness, no sadness, no fear, no hope... Pure emptiness.

Celebrate the void!

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, Marcel Hubregtse, BitterCOld, wormdrink414

I reviewed their 2008 EP and thought they had potential. Consider that potential realized. Four tracks, all over 10 minutes, one over 30 - including one from the EP - show they've improved significantly over the years. Well done.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith, Nefarious, BloodTears, Ag Fox, ScreamingSteelUS, X-Ray Rod

Poaching another Fenriz-Approved, stream it right here.

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Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse

Sigh: the Pier Gerlofs Donia of extreme underwater basket-weaving, the Brough Superior SS100 of the 1805 Unspunnenfest, the Crank 2 of Tammany Hall, the Swabian Salute of double-corrugated, eight-fold, 14-gauge cardboard boxes. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but there's a little bit of everything - everything you didn't know you absolutely needed in a metal album.

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Endorsed by: Nefarious, Auntie Sahar, Fat & Sassy!, X-Ray Rod, Introspekrieg, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox, Darkside Momo, Dream Taster

Waiting for the new Haken already? Try Native Construct instead. Way too much fun!

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Endorsed by: BloodTears, Introspekrieg, ScreamingSteelUS, Nefarious

If you happen to like your avantgarde airy and dreamy, infused with a bit of electronica and trip-hop, if you tend to stack your avantgarde up against the likes of Ulver and Manes, then Område's début is something you will definitely not want to pass by.

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Endorsed by: ScreamingSteelUS, Darkside Momo

Perhaps less proggy, definitely less death metal-ly, definitely more concise. Definitely brilliant. Don't miss this gem.

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, Nefarious, Auntie Sahar, wormdrink414, Ag Fox, Marcel Hubregtse, Deadsoulman

Matt Wicklund and Van Williams make a winning team in Ghost Ship Octavius's debut album. Their talent to produce intricate, hard-hitting songs combined with the soaring performance of vocalist Adōn Fanion reaches epic proportions. Dark in atmosphere and themes, Ghost Ship Octavius borrows elements like groovy riffs à la Nevermore and Communic, and the melodic virtuosity of the likes of Darkwater. Add outstanding solos and a grandiose sound to the equation, and you have a very auspicious start for this band.

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Endorsed by: corrupt, psykometal, Promonex, Ag Fox