The Ocean - Pelagial

Precambrian part II, at last!! Well, quality-wise, that is; musically it's a different beast...

Are you ready to dive in the deepest of waters?

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), R'Vannith, Nefarious, Introspekrieg, BloodTears, Doc G., wormdrink414, X-Ray Rod, Troy Killjoy

Hacride - Back To Where You've Never Been

With a renewed line-up (featuring Klone's drummer, no less), Hacride are back with their most accessible, melodic yet technical album to date. But, most of all, it's the emotional intensity that truly makes the difference.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), jupitreas, R'Vannith, psykometal, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

Terra Tenebrosa - The Purging

Easily as crushing and terrifying as The Tunnels, but in a different, more dynamic and less claustrophobic way.

A must-listen, no less.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Unknown user, psykometal, R'Vannith, X-Ray Rod, Daniell, Ag Fox

A Forest Of Stars - A Shadowplay For Yesterdays

Maybe, maybe, more accessible than their previous two offerings, yet still completely unique, A Forest Of Stars didn't disappoint at all with this new gem of an album.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Unknown user, X-Ray Rod, Troy Killjoy, Introspekrieg, Ag Fox, Promonex

Terra Tenebrosa - The Tunnels

A description? What? You want a description? It's simple, really. Go in a cave, a really deep one. Now get relentlessly crushed by tons of rocks. That'll do the trick.

Or, in other words, it's some dissonant avant/post/sludge/drone stuff. Or something else. But who cares, as long as it's awesome?

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Unknown user, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox, psykometal, Auntie Sahar

Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg

What? Isn't "Beautiful" descriptive enough? OK, fine then, what about "avant-garde atmospheric metal with BM roots"? Yeah, that's what I thought. Beautiful is better.

And Hungarian does really sound poetic.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Unknown user, Ag Fox, KwonVerge, Introspekrieg, Daniell, Fat & Sassy!, White Winter Sun

Textures - Dualism

As technical and progressive as Silhouettes, but this time violence and wildly evolving song structures left some place for finely crafted melodies and atmospheres.

A new Textures album, a new wonder to immerse oneself in. Simple as that.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Introspekrieg, Ag Fox, Nefarious, jupitreas

Lazuli - (4603 Battements)

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!

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Ivor, Ag Fox, Susan

Devin Townsend - Deconstruction

Mix the madness of Infinity with the whole stupid craziness of Ziltoïd, and Strapping Young Lad's multi-layered sonic aggression. Add an orchestra, and a bunch of the best extreme vocalists around.

And serve with a cheeseburger!

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Fat & Sassy!, Introspekrieg, Promonex, ScreamingSteelUS

Morgoth - Odium

Death metal and industrial don't blend? My butt! Morgoth were not the first to mix both styles, but they certainly were precursors anyway, with this fantastic beast of an album, released in 1993.

Of course, the band was criticized back then by the 'fans'. Forget that, forget the latest Morbid Angel, and remember the re-united Morgoth will play some festivals this summer.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Daniell, White Winter Sun, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Starvynth

Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent

This new album, the first in nearly 30 years with the original line-up, completely lives up to its promises. Or not. Depends on what you were looking for.

This certainly doesn't prevent it to be full of great songs, reminiscent of many eras of the band's history. But make no mistake: it's not a trek along Nostalgia Lane. Killing joke is as always terribly relevant, actual and modern (or, dare I say it, post-modern).

Plus, these new songs kick ass live!

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), jupitreas, Unknown user, Baz Anderson, BitterCOld, Ag Fox

Neuromist - Move Of Thought

An unknown band from Moldavia that kicks major ass, Neuromist is sure to blow your mind!

Newcomers in the field of technical, jazzy death metal are few and far between, so it would be a shame to let such a talented band rot in obscurity.
Think Meshuggah, Atheist, and the Quebec scene (Gorguts, Neuraxis, Martyr...). Add to this a real songwriting skill...

Now you just have to download it for free here, and listen to this little gem.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Troy Killjoy

Negură Bunget - OM

What? This guy is just listening to this marvel for the first time? Four years after the actual release? WTF?
Well, better late than never I guess.

Now come and experience a truly unique album. Black, folk, atmospheric, progressive, it's all that and much more. It's an emotional and spiritual journey. If I ever had a shamanic trance that's probably the music I would use to describe it.

Enough with the talking, go and check this out.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell

Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void

One of the three originators of the Gothenburg metal scene, Dark Tranquillity are still pretty much alive and kicking.
While they somehow stay true to the same formula since Damage Done (2002), We Are The Void is a bit more original than Fiction (2007). Darker, somehow more "black metal", with a different approach on the keys, it's no doubt DT... with a twist.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Ivan, fade, BloodTears, Milena

Orphaned Land - The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR

Released one month ago, it hasn't leaved my CD played (or my Ipod) since.
It's been six long years since Orphaned Land offered us the wonderful Mabool. Did they do better? I honestly can't say... But who cares? Both are awesome masterpieces of metal, extreme, folk, prog, melody, all of that and more.
So, come abroad in this musical journey, following a soul lost in darkness that becomes a warrior of light...
Definitely an album to be experienced, not merely listened to.

Staff pick by: Darkside Momo
Endorsed by: Unknown user (x), Dane Train, White Winter Sun, Deadsoulman, Jeff, BloodTears