Perfect Christmas gift idea for those uncles of yours who've been so drunk and so Metal since the late-70s/early-80s they didn't realize this year's Christmas already happened. Also this is probably the closest we'll get to a new Aura Noir track at the moment. The fuck else you want?

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Due to violent content, parental discretion is advised.

Listen here.

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Endorsed by: BloodTears, Darkside Momo, psykometal, Susan, Auntie Sahar, wormdrink414, Daniell, ScreamingSteelUS

MEAN sounding stuff to pound down beers and pound other stuff down to and stuff like that kind of you know.

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Here's one of the few albums from this year that's actually deserving of all the hype it's been getting. The sophomore effort from this Swiss foursome is amazingly detailed and incredibly varied in its songwriting. At times takes a slow and trancelike black metal approach, with surprisingly beautiful solos to accompany. At others, pounds you into dust with a furious death metal crunch, and at other moments still is extremely relaxing in its attention to melody and atmosphere. A powerful blend of personalities, and a worthy addition to any extreme metal fan's musical library.

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, Deadsoulman, ScreamingSteelUS

Ancient Bards remains one of the most incredible and unique power metal bands. Strangely underrated, their sheer energy is a force of nature. With powerful vocals, soaring guitars, and punishing drums, they manage to be symphonic and "balls out" at the same time. Their 3rd album is darker than ever.

Listen

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Giant Squid continue to evolve. They are hard to put in a box because every song is a tantalizing experiment. Minoans reveals itself slowly with shorter songs, powerful blasts and instrumental finesse. There is refinement in the melodies and a perfect marriage between the voices of Jackie Perez Gratz and Aaron Gregory. The enticing cello and sorrowful atmosphere of the songs form layered waves of exotic sounds. Giant Squid gracefully offer us another treasure from the sea.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith, X-Ray Rod

Morost plays the grooviest, yet most beautiful death metal in Slovenia, or just about anywhere else on Earth.

Excellent vocals, a thundering bass, dynamic guitars, and blast beats in all the right places.

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A cheesy band name if there ever was one but, man, do these Australians make up for it music-wise. Of course this won't come as a surprise to those of you who know the now defunct Unitopia. To the rest of you I can only advise to trust my judgement. This here is one spectacular progressive rock album.

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Endorsed by: BloodTears

In the vein of late-70's metal, when metal sounded, and looked, like Lemmy. Ugly. And fun.

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Endorsed by: wormdrink414

Doomy, Sludgy Stonerrifferic hails to Sabbath. Sure, Phil's voice sounds a tad ravaged by time, but group has it's mojo on with second part of IV.

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar, Abattoir

You want a party? You've got a party! The French provide and everyone's invited! I believe somewhere there's probably a law of some kind or other against having so much fun on a record. Time to dust off that party sombrero of yours.

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Endorsed by: Darkside Momo, Fat & Sassy!

The Body does their The Body thing for the first half, then Sandworm takes over and sandworms you to fuck with their early Burzumish, garage rockish, raw black metal.

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Endorsed by: Auntie Sahar

Ever wondered how Ulcerate would sound if they were less extreme and more progressive? That's Nero Di Marte for you: a melodic take on the post-death sound, less suffocating but maybe more disquieting.

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Endorsed by: R'Vannith, Nefarious, Susan, Ag Fox, BitterCOld, X-Ray Rod

Ooh, this is so bloody sweet! Free form jazz-like songwriting meets heavy, stonerish guitar - this stuff feels like a half hour slow guitar jam. Mind you, no vocals.

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Endorsed by: BloodTears, Auntie Sahar

Coming off of a powerful debut with last year's U.M.A, this Italian BM duo decides to follow it up with a curveball, a nonmetal EP. Best be off with you if you're looking for the more aggressive side of the band's personality with this one. Asteroidi is for those listeners who delighted in the ringy ding ding electronics of the debut, and wished to see the band go deeper with them, an effort at which they certainly succeed here.

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Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Ag Fox