Take a drink. Another French black metal band, another great release. Not as wistful as Alcest, not as out there as Deathspell Aus Nord, this is closer to good old raging and dissonant black metal. A release worth looking into.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, Marcel Hubregtse, wormdrink414, Ag Fox

This is nothing but brass tacks, to the point, down your pint, grab-your-pool-stick-and-start-smacking-people-with-it straight-forward DM.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Ag Fox, Marcel Hubregtse, Promonex

Black Pyramid's II is a happy trippy fun stoner doom jam record reminiscent at times of some of Cathedral's groovier, more upbeat tunes.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Dane Train, Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod

Not reinventing any wheels here, just a wide variety of different takes on melodic-extreme metal combined into a homogenous, well executed mixture.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Milena

Whoa! Where did this come from?!

What In The Silence have managed to achieve with this, their self-financed & independently released debut is nothing short of remarkable. The beautiful yet haunting atmosphere, intricate songwriting & talented musicianship displayed throughout this album will leave you spellbound. This may well just be one of the best debut albums of the year. A must for all fans of progressive metal.

Go check them out.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Ag Fox, BloodTears, Ivor, Milena, X-Ray Rod, Susan, Introspekrieg

This will have been the most beautiful prog album you have heard so far this year. Outstanding and beautiful female vocals, haunting melodies, harps, violins, flutes, and theatrical - nay, cinematic - delivery. Frequency Drift have some stunning song writing and arrangement skills. Now, excuse me, I have to go see them live. Adieu!

Check the first track here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Jason W., Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

And now for something completely different. It is simply the combustion of great ideas and forward-thinking execution. The weirdness is addicting, the electronic volts are fiery and the dreamy voice is the icing on the cake. There is nothing wrong with tasting something a little bit different.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, !J.O.O.E.!, Introspekrieg, Marcel Hubregtse

A real eye-opening performance from an honest band trying to bring people together through music we love. What's not to like?

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Nefarious, Introspekrieg, Dane Train, BloodTears, Darkside Momo, Fat & Sassy!, White Winter Sun

Swedes ReinXeed are on their fifth album now, and Welcome To The Theater has the added gimmick that each song is about a famous film. Straightforward and solid power metal, a seemingly rare thing these days. Check out their awesome song "Temple Of The Crystal Skulls" here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Susan, GT

A fast, dirty, scuzzy, dirty, tooth-shattering fist to the face.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, Marcel Hubregtse, BitterCOld, Ag Fox, Promonex

Technical, sludgy, avantgarde, and even atmospheric at times. Unconventional, yet captivating music that's for sure.

Bandcamp is your friend

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: BloodTears, !J.O.O.E.!, X-Ray Rod

This album is pretty huge. For starters it features Wakeman legacy, Adam Wakeman on keyboards to be precise - it's in the family. More to the point, though, the vocals are provided by Damian Wilson, one of the most talented singers in the genre. And that matters! I Am Anonymous is complex, technical, multifaceted, deep lyrically, and perfectly executed. A solid prog meal with a djenty aftertaste. This is simply one of the best prog albums released so far this year.

For album preview head here!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Dane Train, Nefarious, Milena, BudDa, BloodTears

No jokes, no lies, no deceptions. Just fantastically sounding doom from the UK, like good old Cathedral used to play. A hefty improvement over their debut, this is some mighty fine misery with an occult edge.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, X-Ray Rod

Uhhh...Contains members of Mastodon and Brutal Truth. Is there really any more that needs to be said?

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

As everyone knows, I'm a huge power metal fan. I've heard quite a bit of power metal so far this year and on reflection I would have to say this is the genre's strongest output of the last 6 months. Rip-roaring melodies that soar higher than the stars, achingly beautiful leads and harmonies betwixt Mories' exceptional vocal range and adeptness with the keyboard.

Dragons and unicorns have never sounded so good.

LISTEN (With Your Hearts)

Hahaha, foolish power metal suckers...

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, Troy Killjoy, Ag Fox, Introspekrieg