If you liked anything about DSO's previous 2 albums, or you're curious what all the fuss is about, then don't miss the opportunity to bask in their 3rd offering. They've tripled the energy, intensity, and crazy fun. No world music is safe from this insane band.

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Endorsed by: Darkside Momo, Introspekrieg, wrathchild, !J.O.O.E.!, X-Ray Rod, Fat & Sassy!, wormdrink414, Ag Fox, White Winter Sun, psykometal

Two disks, 20 previously unreleased tracks by 20+ artists covering huge portions of the musical landscape. Pink Floyd worship here, slowly building post rock there. Tripped out stoner doom? Check. Abrasive blackened tunes? Yep, it's in here. And one awesome collaborative effort from Year Of No Light and Mars Red Sky.

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod

It's like Asma Assad's bathing suit area: raw, evil-sounding, and barbarous. We are talking about thrash though, so I mean that in the best way possible.

Listen

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Endorsed by: BitterCOld, R'Vannith, X-Ray Rod

I don't know whether you proggers noticed or not but veteran British neo-prog scene delivered a set of strong albums last year. Pendragon, Pallas, Arena - just to set you straight what I'm thinking of. So, here's more from UK - Galahad. A bit too focused on keyboards, some ups and downs, at times a bit annoying but overall enjoyable stuff that's been spinning more than I initially thought possible. I can't put my finger on it but there's something there that keeps me returning for yet another go.

Preview here!

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Endorsed by: Ag Fox

This thing is as vicious as its song titles are hackneyed and pretentious-sounding.

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Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod

You know what? This was a hard album to grow attached to. While it may not contain instantaneously infectious 3 Inches' anthem classics like "Deadly Sinners", "Trial Of Champions" or "Battles And Brotherhood", you'll find tracks like "Dark Messenger", "4000 Torches", "Leave It On The Ice" and "Men Of Fortune" still cram-packed with great riffs, which is, at their core, what this band is all about.

Excuse the fanboy moment.

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Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy, Promonex, X-Ray Rod, psykometal

Epic, enchanting, melodic, folk-infused atmo-black metal with uplifting melodies that benefit from the use of violins and acoustic work. Gives Loss a run for its money...

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Endorsed by: !J.O.O.E.!, wormdrink414, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

What do you get when you combine a Spanish death doom outfit's long awaited sophomore release with Dan Swano? Some really good and crushing doom, that's what. Not groundbreaking, but well done and mighty enjoyable.

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Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Ag Fox, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod, Starvynth

Take Blut Aus Nord's Procession of the Dead Clowns, slow it down to glacial pace, completely dehumanize guitars, subdue the vocals to the point of non-existence, and add tons of sick reverb. Spice up with dementia and insanity. That's Atonal Hypermnesia for you.

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, !J.O.O.E.!, Ag Fox, Introspekrieg, KwonVerge

Catchy Euro Power metal meets raging wall-of-sound black metal? Yes please.

Here's a taste.

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Endorsed by: Ag Fox

Hit and miss black/thrash in the end, but when it's flat you'll still be stomping around, and when it's good it's more good than a global peace summit led by Martin Luther King, Jesus, and Salma Hayek's boobs would be. Definitely worth checking out.

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Endorsed by: Doc G., Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod, BudDa

So, already bored of Asphyx's recent derivative regurgitation of old school death metal? Fancy seeing what can be done with an old-school vibe when you apply brains and a modern aesthetic to it? No, I didn't think you would.

If though, on the hypothetical chance, you ARE interested in the best death metal of the year so far then you should hit up this crazy, mind-melting little number a.s.a.p.

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

Why am I hearing the best album of 2011 in 2012, for blue fuck's sake? Instead of trying to define the band myself, let me quote their own words: "a mixture of the heaviness of death metal, the intensity of black metal, the ambiance of doom metal and the complex structures of progressive metal". Fuck my descriptions, listen to the music. Make sure to listen to the whole album, it's very diverse and genuinely breathtaking.

[URL=http://handsofdespair.bandcamp.com/]The whole album here[/URL]

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Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy

Avoid listening to this album with animals nearby. They'll getcha.

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Endorsed by: wormdrink414, X-Ray Rod, psykometal, ScreamingSteelUS

While not the biggest purveyor of great metal bands, Spain apparently has some hidden gems here and there, and this is one of them. Great, pulverizing riffs, surprising tempo changes and overall coolness of this band shouldn't go unnoticed.
If you're into either doom or death, you should enjoy Onirophagus.

[URL=http://www.reverbnation.com/onirophagus]Have a taste here.[/URL]

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