Book Of Black Earth - The Cold Testament

At first I was all like "Meh."
Then I was like "Hmm..."
Now I'm all "Whoa."

Not sure why it took me a few months to revisit this. I'm glad I did though, Book Of Black Earth create massive, rowdy sounding death metal with nothing but their guitars. No need to drag any keyboard player away from his Gossip Girl marathon.

Staff pick by: Doc G.

Diamond Plate - Generation Why?

Shredding followed by more shredding followed by more shredding followed by more shredding.

Yep, that does this album justice. Will pat myself on the back now.

Staff pick by: wormdrink414
Endorsed by: Ag Fox

ReinXeed - 1912

For anyone wondering where all the good power metal bands have gone, ReinXeed are here with their fourth album of cheesy goodness.

Staff pick by: Baz Anderson
Endorsed by: GT

Skullflower - Fucked On A Pile Of Corpses

*Play* CCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - KKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR - SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - CHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKA *30 minutes later* DDDDDDEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR - CHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKACHUKA - KKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR - CCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH *End of the record*

Staff pick by: !J.O.O.E.!
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414

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: Ivor, Ag Fox, Susan

Nader Sadek - In The Flesh

This is about as thick, crude, and altogether awesome as its subject matter: oil. Easily one of the better death metal albums of the year.

Staff pick by: wormdrink414
Endorsed by: !J.O.O.E.!, Daniell, KwonVerge, Doc G., Ag Fox, Troy Killjoy, White Winter Sun, X-Ray Rod

Leprous - Bilateral

A highly anticipated release from this up-and-coming Norwegian outfit, Leprous has exceeded almost insurmountable expectations. Their previous effort, Tall Poppy Syndrome, was thoroughly enjoyable but somewhat derivative (...Opeth). The off-beat brilliance hinted at before is fully realized and really shines with the dynamics of beautiful production. As the touring band for Ihsahn recently, it is appropriate that the man himself would make an appearance to add to the intensity of it all. Soaring vocals, great atmospheres, and techie musicianship make this a recommendation for fans of Arcturus, Devin Townsend and Shaolin Death Squad. (And Opeth... duh.)

Staff pick by: Introspekrieg
Endorsed by: Ag Fox, BloodTears, Fat & Sassy!, Dane Train, Ivor, Darkside Momo, wormdrink414

Sacred Ally - Reality Hammer

Here's something that doesn't suck for you; a nice little prog-thrash hybrid cram-packed with awesome riffs. Don't like prog? Neither do I. Somehow, this just works, though.

Staff pick by: Doc G.
Endorsed by: Milena, X-Ray Rod

Abruptum - Potestates Apocalypsis

Hell. Rich, noisy pulsating soundscapes, surprisingly restrained and varied with distant chants and hopeless patriotic songs, pounding drum beats like bomb blasts caught in time and inaudible chatter over broken radio static. Paints a picture of an old war; those constant drones the sound of fighter planes with nowhere to go. It's its own visual pallet - just close your eyes. Not a single element of metal here though aside from the sound of scraping iron. Just instinctive nothingness, death.

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

Hail!Hornet - Disperse The Curse

Life getting a bit pretentious for you? Eat a bag of pine cones and crank up Disperse The Curse.

Staff pick by: Doc G.
Endorsed by: BloodTears

Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony

It's pretty simple: If you like Fleshgod Apocalypse, you'll love Agony. Hop to it, bitches.

Staff pick by: Troy Killjoy
Endorsed by: Baz Anderson, Ag Fox, Darkside Momo, Nefarious

Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure

HxC recommendations for metalheads #3: Everyone report to the mosh pit! There's a hard-hitting hardcore party going on that will raise the roof. Can I get a woop woop?

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

Chthonic - Takasago Army

Having never heard any of this Taiwanese band's previous releases, I kinda figured that the oriental folk elements of the album were going to be obnoxiously forced into the music. But alas, these elements are tastefully blended in with the metal on this album and make for yet another solid release this year that will probably swoop under everyone's radar. Anyone interested in melodic black metal or folk metal should definitely check this puppy out.

Staff pick by: Fat & Sassy!
Endorsed by: Introspekrieg, Ag Fox, KwonVerge, Promonex, wormdrink414, ScreamingSteelUS

SSS - Problems To The Answer

This album provides the kind of meal I like. It's got fruit bowls full of hardcore candy with a few plates of meat n potatah thrash. Consider SSS's sense of humor the pitcher of beer on the side.

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

Trap Them - Darker Handcraft

Here's something totally awesome for you. MOAR GRIME.

Seriously, this frantic hardcore/grindcore crust-punk album is a shit-stomping fantasy. Includes bonus Entombed-like production values!

Staff pick by: Doc G.
Endorsed by: Thryce, Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, White Winter Sun