Wolves In The Throne Room are back and, somehow, despite adjusting their standard song structure from epic to more conventional length, they have managed to recapture some of the magick of their earlier albums that was absent on Black Cascade. A swell album that manages to capture and combine the ugliness of black metal with the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

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Endorsed by: Ag Fox, Daniell, wormdrink414, !J.O.O.E.!, KwonVerge, Introspekrieg, Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod, Nefarious, Darkside Momo, Troy Killjoy, White Winter Sun

Hereby celebrating the 1 year, 1 month, and 12 day anniversary of possibly one of the most entertainingly obnoxious listens of all time. Despite being a pretty ancient album, it still sounds as furious as it did way back in 2009.

Here's to praying for part II from Hank III.

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Endorsed by: Fat & Sassy!, wormdrink414, BitterCOld

Yob is back and crushing skulls with undeniably groove-laden thunderous riffs and Dalekian vocal shrieks. Atma would make a swell soundtrack next time you and your sweetie want to enjoy the changing foliage with a nice picnic lunch... and ensure no one else gets within earshot of your blanket. Oh, and Yob spelled backwards is Boy. As in "Boy is this good!"

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Endorsed by: !J.O.O.E.!, BloodTears, White Winter Sun, Ag Fox, Marcel Hubregtse, X-Ray Rod, Dane Train, wormdrink414

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.

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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.

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Endorsed by: Ag Fox

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

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Endorsed by: GT

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

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414

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!

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Endorsed by: Ivor, Ag Fox, Susan

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.

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

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.)

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

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.

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Endorsed by: Milena, X-Ray Rod

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.

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Endorsed by: KwonVerge, X-Ray Rod

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

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Endorsed by: BloodTears

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

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Endorsed by: Baz Anderson, Ag Fox, Darkside Momo, Nefarious

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?

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