The Chilean masters of prog-post doom have returned with their third, much anticipated full-length. The approach is similar to prior albums, in incorporating prog and post metal as well as ambient influences into their doom. It's appealing on emotional and cerebral levels. Quite possibly 2010's best release to date.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Daniell, Marcel Hubregtse, Jason W., Troy Killjoy, Jeff, Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, Promonex, Darkside Momo, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox

Download this album for FREE from here.

Jevo is back with a new album of cutting edge power metal with some slightly spacey undertones, all for your taking.

For those unfamiliar with Soulitude, this is the third album under the name. All three albums are available to download off Jevo's official website for no charge at all.

So what are you waiting for? It's free, it's great stuff, you have nothing to lose.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: wrathchild, Deadsoulman

This is what symphonic metal is all about! Inspiring lyrics and guitar solos that lead you down the road to personal empowerment and self-discovery, and vocals that are polished, refined, and beautiful. Sometimes, reaching for the sky can mean actually grabbing hold of it.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: fade, GT

Exactly one year ago, post-metal "super-group" Battle Of Mice broke up. Not enough Kleenex boxes can describe the tragedy of this event, as they really could have accomplished so much more together...

To commemorate this sad anniversary, I want you to play the band's only full-length album over and over and over again, and be stunned by its many layers of sheer brilliance. Sleep and dream...

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Endorsed by: Doc G., X-Ray Rod

This is an album that is as awesomely relaxing as it is uplifting. Perfectly suited for a non-metal coffee break!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: White Winter Sun, Ag Fox

Why re-invent the wheel, when you can keep it classy and old school? This is solid and entertaining thrash, with a certain old-and-thus-good Megadeth caliber. You should really give these guys a shot if you're remotely into thrash.

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A fucking explosive beast of an album! It doesn't get more badass than this! If you can listen to "Ulvetid" (featuring Hoest of Taake) without totally flipping out, you must be quite dead already. See that green play button below? Click it NAO!

And their live shows are supposed to be even more insane! Catch 'em on their European tour with Converge and Kylesa or the other one with Coliseum and Bison B.C. if you know what's good for ya! I know I will.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, Jeff, Deadsoulman, BitterCOld, Nefarious, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Milena, Ag Fox, Introspekrieg, GT, Troy Killjoy

"This is so unexpected. We got ALL the votes? Wow.

Thanks goes out to the bitch that inspired this heartfelt and sorrowful album. Your fine sense for melodrama will for always reflect in the somber and emotive atmosphere of this majestic album. Also thanks to our singer Vitacca who really carries this album with his distressing vocals.

Peace."

-- Lacrimas Profundere's acceptance speech during the Metal Storm Awards 2010 Gala, March 2011.

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If you like violins and distorted guitars, blastbeats and screams...
If you like grim poetic mysticism and emotionally charged art...
I Shalt Become is the band for you.

And if you've waited for what seems like a lifetime for S. Holliman to achieve his potential with I Shalt Become, while you grew sick of release after release of "depressive masterpieces" from bandwagon black metal musicians...

Poison is your antidote.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse

A Rage Of Rapture Against The Dying Of The Light is a cacophony of screeches, nauseatingly fast wrong chords, roving bass and more horrifying screeches, the perfect soundtrack to a nice summer's eve picnic getaway with your special someone.

There is a nice review of this up, but since so few visited it i'm going to randomly beat you over the head with this release on the front page until some other artist releases a hidden gem that another staff member doesn't pick up on first.

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

Tired of all that heavy shit I've been recommending lately? Yeah, me too. Here's something to relax.

Landmine Marathon's soothing lullabies will put you into a peaceful slumber in no time. Get comfortable on these meditative tunes that are everything but face-ripping. Lay back and concentrate on that calm voice, which sounds nowhere near ferocious female grunts and screams. And enjoy those beautiful dreams of not being a giant pussy.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: BitterCOld, Troy Killjoy, X-Ray Rod

An unknown band from Moldavia that kicks major ass, Neuromist is sure to blow your mind!

Newcomers in the field of technical, jazzy death metal are few and far between, so it would be a shame to let such a talented band rot in obscurity.
Think Meshuggah, Atheist, and the Quebec scene (Gorguts, Neuraxis, Martyr...). Add to this a real songwriting skill...

Now you just have to download it for free here, and listen to this little gem.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy

Easily the discovery of the year; this band just slays babies.

Obliterating everything within sight, this album is a crushing and punishing assault of pure metal mayhem with a twist. Wish I had lost my virginity to this harsh and merciless album...

Highly recommended!

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

Back in 2008, Assassins created quite some buzz around the board, and Nachtmystium were, once again, highly praised for their abilities to color outside the lines.

Apparently it is up to me to generate the buzz around its successor Addicts; an intense album that likes walking the thin line between sheer brilliance and mental madness. The music is still out of this world, though in a different way than Part 1.

There's also a song that Stereogum describes as "Burzum On The Dance Floor"... You wouldn't want to miss THAT, would you?

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy, BitterCOld, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell, White Winter Sun, Doc G., X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox

Now here's a top-notch metalcore onslaught for you. Blazing metalcore rudeness with verve and panache, how it should be done... everyone else take note. Dig in to the feast of carnage.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, Promonex, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo, Ag Fox