Unexpectedly heard Alice In Chains perform last weekend when I dropped by the Werchter Festival for a few beers outside the festival grounds... Which reminded me they have a "new" album out. Had almost forgotten how rock-solid it is... Which reminded me to remind you they have a "new" album out.

The ideal soundtrack for a summer barbecue. You bring the beer, AIC'll bring the blues.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: BitterCOld, jupitreas, Dane Train, Jeff

2010 saw the Godflesh reunite for a (marred) performance at Hellfest, and saw Earache re-release a special 2cd anniversary version of this classic with remastered versions of the original tracks on one disk, and unreleased mixes and live versions of the same track order on the second disk.

Whether the original Streetcleaner or the MMX reissue, it's a slow, crushing, claustrophobic, bleak, and asphyxiating album that will leave you roadkill.

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Endorsed by: Promonex, jupitreas, X-Ray Rod, Darkside Momo

Musica Diablo is thrash metal with the right philosophy: keep it speedy and simple. No bull-shit, no world-music influences - let's just play like Slayer, Exodus, Anthrax or Nuclear Assault but FASTER. Mission accomplished - this is a supremely fun assault of thrash goodness.

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Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, Ag Fox

Brilliant through and through, Dichotomy is the third (and in my opinion, best) release from this Atlanta based band. Completely shattering the image that Christian Metal bands have to sound (or even look) like Stryper, BTA churns out a release that is both beautiful and brutal.

With a unique style and sound (somewhat similar to Between The Buried And Me) this album was produced by the genius Devin Townsend and also features his guest vocals as well as those of Demon Hunter's front man, Ryan Clark. The songs are a solid and intense ride through melodic and extreme elements of music. Lyrically it is based upon C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength and focuses on the biology vs technology, man vs machine concept.

This album is one great song after another but highlights would include "Mountain of Souls", "Dichotomy", "Artificial Immortality", and their take on the traditional hymn "How Great Thou Art".

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Sometimes all you need is some solid, no-bullshit death metal. This album provides exactly this with no pretension whatsoever. It's just a whole lot of fun. No need to overdo stuff or indulge in all kinds of silly evil shtick. Great songwriting, brutality and groove - this is all that really matters.

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Codex Incubo is fantastic riff-fest with spaced-out solos and a kickass atmosphere. So what the hell are you waiting for? Get to it! Death metal is not dead!

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

Excellent piece of filthy, primal and pure crust from this completely unknown band. This album is truly ferocious in every sense of the word - crude, corrosive, cathartic and downright frightening. Nevertheless, beneath this apocalyptic rumble lies a layer of surprisingly deep intricacy, melody and emotion, spawned by some of the most abrasive vocals ever recorded.

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Listening to more Sick Of It All is a common treatment prescribed by most doctors. There's nothing unhealthy about top-notch old school New York Hard Core that will smash you against the walls. Plus it's good for your skin and neck-muscles.

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Endorsed by: White Winter Sun, Marcel Hubregtse

What? This guy is just listening to this marvel for the first time? Four years after the actual release? WTF?
Well, better late than never I guess.

Now come and experience a truly unique album. Black, folk, atmospheric, progressive, it's all that and much more. It's an emotional and spiritual journey. If I ever had a shamanic trance that's probably the music I would use to describe it.

Enough with the talking, go and check this out.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Daniell

A Forest Of Stars returns with another fascinating release! Opportunistic Thieves Of Spring is darker, doomier and blacker than the debut album and will appeal to pretty much any Black metal fan craving for a bit of freshness in the scene. Great!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Troy Killjoy, Deadsoulman, White Winter Sun, X-Ray Rod, wormdrink414, Darkside Momo

Ok, so this Staff Pick is a bit unfair. It's more a "head's up!" than a "buy this now" recommendation. Why? The band is unsigned (some exec get on this!), but sent out 250 promo copies of their first full-length. Being one of the chosen few, I've had the chance to listen to a it a few times through and am delighted at their progress. A full, proper review shall be forthcoming.

In the mean time, if you like your doom with death-stylee vocals, lots of slow trudging with the occasional almost quiet atmospheric interlude or quickening of the pulse go ahead and visit the album page and add this to your wishlist ... and wait for some label to snap these guys up and start circulating this woeful yet wonderful release properly.

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Lucas, Dane Train, ylside, Troy Killjoy, White Winter Sun, KwonVerge, Nefarious

Reverorum Ib Malacht's "What Do You Think Of The Old God, We Call Him Judas?" is a gem. A gem, I tell ya.

It's only a demo, it's only released on cassette, it has a muddy production, it is everything 'cult' Black metal is. But it is more. It is genuinely blasphemous, it's fantastically insane and intensily terrifying. On "What Do You Think", all cliches of mad monks roaming through ancient dungeons and performing other obscure activites become frighteningly real. A must-check.

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Endorsed by: Götter, X-Ray Rod

"Incredibly captivating" - The New York Times

"An intriguing expose on the rampant use of folk-ish doom metal goods in the stoner industry" - Wall Street Journal

"Leaves the listener breathless and keen for more" - Daily News

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Trippy, punky, thrashy, proggy, psychedelic and whatever the fuck else you want to call it. This is bordering experimental without being pretentious. Just a fun album all around. A definite recommendation for anyone interested in thrash, punk, or any form of hard music that challenges the norm.

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Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, X-Ray Rod

The Nihilistic Front mix everything putrid and vile into one thirty-eight minute lasting cocktail of filth. The Four Seasons In Misery is nastier than a Tequila Sunrise, for fucks sake! And what's probably their biggest selling-point: they manage to resemble the elusive and mystical disEMBOWELMENT without being pure copycats.

Cheers!

Staff pick by:
Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod