An old album from a band that has only just recently come into my attention. This is the band's second album and probably the most solid. This is thrash metal, but is also very melodic and speed metal-like in places with the clean vocals, as it is also somewhat progressive in places. If this sounds like something that might appeal to you, definitely go for it.

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Endorsed by: Deadsoulman, ylside, Marcel Hubregtse, Ag Fox

Great return of the craziest american band. Powerful, progressive, violent, disturbing, funky and jazzy... just unique! The Dillinger Escape Plan is the living proof that metal can still be original nowadays. Option Paralysis, released by the french label Season Of Mist, should convice old fans like new ones who are maybe looking for something a bit more accessible.

Answer the 23th of march 2010!

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod

Brilliant. Bewitching. Bright. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Bemusing... All that and so much more. Nothing short of a wonderful experience! In any case, a highly applauded album you should hear before you die.

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Endorsed by: X-Ray Rod

Chaos Moon perfectly merged ambient beauty with terrifying Black metal on their second full-length, the enigmatically titled Languor Into Echoes, Beyond. Depressive riffs couple with astral synths, voids of dissonance alternate with infinite vistas of beautifully coloured ambience. Languor Into Echoes, Beyond is inventive, enveloping and euphoric cosmic-themed Black metal. Come sail the endless seas of astral ecstasy.

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Endorsed by: BitterCOld, Deadsoulman, Troy Killjoy, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

a nice raging slab, Static Tensions retains a more raw sludge approach when compared to their fellow Georgians Baroness' and Mastodon's 2009 releases. Some great riffs, two drummers drumming, and harsh shouted male throat work balanced with some pleasant female vocals make for a compelling and enjoyable listen.

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Endorsed by: Promonex, Marcel Hubregtse, Jeff, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod

Released at the end of last year, what better way is there to worship Satan than while listening to this chaotic and hellish black metal? Haha, ok. Seriously though, this is some good quality black metal when recently, others in the genre haven't seemed to have been pulling their weight. It's fast, it's black metal, what more could you want?

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You like interesting death metal? How about getting your mind started on this one?

The musicianship is modern and complex, yet precise and well structured. The band uses a keyboard on a lot of the songs and regularly employs clean singing. Make no mistake though, this is extreme metal. The drums are pounding full-speed ahead for most of the album and the main vocals consist of good and heavy growling. Speed, aggression and melody; that's what this band's all about.

Laments Of Silence play death metal for those who want/need something fresh and exciting. They take straightforward heaviness to a more complex and varied level - without going over the top - and add a layer of melodic beauty on the way.

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Endorsed by: Ag Fox

At the time, World War I was the war to end all wars, but instead it became the gateway into modern warfare. Passiondale gives us a heavy dose of aggression, emotional depth, and authoritative visions of the suffering that reflects the stalemate that took nearly 1 million lives during that war. After repeated listens, you'll find yourself one step closer to drowning in mud, and with a lungful of mustard gas as your last breath. And for all you North Americans - just in time to check them out live in April.

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Endorsed by: White Winter Sun, Ag Fox

Heavy metal Armored Saint-style is still a very rare commodity and La Raza reminds us why: these veteran metallers are still capable of crafting music with a unique, powerful and vital sense of energy and soul. The songwriting might no be as stellar as on, say, Symbol Of Salvation; however, La Raza still offers more than enough gimmick-free heavy metal to satisfy any fan.

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Endorsed by: Marcel Hubregtse, Thryce, Jeff

Balls-to-the-wall, no bullshit heavy metal, straight to the point with no gimmicks. Powerful riffs, cheesy lyrics, and great chorus'. A healthy dose of everything that makes heavy metal so freakin' great, with all the fat cut away. The beauty is the fact this is only a debut! Oh what glorious heavy metal works of art will this band put forth in the future? This is far too promising.

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Endorsed by: Lucas

This is some good savage death metal. And yeah, it's more brutal than pitchfork-impalement insurance. Available for free download here. Terrorize those ears now, thank me later.

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Machetazo are highly-praised and much-reverend among the people that know them, which unfortunately isn't a big group. Not that Machetazo cares though, they've been going since '94 and they'll keep going for a long time to come (hopefully!). Mundo Cripta is a catchy zombie-holocauster-death-grind-ride. Infectiously groovy riffs, insanely fast grind passages and a completely rotten and sick vibe, what more can you ask for?

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Endorsed by: Zombie, M.D.

A project featuring Justin Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh) and Aaron Turner (Isis), "Disconnected" is 9 tracks of horribly oppressive, bleak industrial music designed to punish the listener. Good times.

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Endorsed by: Zombie, M.D., X-Ray Rod

It would be a surprise if this album wasn't weird. The Japanese band are back with yet another album of extremely strange, extreme metal. Quite avant-garde and in a few places slightly psychedelic, Sigh remain a band that are completely unique to metal. A fine addition to the band's repertoire.

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A controversial but, nevertheless, fine album by an Italian Gothic ensemble who have this time used their old style together with new tones resulting in a haunting album with more aggression and subtle electronic traces. Good to see this band are still around.

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