Another solid, brutal release in the genre of "show up 15 minutes late, miss first 3 bands". A few more sprinklings of death metal and doom riffs in this one, along with the grindy frantic intensity that Nails is known for. Be uplifted by the sheer optimism of songs like "Life Is A Death Sentence" and "Violence Is Forever" as you watch the world burn.

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Introspekrieg Auntie Sahar, X-Ray Rod, Abattoir, ScreamingSteelUS

Howls Of Ebb are a fine example of the growing tendency towards experimentation taking place right now not only in black metal, but in death metal as well. There's little that can be said about this album other than that it's a bizarre, stimulating journey into a blackened death whirlwind oozing of psychedelic bounce and eerie atmospheres. Say that doesn't sound fun and Yog-Sothoth will devour you.

Raise those tentacles high and sing to the Old Ones.

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Auntie Sahar X-Ray Rod

They did it again...



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Darkside Momo Marcel Hubregtse, psykometal, X-Ray Rod, BloodTears, Auntie Sahar, Ag Fox

If I really have to tell you why I'm Staff Picking this album, then you just... you're just... fuck, you people have no excuse for not checking this project out after I've been peddling it for 3+ years. All his albums (save for the new one cuz it's not released yet) are on Bandcamp for Name Your Price. Get on it.

YouTube full album stream

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psykometal Dream Taster, ScreamingSteelUS

Simply put, the best thrash album of this year so far.

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Daniell Dream Taster, Marcel Hubregtse, ScreamingSteelUS

Grief Relic is my first time crossing paths with Withered, the joining of the mighty Ethan McCarthy (Primitive Man, Vermin Womb, ex-CTTTOAFF) to the band being a treat that immediately raised interest. This black/death metal infantry is armed to the teeth with all the fixins: blitzkrieg guitars, thundering drum and bass, monstrous vocals from Ethan and Mike Thompson, and a pleasantly variable tempo ranging from frantic bangers one moment to slow, painful crushers the next. If you've been running low on the brutality pills lately, Withered are happy to compensate.

Get rekt.

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Auntie Sahar Marcel Hubregtse

This currently re-released album is an overlooked gem in Sólstafir's back catalogue. A raw, dare I say "warm" but fierce output along a path, the band has long since strayed from; with good production and more than a few elements that will surprise you.

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corrupt Deadsoulman, RaduP

As further testament to the fact that Icelandic black metal is not purely confined to Deathspell Omega emulation, Almyrkvi, the one man project of Garðar S. Jónsson, is hitting the scene hard this year with this debut EP. The music here is something of an industrial-influenced brand of ambient black metal: thick, almost mechanical-sounding riffs create a hypnotizing atmosphere, enhanced by atmospheric breaks interspersed throughout. Think something along the lines of Blut Aus Nord + Darkspace. Easily one of the best BM releases I've yet heard this year.

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Auntie Sahar Ag Fox, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, Paz

Ok, with a name like Slabdragger and an album titled Rise Of The Dawncrusher one might expect riffs. You would not be disappointed. From slow, powerful doomy riffs and clean singing to Indian-like shrieking, Slabdragger beat you about the head and neck with riffs, riffs and more riffs. Viva La Bandcamp.

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BitterCOld

The sound we all knew Tommy's vocals were much more suited for than Divine Heresy's.

Bandcamp

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psykometal

Look, I can't explain this album, and neither can you. It has djent, it has DragonForce, and it has nonstandard time signatures. At this point, I'm not ruling out a collaboration with Cattle Decapitation and Wardruna on a Bathory cover for the inevitable Babymetal III - The Kawaii-ening. You might question the nature of reality and what it really means to be a fan of music ('cause I sure did), but it's good. Just... just listen. Shut up and listen.

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ScreamingSteelUS wrathchild, Auntie Sahar

Lighthouse is without contest the most beautiful album released this year, past and future. This young duo from Russia keep improving on their already very skilful song-writing and deliver something that is magical. This time with guest appearances from Gavin Harrison, Colin Edwin and Mariusz Duda. If prog rock built around piano, classically inclined composition and beautiful voice is your thing, don't miss out on it.

Enjoy Lighthouse at Bandcamp.

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Ivor Introspekrieg, Darkside Momo, ScreamingSteelUS, BloodTears, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox

While oppressively heavy and quite abrasive, Graves At Sea manage to remain catchy and subtly melodic at the same time. If doom and sludge are your thing, this album is a must. Even if they aren't, listen anyway.

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Daniell Auntie Sahar, Marcel Hubregtse

A refined polymorphic code of madness. Ten slabs of heavy hitting, guitar infused, abrasive electro shit.
Now with added Igorrr / Pryapisme value!

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Darkside Momo Dream Taster, Introspekrieg, psykometal, ScreamingSteelUS

The misanthropic, kvlt-tinged sludge of Primitive Man is ready to throw down with Sea Bastard's lumbering, cavernous brand of doom on this monstrous new split. It's the Primitive Man side that leaves the greater impression, with a pleasant return to a grittier, Scorn-like production, but the crushing Sea Bastard track is nonetheless a powerful, worthy complement. I'm not usually one to get all that crazy about splits, but this one's a definite beast.

Primitive Man HERE
Sea Bastard HERE

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Auntie Sahar D.T. Metal, Marcel Hubregtse, wormdrink414