Dan McHugh

Every element of their output is meticulously planned and this level of detail is precisely one of the many reasons why Cryptic Shift are one of extreme metals most fresh and exciting prospects.

Love Is Not Enough provides an incendiary spike in adrenaline from front to back, exhibiting all the vigour and passion of a band half their age. The remarkably consistent outfit succeed once again with one of the most blisteringly potent releases you’ll hear in 2026.

In Verses contains all the hallmarks which have brought them such acclaim as well as an assured approach that avoids dwelling too much on previous accomplishments and continues to push their creativity down inventive avenues.

Deftly crafted melodies betwixt bouts of hefty riff work will certainly attract the old faithful and newcomers alike. Genotype possesses everything you could wish for from the progressive metal flagbearers.

What is so masterful about World Maker is that there are so many vivid textures at play that time blissfully glides by as you are appreciating the magnitude of its construction.

cut. turn. fade. back. cleverly ebbs and flows between heaviness and emotive pathways, tackling a variety of intriguing subject matter on its journey. Hail the Sun are certainly not scared to approach pressing topics with confidence and conviction whilst expertly weaving such content into their signature, deft musicianship.

The decision to provide additional time to the creative process whilst crafting Horizons/West, rather than rushing to cram it into their schedule, has yielded significant benefits. This release would not be the same without the time taken to reignite their passion for their former works and could’ve so easily robbed us of one of Thrice‘s key catalogue instalments.

Amen is as chaotic as it is cohesive. Every instalment has its part to play throughout the course of this exhilarating expedition. Just as you begin to suspect that Igorrr are bound to run out of tricks and surprises somewhere down the line, they continue to astound you with another piece of phenomenal artistry.

The Blue Nowhere is certainly Between the Buried and Me in their most unshackled, inventive state, but it is undetermined whether this is a positive.

Where Only The Truth Is Spoken is another fine example of why Malevolence are revered as one of the hottest acts in metal. It is difficult to determine any form of misstep throughout its runtime. Each track is finessed and straight to the point, ensuring for maximum impact.

Songs Of Last Resort has breathed new life into the legendary outfit as they roll back the years to sound just as fresh and modern as they did when they arrived onto the scene multiple decades ago.

Kardashev have crafted the formula for traversing waves of expansive escapism and explosive exhilaration without ever feeling reckless or jarring. This enables Alunea to effectively shift gears at just the right moment, allowing for a fascinating companionship between luminance and shade.

UNATØNED may not be Machine Head‘s finest hour but it is certainly loaded with plenty of exciting moments that will grab your attention and encourage repeat listens.

BODIES is packed with a generous serving of vigour and vibrancy which is incredibly accessible and will undoubtedly tick all the boxes for listeners new and old. Another feather in the cap for one of modern metalcore’s hottest rising bands.

The Screaming Of The Valkyries is simply stunning. From the captivating lyricism to the theatrical ebbs and flows of instrumentation, CRADLE OF FILTH have constructed an exhilarating blend of crushing ferocity and emphatic heavy metal hallmarks that is undeniably impressive.

WHITECHAPEL are equipped with one of the most consistent back catalogues in metal and Hymns In Dissonance ensures that their streak of releasing genre defining material proudly continues. Combining the strongest elements of the past and more recent chapters of the band has resulted in a formidable beast.

Parasomnia is the album that everyone has been eagerly anticipating since the news first broke of the ‘classic lineup’ reformation. It certainly lives up to the hype, containing all the hallmarks of a nostalgic DREAM THEATER sound without aimlessly treading old ground.

Tsukuyomi: The Origin neatly ties together the past and the present, possessing enough combustible elements to level a small continent with its incredible array of guest vocalists bringing their signature swagger to proceedings.