There is weird, then there is weirder... and then there is this....
Grindcore legends Napalm Death parner up with Melvins to create one of the most experimental and out there things ive ever heard. Sadly, its not very positive in this example. This record feels uncohesive and out there. The riffs are simple, but typical Slam. Then there are very elongated and weird synths and electronica, which create an unsetteling athmosphere. The vocals are not my style whatsoever. Also the long passages of ... read more

Once again i wander into the depths of TechDeath hoping to find something i like.
And like the last few times, i enjoy what im hearing, but it just pearls right off of me and im back to where i started.
I always enjoyed the novelty of speed within Archspires Music. It is so stupidly fast that it could very well be improvised and noone would know. Even the vocals could be random mumblings and noone would ever guess. All this is present on this record. Even more melody than im used to by them. ... read more

Groove Metal listeners are eating good this year. (atleast if you enjoy a metalcore tinge inside of it).
Mire drop their new record "Pale Reflection". It builds on their debut LP "A New Found Rain" which had a deeper Death Metal influence to it, and adds melody, some core-esk riffs and triplets. Alot of triplets. They are everywhere.
The first 3 Songs on the record are massive standouts. The Title track opens up the record with a bang, showing instantly what they are proving ... read more

If you could define generic, this would be one of the records id consider giving as an example.
It takes the generic parts of every modern metal band, packs some good female vocals ontop and creates a very boring and predictable outcome. There are certain parts that show promise, or even great ideas. But they are connected by generic riffs, autotuned vocals or the 500x breakdown. The only exception to the rule is "Cut The Lies" which apart from the annoying autotune effect, is a good ... read more

I just dont understand the hype people give this project.
Yes, the mixture between country and modern metalcore is undoubtedly fun. But it lacks substance. Every single song could be singleworthy and works great in their own. In combination, it doesnt really work, since alot fo songs lose relevance and blend together into a big basic song. Sadly it doesnt do much for me.
I enjoy the record, when the tracks focus on one thing. I enjoy the almost beatdown opener, the simple but effective ... read more

They are right. I am goddamn scared.
Bodysnatcher barrage onto the hardcore / deathcore scene with a bang this year. Their last record "Bleed-Abide" didnt do much for me. But this record was extremely enjoyable for what it is. Im still not the biggest beatdown / deathcore fan, but every song feels like it has tons of identity. With a monotone sound like this, that is a true achievement.
The lyrics, even if not great handiwork, serve their purpose incredibly well and their ... read more

This suprised me, with how much i enjoyed this.
I didnt enjoy the Part 1 much, since it all went over my head. Nothing stuck.
This on the other hand, had alot of moments i turned my head, rewinded and relistened. Just to confirm that its as cool as i thought. The Doom Riffs and athmosphere is complimented by soaring vocals and very good production. It really feels like, they fixed most of the problems i had with the Part 1.
But, it still is not a record ill go back to alot, or pick out ... read more

The sophomore record from this very new Metalcore act was recommended to me with the words that "it has everything one could want on a modern metalcore record. This will be remembered".
So i went in with an expectation to get some really djent-heavy, modern Metalcore, that somehow stood above the big mass of the genre.
But id say, it got oversold to me. Its a fine record. The riffs are genuinely good, the breakdowns hit. But the production feels off, the vocals are rough and the ... read more

Great Post-Black Metal from this very small and unknown band. It combines dreamy atmospheres with bleak screeches and deafening blast beats.
For my personal tastes id have swapped the isntrumental and vocalists prevalence in the mix, to give it an even dreamier and darker feel, but that really is just me.
Its also quite short, so that i do find myself craving slightly more.
But overall if you are craving some Post-Black Metal wth more focus on the black part, dont overlook this one!

Als jemand, der Beastboy jetzt schon beinahe 15 Jahre lang verlogt, ist das der Moment wo seine Musik endlich mit mir klickt. Die hoch introspektiven lyrics, die beinahe schon Nu-Metal wirkende Produktion, die Oldschool Beats und selbst die Samples. Alles davon, wirkt... neu? Es ist nichtmehr derselbe Beastboy den wir davor musikalisch kannten.
Jeder Song bringt etwas einzigartiges mit, stellt einen neuen Aspekt dar oder enthält einen neuen Curveball. Ich mag auch die Deutsch-Englisch ... read more

The creative mastermind, that is Will King, has returned with a solo EP.
After he left Windwaker in 2023, i really hoped hed come back with something new, since i adored his last record "Love Language" with Windwaker.
So now im enthalled to say, he is back. And even with an EP that picks up right where he left with Windwaker. Yes it is all over the place and disjointed. Yes, its definitively not really cohesive. And yes it doesnt have the massive standout moments that id hoped to ... read more

Knumears wasnt a name, that i was familiar with. But now... i gotta keep them on my watchlist. Because, this was really cool. I was never one that liked Screamo. But this felt like, they combined the chunky and metalcore-esk riffage and put them into a blackmetal atmosphere. Its very dark and depressing, but it reveals hints of light. I really did enjoy my time with it, even though i think it is a little bit to short. But it is not an album ill be going back to as a whole project. Rather ill ... read more

This record started very strong, with big chuggs, great vocal hooks and some ripping guitar parts. Butsadly, it didnt hold up for the most part. The middle of this record does nothing new and repeats itself. The ending does create some good songs again. Overall, its a groovy trash record, suited for those who like this style! If you dont like groove and or thrash metal, i doubt this will do anything to change your mind.

More great Hardcore this year. This record is eating well in 2026!
Division of Mind combine typical Hardcore with very dark ambiance, dark lyrics and extremely heavy riffs.
Everything is pointy and hits. Just sadly the amount of standouts isnt as high, so i probably wont be going back to the full record a ton.

I dont know what i expected, but definitively not this.
Ive heard the name Lantlôs quite alot over the years, but didnt expect them to do a Nu-Metal / Hard Rock mixture. Their sound ranges from Deftones in their more atmospheric moments, to Foo Fighters in their anthemic moments. They mix in, alot of Electronic Beats and vibe, which really clash with the rest of their sound. Sadly, this record is nothing to write home about. I was throughly bored with it. But it really wasnt bad, just ... read more

Concealer. burst unto the scene with their new record. It feels nostalgic in its metalcore parts, whilst being shockingly modern. The production is up to date, but feels fitting to the 2000s. It has some standout moments but loses its momentum in others.
I personally didnt find much outstanding here, cause its just not my thing personally. But i can still see how well done it is.
Overall, i personally think it has been slightly overhyped, but is a well made record nonetheless!

I really dont know why i wanted to listen to this.
It is not my thing at all. But it did a great job of providing something in the background to study to, that didnt distract me at all.
This is why it gets a solid score. No, i probably wont go back to it. But it was an experience!

Either im already numb to new Black Metal this year, or just almost nothing of it, has been to my liking thus far. This record felt like relatively standart Black Metal with some progressive flare to it. Sadly it wasnt enough to stand out in the mass of other records!
But i see that people enjoy it here, so i guess im the one that doesnt get it.

Im probably gonna be in the minority here, but its just not for me.
This blend of Black Metal and Speed Metal / Thrash Metal is well made, but just lfies over my head. I dont get it. The riffs are good, even fun. But the second it ends im left with nothing. No memories of it, and no motivation to replay it again.
It still gets a favourable score, since i can see the musicianship!

Growth pop out of nowhere and deliver a really solid Progressive Death Metal record. This record combindes the frantic sounds of Dissonant Death Metal and the avant-garde side of Progressive Death Metal, while incorporating some riffs, which would fit unto Sludge Metal records. It grapped me from the first song, and continued giving all throughout the runtime. My biggest gripe is, that i personally get overwhelmed very quickly on this record. So i am not able to enjoy it throughly. But i can ... read more