Photo by Maurice Nunez

A NIGHT IN TEXAS - DIGITAL APOCALYPSE (Unique Leader Records)

Earning the hype being the next on deck among Australia's especially stacked deathcore scene, A Night In Texas first landed on the extreme music radar in 2021 with the drop of their Divine Dichotomy double album. Precision percussion, sharp riffage and the addition of Sam Cameron on vocals anchor the band's destructive brand of musical carnage. While the album remains relatively dedicated to the framework of deathcore, the songs are dynamic, hard-hitting and tailor made for the live setting offering plenty of reason to feel excited about ANIT. 

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - AGHORI MHORI MEI (Martha's Music)

It really would be foolish to try and assert that Billy Corgan is not one of the most consistent, quality songwriters of the last couple of generations. While fans will always pine over the past, Aghori Mhori Mei is a resounding example of just how timeless Corgan's ear is. The 10-track presentation runs the gamut of well-assembled alt rock, pangs of post metal and those stretches of masterclass songwriting ideal for lengthy listening deep dives. It's rare when an album can give you something skipless or close to it - such is the case with the latest from the Pumpkins.  

KILLER MIKE - MICHAEL & THE MIGHTY MIDNIGHT REVIVAL: SONGS FOR SAINTS & SINNERS (Loma Vista Recordings)

Compromising any journalistic integrity here and fully embracing my personal bias - Michael Render makes the kind of music that reaffirms my believe in hop hop.

I can say without hesitation that I was drawn to the rebellion and the element of danger of the sound as a kid, but better understood the narrative and nuance as I got older. This supplemental release to Killer Mike's Grammy Awarding winning triumph in 2023's Michael, is elite level showmanship and incomparable storytelling that frames hip hop as high art. Render's ability to rap circles around his contemporaries is complemented by his ability to paint vivid pictures of his upbringing, unapologetically showcase his humanity and recognize a timeless track to emblazon with his bars.

Could Killer Mike go back-to-back with another AOTY candidate - Songs for Saints & Sinners certainly suggests so. 

POISON RUIN - CONFRERE (Relapse Records)

Philly-based punks Poison Ruïn concoct an effective, enthralling presentation of murky fantasy on their latest EP. The musical amalgam of 4-track, lo-fi black metal, with the disposition of punk and the style points of time-tested heavy metal make for a compelling listen and reaffirm the hype the band amassed during the campaign of last year's Harvest LP. Showcasing a kind of intentional grit, Confrere is another example of Poison Ruïn's modern take on old school heft.

SHADOW KNELL - SHADOW KNELL (Relapse Records)

Sharing members with Poison Ruïn, Shadow Knell fully embraces an air of mystique that their sister band touches on with their medieval lean -  and runs with it. Eerie, ambient, synth-driven compositions create a soundscape befitting another universe in a way that translates as cinematic - almost elegant. The haunting instrumental entries, coupled with the enigmatic aesthetic create the kind of intrigue that few ambient records can achieve.