DEFTONES - private music (Reprise Records)

While it defies logic that a band some three decades into their tenure can achieve new levels of reach and success, Deftones have spent the entirety of their career thriving as a true one of one. On album ten, and the eagerly-awaited follow-up to 2020's standout in Ohms, Deftones assert all the style and grace that has always been requisite in their approach to heavy music. Yet on private music, the band's ability to treat aggression with a sense of sophistication results in a collection of songs feel elegant. The Cadillac in a world of sport coupes, Deftones have always excelled in going their own pace - it's great to see that the world is now catching up. 

Album of the year contender without a doubt. 

HUNDREDS OF AU - LIFE IN PARALLEL (Iodine Recordings)

Tapping into the blue-collar beauty of Jersey, Hundreds of Au manage to construct a poignant collection of songs that examine the growing pains of life on their fifth full length. Life In Parallel takes on highly personal, weighty subject matter like political divisiveness, the vulnerability of parenthood and stark reality of love and loss on a collection of tracks that range from melodic to chaotic with seamlessness. Along with guest assists from the likes of  Geoff Rickley of Thursday, Hundreds of Au's post-hardcore pedigree and earnest, honest songwriting make for a presentation that offers both reflection and release. 

THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE - DREAMS OF BEING DUST (Epitaph Records)

There is a misnomer in filing Connecticut collective TWIABP as experimental. While category is default given the band's coloring outside of genre lines, the band's musical intentionality is far from trial and error. Sourcing elements of hardcore, mathcore and post rock into a cohesive presentation, Dreams of Being Dust showcases the kind of sure-handed songwriting that differentiates good bands and great bands. Bolstered by guest spots from Brenden Murphy of Counterparts, Dylan Walker of Full of Hell and Mike Sugars of Church Tongue, the band's sixth full length is a nothing short of a masterclass. 

ZETRA - BELIEVE (Nuclear Blast Records)

While the band sources elements of shoegaze, synth and post-punk in their potent meld, the mystics of ZETRA continue to cultivate their own stylistic universe. Combining dark, albeit alluring imagery with ethereal melody and opulent song structure, the duo really do achieve a sort of alternate universe with their soundtrack. Punctuated by a collaboration with Employed to Serve, Believe offers the most promising indication of ZETRA's truest potential to date on an EP that actually makes good on bring transcendent. 

SIGNS OF THE SWARM - TO RID MYSELF OF TRUTH (Century Media Records)

Pittsburgh deathcore purveyors Signs of the Swarm look to be finding a new stride on their sixth full length studio effort, To Rid Myself of Truth. The album welcomes guitarist and backing vocals in Carl Schulz and reunites the band with accomplished producer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, King 810) who collaborated with the band on their breakout 2023 release,  Amongst the Low & Empty. Showcasing a strong sense of technicality along with the foundation of brutality that has been core to the band, Swarm levels up with a full length that strikes deadly as both sonically powerful and undoubtedly refined.