BODYSNATCHER - HELL IS HERE, HELL IS HOME (MNRK Heavy)

Hell Is Here, Hell Is Home finds the collective setting a new standard in brutality, one that showcases the band's progression while managing to cut through the white noise of the ongoing deathcore boom. Emphasizing the band's effective, eviscerating approach, the album is anchored by relentless instrumentation, unsettling source material and the kind compelling songwriting that goes beyond savagery to deliver some substance. 

ARCHSPIRE - TOO FAST TO DIE (Self-Released)

Showcasing unfathomable speed and laser-sharp precision, Archspire prove true tech death virtuosos on their latest masterclass. The first release to feature drummer Spencer Moore at the core of the reconfigured line-up is a technical marvel, with a collection of tracks that dazzle in their dominance. Faced with the tall task of one-upping their Juno Award-winning Bleed the Future, Archspire have once again outpaced the pack with an album that positions the band in a league of their own. 

IMMOLATION - DESCENT (Nuclear Blast)

Definitive death metal greats Immolation have submitted their milestone twelfth full length studio album with Descent. Rooted in the collaborative efforts of the band and long-time engineer Zack Ohren, the collection speaks to the songwriting prowess and extreme expertise of influential guitarist Bob Vigna. Asserting the continued dominance of one of death metal's most consistent, crushing units, Descent is a dream for death metal purists, driven by devastating blast beats, searing leads and Ross Dolan's hellacious vocals ushering in the modern era of Immolation. 

ENTER SHIKARI - LOSE YOUR SELF (Silva Screen Records)

For all the strides made with 2020's Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and A Kiss For The Whole World which landed in 2023, it would be difficult to imagine just where Enter Shikari would creatively venture next. Maybe that plays into the band's decision to release their eighth full length album as an entirely surprise effort - no fanfare, no teaser campaign, no hint at all. Building on their blend of rock, pop and electronics, Lose Your Self is such an ambitious effort that its surprise arrival is almost counter intuitive. Its understated launch is likely intended to let the music speak for itself. In that regard, Enter Shikari have long designed arena-quality anthems with their latest only serves to add to their cannon. Rou Reynolds is among the elite songwriters in his space and Enter Shikari's sneak attack offers further evidence of that. 

LONG DISTANCE CALLING - THE PHANTOM VOID (earMUSIC)

The veteran German instrumental outfit achieve arguably their most focused, concise and compelling presentation with The Phantom Void. Creating an immersive experience with their compositions, the album's sometimes horrifying universe of internal torment and existential dread become emotionally palpable as the tracks play out. Plenty of albums makes the claim of being cinematic, while Long Distance Calling achieves just that with effort that utilizes only sonics to create such a rollercoaster. Prog-leaning rock with the ability to conjure narrative without lyrics is no small feat and The Phantom Void achieves just that.