FALLING IN REVERSE - POPULAR MONSTER (Epitaph Records)

After a rollout that included the release of meteoric singles like  "Zombified," "Voices In My Head," and "Watching the World Burn" all in addition to the multi-platinum success of the title single - the long-waited arrival of Popular Monster affirms Falling in Reverse as one of the biggest names in their respective lane. Co-produced by frontman and band architect Ronnie Radke along collaborator Tyler Smith, the album's diversity ranges from collabs with Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail, to one of country's most bankable names in Jellyroll. You gotta tip your hat to that kind of range. 

THOTCRIME - CONNECTION ANXIETY (Prosthetic Records)

Given the acclaim of the band's 2022 effort, D1G1T4L_DR1FT, and the fact up until then, cybergrind unit Thotcrime had only existed as an online collaborative project, the release of Connection Anxiety marks a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the young aggressors. Following a breakout 2023 that included the band's first US tour and a return to the studio as an in-person collective, the band's fiery, frenetic brand of aggression is on full display for their latest full length. Spanning hyperpop to spastic grind, the young creatives in vocalist Hayley Elizabeth guitarist Melody Jane, drummer Dottie Homler and producer Les Beaux Plastiques assert a sound that as bold as well-built, inventive as infectious. 

EXTINCTION A.D. - TO THE DETESTED (Unique Leader Records)

A battle-tested, built-to-last brand of heft, Extinction A.D. combine their hardcore pedigree with their metallic execution to craft 10 tracks of methodical aggression. Asserting an expertise that can only come experience, the band's balance of confrontational spirit with the soundtrack to match makes for an album that doesn't reinvent the wheel, but manages to run everything over in its path. Bolstered by a guest spot from Matt Heafy of Trivium, the Long Island OGs flex hard on the latest.

GEL - PERSONA (Blue Grape Music)

Jersey standouts Gel have quickly become one of the most discussed, universally praised bands among the circles of metallic hardcore. The band's 2023 full length debut, Only Constant, was consistently included among the year's best and landed them on the collective radar of heavy music. Hailed for its articulate brand of angst, the band flexed a musical maturity well beyond their years.  On Persona, the band evolves their brand of musical hostility to showcase a punk backbone that only adds to their arsenal. Currently skyrocketing, the latest EP from GEL substantiates the hype and then some. 

DARK TRANQUILLITY - ENDTIME SIGNALS (Century Media Records)

The Swedish death metal titans mark their return following the success of their 2020 Grammy-winning full length, Moment. Featuring entries from departed member Fredrik Johansson along with new additions in drummer Joakim Strandberg Nilsson and bassist Christian Jansson, the Gothenburg veterans add to the legacy of the Swedish sound with album that embraces the epic. From big ballads to extreme sonic soundscapes, Dark Tranquillity make a convincing return to form with Endtime Signals.