KHEMMIS - KHEMMIS (Nuclear Blast)
Rightfully championed for the band's deft blend of death, doom and heavy metal, Denver collective Khemmis has submitted some of their finest work on their fifth full length studio effort. Building on the acclaim of the band's 2021 LP, Deceiver, Khemmis continues to assert their prowess as purveyors of the riff with the new chapter that sources from different styles of extreme music to create a presentation of eight mammoth new tracks on an album that is equally expansive as it is focused.
GENGHIS TRON - SIGNAL FIRE (Relapse Records)
Genre blurring progressives Genghis Tron have unloaded their thrilling return with the first full length studio album since 2021's Dream Weapon. Teaming with producer Seth Manchester, the co-produced effort ushers in a collaborative era of Genghis Tron. Led by Hamilton Jordan and Michael Sochynsky, the current configuration touts Tony Wolski of The Armed on vocals along Nick Yacyshyn on drums and Kenny Szymanski on bass on a presentation that is both artistically ambitious and finely crafted. Spanning noise, synth, rock and beyond, Signal Fire is triumph in both concept and execution.
GIDEON - 4x4 (Sumerian Records)
Bama's bulldozing metallic hardcore unit in Gideon has put the world of heavy music on notice with their Sumerian Records debut EP. Across five tracks, it's all gas as the band's explosive brand of hostility hits like a Mack truck with effectiveness and consistency. For a release that emphasizes heft, Gideon's ability to craft dynamic songs is what shines. The tracks are drubbing, but steer clear of becoming repetitive, making for collection of songs that are highly crankable throughout.
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS - AN ENDING IN ITSELF (Rise Records)
Few bands can achieve something fresh after eight albums the way Sleeping With Sirens have. Marking the band's Rise Records debut, An Ending In Itself toes a fine balance between catchy songwriting and dramatic effect that underscores the band's lengthy tenure. Along with the expertise of producer Will Yip, the band's blend of assertive alt, punchy pop and post-hardcore DNA result in collection of well constructed tracks amounting to one of SWS' most cohesive outings to date.
STILL REMAINS - SPIRIT BREAKER (Arson Theory)
More than a decade after the band's last release in 2013's Ceasing to Breathe, the Michigan metalcore veterans in Still Remains prove their endurance on Spirit Breaker. Among the band's most personal efforts thus far, the lyrical weight is emphasized with by the metallic muscle that defined the band's sound. A testament to the American metal explosion of the early 2000's, Spirit Breaker is proof that all that is old can feel new again.
