KNEECAP - FENIAN (Heavenly Recordings)
Despite a turbulent two year stretch since the release of Fine Art, KNEECAP continue to thrive as the voice of opposition on their most culturally connected presentation thus far, Fenian. More substantive than spectacle, the trio's departure from bars about drugs and debauchery now take on a greater purpose - navigating geopolitical heft and significant personal loss. Reclaiming the album's title, 'Fenian' as reference to a warrior more than a derogatory slant, the trio's third album is decidedly more important than ever - and Kneecap understood how to meet the moment with the entire world watching.
HASTE THE DAY - DISSENTER (Solid State Records)
What began as a 2024 reunion set at Furnace Fest and the reveal of their first new music in more than a decade would eventually become the Indiana metalcore triumphant return, completed by their first full length studio album in more than 11 years. On Dissenter, Haste the Day manage to harness some of that early 2000s metalcore fervor, only now showcase a kind of songwriting sophistication that balances that explosiveness with something more expansive, more evolved. Massive choruses, balanced melodic breaks and a real effort to make metalcore something cinematic, Haste the Day prove good things are most certainly worth the wait
VCTMS - PAIN PROCESSING II (Independent)
Work ethic is often referenced when it comes to Chicago-bred aggressors VTCMS, but on the band's latest EP, it's their versatility that really becomes the storyline, While the band have always sourced from various subcategories in their songwriting, Pain Processing II asserts an impressive variety that allows a unique fluidity on each track. From metallic hardcore to nu-groove to glitchy electronic interludes and accents, VCTMS hit you from all sides with the kind of presentation that deserves flowers and a real nod to the band's driving force in Meredith Henderson. Along with guest assist from the likes of Extortionist, Fox Lake, Heavy//Hitter and tend56., Pain Processing II is among VCTMS best offerings to date.
CAGE FIGHT - EXUVIA (Spinefarm)
Uk metal unit Cage Fight skip the dramatic build up and the added accoutrements with 11 tracks of brass tacks aggression on Exuvia. Anchored by the powerhouse vocals of Rachel Aspe leading the command out front and guitarist James Monteith fueling the album's horsepower with riff heavy fury, Exuvia does reinvent the wheel, nor does it attempt to. Capturing the band's live wallop on record is an achievement in of itself - a feat which Cage Fight brilliantly executes over the course of the album. Audio adrenaline delivered with precision and pummel - Cage Fight is the soundtrack of the pit.
SAVAGE MASTER / MYSTIC STORM - THE POWER / WANDERING TIME (Shadow Kingdom Records)
The genius of the split is strong with the latest from Savage Master and Mystic Storm. For the latter, Wandering Time serves the first offering from Mystic Storm following the acclaim of their 2021 debut, From the Ancient Chaos and marks a stylistic shift - moving from 80s era European speed and old school thrash to more of a trad/fantasy metal motif. Despite line-up shifts and the band's sonic tangent, the move works with a three song effort that lives up to epic descriptor often overused and underachieved. As for Savage Master, the band's timeless sound, occult-driven M.O. and obvious technical prowess make for a brief, but powerful three-song entry that wields a heavy sword. Condensing down with tracks hovering about the 3-minute mark, Savage Master have also figured how to trim the fat and get right to business.
SEVENDUST - ONE (Napalm Records)
Proving wildly prolific decades into their tenure, Sevendust could technically still be touring on the back of their 2023 full length, Truth Killer. Rather, the foundational nu-metal pioneers have launched their landmark 15th studio album, ONE and in the process, established a new standard of excellence as proven purveyors of heavy groove. The album showcases Sevendust's signature meld of distortion and croon - metallic music with a soul that has always been core to the band's sound. Across the album's ten tracks, masterclass performances from Lajon Witherspoon, Clint Lowery, John Connolly, Vince Hornsby, and Morgan Rose underscore just how and why the Atlanta collective continue to add to the legacy, rather than just relying on it.
