JINJER - DUÉL (Napalm Records)
Ukrainian metal champions Jinjer assert their chokehold on contemporary heavy music with their fifth studio album, Duél'. The effort follows the acclaim of their 2021 LP, Wallflowers and underscores the charisma and command of vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk and the songwriting talent of Eugene Abdukhanov. With a succession of searing singles including "Someone's Daughter" "Kafka", "Rogue" and "Green Serpent" and most recently the title track, the campaign has proven a resounding success, amplifying the anticipation of one of heavy music's most anticipated albums of the calendar year.
DREAM THEATER - PARASOMNIA (Inside Out Music/Sony Music)
Marking the return of the band's iconic line-up of vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Portnoy, Parasomnia is the 16th studio album from Dream Theater and the first to feature the original configuration since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings. A dizzying, dynamic meld of musicianship and menace, Parasomnia is nothing short of prog metal masterclass - another classic augmenting the band's four decade tenure. Still breaking new ground, still pushing the envelope and still heavy as all hell, Dream Theater cement their legendary status once again.
-(16)- - GUIDES FOR THE MISGUIDED (Relapse Records)
Sludge stalwarts -(16)- have unloaded their 10th full length studio record and arguably their most ambitious venture to date with Guides for the Misguided. The effort showcases founding guitarist Bobby Ferry taking on more melodic vocals, coming into his own since his move to frontman in 2022. Along with the added muscle of guitarist Alex Shuster, the album's weighty compound of rock fury, metal execution and lumbering sludge make for a mighty swing of the axe.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE - SICK AND TIRED (Pirates Press)
Emerging punk unit Slaughterhouse tap into the frenzy and fury of the genre's salad days with a six track soundtrack ideal for the slam pit. Distorted low end, frenetic drums, noisy guitars and the purely-pissed posture of vocalist Meriel O’Connell make for an EP that positions the fast-rising band as deservedly buzzworthy AF. Tipping their hat to the OGs with a cover of Black Flag's "My War" that would make every generation of fan proud, this is the new school moving ahead while recognizing just where they came from.
FINAL RESTING PLACE - BOUND BY AFFLICTION (DAZE)
Consisting of members of Simulakra, Sanction, Discontent, Scarab, and Devil Master, the passion project that first formed back in 2023 continues to offer their worship of late 90's death metal vulgarity. The band's latest EP, Bound By Affliction taps into the spirit of greats like Malevolent Creation, Autopsy and Exhumed to unleash a sound that rips rather than cuts - kinda like a rusty, serrated blade. Properly unpolished and grisly as hell, Final Resting Place pay homage while asserting their own take, implementing the occasional breakdown intended to create bedlam live.
