OV SULFUR - ENDLESS (Century Media)

Blackened deathcore collective Ov Sulfur submit a scorching sophomore effort that augments the brutality unleashed on their acclaimed debut, The Burden Ov Faith. Implementing melody into their onslaught, the band's ability to temper their blitz with moments of varied vocal dynamics and even a ballad "Endless//Loveless" creates a well-rounded effort that underscores the band's refined approach to extreme music. Still heavy as ever, Ov Sulfur have managed add to their arsenal by further building out their brand of brutality, balancing the mayhem with a keen sense of melody.

KREATOR - KRUSHERS OF THE WORLD (Nuclear Blast)

The 16th full length studio album from Essen legends Kreator is an absolute marvel. Longevity aside, Mille Petrozza's ability to simultaneously craft thrash metal modernity while retaining his classic sensibility is what makes everything Kreator so damned good. For the OGs that champion early Kreator, Krushers of the World taps into that same horsepower defined Petrozza's sound and the name a legend, all while continuing to connect with new fans that are floored by the technicality and tenacity that drive the sound. Choosing to not rest on their laurels, the german pillars of timeless thrash have again reclaimed their crown. 

CARRION VAEL - SLAY UTTERLY (Unique Leader Records)

Tech melodeath unit Carrion Vael explore a fascination with barbarism that equates to eight crippling heavy tracks on their latest, Slay Utterly. Extreme music's answer to the true crime phenomenon, the album cites heinous, real-life horrors to craft a terrifying soundtrack that showcases the band's varied sonic attack. Compiling elements of tech and deathcore, Carrion Vael has added subtle melody to their arsenal - allowing if only for a second, a chance to catch your breath before resuming the barrage. 

BLANKET - TRUE BLUE (Adventure Cat Records)

Skipping all the superlative that is usually used to describe an album like True Blue, UK rock outfit Blanket showcase their greatness by prioritizing authenticity on their latest full length. Cinematic in scope, yes. Ambitious and artful in sound, absolutely. Cathartic and emotive in its delivery and performance, without a doubt. But the common thread that makes True Blue such a cohesive, well constructed success is the obvious honesty in the songwriting. Blanket doesn't check off boxes, rather, they navigate emotion with their instrumentation. The end result speaks for itself. 

I PROMISED THE WORLD - SELF TITLED (Rise Records)

For those that remember the early 2000's post-hardcore, American metalcore boom, North Texas has delivered the modern iteration in I Promised the World. Somewhere between Saosin and Zao, the Denton collective understands how to showcase their influences without repeating them. With the ability to shift from heartfelt melodies to unfettered release, I Promised the World taps into a full range of emotion that makes their sound both captivating and convincing.