Photo by Jonathan Weiner

BOUNDARIES - YEARNING: THE UNBEAUTIFUL AFTER (Sumerian Records)

Tapping into the volatility and aggression of American metal's early 2000's era, Boundaries are the band that now carry that torch for a new generation of fans. Substantiating the hype coming off of 2024's Death Is Little More, the band's fourth full length in Yearning: The Unbeautiful After is an explosive presentation of songwriting that honors the band's Connecticut heavy music lineage. From the vocal command of Matthew McDougal to the sturdy guitars from Cody Delvecchio and Cory Emond, Boundaries deliver on their intention of crafting heavy music with bite on an album that vaults the band among the leaders heavy music's new school. 

LOATHE - A STRANGER TO YOU (SharpTone Records)

It's been six long years since breakout acclaim of I Let It In And It Took Everything, and yet Loathe remain one of heavy music's most rightfully celebrated units. Prioritizing quality over quality and opting to not rush, Loathe's eagerly-awaited follow-up in A Stranger to You is presentation both meticulously crafted and well worth the wait. Merging both explosiveness and elegance, the contrast of aggressive tracks like "Revenant" featuring NOWHERE2RUN and "Block of Flats" with Static Dress with the lush sonics of "The Way It Breaks" with Mansur Brown and "The Ladder" with Jordan Rakei frame the kind of range that positions Loathe in a category all their own. 

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE - DECADES (Roadrunner Records)

Showcasing the band's evolved brand of heft, Decades is the culmination of the last two decades of Motionless in White. Co-produced by Drew Fulk and Justin "JD" deBlieck the collection of tracks nurtures the band's experimentation while flexing everything that has made MIW so beloved for nearly a generation. Further bolstered by guest appearance from Corey Taylor on "Playing God," as well as the anchor tracks with Sklyar Grey and Dark Divine's Anthony Martinez, Decades is a triumph in the already storied career of Motionless In White. Loaded with anthems, brimming with theatrics and balancing new creative terrain with the band's sonic signature, Decades is among MIW's best to date

QUICKSAND - BRING ON THE PSYCHICS (Equal Vision)

The New York post-hardcore pillars of Quicksand assert they still have plenty in the tank with their first full length release in five years. The band's undeniable songwriting prowess and continued endurance as genre staples rings apparent across the ten tracks of Bring On the Psychics. The trio of Walter Schreifels, Sergio Vega and drummer Alan Cage work in lockstep on an album that balances the band's formative 90's era sound while still allowing for the unit to evolve as musicians. Timeless post-hardcore accented with elements of heavy alt and grunge, Quicksand prove classic and contemporary in one feel swoop. 

FUMING MOUTH - THE RINGING BELL (Triple B Records)

Fusing hardcore grit with death metal DNA, New England aggressors Fuming Mouth have turned a corner on their latest full length, The Ringing Bell. Enlisting the production and oversight of Kurt Ballou, frontman Mark Whelan linked with drummer Jay Weinberg and leveled up the pummel that has remained core to Fuming Mouth. Among the band's most focused, cohesive collection of tracks thus far, the brutal meld of death metal intensity and hardcore conviction make The Ringing Bell something exceptional. A testament to the resilience and vision of Whelan, Fuming Mouth are born again with a configuration and arsenal of songs that could go the distance.