Photo by POLOCHO

HAGGUS - THE MINCECORE MANIFESTO (Tankcrimes)

California's molotov of grind and crust incinerates everything in it's path as Haggus burn it down with The Mincecore Manifesto. Sourcing elements of putrid goregrind with the confrontational DNA of anarcho-punk, the masked marauders make urgent, violent music with clear intention - destroy the opposition. Just a year removed from the bombast of Destination Extinction, Haggus have set a prolific creative pace with maintaining pure pummel. 

BABYMETAL - METAL FORTH (Deluxe Edition) (Capitol Records)

The expanded edition of the groundbreaking full length features a stunning zoetrope vinyl design, with ten icons from the record brought to life in motion. Along with the original tracklisting, the deluxe edition boasts three live tracks as well as two remixes from Major Lazer as well as Jordan Fish's take on “from me to u (feat. Poppy).” Bridging metallic power and pop pagentry, BABYMETAL continue to be one of heavy music's most progressive creative forces. 

GILT - I SAW MYSELF IN THE BLACK SCREEN (Smartpunk)

Heavy alt nu-schoolers Gilt showcase a musical foundation that spans emo, post-hardcore, nu-metal and beyond on their latest, I Saw Myself in the Black Screen. Unloading real emotional weight on record. The songs are both cathartic and entertaining, fluidly moving from heavy harsh to catchy harmonic in a way that is effective. Gilt thrive as the band that take what they do seriously, while remembering to have fun while they do it. 

SIAMESE - DISSOLUTION (Long Beach Records)

For Danish aggressors Siamese, real life trauma is transformed into powerful, poignant force on dissolution. Rather than inulging escapism, the confrontational tone of the ten-track effort weaponizes emotional damage in a way that nurtures resilience and durability. Working through heady subject matter from alcoholism and domestic violence, the collective pour channel real catharsis into the tracks resulting in an album that is explosive, unrelenting and authentic. 

MUSE - THE WOW! SIGNAL (Warner Records)

Among the biggest, most consistent names at the pinnacle of rock music, stadium sensation MUSE submit another gargantuan effort with their tenth full length. From danceable groove to mountain top rock, the songwriting prowess of Matthew Bellamy is generational. From the pop-rock spectacle of the Ellie Goulding-assisted "Hush" to the fist-pumping charge of "The Sickness In You & I," the ground MUSE covers on the same album is testament to their versatility and musical depth. Arguably, one of their best works to date.