Photo by Ryan Johnson 

ORTHODOX - A DOOR LEFT OPEN (Century Media Records)

A collision of styles that amount to a towering wall of sound, Orthodox have controlled chaos on their latest full length, A Door Left Open. Produced by Randy LeBoeuf (Jesus Piece, Kublai Khan TX, Dying Wish) the album touts a strong roster of special guest contributors including Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid, Matt McDougal of Boundaries and Brann Dailor of Mastodon of which add to the assault of polyrhythms, pinch harmonics and brutalizing breakdowns. An assertive showing of technical prowess and primal metallic power, the Tennessee unit have shifted from prospect to powerhouse with an AOTY contender. 

FOR YOUR HEALTH - THIS BITTER GARDEN (3Dot Recordings)

Earring high praise with comparisons to the likes of Blood Brothers and Horse the Band, art-noise screamo unit For Your Health corral a cacophony of discordant sounds in what amounts to a cohesive, dynamic 13-track onslaught. At the helm of the project, vocalist Hayden Rodriguez pens socially scorching commentary with stanzas that are as articulate as they are aggressive. That strong undercurrent of urgency grows with each entry as tempo shifts, lush atmospherics and sonic bursts create a flux that keeps the listener on their toes. 

VOLBEAT - GOD OF ANGELS TRUST (Republic/Universal)

Leaning into his instincts more than ever before, Volbeat architect Michael Poulsen embraced spontaneity in constructing his latest full length release. The end result is a album that is among the most varied and versatile in the band's cannon, showcasing various shades of rock with a convincing sense of drive and musical dexterity. The Danish unit manage to sound as fresh and relevant as ever, nine albums in and more than two decades-steeped. The album marks the follow-up to 2021's Servant of the Mind and finds the band once again connecting with longtime producer and frequent collaborator, Jacob Hansen.

TURNSTILE - NEVER ENOUGH (Roadrunner Records)

The Baltimore gamechangers have transcended hardcore to become an entity all their own. Few bands can make that claim, but on Never Enough, Turnstile further define their distinctive signature, accenting hardcore with synth, electronics and pop sensibility in a way that makes the sound more palatable - yet no less potent. Building upon the stylistic tangents that made Glow On a movement, Never Enough is Turnstile achieving a new artistic peak - brimming with energy, emotion and the kind of authenticity that captures a moment in time. 

KING PARROT - A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO KING PARROT (Housecore Records/Dead Set Records)

While the band did submit their Holed Up In The Lair EP back in 2022, the Aussie collective in King Parrot have not released a full length studio album since 2017's Ugly Produce. That timeline becomes especially relevant when considering how effective and well-built their first LP in eight years is. Sturdy with punk posture and assaultive with plenty of grindcore explosiveness, A Young Person's Guid to King Parrot is plenty technical without the goofy pretense usually paired with a skilled showcase. Sourcing elements of thrash, punk, grind and heavy, rolling rock, King Parrot shine among Australia's extreme music landscape.