SANGUISUGABOGG - HIDEOUS AFTERMATH (Century Media)

Deadset on pushing the boundaries of extremity, death metal modernists Sanguisugabogg deliver their most complete effort on Hideous Aftermath. Bolstered by a roster of prominent guests in Todd Jones of Nails, Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation, Dylan Walker of Full of Hell and PeelingFlesh, along with production from Kurt Ballou, brutality is in abundance on an album that strikes both direct and devastating. Executing death metal for the modern era, the BOGG just notched their most impressive win to date.  

SOUL BLIND - RED SKY MOURNING (Closed Casket Activities)

Evolving from the band's earlier hard-alt iteration and building on the acclaim of their 2022 debut LP, Feel It All Around, Soul Blind's second outing is the result of musical maturity captured on record. Retaining the most effective elements from their introductory LP, the band's sonics still lean into the late 90's early 00's groove, all while implimenting subtle melodies and song dynamics that really soar. A competent meld of Killing Joke, The Melvins, The Cure, Helmet and Quicksand, the band's pedigree along with their hardcore DIY backbone make for a combination ensures not only great songwriting, but a convincing live performance to match. 

DEAD HEAT - PROCESS OF ELIMINATION (Metal Blade Records)

Hailing from California's robust landscape of heavy music, West Coast crossover blue chips Dead Heat are putting on for Oxnard with their Metal Blade Records' full length debut. Combining the breakneck speed of thrash with hardcore DNA, Process of Elimination sources equal parts of each style with maximum effectiveness - mowing over everything in its path with raw musicality. Bridging influences from Leeway and Cro-Mags to Dark Angel and Demolition Hammer, Dead Heat managed to pull off the intricacy of metal with the intensity of hardcore with the requisite authenticity required for both. 

PERTURBATOR - AGE OF AQUARIUS (Nuclear Blast Records)

Paris-based composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist James Kent understood the gravity of his first outing via Nuclear Blast Records and delivered what stacks up as his most impressive showing to date. Creating an immersive, cinematic universe with an electronic pulse, Kent's toes a fine line between dance music and dystopian soundtrack. Adding to the premiere quality of the album, well curated guest features from the likes of Author & Punisher, Kristoffer Rygg of Ulver, a haunting performance from Greta Link and an assist from Alcest add an all-star element adding some pageantry to the final result. Simultaneously dark and vivid, Perturbator masterfully controls emotion with electronic music that hits for all walks. 

TESTAMENT - PARA BELLUM (Nuclear Blast Records)

Among thrash music's most celebrated and rightfully respected units, Testament continues to defy time with the release of their fourteenth full length studio record, Para Bellum. The tandem of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson remain among the best one-two combinations in modern heavy music, showcasing the speed and skill that can only come from decades of guitar domination. Swift leads, soaring solos and powerful song dynamics make for a ten track presentation that never lets off the gas. Along with an impressive showing from legendary frontman Chuck Billy, Testament prove to be the kind of band that only seem to get better with age.