Photo by S tefaan Temmerman
MÉLANCOLIA - random.access.misery (Nuclear Blast)
While the band has earned the label of blackened nu-metal, the reality is that the Australian prospects are less a stylistic rehash and more the second wave of nu-ethos. Sourcing elements from various corners of heavy music's spectrum, Mélancholia assert heavy groove, explosive delivery and the occasional dramatic tempo shift to breathe new life into a movement that seemed to lean more nostalgic, yet on random.access.misery translates as contemporary. Anchored by an unhinged showing from frontman Alex Hill and featuring guest assists from Christopher Mackertich of Dregg and Hunter Young of MOODRING, the Melbourne collective has put the world of heavy music on notice with that new nu.
END IT - WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN (Flatspot Records)
Having secured their position as one of the space's most exciting, engaging emerging voices, END IT's Wrong Side of Heaven signals a new chapter for the band, following the well-earned praise of their trio of EP releases including 2022's Unpleasant Living. Teaming with venerated producer Brian McTernan, the collective distill an effective meld of time-tested hardcore, fiery thrash and even integrate accents of soul for added style points on a debut full length that underscores the band's ascending rank in the genre. With insightful lyrics and a convincing performance from Akil Godsey, the album's collection of minute-long bursts amount to an album that pairs intellect with intensity and dares to make hardcore fun. (...and that Maximum Penalty cover is wildly good)
SLOW CRUSH - THRIST (Pure Noise Records)
Among the most celebrated bands in the modern era of shoegaze's heavy renaissance, UK's Slow Crush showcase an especially lush, lavish quality of compositions on Thirst. Vocalists Isa Holliday's ethereal, stylistically serene performance pairs perfectly with the collective's sturdy, soaring style of songwriting. The band's wall of sound pairs the hazy harmony of shoegaze with elements that flirt with post rock on an album that is as gutsy as it is graceful. Marking the band's first full length in some four years and their debut via Pure Noise, Thirst speaks to the band's ability to progress as musicians and songwriters with a collection of songs that ring emotional vulnerable with no compromise of sonic strength.
lowheaven - RITUAL DECAY (MNRK Music Group)
The Toronto post-metal collective compiles an articulate presentation of angst on a debut that would suggest the band has significantly longer tenure than they do. Bearing the unique quality of both vibrant, textured songwriting and thematically dismal existential dread, Ritual Decay is heavy in both style and substance in a way that commands respect and is rarely that of a first outing. Across ten tracks, the album showcases an expansive sound with a kind of eloquence that casts a bright light on such dark music. The album is both bleak and beautiful in a way that suggests lowheaven's potential and their creative vision are on the same meteoric trajectory.
PINKSHIFT - EARTHKEEPER (Hopeless Records)
The Maryland trio in Pinkshift have tapped into their truest selves on Earthkeeper. Breaking with the pop-punk association that the band never really embraced, songs like "Don't Fight," "Something More" and "Suspended" indulge the band's obvious affinity for melodic rock and showcase a musical maturity intent of making something memorable. In addition to the band's evolution as songwriters, their healthy touring schedule has ultimately sharpened their skills as players, with the results evident throughout the album. Earthkeeper is the kind of pivotal album for Pinkshift were fans will be able to reference back to and say, "this is where they found their voice".
