THE HAUNTED - SONGS OF LAST RESORT (Century Media Records)

Swedish greats The Haunted have delivered their long awaited return with their first full length in more than eight years. Last surfacing in 2017 with Strength in Numbers, the pillars of melodic metal have undoubtedly been sharpening their blades, resulting in a 12-track onslaught, Songs of Last Resort. Brimming with serious technicality backed by impeccable performances, The Haunted prove the epitome of value over volume. This is everything we love about the Swedish sound, amplified and intensified. 

RIVERS OF NIHIL - RIVERS OF NIHIL (Metal Blade Records)

There is reason to speculate that the reason River of Nihil waited until now to issue a self-titled record is because this collection of songs is arguably their finest, most complete version of themselves to date. Asserting masterclass level musicianship, songwriting expertise that ropes in elements like cello, banjo and saxophone and a real sense of collaboration throughout, River of Nihil is transcendent of any category of extreme music. This is high art presented as a ten-track masterclass in multi-layered metal. 

THE BUDOS BAND - VII (Diamond West Records)

Among Staten Island's finest, second to only the Shaolin swordsman of the Wu-Tang Clan, The Budos Band has been at the carrying the flag as purveyors of funk, soul and afrobeat packed with doom and proto-metal DNA for the last two decades. The album's lead single "Overlander" speaks to the band's unique amalgam of The J.B.'s nurtured with the spirit of Black Sabbath. Leading the charge of evil funk,  VII marks a fine return to form after five years away. Massive instrumentation, powerful, potent grooves and the kind of song structure that translates as both epic and stylish, The Budos Band remain undisputed. 

GRIDIRON - POETRY FROM PAIN (Blue Grape Music)

Featuring a collective of members from Never Ending Game, Simulakra, and Scarab, Gridiron combines the hardcore DNA of Philly, Delaware and the greater Michigan scenes, all the while becoming one of the genre's most sought after bands. What began as a passion project to work out the creative itch during the pandemic has since grown to become a undeniable entity with a healthy pulse of its own. On the band's Blue Grape Music debut, hard-hitting compositions styled out hip hop swagger and bounce make for a potent mix and one hell of a debut. 

STRAY FROM THE PATH - CLOCKWORKED (SharpTone Records)

There is something to be said for going out on top and for the Long Island metallic hardcore vets of Stray From the Path, their final album Clockworked serves as the perfect send off. Fusing hardcore ethos, metallic prowess and a healthy presence of hip hop bounce, Stray From the Path's final go round is bittersweet in that it could arguably be their best. Bolstered by guest appearances from the likes of Poison the Well and LANDMVRKS for added muscle, Clockworked is album defined by expert songwriting, explosive dynamics and an enduring quality that ensures long shelf life, well after the band has said goodbye.