TURNSTILE - NEVER ENOUGH: VERSIONS (Roadrunner Records)
Much has been made about the ambition (and audacity) of a curating a remix album that touts both Elton John and Dying Fetus on the same tracklist. What is instabtly apparent is just how versatile Turnstile songwriting is, such that so many varying artists manage to make these songs sound like their own so gracefully. From Faye Webster's take on "I Care," to Angel Du$t's spark on "SUNSHOWER" to Hayley William's dreamy spin on "CEILING," Turnstile's culture-shifting impact is reiterated by the new life injected into each of these songs. If there was any doubt that Turnstile submitted an instant classic with NEVER ENOUGH, the strength of Versions offers resounding proof.
COLD GAWD - GLORY2 (Dais Records)
Shoegaze modernists Cold Gawd flex a self-assurance and strong songwriting savvy on their latest EP, Glory2. Sourcing elements of emo and hip hop into their brew, the band's combination of lush guitars and electronic accents create a stylish amalgam - one that underscores a certain kind of artistic confidence. Frontman and guitarist Matthew Wainwright proves his wherewithal both in concept and execution, submitting a memorable performance on a collection of songs that stick.
MASTODON - MARROW DEEP (Loma Vista Records)
Among the very best in heavy music for the last generation, Mastodon assert a special resilience on their latest, Marrow Deep. The first full length in five years and the album that begins the band's newest era without departed guitarist Brent Hinds, the magnitude of the album is matched by the enormous riffs and nuanced melodies that define Mastodon's signature. Working with Patrik Berger and Kurt Ballou, Marrow Deep is an emotionally loaded record that speaks to the true artistry of the Atlanta collective and reiterates the band's ability to settle for nothing less than classic with each submission.
DREAMWELL - HYMNS FOR THE DENIAL OF GOD (Prosthetic Records)
Rhode Island post-skramz, metallic hardcore collective Dreamwell had the tough task of trying to top 2023’s post-hardcore achievement, In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You. Leveling up the band's creative ceiling, the combination of confrontation and sonic chaos shines on Hymns For The Denial Of God. Pairing performative power with personal catharsis makes for a collection of songs that are as layered and detailed as they are convincing. Dreamwell color outside the lines in a way that ropes in a broad spectrum of heavy music ranging from post-hardcore to metalcore and beyond.
IN THIS MOMENT - WITCH (Better Noise Music)
The arrival of In This Moment’s ninth full length, WITCH, builds on the acclaim of 2023’s LP, GODMODE and further cements the band's position as one the genre's most vital, progressive units. On WITCH, In This Moment also enlist an elite roster of special guests, with features from Dayseeker on "I Want To Believe,"; Kim Dracula on "Heretic,"; and Kat Von D for a rendition of the Pink Floyd classic "Another Brick In The Wall” that underscores the range of the band. The debut outing on Better Noise Music, the veteran collective prove they still have plenty more in the tank with an album that gives heavy music the cinematic treatment.
