MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of October 2026
In best metal, Great Falls deliver a post-hardcore beating, Spirit Possession return to original black/death, and Dissimulator expand their dissonant death/thrash.
Spyros Stasis
Contributing writer at PopMatters, keeps on rambling about experimental and extreme music also for Invisible Oranges, Cvlt Nation and ScenePointBlank. @theSpyrus
Bacht’n de Vulle Moane’s Verdwazing der dwazen
Bacht’n de Vulle Moane can dive into fully desolate moments, stripping away electric guitars, cutthroat vocals, and bombastic industrial percussion alike.
Blodtår Strike a Fine Balance Between Urgency and Melancholy
Where Blodtår differentiate themselves, especially on their new record, is in how they open up melodic Swedish black metal heritage toward a folk application.
Archgoat Don’t Change Their Sound on New LP, Which Is Good
While production, melodic leanings, and atmospheric depth have made strides, the fundamental Archgoat sound remains unchanged, and that is for the best.
Terrestrial Hospice Create Black Metal Defined by Exhilarating Speed
Terrestrial Hospice refuse to become hostage to the throwback exercise, pretending that they are still operating as if it were the 1990s.
Epitaphe Showcase Their Progressive Death Metal on ‘III’
III may have little in common on the surface with Epitaphe’s early death/doom, but that history is precisely what makes their current direction work.
Novae Militiae Visit the Icelandic Black Metal Scene
Novae Militiae’s Apocryphon of the Unborn Light distils many of orthodox black metal’s defining qualities into a condensed form.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of September 2026
In September’s best metal, Godflesh dream dystopian industrial structures, Epitaphe connect death metal styles, and Archgoat carry on their death/black tradition.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of August 2026
In best metal, Vengeance Arsenal rely on tradition for extreme metal, Static Abyss produce hallucinogenic death/doom, and Hanternoz strip away folk for melody.
snag. Show How Melody Functions in Extreme Music
Rather than redefining screamo, snag. demonstrate just how much expressive range exists within the genre, bringing forgotten possibilities back into focus.
Inferno’s ‘The Anthropic Sophisms’ Is Exciting and Well-Structured
Inferno’s The Anthropic Sophisms further tips the scales toward the psychedelic and atmospheric. Everything is subordinated to the ritual.
Sex Prisoner Move From Powerviolence to Sludge
On Sex Prisoner’s Cautionary Tale, the transitions between powerviolence, hardcore and sludge are cleaner, each shift landing with maximum impact.