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.
heavy metal
Beartooth Capture Aggression and Pop on ‘Pure Ecstasy’
Pure Ecstasy‘s highlight is Shomo’s undeniable talent for pop songwriting; however, it also pushes Beartooth’s heaviness into new directions.
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.
Emptiness Reinforce the Sense of Dread on ‘Nowhere Speaks’
Emptiness’ Nowhere Speaks carries the same bleakness, a dread that the ominous, towering vocal delivery interprets fantastically.
Witches Hammer’s ‘Final Storm’ Is How They Should Go Out
Final Storm‘s cleaner production casts Witches Hammer’s songwriting in a different light, bringing melodic and traditional heavy metal strains into focus.
Mortem’s ‘Mørketid’ Reconciles Black Metal’s Exhilarating Force
Mortem’s intricate songwriting and their balanced approach to traditional and majestic black metal have a clear goal.
Quicksand Embrace Positivity on ‘Bring on the Psychics’
Quicksand are still standing where peers have fallen off. Their patented sound is evergreen. Smart, upbeat lyrics and chugging riffs will always find an audience.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of July 2026
In July’s best metal, Witches Hammer deliver their final chapter, Emptiness return to their dark ways, and Sex Prisoner unleash powerviolence with heavy groove.
Brånd’s ‘Tåg & Nåcht’ Offers Boundless Exploration
Brånd’s Tåg & Nåcht offers boundless exploration, touching on everything from post-punk and neofolk to electronica and krautrock with a black metal underpinning.
Death. Void. Terror’s Gruelling Ascent Toward the ‘Monolith’
Death. Void. Terror. unleash “( — — ) Ametahna” from To the Great Monolith 2.5, a first taste of what will soon arrive with III.
Mortiis’ ‘Ghosts of Europa’ Has So Many Addictive Hooks
Mortiis’ synthpop on his new LP pushes back against the industrial past. He is resurrecting an element that defined his most glorious dungeon-synth days.
Jeff Beck’s Seven Decades of Evolution
Jeff Beck biography Blow by Blow is designed for everyone who loves music and the many genres Beck explored. Gearheads will love it, too.