The Menacing, Grimy Weirdness of Melvins’ ‘Houdini’ at 30
Once Houdini dropped, all the agonizing over whether Melvins would debase themselves and compromise their sound petered out before we were halfway into “Hooch”.
Once Houdini dropped, all the agonizing over whether Melvins would debase themselves and compromise their sound petered out before we were halfway into “Hooch”.
Every track on Cannibal Corpse’s new LP has an individual feel under granular inspection and speaks to their expert songcraft and confidence of identity.
Baroness’ Stone incorporates the heavy riffs, thundering grooves, and melodic hooks that have been their trademark and revisits their folkier, acoustic side.
Horrendous have returned refreshed and once again intent on twisting death metal into new forms on their daring LP, Ontological Mysterium.
Metal’s Imperial Triumphant create a type of fusion that marries black/death metal with jazz from across its history. The band discuss their favorite jazz LPs.
The best metal albums feature Crypta’s return with thrash intentions, Blut Aus Nord’s Lovecraftian aspirations, and the end of Urfaust’s psychedelic run.
Spirit Adrift’s Ghost at the Gallows is absolutely crammed with engaging songs. There isn’t a weak moment to be found across its stacked 45 minutes.
With Distortions, Godthrymm have created what will no doubt go down as the doom metal album of 2023. Without soul, doom is nothing.
Pelican’s newly remixed and remastered version of The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw is an excellent update of a post-metal staple.
For better and worse, the latest installments in Magnetic Eye’s Soundgarden tribute series only underscore the iconic Seattle quartet’s range.
Urne have turned suffering into art on A Feast on Sorrow, and the cathartic effect of doing so will no doubt push this exciting band to the next level.
In July’s best metal, Oxbow resume their experimental journey, Mutoid Man hammer their love for fun heavy metal, and Mizmor descend to despair’s dark depths.