Pharmacist’s Thrash-Leaning of Their New Album Is Powerful
For Pharmacist, thrash is not solely defined by the frenzied lead work and lightning-fast approach of the 1980s. They are closer to a more modern interpretation of the genre.
metal
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of May 2026
In May’s best metal, Spirit Adrift close their heavy metal journey, Funebrarum return to cryptic death metal, and Godthrymm proceed with their epic doom/death.
Blood Countess Create a Generic Black Metal Masterpiece
Blood Countess’ Imperatrix Sanguinis is cold and sadistic fun; a reminder of why the black metal genre thrived in the first place.
Evil Warriors Travel the Entire Spectrum of Extreme Metal
The raison d’être for Evil Warriors is no longer to pay tribute to one particular expression of extreme metal, but multiple. Their new album does just that.
Master’s Ashes’ New LP Delivers with Valiant Force
Master’s Ashes’ debut, How the Mighty Have Fallen, is a strong reminder of a forgotten time and scene, and how brilliant that was.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of April 2026
In April’s nest metal, Iron Firmament return to lo-fi, Cascadian alchemy, Lividus set up progressive foundations, and Evil Warriors reach new heights.
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MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of March 2026
In March’s best metal, Neurosis make their surprising return, Bekor Qilish descend to extreme avant-garde paths, and Cruel Force mature their thrash.
Melissa Auf der Maur’s Memoir Mirrors 1990s Rock Attitude and Excess
Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur’s memoir goes beyond clichés to offer a truly compelling perspective on the bohemian community of 1990s rock.
Converge Retake Their Ground on New Record
If Love Is Not Enough announces anything, it’s a return to the stark architecture and the blunt-force grammar Converge helped codify.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of February 2026
In February’s best metal, Worm go from underground to mainstream, Incandescence unleash blackened Quebecois bliss, and Gorrch offer dissonance and immediacy.
Noise Rock Band Unsane’s Chris Spencer Is Committed
The lead singer of the New York noise institution Unsane, Chris Spencer, talks about the reissue of their classic Occupational Hazard.
MetalMatters: Best Metal Albums of January 2026
In January’s best metal, Ulver return to their deep electronica, the Ruins of Beverast show off their extreme black/doom, and Zu join free-jazz madness with ambient bliss.