11) Palmar De Troya, II [E.P] (Reptilian Records)
This standalone extended play blew me away upon the first listen. II is one of the few mini-albums where a five-piece, all-Spanish punk-infused rock band mix the primary factors of hard rock with a little melody beautifully and with little to no effort.
Standout cuts: 3. Cold Snakes, 4. Cabra
10) Brat, Social Grace (Prosthetic Records)
For a band that calls their style “bimboviolence” – don’t be fooled by that portrayal. Album number one is a good start to what Brat is trying to ascend through the mists of modern metal via a roseate approach to hardcore metal. Bloodthirsty, and unhinged in content, Social Grace is a slam-dancing party till-you-puke kegger you are invited to.
09) Seven Spires, A Fortress Called Home (Napalm Records)
Let’s get straight to the point. A Fortress Called Home, The newest album from Seven Spires is great as they are one of the best female-fronted power metal bands in a long time to add a hint of infused classical music. It is one of the best albums that have come out in a long time for fans of dark fantasy-driven power metal.
08) Setyoursails, Bad Blood (Napalm Records)
The mighty Setyoursails returned with their new album – Bad Blood – ten supercharged cuts with an array of riffs and modern hardcore sensibilities combine to create an intense offering from one of Germany’s masterful modern hardcore bands.
Standout Cuts: 6. Dangerous, 10. Eternally
07) Gatecreeper, Dark Superstition (Nuclear Blast Records)
What I can appreciate about Dark Superstition is that Gatecreeper was not afraid to explore new musical landscapes. The result is an album that contains a plethora of ten brilliant tracks layered with a little more melody – Gatecreeper has successfully avoided writing the same record again, which can be a difficult task for a death metal band still early in their career to achieve.
Standout Cuts: 2. Oblivion, 6. A Chilling Aura
