Wardruna, Birna (By Norse Music)
Birna (The She-Bear) is a captivating journey told through tribal instruments and chanting vocals. This album is an escape to lush forests, crystalline lakes, and roaring bonfires; a return to earth and living within it instead of just on it. This one is comforting and beautiful, just as their full discography is for me. Suggested Tracks: Ljos til Jord, Himmindotter
Key Track(s): “Ljos til Jord,” “Himmindotter”
Saor, Amidst the Ruins (Season of Mist)
Some of the finest folk-laden black metal around comes from the mind of Saor. The Scottish melodies and instruments, such as flutes and pipes, somehow work so well with the chuggy black metal guitar style. There is ancient wisdom, utterly hypnotic, folded into this album. I’m transported to the beautiful Scottish highlands, draped in fog and mist, every time I listen to this album and it’s always a meditative nearly one hour escape. Suggested tracks: The Sylvan Embrace, Rebirth.
Key Track(s): “The Sylvan Embrace,” “Rebirth”
Igorrr, Amen (Metal Blade)
The wacky and wonderful French DJ/multi-instrumentalist is back and bringing on the weird. Low and chuggy metal riffs meets heavy distortion and wonky blast beats, middle eastern and French influences, piano, and growls that pair with haunting operatic/classical vox collides in ridiculous yet interesting ways. It’s chaotic, it’s fun, it’s impossible to describe until you hear it for yourself, truly. Suggested Tracks: Daemoni, ADHD
Key Track(s): “Daemoni,” “ADHD”
Imminent Sonic Destruction, Floodgate (FC Records)
Ever heard of progressive grunge? It’s probably not an actual subgenre, but it’s the best way I can describe the sound of Floodgate. The use of low distorted and heavy reverb between bright and articulate guitar melodies, the grit in the vocals and in the mixing, intricate drumwork, plus some melancholy organ and keys all make it post-grunge meets progressive rock experience. It’s a refreshing and interesting twist of what prog metal can sound like in the 21st century and I adore the 90s feel it has while it still feels modern at the same time. Suggested tracks: The Game, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, Floodgate II
Key Track(s): “The Game,” “The Light at the End of the Tunnel,” “Floodgate II”
Ihlo, Legacy (Kscope)
Speaking of wanting something familiar, the sophomore album from English trio Ihlo emulates some of my favorite prog bands such as TesseracT and Leprous. They aren’t a carbon copy of course, they have just the right amount of djent-laden riffs and catchy hooks to make it memorable and a joy to listen to. It’s a hefty one at just over an hour, but the cool synths and interesting soundscapes make it feel like a blink of an eye. Suggested tracks: Wraith, Mute
Key Track(s): “Wraith,” “Mute”
Lady Gaga, MAYHEM (Interscope)
A doozy on my list. The queen of eclectic pop is back and is on fire with this synth-heavy paradise. I love her style: the songs are incredibly catchy without feeling vapid or shallow. This one has some dark electronic and rock elements subtly stirred in with plenty of 70s disco-inspired danceable songs throughout. The lyrical content has a bit of everything from mental health issues, pressures of fame, along with some candy apple sweet love songs and club-worthy bangers. MAYHEM is part of my go-tos when I need an audible pick-me-up; it just feels good while still having plenty of depth to wade in. Suggested tracks: Disease, LoveDrug, The Dead Dance.
Key Track(s): “Disease,” “LoveDrug,” “The Dead Dance”
Daedric, As the Light Left (FiXT)
Electronic meets metal in spectacular, cathartic ways on the latest work from the one-woman project Daedric. The riffs are distorted and heavy, the melodies are compelling and dark, plus the vocal performances from Kristyn Hope are incredible. She is one of those vocalists who pours her heart out with every note and it is utterly mesmerizing. Suggested tracks: Night Mother, Undone, All-Consuming.
Key Track(s): “Night Mother,” “Undone,” “All-Consuming”
Kardashev, Alunea (Metal Blade)
Deathgaze extraordinaires Kardashev are back with this ambitious and beautiful effort. They went all in with this album, not just with the songwriting, but they even made up a language called Alunea that is seamlessly folded into several songs on the album. What I love about this album though is the vibrant guitar melodies and some of the dreamiest clean vocals ever. The way the songs build in intensity with rolling drums and guttural vox, then the pace slows into divine layered vocals and breath-like melodies. This band knows how to contrast dynamics impeccably well, and it makes it a pleasure to listen to with every spin. Suggested tracks: Edge of Forever, Speak Silence.
Key Track(s): “Edge of Forever,” “Speak Silence”
The Halo Effect, March of the Unheard (Nuclear Blast)
Speaking of Mikael Stanne earlier, the melodeath supergroup The Halo Effect knocked the genre out of the park once again with their second album. The hooks are infectious, the synths are dreamy, and the rhythms and bass are spot on and clean. This band, made up predominantly of former members of In Flames and both current and former members of Dark Tranquillity, is pure class and reminds us who still holds the torch in the melodeath subgenre. Suggested tracks: Conspire to Deceive, March of the Unheard.
Key Track(s): “Conspire to Deceive,” “March of the Unheard”
Majestica, Power Train (Nuclear Blast)
Last but not least! I’m super picky about power metal. I am admittedly a big fan of music that’s sad and moody, plus I find a lot of modern power metal have a tendency of sounding same-y. Thankfully, Majestica has all the points to win this broody girl over. This album is fun, infectiously catchy, and oh the drama! It’s so theatrical at times, which makes it a blast to listen to. Not to mention, the vocals are absolutely sensational. The level of cheesy is off the charts, but their musicianship is still enough to take it seriously. I put this album on, and I’m always reminded that it’s okay for music to simply be joyful and feel good. Suggested tracks: Megatrue, My Epic Dragon.
Key Track(s): “Megatrue,” “My Epic Dragon”
