06) Conan, Violence Dimension (Heavy Psych Sounds)

Conan are a household name in the heavy music world, and Violence Dimension delivers everything you could want from a doom metal release. The group lean fully into their signature brutality with down-tuned, cavernous guitars, hammering rhythms, and guttural chanting vocals. As a whole, the record stands as a fierce and fitting addition to the band’s already formidable discography.
Key Track(s): “Frozen Edges of the Wond,” “Foeman’s Flesh”

05) Shiner, BELIEVEYOUME (Spartan Records)

This album is filled with classic alternative rock energy that feels comfortingly nostalgic while still serving up a freshness entirely its own. Distorted guitars and grinding bass lines land with real weight, all while uplifting singer Allen Epley’s melodic vocals. The band’s musicianship is on full display throughout the record, with tracks like “Endless Summer” exemplifying their dynamic instincts, as the song starts subtly before steadily accumulating layers and erupting into a tower of sound. Consider this album another reason why Shiner deserve to be a genre mainstay.
Key Track(s): “Endless Summer,” “Not Too much”

04) Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Death Hilarious (Missing Piece Records)

Back in June, I went to a Pigsx7 show without having ever listened to their music. My friends insisted the band was essential for anyone who loves heavy music to see live. They were absolutely right. I left the show an immediate fan and quickly fell deep into their latest album, Death Hilarious. Much like their live shows, the record wastes no time diving straight into sludgey chaos with its opening track “Blockage”. Relentless from start to finish, cuts like “The Wyrm”, with its thunderous intro leading the way for fuzz-drenched guitars, highlight exactly what makes this release stand out.
Key Track(s): “Blockage,” “The Wyrm,” “Carousel”

03) SPY, Seen Enough EP (Closed Casket Activities)

I first heard SPY when they opened for Better Lovers last year in NYC. I instantly became a fan of them, especially their Seen Enough EP. Across its six tracks and nine minute runtime, the release is fast, loud, and satisfyingly abrasive. Each song flows effortlessly from one into the next, making you feel like you’re front row at a DIY basement show. Even casual listeners of hardcore will find many moments that resonate with them. The toe-tapping drums of “Stay In Your Lane” had me air-drumming while walking my dogs, and the grooving instrumentation on “Void of Passion” left me wanting to mosh in my living room. What more could you want from a hardcore EP?
Key Track(s): “Stay In Your Lane,” “Void of Passion”

02) Pelican, Flickering Resonance (Run for Cover Records)

Flickering Resonance marks Pelican’s first new release in six years, and reunites the band’s original lineup for the first time in nearly a decade. Across its eight instrumental post-metal tracks, the record delivers heavy, hypnotic riffs anchored by an exceptionally tight rhythm section. Opening track “Gulch” lands with immediate force, setting the tone and showing why it was well-worth the wait for this album. The dynamic swells on tracks like “Evergreen” and “Pining For Ever” add further depth that pulls you in and refuses to let go. What continues to amaze me is how much emotion Pelican can evoke in their sound without relying on a single lyric. It’s one of the main reasons I know I’ll keep returning to this album again and again.
Key Track(s): “Gulch,” “Evergreen,” “Pining For Ever”

Kyle Ostrander

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