Oranssi Pazuzu are master storytellers. They’re not just writing songs. Each note is thought out, each moment planned. They continue to experiment, trying new things while never coming off forced. ‘Värähtelijä’ spins a tale and projects it out into the vast universe. It’s up to you to decide what that tale is. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Ondt Blod writes catchy hooks and don’t play a song longer than they need to. ‘Finnmark’ doesn’t break new ground, but the band is angry and they’re happy about it. Get in, punch someone in the face, and get out. Just don’t forget to smile along the way. – By Jeremiah Nelson

This is music for your most down and depressed moments. Whether you are already in that place or want to go there, Skepticism not only shows you the way with this album. On ‘Ordeal’ they take your hand and guide you down the path to darkness. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Gnaw Their Tongues turns pure fear and hatred into music. This isn’t the record you’ll want for a party, and it can’t be used to set any kind of mood. This is one you’ll want to play by yourself in a pitch black room with your headphones on. It makes your skin crawl. – By Jeremiah Nelson

‘Filth’ is as heavy as they come. Monstrous riffs combine with angry hardcore and intimate, bloody lyrics. The band that started as a one-man emotional outlet is growing into a fearsome beast. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Amitay’s voice shreds, as does the rest of the music, especially for a male-backed metal band. The song writing is polished and their sound is huge. Immortal Bird melds death metal with black and grind elements in an absolutely seamless fashion. – By Jeremiah Nelson

‘The Suffering Spirit’ has its bright spots, but it’s mostly boring New Jersey hardcore with overly preachy lyrics. The album isn’t a huge departure from the band’s previous material, but it’s a step in the wrong direction. – By Jeremiah Nelson

When ‘Goliathan’ is on, it’s on. The songs hit all the right spots. Weedeater isn’t breaking new ground here, but they are doing what they do and having fun every step of the way. – By Jeremiah Nelson

TEETH bring passion, proficiency, and something fresh on this album. TEETH mashes doom, death, and hardcore and has released an album that slapped me in the face. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Bad Guys have released a giant sounding record that immediately makes itself known and doesn’t let up. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it will blow your hair back and put a smile on your face. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Full of melancholy, Momentum’s ‘The Freak is Alive’ marks another transformation in the band’s evolution. Whether the guitars are clean or distorted, whether the vocals are clean or howling, the album stays heavy and a little sad. – By Jeremiah Nelson

‘Dead Insanity’ is long, and damn is it heavy. I was left feeling suffocated, and yes, insane. This EP is quite a work of art, but it’s definitely not a pleasant one. I applaud Eye of Solitude for taking a risk and releasing such an epic. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Combined with the words and basic feel of the original movie score, ‘Primus and the Chocolate Factory’ leaves you feeling weird and entirely wonderful. It’s fantastic and horrifying. – By Jeremiah Nelson

‘Desideratum’ is the next step in Anaal Nathrakh’s evolution. It’s pummelling, intense, and extreme. It’s also cold and impersonal. – By Jeremiah Nelson

This is extreme; this is disgusting; this is the wastelands, the outer desert of metal. It’s not a fun place to be. That’s why I love it. – By Jeremiah Nelson

I’ll admit that this sound isn’t for everyone. Funeral doom/death doom is not easily accessible. You’ll have to commit 62 minutes of your life to Ophis and Abhorrence in Opulence if you want to pull out the suffering from the music, and from within yourself. It’s worth it. It is a blueprint for how to write, play, and produce the style of crushing doom that I absolutely love. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Giant, monumental, and breath-taking. Clearing the Path to Ascend is a monolithic album that could be the best that the genre has ever offered. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Cannabis Corpse has moved out from behind the curtain of gimmicks and parody. They’ve released a death metal album with hooks and originality. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Pessimist is a lo-fi, gritty, and dark grindcore album that really hit home for me. – By Jeremiah Nelson

Each track on the album is a fun beating, like the thrill of a fist fight. You may lose some teeth long the way, but you never stop smiling. – By Jeremiah Nelson

This is actual doom; it’s the Angel of Death being visited upon your firstborn child. – By Jeremiah Nelson