In ‘The Truth In Our Bodies’, Earth Moves have created a beautiful piece of music, an emotionally engaging journey with peaks and troughs, a brutal intensity and a pervasive sadness that draws the listener in, not letting go until the bitter end.

Omega Massif were fantastic, and the post-metal community were distraught when they called it a day. Cranial is the latest band to arise from the ashes and takes this legacy and runs with it, expanding the sound and the template over 45 minutes of well crafted and emotive sludge metal. There’s a wonderful feeling of humanity about the whole album; its texture, the warmth of the sound and the edges of the performance feel authentic, epic and real.

Andy Price chats with bassist and all-round lovely chap Fritz from Norwegian blackened hardcore mentalists Attan on their first UK tour to find out about the joys of tour bus boredom, working with Shelsmusic and the future of heavy music in an increasingly digital age.

It’s been on constant play since I heard it and is one of the most vital and exciting 14 minutes and 11 seconds that you’ll listen to today – and this is exactly why you should go out and buy this record. – By Andy Price

As a whole the record manages the feat of almost glacial, gleaming technicality, but with a warmth and humanity that keeps the listener engaged. If you like your metal technical and progressive and don’t miss a vocal contribution, then you’re in for a treat. – By Andy Price

If you have a passing interest in hardcore, post-hardcore, metal or, well, interesting or emotional music, then you owe it to yourself to hear this record. – By Andy Price

If post-rock or post-metal or anything in that arena floats your proverbial boat, I strongly suggest you pick this record up. – By Andy Price

The album as a whole is a real journey, majestic in its scope and stature, a rough cut diamond of brutality, all uneven sharp edges and stunning beauty. Highly recommended, and not just if you like Amenra; everyone should hear this. – By Andy Price

I really, really don’t care if this is just a nostalgia trip, because this album is really, really great. The 16 year old version of me is fully in love with this album, and the 37 year old version of me is equally smitten. – By Andy Price

Andy Little is covering this year’s Desertfest London edition for us and he gives his selection of bands to watch in this preview.

‘Creon’ is a stunning album, taking elements of doom, black metal, ‘post’ and throwing in some drone and chaotic structuring to create uneasy listening at its finest. – By Andy Price

There are enough little touches of genius to mark The Lumberjack Feedback out as a band to watch out for over the next few years. – By Andy Price

It’s a stunning entry into the canon of modern hardcore and truly representative of their live show – given the kinetic fury of the Grieved live experience, this is the highest accolade that I can think of. – By Andy Price

Simply put, this is a great, great record. If you have a liking for hardcore, blackened hardcore or any such things, then you really owe yourself to pick this up. While you’re at it, their back catalogue is well worth your time as well. – By Andy Price

Make no mistake, this record is brutal and oppressive, but there’s an almost symphonic beauty to it; it’s a stunning, engrossing, layered and perfectly poised album, and this seems almost totally at odds at just how damn ugly it can be. – By Andy Price

This is a great album of songs that manage to be both sprawling and tightly written, to feel huge and lush, yet slightly claustrophobic, and it should be a pretty straightforward ‘must-have’ purchase for fans of emotionally engaging, technical music. – By Andy Price

There are no losers on this record. Both bands bring a level of intensity and majesty to their sprawling compositions that exemplify the post-metal genre. – By Andy Price

Overall ‘The Paradox of Metanoia’ is a vicious, genre-bending trip of an album which is not afraid to cross some boundaries and shout loudly about its allegiances, irrespective of whether or not that may be ‘uncool’. – By Andy Price

There are records out there that re-affirm faith in the simple, almost primal visceral connection that metal is capable of; this is one of those records. Get past the make-up, get past the concept, stop sneering, pick up this album and reconnect with your inner metal fan. You’ll be much happier for it. – By Andy Price

This is sludge with a different objective; sludge that is not content with simply battering the listener into submission, or drowning them in tar riffs. The myriad influences, songwriting depth and ear for battered melody speaks to something more. That’s not to say that lava-thick riffs are not present, and that the threat of aural battery is not delivered upon – what makes this record special and worth your investment is the restraint displayed. – By Andy Price

Overall, ‘NTHN GRY’ is a very mixed bag. There are some really good ideas here, once the initial shock wears off, but only a few really deliver. – By Andy Price