For a genre which can drag out the misery across unbearably lengthy running times, Finnish funeral doom masters Profetus manage to pack more mourning into As All Seasons Die than most bands of their ilk can muster across a whole discography. Get sad. – By Ross Mckendrick

Nightfell channel a simultaneously aggressive and mournful atmosphere throughout these eight tracks of terror. The Living Ever Mourn is a rare beast in modern times; not merely a collection of songs, but a fully-realised album. – By Ross Mckendrick

With moments of true brilliance throughout, Wolvhammer have retained enough of their own identity on Clawing Into Black Sun, whilst adding new shades of black to their extensive palette. – By Ross Mckendrick

Santa Cruz’s hardcore pioneers BL’AST! will hit European shores for the first time this summer. Ahead of those shows, Ross Mckendrick was lucky enough to get to ask founding member Mike Neider some questions.

While Emanations may not mark a huge progression from the template laid out on Serpentine Path’s debut album, it does see the band venture even further down the dark and writhing path they set out on that record. – By Ross McKendrick

“The inaugural edition of Temples Festival proved to be an absolute monster of the celebration of all things RIFF.” – Andrew Rawlinson

Of Spire & Throne’s latest release ‘Toll Of The Wound’ captures their tectonically heavy strain of doom perfectly. Sure to be one of the few releases this year truly worthy of the word ‘crushing’. – By Ross McKendrick

With the release of Heathen, Thou have taken their own unique brand of doom out of the doldrums, and scaled such lofty heights that it will be almost impossible for any other heavy record to be as truly important as this in 2014 – By Ross McKendrick

Justin Greaves and his fellow vigilantes return with the sprawling White Light Generator, a new collection of prog-tinged protest anthems. – By Ross Mckendrick

Church Of Fuck’s latest release, a split tape between label mainstays Esoteric Youth and the recently reactivated Caïna, is set to cement the Manchester label’s reputation as the home of hateful hardcore in the UK. – By Ross Mckendrick

Kuolemanlaakso’s second album Tulijoutsen is a grandiose, sweeping record, perfect for those who like their metal on the melancholic side. – By Ross Mckendrick

Hooded Menace emerge from the crypt with Labyrinth Of Carrion Breeze, another monstrous release that further cements their reputation as one of the best death-doom bands of recent years. – By Ross Mckendrick

Toronto’s attention-deficit psychopaths eyeswithoutaface manage to blend several disparate genres, exhibiting a fascination with texture, tone, tempo and terror so interesting that you’ll have no choice but to sit back, strap yourself in, and prepare for the loudest ride of your life. – By Ross Mckendrick

On paper From All Purity sounds like it could’ve been my new favourite album, and I’m genuinely disappointed that it’s not. On their 5th full-length Indian don’t seem to have any idea where they want to take their unsettling racket, and despite technically ticking all the right boxes, it just feels lacking somehow. – By Ross Mckendrick

With Oblique To All Paths, Culted meld elements of doom, black metal, industrial and noise to create an unpleasant but wholly immersive experience. Follow down their dark path at your peril… – By Ross Mckendrick

On their eight full-length, Tearing Skyholes, Fleshpress thrive on discomfort and dissonance, pushing sludge metal to its outer extremes. – By Ross Mckendrick

With their second album, New York extreme noise terrorists Gnaw are back like a recurring nightmare. Nothing can prepare you for what’s lurking within their Horrible Chamber… – By Ross Mckendrick

There must be something foul polluting the Mersey, as Liverpool has recently spat forth two more of the nastiest groups currently going in UK Doom; Coltsblood and Crypt Lurker. – By Ross Mckendrick

Despite lackluster production values, the ideas present on this album are excellent. Given ample time to mature and the opportunity to record with the right producer, Massachusetts’ Glacier could become a majestic force within the post-rock genre. – By Ross Mckendrick

With MMXIII, Ireland’s Malthusian have released one of the most ghastly, horrifying metal recordings of the year. Ross Mckendrick asked the band some questions.

Lizzard Wizzard are probably Brisbane, Australia’s best turn-based stoner doom band. The filthy grooves heard on their debut recording suggests that might just be the case. – By Ross Mckendrick