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Lamb Of GodOmens

✦✦✦✧ This is one tight album, a fact all the more impressive when you read that most of the instrumental work was tracked together as a band, and when you realize that this LOG album is the debut of the band’s new drummer Art Cruz (who does an excellent job ascending to his new throne).

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FallujahEmpyrean

✦✦✦✧ A highly anticipated prog metal album from Bay Area heroes does not disappoint. Newcomers to the band (and scene veterans) Evan Brewer on bass and Kyle Schaefer on vocals add a anchoring fullness to the sound, which is even shreddier than ever. And it’s nice to hear a return to a more dynamic sound.

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DestrageSO MUCH. too much.

✦✦✦✧ This album is chaotic and whackadoo, even by Destrage’s standards. It’s catchy, unpredictable, and devastatingly morose, even with plenty of the band’s ridiculous musicianship. It’s also exhausting to listen to; I’m not sure how they managed to embed so many hooks in so many other layers of equally interesting ear candy.

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RevocationNetherheaven

✦✦✦✧ I’m going to slightly buck the inevitable deluge of fawning press on this album: it’s great by modern metal standards, but solidly in the middle third of Revocation’s own catalog, at best. That is to say, you’re going to want to listen to this at least once, even if it’s not an instant classic.

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TómarúmAsh In Realms Of Stone Icons

✦✦✦✧ You need to get past the breakers on this album, which seems to almost defy an openminded listen. If you can get past the kneejerk dismissal that a lot of American black metal inspires (not unfairly), you’ll find a surprising and compelling new voice of progressive metal, with tasteful smatterings of other styles and subgenres.