2026/05 Listening Log

Genre: Hardcore Punk

What I've learned from being a metalhead over the years is that when something makes its way onto the European scene all the way from Japan, it's usually pretty good. This is no exception. This is proper hardcore punk, with all the energy and hallmarks of the classic punk sound of angry youth with a chip on their shoulder.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Progressive Groove Metal

I kind of love the vocals on this. I merely like the rest. Like with most progressively slanted bands, I find the music too meandering and erratic to enjoy it fully. I can tell that this is good stuff though.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Metalcore

I have such a love/hate relationship with this genre, because when the harder parts are good, they're usually really good; There are great grooves, the riffs are awesome, and there's some real power in the music. Then these bands – for whatever reason – have to go and ruin it with these saccharine clean vocal bridges and choruses. Then I have to score an album where I like half of every song on it, and dislike the other half.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Hardcore

A fun little hardcore romp of an EP that I can put on and enjoy without thinking too much about it. In that sense it's good, but there's really nothing here beyond some entertaining music. I also think my personal taste is skewing the score quite a lot here.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Djent/Metalcore

I haven't really liked much of Periphery's output since their debut in 2010. I always respected their music, it just wasn't for me. This new one however; There's so much interesting stuff going on here I have a hard time putting it into words. It's a bit long at 47mins of runtime, but this is clearly a seasoned and experienced band with a sound all of their own.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Stoner Metal

Starts off strong, with nice punchy production and a grimy guitar tone. The album is quite heavy for its genre, and goes pretty hard. The lack of vocal hooks on the choruses hurt the songs' memorability however, so while it made a strong first impression, my attention was sort of drifting past the halfway mark.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore

Hard as hell, with a deep and morose tone. Comes off as properly angry, which I very much appreciate. Plenty of stankface to be had, and the bass tone is amazing. Somewhat one-note however, which risks it not leaving a lasting impression. We'll see once I give it a few more spins.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Screamo / Mathcore

Female fronted band, and the vocals work great for its genre. Clearly a talented bunch, but the record simply doesn't excel in neither heaviness nor groove nor melody. Will probably sit better with fans of the genre.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Black Metal

Keeps the bite and drive of black metal without sacrificing well written melodies, and is full of old school folky ambience. Songs are long but they manage to keep them interesting. The band seems a little too fond of using the same chords over and over, but the variety doesn't suffer too much from it. Didn't blow me away, but I have a feeling it'll grow on me.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Blackened Folk Metal

Fantastic soundscape on this one, which feels vast and majestic. Surprisingly pleasant to listen to, which is weird for black metal adjacent music which tends to be more abrasive. I especially like the flute. Hard to find any real fault with this, however it falls just outside of personal taste. Fans of the genre should love it.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Metalcore

Manages to capture that oldschool style of metalcore songwriting. The vocals and melodies drift slightly too far into Linkin Park territory at times for my taste, but at least there's no cringe rapping. And their riffs are better.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Stoner/Heavy Metal

Has a bit more speed and energy than your regular stoner fare. Memorable melodies and choruses, good songwriting. Unfortunately the album suffers from overuse of reverb on the vocals, which saturate the mix and drowns everything out. I'd probably like this a lot more if the vocals had more of an edge to them.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Hardcore

Pretty heavy stuff. Some songs almost feel like one big breakdown. Won't win any awards for fancy guitar work or anything, but still appealing due to the sheer power and heft of their sound.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Stoner Rock

Absolutely fine as a genre-record, but lacks bite. Would not mind it if it were playing in the background at a party or whatever, but to me it just doesn't make enough of itself to be ear-catching.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal

Comes out swinging, with awesome speed and ferocity upheld from start to finish. The band clearly aren't afraid to break up the monotony of their songs, but they may actually be overdoing it a bit, as it gives the album this "rushed" feeling. Musicianship is on point though, and they're clearly a very serious band. Best thrash I've heard so far this year.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Technical Deathcore

Even when all the individual ingredients are great by themselves, you can end up with an extremely bland dish. I've heard a lot of albums by Ingested at this point, and that seems to remain their favorite recipe.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Death/Doom

Has a cool atmosphere and can go pretty hard at times. Definitely leans more into Death than Doom. Some progressive passages as well. Vocals are perfect for this style. In the end though, nothing that really excites me here, though I did enjoy the listen.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal

Perfectly fine heavy metal with all the musical staples which fans of the genre could want. Unfortunately, I'm not really a fan, so.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Blackened Death/Doom

Has a haunting and lamenting sort of vibe, and breaks into black-metal-like passages from time to time. This style is clearly not for me, as I find myself consistently bored. I forgot everything about it as soon as I'd finished listening.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Post-Hardcore

A moody and deeply melancholy EP, which comes across as a genuine and honest piece of work. Unfortunately for me, it trades too much of the genre's heaviness for dreariness, and in the end there were simply no memorable moments at all.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: 70s Pop Rock

The Twigs are at it again, and once more they've produced an album that's very easy and enjoyable to listen to. The melodies feel light as air, and flow well throughout the album. It's a vibe.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Death Metal

Oh yeah, we have a winner here. This is cavernous, raw and atmospheric death metal. The songs are dynamic and given space to breathe, all while staying hard as nails and cold as stone. Big grooves all over the place means plenty of stankface to be had, and the drums sound big and slappy as fuck. Consistently good from start to finish.

Tier: A
(Awesome)

Genre: Crossover

Comes out swinging immediately. This band clearly knows how to get heads banging and fists swinging. Punchy and powerful sound. The band seems like a bit of a one-trick pony though. Enjoyable, but lacks staying power.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Speed Metal

Plenty of obvious talent here, and the band has certainly nailed the retro sound of the genre. Also has quite a dark and mysterious vibe. But the production sounds really thin to me, and there's not really anything here that gets me excited.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: HM2 Death Metal

I thought this was okay overall, but the production is a bit grating on the ears so it gave me listening fatigue very quickly. And despite my platonic enjoyment of the music itself, there really are no surprises here, and it doesn't really stand out to me in any way. One listen was enough.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Sludge / Death Metal

Pretty heavy and gritty. Had me nodding along quite frequently, and definitely has the right amount of attitude and rawness to it. I usually eat music like this right up, but it's simply too one-note, and by the end the album feels fifteen minutes longer than it actually is.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Groovy Death Metal

Great riffage, and goes pretty hard. Also has a very present bass guitar. Definitely has a hardcore/punk bent. Unfortunately, I felt like I was over it about halfway through. Might be a grower.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Crusty Black Metal

Impressive musicianship, plenty of tremolo picking, and a rough production which gives credibility to its sound. Plenty of double kicks and blast beats that drive the album forward. Amazing middle-eastern atmosphere. Sounds as dry, dirty and rusty as its album cover would indicate.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Melodeath

Dark, brooding, cavernous. Basically death metal with some slightly more melodic leads and occasional string swells. Clearly melodeath of high quality and integrity.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Tech Death

I started listening to this while working, and when it suddenly ended 40 mins later I realized nothing had caught my attention for its entire runtime. Not a bad record per se, I just found it very bland.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Metalcore

Some very cool riffs and heavy passages, with nice crisp production. Unfortunately, all over a bit too poppy for me.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)