2026/06 Listening Log

Genre: Experimental Black Metal

You know, I always appreciate a band trying something new, something novel – anything that goes beyond the regular old shit, and tries to break free of genre restrictions and expectations. The risk of course, is that your music comes out a bit garbled and weird, which definitely happens on this record. Whether that weirdness is received as endearing or off-putting is completely up to the listener's sensibilities, and I find myself leaning towards off-putting on this one. Your experience might be different.

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

Genre: Death Doom

I genuinely appreciate how heavy this album is, despite the genre not being my cup of tea. For those of you out there who enjoy a bit more heaviness and groove in your Death Doom, this might be right up your alley.

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

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

There's been some hype around this, but considering all the other great melodeath records that came out this month, I don't consider it among the best. Yes, it's good, but not great.

This sounds quite formulaic and similar to Arch Enemy in my opinion, so if that's your bag then knock yourself out!

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal

I remember listening to this band's previous record back in 2023, but it didn't appeal to me like this does. There's something about the way this band writes their melodies on this release that just speaks more to my musical sensibilities. Maybe it's because of the melodeath influence, cause I definitely hear that in their music. It's not as slow as regular doom metal either, and the clean vocals aren't annoying, which helps a lot.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Death Metal

Packs a punch, and has some gusto, but lacks personality and spark. As mid as it gets.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Dance Pop EDM

Madeon is still out here making music, despite it being quite obvious that his creative peak is well behind him. It's a shame, but what can you expect from an artist who made his career entirely off of a viral video where he just mashed already great songs together.

I've enjoyed some of his earlier work, but this record seems genuinely trite and uninspired.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Viking Folk Metal

These 30-year veterans of Norwegian Viking Metal are back with their 10th full-length album, and personally it seems to me like this is up there with the best that the genre has to offer. Too bad the genre is not one of my favorites.

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

Genre: Technical Deathcore

A decent effort from this New Jersey deathcore outfit, but it ultimately fails to provide memorable songs and a sonic identity of its own.

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

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

The sheer brutality of this album is enough for me to enjoy most of it, though do think it's quite formulaic as far as the genre goes, and therefore mostly forgettable. Your mileage may vary.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Black Metal

A perfectly fine black metal record which simply doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't have much else to say about it, frankly.

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

Genre: Metallic Hardcore / Death Metal

A record with a clear and righteous political stance which goes hard as fuck? Yes, please!

In my humble opinion, one of the best sources for the anger needed to make great metal is social and political injustice, mostly because that anger is usually shared among the victims of said injustice, and felt by proxy in those that witness it. It's palpable in a way that personal grievances aren't, and a lot of great music is borne from it. This record is an example of that.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Blackened Death Doom

An album and a band that generally seem to know how to write good music but consistently ruin almost every song by shoving in artsy and melodramatic elements ever so often. Certainly this is one of those bands that stand out in the space, but in my opinion, not in a good way.

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

Genre: Doom

Seen this mentioned a bunch of places and it seems to be well received, but I have a really hard time getting into doom due to its low tempos and slow pacing. It's probably good for fans of the genre, but my ADHD ass cannot listen to this for more than thirty seconds before zoning out and wanting to skip ahead.

Quite a striking album cover, though.

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

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

This band attempts to fuse modern melodeath with traditional heavy metal vocal stylings, and it certainly makes for a unique and interesting sound. They also mix in some heavy metal guitar solos and melodies, which only further enhances their special sauce.

I have to admit, the cleans don't always work for me; Some of the stuff they do for performative flair I find a bit off-putting, but the music itself makes up for it. I'm not too sure whether this record is something I'd put on for my own listening pleasure, but I certainly recognize and respect when bands are doing something to break the mold and stand out like this.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore Punk

It's been 8 years since the last Iron Reagan EP. I'm sort of amazed that they're still around, but I'm definitely not complaining. This record has exactly the kind of attitude and energy that this genre needs to sound good. The musicianship is tight and the riffs are juicy and fun. My only disappointment is that it's only ten minutes long.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Death Metal

So bland that I found myself forgetting I was trying to listen to it.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Symphonic Black Metal

A noodley and melodic affair with some soaring solos. A wild ride at mostly high tempos with only the occasional respite. Sadly, most of the songs sound the same and the novelty wears off quickly.

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

Genre: Progressive Death Metal

A very cool and fiery progdeath record which provides a very good balance between compositional variety and raw power. The cleans don't veer into melodramatic or pop-metal territory, and some of the instrumental sections even offer some jazzy and funky passages that brighten up the otherwise fairly serious tone. It's a bit long, but the amount of variety helps alleviate the runtime.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

This is the kind of music that harkens back to the very earliest days of metalcore, just when they started to implement slightly melodic guitar melodies and the music took on this more somber and pensive tone while still keeping the ferocity of hardcore intact. I respect this style for what it is, and I fuck with it in general, but the problem with most of it is that the style doesn't lend itself to producing very memorable songs. There are exceptions of course, but this record ain't one.

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

Genre: Thrash Metal

The kind of album that I can easily put on and listen to all the way through, but once it's over I can't really remember much about it. Enjoyable, but not memorable.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

This Danish band has put out one of most interesting metallic hardcore albums of the year in this guy's humble opinion. The songs are dynamic and interesting, the riffs are fun and memorable, and there's plenty of power, heaviness, groove and brutality throughout.

It differs from the usual genre listening experience as well, where you get a bit fatigued after a couple of tracks, whereas this gives you time to absorb and enjoy the different moments presented. Very good stuff!

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Hardcore

A short but sweet EP for those that crave that unrelenting hardcore sound. High octane shit. Too bad it's just an EP and – judging just from the three tracks on it – a bit of a one-trick pony.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: OSDM

Cavernous and grand death metal with a touch of prog. Unfortunately, it's also mid. I wouldn't kick someone out of the function for putting on a song from it, but one would certainly be enough.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Blackened Crust / Death Metal

Absolutely brutal and relentless crusty crossover. The vocals are gnarly and coarse, and the whole album just has this evil aura to it. This put a wicked grin on my face on more than one occasion while listening. Goes really hard.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Progressive Tech Death

I feel like there's been some buzz around this album, and yet I can't quite seem to get into it. I mean, if you want deftly performed progressive technical death metal, look no further. For me though, this is too erratic and restless.

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

Genre: Black Metal

Some absolutely ferocious black metal with delightfully oldschool production. The blast beats on the more intense passages sound seriously impressive. The riffs and guitar work are well written as well, resulting in plenty of memorable and enjoyable moments. My favorite BM release I've heard this month so far.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Heavy / Progressive / Tech Death

I can respect what this band is trying to do here, but this did not appeal to me at all. It's all over the place and is so lacking in structure that it doesn't feel like there's anything to hold onto at all among all the crazy passages presented one after another.

Tier: F
(Failed to find any enjoyment)

Genre: Black Metal

I should probably be more into Norwegian black metal considering I'm a weegee myself. But alas, most of it just bores me. This particular album however, didn't! Not quite, anyway.

Don't get me wrong, all the tropes are here, but the tempo is slower and the songs rely more on groove and actual riffs to move things along rather than tremolo picking and blast beats. It's a bit heavier, basically – and that's good!

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Progressive Death Metal

Ah, here we have some prog death I can actually get into. Playing more with tempos, time signatures and grooves, while still keeping the power and heaviness of death metal. I especially like the percussion on this one, those are some pretty slappy bassdrums.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: OSDM

Delightfully crusty and thrashy death metal. Plenty of energy and menace. The production gives it that oldschool feel without sounding like shit too, which is a plus.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Deathcore

A decent deathcore EP here from Anathema. The guitar tone and the bouncy djenty passages are what stands out here.

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

Genre: Melodic Death Metalcore

This German band presents a genre blend on this album which is easy to get behind. Combining the better parts of both metalcore and melodeath to make something that actually sounds novel and interesting. The guitarwork in particular claims center stage, with a good amount of flair and a unique approach to riffs. It even breaks into black metal territory at times, in a good way.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Death Metal

Here we go, some death metal that sounds both menacing and groovy as shit. And there's even a very audible bass tone. I dig it! More dynamics like this in death metal, please. 🙏

Unfortunately the album as a whole – especially the vocals – are a bit one-note to push it into AOTY territory. Highly enjoyable, none the less.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

Some fairly competent high-tempo tech death which still ends up being pretty 'meh'.

Tier: D+
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

Feels a little "unremarkable" compared to their other album released earlier this year. Still enjoyable though, this band really can't do much wrong.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Progressive Tech Death

Music of high quality and skill, which did absolutely nothing for me. Too erratic and noodley for my taste.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Doom Metal

Yeah, no, this ain't for me. So much reverb, such melodramatic vocals, such a lack of bite.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Pop

Olivia has turned into a sadgrl all of a sudden. This is a really lovesick and melancholy album from her, but I have to admit, I'm kind of digging it. The lyrics are generally good and her voice is nice and soft throughout. I'm not a big pop guy but this might actually end up on my normie AOTY list in December.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Tech Death

Perfectly fine tech death which occasionally wanders into some cool passages. Overall though, there's nothing here that gets me really excited.

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

Genre: Progressive Death Metal

I'm not 100% on this genre classification, but regardless, I very much enjoy it. This is definitely a band with a sound all their own. It's gnarly, beautiful, raw, and heavy all at the same time. It's not AOTY material for me, but it's very good.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Blackened Folk Metal

I've listened to this in its entirety three times, and it just ain't sticking. I mean, it's perfectly fine blackened folk metal. Good, even. But it's not connecting with me at all.

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

Genre: Hyper.. Metal.. maybe?

I don't know, but this didn't click with me at all. Most of it even actively annoyed me, which is not a feeling I come across often when listening to music.

Tier: F
(Failed to find any enjoyment)

Genre: Black Metal

The clean vocals on this are some of the most offensively bland and uninspired I've heard in a long time, which is a shame cause the album is otherwise completely fine. Not for me, then.

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

Genre: Death Metal

Some very technically impressive and fast death metal here, with an amazing variety in its percussion in particular. Plenty of great individual passages throughout the EP, but no standout songs. It's impressive while being generic at the same time, which is a shame.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Stoner / Sludge Metal

Deliciously heavy grooves, great guitar tone, and playful rhythms that shake things up with a bunch of weird polyrhythms and time signatures without sounding like a jumbled mess. Huge power and great energy drives the record all the way through. A very pleasant surprise this month.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Hardcore / Crossover

A decent offering from this UK five-piece. They hit grooves consistently, and are a cut above the rest when it comes to riff variety. Overall I don't think there's anything particularly new or interesting here, but it's good for a casual listen. And I imagine it's quite a lot better live.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Indie Rock

This sounds exactly like what I imagine the average manic-pixie-dream-girl listens to in their oversized headphones while walking around the city. Very organic and 'vinyl-sounding' production, with a slight punk attitude, while still being fairly upbeat. For me though, this does not qualify as anything else but background music.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Stoner Rock

I feel like there's been some buzz around this record. For me though, this record seems very much like par for the course for this genre. I prefer my Stoner music much grittier than this.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Metalcore

So formulaic I almost had a hard time staying awake. I don't know why this is being hyped in the way that it is. To me this is just completely uninteresting.

Tier: D+
(Didn't remember anything)

Genre: Melodeath

Man, I can't stop listening to this. There's a rawness and power to this record that clearly sets it apart from the other recent releases within its genre. The album is probably a bit too long and yet I'm still enjoying every minute of it. It consistently breaks into headbobbing grooves, and the gravelly vocals tickle my ears just right.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Swedish Melodeath

The swedes are at it again! I love when metal bands can pull off great melodies without resorting to clean vocals. There's plenty of speed and power here as well. Very easy to enjoy if you already like melodeath, as it sounds like a good blend of early Soilwork and Dark Tranquility.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Death Metal

A pretty decent piece of grimy death metal which is ruined by bad production. It's very strange and inconsistent, like it's completely neutering all the transients, making the album sound quite flat. The cavernous sound of the vocals don't match the rest of the music and it triggers me. One of those albums that I would probably be into if it didn't sound like shit.

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

Genre: Speed Metal / OSDM

Delightfully old-school death-slash-speed metal production which sounds very organic and 80s coded. These guys have plenty of energy and speed to spare. Great gravelly vocals. All in all, very good as a genre record, but it's not something I would intentionally put on to listen to.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Heavy / Doom Metal

An immediately appealing record with immaculate production. Clearly a band that know how to write good songs. It sounds exploratory in a way, like you're on a journey the entire time. Guitar licks and harmonies definitely take center stage, and harsh vocals are used only sparingly, but to good effect. Just really solid and good music here, but it still falls slightly outside the scope of my personal taste. Otherwise this would definitely be in A tier.

Tier: B+
(Better than average)

Genre: Fuck if I know, some odd experimental indie rock maybe?

Yeah, I've been trying to get into this after spinning it a couple of times now. I really did give it a fair shake, but it's just not happening. I do understand the appeal, but I'm not feeling it.

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

Genre: Blues Rock

Apparently the Keys wanted to go a bit more traditional with this one. That's all fine, they're still a good and talented band, and I enjoyed their previous two releases. However, this record ended up being too traditional for me, resulting in a bunch of very uninteresting and non-memorable songs.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Hardcore

It certainly has the raw energy this genre needs, but the constant dissonance, the weak shouty vocals, and overall disjointed sound simply made it unenjoyable to listen to as far as I was concerned. Fans of the genre might object, and that's fine. Simply not my cup of tea.

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

Genre: Progressive Death Metal

Here we have a clearly Meshuggah-inspired release, featuring some really cool 80s retro-sounding synths for its more progressive passages. The album is long, but the songs are dynamic and interesting, ranging from really beautiful pensive moments to stellar and tight djenty death metal. I love this.

Tier: A
(Awesome)

Genre: Thall

I'll be honest, this genre has never really clicked with me, but this record immediately drew me in. It's brooding, intricate, somber, menacing, and extremely heavy. It's a bit long at almost 50 mins, but for some reason I never got bored. To me, this is one of those albums that does something genuinely new and different.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Blackened Melodic Death Metal

Quite lofty and grandiose in its sound. Choral vocals and chanting, huge guitars, strings, etc.. Has a lot going on, but doesn't really manage to evoke any real awe or reverence in me despite that clearly being what it's going for. Fine for what it is.

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

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Some perfectly fine female-fronted grimy death metal for when you just want those gurgles, chugs and blast beats. The most impressive part is probably the vocals, given how deep and coarse Bridget Lynch's voice gets. I don't think I'll be revisiting this one though, as I was honestly a little bored with it.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

Oh, hell yes! This is that raw unbridled hardcore rage that I love so very very much. You can almost smell the sweat through the recording with how hard this goes. It is unfortunately just a 14 minute EP, but god damn, you probably need a breather once it's over regardless. I almost can't imagine this genre being done better than this record.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Rap Metal/Hard Rock

This british band's got a good sense of groove and rhythm, but the rhymes and vocals are far too weak for this genre. There are a couple of sections that I genuinely enjoyed, but overall this fell flat for me.

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

Genre: Melodeath / Thrash Metal

This band seems to be onto something with this particular genre blend because I'm immediately enjoying it already from the first proper track. The songs have a lot of energy, and they're dynamic and well written. Plenty of variety within the songs without sounding spastic, and it stays heavy all the way through.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)