2026/07 Listening Log

Genre: I can’t actually tell

Here we have what seems like a slightly experimental, modern, and somber pop record. Great textures and a relaxing soundscape – not to mention gorgeous vocals – permeate the record and lets you float away light as air. The compositions aren’t really my cup of tea musically, but I can recognize game when I hear it.

Tier: C+
(Cool, I like it)

Genre: Death Metal

This disgusting and filthy recorded-through-a-sock album is actually the best death metal I’ve heard all month. Sallow Moth has those gurgle vocals nailed, and the slightly progressive tint to their songwriting not only ensures that their music is creative and interesting, but also that they have unique sound signature of their own. I would definitely prefer slightly crispier production, but it’s not completely awful as-is, and I think it might actually take away from the band’s sound a bit.

Tier: B+
(Better than average, and then some)

Genre: Metalcore

The production on this record is annoyingly blown out, but the music itself is actually some fairly creative oldschool metalcore with emphasis on the ‘core’. I might’ve rated this higher if the production wasn’t shit.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

This is probably my second favorite hardcore record of July ’26, only surpassed by the Boundaries release. This band understands how to get a heavy groove going, do consistently good breakdowns, and still has the sonic energy and power that’s needed for this genre to be interesting.

Tier: B+
(Better than average, and then some)

Genre: Tech Death

This one has been getting a whole lot of buzz this month, and even though I can see why that would be, this record didn’t pull me in at all. It’s like when you can tell on an intellectual level that something is really good, but it doesn’t engage you on an emotional level at all. It feels flat, even when you know what you’re hearing should be exciting.

Tier: C+
(Cool, I like it)

Genre: Deathcore

One of the most brutal and heavy albums of the month, but there’s not much going for it beyond that. The songs are mostly basic modern deathcore fare sans the symphonic stuff. The band goes hard, but has no sense of groove or musicality.

Tier: C+
(Cool, I like it)

Genre: Indie Rock

Gave this one a couple of good faith spins, and it never goes beyond ‘fine’. Fantano really loved this one, personally it didn’t do much for me.

Tier: C
(Cool)

Genre: Hardcore

It’s bouncy, it’s groovy, it’s raw, it’s unapologetic. Perfectly fine hardcore.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Pop punk / Midwest Emo

This album is very unoffensive and easy to listen to, but I still end up just being completely ambivalent towards it. They’re fine, you know? They’re just not my type.

Tier: C
(Cool)

Genre: Metallic/Beatdown Hardcore

I very much enjoyed this band’s 2019 release: The Grand Descent. It was an inspired piece of death/doom metal inspired hardcore that was really menacing and brutally heavy. I’m sad to say that I think they haven’t quite been able to match that record’s power and mood again with their later efforts. It’s still good hardcore, though.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore

I found this to simply to be a very average and uninspired hardcore EP. Nothing too interesting going on here in my opinion.

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

Genre: Thrash Metal

A raunchy and punky piece of music from this Norwegian small-timer which manages to stay entertaining throughout without ever blowing my socks off. This is much more fun than the Global Warming record I listened to this month.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Thrash Metal

A paint-by-numbers, Slayer-like thrash record which seems to have no interest in either doing something new, or doing oldschool thrash well.

Tier: D
(Didn’t remember anything)

Genre: Doom Metal

I’m not big on this genre, and albums like this just end up reinforcing that notion. I was bored before the first 8 minute song was over.

Tier: D
(Didn’t remember anything)

Genre: Indie Rock

Cheekface seem unable to make a bad record. This album, just like most of their previous releases, is full of cheerful, catchy and uplifting tunes. High sing-a-long factor in the choruses, and silly yet deceptively deep lyrics with the usual deadpan delivery from Greg. Can’t help but love this, and there’s nothing else quite like it.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

A very angry and extremely heavy album, with genre-perfect gravelly coarse vocals and powerful, punchy production. The grooves on this thing are so insanely thick and juicy, and even though the band strays into pop-metal territory every once in a while on their choruses, the sheer power of the chugs and breakdowns throughout the record more than makes up for it. I think this might be my favorite album of the month so far. It’s only a tad too long, which brings down my score a bit, but I kind of love this.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Alt/Prog Metal

A one-man project apparently, which in itself is impressive. It's a shame the music is quite uninteresting.

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

Genre: Groove Metal

I was very into Devildriver for their first two or three albums back in the day, but haven’t really enjoyed their music since. On this album however, they seem to have modernized their production and approach to songwriting a bit, and I have to admit that I think this is the best they’ve sounded in a long time. Unfortunately, the album is way too long at 50 minutes, and the best songs are all up front. Still enjoyable but definitely loses its momentum along the way.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore

A knuckle-dragger of a hardcore record which doesn’t really have any obvious redeeming qualities beyond its sheer heaviness and the distinct “start-stop” way the band writes their songs. Luckily it’s over in a flash at barely 20 minutes of runtime so you don’t have time to get bored.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Hardcore Punk n’ Roll

The best of the best in this genre just makes you wanna lose your mind. This doesn’t. It’s a decent, rolling, raw punk record which is consistently enjoyable but still doesn’t make me wanna smash stuff at any point. It’s cool, I can enjoy it, and it won’t make me instantly bored, but only barely so.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Blues Rock

While Jack’s previous record No Name was one of my favorite records of 2024, this unfortunately can’t compete with it. Don’t get me wrong, there’s good stuff here. The little solo guitar flares especially, which always put a grin on my face. But the songs just aren’t as engaging, and the production is way worse.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Hard Psych/Stoner Rock

One of those awful situations where I would probably be very into the album if only the vocals were different. The music itself is very creative and memorable, but the robotic and flat clean vocals just simply ruin the tone and attitude of the instrumentals for me. Hate when that happens.

Tier: C
(Cool)

Genre: Alt Metalcore

I knew when I heard Loathe for the first time a couple years ago that they’re quite a special band, and I had their 2020 record I Let It In And It Took Everything on regular rotation. This new album right here completely surpasses everything they’ve ever done. It is probably the most creative and sonically diverse metal record of the year, all without being too saccharine or sheepishly trying to appeal to a certain demographic. It sounds unique, modern, uncompromising, pure, and still manages to smash your face in regularly.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Progressive Metal

I haven’t really been blown away by any Protest The Hero record since their sophomore release Kezia, but this one might even surpass my fondness for that album. This is a wildly energetic and uplifting piece of alternative progressive metal that is incredibly infectious, technically impressive, and bursting with personality. It’s a bit eclectic and spastic, which might turn some people off, but that’s just PTH doing what they do.

Tier: A
(Awesome)

Genre: Japanese Slam/Cyber Metal

This is the record you wanna check out this month if you want something weird and unique without the usual pretension, and is still technically impressive, works musically, and goes absolutely hard as fuck. You could definitely call this novelty if you want, but I call it personality.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Thrashy Death Metal

Powerful OSDM which just absolutely barrels through its barely 27 minute runtime. The grooves are undeniable, the mood is absolutely perfect, and the production is nice and punchy. One of the best pure metal albums of July '26. The only thing I'm missing is slightly more powerful vocals, but that's a nitpick. Very, very good stuff.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

I can recognize this as being very technically impressive music, and even be into it in parts, but it’s a bit too noodley and guitar-wankey for me. They sacrifice a bit too much of the groove and power that I prefer in this genre.

Tier: C
(Cool)

Genre: Metalcore, leaning towards Hardcore

A perfectly fine metalcore record which is brought down by really flat and unengaging vocals. The instrumentals can pop from time to time, but then go back to being simply a bit of a dud. Shame.

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

Genre: Black Metal / Crust

I honestly couldn't focus on the music at all while listening to this, due to the severely blown out production. I can admit that it's genre-appropriate, when an entire album is this hard to listen to you've already lost me, regardless of how good the music is.

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

Genre: Metalcore

This falls squarely into what I call pop metal; They're very good at composing melodies and sentiment, but fail completely at being heavy or menacing. In other words, the pop is strong, the metal is weak, and I absolutely cannot stand that combination.

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

Genre: Hip-Hop / Rap

More my speed as far as beats go, but Vince’s whiny nasal voice is not that appealing. Has a couple of standout tracks that I dig but not loving the album as a whole.

Tier: C+
(Cool, I like it)

Genre: Rap

An album by a very talented lyricist with very hit-and-miss beats underneath. A lot of it sounds quite warped and jazzy, and there are definitely more rollers than bangers. Whack’s vocal timbre doesn’t tickle my ears in the same way certain other artists do, but the quality of the whole package kind of makes up for that. Enjoyable, but I need to be in the mood for it.

Tier: B-
(Better than average, but just barely)

Genre: Ambient

I’ve known of Boards of Canada ever since I really started getting into music, but this album just falls right in line with everything else I’ve heard from them. The atmosphere is great, hauntingly beautiful even, and yet I always get bored within five minutes. It’s not them though, it’s me.

Tier: C
(Cool)

Genre: Deathcore

To be honest, this felt like a mess. The way this band writes their songs simply does not appeal to me at all.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)