Underoath – Voyeurist
★★★
Released on Fearless Records
They’re back and, if not better than ever, they at least hold their own. Should anyone care, though?
Wilderun – Epigone
★★★
Released on Century Media
Fit For An Autopsy – Oh What The Future Holds
★★★☆
Released on Nuclear Blast Records
Messy and flat in parts but capable here and there of some truly great melodic passages.
Maule – Maule
★★☆
Released on Cruz Del Sur Music
An album that is nothing more than the sum of its parts. The good news: The parts are Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The bad news: There’s no flair or finesse to it.
Shadow Of Intent – Elegy
★★★☆
Released on Nuclear Blast Records
Solid metalcore with those guttural vocals that hit home in just the right way.
Trenches – Reckoner
★★★
If you’re one of the dozen or so people who remember Trenches from 2008, then this follow-up is for you. Otherwise, there are other bands doing this better, both now and in the past 14 years.
OAR – The Blood You Crave
★★★☆
Released on Blighttown Records
Some bands turn “Freezing Moon” into an entire career and I think that’s fine.
Wiegedood – There’s Always Blood At The End Of The Road
★★★★
Released on Century Media
The Belgian band (whose name is basically the Dutch term for SIDS) blasts some high-level black metal interspersed with a bent industrial aesthetic.
Worm Shepherd – Ritual Hymns
★★★☆
Released on Unique Leader Records
Flags a little in the back half but the first half is wall-to-wall blackened deathcore bangers.
Skillet – Dominion
★★
Released on Atlantic Records
John Cooper is very afraid of cancel culture and wet ass pussy, but he should be afraid that he’s finally made the all-too-short slide into major label mediocrity.
Eliminator – Ancient Light
★★★
Released on Dissonance Records
I rolled my eyes in more than a few places but in the end it’s a pretty good Iron Maiden impression, and why hate on it?
Structures Capable Of Joy 