Million Moons’ I May Be Some Time is a masterful instrumental post-metal album that evokes feelings of melancholy and introspection. The album’s seven tracks, including “Terra Nova,” “Unchartered Waters,” and “Voice of the Wild,” showcase the band’s ability to create rich, atmospheric soundscapes that conjure a natural flow of life. With a perfect blend of piano, guitars, and drums, Million Moons crafts a journey that is both soothing and energizing, even though sometimes it feels bit monotonous.

Horseburner’s Voice of the Storm is a masterful blend of stoner metal, sludge, and progressive elements, showcasing the band’s ability to craft intricate musicianship and emotional depth. With tracks like “Heaven’s Eye” and “Hidden Bridges,” the album features a mix of heavy riffs, catchy grooves, and uplifting vocal melodicism, earning comparisons to mid-era Mastodon and Baroness. A vital album for Horseburner, Voice of the Storm is a must-listen for fans of stoner metal and progressive sludge.

Oceans & Omens’ II: Aether is a gripping metalcore album that tells the story of The Survivor’s journey through a desolate realm. The album’s sound is a blend of old-school and modern metalcore, with tracks like “Limbo” and “Desolation” demonstrating the band’s ability to craft intense, atmospheric soundscapes. The lyrics explore themes of darkness and emptiness, but also touch on the search for sanctuary, adding a sense of depth to the album. Overall, this is a solid interpretation of Metalcore.

Piah Mater’s Under the Shadow of a Foreign Sun stands as a testament to the band’s evolution and mastery within the progressive death metal realm. This Brazilian outfit seamlessly blends technical virtuosity with emotive storytelling, crafting an album that resonates on both intellectual and visceral levels. Tracks like “Fallow Garden” and “In Fringes” showcase the band’s ability to construct intricate musical narratives, while the closing piece “Canícula” reveals their cultural roots through a gentler, more contemplative approach. Throughout the album, Piah Mater explores themes of displacement and cultural disconnection, creating a sonic journey that mirrors the complexities of migration and personal upheaval. With its masterful musicianship and thoughtful composition Under the Shadow of a Foreign Sun offers a profound and immersive listening experience that pushes the boundaries of the genre.

Nile’s latest offering, The Underworld Awaits Us All, is a brutal and technically impressive addition to their discography. The band’s signature Egyptian-inspired sound is on full display, with intricate instrumentation and pummeling rhythms that showcase their mastery of the death metal genre. While the album’s pacing falters slightly towards the end, the overall impact is undiminished, with standout tracks like “Stelae of Vultures” and “Lament for the Destruction of Time” leaving a lasting impression. A solid, if not spectacular, release from a band that continues to push the boundaries of extreme music.

Anciients’ Beyond the Reach of the Sun is a triumphant return to the scene, showcasing the band’s ability to craft a progressive metal masterpiece that perfectly captures the musical zeitgeist. With a gloomy, melancholic undertone contrasting against a vibrant and adventurous songwriting framework, the album features striking Adam Burke cover art and a fresh lineup that includes new members Brock MacInnes (guitars) and Rory O’Brien (bass). The album is a blockbuster culmination of the band’s career to date, rejuvenated after the preceding tumultuous period, with Kenny Cook handling all vocal duties and delivering smoother, emotive croons complemented by beefy, Åkerfeldt-esque death growls. Beyond the Reach of the Sun is a superbly written and performed album, marking a welcome return and striking evolution of the Anciients sound.

Vuur & Zijde’s debut album Boezem is a captivating blend of blackened post-punk and shoegaze, creating a dark, emotive ambience that is both intense and all-encompassing. With tracks like “Onbemind” and “Omheind,” the Dutch quintet showcases their ability to craft moody soundscapes, propelled by driving drumbeats and smooth vocals sung in Dutch and Frisian. While the album’s unrelenting darkness may feel one-note at times, Boezem is a compelling release that pushes the boundaries of gothic music, embracing themes of love and intimacy with enthusiastic darkness.

Within The Ruins’ Phenomena II is a masterful blend of deathcore, experimental moments, and treacherous vocals that encapsulates the theme of destruction. The album features a polished and cohesive sound that balances brutality and storytelling with intricate musicianship, showcasing the band’s ability to compile years of refinement into one complex and intriguing release. With standout elements like Joe Cocchi’s guitar solos and callbacks to their earlier work, Phenomena II is a solid addition to the deathcore genre, even if some fans may still prefer the original Phenomena.

Dark Tranquillity’s Endtime Signals is a thoughtful and hungry album that showcases the band’s ability to walk the fine line between elegance and darkness. With twelve tracks that blend futuristic keys, clean choruses, and melodic bridges, the album is a high-quality record that will please fans and newcomers alike. While some may find the drum sound and overall softness of the album to be a departure from the band’s previous work, the writing is memorable and the band’s signature sound is still present. A solid addition to the melodic death metal genre by one of the main bands from this field.

Amiensus’ Reclamation Pt II is a masterful conclusion to their double album, showcasing the band’s ability to craft dense, atmospheric soundscapes and intricate musicianship. The album features a mix of heavy riffs, melancholic melodies, and folk elements, creating a unique and captivating listening experience. With standout tracks like “Solfarið” and “Orb of Vanishing Light,” Reclamation Pt II is a triumph in its own right, solidifying Amiensus‘ position as one of the most promising progressive black metal bands in the USA.