And the floodgates were opened! October boasted so many strong metal albums that I have just really, really fallen for, it’s ridiculous. Choosing which ones to showcase here was hard, and I dislike leaving out so many other good releases. However, in the interests of brevity, here are my top picks for October…
We’ll start off with Chrome Ghost’s highly emotive take on doom metal. House of Falling Ash is an album that resonates deeply with emotion, while still being able to peel off some massive riffs. Honestly, the album’s simply a stunner, so make sure you check it out.
Up next is Cabal’s monstrous Magno Interitus. What can I say about this gnarled slab of catchy blackened deathcore, other than it’s just a beast. Cabal’s songs crush and demolish, but they’re also covered in hooks and infectious catchiness.
Ash Blind by Devenial Verdict is a monster of a record. Heavily atmospheric, with a firm emotive presence wrapped around a brutal core, it’s a death metal album that stand out strongly from the crowds. With great depth and substance, this is just an exceptional record.
Psychonaut impressed with their multifaceted post-metal opus Violate Consensus Reality. Featuring nuanced and dynamic songwriting, hooks that worm their way into your mind and stay there, and a firm grasp of how to apply moody texture, this is an album that has made a big impact.
De Profundis released yet another first-class death metal album with The Corruption of Virtue. Packed with crushing hooks and brutal catchiness, but without sacrificing mood or feeling, these songs are De Profundis at their best. Punishingly good.
We’ll end with Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… by Daeva. This is a savage black/thrash album that’s surprisingly varied and inventive. It bristles with attitude and exudes confidence as it pummels and wows the listener with its mastery of the style.
Wonderbox Metal 