ALBUMS OF THE YEAR: STAFF PICKS – Matt Cook’s Top 25 Albums of 2023



With our sights set on the end of one year and the start of another, we are sharing End of Year lists from staff, bands, and some friends in the business. Ghost Cult scribe (and part of our new, expanded reviews editorial team) Matt Cook has great taste in metal, has the most luxurious beard on staff, and is a great dude. Check out his top picks for his Top Albums of 2023!Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Astralborne – Across The Aeons


 

Being based in the US, you’d probably expect a relatively new band like Astralborne, formed in 2018, to adopt more popular current musical traits in order to attract attention. However, instead of going for standard metalcore vocal trappings or deathcore breakdowns in drop Z, the enterprising Ohioans keep clean singing and Djent at the door, owing far more to the likes of European melodeath acts such as Arch Enemy, (early) In Flames and Amon Amarth.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Fires In The Distance – Air Not Meant For Us


 

 

Fires In The Distance do not do anything halfway.

Since 2021’s debut Billboard-charting opus Echoes From Deep November, the melodic doomsters set out on a course to carve out their colossal identity. As a response, Air Not Meant For Us transcends music. With larger-than-life compositions and stunning atmospherics, the Prosthetic Records release averages nine minutes a song and impressively builds on FITD’s earlier success.

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New Music Friday 4-28-23 Preview


Check out our preview of new Rock and Metal album releases coming out this week!

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PODCAST: Episode 251: The Steve and Keefy Power Hour, April 2023 Edition


Time for another edition of The Steve and Keefy Power Hour! Senior Editor Steve Tovey joins Chief Editor Keefy, recapping March 2023 Rock and Metal Releases and previewing April’s essential new heavy music! Two white guys and music nerds pontificate on the music you love. Also, will we have new music soon from Ghost, Slipknot, Foo Fighters, and Iron Maiden? Shoutout to our amazing team of reviewers worldwide. Also, also, RIP Mat Davies as always. Hosted by Ojaay!

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