Editor’s Note: Do you think we “missed” an album this week? Click here.
Each month, we always seem to come to the same conclusion when it comes to our Editors’ Picks column: Friday release days open the floodgates and unleash a seemingly endless stream of quality new music. But while some of our Editors and Contributors sit down gleefully each week to dive into this newly stocked treasure trove, others find themselves drawing a blank at the end of the month due to the breakneck pace needed to keep up to date with what’s been released. Which brings us to this Heavy Blog PSA: a weekly roundup of new albums which pares down the week’s releases to only our highest recommendations. Here you’ll find full album/single streams, pre-order links and, most importantly, a collection of albums that could very well earn a spot on your year-end list. Enjoy!
Top Picks
Dragged Under – Upright Animals (melodic hardcore, pop-punk)
The World is In Your Way (2020) was one of the most exciting debut records of the past few years, making Upright Animals one of my most anticipated albums of 2022. The singles released so far seem to be leaning more into the melodic/pop-punk side of Dragged Under’s sound, rather than the frantic nods to bands like Every Time I Die, Beartooth, Letlive., and Sum 41 that defined the sound of their debut, but I’m keen to see what the rest of the record has to offer and I’m sure I’ll be singing along with them all in no time.
See Also: That new Kardashev album is AOTY-worthy material, but I’ll let Trent tell you more about that. Also, Kreator (for real this time!) and the new Intrinsic Existence and Soreption albums all slap. Good week.
–Josh Bulleid
Kardashev – Liminal Rite (progressive death metal, deathgaze)
The genre-bending, self-proclaimed progenitors of “deathgaze” return this week with their first new release since signing with Metal Blade Records last year, and damn is it massive in every way possible. Liminal Rite is somehow just the second official full-length from the Arizona trio, despite this year marking 10 years since their inception. However, over that time, they’ve gifted us with four EPs, including their most recent 2020 outing The Baring of Shadows.
With each release their sound continues to grow and evolve from their more deathcore/djent origins, to something that is truly their own. The operatic clean singing, the blackgaze influence and ethereal atmospheres, and topped off with filthy death metal riffing? Kardashev are unlike anything else out there, and the more natural sounding production here makes for a warmer feel that lets those contrasting elements shine. To echo Josh, you’ll definitely be finding this on a few AOTY lists — so get on it while it’s hot.
See Also: Soreption – Jord (tech death, riff city)
–Trent Bos