Top Picks
Obsidious – Iconic (progressive tech death)
Obsidious is the new band from Alkaloid, Noneuclid and Eternity's End guitarist Linus Klausenitzer, alongside a bunch of other ex-Akróasis (2016) and Diluvium (2016)-era Obscura members and some dude named Javi Perera, who I've never heard of, and is every bit as good as you might expect from that description.
Perera's vocals bring more a progressive metal flare to proceedings, that sets Iconic apart usual progressive tech death fare, as much as Klausenitzer's other ventures. It's a truly dynamic performance, reminiscent of acts like Bloodbath, The Faceless, Soilwork, Gods of Eden and even Ne Obliviscaris in equal measure. Having said that, the band remain at their best when they pile on the heaviness and it really is quite impressive just how much better they are at this sort of thing than almost any other band to try their hand at this type of sound in recent years.
Dr. Acula – Dr. Acula (crossover metalcore)
Everyone's least favourite, keyboard-flipping myspace metalcore crew are out here sounding like The Agony Scene and dropping one of the fiercest and records of 2022. Gone are the gimmicks (well, except for the Goosebumps song titles) and what is left is some surprisingly competent thrashed up metalcore that bears far more resemblance to the aforementioned Agony Scene and even the Cancer Bats in places, than Attack! Attack! or iwrestledabearonce or whoever. Seriously, give this one a shot. Ten-to-one you come away pleasantly surprised.