Devin Townsend, possibly more widely known as the frontman for the extreme metal act Strapping Young Lad, began creating solo albums in 1997. Sometimes referred to as the 'Mad Scientist of Metal', Townsend produces a wide variety of music. This ranges from soft ambience designed, as he has stated, to put the listener to sleep, to high levels of thrash and extreme metal reminiscent of SYL. His works often feature a 'wall of sound', built by adding many layers of guitars and keyboards that are playing in unison or harmony. The end result is a number of carefully produced and mixed albums that favor high-end sound systems. Devin Townsend Project is another venture of Devin Townsend, considered separate from the material released as Devin Townsend. The project was originally conceived to comprise four albums of differing musical styles, each with a different set of guest/session musicians backing Townsend, but ended up continuing beyond that.

It doesn't take long for the atmosphere that surrounds Nahemah's fourth release, 'A New Constellation' to reveal itself. Opener 'Much Us' is the sort of song that could be boring but instead draws the listener in, swirling and floating around several layers of ambience and methodical riffs. In fact, the song itself doesn't have any memorable hooks or catchy melodies, the appeal instead comes from the sprinklings of almost post-rock like melodies that hover ominously in the background while the thoroughly metal structure rages on almost constantly. Nahemah do well in blending an almost death metal sound with other non metal styles like progressive rock and (a bit more prominently on some songs) post-rock in particular…

Purple is the color of fresh bruises. It's also the combination of Red and Blue, which makes sense musically for those familiar with the group's albums of those names. These are some of the biggest, strongest songs Baroness have written; it's rock music that folds in their more metal leanings, along with something more delicate and spare. The hooks and melodies are their best. It also marks a number of firsts for the band. They're releasing it themselves on their new Abraxan Hymns imprint, and instead of recording with John Congleton, who produced the last couple of albums, they worked with Dave Fridmann, best known for his longtime collaboration with Flaming Lips (and you'll notice a larger presence of psychedelic keyboards throughout). It's also the first album to feature the new lineup, the same group as that first tour after the accident, and at this point they play together like longtime vets.

Originally released in 1993, progressive death metal pioneers Cynic's seminal debut album 'Focus' has been remixed and remastered for its 30th anniversary. The definitive version of a legendary and highly influential album.
Chuck Schuldiner's Death got pretty clinical with the odd time signature, and Atheist got pretty busy with their complex arrangements, but Florida's Cynic simply threw the progressive metal playbook out the window. Their groundbreaking 1993 debut Focus meshed metal and jazz on an unprecedented scale, and explored the creative possibilities of this strange musical hybrid to a degree which has yet to be equaled. For Cynic, the traditional framework of death metal songwriting served as a mere foundation over which the band would take flight, yielding moments of mind-blowing diversity and inspiration…

Renowned for their mastery of prog-power, Lords of Black are set to captivate audiences once again with their sixth studio album, "Mechanics Of Predacity," slated for a global release by Frontiers Music on March 15th, 2024. This monumental release marks a pinnacle in the band's evolution, seamlessly fusing power, epic grandeur, and intense musicality with a profound narrative woven through evocative lyricism. Tony Hernando's exceptional musical composition, Ronnie Romero's emotive vocals, and the formidable rhythm section of bassist Dani Criado and drummer Jo Nunez converge in this release, a testament to the band's artistic prowess.

Grammy-nominated extreme power metal pioneers DragonForce will release their monumental new album and Napalm Records debut, Warp Speed Warriors, on March 15, 2024! The iconic unit is known for their masterful, unparalleled and lightning-fast signature guitar solos that influenced a whole genre. The band around virtuoso guitarists and founding members Herman LI and Sam Totman are highly inspired by a myriad of heavy metal styles, fantasy realms and video games. Formed in 1999, DragonForce has captivated audiences worldwide with their highly successful records and iconic singles, including the platinum-selling hit "Through the Fire and Flames" - the ultimate challenge for gamers on the legendary "Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock". Renowned for their epic compositions that expand the boundaries of heavy metal, on their highly anticipated new full-length, DragonForce explore a wider range of varying musical styles than ever before, evolving their sound throughout the exciting musical journey.

Myrath has continued to push the boundaries of metal, winning the hearts of fans around the world with their distinctive sound and lyrical depth. With "Karma," their new album out on Feb 2, 2023 on earMUSIC, they are poised to continue their musical journey and captivate audiences in a way only they can.
Karma is a powerful and captivating blend of Eastern melodies and Western heavy metal. From the epic opening track "To The Stars" to the hauntingly beautiful "Child Of Prophecy", this album takes the listener on a theatrical journey through a world of myths and legends.

Sonata Arctica have been many things in their storied career. Finnish power metal messiahs, relentlessly touring powerhouses, champions of sublime melody. First and foremost, however, they have been stalwarts in showcasing the magic and the enchantment flowing through heavy metal. They have been embodying the majesty and serenity of Nordic nature since their foundation in 1995 and have been spellbinding their world with ten records, EPs and countless tours. “Clear Cold Beyond” easily is the most relentless Sonata Arctica record to date, a spectacular resurgence of their trademark, lightning fast power metal forged far, far north. “We’ve felt for a while now that we’d need to get heavier again after some unintentionally softer albums,” Tony says. With production duties handles by your truly Mikko Karmila, key figure of their early days, “Clear Cold Beyond” sounds massive, heavy and hungry and takes a bow to their early work when everything was shrouded in a profound sense of magic and mystery. This magic is back now – only with a band that’s 25 years down the road and nothing less than an experienced beast urging to go mental like they never did before.

On Ruination, once again, Virgil brings together extraordinary young talent from all parts of the globe, that delivers intensely searing, heartfelt music. Blurring the boundaries between fusion and progressive, instrumental and vocal, Virgil's most recent touring band is featured on this record - Andre Nieri guitar, Junior Braguinha bass, Chris Clark keys, along with many special guests, including Anton Davidyants and Evan Marien on bass, Julian Lage, Marco Sfogli, Carl Mörner Ringström, and Matteo Mancuso on guitar, Steve Hunt (Allan Holdsworth), Alex Argento, and a reunion of sorts, Joe Chindamo (Loose Change) on keys, and vocalist/guitarist Irwin Thomas, aka Jack Jones (Southern Sons).

Absolutelly phenomenal album! Super jazz metal fusion made by true pros plus killer drumwork on this album,absolutelly mindblowing! Donati is a master of polyrhythms,his versatility is unbelieveble and this modern type of fusion can please even the most pretentious fusion lover! The sound is killer too,wonderful indeed! The diversity of the compositions is well balanced,each musician is an ace in hos work,but overall is this "not of this earth" drumming from Virgil Donati, absolutelly fantastic! Sometimes we have the impressions that the unbelieveble technical skills provided by Donati, are here only to prove his fantastic talent and this music is made only for musicians! That's not true, but to fully understand this album, there are many auditions necessary!

Metal Blade has reissued two classic albums from progressive metal act Fates Warning. Disconnected, which was originally released in 2000 and FWX, which was originally released in 2004, have both been remastered for these reissues by Alan Douches and contain additional bonus tracks.
Fates Warning presents us here with their tenth album FWX, an album that still has some of the modern edge of Disconnected but with a mix of the classic Parallels album and A Pleasant Shade Of Gray and an overall heavier sound. FWX unlike more recent efforts, avoids the lengthy conceptual pieces instead, opting for more shorter and concise songs.

After thirteen years of hibernation, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum has emerged from stasis to proudly announce the imminent release of their fourth studio album, SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM OF THE LAST HUMAN BEING.

Metal Blade has reissued two classic albums from progressive metal act Fates Warning. Disconnected, which was originally released in 2000 and FWX, which was originally released in 2004, have both been remastered for these reissues by Alan Douches and contain additional bonus tracks.
In "Disconnected" Fates Warning continue the direction they took with the "Pleasant Shade of Grey" album. Very good work on guitars, a tight rhythm sectionand lots of keyboards effects the way only Fates Warning teached to play. And of course Ray Alder gives another great performance behind the microphone. Very atmospheric…

Gojira never seemed like a band built for the mainstream. A cult act, yes, but in this century at least perhaps only Mastodon before them have taken a strand of metal so obviously built for the underground and dragged it kicking and screaming into the sunlight. It’s a long while since Gojira could legitimately be called a death metal band, but they’ve retained an uncompromising sense of self that has not always been the most accessible. Dense, complex and oblique, they’ve nevertheless hammered their way to the forefront of modern metal relying on quality and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Fortitude sounds like the album that could propel them the rest of the way to the top. They’re no strangers to melodies and hooks, but they’ve never crafted anything quite like this before…

Heavy metal quartet Mudvayne formed in Peoria, IL, in 1996, its members adopting the unusual pseudonyms sPaG (M. McDonough) (drums), Gurrg (G. Tribbett) (guitar), and Kud (Chad Gray) (vocals). The group's original bassist was replaced after two years by Ryknow (Ryan Martinie). During their development, the bandmembers began the practice of applying bizarre makeup. After self-releasing their first album, Kill, I Oughta, they were signed by Epic Records and recorded their major-label debut, L.D. 50, which was released in August 2000 shortly after the end of their first national tour opening for Slipknot.