On Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, Explosions in the Sky give a beautiful melody and a heavy outburst equal importance. Both e…
The quiet opening of Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) gives Slipknot room to rearrange expectations. Prelude 3.0 is patient and uneasy, with a vocal that invites attention inst…
Brutalism hits hard, but IDLES use their anger with unusual precision. The guitars scrape, the bass and drums lock together tightly, and Joe Talbot puts a clear emphasis on al…
Local H make frustration sound sharply specific on As Good as Dead. Scott Lucas' songs are rooted in the feeling of being stuck somewhere, watching time pass while resentment …
Datura gives Boston Manor's alternative rock a more concentrated setting. Across seven tracks, electronic textures and heavier guitar parts create a dark, continuous atmospher…
AFI have moved the furniture around again. Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… puts their goth and post-punk influences directly in front, with Davey Havok using a deeper, more theat…
Berserker draws a thick line between heavy metal and danceable melodies, then happily steps across it. Beast In Black let fast guitars, large keyboard parts and remarkably hig…
Twilight of the Thunder God turns Amon Amarth's heavy guitar melodies into something immediately memorable. The songs have a firm rhythmic pulse, Johan Hegg's growl gives them…
Pawn Shoppe Heart gives the Von Bondies a clear sound without smoothing away their force. Guitars and drums come firmly forward, but Jason Stollsteimer's deep voice has space …
Black Lines gives Mayday Parade's guitars much more to say. The sound is rougher, the riffs carry more weight, and Derek Sanders allows an abrasive edge into his voice. The ch…
Moments Elsewhere gives Johnny Booth's heavy sound more room to move. The band still deliver sharp rhythmic changes, harsh vocals and substantial breakdowns, but melody has a …
A quiet Nirvana record still has plenty of bite. MTV Unplugged in New York removes much of the distortion, but it leaves Kurt Cobain's voice exposed enough to make even famili…
The Sea of Tragic Beasts shows that a heavy record can also have plenty of space. Fit for an Autopsy keep their low riffs and forceful rhythms firmly in view, but increasingly…
Helloween's expanded lineup could easily have become an exercise in keeping everybody happy. Giants & Monsters works because the voices and guitars mostly serve the songs. Mic…
A strong vocal melody is the main point of connection on Polaris. TesseracT keep their shifting low guitar patterns and detailed rhythm section, but Daniel Tompkins gives the …
Visions makes it easy to understand why Stratovarius have such a recognisable place in power metal. Timo Kotipelto's high voice, quick guitars and prominent keyboards all have…
Brent Smith is a strong reason to pay attention to Leave a Whisper. His voice can bring a rough lower register and a clear, forceful high line into the same song, giving Shine…
The best moment on Take Off Your Pants and Jacket comes when Blink-182 stop treating growing up as a punchline. Stay Together for the Kids moves from Mark Hoppus's low, restra…
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II places big melodies firmly at the centre. Helloween retain speed and precise guitar work while leaving Michael Kiske plenty of room above the…
3 Libras is the point where Mer de Noms makes its strongest impression. The picked guitar and strings give Maynard James Keenan a delicate setting, and the song grows around h…
loveless makes distortion as important as melody. The guitars of my bloody valentine keep moving even when the chords are held for a long time. Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butch…
Cannibal gives Bury Tomorrow's familiar vocal partnership a particularly personal setting. Dani Winter-Bates's harsh delivery and Jason Cameron's cleaner singing move through …
Anekdoten make a convincing case for their familiar sound on Until All the Ghosts Are Gone. The Swedish group combine forceful bass, rough guitar and rich Mellotron with room …
We're Here Because We're Here reaches toward hope without making it sound effortless. Anathema give their songs a bright, open setting, yet the voices still carry hesitation a…