Written by Kep, Westin, Ellis, Kirk, and Espi Kvlt Welcome to the midpoint of 2024! This year we’re mixing it up, and instead of a June release roundup, we’re doing individual quick-hit best album lists. Read on for five “Best of 2024…So Far” lists from our writing staff and make sure to hit us up on Twitter to let us know how vehemently you disagree. We begin with the writer whose taste is by far the most well-rounded: WESTIN (Albums listed in alphabetical order) Allie X – Girl With No Face This is one of the most addicting albums I’ve listened to all year; Allie is an absolute master at ..read more

Written by Westin, Ellis, Kep, and Kirk The months keep flying by and the quality releases keep stacking up. The world may be a mess (and the editor’s life may be hectic as all hell (hence why this roundup article is later than usual)) but the metal and metal-adjacent release calendar stops for no one, and that means you probably missed some great shit last month. And lucky you, we’re here to make sure you that great shit goes missed no longer by sharing some of our favorites. Here are quick links to our full reviews of April releases: Protosequence – Bestiary Replicant – Infinite Mortality Ca ..read more

Written by Kep, Westin, Ellis, and Kirk March felt like the first truly packed month of 2024 as far as releases go, as we were swamped by a tidal wave of Extremely Good Shit. We loved a lot of things, and we’re here to tell you all about them. As always, quick links to our reviews of March releases: Angmodnes – Rot of the Soul Cell Press – Cages Wounds – Ruin Hideous Divinity – Unextinct Cave Moth – In Memory Eternal And now on to the rest of the best! Iskalde Morket – Deleted Scenes from the Pandemic Ward Black/death metal from the UK Solo project Iskalde Morket has already released some rea ..read more

Written by Kep, Kirk, Westin, Rae-Aila, and Ellis Well would you look at that: not only is 2024 well underway, but a whole damn month is done already. And with one month down, that means it’s time for our Noob Heavy release roundups to get rolling again, too. January wasn’t a slouch, either; that motherfucker was packed with great music, and we’re here to highlight a bunch of our favorites for you. Quick links to our full reviews of January releases: Rough Justice – Faith in VainNeck Deep – Neck Deep Resin Tomb – Cerebral Purgatory Underneath – From the Gut of Gaia Lotus Thief / Forlesen – Lot ..read more

Written by Kep Welcome in, folks. This is my list of 2023’s best albums. I’ve got five honorable mentions and then 24 ordered entries. Why 24? Because I started to attempt a top 10 and it quickly swelled to an unmanageable number, which I then pared down as far as I could. I’m on vacation and there’s no time to waste, so let’s get going! The Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): Acausal Intrusion – Panpsychism Convocation – No Dawn for the Caliginous Night Drache – Devenir le rien Fardeaux – The Den Has Become an Abyss Fires in the Distance  ..read more

Written by Westin 2023 is drawing to a close and here I am to deliver another annual Album of the Year list for you. The musical underground continues to thrive and grow and once again we are genuinely spoiled by an embarrassment of riches. Though there have been a few particularly explosive pain points for me this year that completely upended my roadmap, where things have settled still stands strong. I cannot properly express how lucky we are to be living in the now, with not only access to so much great music but for the power of the internet to allow talented and hardworking artists across ..read more

Written by Kep, Westin, Ellis, and Kirk Look, I’m not gonna lie to you. We slacked off a little in November. Life was busy, especially for your friendly editor. But you know who didn’t slack off? The bands on this list, each of whom delivered releases that knocked us on our collective asses. Read on to see what we dug the most, and stay tuned this month for our staff AOTY lists. As always, quick links to our (few) reviews for November releases: Gama Bomb – Bats Neurectomy – Overwrought Everson Poe – the tower And now on to the roundup! Convocation – No Dawn for the Caliginous Night Funeral de ..read more

Written by Valkyrjiaa Aeons of Ashes – Determination > Melodic death metal > Austria > Released July 1 > Independent/self-release Since 2019, Aeons of Ashes have immersed the world in their expansive fantasy experience. From the mesmerizing live shows inspired by their signature interactive Wasteland2570 transmedia project, to their atmospheric interludes and diverse musical amplifications, Ashes of Aeons seek to not only mystify but twist-ify as well. Formed in 2013 in St. Pölten, Austria, Ashes of Aeons swept up the metal scene with speed and style. With live shows paired ..read more

Written by Westin, Kep, Ellis, Rae-Aila, and Kirk Well folks, the year is halfway over. That means 50% of 2023’s release Fridays are in the past. And while much of the world seems to be going to the shithouse (especially in the US), at least our cup is overflowing with kickass music. Let’s run over the music from June that we, the Noob Heavy writing staff, loved. As usual, here are quick links to our reviews of June releases: Pupil Slicer – Blossom Thantifaxath – Hive Mind Narcosis Eremit – Wearer of Numerous Forms Project: Roenwolfe – Project: Roenwolfe Rană – Richtfeurer Memorrhage – Memorrh ..read more

Written by Westin, Ellis, Kep, Rae-Aila, and Kirk We here at Noob Heavquarters were a bit quiet during September—life responsibilities and all that, you know the drill—but not for want of plenty of great music, which the month absolutely delivered. We’re gonna make up for going light on the full reviews by going heavy on the roundup minis. Gird your loins, motherfuckers. Quick links to our reviews for September albums: Białywilk – Zmora Dying Fetus – Make Them Beg for Death PeelingFlesh – Slamaholics, Vol. 2Champenoise – LostThrough Mists – Starkiller / Homicidal Hamsters Terra Builder ..read more