Weekly Review Roundup: Monday 2nd March 2026 – Friday 6th March 2026
From extravagant modern metal to solid rock music, to head-banging inducing melodeath, extreme metal, and emotive instrumental post rock, to head-scratching deathjazz, and so much more, we’ve reviewed some great releases this week, and here’s our weekly reminder of what was covered. All these releases are out now!
Lost Society – Hell Is A State Of Mind (Nuclear Blast)
Impressively, the album is varied and Lost Society’s ambition stretched way beyond adding an orchestra. They have thought long and hard about how their modern metal sound can be immediately anthemic but have the staying power by being clever, interesting, and layered. This thinking gives us a tight ten tracks which draw from numerous different genres and bends them to the will of a band who are in an incredibly creative place.
Check out the review here.
Black Stone Cherry – Celebrate (Mascot Records)
With nothing to prove, but plenty still to do, Black Stone Cherry’s new EP shows off a band still willing to try new things, even if the hearty rock makeup of the band is undeniable. Unsurprisingly, regardless of experimentation, Black Stone Cherry sound like Black Stone Cherry and if you’re a fan that is well worth celebrating.
Check out the review here.
Desert Storm – Buried Under the Weight of Reason (Heavy Psych Sounds)
This is a high-powered, energised, and focused Desert Storm who have aimed to solidify their sludgy sound with more groove, more melody, and more experimental aspects than ever before.
Check out the review here.
Serpent Icon – Tombstone Stories (Self Released)
Do you enjoy the well-known Gothenburg melodeath sound? If so, I have good news, so do Serpent Icon and it has inspired their sound. A rich and potent showcase of melody and metal that has tons of riff-driven energy.
Check out the review here.
Gravemass – This Is The Way (End Game Records)
Though there’s no short-changing here as we have ten tracks and across them a cacophony of violent, snarling, hyperactive blasts of heaviness that will thrill all those who love extreme metal.
Check out the review here.
Turpentine Valley – Veuel (Dunk!Records / A Thousand Arms Records / Ripcord Records)
Instrumental post metal with a staggering amount of feeling, this might be my first experience with Turpentine Valley, but I can assure you, it won’t be my last. Such is the impact this album has had on me. It is a glorious showcase of dramatic heaviness, shimmering melody, and powerful atmosphere. Where, from beginning to end, it fascinates.
Check out the review here.
Tardigrade Inferno – Hush (Self Released)
Hush is really imaginative and conjures up strong imagery throughout, packed with insane creativity and obvious talent. Moreover, the vocals are amazing across the album and play a huge part in selling the theatrical, horror-leaning atmosphere.
Check out the review here.
Froglord – Lower & Slower (Self Released)
Have you ever thought, I want to like the psych-doom and sludgy groove of Froglord, but I’d really like it if it was tuned deeper and delivered at a slower pace. If so, you’re in luck, because that is what we have here. Six Froglord classics (plus a Black Sabbath cover) delivered in dirgy mind-f**king fashion. Where summing it up as a ‘heavy’ release simply doesn’t do the tectonic weight justice.
Check out the review here.
Agabas – Hard Anger – Deluxe (Mascot Records)
Deathjazz is more than just a gimmicky title, or an attempt to dress up something blasé as new and interesting, it’s a fresh sound that puts the two genres on an equal footing. Something that we simply don’t see much in the world of extreme metal.
Check out the review here.
Prong – Live And Uncleansed (Steamhammer)
How much do you love Prong? Your mileage for this release will vary depending on that answer.
Check out the review here.
