Debut album from 2022 by this young yet devastating Canadian Death Metal band from Ontario. Following the attention generated by its 2021 demo, LAST RETCH made its full-length debut with a crushing statement of intent, delivering primitive, heavy and uncompromising Death Metal deeply rooted in the darkest and filthiest sounds of the early 1990s.
Its sound combines old-school Death Metal brutality with a dense and crushing production, heavy riffing, cavernous vocals and a sick atmosphere reminiscent of the genre's most savage early recordings. Direct, filthy and free from modern gimmicks, the album focuses entirely on raw aggression, delivering a compact collection of songs that hit with relentless force from start to finish.
Recommended for fans of: AUTOPSY, OBITUARY, MASSACRE and CARNAGE.
1984 EP by this American Heavy Metal band from Los Angeles, marking the group's first official release and the only recording to feature bassist Don Costa, later associated with OZZY OSBOURNE and early versions of W.A.S.P. Released through Megaton Records, it captures the atmosphere of the Los Angeles Metal scene just before its commercial explosion later in the decade.
Its sound blends traditional Heavy Metal with melodic Hard Rock in the classic American style, driven by straightforward riffs, catchy choruses and a strong streetwise attitude. More accessible than "Maniac's Revenge", it already showcases Niki Buzz's songwriting talents and the live energy that earned M-80 a solid reputation on the Los Angeles club circuit. A worthwhile obscurity for collectors of underground American Heavy Metal.
Recommended for fans of: KEEL, ARMORED SAINT, RATT and LEATHERWOLF.
Debut album from 1987 by this German-British Hard Rock outfit formed by legendary guitarist Michael Schenker (UFO, SCORPIONS) and Irish vocalist Robin McAuley (GRAND PRIX). This release marked the beginning of a new chapter in Schenker's career, embracing a more melodic and accessible direction than the one explored in his previous MSG recordings.
Its sound blends melodic Hard Rock and AOR, driven by Michael Schenker's outstanding guitar work, huge choruses and Robin McAuley's powerful vocals. Packed with memorable melodies, strong arrangements and polished production, the album became one of the most successful and celebrated releases of Schenker's entire 1980s career.
Recommended for fans of: UFO, DOKKEN, WHITESNAKE and SURVIVOR.
Debut album from 1991 by this German Progressive Thrash Metal band, widely regarded as one of the hidden gems of early 1990s European technical metal. Released at a time when Thrash Metal was increasingly exploring more sophisticated and progressive territory, the band developed a highly distinctive approach that remained unfairly overlooked outside underground circles.
Their sound combines the aggression of German Thrash Metal with intricate song structures, frequent tempo changes, carefully crafted melodies and an outstanding vocal performance by Melanie Bock. Technical and sophisticated without sacrificing power, this album stands as one of the most interesting and underrated examples of European Progressive Thrash from its era.
Recommended for fans of: TARGET, LIVING DEATH, HOLY MOSES, MEKONG DELTA and DEATHROW.
Debut album from 1988 by this veteran American Power/ Thrash Metal band from Boston, widely regarded as one of the most underrated gems of late-'80s American technical Metal. Featuring the outstanding vocals of Mike Howe, who would later join METAL CHURCH, the band crafted a style that successfully blended aggression, melody and sophisticated songwriting.
Its sound sits between US Power Metal and technical Thrash, driven by sharp riffing, dynamic arrangements and an exceptional vocal performance. More refined and ambitious than many of its contemporaries, the album stands out for its compositional maturity and distinctive identity, earning cult-classic status among fans of the US Metal scene.
Recommended for fans of: METAL CHURCH, HADES, MEGADETH and OVERKILL.
7th album from 2024 by this veteran Swiss Death/ Thrash Metal band and one of the pioneering forces of the European extreme Metal scene. Released four years after "Fracmont", the album confirms the outstanding form of a band that, after decades of existence, continues to preserve the identity and creativity that made it a cult name within the underground Metal world.
Its sound blends Death/ Thrash Metal with dark riffing, dynamic structures and flawless musicianship, maintaining the balance of aggression, technique and atmosphere that has always defined MESSIAH. Heavy, intense and deeply rooted in the old-school tradition, the album manages to sound both classic and contemporary, proving that the band remains a significant force within European extreme Metal.
Recommended for fans of: PESTILENCE, POSSESSED, DEATH, PROTECTOR and MASSACRA. [Digipack]
2nd solo album from this acclaimed American guitarist, released in 2018 and best known as the founder and chief songwriter of SYMPHONY X. Inspired by H. G. Wells' classic novel, this conceptual work marked the beginning of an ambitious trilogy that allowed Michael Romeo to fully explore his musical vision beyond the boundaries of his main band.
Its sound blends Power Metal, Progressive Metal and symphonic elements with the dazzling guitar work that has made Romeo one of the most respected musicians in the genre. Packed with orchestral arrangements, massive riffs and cinematic production, the album delivers an epic and grandiose listening experience that will appeal to fans of sophisticated Progressive and Symphonic Metal.
Recommended for fans of: SYMPHONY X, KAMELOT, PAGAN'S MIND and DREAM THEATER.
1995 demo by this Polish Death/ Thrash band, presented here in a comprehensive remastered edition featuring the original recording, the three tracks from the "Promo Tape '95" and four live bonus tracks recorded the same year. Formed in 1991, they represent one of the many hidden gems of the thriving Polish underground scene that never received the wider recognition it deserved.
Their sound combines the aggression of early '90s Death/ Thrash with a strong melodic sense and subtle progressive touches that give the material its own distinctive identity. Intense riffing, dynamic songwriting and above-average musicianship make this recording a hidden treasure for fans of sophisticated European Death/ Thrash.
Recommended for fans of: PESTILENCE, DEATH, BELIEVER and MEKONG DELTA.
Debut album from 1992 by this legendary American Death Metal band from Florida, widely regarded as one of the defining classics of the early Tampa scene. Featuring a line-up that included George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher before joining CANNIBAL CORPSE, alongside Lee Harrison and Jon Rubin, the band made an immediate impact with a release that helped establish the blueprint for technical and brutal Death Metal.
Its sound combines speed, technical precision and relentless aggression through complex riffing, devastating drumming and outstanding musicianship. More sophisticated than much of the Death Metal of its era, the album achieves a perfect balance between brutality and musicality, securing its place as an essential cornerstone of the Florida Death Metal tradition.
Recommended for fans of: MORBID ANGEL, MALEVOLENT CREATION, DEICIDE and SUFFOCATION.
7th album from 1986 by this legendary British Heavy Metal band, widely regarded as one of the most important and celebrated releases of their entire career. Presented here in an edition featuring 3 bonus tracks, it also marked the studio return of drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, ushering in a new era for MOTÖRHEAD during the second half of the 1980s.
Its sound combines the band's trademark speed and aggression with a more powerful and refined production than many of their earlier releases. Crushing riffs, Lemmy's unmistakable vocals and a collection of songs that rank among the finest in the band's catalogue make this a genuine Heavy Metal classic. An essential album whose influence can be heard throughout Thrash Metal and later generations of extreme music.
Recommended for fans of: TANK, VENOM, RAVEN and EXCITER.
The sole release from 1989 by this Dutch Death/ Doom band, compiling the complete recordings of an extremely short-lived yet highly influential underground act. Regarded as a genuine cult artifact, it gathers the legendary "Erupted Evil" demo together with live material recorded between 1989 and 1990, including 7 live bonus tracks that complete the legacy of one of the earliest and most extreme expressions of European Death/ Doom.
Their sound is painfully slow, oppressive and sickening even by the standards of the era. Strongly influenced by HELLHAMMER and CELTIC FROST, they developed a primitive, crushing and funereal style that anticipated many of the bands that would later define the Death/ Doom genre. A true underground relic and an essential release for understanding the origins of extreme doom metal.
Recommended for fans of: HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, WINTER and THERGOTHON.
Debut EP from 2025 by this young Canadian Death Metal band from Edmonton, Alberta. Formed by musicians active in the local underground scene, NECRODEIFIC SLAUGHTER makes its first appearance with five tracks that revive the filthy and violent spirit of early-'90s Death Metal, delivering a direct, sick and uncompromisingly old-school approach.
Its sound combines heavy abrasive riffing, cavernous vocals, crushing rhythms and an atmosphere soaked in horror, gore and decay. Raw, dark and extremely aggressive, the EP channels the essence of classic Death Metal through compact and punishing songs that recall the days when the genre thrived on filth, brutality and danger. A highly promising debut for fans of the most primitive and uncompromising side of Death Metal.
Recommended for fans of: AUTOPSY, MASSACRE, MORTICIAN and early CANNIBAL CORPSE.
Debut album from 2019 by this American Black/ Death Metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2016, NOCTAMBULIST emerged with a dark and challenging style that combines the violence of technical, dissonant Death Metal with oppressive atmospheres inspired by avant-garde Black Metal.
Its sound is defined by complex structures, dissonant riffing, constant dynamic shifts and a dense atmosphere of desolation that permeates the entire release. Far removed from traditional Death Metal approaches, the album develops a disturbing and immersive vision where technique and atmosphere work together to create an intense and unsettling experience. Regarded by many fans as one of the more interesting releases within the dissonant Death Metal movement of the late 2010s, it laid the foundation for the band's later evolution on "The Barren Form".
Recommended for fans of: ULCERATE, ALTARAGE, ARTIFICIAL BRAIN and AD NAUSEAM. [Digipack]
5th album from 2024 by this American Technical Death Metal band led by drummer and founder Mike Browning, continuing the legacy of the legendary NOCTURNUS more than three decades after the classics that helped shape Florida's technical Death Metal scene. With several historical members involved, the band further develops the science-fiction concepts that have always been central to its identity.
Its sound combines Technical Death Metal, futuristic atmospheres and prominent keyboards, preserving the unique personality that made NOCTURNUS such a visionary act. Complex riffing, constant tempo changes and a strong cosmic aesthetic result in an album that connects directly with the spirit of "The Key" and "Thresholds" while benefiting from modern production and flawless execution.
Recommended for fans of: NOCTURNUS, ATHEIST, PESTILENCE and CYNIC.
7th album from 1994 by this legendary American Thrash Metal band, released during a particularly difficult period for the genre when many classic acts were moving away from their roots. Rather than following trends, OVERKILL made its sound even heavier and more aggressive, delivering one of the most intense and uncompromising records of its entire career.
Its sound combines speed, heaviness and relentless intensity through crushing riffs, a powerful rhythm section and the unmistakable vocals of Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth. More direct and ferocious than "I Hear Black", the album recaptures much of the energy of the band's late-'80s classics and has since become one of the most highly regarded releases in their catalogue.
Recommended for fans of: EXODUS, TESTAMENT, DESTRUCTION and ANTHRAX.
3rd album from 1985 by this American Heavy/ Power Metal band, released several years before the stylistic transformation that would make the group one of the most influential Metal acts of the 1990s. With Terry Glaze still handling lead vocals, the album represents the peak of PANTERA's early era, showcasing a band that had already begun moving beyond its Glam Metal roots.
Its sound blends Heavy/ Power Metal, Hard Rock and strong mid-'80s American Metal influences, highlighted by the exceptional guitar work of a young Dimebag Darrell. More powerful and sophisticated than its predecessors, the album features some of the strongest material from the band's early years and has become a genuine cult favorite among dedicated fans.
Recommended for fans of: SAVATAGE, HELSTAR, CRIMSON GLORY and JAG PANZER.
2nd album from 2016 by this veteran Swedish Crust Punk/ D-Beat band featuring musicians deeply rooted in the Scandinavian underground scene. Released four years after "The Black Flag Hoisted", the album further established PARASIT as one of the strongest names in contemporary Swedish Crust Punk, maintaining its uncompromising attitude and commitment to the genre's core values.
Its sound blends Crust Punk, D-Beat and Hardcore Punk through abrasive riffing, relentless rhythms and explosive energy rooted in the classic Scandinavian tradition of the 1980s and 1990s. Raw, fast and uncompromising, the album delivers a fierce dose of anger, social criticism and street-level aggression through direct and hard-hitting songs that perfectly capture the spirit of Swedish extreme Punk.
Recommended for fans of: ANTI CIMEX, DISCHARGE, WOLFPACK and DISFEAR.
Debut album from 2022 by this American Brutal Death Metal band from Mississippi. Following several years in the underground and a previous EP released in 2015, the band finally delivered its first full-length effort, reaffirming its dedication to the most classic and devastating forms of the genre.
Its sound is rooted in compact and straightforward Brutal Death Metal, driven by crushing riffs, punishing drumming and deep guttural vocals, with no unnecessary embellishments or modern trends. An intense and hard-hitting release that packs all its power into less than thirty minutes, showcasing a clear devotion to the most brutal side of American Death Metal.
Recommended for fans of: DEEDS OF FLESH, PYREXIA, DISGORGE and INTERNAL BLEEDING.
Debut mini-CD from 2024 by this Costa Rican Doom/ Death Metal band formed in 2023. Despite being its first recording, "Lutum" quickly attracted attention within the underground scene thanks to its remarkably mature and extremely dark approach, serving as the introduction of one of the most promising new acts from Central America's extreme Metal scene.
Its sound explores the heaviest and most oppressive corners of Doom/ Death Metal, combining monolithic riffing, cavernous atmospheres and an almost suffocating sense of darkness. Slow, dense and deeply morbid, the material avoids unnecessary technical displays in favour of creating a constant feeling of decay and desolation. A short but highly effective release that hints at tremendous future potential.
Recommended for fans of: RIPPIKOUlu, WINTER, THORR'S HAMMER and CIANIDE.
5th album from 2025 by these Czech veterans and another strong demonstration of PIGSTY's ability to reinvent themselves while preserving the unique identity that has made them one of the most distinctive acts in the European extreme scene. With a career spanning back to the late 1990s, the band continues to move beyond the traditional boundaries of Goregrind, embracing a broader and more ambitious musical vision.
Musically, "Pignation" blends Death/ Grind, Goregrind and Grindcore with an unexpected emphasis on atmosphere, arrangements and conceptual themes inspired by science fiction and fantastical worlds. While retaining the speed, blast beats and trademark humor that have always characterized the band, the album reveals a more sophisticated songwriting approach than many of their earlier releases, highlighting a significant evolution without sacrificing their extreme roots.
Recommended for fans of: SPASM, ROMPEPROP, BIRDFLESH, EXHUMED.
