From the split-LP double dose of heavy psych courtesy of Alunah and Samavayo, to the absolutely oppressive doom-death of Dead Void, to the blackened fury of Apostle sharpened by real-world anger, this is a strong week. Five video drops round things out, closing on an ambient note that earns its place at the end of a heavy list. Let's get into it!
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New Album Releases …
With a new month arriving, my days are now inching toward the mid-year heat of the summer in the southern United States. It can be oppressive when the humidity is high. While many praise the arrival of summer, with it comes seasonal responsibilities. For those who utilize this blog to keep them busy indoors, thank you for being here. For those who seek it out for companionship in their outdoor environments of yard work, gardening, summer repairs or other activities, may it help ease the process and carry you through until the sun sleeps for another evening.
New Album Releases June 5, 2026
ALUNAH/SAMAVAYO - Embers of Belief split / Heavy Psych Sounds
rock doom doom metal heavy psych psychedelic rock retro rock sludge stoner stoner metal stoner rock
Split lps are a great way to turn yourself onto something new. Grab it for the artist you know and get the bonus of hearing someone they co-sign. Really, it is the ultimate word of mouth option. In this case, its a double dose of heavy, stoner jams and fits nicely together with solid artwork to boot!
TIDAL WAVE - Volume Tree / Ripple Music
fuzz hard rock rock stoner rock
Gear us for a rippin’ ride into stoner riffs and blazing jams. This band holds nothing back. Deep lungs and loud amps that are sizzling with big chords and sparks and the power plug. If you smell something melting it’s probably your eardrums. Let the good times roll. Starting with a fantastic execution of artwork.
Cover art by Kristoffer Nordgren (Prettyshittyinc)
Callous Faulter - Callous Faulter / Gutter Prince Cabal
atmospheric black metal black metal blackgaze death metal extreme metal metal post-metal Melbourne
This release is epic in many ways. The songs take their time to morph and develop. Side A / Side B, consumed in two tracks. With the atmosphere consistent in delivering. Where the slower it gets the more devastating it becomes. The tunes are not opposed to cranking up the tempo into full blast beat attacks and scorching passages. Screamy vocals fall perfectly in the mix and this is as desolate and the cover image depicts. Something we should give equal credit to. Photography can be extremely powerful and it matches the weigh of this release perfectly.
Cover credit: Unknown
Dead Void - Cranial Devastation / Dark Descent Records, Me Saco Un Ojo
death doom death metal doom heavy metal non-ritualistic Copenhagen
If you are asking me if there is room for some absolutely oppressive and crushing doom-soaked death metal on this list then my answer will always be YES. This album is gnarly. The vocals are as dark as one would expected from a title boasting such abuse. It slowly lurches forward with occasional sections that pick up the pace to help break down whatever walls may still be standing. This may be my favorite release of the week. The definition of heaviness, in my opinion.
Artwork by Odilion Redon
Apostle - A Splinter in the Infinite Noumenon / Terminus Hate City
atmospheric atmospheric black metal black metal blackgaze chaotic extreme metal metal post black metal post-black metal Atlanta
I had the fortune of getting to book a show with this group last year. They totally delivered on the stage and with their previous album. This release steps forward into a darker and more extreme movement. The band have taken hold of the angst and anger of this world and sharpened it into repurposed destruction for any who stand before it. The vocals are as abrasive as one could possibly ask for while the music flows between blackened doom and straight forward black metal. It’s gnarly!
Art credit: Unknown
New Video Drops …
PLAINDRIFTER - “In Anima” feat. Ryan Garney (Official Video)
Drifting from a wall of stoner rock to mellow, psychedelic passages with clean vocal delivery, this tunes is a candidate to introduce your co-worker into the world of modern heavy music. Easy to digest and very well crafted and executed.
Truck Violence - Your name, It’s walking (Official Music Video)
If you are looking to dig deeper into the world of emotionally heavy music that seems to cut its flesh open and bleed out onto the studio floor, this is the one. It’s dark, honest, relatable and simple in it’s reflection of the world. Damn, this is solid.
Goetia - ‘Corpse Candle’ (Official Music Video)
Complete with Bolt Thrower’esq intro and cinematic clips ala classic analog horror vision, this tune is equipped with everything it needs to pulverize your death metal loving senses and capture my completely nostalgic heart for the whole. Not even joking when i say this tune rips. From start to finish, they take you deep into the world of death metal. From snail paced doom aesthetics to the blast beat, double bass and dive bombing guitar attacks. It’s all here. My recommendation is to watch this twice in a row.
Your Spirit Dies - Whispers In Omen (Official Music Video)
Hey metalcore fans. We found your riff! This video setting is awesome and I appreciate what the band is doing. It’s heavy, has a cathedral window background, cemetery and is delivered in black and white. A+ on the video. All metalcore sarcasm aside, this would not be featured here if it was not worth our time to discuss, watch and listen to it. The breakdown at the halfway point alone is worth the price of admission. This one is angry!
Mighty Joe Belson - The Process Of Individuation
Closing out with an ambient choice. A style of music that I truly enjoy. This one is soft, delicate, piano drifting and has a beautifully matched video to share its emotion. Slow moving, peaceful serenity and submission to the sound. You may want to turn your volume up a bit for this one. It’s a beauty but requires a quiet setting to truly enjoy the moment.
…is this the end?