Very few bands survive for four decades. Even fewer are those that continue to reach new creative heights, long after legendary status has been achieved. Voïvod were never like other bands: even as the thrash metal scene exploded in the early ‘80s, the Jonquière, Québec crew stood apart, both as unique visionaries and as proud subverters of the metallic norm. From early prog[1]thrash classics like Killing Technology and Dimension Hatröss through to the psychedelic explorations of The Outer Limits, Voïvod have been standard-bearers for individuality and creative freedom for nearly 40 years. Still one of the most fervently creative bands on the planet, Voïvod have created another kaleidoscopic sonic monster. The perfect antidote to just about everything, Synchro Anarchy has lit up 2022 with crazed, lysergic glee.  

Formed in 2015, Year of the Cobra became a rapidly ascending, radiant star in the horizon of the doom/stoner-scene for a reason. The powerhouse duo, consisting of Amy Tung Barrysmith (vocals/ bass) and Jon Barrysmith (drums), use their limitation in instrumentation to their advantage. Leaving space for every instrument to breathe and to shine, they create a vast, larger than life sound aesthetic. Their songs drift relentlessly from classic epic doom laments into oppressive heavy riff architecture, with traces of hardcore punk and transfiguring psychedelia. In 2016, just a year and one EP into their career, Year of the Cobra released their full-length debut, ...in the Shadows Below. Using the natural, three-dimensional and massively heavy production of Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Sleep) they present themselves as an unbelievably mature and confident band who knows exactly what they want. Following their sophomore EP Burn Your Dead, they had successful tours of Europe and the US, playing a number of well-known festivals along the way, including Psycho Las Vegas, Freak Valley Festival and Prophecy Festival in Germany. The band just released their sophomore full-length Ash and Dust on Prophecy Productions (November 2019), which was produced by the legendary Jack Endino (Nirvana, Tad, Soundgarden). The album has already received high acclaim and the band will hit the road hard again in 2020.

Veterans of the Chicago heavy music scene come together to create dark and haunting slowcore. Starless seeks to convey darkness and light by combining heavy pounding instrumentation with voices in harmony.

Of Wolves are masters of overt catharsis. On Balance, their long-awaited sophomore full length, this caustic crew delivers a devastatingly intense blend of crusty punk, sludge, post-hardcore, gritty stoner doom, and enough noise rock experimentation to keep the listener perpetually on their toes. Their raw approach demonstrates an omnivorous application of genre, and every sound contained herein is employed as a vehicle for release. Nominally for fans of Melvins, High on Fire, Unsane, 16, and Gojira, Balance will, frankly, sit quite well with any fan of extreme music who needs a soundtrack to facilitate the release of their pent-up frustration and rage.