My best friend unexpectedly passed away this week. I'm still in shock and still processing, but he loved metal of all kinds, and putting this together is helping me keep sane. My writeups may be a little thinner than normal, but there's a lot of stuff this week that he would have loved. Onward. 

After seeing Mono open for Alcest last year, I've become completely obsessed - they've become one of my "default bands" - something I listen to when I'm not sure exactly what I'm in the mood for. On Wednesday, Mono announced their new album, Snowdrop, which is scheduled for release in June. Their first since the passing of long-time producer Steve Albini, Snowdrop was recorded at Albini's Electrical Audio studios late last year with a 10-piece orchestra and an eight-piece choir. The first single starts off a little more rocking, then leans into the richness of that arrangement. I'm very excited to hear more of this one!

This new track starts out with a little more blackened influence than we normally get from these Denver boys, before kicking over to their trademark trad/doom blend. Khemmis ​never misses. 

Melvins and Napalm Death combine for some sludgy weirdness. This is actually a lot more listenable that I was expecting. 

Here's a pretty solid Neurosis cover by a band called Nest. The lack of multiple vocalists is noticeable, but this is a strong take nevertheless. 

Sometimes there are bands that I avoid because I just assume they're from a corner of the metal world that's not really my thing. Witch Ripper is one of those bands - I had it in my head that they were a trad metal/thrash band. Nope! This reminds me a lot of latter-day Mastodon with its proggy doom and clean/growled vocal delivery. Apparently it's a sequel to their previous album, which I'm going to have to go back and check out.

Spirit Adrift isn't my normal kind of thing, but my friend loved bands like this, so they make the cut. Even if it isn't my normal kind of thing, Infinite Illumination ​is some strong riffage. 

Finally, here's an EP from a young shoegaze/alternative band, Splitview. The EP is titled Believe You'll Be Alright, and honestly that's something I need to hold in my mind and heart today.
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That's it for this week. Hold your people close and tell them you love them.