I try to get these posts out as early in the day as possible, but this week was a challenge - there was simply too much good stuff to check out! I didn't even get to everything that caught my eye. That's a good problem to have, right? Anyway, below we've got some new versions of old materials and a bunch of great new stuff, including a few that really push the boundaries of metal. Raise the horns and read on!

I was obsessed with Zeal and Ardor when they first hit the scene 10 years ago, although I admit the fascination has waned with the last couple of releases. But this remastered and expanded 10th anniversary version of Devil is Fine reminds me of why I was so into them back then. Songs like the title track and "Come on Down" still hit hard, and revisiting them after a few years remind me of just how shockingly unique Z&A was and is. I hope whatever comes next recaptures a little of the magic of this first batch of songs. 

Gatta Morta is a new noise rock supergroup featuring Buzz Osborne and Coady Willis of Melvins, JD Pinkus of Butthole Surfers, and Clinton Jacob of Mr.Phylzzz. The first track doesn't sound hugely different than an average Melvins track, but that's not a complaint. 

I'll admit that Celestial by Papangu didn't immediately hook me in its first couple tracks, but I started to get into it by track three, "Taxidermia." Heavy on prog rock and multiple Brazilian styles of music, Celestial also weaves in some black metal and a whole bunch of other influences. What's particularly interesting about this one is that it's an entirely analog record - in protest of the rise of AI, this album was recorded and mixed to magnetic tape, with no digital tools used in any part of the recording sessions. 

The new Neptunian Maximalism album pairs quite well with the Papangu album above. This band, like Papangu, aren't traditional metal. But the jazz/drone/experimental combo is undeniably heavy. The new album, which I'm not even going to attempt to spell out, was recorded live in 2025, and while it is divided into individual tracks, is best experienced as a single uninterrupted piece of music. It's hypnotic, weird, and noisy from start to finish. 

Justin Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu, Techno Animal, a billion other bands) has released another album today under his JK Flesh moniker. PREHUMAN. FLESHSTEP is apparently the original version of the first JK Flesh album, Posthuman. Like a lot of Broadrick's non-Godflesh output, this is spooky, dub-influenced electronica. That said, it's plenty heavy and ominous. Even if it wasn't, it still wouldn't be the most non-metal pick this week. 

On the other hand, Dymna Lotva is most traditional metal pick of the week, although Vyraj is still pretty out there. Blackened post-metal from Poland, this album also includes elements of gothic rock, electronica, doom, and much more. Just incredibly cool stuff. 

Finally, we'll close with a two-song EP by Dead Sacraments. This band is new to me, but I'm digging these doomified versions of songs by The Shangri-Las and The Cure. Slow and heavy riffs, hell yes. 

Have a great weekend, everyone.