Favourite releases thus far: first quarter of 2026
A preliminary enumeration of some of my favourite releases of the first quarter of 2026 which I have listened to thus far, minimal description included (posted here for posterity): feel free to post any music recommendations based on what I have listed here. |
| 6 |  | Zu
Ferrum Sidereum
Another rather enjoyable iteration of jazzy, noisy avant-garde metallic (?) groove explorations (achieved by non-traditional instrumental means) by Zu, improving upon the band's previous rather mediocre record: effectively maintaining a highly unnevering atmosphere through winding if difficult to differentiate compositions. |
| 5 |  | Karnivool
In Verses
Welcome return (to form) from Australian prog/alt metallers/rockers which provides another enjoyable slab of rhythmically intricate, tightly performed sonic melancholia: unfortunately rather by-the-numbers and lacking in sonic experimentation and a touch of intensity (especially vis-à-vis the band's earlier material). |
| 4 |  | Mors Verum
Canvas
Very well-composed, tightly performed, structurally dense, angular, layered and sonically diverse techy/proggy death metal of the abrasively 'dissonant' variety that tends to hit a sweet spot for me. Does not break much new ground within this sonic space but iterates upon its conventions with aplomb and distinctive quality. |
| 3 |  | Cryptic Shift
Overspace & Supertime
Ambitiously exciting and sonically intriguing technical/progressive deathly sci-fi trash metal odessey which is a definite improvement over the group's debut record: drags a little, especially during its quieter movements, but offers seemingly unending layers of tasty guitar work across well-worked structurally dense compositions. |
| 2 |  | Neurosis
An Undying Love for a Burning World
Comeback album for the ages (even if, for me, it does not match their best material) and decidedly befitting of the times with live in: the pummelling sound of this record effectively matches the incessant brutality of Eurowestern colonial modernity and its seemingly endlessly expanding annihilatory death spiral. Devastating like always. |
| 1 |  | Tigran Hamasyan
Manifeste
Might very well be his most accomplished iteration of his Meshuggah-inspired mathematically dense approach to Armenian-folk and Indian-classical music inspired modern jazz fusion (and that is saying something given the quality of his back catalogue). The musicianship and compositional attention to detail is off the charts. |
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