Alk's Best of 2026 Q1
Got called 'sir' by the clerk at the record store yesterday. I'm not even that old goddamnit!
But I guess that means this is my unc-core list of favorites from Jan-March of 2026. |
| 16 |  | Lamb of God
Into Oblivion
It's Lamb of God, but a version of them that kicks major ass once again. I'm not the biggest fan or terribly familiar with their discography outside of listening to a few of their early albums, but this one fits pretty well in that vein and I dig it. |
| 15 |  | Blackwater Holylight
Not Here Not Gone
It's the audio equivalent of drifting across a dark lake while the strange stars flicker overhead and behind. |
| 14 |  | Big Richard
Pet
This album surprised me. Punky bluegrass is what got me into bluegrass and country, so I'll always have a soft spot for it. Sometimes though that mixture can make for some real clowncore. I'm happy to report though that despite the album cover, this is not clowncore, and instead a solid slab of bluegrass. Check it out. |
| 13 |  | The Infamous Stringdusters
20/20
Great bluegrass from seasoned veterans of the genre. Even if bluegrass isn't your jam it's worth checking out. |
| 12 |  | Black Hurst
Purgatory of Flesh Bizarre
Heavy metal/black metal goodness that gets weird with it at times a al Negative Plane, Mortuary Drape, etcetc. Well worth a spin. |
| 11 |  | Fire Magic
Memories of Fire
A fun heavy metal/black metal hybrid made my members of Antichrist Siege Machine (which, new album please?). Make it a double feature and listen to this back to back with the Black Hurst album. |
| 10 |  | The Ruins of Beverast
Tempelschlaf
Another album that doesn't need much introduction. The atmosphere on this one is crushing and the pacing is spot-on. |
| 9 |  | Langhorne Slim
The Dreamin' Kind
A whimsical and catchy indie/alt-country/Americana/whatever album that goes down easy. |
| 8 |  | Iron Firmament
In The Land of Pre-Human Kings
Beautiful and punishing atmospheric black metal from Washington state (represent!). It's Cascadian black metal done right, so check it out. |
| 7 |  | Flatland Cavalry
Work of Heart
The best country album of 2026 so far. Check the review for more thoughts but it's a true return to form from one of Red Dirt's best and brightest. |
| 6 |  | Archvile King
Aux Heures Désespérées
Melodic black metal awesomeness from France. An extremely fun album that took a couple spins to digest, but it easily earned its spot as one of my favorite albums so far this year. |
| 5 |  | Bosse-de-Nage
Hidden Fires Burn Hottest
A great and immersive album. Post-black? I don't know but this really hits its peak when the band finds and sinks into a groove. It gets hypnotic like the best black metal can. |
| 4 |  | Worm
Necropalace
Dragons and space vampires, black metal, heavy metal solos sprinkled throughout. If those sound good in a sentence to you, you'll dig this. |
| 3 |  | Ronker
Respect The Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog Forever
Rips hard. Like if Idles wasn't as concerned with being 'not a punk band' and just let loose. Might be gunning for Neurosis' spot as AOTY eventually, but we'll see. |
| 2 |  | Iron And Wine
Hen's Teeth
After tuning out from Iron and Wine after The Shepherd's Dog, this one really blew me away. It's like the perfect mix of his old folky inclinations with updated production, and of course some modern indie elements too. Excellent and heartfelt record. |
| 1 |  | Neurosis
An Undying Love for a Burning World
This one doesn't need much of an introduction. A perfect (and surprise) comeback from a legendary band. Knocked it out of the park and is my frontrunner for AOTY as of now, along with probably like half of Sputnik. |
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