No Worth of Man – The Killing Streets

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With a title that makes you think No Worth of Man might be dropping some gangster rap, their new album The Killing Streets arrives with more pent-up anger issues than a hypothetical ten-year-old alcoholic. As is often the case with such intense material, the quality wasn’t immediately apparent; it required a deep, attentive dive to unravel. That’s precisely what we’re here for: to mess around in the sonic chaos and, hopefully, find out what lies beneath the aggression.

Cartoons Can’t Die – Rebirth

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If you’ve ever read Sophie’s World, you’ll understand how perfectly Platonic the band name Cartoon Can’t Die truly is. Now that I’ve indulged in that moment of cheap snobbery, let me tell you that their new album, Rebirth, doesn’t really fit into a simple genre box. And no, it’s not exactly the soundtrack to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. So, let’s jump into one genuinely strange album, because that’s what you’re here for.

Blackwater Drowning – Obscure Sorrows

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It’s time to review a band I have no prior knowledge about—a statement that, for a reviewer, borders on the embarrassing. Lucky for you, I have very little shame left. Blackwater Drowning (a wonderfully evocative name) arrives with their album Obscure Sorrows, and to be fair, the proposal is at least intriguingly enigmatic. So, let’s see if this album can rescue me from the near-permanent state of critical numbness that sets in after doing this for more years than I’d care to admit. Enough professional bitterness, however; let’s try to approach this with an open mind and see if we can find some genuine cheer in the music.

Dropout Kings – Yokai

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I’m going to try something new and difficult for once. First, reviewing Dropout Kings’ Yokai, which is the closest we’ve come to covering a completely different music genre. Second, being honest yet respectful, given the irreplaceable human loss the band has recently suffered. So, despite my deep-seated disdain for most Nu-Metal or Hip-Hop, I’m willing to change (unlike your parents!). Let’s dive in—because that cover art promises madness.

Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea

If we go back to 2021, most of you were locked into your homes, thinking about how many shows were left to watch before the total apocalypse consumed us. However, that wasn’t the only surprise of the year. We got Eternal Blue, an album that put Spiritbox on the map as one of the new ambassador bands (bands that bring newcomers into the genre). Being such a band can deeply divide the Metal world, which is why Tsunami Sea is one of the most anticipated—and dreaded—releases of 2025. I’ll be honest, I enjoyed the debut as much as anyone, but I understood its limitations. So, where does Tsunami Sea stand?

Jinjer – Duél

The elitists will say that Jinjer is a mainstream band that takes a bit of Metalcore and Djent and tries to give it a Progressive twist. Personally, I don’t really care what the gatekeepers think. I’d argue that the band takes elements that have been massively successful and blends them with more underground influences, making them a great ambassador band for those ready to explore the harsher side of our community. That said, my expectations for Duél are realistic—I’ll have fun, but I don’t expect anything to completely blow me away. Let’s dive in and see what it’s all about! Worst-case scenario, we end up liking it, and that’s not so bad, right?