News: MetalBite's Top 10 Albums of the Month - August 2025 : MetalBite

MetalBite's Top 10 Albums of the Month - August 2025

August - Top 10

Welcome back to MetalBite's Top 10 Albums of the Month! Is it just me or was it relatively quiet for new releases? A calm before the Album-of-the-year storm, perhaps? Maybe it's just that the big-bill bands held off putting out new stuff. Maybe we just have a proclivity here for the darker recesses of the underground. Whatever the case, we've got the goods down below.

-Nate

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Harvested - Dysthymia
Independent

Really tight no frills modern death metal with a lot of Soreption-esque groove to it. At first, it doesn't seem like anything special but then you listen for a bit, a few riffs sink their claws into you, and you can't find any major faults even with careful scrutiny. Not everything has to be avant-garde or experimental to be effective, after all.
-Nate

Call Of Charon - Tales Of Tragedy
Massacre Records

The first time I listened to Call Of Charon's new album was right after the new Signs of the Swarm, which is not bad but falls in the overproduced and formulaic kind of deathcore I'm not the biggest fan of and the difference was stark. Call Of Charon's brand of deathcore is a more organic and "Slaughter of the Soul" riffs inspired kind of deathcore, which was very welcome for my ears. If you crave a more "old school" and honest deathcore sound, Call Of Charon's got you covered!
-Raphael

Finnr's Cane - Finnr's Cane
Nordvis Produktion

For a small, isolated city, Sudbury has a surprisingly fertile metal scene - although a majority of the bands are studio projects from the same half-dozen guys. Fractal Generator, Wolven Ancestry, Symbotic Growth, and now this little atmospheric black metal project has revived itself after a few years of inactivity.

I am unsure if this was also the case on previous albums, but this eponymous work features no bass guitar, instead using cellos and keyboards to provide an extra layer of depth and contrast to the cold, treble-heavy guitar. Sometimes, the rock beat style pacing brings Lifelover to mind, though I wouldn't classify this as DSBM - there's certainly a sorrowful undercurrent, but it emerges out of something more intentionally colorful and lush - almost as to highlight the beauty in decay, like when the season turns to autumn and leaves lose their green pigment for a final scenic flourish. The literal mountain of dime-a-dozen black metal bands out there has left me pretty jaded in regards to the genre, so when I do hear something that can stand with some of the atmospheric beacons that made me fall in love with the genre (Agalloch, Alcest, Solstafir, early Ulver), it's cause for celebration.
-Nate

Centuries Of Decay - A Monument To Oblivion
Independent

Nice vaguely proggy, vaguely melodic death metal from my neck of the woods. Bit of a "kitchen sink metal" vibe going on where it pulls from a smattering of different styles and vibes - good stuff if you enjoy Rivers of Nihil, Black Crown Initiate and stuff of that ilk. Very professionally played and produced, especially for a band that's doing things completely independently.
-Nate

Cancer Void - First Metastasis
Me Saco Un Ojo Records

That spooky, synth filled intro sets the mood perfectly for this incredibly fun and highly well composed OSDM EP. Again, I'm judging by the cover, but have you seen this disgustingly beautiful art by Prague artist serus, you just know the music will be good! This is four OSDM songs crafted to perfection with monstrous vocals, precise riffs, fat meaty bass and great drumming. And considering it's their first release, stay vigilant for Cancer Void, I hope they continue developing their irresistible brand of malignant death metal.
-Raphael

Rhabdomyolysis - Visceral Lesion
Inherited Production

Snare goes ping, vocals go gurgle gurgle, guitar goes bzzzzzz. Me likey.
-Nate

The Prophecy²³ - Mosh O'Clock
Massacre Records

On their Instagram page, The Prophecy²³ describes their sound with a simple equation: Thrash+Death+Punk = Fresh Metal. Fresh is indeed a great way to describe their eclectic sound. One minute it's a punk anthem and the next, a savage death/thrash ragger and both elements blend seamlessly together to create a fun, summer vibes album. Not taking themselves to seriously with songs like "Ready To Get Wasted Again" or "Chill 'Em All", they still have a more serious side, as evident from songs like "Fresh Metal Fights Fascism" or "Work Eat Sleep Repeat" bringing a good dose of social commentary amidst all this fun.
-Raphael

Imperishable - Revelation In Purity
Everlasting Spew

When's the last time you saw an album with Derek Roddy on it? To be fair, according to his metal-archive page, he is active in a smattering of different bands in the Florida region. However, it's a lot of stuff that seems to be primarily studio projects and not the type of stuff that's into heavy touring. Gone are the days where it seems like every big bill extreme metal band that wants a fast drummer got him on board.

That's what makes this album by Imperishable such a pleasant surprise. Not only is Roddy showing that he can still kill it as an established veteran, but he's joined by top-tier talent from Nile and Olkoth to unify a worthy supergroup. There's plenty of overwhelming, dense blastbeat sections but there's a surprising amount of curveballs and diversions to balance it out (did I hear a clean vocal section in there?) while still keeping a steady mix of untainted death metal inspired by both old and new-school facets of the genre. This is undoubtedly the work of skilled, experienced musicians that know how to make something unique and compelling without showing off in a ham-fisted tension. In a word: this is meaty.
-Nate

Desaster - Kill All Idols
Metal Blade Records

Germany's blackened thrash icons, Desaster, are here with their 10th album, Kill All Idols, hopefully not talking about themselves! Since this is a new band for me, I can't compare with the rest of their discography, but this album is 40 min of polished thrash, while still retaining a blackened atmosphere, making for a perfect sounding album! It features dynamic songwriting, oscillating between mid tempo thrash to furious and fast black metal. Never forgetting melody, they always incorporate catchy riffs here and there, making for an overall fun but still kvlt and trve experience!
-Raphael

METALBITE'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE MONTH

In Mourning - The Immortal

10: In Mourning - The Immortal
Supreme Chaos Records

I do not understand why this band does not get heralded among the greats of expansive, proggy melodeath - they have the hooks, they have the rich, flowing song structures that weave elaborate tapestries, they have the crunchy groove riffs that the genre is known for with an extra bit of musicality thrown in, they don't have a bad album - why this band isn't as big as, say, Insomnium or Omnium Gatherum is a mystery to me (although they are touring with the latter, so maybe I'm underestimating their pedigree a bit). Either way, if you don't know them already - get familiar.
-Nate

MetalBite's Rating: 8.1/10

Obvurt - An Alternate Dimension

9: Obvurt - An Alternate Dimension
Brutal Mind

We all know that no one techs like Quebec! Obvurt's story is one of adversity overcome with unusual avenues to success. If you don't know the backstory, frontman/mastermind Phillippe Drouin played in another QCDM band called Unbreakable Hatred, who were solid, well-established, worked with Unique Leader, all that fun stuff - and then Drouin got in a car accident rendering his unable to play guitar in the way he had learned to over the course of decades. Most folks would throw in the towel at that point, but Drouin is not most folks. He re-learned guitar left handed, even employing the dual-neck guitar a la Michael Angelo Batio on some occasions, started a new band (even enlisting the help of some old friends and scene veterans, Sam Santiago and Olivier Pinard, for his band's first EP) and gained a modicum of viral fame when his new project played their debut show for the elementary school Drouin works at as a music teacher. Not by any means a traditional path, but an inspiring one nonetheless.

An Alternate Dimension might be my favorite Obvurt album yet - perhaps it's the abundance of tasty Gorod-esque tapping licks. Leaning more into that stuff as opposed to percussive chugging is where this band really gets the chance to showcase Drouin's augmented talents. Enzo Roussel's active bass work sounds like he took some lessons from Forest Lapointe, and Dany Araya's drumwork is grounded and groovy with enough speedy flourishes to keep up with the flurry of notes. When tech-death still maintains a catchiness and groove amidst the jumble of notes, that's when it can be particularly effective and even ensnare the minds of those that aren't immersed in the style, and Obvurt very successfully does that here. Worth a look from any tech-heads, but I think prog fans and even more classic brutal death fiends will get some mileage out of this as well.
-Nate

MetalBite's Rating: 8.1/10

Thorn - Nebulous Womb Of Eternity

8: Thorn - Nebulous Womb Of Eternity
Transcending Obscurity Records

For a death/doom album, it has an interesting beginning. The second you press play, you get hit in the face with full-on, high-speed death metal with the doom slowly creeping in, with extremely satisfying chugs and a slow, ominous solo towards the end, bringing a lot of atmosphere. The album brings groovy riffs, occasional atmosphere filled interludes, soft whispers, like voices in your head and unsettling noises just makes you feel more claustrophobic. The album ends on a high note with the title track, 7 and a half minutes of slow and heavy death/doom that transports you in a dark and moldy cave where escape is impossible. Although I preferred their last album, 2023 Evergloom, this is still a solid offering for fans of dark and crushing metal.
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 8.2/10

Devolver - Non Compos Mentis

7: Devolver - Non Compos Mentis
Independent

The first thing that drew me in was the beautiful cover art done by the legendary Travis Smith at Seempieces (who worked with Opeth, Katatonia and Death, to name a few) and that they are from Alberta (support local music, and please don't leave us! For people not taped in Canadian politics drama, there is a movement for Alberta to leave Canada and yes, I see the irony of a dude from Québec saying that) Anyway, musically, this album is pure comfort food in sonic waves. They play the kind of melodic metalcore that was big in the 2000's. Melodic death style riffs, plenty of catchy and emotional chorus, satisfying breakdowns and technical solos, I swear, to say these guys are virtuoso, is an understatement. The fact this is an independent release blows my mind, I can't wait to see where these guys go from here!
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 8.2/10

Hedonist - Scapulimancy

6: Hedonist - Scapulimancy
Southern Lord Recordings

For apocalyptic death metal band Hedonist's first album, they offer us a large portion of Bolt Thrower style heavy riffs, a disgusting (positive) guitar tone, à la Entombed, an incredible reverb filled and monstrous vocal performance. AJ summons the deepest growls a human can conjure and the most piercing screams imaginable. Musically engaging from beginning to end, each song has its own flavor of grimace inducing riffs and an overall dirty (again, positive), crust punk attitude. Featuring members from legendary Canadian blackened crust band Iskra, no wonder you feel this authentic atmosphere and raw emotions, or maybe I'm just biased.
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 8.3/10

Cemetery - Thoughts On Life... And Death

5: Cemetery - Thoughts On Life... And Death
Independent

Formed all the way back in 1986, these guys went through many stylistic and band name changes before resurrecting Cemetry in 2017 and going back to a Death inspired progressive death metal sound. Thoughts On Life... And Death is a concept album about a totalitarian regime and its oppressive nature on regular people. (absolutely no modern example of this right now…) As written on their bancamp page: "Across nine intense tracks, the album explores themes of fear, manipulation, psychological isolation, and the final struggle for dignity in the face of dehumanization." Musically the band demonstrates their immense talent and experience, offering an OSDM experience that is completely modern with progressive compositions and virtuoso playing. Their music is everything at once, brutal and aggressive, complex yet atmospheric, sometimes fast and other times slower and doom infused but the crazy, technical solos are always lurking around every corner. Again, an impressive independent release with a magnificent artwork by Silvio Fiorese, this is what makes metal special, no AI slop, just pure raw artistic talent!
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 8.4/10

Defacement - Doomed

4: Defacement - Doomed
Avantgarde / Total Dissonance Worship

Dissodeath's inherently abrasive nature means that bands in the style have to do something extra to stand out - there has to be an integration of softer melody to balance out the inherently entropy, or you just need to throw some completely unexpected, scary shit into the mix - which is harder than it should be, because everyone in the style is trying to do that.

Defacement already stood out with their previous release, Duality, with the key to them standing out among the herd being the heart-wrenching emotion they could inject into their cacophony. There was all of the hair-raising tension that this realm allows, but there was a certain eerie beauty once you peeled back the layers. It's what made it one of my top 25 albums of the year for 2024.

Barely a year later, they've already put forth another 40 minutes of equally dense music - AND they've evolved significantly from the previous release Duality. There's still moments of somber catharsis ("Unexplainable"), but immediately following that, they slowly plunge into an all-encompassing abyss that can bring Obscura-era Gorguts to mind ("Worthless"). This is less of an album that jumps out at you, requiring careful examination to get the same mileage out of it as the previous release - but there's been no compromises on the quality front, even with the quick turnaround from the previous album. Was definitely exciting and surprising to see that Defacement already had something new out - they're fast becoming one of the most intriguing and "need to know" bands in the realm of dissonant extreme metal. Get on board while the bandwagon still has room.
-Nate

MetalBite's Rating: 8.4/10

Victim Of Fire - The Old Lie

3: Victim Of Fire - The Old Lie
Southern Lord Recordings

Victim Of Fire have succeeded in blending 90's style Swedish melodic death with a good dose of crust punk for that authentic raw aggression. Already with the first song I was sold, meaty riffs, fast paced and d-beat filled drumming with an equal injection of melody and rawness, but the break before the solo of the second song, "Apocalyptic Inclination", was it for me. A recording of Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1961 farewell address, about the dangers of the influence of the military industrial complex. Looking at the state of the world in 2025, safe to say he was 100% right! The album ends with an interesting cover of "Aces High", both faithful to the original, yet transforming it completely into a Victim Of Fire song. Ending with a cover is not my favorite, I would've much better liked them to end it with the epic, 7 min. long "Disharmonist" but hey! What do I know, I'm just one dumb guy on the internet.
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 8.5/10

Malevich - Under A Gilded Sun

2: Malevich - Under A Gilded Sun
Church Road Records

One of my favorite new discoveries of the past few months was this band's 2019 release, Our Hollow. A mix of black metal, aggressive screamo, sludgy post-metal and a tinge of post-hardcore, it sucked me in immediately and kept me wondering how they would merge the elements present - and they nailed everything they tried. Tough to pin down, but it all coalesces into a potent, emotional broth that drips genuine atmosphere from its edges. This won't be something you're into if you only listen to second-wave BM worship or think any death metal after 1993 is inherently inferior. For the rest of us, Malevich is something special, and a buried gem in the realms of modern extreme metal.

Seeing they had a new album on deck was an equally pleasant surprise. Under A Gilded Sun shows more willingness to play with space and explore some of the softer sides of their sound. There's less maniacal aggression, but more dynamics. Not to say this doesn't have its share of moments that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up - their signature tonal, agonizing screech gets me every time. But the moments where they do let the ambiance slowly drift into your consciousness really show off their incredible chemistry and how each member knows exactly what to contribute to Malevich's multifaceted sound. The conclusive title track, which start off very minimal and slowly adds layers until a powerful, static force completely envelops you, is a noteworthy example of this, and one of many highlights of another powerful, compelling release from one of my new favorite bands. Don't sleep on this.
-Nate

MetalBite's Rating: 8.7/10

Blackbraid – Blackbraid III

1: Blackbraid – Blackbraid III
Independent

It's been three years since the world has been blessed by the creative genius of Jon S. Krieger aka Sgah'gahsowáh (a Mohawk name meaning "the witch hawk") and his project Blackbraid. Three years, three albums, that have propelled Jon to the top of the American and worldwide metal scene. I've been a massive day one fan and I'm so happy to see his well-deserved success. His third album is everything I wished his first and second album was. Blackbraid I was a nice introduction to his sonic world but was too short, Blackbraid II was much longer, perhaps a bit too long, and saw him experiment a bit with different styles, to varying degrees of success and now, I feel like he almost reached perfection with Blackbraid III. The fact that all this evolution happened in just three years is mind-blowing!

The album begins with a short instrumental, setting the mood with a soft acoustic guitar picking, over the sound of a fire, that ends with distortion kicking in leading to the next song. A fast blastbeat, a sadness filled riff, and his savage scream combine and send chills down my spine. The track follows a familiar structure, cleverly combining lyrics and music, to create a whole experience. While striking the toms rhythmically, he screams with passion: "The imminence of fate on the horizon, The drums of war on the wind". The track ends with a fast solo and a long, epic scream, summoning the eagles to rise and carry us to the silence of death.

"The Dying Breath Of A Sacred Stag" softly enters with a sad, acoustic guitar melody, that transforms with distortion and drums slowly kicking in, getting progressively faster and then, from the sacred forest of the ancestors, comes a powerful scream accompanied by a short tapping riff that cracks up the energy to 11. The song being kind of long, 7 min 45 sec, it is constructed in such a way that there are enough repetitions, making the melody get planted in your head and has a good meditative quality, it's surprisingly relaxing. It ends on a fade out, just as it began, with that sad melody on acoustic guitar. Speaking of sadness, I would say it is the main theme of this album, the melodies, the lyrics, it combines to leave us reflecting on our own mortality.

I think "God Of Black Blood" might be my favorite song, although it can change depending on the day. Every song has its own life and mood, but the simple blackened, stomping rhythm combined with his powerful voice always pumps me up! And in the middle of this brutality, the soft and soothing sound of a traditional flute appears, as if sent from the heavens to heal our hearts. But it only makes a quick appearance, and the cold brutality comes back. Towards the end, he drops an incredible shredding solo, just because he can!

To top it all, the beautiful Adam Burke cover, with border art by Adrian Baxter makes for, hands down, the best album cover of the year! And with Neil Schneider handling the recording, mixing and mastering, everything sounds balanced, polished but organic. Blackbraid's ascension to the top of the black and general metal scene is an inspiring sight, the resilience, after surviving some of the worst crimes humanity has committed, being still here, with a burning desire to live and I feel so lucky to be able to witness it. Speaking of crimes against humanity, I'll end with an obligatory Free Palestine and never lose hope!
-Raphael

MetalBite's Rating: 9.9/10