Quarter One, 2026
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I've been making a point this year of listening to as many new releases as I can - these were the biggest standouts for me in Jan/Feb/March (not in any type of order of importance). Lots of first introductions to bands/artists that I wish I'd already been familiar with (or feel like I should have been)...better late than never. One downside to consuming so much new music all at once is that the threshold to make an impression becomes significantly higher. I want to revisit a lot of albums that didn't make the list and see if they make more of an impression the next time around. Also GIMME ALL YOUR RECS - I wanna know what I snoozed on, paid too little attention to, or otherwise overlooked.
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DreamcrushMOLJanuary album of the month. There seems to be a disconnect between MØL fans who weren't impressed by the new direction this album headed and those for whom DREAMCRUSH was the first introduction to the band. I'm happy to be grouped with the latter. - 2
ParacosmAbsolutelyMy super cheesy album of the month for February. It came into my life at the right moment and I couldn't help but form an attachment - 3
An Undying Love for a Burning WorldNeurosisMarch album of the month (how could it be anything else) - this new album/lineup announcement was nowhere near my radar. Stoked to see these guys at a fest this summer - 4
The BereavedMarianas RestA close contender for January album of the month. - 5
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Ferrum SidereumZuNot something I'd throw on all the time, but it's definitely fascinating - 7
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The Secrets to Altering RealityBansheeI wasn't super into this at first - partly because it sounds like something I would have loved as a teenager (triggering some bad nostalgia) but you know what...my inner teen deserves to be indulged once in a while - 22
In VersesKarnivoolHonestly, I wanted to be more hyped for this one. I'm thinking it'll grow on me more over time - 23
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Future QuietMobySay what you will about Moby the guy, but Moby the musician just fills a niche space in the soul - 26
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Sunlight EchoesWhitelandsThis one took a few listens and I'm still not totally sure I should have included it. Gotta be in the right mood for sure - 28
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IM30Infected MushroomNot huge into this genre but Infected Mushroom does it best. One of my favorite electronic acts to see live - 34
TornCobrahHadn't heard of Cobrah before and I was ambivalent about this at first, but my travel plans coincided with her tour and I ended up going to a show and that really cemented this for me - 35
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A6LightsNot really a new album, just the extended version that I'd been eagerly anticipating. Didn't disappoint - 39
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Liturgy of DeathMayhemIt's embarrassing to admit this, but this is the first Mayhem album I've actually listened to. Added them to the list of essential bands that I gotta discog-dive - 42
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TempelschlafThe Ruins of BeverastStill not in love with the clean vocals but everything else makes up for it - 45
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Hors TempsIncandescenceMy god, what is it about french black metal‽ One thing I'll say for Quebec: they definitely generate Canada's best music output m/ - 47
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