MARCH/APRIL 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

The past 2 months have flown by, except for when they dragged on forever. Time isn't real anymore. Thankfully, music is real, so don't worry about it, okay? Check out these ten tracks.

Blackbraid - Nocturnal Womb: I didn't expect to get new Blackbraid songs considering their latest album dropped just a few months ago, but here we are, and damn, are they good. Blackbraid's blend of atmospheric black metal and ambient folk continues to impress, with Nocturnal Womb being the highlight of the three songs. The tremolo-picked intro does a fantastic job of building up the eight minutes of harsh perfection that follows. If that's not your speed, though, there's also a great acoustic performance on this EP that's well worth a listen.

Drug Church - Pynch: I also didn't anticipate a new Drug Church song, considering Prude just dropped... wait, it was released two years ago now? Where has the time gone? Anyway, Drug Church's melodic hardcore is as accessible and fun as it's ever been, with their trademark raspy vocals, passionate and direct lyrics, and catchy-yet-gritty guitar riffs. It took a few listens for this one to really click with me, but now I can't seem to get it out of my head.

Portrayal of Guilt - Ecstasy: Picking a favorite song off Portrayal of Guilt's new album wasn't easy, but I have to go with Ecstasy, because that bass line. This entire record has AOTY potential. Their grimy, metallic screamo is now infused with industrial, nu metal, and sludge, and it fucking works. This is pure filth in the best way possible. I'm sure there will be people put off by this new fusion, but I can't get enough of it. Do yourself a favor and give ...Beginning of the End a spin.

Panopticon - The White Cedars: Wait, we got new Blackbraid and new Panopticon this year? Sign me the fuck up. Like the former, Panopticon is also at the top of their game. I feel a special connection to Austin as he also currently lives in MN, and his music perfectly captures the dark, lonely winters here. This track, one of the last to release ahead of the forthcoming album, is fluid and refined atmospheric black metal that will transport you to a different place and time.

Vomit Forth - Prophecy of Defilement: My first thought after hearing this song for the first time was "oh shit, this is nasty!" I've been aware of Vomit Forth, never really getting too into them, but this song is sick. It's one of the best brutal death metal tracks I've heard in a long time. It's aggressive, chaotic and discordant but still feels restrained in a way that's hard to quantify. I'm definitely a fan from here on out and am looking forward to listening to the full album.

Sunn O))) - Glory Black: As far as inaccessible metal goes, Sunn O))) are one of the most popular acts, and with good reason. Even if drones and ambient noise aren't really your thing, a lot of people tend to respect them. They know what they're doing; they know how to craft a dreary atmosphere. Their latest album was a delight, and this finishing track was the highlight. It's haunting and beautiful in a way that I wasn't expecting, and I can't get enough of it. Usually, I only listen to Sunn O))) when I can sit and manage a full album, but this is a track I expect to see in heavy rotation in the future.

The Callous Daoboys: Gigantic Parasite Tongue: I'll be honest; last year's I Don't Want to See You In Heaven disappointed me. Is that a controversial opinion? Look, I wanted to love it. Celebrity Therapist is one of my favorite albums of all time. But the emphasis on nu metal stylings over the frenetic mathcore I was familiar with was a hard blow. That's not to say it was bad, it just wasn't for me. So, I had my expectations in check going into this new single, but it turned out there was no need, because this is Daoboys at their finest.

Tokyo Shoegazer - Wisteria: With the amount of unserious band names out there today, you'd be forgiven for assuming Tokyo Shoegazer isn't actually a Japanese shoegaze band, but no, they're exactly what it sounds like. And it sounds great. The second track off their latest album, Remains, this is the type of fuzzy soundscape you just want to sink into. And when it really kicks in partway through? Incredible. There's a reason they're one of my fav effects pedals maestros at the moment.

You are an angel - escape your hometown by any means necessary: I love Glass Beach. They're one of the only bands I'd truly consider 'post-emo', with their experimental approach to pop and indie rock, with a dash of screamo and sludge. So, I was over the moon when I discovered that frontwoman J has a new solo project, You are an angel, which I completely missed out on when their debut album dropped back in February. The Glass Beach sound is definitely still present, but it's completely new and upbeat, a bit more 'emo' than 'post-emo.' I genuinely can't recommend it enough - check out this track for a sample of one of the best albums of the year thus far.

Foo Fighters - Asking For a Friend: I have a confession to make; I'm not a huge Foo Fighters fan. I like some of their singles, but I've never really been tempted to sit and listen to an album in full until this past month, at my friend's insistence. And yeah, they're good, but nothing too special. But their latest album really surprised me. I figured they'd be like most bands that have been around for what seems like forever, putting out what I like to call 'mature slop', but no, the record is grungy and invigorating. Well played, Foo Fighters. This song is my personal highlight.