Ghost's debut feature film is a unique phantasmagorical blend of mesmerizing live performance & intriguing narrative, an all-singing, all-dancing front row seat at the most joyous show in heavy metal. The soundtrack is a fitting 18-song complement to the film, captured at their now-legendary sold-out two-night stand at the Forum, & includes a new single "The Future Is A Foreign Land".

From the terrifically bombastic opening of “Intro” to the chiming finish of “A Party”, American Hero twists and turns between bursts of energetic pop-punk, frenzied expressions of lust, calmer reflective honesty, and sharply observed moments of uncomplicated joy. Towa Bird is writing a queer love story for the ages.

Covering an ambitious range of subject matter from the politics of race to 1970s stadium rock, Southern Rock Opera filters, every topic through the context of legendary Southern band Lynyrd Skynyrd. This remixed and remastered deluxe edition features a resequenced record as well as a third disc with multiple bonus tracks including the previously unreleased “Mystery Song”.

On their fourth album, Australian electro-pop duo, Empire Of The Sun, deliver more groovy synth beats, futuristic sounds topped with high-pitched glam vocals and catchy choruses. It’s a feast of indulgent sugary sweet bops that only the astral wizards of electro-pop can cook up. Available on Clear Vinyl.

The 10th album from unstoppable country-rock road warriors might be the Raleigh band’s best. Pairing up once again with producer Shooter Jennings, American Aquarium turn in an album that rollicks and ruminates with equal profundity, cementing gravelly-voiced songwriter BJ Barham’s band among the upper echelon of modern Americana acts.

With veteran musicians from such legendary bands as Anthrax, Armored Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Machine Head, Overkill, Exodus, and Shadows Fall, it’s hard not to think of Category 7 as a supergroup. As crushing and confrontational as an armed rebellion and as fiercely melodic as infectious riffs and aggressive vocals can be, Category 7 is a new breed of metal that lives up to the storied histories of its members.

Having risen to prominence by sticking rigidly to a formula of succinct, melody-heavy rabble-rousers, Powerwolf simply continue to refine and redefine their sound. Wake Up The Wicked is entirely free of songwriting flab, and pointless, scene-setting atmospherics are kept to a minimum, ensuring that every song impacts like an elbow to the eye-socket.

Fantasy-fueled metal merchants Summoning The Lich dive deeper into their unique universe bringing together the schools of technical and melodic death metal, with a touch of deathcore. Under The Reviled Throne, their second full-length, is an elaborate concept album that will appeal to many who long for a lyrical saga and maximum damage.

=1 captures the band’s pioneering classic sound without relying on nostalgia, embodying the essence and attitude of their 1970s incarnation. The enigmatic title ‘=1’ symbolizes the idea that in a world growing ever more complex, everything eventually simplifies down to a single, unified essence. It all adds up to one.

Kiely Connell’s gritty and powerful sophomore effort may just be the only record coming out this year inspired by the writings of horror/fantasy author Neil Gaiman, musical theater, and John Prine. This eclectic grab bag of influences, along with country/indie rock nods, make for a compelling album.

Carper continues her subtle mix of jazz, blues and soul creating songs that cross the genres, calling back to the “popular” sounds of another era. From Gospel-style vocal choruses to funky grooves, to recalling the classic R&B of the 50s and 60s, to hillbilly jazz, honky-tonk, and country soul, Carper has created another stunner for eager listeners to enjoy.

After promising to release only five studio albums under his own name, Sturgill Simpson marks the beginning of a new era. It’s not a comeback, it’s a recalibration firing on all cylinders. Passage Du Desir is a stroke of outlaw country genius and a massive, psychedelic vacuum of singer-songwriter reckonings and pensive, concerto swells.

The Sydney five-piece are the embodiment of what makes hardcore so exciting at the moment, and there is no question that these Aussies have earned their place among the leaders of the pack. Their debut full-length Only One Mode is surely the most anticipated pure hardcore release of the year and it has no trouble living up to all the hype.