Adam Brennan

Zakk Wylde keeps his reinstated mentor in mind

Progressive voyagers bring the riches – and the stitches

Atlanta’s rejuvenated riff lords run rampant in the Welsh valleys

UK death metallers combine polish with potency

Phil Anselmo’s black metal venture leaves a trail of desolation

Antaeus frontman makes a fierce declaration of independence

Australia’s reunited ruffians overcome their confines

West coast metallic hardcore bruisers in need of more moves

British metal masters reach a new high ground of heavy

Norway’s eclectic metalcore bruisers hit too many shades

Relocated Russians conjure a black/ death behemoth of their own

The Gospel live

Michigan’s melodeath masters hit new heights

Well-honed tech-death with an aptitude for destruction

Technical deathcore still trying to prise itself from the template

Progressive Costa Ricans go exploring without a map

Alaska’s melodic metallers continue to explore their own path

Aussie deathcore brutalists try to regain their bearings