I couldn't find a topic like this, so I'm not sure if there's a lot of interest in it. But since one of the biggest reasons for my coming here is to discover new music, I think we ought to have a topic dedicated to recommending the latest and greatest music to have just been released. We have staff picks and great reviews already, but a lot of stuff goes under the radar. So share your exciting new discoveries or the comebacks of old favorites with the rest of us here.

I guess it's nice to start this from the beginning of the year, but you can of course recommend some 2010 albums you think were overlooked, too.

My recommendations that haven't already been covered by MS reviews are, so far:

Crowbar - Sever The Wicked Hand: Kirk got sober and found Jesus. Good for him, I guess. It doesn't show in the music, which is as thick, sludgy and melancholy as ever before. Another solid addition to an incredibly consistent discography, if not quite their strongest effort.


DoomSword - The Eternal Battle: I've been pretty unfamiliar with DoomSword for a long time even if I've known about them and heard a song here and there. That's still the case. From what I can tell, though, The Eternal Battle is not quite as doomy and epic as their first albums but rather leans towards traditional heavy metal with the faster riffs and stuff. Pretty impressive nonetheless, there's something authentic and endearing about the band. (Couldn't find a sample, sorry.)

Weedeater - Jason... The Dragon: The sludge/stoner act Weedeater buzzes and crushes away with a deep, heavy sound that really appeals to me. When they're loud, they're tight. There's some strange filler and interludes on this album that don't really fit in, though.


Orchid - Capricorn: Orchid have released a lauded EP already, but Capricorn is their first full-length. They play groovy old school Sabbath worship. It's not new, but why should it be when it's this good?