This edition includes New Meshuggah, and other stuff you probably don't care about. To the metals…
Alter Bridge – The Last Hero 
Genre: Rock
Origin: Orlando, Florida
Label: Caroline
Buy now on Amazon.com
I don't get this band, but people were pissed when I ignored their last release, and the latest from their guitarist Mark Tremonti. So for fans of most of Creed, Slash's vocalist, or Tremonti's legitimately good guitar playing, here you fucking go. For everyone else, I now await your rage.
Candiria – While They Were Sleeping 
Genre: Alt metal
Origin: Brooklyn, New Work
Label: Metal Blade
Buy now on Amazon.com
This is Candiria's first new record in seven years. This band seems to be back in a big way. Fans of not-quite-nu metal, not-quite-rap metal, or rhythmic-yet-not-djent-but-still-groovy-and-surprisingly-catchy stuff should jump on this if you haven't already.
Kyng – Breathe In The Water 
Genre: Stoner
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Label: Razor & Tie
Buy now on Amazon.com
If you have heard a Kyng record, you know what you're in for here. These guys are one of the best stoner rock acts out right now. They mix the smokey sounds with some modern rock (which may seem like a slam, but it isn't) and stellar guitar playing into something special. This is their best yet.
Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep Of Reason 
Genre: Progressive metal
Origin: Umea, Sweden
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
Meshuggah are a long running band, and they continue to prove that every djent band out there is in debt to them. The grooves are as heavy and intense as always. The record will hypnotize and destroy you, while reminding you that you aren't that good at your beloved musical instrument of choice.
Mouth of the Architect – Path of Eight
Genre: Post-metal
Origin: Dayton, Ohio
Label: Translation Lost
Buy now on Amazon.com
Post-metal has become a tricky thing to continue to do well. Mouth of the Architect are still one of the best. Path of Eight is the perfect balance of the signature sound of the genre (which is easy to stagnate in) and sound expansion (which is an easy way to alienate fans). I've heard so little so far, and want the whole thing in my brain please.
Sample here
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Cell Phone Bikini
Genre: Experimental
Origin: El Paso, Texas
Label: Ipecac
Buy now on Amazon.com
What is this number seven of these things? This one is all Teri Gender Bender on vocals with some Mars Volta rhythm from mid-era drummer Thomas Pridgen and bassist Juan Alderete (albeit on two song). I want to say that this is my favorite of the series so far, but it's been so hard because each is different and it depends on my mood. Right now though, this one is doing it for me.
Sample here
Sonata Arctica – The Ninth Hour 
Genre: Power metal
Origin: Femi, Fidland
Label: Nuclear Blast
Buy now on Amazon.com
Lets end this week in perhaps the most epic way possible. Album number nine (Ninth Hour…get it?) has Tony Kakko and the gang doing what they have done better than much of their scene for over twenty years. Features one of my favorite lyrics I've heard in a while in "Life is much better alive/It is a dumb thing to say/But the fact won't wane away." Yes, it's dumb, but kinda charming. Now, get out to a forest with your keytar this weekend and start frolic to your heart's content.
Also dropping today…
Dayshell – Nexus (Spinefarm) – Post-hardcore
Dee Snider – We Are The Ones (Red River) – Heavy metal
The Devil Wears Prada – Transit Blues (Rise) – Metalcore
Fit For A King – Deathgrip (Solid State) – Metalcore
Gatecreeper – Sonoran Deprevation (Relapse) – Death metal
Green Day – Revolution Radio (Reprise) – Pop punk
NOFX – First Ditch Effort (Fat Wreck Chords) – Punk
Salem’s Bend – Salem’s Bend (Ripple) – Hard rock
Saxon – Let Me Feel Your Power DVD/CD (UDR) – Heavy metal
Sum 41 – 13 Voices (Hopeless) – Pop punk
Take Over And Destroy – Take Over And Destroy (Prosthetic) – Sludge/black metal
Watchtower – Concepts Of Math: Book One EP (Prosthetic) – Technical thrash
