Weekly Digest, Week 21 / 2026

Some great prog, grind and folk coming your way from As The Sun Falls, Blindead 23, Makkmat, Noituma and Psyclops.

And here are a few bigger things coming out this week:

Armored Saint – Emotion Factory Reset (heavy metal)

Dimmu Borgir – Grand Serpent Rising (symphonic black metal)

Moonlight Haze – Interstellar Madness (EP) (symphonic/power metal)

XCOMM – Time To Burn (hardcore)

---

TOP PICK OF THE WEEK

Blindead 23 – Deuterium

Genre: Progressive extreme metal

Subjective rating: 4/5

Objective rating: 4/5

Country of origin: Poland

Newly reformed from the remnants of Blindead, which existed from 2003-2022, this new iteration of the band features an impressive lineup that draws its experience from such acts as Behemoth, Katatonia, Vltimas and more. And the talent behind the performances is quite obvious on "debut" album Deuterium. I'd describe it as a mix between the rhythmic smoothness and melodic cleans of Leprous with the driving, harsh brutality of Cult Of Luna at their heaviest.

While there's absolutely a starkness to the sound, I wouldn't describe it as harsh, instead going quite meaty and punchy when the intensity builds, more like death metal than black metal in that regard. Led by highly competent and expressive vocals, the progress of the album flows on mostly steady and patient currents, although with a few unexpected detours along the way. It requires focus, but rewards it by unlocking a whole host of different layers and deep immersion. A bit over-stuffed with atmosphere, but really well produced and mature-feeling in every way.

Highlights: "Deuterium" and "Immersion II".

---

As The Sun Falls – Songs From The Veil

Genre: Melodic death/doom metal

Subjective rating: 3.5/5

Objective rating: 3.5/5

Country of origin: Switzerland (Finland)

Been too long since you got a fresh hit of Insomnium? I'd be surprised if this didn't do it for you. As The Sun Falls (I mean, it's all in the name, isn't it?) make melancholic, atmospheric melodeath that sounds like it's emanating from the deepest, darkest, most remote forests of Finnish winter. Thanks to a coldly vivid, mildly uplifting quality to the melodies, this doesn't really feel depressing, nor come close to the bitterness of black metal.

As is typical with Finnish epic extreme metal, it's not what you would call lean, but while it sounds nice and rich, it also doesn't pack too elements into its production. Acoustics and background vocals are reserved for the calmer sections, and the guitars and drums mostly get to drive the rest. It's not particularly characterful, and could benefit from a few more outstanding moments, but it certainly doesn't feel derivative. From what I've heard it's a step up for the band, that sees them balancing heaviness and thoughtfulness just as well as the very best in this corner of the subgenre.

Highlight: "As Night Devours"

---

Makkmat – Syke Fantasier

Genre: Grindcore/punk

Subjective rating: 4/5

Objective rating: 3.5/5

Country of origin: Norway

Makkmat (worm food) is a ferociously aggressive, grindcore-driven punk band from my original home town of Bergen, Norway, which allows me the insider's privilege of extra-layer amusement at some of their lyrics and song titles. So yes, I'm a bit biased, but if you're a fan of the ragged-edge and extremely in-your-face end of the metal spectrum then there is plenty of objective reason that you should have a blast with "Syke Fantasier" (sick fantasies).

Most of the time they pour on ripsaw riffs and charging drums with shrieking vocals on top, keeping track lengths to a minimum (averaging just over 1 minute), and all of a sudden you've got a bit of death metal, hardcore, crust, and of course a few, obligatory samples. The stuff in between the standout tracks does blend together a bit if you're not paying strict attention, but blink and the album takes a new, sharp turn in an attempt to snap your inattentive neck. It's a sandpaper face slap of an experience that's far from too chaotic to have fun with.

Highlight: "Shahed-136" and "Arna Verdenskrieg"

---

Noituma – Yhdeksän sairautta

Genre: Folk/doom metal

Subjective rating: 3.5/5

Objective rating: 3.5/5

Country of origin: Finland

Yes, despite what that album cover might lead you to believe, this is actually full-on Finnish folk metal that's somewhat of a clash of traditional solemnness and punk rowdiness. You get hoarse-throated, belted-out vocals, classic doom riffs with a bit of black metal darkness to the tone, lots of energy but also plenty of melodic beauty from the violin and fun texture from the mouth harp.

This is not an impeccably put together album, nor expertly produced, nor well-matured in terms of concept. But it more than makes up for it with raw enthusiasm and well-balanced conflux of stylistic elements. It's a bit like a proto-Finntroll if they decided to go the pagan route rather than the antic-y goblin-ear one.

Highlight: "Kynnen ja kulmahampaan laki"

---

Psyclops – Bound to Burn: Melody of the Martyr

Genre: Progressive metal

Subjective rating: 4/5

Objective rating: 4/5

Country of origin: USA

If you think this is gonna be the type of conceptual, story-driven prog that treats tracks like chapters in a tale and absolutely blows up the runtime with spoken-word segments and wild, unending instrumental tangents, then you are right on at least one count. Yes, this is storytelling in musical form, but at less than 33 minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome in the least. And sure, if you're allergic to musical theater-reminiscent vocal delivery and a thematically driven flow, then it might not be your cup of tea. But you'll missing out on some great music.

The variation on the album is expertly managed, and ranges from chugging harshness to meditative pools of laid back, atmospheric melody. The vocals are wildly competent and display a wide spectrum of styles. It's not the heaviest or most intense, but feels incredibly well-considered, with organic, reassuring pacing that's devoid of tropes and never makes a single misstep. Will it win over a lot of people outside the prog sphere? Probably not. And that's okay.

Highlights: "Consequences III: Swallowed Skies, Sea of Eyes (Pg. 12)" and "Indomitable I: Depths of Dissent (Pg. 26)

---

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Abandon Agony – Endbringer

Genre: Melodic death metal

Country of origin: Sweden

Dimhav – Ondine

Genre: Progressive/power metal

Country of origin: Sweden

Membrance – Resa Marciana

Genre: Death/thrash metal

Country of origin: Italy

Opera IX - Veneficium

Genre: Symphonic black/gothic metal

Country of origin: Italy

PIG – Hurt People Hurt

Genre: Industrial metal/rock

Country of origin: England

Shewolff — We're All Gonna Fukkin' Die

Genre: Heavy/black metal/punk

Country of origin: Belgium