This week’s best albums:
With more interspersed melody and dynamics (plus a “screamo” influence), post-black-metal outfit Deafheaven turns in a masterpiece for its second LP.
Legendary metalcore band Integrity is back with more hellacious riffs and harrowing monotone screams.
Super-group The White Mandingos (MURS, Darryl Jenifer, Sacha Jenkins) is the rap-core heir you’ve been hoping for since Ice-T’s Body Count dropped “Cop Killer” in 1992.
“Loop-based riffs/power duo” Noxious Foxes combines more winding, aggressive riffs with breakneck beats and nonsensical portmanteaus.
Prog-metal quartet Scale the Summit takes an epic journey.
Southwestern indie-folk outfit Calexico gets the live symphonic treatment.
Honorable Mentions
Black Sabbath: 13 (Vertigo / Republic)
Boards of Canada: Tomorrow’s Harvest (Warp)
BoySetsFire: While a Nation Sleeps (Bridge Nine)
Children of Bodom: Halo of Blood (Nuclear Blast)
Date Palms: The Dusted Sessions (Thrill Jockey)
Dreamers Dose: At Least We’re Happy
Gold Panda: Half of Where You Live (Ghostly)
John Vanderslice: Dagger Beach (Tiny Telephone)
Emily Wells: Mama Acoustic Recordings (Partisan)