Best Albums: Melvins, Bryce Dessner & Kronos Quartet, Czar, Phuture Doom

This week’s best albums

– On the umpteenth Melvins studio album, the seminal sludge institution hearkens back to its 1983 lineup by re-integrating founding drummer Mike Dillard.

– On top of his many credits, multitalented twin Bryce Dessner of The National debuts an LP that he wrote for Kronos Quartet, a 40-year-old ensemble that’s as close to rock stardom as a chamber group can get.

– Chicago metal purveyor Czar returns for its sophomore album, a rage-filled bag of sludge-and-scream that mainlines adrenaline — complete with a Beatles cover.

– Detroit electronic outfit Phuture Doom makes dance-minded dubstep with a black-metal twist, resulting in a most refreshing listen.

Honorable mentions

Howe Gelb: The Coincidentalist (New West)

Impending Doom: Death Will Reign (E1)

Iron Chic: The Constant One (Bridge Nine)

The Thing: Boot! (The Thing Records)