Heavy Metal Resource-Picks

This page was last updated on: June 30, 2025

Pick of the month for 6 - 2025

A-Z-A2Z²

I have revamped the picks section into more of a buyers guide. I figured that I would give a little more exposure to albums that are must haves and are still available as far as I know. If you have questions beyond the descriptions given, email me. Thanks for checking this section out.

Review Coming Soon!

Upon writing my review of the last Fates Warning album, I mentioned hoping that maybe they would do some writing in the future, but it looked unlikely at the time. For those not familiar with A-Z, this band features Ray Alder and on this release, Mark Zonder who played with Fates Warning. I was happy to see DGM guitarist Simone Mularoni on this album as well. This is a very good lineup and has slightly changed from the debut. This band brings in some of the best musicians for sure. Musically, it's sort of liker Fates Warning, and sort of not. This band's music to me is very upbeat sounding and while being flashy, it also sounds very disciplined and smooth. I actually missed the first album, but went back and grabbed it and both are absolutely superb. A very polished simple progressive album. Maybe a more basic approach with huge results! Don't miss any of the titles below as they all represent the genre very nicely!

A definite banger of an album. Can have some decent finesse, and then go for the jugular in terms of intensity. The band has come a long way and these recent albums have shown them evolve in big ways in terms of their sound. Definitely writing and delivering at the top of their game. For fans of heavy modern type stuff.

For Fans of: Heavy Rock Website: Lacuna Coil Official Website

Very good UK hard rock band that has been on the scene for a bit now. The band once again offer melodic hard rock goodness with a nice thick guitar sound. Performances are top notch once again. Nathan James has also fronted some other cool stuff like Iconic. Always confident sounding is this band. Check them out!

For Fans of: Hard Rock Website: Inglorious Official Website

Harem Scarem always brings the goods. Performances are always good and the songwriting is always as expected. The band have a sound to them that is always there and of the highest quality. This album is once again, chock full of great songs. If you are into a traditional melodic hard rock sound, Harem Scarem is an easy recommend!

For Fans of: Melodic Hard Rock Website: Harem Scarem Facebook

Very good new album from this modern rock band. They have a combination of clean and scream although it leans a bit more to clean vocally. Songs are fairly catchy and some have a mainstream feel to them. The band have been gaining traction recently and will be doing some shows with Falling In Reverse soon. Great modern album!

For Fans of: Modern Hard Rock Website: Sleep Theory Official Website

Another banger of an album. If you know Volbeat, you'll know what you are getting with this album. Always love the big riffing and vocals are unique. Lot's of good heavy stuff on this record. While things are similar to other albums and songs, it still retains a fresh quality feel. Another solid record!

For Fans of: Modern Metal Website: Volbeat Official Website

Every now and then I show my more extreme side. Sure, everyone knows who this band is and if you like it really heavy, with great riffing and songwriting with substance, this is your band and album. I feel like this album needs to be taken in with multiple listens to fully digest everything here. Pretty solid intense modern metal!

For Fans of: Modern Heavy Metal Website: Killswitch Engage Official Website

One of the more modern and heavy bands on the newly started BLKIIBLK label from Frontiers. This is a female fronted band that we have looked at before. This album continues in the direction the band usually take. Loud and nasty with plenty of imagery. If you like more modern stuff with a dark edge. This one fits the bill.

For Fans of: Modern Hard Rock Website: Sick N' Beautiful Official Website

Excellent new melodic hard rock release from the Swedish rockers. The band write with a decent nod to the heyday of the 80's mixed with their usual flashy hard rock sound complete with very good vocal work and great songwriting. A pretty consistent release that traditional hard rock fans will love!

For Fans of: Hard Rock Website: H.E.A.T. Official Website

After a great release a few years ago, Smackbound singer Netta Laurenne and Battle Beast vocalist Noora Louhimo return with an even better release in my opinion. I recently took them both in just to be able to honestly compare and this new one evolves the band a bit and has a very good tracklisting. Easy recommend!

For Fans of: Rock Website: Laurenne/Louhimo Facebook