A typically stacked edition of New Music Mondays this week, with everything from rock to metal to country for us to check out! Let’s dive right in!

Amon Amarth: The Allfather Awakens

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read our full review here!

Miranda Lambert: Crisco

Following on from 2024’s Postcards from Texas, the modern country legend is back with her 10th solo album. Right off the bat, I didn’t enjoy it as much as her previous release. ‘Snakeskin Boots’ is a pretty bad opener, and wastes a feature of the biggest star in the genre at the minute in Ella Langley. Things don’t get much better with the title track or ‘Cowgirl Curtsy’. I very much get the appeal; it’s like Barbie’s country music, or Kaitlin Butts’ latest stuff without the fun or Oklahoma theming. It’s certainly a far cry from the rocky and attitude-filled Four the Record, or even her last album. It’s just all a bit… slow, and while it is well written and performed, it was a bit on the boring side for me. Maybe it was the production on it compared to the last, but something about it just wasn’t for me.

As I said though, it isn’t a bad album. The more up-tempo ‘Cuttin’ Onions’ is fun, as is the preceeding ballad ‘Two Things Can be True’. ‘Whiskey Business’ is also good, and Chris Stapleton’s voice is so perfect it makes ‘A Song to Sing’ also great, as they duet together excellently. However, the album as a whole I could take or leave personally, and it’s not one I’d revisit very often. If you are a fan of her you will still probably get a lot out of this so I would recommend, or if you’re a fan of slower country girly-pop. However, I sadly can’t give it any more than 5.5/10

Kyle Gordon: Kyle Gordon is Everywhere

The album title is most certainly correct; Kyle Gordon is indeed everywhere. We’ve been a fan of him for a while here at Overtone, but the lead up to this release has seen him all over my social media, and even appearing alongside the likes of Daniel Radcliffe and (suddenly controversially) Edd Sheeran. It has built a hype up for this release even more so than his last two stellar releases. And, if the singles so far are anything to go by, we’re certainly in for another wild, fun and great album!

Speaking of the singles, they front-load the album. They’re broken up perfectly by narrator of the release Mr Radcliffe, following a similar formula from the last two albums of introducing and giving background to each track and the fictional band that wrote it. However, the album tracks are just as awesome, too! Downshift’s ‘Hero of Fallujah’ is a great dark-folk-rock banger, ‘We Are the Zorg’ is industrial awesomeness, and the funky ‘Congratulations’ rounds things out perfectly. However, every song is fantastic in its own right, and so creatively written.

Three albums deep and the formula has not at all gotten stale. The album still flows excellently, and him changing up the genre and style with each track shows Kyle’s phenomenal levels of talent. It’s silly and over the top and certainly not for everyone, but if you have even a vague curiosity this is well worth spinning in full! While I don’t think it’s collectively quite as strong as his other two works, it’s also hard not to view them all as one big project, and regardless it’s a lot of fun. A very easy 8.5/10 from us!

P.S. congratulations on Kyle on his doctorate!

Escape the Fate: The Last Goodbye

Max: This album doesn’t feel nearly as good as Imminence. It’s fine, it’s not horrendous, but it is nothing to write home about. I think the most noteworthy song on the album was ‘Paranoia’ which is a solid metalcore track. But, there isn’t anything particularly special about it which is a disappointment. Genuinely I think, hell I know that this band is capable of making better music but so much of this album was just bland and to be honest the lyrics were by far the worst part. So much so that I found myself cringing at some parts and that isn’t exactly what you would want. 5/10

These Wicked Rivers: Fire and Folklore

Derby’s greatest musical export are back with their highly anticipated new album. If you didn’t know already, we are huge fans of this band here at Overtone, and once again the Southern rockers don’t disappoint! Lead single/opener ‘Ain’t no Smoke’ has been routinely stuck in my head since we reacted to it when it dropped, while other singles, ‘Horse to Water’ and the Kezia Gill-featuring ‘Sing Another Song’ are also awesome and great representations of the album. However, the album tracks are just as excellent! ‘Better Man’ is a beautiful, emotional ballad, while ‘Brother oh Brother’ is a fantastic, epic Western track and ‘Love to Love’ and ‘Woodland Queen’ give more of a classic Rivers energy.

I like the slower, more country-like approach they’ve taken on this release, like a darker Blackberry Smoke, and it fits the bands style and John’s vocals fantastically. However, there’s still plenty of energy to it too, especially later in the album. They have not forgotten their roots or steered too far from their last album, but have evolved and grown, pushing the boundaries of their sound. It’s every bit as good as Force of Nature, and is an album I’d recommend to absolutely anyone. I love it already, while I also think the album will grow on me even more too with more listens. The lads have done it again, and it’s another incredble 9.5/10 from us!

The Paradox: Proceed with Caution

Jade: I came across this band last year and instantly fell in love. It took me straight back to my teen years, when I started to discover pop punk from watching all the teen comedies and chick flicks from the 90s and early 2000s. This band is so old school but also somehow feels really present.

This EP continues to show how fun and upbeat these guys are, as with their past releases. It just makes you let loose and it’s just such a vibe. There is just such a crazy amount of talent between the four of them. I’m completely hooked on ‘That’s Not Fair’; it’s the song that feels like I’ve been put in a time machine. I could just have it on repeat it’s so good. Another favourite is ‘Stoner Mentality’.  It’s just so catchy, and is almost pop punk anthem worthy. I honestly just love every single song on this EP, I have nothing bad to say at all other than I wish there was more! I also feel like I need to just comment on how impressive it is that Eric Dangerfield, the main vocalist, plays a primary role in writing lyrics as well as composing. When someone has this much talent at such a young age you just know they are going to be absolutely massive. It makes me even more envious of the fact they had to drop out of the All Time Low UK tour earlier this year. It kind of devastated me back then, and now I want to see them even more. Honestly I just can’t wait to see what they do next! 10/10

Gavin Adcock: The Day I Hang it Up

Album three from the modern country rising star in as many years is every bit as good as his last releases. We somehow missed a review of last year’s Own Worst Enemy (though it’s good), but had a great time with ‘24’s Actin’ Up Again, and this gives very similar vibes to that. It reminds me of Koe Wetzel a lot, that brand of chilled-out, rock-infused country, and is a style I’ve really gotten back into the last year or so. The title track opens things up perfectly, while songs like ‘Get a Grip’, ‘Thing For You’, ‘Anymore’ and ‘Wannabe’ are all excellent too! Heck, there are other good songs throughout this, but the ones I’ve named so far are just 20% of the album…

Yes, this thing is 25 SONGS LONG and an insane 75 minutes. It’s not prog, it doesn’t need to be this long. Especially when a lot of it is a similar pace and energy. The guy has put out nearly three and a half hours of music across three albums in the last three years; talk about overkill. I know I must sound like a broken record at this point with this point as it isn’t my first time complaining about it, but it is such a massive issue across country music these days. There is an absolutely killer 9 or 10/10 album somewhere in here, but it is bogged down by so much unnecessary filler. Heck, it could have been two albums; save half of it for next year’s outing. He’s an insanely talented artist. His songwriting, vocals and the delivery/instrumentation throughout is amazing. But I find it hard giving it any more than 7.5/10 because it is just too damn long. I’ll most likely be spinning it again, hopefully it grows on me more, as like I said, it’s certainly good!

Butcher Babies: NIGHTBLOOM

The first album from the LA metalcore band to not feature Carla Harvey on vocals, it feels like the band have a lot to prove because of it. Especially with Carla herself now killing it with both The Violent Hour and Lords of Acid. I was never the biggest fan of the band to begin with, and sadly this release did little to change that. It’s a very modern alternative to/metalcore sound, reminding me a lot of Bad Omens and that kind of ilk, which just doesn’t do much for me. It feels safe, without much if anything standing out or being memorable after the listen. It just feels a little bland and emotionless, so very corporate and overproduced. Even the screams and breakdowns do little for me, and are few and far between. The band was very much built on the interplay in vocals between Heidi and Carla, and without that it’s just another alt metal band in 2026. The closest thing to a “favourite track” is ‘Fever in my Neck’, and even then it’s not something I’d revisit all too often. If you’re a fan of the band or their current genre/sound, it’s probably worth a try, but it’s sadly not for me. It’s not bad, but I can’t give it any more than a 5/10. Distinctly average.

Doctor Nez: Nothing Short of Silver

The follow-up to their 2024 debut album, this EP is self-described as “the first instalment in a dark fantasy journey of an individual in the throes of a curse”. And, honestly, I kinda get that vibe! It’s dark and epic, and the story thread throughout certainly had me hooked. Musically it’s interesting too, slotting somewhere between Alice in Chains-esque heavy grunge, horror punk and just a touch of sleaze rock too. Heck, there’s even a doom-like edge to ‘Find Familiar’. It feels fresh and was a lot of fun! And, at 22 minutes spread across five songs and an intro track, it’s almost impossible to pick highlights, as it all flowed excellently! The band have a new fan in me, and I’ll be checking out their old stuff while also waiting patiently for whatever they have planned for a second instalment to this. A very solid 7.5/10 from us!

ASOMVEL: Set Your World on Fire

Album five from the UK heavy metal/rock’n’rollers picks up right where 2024’s amazing Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll left off. It’s 37-minutes of balls-to-the-wall riffing and drumming, and some fantastic and catchy vocal lines from Ralph Robinson. ‘King of the World’ opens things up perfectly, while the likes of the title track, ‘Eye of the Storm’ and ‘If It’s Too Loud, You’re Too Old’ are all other huge highlights. However, it’s all fantastic, from start to finish! Even when they push the boat out with the ballad ‘World at War’, it was awesome and worked surprisingly well, slotting perfectly in a bit later into the album. Outside of that track you know exactly what to expect from the band, and they once again deliver in spades! It’s easy to hear why they have gathered so much momentum in recent years, and they deserve every massive opportunity they have gotten. The comparisons to Motörhead are still obviously there, but it is in no way a bad thing, and we very much lack bands like them of this quality these days. If you are at all a more old-school rock and metal fan, this is absolutely the album for you. It’s every bit as good as their last release, and gets an easy 9/10!

Gareth: Halfway Home

We’ve also checked this out early, aren’t you lucky? Read our full review here!

Frozen Crown: The Legend of the Six Kings

Following on from 2024’s excellent War Hearts, the Italian power metallers once again give us an awesome collection of tracks with album six. It’s a balls-to-the-wall start with the excellent ‘Lightning in the Sky’, while the likes of ‘Who Wants to Burn in Heaven’, ‘The One’ and ‘Through the Fire’ are also bangers. Their Goo Goo Dolls cover was a little odd, but certainly grew on me with more listens. There really isn’t a bad song throughout though, and the 36 minutes goes by in a flash. It could have maybe done with a ballad, but honestly the album was so concise I didn’t miss it until a second listen. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a modern power metal album, especially if you are familiar with the band already. It perfectly combines the style with an old-school heavy metal vibe, and everyone involved is so damn talented. While I wouldn’t say it’s quite as good as their last album, it’s still a damn solid album! 8/10

Imminance: Axis Mundi

Max: Honestly, I think this is one of the best albums that I have heard this year. The Swedish band Imminence are back with their 6th full length album and damn its good! Starting off with an explosion of energy, the album seems like it will be one of their heaviest efforts yet. However, about halfway through the album you have a change to a shoegaze post rock track ‘If Not Now, When’ and this was really pretty. To be honest, it feels like the band is stretching their legs and exploring and I don’t think anyone can complain at a combination of Loathe and Imminence in one track. The next song, ‘Didn’t Think About You (Lately)’, is an interesting one; its very electronic and is definitely explorative in nature and at first I was unsure. It’s just so disconnected from what you would expect. That being said, listen to it a few times and I think you will come round to it. I would be surprised if it is your favourite track on the album but it is really good.

Towards the end of the album, you have a still somewhat slower and softer song in ‘Shed Your Skin’ before falling right in to the aggression and energy of ‘Power Divine’ which is just a front to back brilliant Imminence track. As for the final track ‘Exodus’, I personally find it to be a brilliant ending to the album. The solo alone at the end of the ‘metal’ part of the track is fantastic, but I actually have a huge soft spot for the beauty of the orchestral and atmospheric ending and I don’t think that there is a better way to end an Imminence album than with a string instrument. 9.5/10

Egokills: Brainbanger

One of my favourite albums of 2023, I somehow almost missed this dropping, but am damn glad I didn’t! This is another incredibly fun 37 minutes of banging riffs, catchy melodies and overall great stoner metal vibes. From the opener/title track to ‘Swan’, ‘Transition’ to ‘Dead Flowers’, it’s all so good! At only 10 tracks too, it feels like everything gets time to breathe, and everyone gets their time to shine. It’s another album that I think isn’t quite as good as their previous, but that’s damn hard as I adore their self-titled release and still spin it to this day. Still, it is an awesome album that I’d recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in rock music, or any musician at all. It will most likely grow on me more with more listens, like I think the last did, and it gets a very solid 8/10 from us!

Sorcery: The Immaculate Sin

The first album from the Swedish death metallers since 2019, the quintet show that they haven’t lost even a single step in that seven years. It’s 45 minutes of brutality spread across 10 awesome tracks, with the band working their asses off from start to finish. ‘Set the World Ablaze’, ‘Terminate’ and ‘Flood’ are personal favourites, but every song is pretty awesome! It’s all maybe a little too similar, especially given the length of it, but if you’re a fan of the style you’ll get a lot out of it, and I honestly don’t think I’d be able to cut any to shorten it! The band are all insanely talented, with some great riffs and melodic moments throughout. If you are into a more 2000s death metal sound this is well worth checking out, and I’ll certainly be spinning at very least my favourite tracks again! A pretty easy 7.5/10 from us!

GHØSTKID: FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT

Album three from the alt metaller is a really interesting listen. After recruiting a whole new band for this project, Sushi seems rather rejuvenated and focused, releasing maybe this best album yet. From single ‘IVORY’ to the title track to the modern nu-metal ‘UNCONDITIONALLY’, there are some really excellent tracks throughout. However, there really isn’t a bad song throughout, as even the more Bad Omens-like poppier tracks fit excellently with the album and I had fun with them. It’s such a fascinating blend of styles, from metalcore to gothic, industrial to post-hardcore, and feels wholly unique to GHØSTKID. His vocals are amazing too, his cleans reminding me of Nico Sallach while his screams are excellent. It’s easy to hear why they’re becoming a big name in recent years, and this will surly push them to even greater heights! If you are at all interested I’d recommend checking this out, and it gets a very easy 8.5/10 from us!

Inherited: ALL4ONE

Jade: This is the first time I’ve come across Inherited. They place themselves as a combination of Groove Metal, Thrash Metal and Hardcore Punk. And you know what, I am getting all of that and for someone who wouldn’t class themselves as a fan of Thrash, I’m kinda vibing with this. The drummer Neill Ray does not hold back in the slightest, he absolutely beasts the hell out of that drum kit. Everything about this EP is chucky and the vocals are everything I love in any metal music. Super aggressive and absolutely filthy in the breakdowns. A band I could see going down very well at festivals like BloodStock. If you check out one track off this EP, my favourite is ‘WASTED SPACE’. Purely for the absolute chaos, insane drums and absolutely filthy breakdown, followed by the most whimsical outro. Now I’m not 100% sold, and feel like I need to experience the band live to get my final opinion. But based off this first listen, they are a band I’ll keep a lookout for. 8/10

Lee Brice: Sunriser

While another pretty long country release, this is a really great album! The opener/title track sets the tone excellently, while everything from ‘Killed the Man’ to the dark, rocky ‘Devil’s at it Again’, the bro-country ‘What You Know About That’ to the guest-featuring ‘Drinkin’ Buddies’, there is a hell of a lot to love on this thing. Don’t get me wrong, there’s maybe a track or two too many, but the good far outweighs the bad, and nearly an hour goes by surprisingly quickly. His voice is phenomenal, fitting both the upbeat party vibes and the more sombre, emotional beats perfectly. It’s certainly an album I’ll be revisiting plenty moving forward, and is one I’d recommend to any country fan out there! It was well worth the six year wait between releases, and it’s another incredibly easy 8.5/10 from us!

Ruled by Raptors: A Shadow that Never Moves

Self described as a mini-album, this is nearly half an hour of brutal, excellent riffs and proggy, mathy arrangements. And, on top of that, there are some great melodic moments and some catchy vocal parts, too! ‘Fiends’, ‘Rescissory’ and ‘Static Collapse’ are personal highlights, but all of it is pretty excellent! I love the blend of styles, having elements of everything from punk to post-hardcore to metalcore to math rock, blending together into a really interesting melting pot. It’s a really great release that I would recommend to anyone into the quirkier side of rock and metal, and I already can’t wait to hear where they go from here! Until then though, I’ll certainly be spinning this again plenty. The closest thing I could find myself comparing it to is Tealdeer, but even then it’s a loose comparison. Either way, check this out! 8/10

Dexter and the Moonrocks: Friends that I Don’t Like

Firstly, I did not realise how crazy big this band has gotten. For a band of their weirdness to have 10M monthly listeners for their debut album is INSANE. It’s a real testament to how fantastic they are as songwriters and musicans, though. It’s crazy that it somehow feels like both a throwback to the 90s while simultaneously feels modern and unique in its own way. They’ve somehow described it perfectly themselves as “Western Space Grunge”. And, the album itself is awesome! ‘Mull it Over’, ‘Why Don’t you Say So’ and the Treaty Oak Revival-featuring ’12 Steps’ are all personal highlights, but there certainly isn’t a bad song throughout. It’s another album that’s maybe slightly long for the range of styles it encompasses, but is done in such a confident and excellent manor that it’s hard not to enjoy and admire it, still! If you are at all curious this is well worth a spin, and they are only going to continue to get bigger and bigger in the coming months and years. I feel like it’s another album that’ll grow on me, and I’ll certainly be listening again. For now though, it gets a solid 7/10!