There is so much heavy, extreme, and beautiful metal music being conjured all around the world that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Metal Has No Borders has curated the best of the best released this past month, from Tunisia and China to Poland and Lebanon, as well as everything in between.
Enjoy our hand-picked favorite albums, singles, and videos for March 2024 below. Share which bands we missed in the comment section…
Album of the Month (Bronze Tier)
Turbulence
Binary Dream
Released via Frontiers Music
Lebanon
Djent? Jazz-fusion? 13-minute songs? A concept revolving around the dreaming state of a robot named 8b+1? Lebanese rock / metallers Turbulence presents everything a prog-head would desire on their third full-length record. Although the group was in superb synchronicity across the arrangement of instrumental and modern progressive bangers, my attention was most grabbed by keyboardist Mood Yassin, who’s innovative approach made even the renowned Jordan Rudess sound elementary.
Binary Dream by Turbulence is awarded Best Album of the Month (Bronze Tier) for March 2024
Favorite Songs: “Theta,” “Binary Dream,” “Manifestations”
FFO: VOLA, Riverside, Leprous
Album of the Month (Silver Tier)
Shadohm
Through Darkness Towards Enlightenment
Released via Selfmadegod Records
Poland
The melding of black metal and djent is a frontier not explored, yet Shadohm’s debut EP treks forth towards such innovation boldly. While vocalist Adrian ‘Klama’ Meissner’s blackened Alice in Chains-like harmonies and the percussive dynamics of Paweł Jaroszewicz (Batushka, ex-Vader) birth an unheard style, the mix occasionally struggles to choose sides between the raw and clean aesthetics of the aforementioned subgenres. Genuinely, this is an eerie and forward-thinking release of blackened djent.
Through Darkness Towards Enlightenment by Shadohm is awarded Best Album of the Month (Silver Tier) for March 2024
Favorite Songs: “Blurred,” “Through Darkness,” “Fair-Weather Friend”
FFO: Vildhjarta, The Materia, After the Burial
Album of the Month (Gold Tier)
Myrath
Karma
Released via earMUSIC
Tunisia
With the adrenaline of early 80’s arena heavy metal in their bloodstream, Myrath shines exceptionally bright when also donning power, prog, symphonic, and folk metal in their immersive, triumphant music. While I’d recommend newcomers to first indulge in the more grandiose predecessor, Shehili, this new release ventures down new paths (melodic metalcore vocals on “Words are Failing” and a funky focus of “Candles Cry”). A shout-out is deservedly earned by MVP bassist Anis Jouini and Zaher Zorgati’s Dioesque vocal approach as well as the guest piano, brass, and string players.
Karma by Myrath is awarded Best Album of the Month (Gold Tier) for March 2024
Favorite Songs: “Into the Light,” “Wheel of Time,” “Candles Cry“
FFO: Immortal Guardian, Orphaned Land, Angra
Album of the Month (Honorable Mentions)
Violent Magic Orchestra – Death Rave
Japan
VMO is certain to be an underground icon. Their new album, Death Rave, evokes imagery of smoke, strobe lights, and corpse paint, like a lively cyberpunk cemetery. While the record leans far more on the electronic-atmospheric end of the spectrum, there certainly is abrasive elements for the open-minded metalheads present, as well as features by Attila Csihar (Mayhem) and Dylan Walker (Full of Hell).
Listen to “SUPERGAZE“
Call ov the Void – On Grief and Dying
Mexico
A pensive, heaviness arises from Guadalajara. We must give massive props to producer Samuel Becerra for concocting this blackened death-doom pilgrimage. Loosely revolving around Kübler-Ross’ stages of grief, Call ov the Void find balance between the melancholy and anger, with mastering by Dan Swanö (Katatonia, Incantation).
Listen to “One Last Regret“
Click Here for All Recent, Upcoming, and Past Notable Releases
Single / Video of the Month
OU
“蘇醒 Frailty”
China
OU has returned! The completely unique project that somehow meshes the peculiarities of Bjork, The Contortionist, King Crimson, and Animals as Leaders is set to release their sophomore album 蘇醒 II: Frailty in late April. Our first taste of the new record is the opener title track, which continues to showcase Lynn Wu’s vocal rhythmic mastery atop mesmerizing progressive metal. Not yet convinced? The song is sung in Chinese, co-produced by Devin Townsend, and concludes with a severe breakdown.
“蘇醒 Frailty” by OU is awarded Best Single / Video of the Month for March 2024
Single / Video of the Month (Honorable Mentions)
Ulcerate “The Dawn is Hollow”
New Zealand
Teasing at their upcoming seventh full-length album titled Cutting the Throat of God, lead single “The Dawn is Hollow” stirs the cauldron of blackgaze and avant-garde death metal, making the likes of Gorguts or Oathbreaker proud; listen here
Srefa “A Letter to Self”
Israel
Slithering with gorgeous post-black metal, “A Letter to Self” is a stellar implication toward the forthcoming debut record Solstice; listen here