Autumn is underway, and folk metal is the flavor of the month. We also saw some exceptional death metal and modern metalcore records in October, ranging from Latin America and Polynesia to Asia and East Europe.
Bronze Tier: Metal Album of the Month – October 2025
Nine Treasures
Seeking the Absolute
Released via Metal Blade Records
Based in Beijing, China
Fronted by Buddhist vocalist-guitarist Askhan, Nine Treasures were the original metal act to mesh heaviness with traditional Mongolian instrumentation. Riffing on the morin khuur (sometimes referred to as a horsehead fiddle), tovshuur, and balalaika, the group stir up some serious proggy grooves and inspirational energy. An undeniable fun listen, Seeking the Absolute guides you on a whimsical heavy metal journey throughout Inner Mongolia.
FFO: The Hu, Tool, Tengger Cavalry
‘Seeking the Absolute‘ available on Bandcamp and vinyl
Silver Tier: Metal Album of the Month – October 2025
Blindfolded and Led to the Woods
The Hardest Thing About Being God Is That No One Believes Me
Released via Prosthetic Records
Based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
With early origins in unserious deathcore, these Kiwis have evolved to convey extreme avant-garde bliss. Conceptually driven by the madness of unrequited love, The Hardest Thing About Being God Is That No One Believes Me is an earth-shattering display of progressive death metal. Immensely dynamic and equivalent to the musical version of illusions of grandeur, this record is undeniable – mixed and mastered by Forrester Savell (Animals as Leaders, Karnivool, Caligula’s Horse).
FFO: Imperial Triumphant, Gorguts, Beyond Creation
‘The Hardest Thing About Being God Is That No One Believes Me‘ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, and CD
Gold Tier: Metal Album of the Month – October 2025
Cemican
U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj
Released via M-Theory Audio
Based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Genuinely an authentic act, Cemican has aligned their Aztec culture and aesthetics with thrashy, death-fueled folk metal for the past two decades. On their fourth full-length album – U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj (translated to Mayan Resistance) – percussion and wind instruments permeate through earthy heaviness. Steeped in mythology and mysticism, this record purely transcends.
FFO: Sepultura, Mawiza, Crypta
‘U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj‘ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, & CD
Honorable Mentions
coldrain
OPTIMIZE
Released via Century Media
Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Bringing metalcore, alternative, and math rock to the table on their new EP, coldrain boasts exceptional, mesmerizing melodies for your elevated mallcore desires; watch “FREE FALL”
‘OPTIMIZE’ available on Bandcamp
Orbstruct
Ostracism
Released via Paragon Records
Based in Katowice, Silesia, Poland
Originally from the Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine, the devastating extreme metal throughout Ostracism is a sadistic listen; watch “Only You and I”
‘Ostacism‘ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, and CD