June 2026's albums of the month are a diverse and eclectic bunch, offering something for every listener. From the return of cult classic prog metal acts to a revitalized melodeath staple, and even a ninety-minute split of theosophical black metal, this month's picks showcase a wide range of musical styles and genres. Each album is reviewed with a focus on its unique qualities and how it stands out in the current music landscape.
Fires in the Distance - Circadian Promise
This album marks a slight shift in the lineup of Fires in the Distance, with the departure of founding vocalist Kristian Grimaldi and the introduction of replacement Brendan Hayter. Hayter's harsh delivery and clean singing anchor the album's six tracks, which are characterized by a tight mix that allows the guitars to contribute to the heaviness. The album's small stylistic flourishes and consistent atmosphere make it a standout in the band's discography.
Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, Elysian Blaze, Panegyrist, & Maerund - Sunthema
A black metal split album, Sunthema is a 90-minute exploration of four occult theologies. Each band on the album plays a distinct style of black metal, with DIS keeping it classic and Elysian Blaze displaying sonic chiaroscuro. Maerund fits the new school of avant-garde, and Panegyrist writes two of the best songs of 2026. This album is a must-listen for any fan of black metal, as it transcends the corporeal world.
Sans Froid - Back Into the Womb
This album is a top-tier art rock record with a soupcon of British indie prog. The album is built on jagged riffing and mathy drumming, with contemplative, melodic piano sections. Frontwoman Aisling Trafford's vocal range, alternating between belting and beseeching, adds to the album's dynamic and engaging nature. The consistent quality and variety of songs make it a standout in the current music landscape.
Entropist - The Vision
Entropist's debut album, The Vision, is a love letter to progressive metal. The album features maximalist aesthetics and technical creativity, with speedy, technical riffs and dynamic basslines. The vocals, both deathcore screams and complex vocal choirs, elevate the band's sound and fit seamlessly with the rest of the ensemble. The album is a melting pot of progressive metal elements, showcasing the band's ability to write technically advanced, yet straight-up fun music.
Artificial Silence - Hollow Drift
This album took eight years to complete, with the band packing it with more and more stuff. The result is a fantastically dense record, bursting at the seams with massive vocal layering, absurdly busy arrangements, and manic twists and turns in its compositions. The album may be overstuffed for some, but for those who appreciate the phrase 'too much of a good thing', it's a dopamine rush on a level few albums can top.
Ok Goodnight - Stop/Go
This album is a rhythmically energized suite of tunes, with powerful, emotive vocals and electric, jazzy performances. The album showcases the band's instrumental prowess and the vocalist's ability to croon, scream, and haunt the album's instrumental negative spaces. The album is a standout in the current music landscape, with its captivating and impressive nature.
Muse - The WOW! Signal
This album is a richly endowed record with Queen-like campy glam, pulsating synths, and tenderly bittersweet lyrical themes inspired by band leader Matt Bellamy's divorce. The album is maximalist and wears its heart on its sleeve, with enough gravitas and panache to overflow an arena. The first impression is irresistible, and the album is a standout in the current music landscape.
Non-Subway Picks
W.M.D. - Against All Warnings
This album is a balls-to-the-wall, old-school thrash metal record. The album maintains a blistering tempo with plenty of hooks and grooves, delivering a violent punch to the ear-holes without an ounce of filler. It's the best straightforward thrash metal album of 2026 so far.
Khemmis - Khemmis
This album is a return to the world of sorcery and sword-slinging, with big, grooving riffs and maximum headbanging. The album is a honing of the battle-tested steel, with the band carving their name across metal's Hyperborean landscape for over a decade.
Fief - VII
This album is a special record with enchanting, seemingly-authentic medieval folk music. The album is multilayered, delicate, and fantastical, with a perfect soundtrack for any fantasy world. It's hard to believe these are synths and not real flutes and dulcimers.
