Greetings, Decibel readers.
For many of you reading this in the United States, there’s a giant snowstorm coming this weekend. So, seeing as you probably won’t have many better things to do on Sunday, here are five albums to listen to while you watch and dread the shoveling you’ll need to do on Monday.
Happy digging.
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Handful of Hate – Soulless Abominations
Bold, powerful, ripping black metal from a long-running Italian institution. Essential listening for fans of Dark Funeral and Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult. High speed infused with high quality!
Stream: Apple Music
Soulless Abominations by Handful of Hate
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Karloff – Revered by Death
Fist-pumping black metal punk from Germany. Think of Celtic Frost but with Mohawks. You’ll also love these guys if you’re a big fan of Darkthrone‘s blackened-punk era.
Stream: Apple Music
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Megadeth – Megadeth
I think it’s best to think of this album as an occasion for Dave to mount a farewell tour, rather than something to listen to with an overly critical eye. That said, there’s still some cool stuff to enjoy that plays to Dave’s strengths and the power of the current ensemble. The album is at its best when the vocals lean more on grit and Dave’s well-known “talking” voice, which means songs like “Let There Be Shred” and “Made to Kill” are the real standouts here. The inclusion of “Ride The Lightning” is neat. After all, it’s always been my favorite Metallica song. This isn’t the first time Dave has declared Megadeth to be over, but this is probably the last best chance he’ll get to go out on a high note — at least in terms of recording new music.
Stream: Apple Music
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Pelican – Ascending
The masters of heavy introspection are back with a new EP, one that has a familiar flavor but adds some space-rock notes in as well. There’s a real treat on track two though, as we get vocals! And not just any vocals: we get vocals from Geoff Rickly! Never thought I’d get an excuse to mention Thursday in this column, but here we are!
Stream: Apple Music
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Sad Whisperings – The Hermit
Dutch death-doom back from the dead. It’s inspiring to see a band return after years of obscurity to deliver a full-length that’s full of riffs, darkness and devastation like this. Also, the song title, “Shadow Work,” makes me wonder if the band is into Jungian psychology (after all, the hermit is one of the archetypes).
Stream: Apple Music
The post Five For Friday: January 23, 2026 appeared first on Decibel Magazine.