Darkest Hour

Deliver Us continues Darkest Hour's move toward glossier production, but fear not -- the metal/hardcore act is still insane. Guitarist Kris Norris is once again on fire, his crystalline, triple-tracked riffs shooting across this distorted, furious sky. Some songs, like "Demon(s)," even manage to eke out a memorable chorus amid the tumult, and on "Stand and Receive Your Judgment," vocalist John Henry pulls off some awesome Cookie Monster black metal singing. Plus it's Darkest Hour, so everything is loud, scary and cool.