Here are our picks for February 2026’s best new heavy metal albums.
1. Worm – Necropalace (Century Media)
On Worm’s fourth full length Necropalace their dark elements have turned vampiric, as if the album art was intended to give you any other feeling. Opening with the intro track “Gates to the Shadowzone,” they begin a slow descent into evil that is quickly followed up by the 10-minute long title track. The wall of drums gives way to a swirling maelstrom of guitars courtesy of Wroth Septentrion and original member Phantom Slaughter’s shouted vocals begin to pierce the veil of secrecy that Worm thrive within.
There is a certain sense of grandeur contained within the leads and the underlying instrumentation, something that works in conjunction with the rest of the music to make it sound and feel as though it is more than the sum of its parts. There is a lot to digest with this one. This is the sound of a band that has not only found its sound, but nearly perfected it all in one fell swoop. Musicianship, mood and atmosphere are the prevailing themes here more so than on any of their previous records. Worm have crafted one of the finest albums of the last decade with Necropalace, a dark and brooding adventure through darkness that is met with ample beauty amongst the chaos. It’s our pick for February’s best new album.
2. Converge – Love Is Not Enough (Epitaph)
Converge‘s latest album is Love Is Not Enough, and it’s hard to imagine how the band continues to innovate so late in their career. Yet this album proves they can still craft music that is both relentlessly brutal and deeply emotionally compelling.
It begins on a more traditional metal note before descending into the chaotic intensity Converge are known for. In that sense, Love Is Not Enough doesn’t radically change their formula. It offers a few refined tweaks, reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan but with a stronger melodic sensibility. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer, this album has compelling things to offer.
3. Mayhem – Liturgy Of Death (Century Media)
Entering into their fifth decade of their existence, Mayhem ready their seventh and latest salvo, Liturgy Of Death for mass consumption. The band’s legendary black metal has always been uncompromising in terms of its extremity and at times grandeur, and none of that has gone by the wayside here.
This is about as cohesive of a record you will hear from Mayhem, who have continued to add to their legacy with this latest release. Liturgy Of Death is an album that feels as much about its past as their future, drawing inspiration from across their career. It’s a solid new entry to their long-lasting lexicon.
4. Exhumed – Red Asphalt (Relapse)
Seminal gore metallers Exhumed‘s ninth original album is Red Asphalt. Opening with “Unsafe At Any Speed,” the riffs swirl around the listener at breakneck speeds, surely setting the proper tone for what’s to come. The band reminds the listener that blood and guts are not limited to dark and brooding places, American roadways pose just as much corporeal chaos as anywhere else.
Matt Harvey and Ross Sewage’s bloody growls are as insane as ever, and the spectacular Sebastian Phillips ups the band’s ante for guitar pyrotechnics per the usual. The title track is a slow starter but by the song’s end you are treated to wonderful harmonic solos stuffed inside this rotting requiem. There are plenty other road related references on tracks like “The Iron Graveyard,” “Death On Four Wheels” and “The Fumes,” just to name a few. Exhumed are always at their best when pounding through your skull with grooves or fast and furious riffing. This is an Exhumed album meaning it is violent, gory and fun; so make a pit stop to Red Asphalt a true roadway rager that demands more blood each time you spin it.
5. Karnivool – In Verses (Cymatic)
Karnivool’s In Verses marks a poignant and atmospheric return, centering emotional weight over sheer virtuosity. Its heartfelt vocals and measured, cinematic arrangements prove the band’s enduring ability to craft music that resonates deeply, offering a powerful blend of introspection and expansive sound.
While the album’s second half settles into a notably softer, more subdued space — lacking some of the opening tracks’ dynamic drive — the songwriting remains consistently strong. This focused, deliberate comeback reaffirms that a single, thoughtfully crafted statement from Karnivool holds far greater value than frequent, lesser releases.
6. Puscifer – Normal Isn’t (Alchemy/BMG)
Maynard James Keenan is part of a few different projects, none of them overly prolific when it comes to studio albums. Experimental/art rockers Puscifer have a more extensive catalog thanks to numerous remix albums, EPs and live releases. Normal Isn’t is Keenan, Mat Mitchell and Carina Round’s fifth full-length, following 2020’s Existential Reckoning.
The quirkiness and experimental forays Puscifer are known for are fully intact, though guitars are a bit more prominent this time around. Influences range from goth to punk to industrial. And even at their most avant-garde, there still are catchy melodies and hooks. Keenan’s Tool bandmate Danny Carey guests on “Seven One,” with narration from Ian Ross, the father of Nine Inch Nails’ Atticus Ross. Normal Isn’t is an apt title, as Puscifer’s creativity and fearless musical exploration results in another unconventional but compelling album.
