While it might feel like it was just the other night we celebrated stopping into 2026, the fact of the matter is that we’re now halfway through the year. So let’s take a look back at some of the albums that dropped during the first half of the year. I’m going to TRY to refrain from offering opinions at this point and just give descriptions.
Which ones do you see making your “Best Of 2026” list at the end of the year?
Which albums aren’t listed here that I may have overlooked?
*The following list is NOT comprehensive, but merely reflects the releases that have popped up on my own personal radar. This list, like our end of year lists, will consist of both secular and Christian bands and artists.*
PARIAH – Swansong EP: Hard Rock/Nu Metal/Metal. This release traverses several styles, mostly on the heavier side.
Alter Bridge – Self-Titled: Pretty self-explanatory by this point for most. A continued progression of hard rock excellence, here to take you higher.
Poppy – Empty Hands: Poppy continues to embrace the metalcore side of things and it certainly works in her favor.
Goldfinger – Nine Lives: Ska/Punk that carries on their signature sound, although often poppier and more produced.
Megadeth – Megadeth: Metal. Megadeth is back with a new album which includes a bonus track of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning”.
Silence the Echo – Liberation: Female-fronted hard rock band with faith-infused lyrics. I’d say Evanescence-sounding, but this band is heavier and not as mechnical.
amen. – Imperative Love: Shoegaze/Hard Rock/Metal: amen. is a very faith-driven project reminiscent of Deftones, with songs that can vary from shoegaze to heavy with screams throughout.
New Found Glory – Listen Up!: Pop Punk/Emo: They’ve been called Emo (meh) and Pop-Punk mostly, but chances are you already know who they are.
Daniel Spriggs – 21st Century Syndrome: Pop-punk meets Forever the Sickest Kids. Sort of.
Seventh Day Slumber – Thy Kingdom Come: Very well-done hard rock covers of well-known worship songs.
indie tribe – Who Do You Say I Am?: Hip-hop featuring nobidyl., Mogli the Iceburg, Jon Keith, Corey D’Shaun, and DJ Mykael V.
Grace Graber – PUNK X PRAISE, vol. 1: Female-fronted pop-punk ala Stellar Kart, covering well-known worship songs.
Drive Thru Society – Threshholds: Female-fronted Hard Rock with faith-focused lyrics.
Unbroken Reign – The Sins We Keep Alive: Metalcore at it’s finest. Melodic, epic, and crushing.
Void Awaken – In Reverent Fear: Metal/Metalcore. Reminiscent of Becoming the Archetype meets My Heart To Fear.
Wage War – It Calls Me By Name: Most know Wage War already. Seemingly returning to their metalcore roots on this ep.
The Tarnished – DEATH for DEATH EP: Hardcore with a late 90’s early 2000’s feel. In a good way!
Hulvey – Could Be Tonight: Hip Hop. Similar to Forrest Frank.
Pipe Bomb – Hell Hole: Metalcore/hardcore. Along the lines of No Treaty.
Sevendust – One: Hard Rock (some say nu metal…meh…). You likely know them already. Cool to hear faith infused songs here.
Haste the Day – Dissenter: Metal/Metalcore that most are likely familiar with.
Jason Dunn – Formerly Known As…: Pop punk from former frontman of Hawk Nelson.
Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy: Rock. You already know the Foo though.
Ben S Dixon – Carried: Metal/Metalcore/Hard Rock with strong faith-filled lyrics.
CHANGETHEWXRLD – diary of peripheral wounds: Shoegaze/Hard Rock, similar to amen. and Deftones.
Heartbound – Lamentations: Hardcore/Metal, somewhat reminds me of earlier Convictions.
Altira – Death of Fear EP: Female fronted hard rock from former frontwoman of Fireflight. Slightly heavier than Fireflight.
amen – Lament: See previous description of amen. above.
floodlit – MiDaSu: Post hardcore/hard rock/metal. Strong variety of styles all done very well.
Relent – Suffer EP: Christian nu metal.
Drown The Planet – The Blessed /// The Cursed: Metalcore/Hard Rock.
idle threat – you’ll forget the sun: Hard rock/harcore. Somewhat similar to Turnstile.
The Wounds That Speak – Praise: Metalcore praise songs.
Small Voice – Some Days: Metalcore. Similar to a number of bands on Facedown Records.
Austin Carlile – 2die4: Hard Rock from former frontman of Of Mice and Men.
