Style: progressive metal, sludge metal, post-hardcore (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: early Mastodon, Converge
Country: United States
Release date: 27 February 2026

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A pretentious prog guy in the flesh but a metalhead at heart, I’m always on the lookout for albums that mix technicality and complexity with plain ol’ ripping. Plenty of music fits the bill: techy thrash, the whole scene combining psychedelic prog with OSDM, classic metal-inspired bands with elevated compositions, the list could go on. Coming in from a slightly different angle, Sunhunting by the Atlanta-based Palaces is the latest album that gets my brain firing while also reducing me to a rabid dog. 

Palaces draw a quick comparison to another Atlanta band—the one with sludgy beginnings in the early naughts, who’ve grown to be a force in the metal world as large as their name. Indeed, Sunhunting was recorded and produced by none other than Bill Kelliher, of the hometown heroes Mastodon. And although Palaces’ sound is reminiscent of early Mastodon, there’s more to it. Peppering in post-hardcore influences from groups like Converge, odd time signatures and spidery riffs, and winding compositions alongside straightforward rockers, Sunhunting is a beast of its own.

Unlock the cage, open the gate, and Sunhunting comes charging out: the aptly titled “No Restraint” is an opener that knocks you down and then rips you apart. Remission meets Jane Doe as the guitars bite and claw beneath steady shouts covered in a light fuzz. The band’s style centers around stomping riffs, jagged phrasings, and screechy leads, all while frenetic drums bounce around like a superball fired into a small room. Four of the album’s nine songs clock in under four minutes, each offering boundless energy. But within these frenzied cuts, rhythmic change-ups and quick melodic moments provide brief opportunities to gain your footing—the simplified drums and percussive touches two minutes into “Pearshaped,” or the singable (shoutable) hook in “Toothchipper,” for instance. Three of the band’s four members pitch in on vocal duties, and though none is terribly distinct, the slight changes in delivery make it feel as if you’re being attacked from all sides. Adding to the aggression is the raw mix, which scratches the ears but still retains some heft. Put plainly, Sunhunting is a visceral experience. 

But that’s only half the story. Palaces layer a level of sophistication on top of the aggression, much like their beastly big brothers. The eight-minute title track is far from a break in the action, but it’s built around harmonized guitar melodies, vocals that sound almost introspective, and a composition that wanders into long instrumental passages. The song’s sludgy outro is a highlight, as a guitar motif whines above thick riffing and ambient swells. “Gumby” pulls a similar trick, with dextrous guitars harmonizing and intertwining throughout, until a prolonged and heartbreakingly melodic outro eases us to the track’s conclusion. Or take “Low Level Gnawing Dread”—in addition to holding a rare acoustic passage, a set of airy, dreamy bars is consistently revisited amidst noisy riffing and wild bass. A certain amount of elegance reins in Sunhunting’s tendency toward chaos. 

For the most part, however, chaos does still reign. Hyperactively switching between riffs and rhythms is part of Palaces’ charm, but I often wish the band would hold onto a groove for longer. Sunhunting’s frantic nature makes its nearly fifty-minute runtime play a little long—testing the listener’s focus a bit too heavily. That said, the steadier, more melodic passages shine brighter because of the mayhem they surface out of. And, given how physical the album is, sustained mental focus matters less than the primal urge to just headbang along. It’d also be fair to say the sound sometimes leans too closely toward that of Mastodon, but when done this well, that’s hardly a knock.

On the whole, Palaces’ ability to meld raw energy to intricate instrumentation and songwriting wins out. Perhaps a tad long and at times unfocused, Sunhunting still strikes a deft balance between beastly and brainy. A listen through the record may have me foaming at the mouth, but in a dignified way.

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Recommended tracks: No Restraint, Sunhunting, Low Level Gnawing Dread
You may also like: Heksproces, Cobra the Impaler, Witch Ripper, The Barbarians of California
Final verdict: 7/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Independent

Palaces are:
– Jonathan Balsamo (drums)
– Jeremy Weeks (bass, vocals)
– Eric Searle (guitars, vocals)
– Steven McLaughlin (guitars, vocals)