The Agonist - Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (2009)

Lullabies for a Dormant Mind may be the most manic metalcore/melodic death metal-crossover I've ever heard, thanks in eminent part to the performance of its absolutely insane vocalist, Alissa White-Gluz. I typed that right -- The Agonist has a female vocalist, and while that usually means one should prepare themselves for overwhelmingly sub-par harsh vocals, I can't repeat myself enough times when I tell you that isn't the case here. There will be never be an ounce of doubt in any hardened (ha) metalhead's ears that the vocalist present here isn't female, but I promise that only means she's doing the other gender some actual, well-needed justice.

@V0

Burn in Silence - Angel Maker (2006)

Here's a doozy. Soothing keyboard synths that'd be right at home on a Dark Tranquillity record run amuck in this beauty. But don't forget the dizzying guitars that constantly wake you from your lulled trance. Or the drumming. Sweet Lord, the drumming. This band has got a clockmaker behind the kit.

For anyone who loves symphonic technical metalcore that has recently overdosed on modern melodic death metal. Don't let that album title fool you: there's nothing benevolent or bright and fluffy about this one.

@V0