In Flames, 'A Sense of Purpose' (Koch)

Long-suffering Swedish OGs of bummer-metal balladry.

So many flat-ironed, guylinered brats have aped In Flames that you'd be forgiven for thinking this quintet's 18-year-strong trademark -- pummeling death metal infused with melancholy hooks -- originated on the Warped Tour circuit.

Boredoms, 'Super Roots #9' (Thrill Jockey)

Japanese punk legends still trying to make drum circles cool.

Until now a pricey import, this one-song, 40-minute document of a Christmas Eve 2004 gig finds Boredoms leader Yamataka Eye taking a harder, faster path to the third eye he's been fixated on since 1999's Vision Creation Newsun.

From First to Last, 'From First to Last' (Suretone)

Faceless, furious appeals to the social-networking void.

Eponymous albums are the Warped nation's new branding statements, with Avenged Sevenfold and Simple Plan the most high-profile reinventions prior to this Florida quartet's latest. But on their third full-length, FFTL are also finessing the loss of their lead singer -- newly minted solo artist Sonny Moore -- and their relaunch is bumpier.

Anti-Flag, 'The Bright Lights of America' (RCA)

The revolution is desperately in need of a few decent hooks.

These Pittsburgh agit-punks have always painted their politics with a massively broad brush, which is why they've been able to move to a major label with less underground static than their old Fat Wreck Chords labelmates Against Me!

Flogging Molly, 'Float' (Sideonedummy)

Gaelic rabble-rousers pour out more Guinness for their homies.

As much as Flogging Molly's spirited Irish punk brings to mind the Pogues (as well as rowdy pub elders the Dubliners), the Los Angeles septet are as notable for their non- Celtic influences.

Black Tide, 'Light From Above' (Interscope)

If Axl Rose and Lita Ford produced a love child at the Cathouse...

With an average age of 17 -- the youngest member is a 15-year-old with Sebastian Bach

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