Category Archives: 2023 New Releases

Album Review – Vonavibe / Bleed To Life (2023)

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Enjoy this first-class album of Heavy Rock full of addictive hooks, intricate dynamics, clever drum pattering and diverse vocals all carefully brought into being by three skillful Greek rockers.

A Heavy Modern Rock band formed in 2016 in Athens, Greece, Vonavibe are more than ready to rock with their debut full-length album titled Bleed To Life, containing gargantuan proportions of heavy (and ultimately satisfying) chock ‘n’ gravel rock sounds that bring to mind all our favorite bars, beaches, arenas and rock festivals. Produced, recorded, and mixed by the band’s own vocalist and guitarist Dyon at Red Toy Studio, and mastered by John Christodoulatos at Sweetspot Productions, the album showcases all the talent and passion for Heavy Rock by the aforementioned Dyon together with John Tass on the lead guitars and George Andrian on drums, offering our avid ears addictive hooks, intricate dynamics, clever drum pattering and diverse vocals, all carefully brought into being by such talented Greek trio.

Somber Stoner Rock and Metal guitar lines ignite the band’s rockin’ feast in Left For Dead, with Dyon kicking some ass with his Hard Rock inspired vocals while John delivers striking solos for our total delight, followed by Run n’ Hide, the perfect tune for hitting the highway on a Harley Davidson feeling the wind on your face, with the amazing beats by George being nicely complemented by the song’s metallic bass lines. Then we have Vonavibe, the song that carries the name of the band, offering more of their classic Hard Rock sounds led by the slashing riffage by Dyon and John; and the trio slows things down and offer our ears the delicate ballad Hold On, showcasing Dyon’s smoother side on vocals while the instrumental parts exhale melancholy. After such melodious moment, it’s time for their rendition for The Rolling Stones’ classic Paint It Black (check the original version HERE), presenting a superb job done by the trio by keeping the song’s essence intact while adding their own Greek Hard Rock twist to it, with George crushing his drums in great fashion.

All That Remains is another classic Rock N’ Roll tune with an edgier vibe thanks to the raspy vocals by Dyon, always supported by the solid riffs and beats by his bandmates, whereas the trio then delivers one more dark song titled Beyond Tolerance, starting in a very somber manner to the introspective vocals by Dyon while John adds tons of feeling and groove to the music when things get heavier. In Break Your Sky they bring forward more of their fusion of classic Rock N’ Roll with Sludge Rock and Metal nuances, keeping the album at a high level of heaviness and electricity, and let’s keep banging our heads to the piercing riffage by Dyon and John in Song 9, while George hammers his drums in the name of Rock N’ Roll. Finally, closing the album we have Alive, offering more of their Hard Rock riffs and beats while Dyon keeps declaiming the song’s lyrics with tons of passion and John fires a soulful solo, resulting in eight minutes of first-class rock music for the masses.

In summary, Vonavibe play high-quality Rock N’ Roll, and you can enjoy their music to the fullest by streaming Bleed To Life on YouTube and on Spotify, and by purchasing a copy of the album by clicking HERE. In addition, don’t forget to show your love for those Greek rockers by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and by subscribing to their YouTube channel. Whenever Dyon, John and George take your city by storm with their Heavy Rock, don’t think twice and go check such amazing band live, raising your horns for all the amazing songs from Bleed To Life and, therefore, keeping the flames of Rock N’ Roll burning bright anywhere they go.

Best moments of the album: Run n’ Hide, Paint It Black and Break Your Sky.

Worst moments of the album: Hold On.

Released in 2023 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Left For Dead 4:49
2. Run n’ Hide 3:22
3. Vonavibe 4:14
4. Hold On 3:45
5. Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones cover) 4:24
6. All That Remains 5:08
7. Beyond Tolerance 5:42
8. Break Your Sky 3:38
9. Song 9 4:48
10. Alive 8:13

Band members
Dyon – vocals, rhythm guitars
John Tass – lead guitars
George Andrian – drums

Album Review – Gloryhammer / Return To The Kingdom Of Fife (2023)

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Scotland’s own metallic warriors return to the Kingdom Of Fife with their fourth full-length opus, a massive onslaught of Power Metal greatness and epic fantasy.

In the not-so-distant Kingdom of Fife, there lies a band like no other. Scottish Symphonic Power Metal outfit Gloryhammer embodies the very essence of Power Metal and epic fantasy, with a sound so majestic and grandiose that it could only be the work of the gods themselves. Led by the manifestation of extreme trumpet-chaos in battle-mode, Gloryhammer have been waging a never-ending fight against the forces of Zargothrax since their formation in 2010, armed with what they like to call “Interdimensional Power Metal”. Now in 2023 the band formed of vocalist Angus McFife V (aka Sozos Michael), guitarist Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Deathknights of Crail (aka Paul Templing), bassist The Hootsman, Astral Demigod of Unst (aka James Cartwright), keyboardist Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee (aka Michael Barber), and drummer Ralathor, the Mysterious Submarine Commander of Cowdenbeath (aka Ben Turk) is back in action with Return to the Kingdom of Fife, the fourth album in their already solid career. Featuring a majestic artwork by Dan Goldsworthy, the album is a massive onslaught of Power Metal greatness, being highly recommended for admirers of Alestorm, Powerwolf, Beast In Black, Battle Beast and Sabaton, among other metal giants.

Time to enter Gloryhammer’s parallel dimension to the symphonic intro Incoming Transmission until all hell breaks loose in Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost, a fast and thunderous Power Metal feast where Ser Proletius is on fire with his riffs while Zargothrax adds his touch of insanity to the music with his magic keys; followed by Imperium Dundaxia, even more imposing and multi-layered, with the keys by Zargothrax sounding striking from start to finish, not to mention the song’s absolutely rumbling bass and drums. The keys by Zargothrax will penetrate deep inside your mind in Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol, a video game-like metal attack led by the electrifying riffage by Ser Proletius, whereas Brothers of Crail is a battle hymn where Ralathor dictates the song’s galloping pace supported by the puissant bass by The Hootsman. And continuing to distill their keyboard-infused Power Metal we have Fife Eternal, showcasing another spot-on performance by Angus supported by the riffs and bass by Ser Proletius and The Hootsman.

Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde is a lot slower, more melodic than its predecessors, and not as inspiring, with even the kitchen by Zargothaz and Ralahor sounding very basic. However, that lack of energy doesn’t last for too long, as Ralathor speeds things up with his frantic drumming in Vorpal Laserblaster of Pittenweem while Angus powerfully declaims the song’s lyrics in an incendiary display of Symphonic Power Metal. Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy follows the same formula as most of the songs from the album, a very happy version of Symphonic Power Metal spearheaded by the classic drums by Ralathor. Lastly, get ready for a 12-minute voyage full of cinematic passages, soaring vocals, ethereal keys, epic guitars and pounding drums beautifully titled Maleficus Geminus (Colossus Matrix 38B – Ultimate Invocation of the Binary Thaumaturge), a proper ending to such entertaining album flowing into a whimsical grand finale.

The electrifying Return To The Kingdom Of Fife can be appreciated in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you can support those metal warriors by purchasing the album from HERE or HERE (and if I were you I would certainly go for the wooden deluxe box containing the 2-CD digipak, a 7” single for “Fly Away”, plus a cards + dice + flag + collector’s card bundle), and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on. “Hoots! We are proud to teleport you all to as-of-yet unknown mountaintops of extreme-trumpet-confoundry with this new opus! Several orchestras were maimed during the production process, which we think reflects adequately in the hyper-sonic nano-recordings we have inscribed on disc for you to peruse. Many battles await,” commented the band about their new album, inviting us all to join them on another quest for Power Metal in the vast Kingdom Of Fife, and I bet you’ll be more than happy to fight alongside one of the most important bands of the Scottish scene, right?

Best moments of the album: Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost, Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol and Vorpal Laserblaster of Pittenweem.

Worst moments of the album: Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde.

Released in 2023 Napalm Records

Track listing
1. Incoming Transmission 1:46
2. Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost 4:35
3. Imperium Dundaxia 4:36
4. Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol 4:29
5. Brothers of Crail 4:16
6. Fife Eternal 3:05
7. Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde 5:26
8. Vorpal Laserblaster of Pittenweem 4:29
9. Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy 3:20
10. Maleficus Geminus (Colossus Matrix 38B – Ultimate Invocation of the Binary Thaumaturge) 12:10

Band members
Angus McFife V (Sozos Michael) – vocals
Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Deathknights of Crail (Paul Templing) – guitars
The Hootsman, Astral Demigod of Unst (James Cartwright) – bass
Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee (Michael Barber) – keyboards
Ralathor, the Mysterious Submarine Commander of Cowdenbeath (Ben Turk) – drums

Album Review – Immortal / War Against All (2023)

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Demonaz and his Immortal return with another striking album of classic Black Metal, once again inspired by the stunning Norwegian winter, its landscapes and solitude.

Almost five years after the sensational Northern Chaos Gods, the iconic vocalist and guitarist Demonaz and his Bergen, Norway-based Black Metal institution Immortal are back from the underworld with a bitterly cold, thrilling new opus titled War Against All, the tenth studio album in the band’s undisputed career. Recorded by Herbrand Larsen and Arve Isdal at Conclave & Earshot Studios, produced by Arve Isdal, mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio, and displaying a classic artwork by Mattias Frisk, War Against All is once again inspired by the Norwegian winter, its landscapes and solitude, all embraced by the first-class, acid and heavy-as-hell music masterfully crafted by Demonaz alongside session musicians Ice Dale (aka Arve Isdal of Enslaved and Audrey Horne) on bass and additional guitars, and Kevin Kvåle (of Gaahls Wyrd and From the Vastland) on drums, turning it into a must-listen for admirers of Norwegian Black Metal, and positioning it among the best albums of the year hands down.

Immortal begin their demonic Black Metal attack with the stunning, classic title-track War Against All, with Demonaz kicking some fuckin’ ass on vocals supported by the thunderous drums by Kevin and the massive bass lines by Ice Dale; whereas the lyrics in Thunders Of Darkness reek of Immortal (“Ride, thunderous hordes of the sky / Gates from the fiery side / Blackened clouds hold the sky / Rise, the forces of battle unite / Battalions and warriors lines / The enemies into the fire”) while the guitars by Demonaz and Ice Dale sound absolutely scorching. It’s then time to slow things down a bit and bang our heads to the heavy and obscure mid-tempo extravaganza Wargod, again showcasing a fantastic vocal performance by Demonaz; and back to their more ferocious mode, Demonaz and his henchmen bring forth an old school Norwegian Black Metal feast titled No Sun, offering our avid ears that old school flesh-ripping riffage by Demonaz we all love so much.

We’re then treated to another fantastic, bitterly cold creation by Immortal titled Return To Cold, taking us on a one way journey into the Norwegian winter to the raspy vociferations by Demonaz while Kevin’s drums dictate the song’s pace in great fashion, before the trio fires the instrumental piece Nordlandihr, sounding solid, detailed and heavy as usual. However, it’s a bit too long for an instrumental song, and I bet the addition of vocals would have brought the extra kick it needed. The song that carries the name of such iconic band, Immortal, is a lecture in Black Metal, presenting spot-on lyrics (“Light of the moon, enthroned in my mind / I stand in the storm that has taken my soul / I am alive, timeless and strong / A dark energy, the mountain of me”) embraced by a flawless instrumental spearheaded by Demonaz’s incendiary riffs, and last but not least, the icing on the cake is offered to us all in the form of the beautiful Blashyrkh My Throne, with Demonaz blasting his trademark roars and infernal riffs while Kevin and Ice Dale make the earth tremble with their somber kitchen, putting a climatic ending to such epic album.

The gates to the Norwegian Black Metal realm ruled by Immortal are open once again, and you can enjoy their latest installment in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, and order your copy and listen on your favorite platform by clicking HERE. Demonaz is also waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with all things Immortal, including tour dates, and on YouTube with more of his Black Metal magic. War Against All is at the same time cold and incendiary, brutal and melodic, harsh and enfolding, proving why Immortal are still one of the most important bands in the history of Black Metal worldwide, and therefore fueling Demonaz to keep moving forward through the vast and gelid Norwegian lands for our absolute delight.

Best moments of the album: War Against All, Thunders Of Darkness, Immortal and Blashyrkh My Throne.

Worst moments of the album: Nordlandihr.

Released in 2023 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. War Against All 3:26
2. Thunders Of Darkness 3:48
3. Wargod 4:38
4. No Sun 4:16
5. Return To Cold 4:31
6. Nordlandihr 7:12
7. Immortal 4:14
8. Blashyrkh My Throne 5:58

Band members
Demonaz – vocals, guitars

Guest musician
Ice Dale – bass, additional guitars
Kevin Kvåle – drums

Album Review – A Pretext To Human Suffering / Endless Cycle Of Suffering (2023)

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Tearing away the pitifully thin, obscuring skin of our reality, this multinational horde will crush your soul to the sound of their new album of first-class Technical and Brutal Death Metal.

Tearing away the pitifully thin, obscuring skin of our reality, revealing the rancid meat sculpture that is our dystopian present, United States/Canada/Mexico-based Technical/Brutal Death Metal act A Pretext To Human Suffering will crush your damned soul with their debut full-length album, entitled Endless Cycle Of Suffering, highly recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Origin, Beneath The Massacre and Ingested, among others. Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Floor van Kuijk at GLDCHN Studios, and displaying a sick artwork by Vladimir “Smerdulak” Chebakov and a sinister logo by Steve Crow of Malevolent Icons Logos, Endless Cycle Of Suffering compels us to confront the unending nightmare of our own existence, and the horror which we have labored to construct, all masterfully brought into being by Chris Mathis on vocals, guitar and drum programming, Beto Vipe and Wesley Van Hook also on the guitars, and Spencer Atkinson on bass.

The short and sweet intro Indoctrinated reminds us all we’re not free, exploding into sheer brutality and rage to the massive riffs by Chris, Beto and Wesley in Endless Cycle of Suffering, a psychological and absolutely somber metal attack by such demonic band. Chris keeps roaring manically in Architect of Reality, another infernal yet very technical Death Metal feast where it’s impressive how organic their programmed drums sound; followed by Hollow Sanctuary, heavy and groovy from the very first second with the bass lines by Spencer making our heads tremble. In Formless Collective we’re treated to wicked lyrics (“Pray to old gods / Altars of antiquity / Watch them die slow / Unleash their final form / Of existence / Cleanse of this virus / Wasting away / It is time to reap what weve sewn”) embraced by a demonic instrumental led by the demented riffage by Chris, Beto and Wesley; and taking their heaviness and insanity to a whole new level, Void sounds and feels almost pure Brutal Death Metal.

Then an atmospheric, sinister intro evolves into a very melodic sound in Toxic Dreams, showcasing inhumane, deep growls, strident riffs and fulminating blast beats, leaning towards the more technical and progressive side of Death Metal, whereas Shadow of Time follows a similar pattern as the previous song, with the band’s guitar triumvirate shredding their axes mercilessly. In Paradox the band once again pierces our minds with their caustic words (“Peripheral shadows move rapidly / The familiar feelings of lunacy / They keep calling-give into lunacy / Entranced and lost-I feel”) amidst a hurricane of demonic sounds, sounding amazing from start to finish; followed by their second to last blast of insanity, titled Clandestine, bringing forward more of Chris’ deep guttural and devilish screeches supported by the song’s Cannibal Corpse-like riffs. And lastly, it’s time to slam into the pit one final time like a maniac to the sound of Cult(ure), where once again the rumbling bass by Spencer sounds insanely heavy and metallic.

The demented sounds found in Endless Cycle Of Suffering can be appreciated in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and you can obviously purchase a copy of the album from the Realityfade Records’ BandCamp page or by clicking HERE. In addition, you can also show all your support to this multinational entity by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and by subscribing to their YouTube channel. Be ready for when you hit play in Endless Cycle Of Suffering, because A Pretext To Human Suffering are not just coming to present you with a scenario of futility and despair; they are coming to ask you a question. What can be done, and what will you do?

Best moments of the album: Endless Cycle of Suffering, Formless Collective and Paradox.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Realityfade Records

Track listing
1. Indoctrinated 0:05
2. Endless Cycle of Suffering 3:50
3. Architect of Reality 2:32
4. Hollow Sanctuary 5:26
5. Formless Collective 2:56
6. Void 3:40
7. Toxic Dreams 1:24
8. Shadow of Time 2:55
9. Paradox 2:44
10. Clandestine 2:48
11. Cult(ure) 4:40

Band members
Chris Mathis – vocals, guitars, drum programming
Beto Vipe – guitars
Wesley Van Hook – guitars
Spencer Atkinson – bass

Album Review – Red Cain / NÄ̈E’BLISS (2023)

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This Canadian Progressive/Groove Metal unity is back in action with their breathtaking third full-length opus, fully inspired by the Wheel Of Time series.

Born out of the vast prairies and snowy peaks of Alberta, Canada, Red Cain are a modern Progressive/Groove Metal project with Eastern European roots currently formed of Evgeniy Zayarny on vocals, Samuel Ridout and Tyler Corbett on the guitars, Kalie Yan on bass and backing vocals, and Taylor Gibson on drums, offering intricate songwriting, powerful vocals, eerie soundscapes and strong electronic-backed groove in their music, therefore championing a fluid, dynamic, and unique style centered around telling dark, conceptual Faustian sagas and constructing those into an unforgettable live experience, described as “melancholy and rage”. Now in 2023 the band returns with their third full-length instalment, titled NÄ​̈​E’BLISS, following up on their 2021 album Kindred: Act II. Produced and written by the band itself, mixed by Tyler Corbett at Sole Audio, and mastered by Sacha Laskow at Perfect Filth Studios, the album is inspired by The Wheel Of Time series, being not only a homage to the legendary world of Robert Jordan’s fantasy epic with a grimdark edge, but also a foray into the reverse side of the Wheel of Time story, that of the forsaken antagonists, instruments of the great lord of the dark, and the brutal and captivating allure of letting chaos reign supreme.

The opening track Fisher King is absolutely imposing and grim, with Evgeniy powerfully declaiming the song’s epic lyrics (“Come, let me show you the Light / The way of the Leaf / And its final tortured cry / And saidin shall burn through your eyes / And all hope gives way, / For there’s no compromise”) in a thrilling start to the album, followed by Blight, a very atmospheric creation by the quintet with the savage riffs by Samuel and Tyler matching perfectly with the pounding drums by Taylor, not to mention the puissant Djent-inspired bass by Kalie. They continue their journey through progressive and epic lands in The Great Hunt, with Kalie and Taylor once again bringing the groove to their dense sound, whereas their Progressive Metal vein explodes in We Are Chaos, showcasing another amazing vocal performance by Evgeniy supported by the wicked instrumental by his bandmates, and of coruse by Kalie with her venomous growls.

Then we have the atmospheric and instrumental interlude Sightblinder, setting the tone for the gentle but still groovy tune The Man Who Can’t Forget (Part I), led by the poetic vocal performance by Evgeniy while Samuel and Tyler keep embellishing the airwaves with their classic riffs and solos, always supported by the intricate beats by Taylor, and flowing into the second part titled Crane of Malkier (Part II), where Kaile keeps kicking some ass with her metallic bass in a very emotional and multi-layered creation by the quintet (despite lasting for only two minutes in total). After that, featuring James Delbridge of Lycanthro as a guest vocalist, it’s time for the band to crush our senses with eight minutes of Progressive and Groove Metal infused with elements from Djent entitled Fires of Heaven, sounding very detailed, captivating and sinister from start to finish, with Samuel, Tyler and Kalie being on absolute fire until the very last second.

“We are all massive fantasy fans, and for us, Wheel of Time rubs shoulders with LOTR as a genre-defining epic fantasy series that started it all. The world of the Wheel is a brutal, compelling world with multitudes of fascinating characters, and we were particularly interested in exploring its more visceral aspects – an area which begs to be paired with heavy metal. We’ve seen some of our musical icons, like Blind Guardian, successfully go down this path, and it was magnificent to see new musical interpretations of those stories spun out by them – not to mention some bloody good fun. Now, it is our turn to ride forward in another turn of the Wheel,” commented the band about their new album, and you can support those Canadians by purchasing a copy of the album from their own BandCamp page or from Apple Music, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, to subscribe to their YouTube channel, and to stream all of their creations on Spotify. Red Cain continue their evolutionary path with NÄ​̈​E’BLISS, taking us all on a fantastic and metallic journey that will surely help them carve their name even deeper into the metal scene worldwide.

Best moments of the album: Fisher King, We Are Chaos and Fires of Heaven.

Worst moments of the album: The Great Hunt.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Fisher King 5:35
2. Blight 6:37
3. The Great Hunt 4:09
4. We Are Chaos 4:55
5. Sightblinder 2:47
6. The Man Who Can’t Forget (Part I) 2:38
7. Crane of Malkier (Part II) 2:04
8. Fires of Heaven 8:02

Band members
Evgeniy Zayarny – vocals
Samuel Ridout – guitars
Tyler Corbett – guitars
Kalie Yan – bass, backing vocals
Taylor Gibson – drums

Guest musician
James Delbridge – vocals on “Fires of Heaven”

Album Review – Smoulder / Violent Creed of Vengeance (2023)

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Let’s all head into the battlefield together with this must-see international Epic Heavy/Doom Metal horde armed with their breathtaking sophomore album.

Playing Epic Heavy/Doom Metal in the tradition of Tales of Medusa, Solitude Aeternus, Manilla Road, early Blind Guardian and Fates Warning, the multinational Smoulder have just unleashed their second full-length opus, titled Violent Creed of Vengeance, the follow-up to their 2019 critically acclaimed debut Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring and their 2020 EP Dream Quest Ends. Recorded at Soundwell Studio  by Valtteri Kallio and Jani Snellmain, mixed by Arthur Rizk, mastered by Roland Rodas at Cavern of Echoes, and displaying a beautiful cover Art by Michael Whelan, the album represents a huge step forward in the career of vocalist Sarah Ann, guitarists Shon Vincent and Collin Wolf, bassist Adam Blake and drummer Kevin Hester, featuring seven front-to-back bangers that will surely please all fans of the genre and, therefore, inviting us all to head into the battlefield together with such talented Canadian-American-Finnish metal horde.

Shon and Collin waste no time and begin their epic stringed attack in the opening tune Violent Creed of Vengeance, a battle hymn perfect for raising our horns high in the sky, not to mention the soaring vocals by Sarah add an extra touch of electricity to their music; and it’s then pedal to the metal as it’s time to head into the battlefield to the sound of The Talisman and the Blade, a lesson in Power Metal inspired by that addictive sound form the 80’s, with Kevin being fantastic behind his drums while Adam blasts his bass in the best NWOBHM style. The melodious guitar lines by Shon and Collin permeate the air in Midnight in the Mirror World, where their Doom Metal vein pulses harder than ever. Furthermore, it’s indeed a dark and sinister tune that exhales epicness through its lyrics (“Tenebrous figure / Dwelling deep, within the infinite gates / A foreboding wind blows / With the first stars / He wakes, signaling personal dawn / Gaze across pale nebulas”).

The band then offers a thrilling fusion of the music by Warlock, Iron Maiden and Manowar entitled Path of Witchery, with Sarah kicking some ass on vocals as usual while Kevin sounds bestial behind his drums; whereas the somber narration by English writer Michael Moorcock kicks off another metallic extravaganza entitled Victims of Fate, offering our ears striking riffs and solos, rumbling bass lines and of course the band’s undisputed energy. After such imposing tune, we have a Heavy and Speed Metal attack titled Spellforger, showcasing more of their classy lyrics beautifully declaimed by Sarah (“This impoverished child, distinct from the rest / Their mind contains untold fortitude / Ancient coven sensed their presence / Trained their young as a Spellforger”), and you better get ready for almost ten minutes of epic and doomed Heavy Metal in the form of Dragonslayer’s Doom, with Sarah leading her horde while Adam’s bass lines bring endless intricacy to the overall result. Needless to say, that beautiful epicness goes on until the song’s climatic finale, putting a powerful ending to the album.

You can join Smoulder in their epic quest for heavy music by streaming their fantastic new album Violent Creed of Vengeance in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course by purchasing a copy of it from the band’s own BandCamp page, or from the Cruz Del Sur Music webstore as a CD, a red vinyl, a beer vinyl, or a cassette, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details about those Finland-based Canadian metal warriors. Smoulder are definitely growing in a very healthy and exciting manner in the world of heavy music, therefore becoming one of the must-see bands of the current metal scene, and the electricity flowing from Violent Creed of Vengeance will undoubtedly help them to reach new heights and keep carrying the flag of Heavy Metal wherever they go armed with their music.

Best moments of the album: The Talisman and the Blade, Path of Witchery and Spellforger.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Cruz Del Sur Music

Track listing
1. Violent Creed of Vengeance 5:05
2. The Talisman and the Blade 4:47
3. Midnight in the Mirror World 6:55
4. Path of Witchery 4:26
5. Victims of Fate 7:41
6. Spellforger 3:31
7. Dragonslayer’s Doom 9:51

Band members
Sarah Ann – vocals
Shon Vincent – guitar
Collin Wolf – guitar
Adam Blake – bass
Kevin Hester – drums

Guest musician
Michael Moorcock – narration on “Victims of Fate”

Album Review – Lasskahl / Seasons EP (2023)

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Enjoy the Progressive Metalcore blasted by a promising Swiss band in their second EP, blending different styles in a hypnotic atmosphere with a desire to present a scenic performance of sound and light.

Hailing from Yverdon Les Bains, a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord vaudois of the canton of Vaud in French-speaking Switzerland, Progressive Metalcore (or “Prog-core”, if you prefer) act Lasskahl tries to blend different styles in a hypnotic atmosphere with a desire to present a scenic performance of sound and light, all while looking for the perfect mix between breakdown and delicacy as well as a complex part in syncopated rhythms. Now in 2023 the band formed of Stefano Montemari on vocals, Ludovic Coker and Philip Calvet on the guitars, Kilian Rustichelli on bass and Yves Bidaux on drums is releasing their sophomore EP titled Seasons, highly recommended for lovers of the music by Monuments, Vola and Meshuggah, among others. Mixed and mastered by Simone Pietroforte at Divergent Studio and by Vladimir Cochet at Conatus Studio, Seasons is the follow-up to their 2015 self-titled debut EP, with each one of its four songs being released as individual singles between 2022 and 2023.

The thunderous bass by Kilian bring the groove to the opening tune Labyrinth Gates, accompanied by the pounding drums by Yves before Stefano attacks with his melodic vocals in a modern-day Metalcore feast full of progressive nuances. Then we have Clouds Above Chains, sounding harsher and more progressive, where Ludovic and Philip are absolutely on fire with their riffs from start to finish while Kilian continues to hit us hard in the head armed with his bass in a great display of Progressive Metalcore; whereas an ominous start quickly evolves into a rumbling Mathcore extravaganza in Faces From The Past, presenting ethereal background elements while Yves keeps hammering his drums, all of course spiced up by a demonic vocal performance by Stefano and, therefore, turning it into the strongest of all four songs. Lastly, the band enhances their darkness considerably in Grudge, Gift Of Suffering, with the guitar duo Ludovic and Philip kicking some ass with their metallic riffage while Stefano continues to declaim the song’s acid words in great fashion.

While the band is gearing up for the release of a full-length album closer to the end of the year, you can enjoy Seasons in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of it from their own BandCamp page if you enjoy the more progressive and groovy side of European Metalcore. Hence, don’t forget to also follow Lasskahl on Facebook and on Instagram for more details about the band, their music and their live concerts, showing all your support to the Swiss metal scene. If their upcoming album is just half as good as Seasons, all admirers of the genre will have a very good reason for banging their heads nonstop as soon as it’s released, because the 16 minutes of music found in the EP are already amazing enough to entertain us in the name of contemporary Metalcore.

Best moments of the album: Faces From The Past.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Labyrinth Gates 3:55
2. Clouds Above Chains 3:25
3. Faces From The Past 5:17
4. Grudge, Gift Of Suffering 3:37

Band members
Stefano Montemari – vocals
Ludovic Coker – guitar
Philip Calvet – guitar
Kilian Rustichelli – bass
Yves Bidaux – drums

Album Review – Lucifuge / Monoliths of Wrath (2023)

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Dealing with all sorts of evil, blasphemic and anti-religious themes, the multi-talented German musician Equinox and his Lucifuge are back from the underworld with a new and pulverizing album of Blackened Thrash Metal.

Mixed and mastered at Necromansy Studio, and displaying a somber and caustic artwork by Karmazid, the breathtaking new opus by Bremen, Germany’s own Black/Thrash Metal entity Lucifuge, entitled Monoliths of Wrath, is more than just the follow-up to the project’s critically acclaimed 2021 album Infernal Power, but also a blast from the past paying homage to the 80’s while perfecting the addictive blackened speed metalpunk sound hailing from German lands. Sounding dirtier and more sulfurous than ever, the project’s mastermind, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Equinox continues his path of obscurity dealing with all sorts of evil, blasphemic and anti-religious themes throughout the whole record, while musically speaking the album’s thrash-oriented sound takes cues from classic Sodom, Kreator, Exodus, and of course Slayer, turning it into a must-listen for admirers of the genre.

Slayer-inspired riffs ignite the demonic thrashing attack titled From Cosmos to Chaos, with Equinox showing no mercy for our souls with his sick beats and demented vocals, whereas in The Cult of Infinity we face lyrics that exhale old school Thrash Metal (“Shaking and trembling / the world is spinning at infernally maddening speed / Doomsday approaching / Unable to grasp the meaning of infinity”) while the music feels like his personal tribute to the thrashing masterpiece Bonded by Blood. Let’s keep banging our heads to the dirty riffage by Equinox and his Lucifuge in Before the Altar of Famine and Desire, perfect for dancing like a monkey inside the circle pit; and Equinox continues to hammer his drums in Visions of Death, also delivering scorching riffs and rumbling bass lines in the name of Black and Thrash Metal. After such demented tune, Equinox’s strident riffs walk hand in hand with his frantic drums in Enemies of the Sun, keeping the album at a high level of insanity and rage in a lecture in Blackened Thrash Metal.

A slow and groovy start suddenly explodes into another feast of Black and Thrash Metal in Dissolving into God, with Equinox sounding even more devilish on vocals, followed by The Art of Putrescence, a lesson in the art of delivering ass-kicking, grim lyrics (“I have given up future and philosophy / Owning merely a cot on which to unlearn the sun and signs / Stretched out there, spin out the hours / Objects with suggest suicide”) wrapped up by a bestial sound. Then it’s time to keep slamming into the pit to the sound of Resources of Self Destruction, bringing forward the intricate but always visceral riffs by Equinox; and Physiognomy of Failure is another headbanging creation by Lucifuge that pays homage to classic Thrash Metal while also bringing fresh elements form the current Black Metal scene, or in other words, it’s a breathtaking tune with Equinox kicking ass once again with his raspy vocals. Finally, closing such incendiary album we have The Path to Perdition, with his bass and drums creating an avalanche of sounds that flows majestically until the very end.

You can experience all the speed, dirt, sulfur and insanity blasted by Lucifuge in Monoliths of Wrath by listening to the album in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to show Equinox all your love for his music you should purchase a copy of the album from the band’s own BandCamp page, or from the Dying Victims Productions’ BandCamp page or webstore as a regular CD, an LP or a very special edition gatefold LP on beer colored vinyl including a poster, a sticker, a post card, a woven patch and a download code. Equinox is also eagerly waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with lots of news about Lucifuge, or simply click HERE for all things Lucifuge. If you’re looking for that piercing, frantic and incendiary thrashing sound inspired by 80’s metal music, then Monoliths of Wrath is the perfect album for you. If not, what are you doing here anyway?

Best moments of the album: From Cosmos to Chaos, Enemies of the Sun and Physiognomy of Failure.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Dying Victims Productions

Track listing
1. From Cosmos to Chaos 4:14
2. The Cult of Infinity 3:31
3. Before the Altar of Famine and Desire 3:15
4. Visions of Death 4:02
5. Enemies of the Sun 3:15
6. Dissolving into God 4:45
7. The Art of Putrescence 3:34
8. Resources of Self Destruction 3:43
9. Physiognomy of Failure 3:28
10. The Path to Perdition 3:59

Band members
Equinox – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Unearth / The Wretched; The Ruinous (2023)

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Celebrating almost 25 years on the road, Boston’s own Death Metal/Metalcore beast returns with a demolishing opus, a concept album that follows the current effects of the man-made climate crisis.

On album number eight, titled The Wretched; The Ruinous, Boston, Massachusetts-based Death Metal/Metalcore outfit Unearth not merely continues to amp-up their metal-meets-hardcore intensities, but they also exceed themselves with a record that incorporates elements of classic Unearth offerings dating back to their 2004 “breakthrough” album The Oncoming Storm, while exploring beyond the recent back-to-basics promise of their 2018 effort Extinction(s). Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Will Putney at Graphic Nature Audio, and displaying a stylish artwork by Alexandre Goulet, The Wretched; The Ruinous is a concept album that follows the current effects of the man-made climate crisis as well as what will happen in the years to come if drastic and immediate changes are not made to curb emissions, and monumental efforts are not made to repair and adjust to the damages already done, all wrapped up by the fulminating yet very melodic music by vocalist Trevor Phipps, guitarist Buz McGrath, bassist Chris O’Toole and drummer Mike Justian.

The title-track The Wretched; The Ruinous is freakin’ madness from the very first second, with Mike showing no mercy for his drums nor for our necks, inviting us all to slam into the circle pit to the demented growls by Trevor. In Cremation of the Living the quartet fires more of their acid Metalcore with Melodic Death Metal nuances while its lyrics exhale insanity (“Exist – perish / Discordant nature / All turned to dust / Enraged creator / Victims to shepherds of fear”), followed by Eradicator, another pulverizing tune by the band with Buz delivering sheer electricity from his guitar supported by the metallic bass by Chris. Mother Betrayal sounds and feels more atmospheric and melodic than its predecessors, and it’s interesting how Trevor “abandoned” his clean singing in the entire album just like what we can enjoy in this song. Then it’s pedal to the metal as the quartet will smash our cranial skulls inside the pit with Invictus, a lecture in modern-day Metalcore sounding heavier and harsher than any of the songs form their previous efforts.

Call of Existence brings to our avid ears an amazing guitar job done by Buz, helping to balance the song’s aggressiveness with more melodic riffs and striking solos while Mike dictates the song’s headbanging pace behind his drums. They offer more of their visceral Metalcore in Dawn of the Militant, inspiring us to keep the circle pit action going while Trevor continues to roar and scream manically. After that, the serene interlude Aniara will soothe our souls before we’re treated to another diabolical attack by Unearth titled Into the Abyss, showcasing a solid sonority led by Buz and Chris with their stringed weapons, albeit not as thrilling as the rest of the album. Back to a more infernal mode we have Broken Arrow, where Trevor screams the song’s lyrics in great fashion (“Fire in the sky / Awoken infernal slumber / Peaceful days now ill remembered / Failed to deliver / Accidents of mass destruction / Lie in wait yet not forever”) in a display of fast and crushing Metalcore for the masses; whereas lastly you’ll break your neck headbanging to Theaters of War, with Mike hammering his drums in the name of heavy music for our total delight.

Unearth are waiting for you on Facebook, on Instagram and on YouTube with news, tour dates and more of their amazing music, and if you want to give The Wretched; The Ruinous a spin you can find the album in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, and purchase it by clicking HERE or HERE. “We formed this band to make music for us, not trying to create something for anyone else. As soon as we did that people connected to it, and it’s kept us pushing onward for almost 25 years. We look forward to 25 more,” commented the band about their almost 25 years of career, but let’s be honest and admit that it’s us fans who got a very nice anniversary gift with the release of their awesome new album, don’t you agree?

Best moments of the album: The Wretched; The Ruinous, Invictus and Broken Arrow.

Worst moments of the album: Into the Abyss.

Released in 2023 Century Media

Track listing
1. The Wretched; The Ruinous 4:20
2. Cremation of the Living 3:20
3. Eradicator 3:28
4. Mother Betrayal 3:32
5. Invictus 3:45
6. Call of Existence 3:33
7. Dawn of the Militant 2:57
8. Aniara 0:57
9. Into the Abyss 3:24
10. Broken Arrow 2:51
11. Theaters of War 4:49

Band members
Trevor Phipps – vocals
Buz McGrath – guitars
Chris O’Toole – bass
Mike Justian – drums

Album Review – Crimson Day / Crimson Day (2023)

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This amazing Melodic Heavy Metal outfit from Finland is back with their third full-length album, showcasing a healthy and exciting evolution in their sound.

Founded in 2013 by bassist Jesse “Kämy” Kämäräinen, Tampere, Finland-based female-fronted Melodic Heavy Metal outfit Crimson Day combines classic Heavy Metal riffs with modern elements, having already performed almost a hundred shows in Finland and abroad since their inception. Now in 2023 the band formed of the aforementioned Jesse Kämäräinen alongside Milka Uusitalo on vocals, Ari Balzar and Janne Rantanen on the guitars, and Juhani Ikonen on drums will attack your senses with their self-titled third full-length opus, following up on their 2018 album At the Mountains of Madness. Not only this is their first album with the stunning Milka on vocals, but it also showcases a healthy change or evolution in their sound, placing them among the best new names of the Finnish (and of the entire Nordic) scene, and being highly recommended for admirers of the music by both Iron Maiden and Within Temptation, Judas Priest and Epica, or Stratovarius and Nightwish, just to illustrate to you how dynamic their music is.

Juhani wastes no time and begins pounding his drums in Release The Beast, while Ari and Janne’s guitars exhale fire, all of course spiced up by the rockin’ vocals by Milka in a lecture in Heavy and Power Metal to kick things off in style. Then their guitar duo is on total fire in The Calling, providing Milka with exactly what she needs to shine with her soaring vocals. Put differently, it can’t get any more metal than this, whereas the song that carries the name of the band, Crimson Day, exhales epicness thanks to its galloping pace, gripping vocal lines and classic riffage, being therefore perfect for raising our horns high in the air. Juhani keeps pounding his drums supported by the thunderous bass by Jesse in The Mortal Undead, with the band investing in darker and heavier sounds (and the final result is a true banger); and it’s time to slow things down a bit with the power ballad Deep To The Dark, showcasing beautiful guitar riffs and solos by Ari and Janne.

Perhaps the song Night To Forget can be called “Dancing Heavy Metal” due to its rockin’ rhythm and vibe, with Milka exploring her vocal range in Hard Rock lands, whereas the metallic bass by Jesse ignites the band’s melodic feast titled Raising The Fury, with the piercing sound of their guitars bringing an overdose of electricity to the overall result. Black As Heavens Above sounds and feels more melodious than its predecessors, also presenting hints of 80’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal while Milka once again steals the show with her passionate vocals; followed by Eternal Night Of The Mind, the second to last song of the album, a solid display of modern-day Heavy Metal that sounds a bit cheesy compared to the rest of the album, albeit still very detailed and enjoyable. And last but not least, let’s bang our heads one final time with Crimson Day in Epilogue / Time To Die, with Ari, Janne and Jesse delivering a scorching stringed attack, putting an epic ending to an epic album, I might say.

Such intense album of classy Heavy Metal made in Finland can be fully appreciated on Spotify, and you can also purchase your favorite copy of it by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also give Crimson Day a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, staying updated with all of their news and tour dates, and to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their music and videos. As already mentioned, the band has reached new heights in their career with their new album, with the evolution in their music certainly going to take them places, and with the vocals by Milka positioning the band as one of the strongest name of the genre in their homeland.

Best moments of the album: Release The Beast, The Mortal Undead and Black As Heavens Above.

Worst moments of the album: Eternal Night Of The Mind.

Released in 2023 Independent

Track listing
1. Release The Beast 3:57
2. The Calling 5:22
3. Crimson Day 5:09
4. The Mortal Undead 3:16
5. Deep To The Dark 5:25
6. Night To Forget 3:43
7. Raising The Fury 4:03
8. Black As Heavens Above 4:33
9. Eternal Night Of The Mind 4:23
10. Epilogue / Time To Die 5:06

Band members
Milka Uusitalo – vocals
Ari Balzar – guitars
Janne Rantanen – guitars
Jesse Kämäräinen – bass
Juhani Ikonen – drums