Category Archives: 2025 New Releases

Album Review – SAOR / Amidst the Ruins (2025)

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Andy Marshall and his band of Caledonian warriors are back with an epic voyage set to rekindle the fires of heritage and resurrect the valor that courses through Scotland’s vast landscapes.

Out of the mists, where lore whispers in the winds, Glasgow, Scotland-based Atmospheric Folk/Black Metal act SAOR, pronounced “seur”, which means “free” and “unconstrained” in Scottish Gaelic, the heralds of Caledonia’s primeval beauty and ancient tales, rises once again to enrapture souls far and wide. Their newest offering, Amidst the Ruins, is an epic voyage set to rekindle the fires of heritage and resurrect the valor that courses through Scotland’s vast landscapes. Recorded at Fortriu Studios (vocals, guitars, bass), Nikolaus Recordings Studio (female vocals, tin whistles, low whistles, uilleann pipes), NewLife Studios (drums) and Farkosten Studios (violin, viola, cello), mixed by Chris Fielding at Penylan Studio, mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, displaying a beautiful artwork by Julian Bauer (with layout by Adrien Bousson), and featuring guest musicians Ella Zlotos, Carlos Vivas, Jo Quail, Àngela Moya Serrat, Miguel Izquierdo, and Samuel C. Ledesma, Amidst the Ruins stands proud, a timeless sentinel amidst the sands of time carefully brought into being by the project’s mastermind Andy Marshall, offering a stunning onrush of his “Caledonian Metal” perfect for fans of Winterfylleth, Agalloch, and Wolves in the Throne Room, among many others.

Andy and his more-than-special guests waste no time and melt our faces with 12 minutes of beautiful and atmospheric passages in Amidst the Ruins, led by the pulverizing drums by Carlos while Andy fires razor-edged riffs, not to mention how all background instruments like the whistles, violin, viola and cello sound utterly embracing. Echoes of the Ancient Land already begins in full force with Andy gnarling like a beast accompanied by the massive beats by Carlos, offering our avid years another very detailed and embracing musical experience; and by now you’ve probably noticed Andy nurtures a deep passion for long and complex songs, which is also the case with Glen of Sorrow, where the charming vocals by Ella bring a touch of finesse to the hurricane of Atmospheric Black Metal crafted by the whole crew. Then after such an imposing tune it’s time for the folk-infused, atmospheric The Sylvan Embrace, with guest Jo Quail embellishing the airwaves with her cello, followed by the closing song Rebirth, the perfect fusion of Atmospheric Black Metal with classic folk sounds where Ella is once again spot-on with her whimsical whistles while Andy continues to blast his harsh vociferations and melodic yet scorching riffs, all spiced up by the hypnotizing strings by Àngela, Miguel and Samuel.

Building upon the chronicles of old, Amidst the Ruins sees the warriors of SAOR cast a clarion call to awaken from the lethargy of modern existence, to reclaim the essence of a heritage laid asunder. Hence, if you want to join such an amazing army hailing from the Scottish Highlands, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of the stylish Amidst the Ruins from Bandcamp or by clicking HERE. Andy and his band of Caledonian warriors have crafted a majestic symphony that welds the intensity of Black Metal with Celtic folk melodies in their new album, bridging the past and present as they remain the ceaseless bards of Caledonia unbroken.

Best moments of the album: Amidst the Ruins and Rebirth.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Season of Mist

Track listing
1. Amidst the Ruins 12:41
2. Echoes of the Ancient Land 11:41
3. Glen of Sorrow 12:05
4. The Sylvan Embrace 8:19
5. Rebirth 14:10

Band members
Andy Marshall – vocals, guitars, bass

Guest musicians
Ella Zlotos – female vocals, tin whistles, low whistles, uilleann pipes
Carlos Vivas – drums
Jo Quail – cello and FX on “The Sylvan Embrace”
Àngela Moya Serrat – violin on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” and “Rebirth”
Miguel Izquierdo – viola on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” and “Rebirth”
Samuel C. Ledesma – cello on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” and “Rebirth”

Album Review – Thundermother / Dirty & Divine (2025)

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These four Swedish girls are back in action armed with their brand new, blistering onslaught of loud, addictive Hard Rock.

Having already demonstrated their outstanding artistic potential many times over, Sweden’s own all-female Hard Rock brigade Thundermother has completed work on their new album, beautifully titled Dirty & Divine, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2022 album Black & Gold, and is primed to detonate anew armed with a new selection of rock anthems highly recommended for admirers of the genre. Currently formed of Linnea Vikström Egg on vocals, Filippa Nässil on the guitar, Majsan Lindberg on bass, and Joan Massing on drums, the band continues to establish themselves as one of the most vivacious and vital Hard Rock bands around with Dirty & Divine, always with a never-say-die spirit and collective charisma that underpins everything they do.

It’s a new era for Thundermother, and the girls arrive in style in So Close, blending the smoothness of Rock N’ Roll with their trademark edgier Hard Rock vibe, not to mention Linnea sounds amazing on vocals. Can’t Put Out The Fire sounds even more exciting than the opening tune, with Filippa kicking ass on the guitar while Majsan and Joan deliver a more-than-vibrant kitchen, followed by Speaking of the Devil, one of the first singles released, which will sound fantastic during their live concerts and with Linnea’s vocals burning our hearts mercilessly. Feeling Alright is a bit generic compared to the other songs, albeit still presenting the band’s characteristic rockin’ sounds; whereas back to a more electrifying and fun mode we have Take The Power, a Rock N’ Roll party by those unstoppable ladies, with Linnea once again kicking some serious ass with her powerful, soaring vocals.

I Left My License in the Future presents an interesting Judas Priest vibe, blending the sonority of Turbo Lover with You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, and of course the final result is a lesson in heavy music, while Dead Or Alive also showcases a cool, melodic sound boosted by a fun official video, with Filippa delivering those minimalist but extremely captivating riffs nonstop. Then investing in a strong Southern Rock sonority they offer us all Can You Feel It, with Joan blasting her AC/DC-inspired beats while Filippa is on fire with her riffs and solos; and Bright Eyes keeps the atmosphere vibrant and fresh, with their solid guitar lines and classic beats offering Linnea the perfect base for her striking vocals. Lastly, as those girls are never tired of blasting pure Rock N’ Roll for our total delight, we’re treated to American Adrenaline, putting a dancing conclusion to the album and making us eager for their new setlists with songs like this one in their upcoming live performances.

A blistering onslaught of loud, addictive Hard Rock, Dirty & Divine marks the start of a new age for Thundermother, or in other words, those girls are revved up and ready to rock, and you can join them on Facebook and on Instagram in their quest for Rock N’ Roll, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase a copy of their striking new album from the AFM Records webstore. “We fight for Rock N’ Roll” is the motto Thundermother live by all day, every day, and the music found in Dirty & Divine proves that’s more than just a motto for them, but a way of life, also representing a new start for a band that will surely keep kicking our asses for many decades with their undisputed music.

Best moments of the album: Speaking of the Devil, Take The Power and I Left My License in the Future.

Worst moments of the album: Feeling Alright.

Released in 2025 AFM Records

Track listing
1. So Close 3:47
2. Can’t Put Out The Fire 3:16
3. Speaking of the Devil 3:46
4. Feeling Alright 2:49
5. Take The Power 2:58
6. I Left My License in the Future 3:33
7. Dead Or Alive 3:44
8. Can You Feel It 3:14
9. Bright Eyes 3:31
10. American Adrenaline 3:09

Band members
Linnea Vikström Egg – vocals
Filippa Nässil – guitar
Majsan Lindberg – bass
Joan Massing – drums

Album Review – Norilsk / Antipole (2025)

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Canada’s own Atmospheric Doom/Death/Post-Metal entity returns with another imposing album, exploring the concept of duality, flowing between slow and faster songs while highlighting the contrasts in death and doom.

Named after Siberia’s northernmost city, Норильск in Russian, home to the world’s largest heavy metals smelting complex, Gatineau/Hull, Quebec-based Atmospheric Doom/Death/Post-Metal band Norilsk blends slow and crushing riffs, death growls, icy melodies and atmospheric arrangements in their music, drawing inspiration from the 1990’s doom-death scene, while incorporating a heavy dose of eclectic and contemporary influences. Now in 2025 the band formed of Nic Miquelon on vocals and bass, Tom Hansen and Matt MacIvor on the guitars, and Nick Richer on drums and backing vocals is back with their third full-length opus, titled Antipole, the first album to be recorded by all four members of the band. Mixed and mastered by James Plotkins at Plotkinsworks, with drums recorded and mixed at Wolf Lake Studios by Mike Bond with assistance from JP Sadek and edited and mixed in The Bond Cave, guitars and bass recorded by Tom Hansen, vocals recorded by Topon Das at Apartment 2 Studios, and displaying a classy artwork by Adam Burke of Nightjar Illustrations, Antipole is also the first record that Norilsk have been extensively rehearsing, and working on the arrangements together before entering the studio, resulting in a much bolder, tighter and heavier opus than their previous releases.

The metallic sounds blasted by Nic, Tom and Matt match perfectly with the hammering drums by Nick in the title-track Antipole, exploding into a darkened feast of Doom Metal with deep, devilish vociferations, followed by D’ombre et de glace (l’asphyxie), which is French for “of shadow and ice (asphyxiation)”, another rumbling creation by the quartet overflowing doom and fear led by the striking riffs by Tom and Matt. And Locus Sanctus, or “holy place” from Latin, starts in a sinister, serene manner before the band smashes their sonic weapons once again, resulting in one of the most sluggish songs of the album, with Nick stealing the show with his thunderous beats.

Nunataks, from Inuit nunataq, is the summit or ridge of a mountain that protrudes from an ice field or glacier that otherwise covers most of the mountain or ridge, and the band puts the pedal to the metal musically speaking, offering a thrilling fusion of Doom and Death Metal with captivating Post-Metal elements. Then get ready for an intense ten-minute musical voyage entitled La chute du géant, or “the fall of the giant” from French, kicking off in the most lugubrious, pensive way and flowing smoothly while at the same time piercing our minds mercilessly until its ethereal finale. In La fonte, or “the source”, Norilsk go full Post-Metal, with the heavy bass by Nic walking hand in hand with the classic drums by Nick, albeit not too exciting in the end. And lastly we have Un chant pour les morts, or “a song for the dead”, a pure Doom Metal onrush sounding absolutely heavy and grim thanks to the raspy roars by Nic.

The quartet has assembled a brand new chapter in their discography with Antipole, building on the characteristics that made Norilsk what it is today while offering something undeniably contemporary, with its slow doomy riffs, cold melodies, recognizable death growls, and a hint of Post-Metal atmosphere brought by a dual guitar interplay. Exploring the concept of duality, the album flows between slow and faster songs, and highlights the contrasts in death and doom, with its beauty and tragedy, harshness and fragility, light and darkness, reality and fiction, and its gravity and ethereality. Hence, don’t forget to get in touch with Norilsk on Facebook and on Instagram for more of their music, news and tour dates, to stream their music on Spotify, and to purchase Antipole from Norilsk’s own BandCamp, or from the Hypnotic Dirge Records’ BandCamp, EU store (and if I were you, I would go for the more than special CD + merch bundle), or Canada/US store, letting their doomed, heavy and pensive creations penetrate dep inside your blackened soul.

Best moments of the album: Antipole, Nunataks and La chute du géant.

Worst moments of the album: La fonte.

Released in 2025 Hypnotic Dirge Records

Track listing
1. Antipole 8:05
2. D’ombre et de glace (l’asphyxie) 4:47
3. Locus Sanctus 6:07
4. Nunataks 5:27
5. La chute du géant 10:42
6. La fonte 5:08
7. Un chant pour les morts 7:18

Band members
Nic Miquelon – vocals, bass
Tom Hansen – guitars
Matt MacIvor – guitars
Nick Richer – drums, backing vocals

Album Review – Hållbar / Nemesis (2025)

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Behold this excellent album of “Contemporary Black Metal” made in Poland, reminding us all that sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Forged in the fires of Warsaw, Poland in 2023, Melodic Black/Death Metal horde Hållbar, a Swedish word that translates to “durable” or “sustainable” in English, is ready to crush our souls with their first full-length album, simply titled Nemesis. Self-recorded at Okrutnik Studio, mixed and mastered by Filip “Heinrich” Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio, and with artwork and design by Dariusz Barabaś from Seeg Design and Bartosz Rybitwa, the debut opus by Gosia Marczak on vocals, Przemysław Janusz Gracel and Jakub Bałdyga on the guitars, Bartosz Wietnam Mitura on bass and Sebastian Kredek Cieciera on drums brings to our avid ears a crossover between Black Metal and Melodic Death Metal with Deathcore-like female screams, or in other words, a unique belnd that the band likes to call as “Contemporary Black Metal”.

The cryptic, eerie intro Ambiguous Loss will darken our minds before the band comes ripping in Mental Apraxia, with Sebastian hammering his drums manically, offering Gosia all she needs to bark and roar like a true she-demon; and the guitars by Przemysław and Jakub exhale heaviness and sound as sharp as a knife in Face to the Ground, presenting a great fusion of Melodic Death and Black Metal. The title-track Nemesis brings forward obscure lyrics barked by Gosia (“You’re the hero of your personal myth / You’re an obdurate cancer running through my veins / You’re the buffalo with predator’s teeth / Nemesis! Oh! / Show me everything it is worth to die for / Nemesis! / Show me everything you just want to die for / Let them free!”), whereas Bartosz and Sebastian make the earth tremble with their metallic kitchen in the venomous Love/Hate Language.

After such a hurricane of blackened sounds, we face a more introspective, serene start in Fears, with Gosia gnarling deeply before all explodes into a headbanging extravaganza led by the massive drums by Sebastian, resulting in maybe the most Black Metal of all songs. The band continues to pave their darkened path in Voodoo Doll, another excellent option for some vigorous headbanging with the riffs by Przemysław and Jakub transpiring sulfur; and there’s no time to breathe as their caustic fusion of Death and Black Metal keeps penetrating deep inside our souls in Aposiopesis, while Gosia blasts an overdose of harsh roars in Tormentor, supported by the thunderous sounds crafted by her bandmates. Puppet String, the second to last song of the album, again ventures through darker lands, sounding perfect for some mosh pit action, whereas lastly we have Possibilities, a solid tune that puts a visceral yet melodic ending to the album.

“Nemesis is a tale of unprocessed experiences and emotions that, difficult and aggravating at first, eventually teach important lessons – stories of mental illness, codependency, perfectionism, patterns of unreflective behavior and loneliness. Nemesis is about each of us, because we are sometimes our own worst enemies,” commented Gosia about the band’s debut offering, and you can join the band in that never-ending fight against our inner demons by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their music on Spotify, and by grabbing a copy of Nemesis from BandCamp or from DistroKid. We’re definitely our worst enemies in life, which is why we have high quality bands like Hållbar among us, to give us strength through their music to continue moving forward no matter what.

Best moments of the album: Face to the Ground, Fears and Aposiopesis.

Worst moments of the album: Tormentor.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Ambiguous Loss 0:41
2. Mental Apraxia 3:54
3. Face to the Ground 3:19
4. Nemesis 3:10
5. Love/Hate Language 3:47
6. Fears 3:33
7. Voodoo Doll 4:45
8. Aposiopesis 3:29
9. Tormentor 3:24
10. Puppet String 4:05
11. Possibilities 3:51

Band members
Gosia Marczak – vocals
Przemysław Janusz Gracel – guitar
Jakub Bałdyga – guitar
Bartosz Wietnam Mitura – bass
Sebastian Kredek Cieciera – drums

Album Review – Jinjer / Duél (2025)

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Ukraine’s own metal juggernauts return with their fifth full-length opus, taking on a much more aggressive tone, ferociously wielding a fully stocked arsenal of metal genre trademarks.

Donetsk, Ukraine’s own leading Alternative/Groove Metal/Djent juggernauts Jinjer return with their eagerly awaited fifth studio album, entitled Duél, the follow-up to their 2021 album Wallflowers, taking on a much more aggressive tone, ferociously wielding a fully stocked arsenal of Progressive, Nu, and Death Metal, among other metal genre trademarks. On their new album, the iconic frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk, guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov, bassist Eugene Abdukhanov, and drummer Vlad Ulasevich continue their long-lasting collaboration with accomplished producer Max Morton, who co-produced, mixed and mastered the album, living up to the band’s reputation as metal visionaries, once more showing that they refuse to follow any set rules in their genre, but choose their own path of creativity.

Two seconds is all that Jinjer need to kick us hard in the ass with their enraged metal music in the high-octane Tantrum, with the bass by Eugene making our heads tremble in awe; whereas Hedonist offers four minutes of classic Jinjer to our avid ears, with Tatiana delivering her striking clean vocals and harsh roars amidst a fusion of Groove Metal and Djent. Rogue, another strong contender for their live concerts, will generate some wild circle pits if played live while Eugene and Vlad keep hammering their instruments nonstop, and the Sludge Metal-infused riffs by Roman dictate the pace in Tumbleweed, while Tatiana declaims the song’s darkly poetic lyrics with tons of passion. Then we have Green Serpent, one of the previously released singles, a venomous fusion of Alternative Metal with Groove and Post-Metal nuances where Vlad pounds his drums mercilessly for our total delight.

Kafka is another groovy, intricate and progressive creation by the quartet, with Tatiana’s mesmerizing vocals being nicely supported by the classy kitchen blasted by Eugene and Vlad, followed by Dark Bile, one of the most aggressive songs of the album thanks to Tatiana’s enraged roars, while Roman and Eugene continue with their stringed axe attack. I love when the band goes full metal like in Fast Draw, offering an overdose of heaviness, harsh, deep and visceral screams and blast beats, while Roman extracts piercing, sharp riffs from his guitar, whereas Someone’s Daughter, the very first single released, was somewhat promising, but compared to the rest of the album it feels a bit generic. A Tongue So Sly is yet another song where the band put the pedal to the metal and delivered sheer violence, while still overflowing groove and intricacy; and the album ends with the fast-paced title-track Duél, perfect for some action inside the mosh pit to the hammering beats by Vlad while Tatiana vociferates the song’s cryptic words majestically.

Showcasing the very best of their multifaceted, extreme soundscapes, providing a gripping listening experience, Duél is filled with a fierce attitude and tons of emotion, inviting their fans for multiple listens as each track evolves on their own. Hence, don’t forget to check what the band is up to, including their tour dates, on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and to grab a copy of Duél by clicking HERE or HERE. Because Jinjer are always challenging themselves for a “creative duel”, pushing their boundaries further and further and, consequently, bringing joy and energy to our hearts thanks to their ever-evolving, never dull or stale heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Tantrum, Rogue, Fast Draw and Duél.

Worst moments of the album: Someone’s Daughter.

Released in 2025 Napalm Records

Track listing
1. Tantrum 3:59
2. Hedonist 3:46
3. Rogue 3:12
4. Tumbleweed 3:22
5. Green Serpent 4:01
6. Kafka 4:09
7. Dark Bile 3:40
8. Fast Draw 3:14
9. Someone’s Daughter 4:17
10. A Tongue So Sly 4:25
11. Duél 4:48

Band members
Tatiana Shmayluk – vocals
Roman Ibramkhalilov – guitars
Eugene Abdukhanov – bass
Vlad Ulasevich – drums

Album Review – Weed Demon / The Doom Scroll (2025)

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A Columbus, Ohio-based trio returns heavier than ever with their vicious new album, revamping their sludged-out stoner doom with death/thrashing atrocity.

The audio equivalent of bong water spilled on a Ouija board, Columbus, Ohio-based Weed Demon are a 4-piece Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal beast who continues to push the boundaries of their sound, captivating audiences with relentless creativity and a crushing cosmic vision. Now in 2025 the band formed of Jordan Holland on vocals and bass, Andy Center and Brian Buckley on the guitars, and Nick Carter on drums returns with their third installment, titled The Doom Scroll, following up on their 2020 album Crater Maker. Engineered at StoneRipper Studios, and displaying a stunning artwork by Mont Doom, the album sees the band revamping their sludged-out stoner doom with death/thrashing atrocity, often weaving through hallucinatory dungeon synth passages.

Just hit play and Acid Dungeon will hit us like the soundtrack to a horror movie from the 80’s, sending shivers down our spines before all hell breaks loose in Tower of Smoke, where Andy and Brian begin their riff attack in great fashion supported by the massive, headbanging drums by Nick, with the only problem for me being that it’s an instrumental song (it’s quite decent overall, though). Then we have Coma Dose, featuring guest vocalist Shy Kennedy of Funerals (PGH) and Horehound, sounding a lot stronger and overflowing groove thanks to the striking riffage by the band’s guitar duo, while the vocals by Jordan and Shy sound enraged and mesmerizing at the same time. Roasting the Sacred Bones brings forward more of the band’s acid, visceral Doom and Sludge Metal, with Jordan once again roaring manically supported by the hammering beats by Nick, flowing into the acoustic outro Dead Planet Blues, which puts a cinematic ending to the album. But wait, as there’s a secret track in the vinyl edition of the album, their cover version for Frank Zappa’s Willy The Pimp, originally recorded back in 1969 in the album Hot Rats, with Weed Demon’s rendition being as impactful and vibrant as the original.

The guys from Weed Demon are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, more of their music, their tour dates and so on, and of course you can stream their sludgy and visceral creations on Spotify, as well as purchase a copy of the excellent The Doom Scroll from their own BandCamp, from the Electric Valley Records’ BandCamp or webstore, from the Glory or Death Records webstore, or click HERE for all things Weed Demon. As already mentioned, Weed Demon continue to experiment with different sounds including Thrash and Death Metal in The Doom Scroll without forgetting their core Sludge and Doom Metal essence, resulting in a very dynamic and fresh album while at the same time sounding old school, and based on the quality of their new opus I bet we’ll hear a lot from those Ohio guys in the coming years, always in the name of weed, heaviness and doom.

Best moments of the album: Coma Dose and Roasting the Sacred Bones.

Worst moments of the album: Tower of Smoke.

Released in 2025 Electric Valley Records

Track listing
1. Acid Dungeon 2:42
2. Tower of Smoke 7:33
3. Coma Dose 9:33
4. Roasting the Sacred Bones 6:17
5. Dead Planet Blues 4:49

Vinyl Edition secret bonus track
6. Willy The Pimp (Frank Zappa cover) 6:14

Band members
Jordan Holland – lead vocals, bass
Andy Center – guitars, backing vocals
Brian Buckley – guitars, backing vocals
Nick Carter – drums

Guest musician
Shy Kennedy – vocals on “Coma Dose”

Album Review – Mad Parish / The Dust of Forever (2025)

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Embark on a thrilling story through a tapestry of Heavy Metal, following the journey of Joe, an immortal protagonist caught in a universe-threatening cataclysm.

Known for their unique fusion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) styles with Progressive Rock and catchy singalong melodies, Montreal, Quebec-based Heavy Metal brigade Mad Parish has been a formidable force in the Canadian heavy music scene for over a decade, culminating now in 2025 with the release of their sophomore opus The Dust Of Forever, a concept album that marks a bold new chapter for the band. Recorded by vocalist and guitarist Josh McConnell, guitarist Bob Eaglesham, bassist Patrick Latreille, keyboardist Andre Bisson, and drummer Paskal Belanger, the album weaves an original story through a tapestry of Heavy Metal, following the journey of Joe, an immortal protagonist caught in a universe-threatening cataclysm, promising to transport listeners to another realm, with layered sounds and textures that reveal new aspects with each listen.

The futuristic intro Prophecy will transport you to the world created by Mad Parish in Defecther, starting in a very progressive manner to the classic riffs by Josh and Bob, while Josh also fires his Ozzy Osbourne-inspired vocals. Patrick, Andre and Paskal generate a whimsical atmosphere in Possess The Child, blending Progressive Rock and Metal in great fashion; followed by Outerest In Irisius, the first interlude of the album, as ethereal and mystical as the intro, working as the warmup to Ouen Formation, one of the most 70’s-inspired songs of all, in special its vocals, backing vocals and overall pace. Here we go with another interlude titled Hunted, revving up their engines for Astra T.R.A.Z (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone), where they take their progressiveness to a whole new level to the stylish riffs by Josh and Bob and the striking keys by Andre. Transmission #1 Dream On is a bit too happy for my taste, but it is what the band had in mind to prepare us for Resistius, blending NWOBHM with 70’s Progressive Rock, with Paskal sounding flawless behind his drums. We then face another interlude, this time titled Aeternal, followed by another classy creation named An Age To Quell, where Josh and Bob’s riffage sounds thrilling until the very end.

Transmission #2 – Will Of God, the second interlude in the form of a transmission, is a Jazz-ish one, setting the tone for Loched, a Rock N’ Roll extravaganza highly inspired by old school Progressive Rock with Josh’s vocals sounding beyond ethereal, not to mention Andre’s striking Deep Puple-ish keys. Cathedron Wakes takes off from where the previous song ended, with their riffs and solos adding an extra touch of finesse to the overall result; and the piano by Andre in the interlude Book of Rites will captivate your senses before we’re treated to Bishop’s Tomb, boosted by the classic drums by guest Gopal Devanathan, resulting in one of the most electrifying of all songs of the album. There are too many interludes to my taste, and Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum might be the weakest of all, but everything gets back on track in The Experience Hunter, where Bob not only plays the guitar, but he’s also responsible for all keyboards, bass and drums, which is truly impressive. There’s one more interlude to go, entitled Trajectory: Tantus, heightening our senses for The Dust Of Forever, a riff-driven tune with a galloping pace led by the drumming by guest Gopal Devanathan, flowing into the outro Hail To The Hunter, putting an atmospheric, cryptic conclusion to the story.

Fans can look forward to an immersive album experience later this year, complete with a companion comic book titled The Experience Hunter Chronicles (with story by Josh McConnell, artwork by Niall Skinner, editing by Rahl Stafford, and design by Maximus Rex) and plans for a visually stunning live show (with the band’s live lineup comprised of Josh McConnell on vocals, Bob Eaglesham and Aaron Carbray on the guitars, Andre Bisson on keyboards, Gino Laposta on bass, and Max Rex on drums) featuring costumes, set pieces, and special effects, recommended for those who enjoy Iron Maiden, Virgin Steele, and Camel. Hence, don’t forget to see what such a unique band of the Canadian scene is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and to purchase a copy of the album along with a limited edition comic book via BandCamp, letting the story of the immortal being from the comics penetrate deep inside your mind while you listen to the stylish music by one of the most innovative bands hailing from Montreal.

Best moments of the album: Possess The Child, Resistius, Loched and Bishop’s Tomb.

Worst moments of the album: Transmission #1 Dream On and Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Prophecy 1:30
2. Defecther 4:32
3. Possess The Child 4:45
4. Outerest In Irisius 1:34
5. Ouen Formation 6:35
6. Hunted 1:51
7. Astra T.R.A.Z (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone) 4:42
8. Transmission #1 Dream On 1:40
9. Resistius 6:44
10. Aeternal 1:44
11. An Age To Quell 4:05
12. Transmission #2 – Will Of God 2:04
13. Loched 3:24
14. Cathedron Wakes 5:37
15. Book of Rites 1:06
16. Bishop’s Tomb 3:32
17. Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum 1:46
18. The Experience Hunter 5:04
19. Trajectory: Tantus 2:02
20. The Dust Of Forever 5:11
21. Hail To The Hunter 1:01

Band members
Josh McConnell – lead vocals, guitars, bass on “Transmission #1 Dream On”
Bob Eaglesham – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, bass and drums on “The Experience Hunter”
Patrick Latreille – bass
Andre Bisson – keyboards, piano on “Book of Rites”
Paskal Belanger – drums

Guest musicians
Peter Mika – keyboard solo on “Resistius”
Gopal Devanathan – drums on “An Age To Quell”, “Bishop’s Tomb” and “The Dust Of Forever”
Tony Spina – drums on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”
Jeff Louch – piano on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”

Album Review – WarWolf / The Final Battle (2025)

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Let the battle commence to the sound of the striking third studio album by this German Heavy Metal brigade.

Having emerged from the ashes of a band named Wolven back in 2021, Cologne, Germany-based Heavy Metal brigade WarWolf is back for the attack with their third studio album, titled The Final Battle, the follow-up to their 2023 opus The Apocalyptic Waltz. Produced, mixed and mastered once again by Grave Digger’s own  mastermind Chris Boltendahl at Graveyard Studio, the new album by frontman Andreas von Lipinski, guitarists Frank Noras and Peter Müller, bassist Florian Abegg and drummer Holger Bloempott offers exactly what a fan would expect from the band and even more, showcasing “Maiden-esque” influences with a slight Teutonic Metal touch, but this time rawer and more honest then ever.

The opener Eye of the Storm is simply fast, furious, striking, and showcases metallic lyrics for our total delight (“In the heart of chaos / Where tempests collide / Beneath the shadowed clouds / Where fears reside / An eye of the storm / A glimpse into the night / Where wars unfold / And souls take flight”), followed by Burning Skies, another slab of old school Heavy Metal where Frank’s soaring vocals are nicely boosted by all backing vocals. In The Lycan Empire, the title of the song matches perfectly with not only the band’s name but also with their traditional Heavy and Power Metal sound, whereas Fight the Invaders is not a very exciting song, not to mention it’s a long one too, despite the solid job done by Frank and Peter on the guitars. A New Hope presents a much more exciting sonority led by the galloping bass and drums by Florian and Holger, sounding very Iron Maiden-ish in the end.

Andreas continues to lead his bandmates with his soaring vocals in Time Stands Still, offering more of the band’s classic Teutonic Heavy Metal, with their riffs sounding sharp and vibrant; whereas serene guitar lines kick off the seven-minute aria The Dark Emperor, an ode to the NWOBHM with a German twist, led by the classic drumming by Holger, flowing into the headbanging tune Blood & Ice, a beautiful fusion of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock where the guitars by Frank and Peter are spitting fire. The second to last track of the album is a full-bodied, detailed nine-minute tune titled The Final Battle, starting in a serene acoustic manner, and alternating between heavier moments and deep introspective passages; and as the battle seems to be finally reaching its end, the band offers a soothing ballad titled The War Is Over, overflowing melancholy and grief.

In addition to all that, all songs have a continuous story so The Final Battle can be called a concept album, though each song can also stand on its own, and you can experience that metallic adventure by WarWolf by purchasing a copy of the album or streaming it as many times as you want by clicking HERE or HERE. You can also start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, staying up to date with all things WarWolf (including their tour dates, like their upcoming European tour alongside the mighty Grave Digger), and stream their awesome music on any streaming platform like Spotify. Because the battle rages on, and the Teutonic beast WarWolf is definitely ready to fight by our side armed with their new album of undisputed, classic Heavy Metal.

Best moments of the album: Eye of the Storm, A New Hope and Blood & Ice.

Worst moments of the album: Fight the Invaders.

Released in 2025 Metalapolis Records

Track listing
1. Eye of the Storm 5:37
2. Burning Skies 5:04
3. The Lycan Empire 5:36
4. Fight the Invaders 8:23
5. A New Hope 5:41
6. Time Stands Still 4:05
7. The Dark Emperor 7:04
8. Blood & Ice 4:02
9. The Final Battle 8:52
10. The War Is Over 5:06

Band members
Andreas von Lipinski – vocals
Frank Noras – guitars
Peter Müller – guitars
Florian Abegg – bass
Holger Bloempott – drums

Album Review – Void Of Hope / Proof of Existence (2025)

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The horrors of reality are the proof of your existence, and this uncanny Black Metal trio from Finland is going to expose you to that harshness to the sound of their debut album.

A Finnish Black Metal trio born somewhere in time during a recording session that includes members from Moonlight Sorcery and Ondfødt and consider themselves influenced by bands like Gris, Silencer, Lifelover, Coldworld and Austere, Void of Hope are set to unleash their debut album, titled Proof of Existence. Composed and recorded in five days in the studio with -30°, -35° outside and in complete darkness for most of the day (with all screams taking place later and being recorded in two days), Proof Of Existence is a journey through mental health and depression, the outcome of which may be triumph or giving up, having started as Depressive Black Metal, but growing into much more.

The gentle, serene start in Gift of Life quickly morphs into a sluggish and pounding feast of Atmospheric Black Metal, with their riffs and beats sounding truly imposing, not to mention its devilish creature-like vociferations. Then fierce, hammering drums and caustic guitar lines set the tone in the title-track Proof of Existence, offering us all almost seven minutes of first-class, modern and ruthless Black Metal; and it’s now time for the skies to get as dark as a raven with 11 minutes of undisputed Black Metal in The Hollow Hymn, sounding and feeling absolutely haunting, multi-layered and penetrating from the very first second.

Then the delicate yet eerie interlude Inner Peace will prepare your putrid souls for total darkness in T.E.T.L., presenting seven minutes of blast beats, ruthless riffs and hellish gnarls not recommended for the lighthearted, a very detailed and impactful creation by such an uncanny Finnish trio, blending elements from different styles into their core Black Metal magic. The last act in Proof of Existence, entitled Decaying Years, sounds as haunting and mysterious as it can be, with its background piano notes walking hand in hand with its sluggish, Doom Metal-inspired beats, therefore ending the album on a high and devilish note.

Void of Hope are not an anonymous band, yet they do not consider their identities relevant, as regardless of what names are printed in the album, the music is all that matters. Void of Hope can be a place or a state of mind, and their debut album will simply show you that the horrors of reality are the proof of your existence. Although there isn’t much information online about the band apart from their recently created profiles on Facebook and on Instagram, you can put your damned hands on their newborn beast via the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp page or from Sound Cave, and perhaps we’ll get to know more about those mysterious Finnish metallers as they spread their blackened wings upon humanity to the sound of their austere, grim and, therefore, more than necessary album.

Best moments of the album: Proof of Existence, The Hollow Hymn and T.E.T.L.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Gift of Life 06:35
2. Proof of Existence 6:51
3. The Hollow Hymn 11:10
4. Inner Peace 1:55
5. T.E.T.L. 7:20
6. Decaying Years 8:20

Band members
*Information not available*

Album Review – Scitalis / Maledictum (2025)

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Your body and soul will burn to the new opus by this Swedish Black Metal horde, a haunting exploration of despair and wrath inspired by Sweden’s witch trials during “Det stora oväsendet” (1668–1676).

After their successful 2022 debut Doomed Before Time, Umeå, Sweden’s own Black Metal horde Scitalis returns with their sophomore opus, entitled Maledictum, a haunting exploration of despair and wrath inspired by Sweden’s witch trials during “Det stora oväsendet” (1668–1676). The band’s evolving lineup is reflected throughout the entire album, with newcomers W on drums and L on rhythm guitars joining vocalist and bassist A and lead guitarist S, resulting in a raw, emotional record that captures the agony and anger of the time while showcasing the band’s growth and uncompromising approach to our beloved Black Metal.

W already showcases his welcome card with his demented blast beats in Reborn, an old school, in-your-face Black Metal beast with A gnarling nonstop for our total delight, followed by Suffering, an avalanche of ruthless, sulfurous Black Metal for the masses led by the scorching riffs by S and L, showcasing over six minutes of absolute darkness for admirers of the genre. Seven Years Ov Blood is another bold, multi-layered creation by such an uncanny horde, with the strident riffs by S and L matching perfectly with A’s devilish vociferations; flowing into the also harsh and impious Trial, presenting hints of Blackened Doom in its sluggish beats and low-tuned bass.

This unyielding Swedish horde comes ripping once again in Burn Before Dawn, another savage composition blending the fury of classic Black Metal with the hypnotizing passages of Melodic Black Metal; and the guitars by S and L transpire pure evil in Ashes After The Fire, being gradually accompanied by the massive beats by W and the always visceral roars by A, resulting in a monumental aria of darkness and blasphemy. There’s time for one final breath of evil by Scitalis, entitled Endless Wrath, with the reverberating bass by A and his always menacing gnarls haunting our damned souls for all eternity, all boosted by another violent performance by W on drums.

After all is said and done, you’ll realize the Black Metal feast blasted by Scitalis in Maledictum (available in full on YouTube and on Spotify) is a more than perfect choice for representing the horror of the witch trials in Sweden in the 1600’s, and you can know more about the band, their music and the whole concept behind their pulverizing new album by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their wicked creations on Spotify, and by grabbing a copy of the album on BandCamp or by clicking HERE or HERE. The burning of witches has always been a constant topic discussed by countless bands from all genres and subgenres of metal music, but it’s when you face a band like Scitalis that you can feel the fires burning your body and soul while they keep filling every single space in the air with their caustic music, exactly like what’s found in the incendiary Maledictum.

Best moments of the album: Suffering, Burn Before Dawn and Ashes After The Fire.

Worst moments of the album: Trial.

Released in 2025 Vendetta Records

Track listing
1. Reborn 4:16
2. Suffering 6:21
3. Seven Years Ov Blood 5:59
4. Trial 7:13
5. Burn Before Dawn 5:44
6. Ashes After The Fire 6:20
7. Endless Wrath 6:31

Band members
A – vocals, bass
S – lead guitars
L – rhythm guitars
W – drums