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Album Review – Baest / Colossal (2025)

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Back from the fires of Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, this unstoppable creature will crush you with their fourth studio album, a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity.

Back once again from the fires of Aarhus, Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, the ruthless Death Metal creature known as Baest will crush our damned minds and souls with their fourth full-length opus, entitled Colossal, following up on their fantastic albums Danse Macabre (2018), Venenum (2019) and Necro Sapiens (2021) while also cementing their reputation as Extreme Metal mavericks with an ear for lethal hooks. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, and featuring a demonic artwork by Solo Macello, the new offering by frontman Simon Olsen, axemen Lasse Revsbech and Svend Karlsson, bassist Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen, and drummer Sebastian Abildsten is an absolute monster, bursting at the seams with catchy riffs and classy melodies, with stylistic salutes to everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Dokken, through to Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, while still rooted in the belligerent Death Metal that informed previous records, resulting in a magnificent Rock N’ Roll rebirth of such a prominent beast from the Danish metal scene.

The AC/DC-infused riffs by Lasse and Svend ignite the opening tune Stormbringer before the music turns into a wild fusion of Death Metal with Progressive Rock and Metal elements, followed by the indomitable Colossus, showcasing heavy-as-hell, Doom Metal-infused lyrics growled by Simon (“Colossus / Breath the air of the deceit / Colossus / Feel the weight of your defeat / Colossus / Never stray from the common line / Colossus / Crushed under the weight of the colossus”) while the sounds blasted by his bandmates are absolutely dark and menacing. The band keeps delivering sheer adrenaline spearheaded by the venomous vocals by Simon in In Loathe and Love, a lesson in modern-day Death Metal, whereas in King of the Sun, featuring Jesper Binzer of Danish rock band D-A-D on guest vocals, we’re treated to a rockin’ sonority led by the classic beats and fills by Sebastian.

Then blending the fury of Death Metal with the heaviness of Doom and Sludge Metal we have Imp of the Perverse, with Mattias and Sebastian hammering their thunderous weapons mercilessly; and featuring additional vocals by Danish black metal band ORM, the band offers another blast of insanity, heaviness and classy Death Metal in Misfortunate Son, with the riffage by Lasse and Svend exhaling pure adrenaline. Then get ready to be crushed into tiny pieces to the sound of Mouth of the River, where Simon’s deranged growls walk hand in hand with Sebastian’s pounding drums; and a guitar-driven instrumental tune titled Light the Beacons, which feels like an ode to all of their idols and influences, sets the stage for Depraved World, a multi-layered, groovy and vibrant composition where the deep roars by Simon match perfectly with all riffs, bass lines and beats, putting a climatic ending to the album.

Colossal never bends to current trends; instead, it is a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity, representing a wholesale transformation. Inspired by and infused with old school, classic metal riffs, Colossal is an album that delights in the glory of Heavy Metal and the fine art of rocking out, inviting us all to bang our heads and raise our horns together with those beyond talented Danes, and they’re waiting for you on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify with more of their ass-kicking music, undisputed attitude, and deep passion for all types of rock and metal music. Hence, you can purchase a copy of Colossal by clicking HERE, or you can also click HERE for all things Baest, getting to know more about one of the best bands of the current scene worldwide. As you might have noticed, something colossal is coming, and you better brace for impact as those boys are armed to the teeth with the pulverizing sounds of their incendiary newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Colossus, In Loathe and Love, Mouth of the River and Depraved World.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Stormbringer 4:32
2. Colossus 4:23
3. In Loathe and Love 5:09
4. King of the Sun 4:09
5. Imp of the Perverse 5:56
6. Misfortunate Son 4:02
7. Mouth of the River 4:24
8. Light the Beacons 3:42
9. Depraved World 6:03

Band members
Simon Olsen – vocals
Lasse Revsbech – guitars
Svend Karlsson – guitars
Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen – bass
Sebastian Abildsten – drums, percussion

Guest musicians
Jesper Binzer – vocals on “King of the Sun”
ORM – vocals on “Misfortunate Son”

Album Review – Heaven Shall Burn / Heimat (2025)

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One of the biggest names in the history of Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore strikes again with their tenth opus, displaying a deep connection to their homeland and their German roots.

Heimat, which is German for “home”, “homeland, or “native land”, is a term that merely refers to a relationship between people and spaces but has nevertheless always been highly emotionally charged. That’s the title of the new offering by German Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore outfit Heaven Shall Burn, following up on their critically acclaimed 2020 album Of Truth And Sacrifice. Produced at The Dude Ranch, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, and showcasing a stunning artwork by world renowned artist Eliran Kantor, the new album by Marcus Bischoff on vocals, Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz on the guitars, Eric Bischoff on bass, and Christian Bass on drums will certainly please both old and new fans of the band, presenting their signature sound without sounding repetitive or outdated, always looking forward regarding their creativity, heaviness and energy.

The intro Ad Arma couldn’t have been more atmospheric and sinister, setting the stage for the band to crush us all with War Is the Father of All, with Marcus roaring rabidly amidst an imposing, symphonic-infused Metalcore sound boosted by Christian’s pounding drums, or in other words, it’s an impressive and multi-layered start to the album. My Revocation of Compliance is another hammering tune showcasing dark lyrics growled by Marcus (“Welcome to an age of disregard / So abhorrent, all this torture, all this suffering / Yes, you all are the inciters / Willful and deliberately, without the slightest qualm”), whereas Maik and Alexander sound venomous with their sharp riffs in Confounder, resulting in a great option for some sick slamming inside the pit. Empowerment offers another round of their caustic and piercing words (“This is a clarion call, this is my call! / Betrayed and forsaken. A generation in rebellion. They all abide the storm. / Left with no option but revolt, up in arms and never resting, now tearing down your web of lies”), followed by A Whisper from Above, an upbeat tune presenting their trademark aggression, with Christian stealing the show with his beats and fills.

Then after the short and sweet interlude Imminence, the band comes ripping once again with Those Left Behind, speeding up their pace while also firing those very melodious riffs we enjoy so much in first-class Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore. Their destructive mode goes on in full force in Ten Days in May, where Maik and Alexander, supported by the rumbling bass by Eric, will pierce your minds and souls with their scorching riffs and solos; followed by their rendition of Numbered Days, by Killswitch Engage (check out the original version from their 2002 album Alive or Just Breathing), featuring guest vocals by Jesse Leach, the current vocalist of Killswitch Engage themselves, and Heaven Shall Burn deliver a just as violent version of the song for our total delight. Marcus doesn’t get tired of screaming like a beast in Dora, while his bandmates provide him with their classic fusion of violence and harmony; and A Silent Guard is another bludgeoning version of their hybrid of Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore where Christian showcases a visceral performance on drums, before the album ends with the outro Inter Arma, the aftermath of the album albeit too long as already mentioned.

“Heimat is not meant as the narrow-minded end point in the sense it has been used by agitators and populists, but the starting point for observations and perspectives. The album is about a much wider sense of the term ‘Heimat’: the homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and determines our thoughts and actions,” commented guitarist Maik Weichert, and you can get in touch with the band to dive even deeper into the world of Heimat via Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also subscribe to their YouTube channel and visit them on Spotify for more of their music, and of course to grab a copy of their incendiary new album via BandCamp or their own webstore, or simply by clicking HERE. Some of the physical versions of the album include more of the amazing art by Eliran Kantor, by the way, and are definitely worth every penny. With Heimat, Heaven Shall Burn prove once again why they remain relevant in the already saturated Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore scene worldwide, always displaying their connection to their homeland and their German roots, while also speaking the universal language of heavy music that will forever reverberate across the four corners of the earth.

Best moments of the album: War Is the Father of All, A Whisper from Above and Ten Days in May.

Worst moments of the album: Inter Arma.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Ad Arma 1:54
2. War Is the Father of All 6:42
3. My Revocation of Compliance 3:32
4. Confounder 4:19
5. Empowerment 4:45
6. A Whisper from Above 4:27
7. Imminence 1:04
8. Those Left Behind 3:24
9. Ten Days in May 4:36
10. Numbered Days (Killswitch Engage cover) 3:38
11. Dora 4:10
12. A Silent Guard 5:01
13. Inter Arma 3:24

Band members
Marcus Bischoff – vocals
Maik Weichert – guitars
Alexander Dietz – guitars
Eric Bischoff – bass
Christian Bass – drums

Guest musician
Jesse Leach – vocals on “Numbered Days”
Wilhelm Keitel, Mondëna Quartet & Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir – choir & orchestrations

Album Review – Cryptosis / Celestial Death (2025)

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Netherland’s own Progressive Thrash Metal beast is back with their sophomore opus, expanding their reign of cerebral terror while drawing a red line between the horrors of the present day and the limitless chaos of the future.

Playing what they like to label as “futuristic multi-metal eruption”, Enschede, Netherlands-based Progressive Thrash Metal beast Cryptosis is back after their critically acclaimed debut Bionic Swarm and their 2023 EP The Silent Call with their sophomore offering, titled Celestial Death, expanding their reign of cerebral terror while maintaining their core policy of making epic music that refuses to be pigeonholed. Once again recorded by Olaf Skoreng at The Moon, mixed by Fredrik Folkare, mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, and showcasing a classy artwork by the always amazing Eliran Kantor, the new opus by vocalist and guitarist Laurens Houvast, bassist Frank te Riet, and drummer Marco Prij is a more nuanced and complex affair than their debut album, with lyrics that draw a red line between the horrors of the present day and the limitless chaos of the future.

The futuristic intro Prologue – Awakening will transport us to the metallic realm ruled by Cryptosis in Faceless Matter, with Marco already stealing the spotlight with his unparalleled drumming, offering Laurens all he needs to vociferate rabidly for our total delight in a killer display of Progressive and Technical Thrash Metal. Then the mellotron and synths by Frank will destroy your senses in Static Horizon, another blast of futuristic violence by the trio, followed by their 2024 version for The Silent Call, from their 2023 EP, sounding sharper and more dynamic, with Frank and Marco crafting a thunderous atmosphere perfect for Laurens’ riffs and roars. And in Ascending we face a fast, heavy, in-your-face blend of Thrash Metal and modern, otherworldly elements, sounding utterly vibrant form start to finish.

After the ethereal interlude Motionless Balance, the trio comes ripping once again with Reign Of Infinite, starting in an epic mode thanks to the visceral riffs by Laurens, striking us hard with their cryptic Thrash Metal attack; whereas slowing things down considerably we have Absent Presence, a more pensive, atmospheric tune albeit not as thrilling as the rest of the album. Then back to a more vicious sonority we have In Between Realities, with Laurens screaming manically supported by the metallic bass by Frank and the always demolishing beats by Marco; and Laurens continues to shred his axe mercilessly in Cryptosphere, offering more of the band’s extremely technical blend of Thrash Metal, resulting in by far one of the strongest songs of the album. Finally, we face Coda – Wander Into The Light, a captivating, eerie outro that puts a climatic conclusion to the band’s journey through an unknown dimension.

“We wrote a lot of different material. We had so many ideas, which eventually ended up on a slightly different path – a more cinematic path, I would say. This new record has a much darker atmosphere,” commented Frank, while Laurens also had some remarks about the album compared to their debut. “We learned a lot from our debut album. The biggest lesson we learned was how to create songs that really come together as complete pieces, rather than just combining riffs.” In other words, get ready for the second chapter of Cryptosis by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing Celestial Death from their own webstore, from BandCamp, or by clicking HERE or HERE. The hour is upon us, or maybe I should say the future of extreme music is upon us, led by those Dutch metallers armed with their technical yet always visceral music.

Best moments of the album: Ascending, Reign Of Infinite and Cryptosphere.

Worst moments of the album: Absent Presence.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Prologue – Awakening 1:16
2. Faceless Matter 3:52
3. Static Horizon 5:10
4. The Silent Call 5:02
5. Ascending 3:38
6. Motionless Balance 1:48
7. Reign Of Infinite 5:44
8. Absent Presence 4:15
9. In Between Realities 3:47
10. Cryptosphere 4:22
11. Coda – Wander Into The Light 3:11

Limited Edition bonus track
12. Geometry Of A Digital Thought 6:36

Band members
Laurens Houvast – vocals, guitars
Frank te Riet – bass, mellotron, synths, backing vocals
Marco Prij – drums

Album Review – Lacuna Coil / Sleepless Empire (2025)

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Behold this dark and cinematic portrait of our crumbling society by one of the most important bands in the history of Alternative Rock and Metal.

If you know Italian Alternative/Gothic Rock/Metal band Lacuna Coil, then you’re already aware that every album entry in their storied career is more than just a sound. Each one is a richly textured soundtrack to a specific time and a place. With Sleepless Empire, that place is dark, cinematic, and unmistakably true to the unique characteristics that have given Lacuna Coil such a celebrated entry in the annals of heavy music. Recorded at SPVN Studio, produced by the band’s own Marco Coti Zelati, mixed by Stefano Santi, mastered by Marco D’Agostino, and displaying a dark, sinister artwork by Roberto Toderico, the new opus by vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist Marco Coti Zelati, and drummer Richard Meiz will take you on an obscure, thrilling and vibrant musical journey, proving once again why the band has become a staple in the Alternative Rock and Metal scene worldwide.

The album starts in an atmospheric way with The Siege, quickly exploding into the band’s trademark fusion of Alternative Metal with gothic and dark sounds, and with Cristina and Andrea already kicking some ass as the band’s unparalleled vocal duo. Oxygen then offers an onrush of their wicked lyrics (“Stop wasting my time / Fight / When I look for confrontation / You hesitate, run away / Isolation like prison / Inner self to escape / Inhale / Ready to dive”) amidst metallic and very exciting sounds, and the guitars and bass by Marco sound absolutely groovy and sharp in Scarecrow, sounding beyond perfect for their live performances. Gravity feels even more modern than its predecessors, with Richard pounding his drums while the music remains eerie and electrifying, followed by I Wish You Were Dead, a good song but maybe too pop if compared to what the band is capable of. And featuring the iconic vocalist Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, who brings his share of heaviness and hatred to the band’s striking Alternative Metal, we have Hosting The Shadow, which will most probably be played live during their upcoming tour due to its endless energy.

In Nomine Patris follows the same pattern as some of the most recent Lacuna Coil albums, with a strong ambience working as the background for Cristina and Andrea to stun us all with their fiery vocals; whereas in the title-track Sleepless Empire we’re hit hard in our faces by the thunderous, metallic bass by Marco, providing his bandmates with exactly what they need to blast another ode to darkness in the form of Alternative and Gothic Metal. The guitar lines by Marco are then quickly joined by the fierce yet melodic beats by Richard in the reverberating Sleep Paralysis, perfect for Cristina to shine with her stylish vocals; and featuring guest vocals by Ash Costello of New Years Day and The Haxans we’re treated to In The Mean Time, perhaps the heaviest of all songs thanks to the hammering drums by Richard, with Cristina’s soaring vocals also bringing tons of stamina to the music. Finally, the band brings to our avid ears Never Dawn, one last blast of alternative and modern sounds, feeling heavy and vibrant until the very end.

“Our sound is dark because it reflects the society we’re living in – it’s a portrait of our times,” commented Andrea. “We’re from a unique generation that remembers the analog world but lives in the digital one, we’re the first generation that’s lived through both so we’ve been witnesses the change to our society and that’s the Sleepless Empire. Everyone is always on their phone, always scrolling, always doing something – morning to night, it just never stops.” Ironically, all that digital darkness described by Andrea can be better discussed with the band on their Facebook and Instagram, where you can also stay updated with their tour dates, and you can also find more of their amazing music on YouTube and on Spotify and, above all that, put your dirty hands on their new album by clicking HERE. Lacuna Coil will always be one of those bands with an endless source of creativity due to exactly what Andrea explained, as they always draw inspiration from the darkest side of human nature, which means they’ll fortunately keep offering us high quality albums like Sleepless Empire in the foreseeable future because, as you know, we humans are definitely dark beings.

Best moments of the album: Oxygen, Scarecrow and In The Mean Time.

Worst moments of the album: I Wish You Were Dead.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1.The Siege 4:25
2. Oxygen 3:46
3. Scarecrow 4:49
4. Gravity 4:04
5. I Wish You Were Dead 2:52
6. Hosting The Shadow 4:19
7. In Nomine Patris 4:54
8. Sleepless Empire 4:02
9. Sleep Paralysis 5:20
10. In The Mean Time 3:33
11. Never Dawn 4:50

Band members
Cristina Scabbia – vocals
Andrea Ferro – vocals
Marco Coti Zelati – guitars, bass, keyboards
Richard Meiz – drums

Guest musicians
Randy Blythe – vocals on “Hosting The Shadow”
Ash Costello – vocals on “In The Mean Time”

Album Review – Blood Incantation / Absolute Elsewhere (2024)

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At roughly 45 minutes, the new beast by Blood Incantation offers us all two sensational compositions that are as confounding as they are engaging in their scope.

At roughly 45 minutes, Absolute Elsewhere, the breathtaking, diverse new opus by Denver, Colorado-based Progressive Death Metal outfit Blood Incantation, is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Recorded at Hansa Studios, produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk at Redwood Studios, displaying a cryptic artwork by Steve R Dodd, and featuring guest musicians Thorsten Quaeschning (Tangerine Dream), Nicklas Malmqvist (Hällas) and Malte Gericke (Sijjin), the new album by Paul Riedl, Morris Kolontyrsky, Jeff Barrett and Isaac Faulk offers us all two compositions that are as confounding as they are engaging in their scope, melding the 70’s prog leanings of Tangerine Dream with the deathly intent of Morbid Angel.

In “The Stargate”, a violent storm invokes the familiar before a grand cosmic key turns for a hint of sweeping scope to come with spiritual acknowledgement and accompaniment, as their wicked experimentations mixed with the harshness of Death Metal begin in full force in The Stargate [Tablet I], showcasing mystic lyrics roared by Paul (“Chamber echoing with dust / Drifting through beams of Light / Shadows cast upon the stones / Temple doors reveal the Night”) while his bandmates craft a beyond imposing ambience. Not only that, the balance between their undisputed aggression and the ethereal, soothing moments of the song is a thing of beauty, connecting flawlessly with The Stargate [Tablet II], starting in a futuristic, whimsical manner to the sound of their keyboards and synths, and flowing smoothly until an explosion of experimentations in its final part. And that aura of madness continues in The Stargate [Tablet III], with the cryptic vocals by Paul walking hand in hand with the superb guitar work dome by the same Paul alongside Morris and Isaac, not to mention the eerie narrations by guest Malte Gerick.

“The Message” is a step through doorways of unearthly beauty, playfulness, quirk and horror, and it’s indeed a visceral Progressive Death Metal attack that we get in The Message [Tablet I], with its enigmatic, pensive lyrics (“What does it mean to be human? / And the nature of Consciousness? / The mystery has been revealed… / By the dance of Nature’s quiet songs of the birds…”) also complementing their complex, thrilling and enfolding sounds. Then just like what happened in The Stargate, the second act of The Message, entitled The Message [Tablet II], also kicks off in a more experimental way but quickly evolves into a Progressive Metal hurricane, alternating between more primeval, savage moments and soothing, atmospheric passages. Lastly, the band offers the multi-layered, detailed and otherworldly The Message [Tablet III] as the icing on the cake in their new album, with Isaac sounding sensational on drums while his bandmates continue to deliver intricacy and energy through their vocals, riffs and bass lines, ending in a climatic yet mysterious way just the way we like it in the music by Blood Incantation.

Blood Incantation’s new album Absolute Elsewhere is the sound of a star born, and you should definitely listen to that beautiful sound in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, as it will undoubtedly feature among the best albums of 2024 in pretty much all lists out there. Hence, don’t forget to also check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, especially because there’s an upcoming North American tour that’s just about to start, to subscribe to their YouTube channel, and to purchase the mesmerizing Absolute Elsewhere by clicking HERE or HERE, as you witness the defining of a new musical epoch for one of the most important bands of the current extreme music scene worldwide.

Best moments of the album: The Stargate [Tablet I], The Message [Tablet I] and The Message [Tablet III].

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. The Stargate [Tablet I] 8:20
2. The Stargate [Tablet II] 5:08
3. The Stargate [Tablet III] 6:50
4. The Message [Tablet I] 5:56
5. The Message [Tablet II] 5:58
6. The Message [Tablet III] 11:27

Band members
Paul Riedl – vocals, guitars, mellotron, additional synthesizers
Morris Kolontyrsky – guitars, additional synthesizers
Jeff Barrett – bass, additional synthesizers
Isaac Faulk – drums, gong, additional guitars, mellotron, percussion

Guest musicians
Thorsten Quaeschning – synthesizers and organs on “The Stargate [Tablet II]”
Nicklas Malmqvist – piano, synthesizers, mellotron, organ
Malte Gericke – vocals and narration on “The Stargate [Tablet III]”, “The Message [Tablet I]” and “The Message [Tablet II]”

Album Review – Enforced / A Leap Into The Dark EP (2024)

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Building on the momentum of their previous albums, this Crossover Thrash brigade returns with a blistering six-song EP journeying into new levels of ferocity.

Building on the momentum of their previous full-length albums War Remains (2023) and Kill-Grid (2021), Richmond, Virginia’s own Thrash Metal/Crossover brigade Enforced returns with A Leap Into The Dark, a blistering six-song EP journeying into new levels of ferocity that showcases the band’s relentless evolution through the years. Produced and mixed by the iconic Arthur Rizk (Blood Incantation, Power Trip, Kreator, Code Orange), A Leap Into The Dark delivers three brand new tracks alongside three B-sides, including a newly remastered version of “Casket” and powerful cover versions of “The Chase Is On” by English Dogs, and “Deadly Intentions” by Obituary, all masterfully crafted by Knox Colby on vocals, Will Wagstaff and Zach Monahan on the guitars, Ethan Gensurowsky on bass and Alex Bishop on drums.

Razor-edged riffs in the vein of Obituary and Slayer will pierce your damn ears in Betting on the End, a pure Crossover Thrash extravaganza where Knox barks rabidly supported by the classic beats and fills by Alex, whereas the title-track A Leap into the Dark sees Will and Zach delivering sheer electricity and heaviness through their riffs, translating into another excellent option for some sick headbanging. Deafening Heartbeats is undoubtedly a demented slab of brutality by those thrashers, offering nonstop action blasted by the quintet with Alex stealing the spotlight with his massive beats and fills; followed by Casket, bringing forward two minutes of pure American Thrash Metal where Knox vociferates nonstop, demanding us all to crush our skulls into the circle pit. In their cover for Deadly Intentions, by Obituary (check the original version HERE, from their 1989 cult album Slowly We Rot), they kept the visceral essence of the original song intact while also adding their personal touch to it, and the final result is simply insane, and the same is valid for their cover for The Chase Is On, by English Dogs (check the original version HERE, from their 1984 EP To the Ends of the Earth), showcasing their passion for classic Punk Rock and Hardcore.

In a nutshell, the fast and furious A Leap Into The Dark captures the band at the peak of their powers, delivering a sonic assault that pushes the boundaries of their genre, and you can let those talented thrashers know how much you love their music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on Spotify, an of course by purchasing a copy of their hammering new EP from BandCamp, or by clicking HERE or HERE. While Enforced are taking a leap into the dark in their new EP, all of us metalheads should join them and simply slam into the circle pit, because if there’s one thing those guys certainly know how to do, that’s to craft a beautiful and fulminating fusion of Thrash Metal and Hardcore perfect for some intense moshing.

Best moments of the album: A Leap into the Dark and Deafening Heartbeats.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Betting on the End 3:42
2. A Leap into the Dark 4:16
3. Deafening Heartbeats 3:11
4. Casket 1:53
5. Deadly Intentions (Obituary cover) 2:09
6. The Chase Is On (English Dogs cover) 3:49

Band members
Knox Colby – vocals
Will Wagstaff – guitars
Zach Monahan – guitars
Ethan Gensurowsky – bass
Alex Bishop – drums

Album Review – Cryptosis / The Silent Call EP (2023)

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A fearless trio form the Netherlands will attack our senses armed with an exciting new EP, a first warning shot in anticipation of the band’s 2024 new studio album.

Formed back in 2020 in Enschede, a municipality and city in the eastern Netherlands, from the ashes of a band named Distillator, Progressive Thrash Metal outfit Cryptosis is back in action after their critically acclaimed 2021 debut album Bionic Swarm with a fun and vibrant EP titled The Silent Call. Recorded by Olaf Skoreng at The Moon, and mixed and mastered by Fredrik Folkare, The Silent Call serves not only as a new sign of life by Laurens Houvast on vocals and guitars, Frank te Riet on bass and mellotron, and Marco Prij on drums, but also as a first warning shot in anticipation of the band’s new studio effort which is in the works for next year.

The strident guitars by Laurens ignite the awesome title-track The Silent Call, showcasing futuristic, cosmic lyrics (“Grand structures, scrape the cosmos / and shadows, dance with deceit / my presence is known, yet obscured / amidst the babel of voices”) amidst a fusion of Thrash, Death and Black Metal with a strong melodic vein. Put differently, if this is an indication of what to expect from their next album, I can’t wait for it. Marco then dictates the pace with his thunderous beats in Master of Life, a previously unreleased song from their 2021 album Bionic Swarm sessions, while Frank makes sure the earth trembles armed with his bass in another Progressive Thrash Metal feast, not to mention the awesomely desperate, raspy vocals by Laurens. And recorded in Athens, Greece in November 2022 during the band’s latest European tour, we’re treated to an excellent version of Prospect of Immortality, where the trio showcases their refined technique and passion for heavy music, bringing sheer adrenaline to the crowd, while the second live song, Transcendence, sounds absolutely bestial, perfect for some action inside the mosh pit, with Laurens once again kicking some as on vocals supported by the rumbling kitchen by Frank and Marco.

Two original songs, two live songs, and an endless amount of adrenaline and heaviness. This is in a nutshell what you’ll get in The Silent Call, available for a full listen on Spotify, and on sale from the band’s own webshop or by clicking HERE or HERE, making us eager for the band’s 2024 full-length album as already mentioned. Hence, don’t forget to follow those talented Dutch metallers on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates (and after listening to the live songs from The Silent Call I bet you’ll be more than excited to see Cryptosis on stage), and so on, adding an extra touch of thrash to your already frantic metalhead life.

Best moments of the album: The Silent Call and Transcendence (live in Athens).

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. The Silent Call 5:00
2. Master of Life 4:12
3. Prospect of Immortality (live in Athens) 6:15
4. Transcendence (live in Athens) 4:05

Band members
Laurens Houvast – vocals, guitars
Frank te Riet – bass, mellotron, backing vocals
Marco Prij – drums

Album Review – Angelus Apatrida / Aftermath (2023)

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Spain’s Thrash Metal masters are back with a vicious and vital response to the chaos we see all around us, offering our avid ears all titanium-plated modern thrash of the highest order.

The world has taken a battering over the last few years, but Spanish Thrash Metal masters Angelus Apatrida are leading the fightback. Two years after their breathtaking self-titled album, the band formed of vocalist and guitarist Guillermo Izquierdo, guitarist David G. Álvarez, bassist José J. Izquierdo and drummer Víctor Valera returns to the battlefield with a striking new opus titled Aftermath, a vicious and vital response to the chaos we see all around us. Produced by the band itself, recorded by Juanan López at Baboon Records, mixed and mastered by Zeuss at Planet-Z, and displaying a classy artwork by longtime collaborator Gyula Havancsák of Hjules Illustration and Design, the eighth studio album in their undisputed career is titanium-plated modern thrash of the highest order, marking a pinnacle in the band’s determined and always fruitful career.

Their most thrashing side arises like a beast from the underworld in Scavenger, with Víctor showcasing a superb performance on drums while the guitars sound as caustic as they can be, followed by Cold, a very rhythmic yet visceral tune with its awesome lyrics being declaimed by Guillermo in great fashion (“I find myself in places that I’ve never been before / Tried to beat the weakness but I’m not even close / The sands of time are falling and it’s hard to get this far / Left behind in chaos I keep going the best I can”). Then, featuring guest vocals by the iconic Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, it’s time to add an extra dosage of Hardcore to their sound in Snob, where Guillermo and Jamey make a sensational vocal duo while the instrumental pieces sound pulverizing; whereas Fire Eyes is a darker, more introspective tune where Guillermo and David, plus guest guitarist Pablo García of Warcry, sound ruthless with their sharp riffage and solos. And Rats is faster, more brutal and electrifying, another Thrash Metal beast by Angelus Apatrida that will generate some insane circle pits during their live shows.

A slow and dark start quickly evolves into another thrashing attack by the quartet in To Whom It May Concern, with Víctor once again hammering his drums nonstop, not to mention it’s beautiful breaks, variations and guitar solos, and they keep blasting their instruments in Gernika, perfect for some action inside the pit to the venomous roars by Guillermo and the rumbling kitchen by José and Víctor. Are you still alive? If so, get ready to be crushed to pieces in I Am Hatred, with the guitars by Guillermo and David piercing our ears mercilessly; and featuring guest vocals by Sho-Hai of Violadores del Verso, What Kills Us All brings forward more of their acid Thrash Metal for our total delight, with Víctor stealing the spotlight with his classic beats and fills. Lastly, featuring guest vocalist Todd La Torre of Queensrÿche, we’re treated to the stunning Vultures and Butterflies, showcasing a beautiful chorus (“As deadly as a vulture / As fragile as a butterfly / Both dancers within nature / Circling till they die”) amidst a lecture in heavy music blending heaviness, melancholy and darkness in a sensational way. Furthermore, the digital edition of the album contains two killer bonus tracks, those being live versions of Indoctrinate and Give ‘Em War that sound absolutely insane, with Guillermo sounding flawless on vocals on both.

In a nutshell, Angelus Apatrida nailed it once again with Aftermath, proving why they’re one of the most respected, talented and hardworking names of the Thrash Metal scene worldwide. Hence, you can feel all the adrenaline and violence flowing form their bestial new album by streaming it in full on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course by purchasing your desired version of the album by clicking HERE. You can also start following the guys from Angelus Apatrida on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details about them, and subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their insane music and videos. “We can describe ‘Aftermath’ as what metal means to us,” commented Guillermo. “It contains the best songs we’ve ever written. It is just very difficult to pick just one or two highlights on this album since every single track could be a single itself.” Let’s say that he basically summarized the album perfectly, and if you consider yourself a true thrasher, don’t waste a single second and go slam into the circle pit while listening to such metal masterpiece.

Best moments of the album: Scavenger, Snob, Rats and Vultures and Butterflies.

Worst moments of the album: Fire Eyes.

Released in 2023 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Scavenger 3:47
2. Cold 5:53
3. Snob 4:33
4. Fire Eyes 5:26
5. Rats 5:12
6. To Whom It May Concern 8:38
7. Gernika 3:59
8. I Am Hatred 3:27
9. What Kills Us All 5:02
10. Vultures and Butterflies 4:44

Digital Edition bonus tracks
11. Indoctrinate (Live in Bilbao 2023) 6:27
12. Give ‘Em War (Live in Barcelona 2023) 3:30

Band members
Guillermo Izquierdo – vocals, guitars
David G. Álvarez – guitars
José J. Izquierdo – bass
Víctor Valera – drums

Guest musicians
Jamey Jasta – vocals on “Snob”
Pablo García – guitars on “Fire Eyes”
Todd La Torre – vocals on “Vultures and Butterflies”
Sho-Hai – vocals on “What Kills Us All”

Album Review – Swallow The Sun / Moonflowers (2021)

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Jyväskylä, Finland’s own Doom Metal unity returns with another stunning album, offering us all eight beautiful, captivating songs blooming in misery.

Formed in 2000 in Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi, Finland by guitarist Juha Raivio, the five-piece Finnish Melodic Doom/Death Metal outfit Swallow The Sun has just unleashed upon humanity their new opus entitled Moonflowers, the eight in their undisputed career. Currently comprised of Mikko Kotamaki on vocals, Juha Raivio on the guitars and keyboards, Juho Raiha also on the guitars, Matti Honkonen on bass, and Juuso Raatkainen on drums, Swallow The Sun continue to pave the gloomy path of their previous album When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light (inspired by the loss of Juha’s life partner Aleah Stanbridge in 2016), offering fans of the most melodic side of doom eight beautiful, captivating songs in the span of over 52 minutes, being therefore the perfect soundtrack for the darkest days in your life.

The striking opening song Moonflowers Bloom in Misery is absolutely doomed from the very first second, with Mikko already delivering his melancholic, grim vocal lines accompanied by the sluggish beats by Juuso, exploding into a massive feast of Melodic Death and Doom Metal. Then in Enemy we’re treated to beautiful lyrics declaimed by Mikko (“I crawl back to my shadow / From the edge of the light / Deep down into the sea of my own rain sirens / In the eye of the… / Enemy, inside of me / Torn from a trail of light / Grail of serpents lies”) while Juho and Juha’s guitars make an interesting paradox with Juha’s own keys; followed by Woven into Sorrow, a lecture in darkness and sorrow by the band presenting gorgeous, serene guitar lines intertwined with sheer heaviness and whimsical background elements, also featuring guest backing vocals by Antti Hyyrynen from Stam1na. Not only that, t’s impressive how they manage to make their music epic and symphonic without losing their blackened core essence, which is also the case in Keep Your Heart Safe from Me, almost eight minutes of top-of-the-line doom showcasing infernal, headbanging sounds led by Juuso’s drums supported by the low-tuned bass by Matti while also presenting a more cryptic, delicate side of the band.

All Hallows’ Grieve features guest vocals by the stunning Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber), and she nails it with her soulful vocals (“Before I go, I’ll let you know / My heart was honest, for you / My heart was cruel / You believed / I’m a soul of a ghost to fight for / I believe, I believe, I lost my will to fight for”), resulting in a sensational doom aria, whereas drinking from the fountain of 80’s Gothic and Doom Metal it’s time for the enfolding and somber The Void, where Matti and Juuso once again generate a reverberating ambience with their respective weapons. The Fight of Your Life is another gentle and melancholic composition by Swallow The Sun which despite presenting all elements we love in their music is not as compelling as the rest of the album; and closing the album it’s time for an infernal composition titled This House Has No Home, where the keys by Juha walk hand in hand with both the clean vocals and the demonic roars by Mikko, putting a climatic and dark ending to the album.

In a nutshell, the very pleasant and obscure Moonflowers, which is available for a full listen on YouTube and on Spotify, cements Swallow The Sun’s name as one of the best Doom Metal acts of the past 20 years while at the same time provides admirers of doom with something fresh, leaving us all eager for more of their stunning creations. Hence, don’t forget to follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, and obviously to grab your copy of Moonflowers by clicking HERE. Keep in mind that if you go for the mediabook or boxset edition of the album, it comes with a very beautiful bonus disc with classical versions of all songs of the album recorded at the Sipoo Church in Finland by Trio N O X, comprised of Aino Rautakorpi on violin, Helena Dumell on viola and Annika Furstenborg on cello, as for example their gorgeous rendition of the song All Hallows’ Grieve. And while the moonflowers keep blooming in misery, Swallow The Sun will continue to darken the skies with their classy Doom Metal for at least another 20 years.

Best moments of the album: Moonflowers Bloom in Misery, Woven into Sorrow and All Hallows’ Grieve.

Worst moments of the album: The Fight of Your Life.

Released in 2021 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Moonflowers Bloom in Misery 6:19
2. Enemy 5:39
3. Woven into Sorrow 7:46
4. Keep Your Heart Safe from Me 7:47
5. All Hallows’ Grieve 5:37
6. The Void 5:39
7. The Fight of Your Life 7:13
8. This House Has No Home 6:40

Limited Edition Mediabook/Boxset bonus disc (Trio N O X plays Moonflowers by Swallow the Sun)
1. Moonflowers Bloom in Misery (classical version) 4:52
2. Enemy (classical version) 3:06
3. Woven into Sorrow (classical version) 4:39
4. Keep Your Heart Safe from Me (classical version) 3:13
5. All Hallows’ Grieve (classical version) 4:58
6. The Void (classical version) 4:01
7. The Fight of Your Life (classical version) 4:16
8. This House Has No Home (classical version) 3:03

Band members
Mikko Kotamaki – vocals
Juha Raivio – guitars, keyboards
Juho Raiha – guitars
Matti Honkonen – bass
Juuso Raatkainen – drums

Guest musicians
Cammie Gilbert – vocals on “All Hallows’ Grieve”
Antti Hyyrynen – backing vocals on “Woven into Sorrow”
Jaani Peuhu – backing vocals
Aino Rautakorpi – violin on all classical versions from the Limited Edition Mediabook/Boxset bonus disc “Trio N O X plays Moonflowers by Swallow the Sun”
Helena Dumell – viola on all classical versions from the Limited Edition Mediabook/Boxset bonus disc “Trio N O X plays Moonflowers by Swallow the Sun”
Annika Furstenborg – cello on all classical versions from the Limited Edition Mediabook/Boxset bonus disc “Trio N O X plays Moonflowers by Swallow the Sun”

Album Review – Angelus Apatrida / Angelus Apatrida (2021)

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Forged in turmoil but full of the hope that only music can inspire, the new album by the Spanish angels of thrash is indeed the pulverizing metal record that the whole world needs right now.

Brought into being in 2000 in Albacete, a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, Spain’s leading Thrash Metal institution Angelus Apatrida returns to the battlefield now in 2021 with their seventh full-length opus, self-titled Angelus Apatrida, celebrating 20 years as a band. Forged in turmoil but full of the hope that only music can inspire, the album is the pulverizing metal record that the world needs right now, showcasing all the dexterity of Guillermo Izquierdo on vocals and guitars, David G. Álvarez also on the guitars, José J. Izquierdo on bass and Víctor Valera on drums. Recorded by Juan Angel López at Baboon Records, mixed by Christopher “Zeuss” Harris at Planet Z Studios, and displaying an ass-kicking artwork by Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (Hjules Illustration and Design), Angelus Apatrida features ten original songs that sound more determined, versatile and ferocious than ever before, inviting us all to slam into the circle pit to the band’s undisputed thrashing music.

And five seconds is all those Spanish bastards need to kill with a Pantera’s “Fucking Hostile”-inspired hymn entitled Indoctrinate, a brutal thrashing anthem to kick off the album on a high note, penetrating deep inside our minds with their wicked sounds and catchy-as-hell lyrics (“Indoctrinate / through fear then / dominate / Indoctrinate / one true faith / inculcate / Predominate / strong voices will be heard / Intoxicate / snake tongues to / indoctrinate”), whereas in Bleed The Crown the stringed duo Guillermo and David is ruthless with their razor-edged riffs while Víctor keeps hammering his drums nonstop, resulting in another bestial fusion of Thrash and Groove Metal. Then we have The Age Of Disinformation, with Guillermo viciously singing about our addiction to new tech, about the spread of fake news and how we’re forgetting to enjoy reality (“Slaves, dependents, victims of technology / Exposed to a world of lies / Living through the age of disinformation”), while José and Víctor make the earth tremble with the heavy kitchen; followed by Rise Or Fall, another song inspired by the golden years of Pantera with the band’s own Spanish twist where the quartet doesn’t stop blasting sheer violence and heaviness through their sonic weapons of mass destruction, spearheaded by the austere screams by Guillermo. And there’s no sign of slowing down as Angelus Apatrida fire another round of their high-octane, incendiary Thrash Metal in the form of Childhood’s End, showcasing an amazing job done by Guillermo and David with their sick riffs and solos.

In Disposable Liberty we’re treated to a solid instrumental led by the groovy beats and fills by Víctor, albeit not as vibrant nor as dynamic as its predecessors but still presenting tons of good elements like the low-tuned, metallic bass jabs by José, and back to a more frantic and vicious sonority the quartet offers our avid ears the headbanging tune We Stand Alone, perfect for slamming into the circle pit like a maniac while blending Bay Area Thrash with European Thrash and Groove Metal. Following such infernal tune, Víctor sounds like a stone crusher on drums, pulverizing everything and everyone that crosses his path in Through The Glass, while his bandmates extract endless aggressiveness and rage from their respective instruments. And there’s no escape from the thrashing madness blasted by Angelus Apatrida, as they keep smashing their instruments in the classic Empire Of Shame, with Guillermo, David and José being on fire with their intricate and thunderous riffs and bass punches, whereas closing the album they bring forward the menacing, sharp-as-a-knife Into The Well, presenting an awesome sync between Víctor’s wicked beats and their electrifying riffage throughout almost six minutes of first-class, contemporary Thrash Metal for the masses.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Thrash Metal or not, you have to admit Angelus Apatrida have outdone themselves in their newborn spawn, providing the heavy community another sensational display of their skills and their passion for heavy music, therefore sending a sound statement to all mankind that those Spanish metallers are far from calling it quits, having the sky as their limit. Hence, don’t forget to give them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their music and videos, to stream all of their albums on Spotify, and of course to purchase their new album by clicking HERE, adding to your personal collection what’s by far one of the most exciting Thrash Metal albums hailing from Europe from the past decade. As already mentioned, this is the type of album our world needs right now, with the Spanish angels of thrash offering us fans a very good reason to slam into the pit and bang our heads like there’s no tomorrow while our rotten society crumbles into pieces.

Best moments of the album: Indoctrinate, Rise Or Fall, We Stand Alone and Empire Of Shame.

Worst moments of the album: Disposable Liberty.

Released in 2021 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Indoctrinate 5:39
2. Bleed The Crown 4:26
3. The Age Of Disinformation 4:42
4. Rise Or Fall 3:36
5. Childhood’s End 3:49
6. Disposable Liberty 4:21
7. We Stand Alone 4:11
8. Through The Glass 5:41
9. Empire Of Shame 4:17
10. Into The Well 5:47

Band members
Guillermo Izquierdo – vocals, guitars
David G. Álvarez – guitars
José J. Izquierdo – bass
Víctor Valera – drums