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Interview – Nelson Acerbus (Semper Acerbus)

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It’s time for a nice and fun chat with the unstoppable frontman for Texas-based Metalcore band Semper Acerbus, talking about their new album, touring and more.

Nelson Acerbus (Semper Acerbus)

The Headbanging Moose: Thanks for your time, guys! Could you please start by introducing yourselves to our readers? Who are Semper Acerbus, when did the band start, and what’s the main goal with your music?

Nelson Acerbus: Hello all, this is Nelson, vocalist for Semper Acerbus, we are a metalcore band from Texas and we started in December of 2016. Our man goal is expressing ourselves in our own creative musical way and if we get followers along this journey, that a big plus!

THM: You new album Following Omens is a wild metal journey across deserts, dunes, mountains, and woodlands. Could you give u more details about the album, the whole idea behind it etc.?

NA: This album represents everything that we have embodied along our music journey, kinda letting it all out plus using things that we have not explored more in the past. More clean singing, more intricate guitar parts, odd time signatures, fun stuff like that.

THM: Some of my favorite songs of the album are Suffering Awaits, The Gallows and District Coward, and coincidentally all three are very Death Metal. Was that the intention? It feels like Semper Acerbus can be considered a Metalcore band with a strong Death Metal vein. Do you agree with that?

NA: You are absolutely right, specially Suffering Awaits, its a straight death metal song, myself and Jaime, one of our guitar players grew up listening to death metal so we love doing stuff like that.

THM: Who are your biggest idols and influences in music and in life in general, and what’s their impact on your creative process and your music?

NA: First names that comes to mind musically, Jesse Leach, Max Cavalera, Chuck Schuldiner, Michael Sweet and many more, helped shape the way I saw music, helped me embrace what I wanted to do in life.

THM: The artwork by Federico Bossinga of Abstract Chaos Design feels absolutely dark and apocalyptic, matching perfectly with your music. How did you get in touch with the artist, and how was the process to get to the final artwork?

NA: We have worked together for a long time, he always brings my ideas to life, he is a great talent. As we always do, I send him an idea, he sends back my idea as an image and then it’s a yay or nay or changes here and there.

Album Review – Semper Acerbus / Following Omens (2026)

THM: How’s the metalcore (or any other type of heavy music) scene nowadays in Del Rio, Texas? Are there any other bands from your area you would recommend to our readers?

NA: There’s no other metalcore band in Del Rio TX, we are a very small town in the middle of nowhere with a big tastes for tex-mex music and culture. We are the sore thumb lol!

THM: Now that Following Omens is out, what does the future hold for Semper Acerbus? Any plans for touring outside of the United States, like in Canada or at any European summer festival? You guys need to bring your music to Toronto for sure!

NA: We want to tour as much as possible, we have offers overseas and nationally that we want to definitely make it happen. We had a run in Canada last year that fell through so, HEY PROMOTERS! Come book us!!

Semper Acerbus

THM: Speaking of touring, which other bands would be part of your “dream tour”? And which bands have you guys had an amazing experience touring with so far?

NA: The most fun we had was touring with ASESINO and Skinlab, great dudes and we had lots of fun. Dream tour would be Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Bleed from Within and Semper Acerbus.

THM: Let’s play an easy and fun game now. Which ten songs would you add to a time capsule for future generations? It can be metal or non-metal, no problem at all.

NA:
1. Fur Elise – Betoven
2. Nessun Dorma – Pavarotti
3. Crystal Mountain – Death
4. Yahweh – By Stryper
5. Lifting Shadow of a Dream – Dream Theater
6. Arise – Sepultura
7. The Element of One – Killswitch Engage
8. Rainbow in the Dark – Dio
9. Cemetery Gates – Pantera
10. Separate Ways – Journey

THM: Thanks again for your time! Feel free to send your final considerations to our readers, and hopefully we’ll see you hitting the stages of Toronto anytime soon!

NA: Thanks for this opportunity, if you haven’t checked our music and our new album, “Following Omens” go check it out! Give us a chance! Keep it metal!

Links
Semper Acerbus Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Linktree

Album Review – Oathbound / Colors In Grey (2026)

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This up-and-coming Progressive Metalcore unity returns with their first full-length album, a forceful, profoundly human document that reminds us why metal, at its best, is the ultimate vehicle for spiritual connection and catharsis.

Hailing from the rain-soaked streets of Seattle, Washington, the electrifying Progressive Metalcore unity Oathbound channels the raw, unfiltered emotion that defines the human condition, including heartbreak, loss, addiction, and trauma. No subject is off-limits. Mixed and mastered by Aaron Chaparian (As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Chimaira) at Iron Audio, the excellent Colors In Grey is the follow-up to their 2024 debut EP Until it’s Gone, representing the sound of a band formed of Chris Fox on vocals, Taylor Harper and Viktor Schultz on the guitars, Steve Schwarz on bass, and Travis Morlan on drums operating at an undeniable peak, a forceful, profoundly human document that reminds us why metal, at its best, is the ultimate vehicle for spiritual connection and catharsis.

In the dark intro Origins, the band crafts a melancholic ambience perfect for enfolding our souls before we face the title-track Colors in Grey, already exploding into sheer aggressiveness to the desperate roars by Chris supported by the melodious riffage by Taylor and Viktor, kicking off the album on a high note. Then in the hard hitting Set Adrift, Travis smashes his drums nonstop while his bandmates make sure there’s first-class Metalcore for everyone; and featuring Patrick Franiuk of Metalcore band Mémoire, Misunderstood is one of the most visceral and obscure of all songs from the album, with their clean and harsh vocals bringing to the music a stylish paradox, followed by The Masks We Wear, a decent song albeit a bit confusing at times, despite showcasing their excellent Djent-infused riffs.

Back to a more traditional Metalcore approach, it’s time for the band to invite us all to jump up and down with them in Insomniac, with Chris once again taking the lead with his raspy roars; whereas Searching For An Answer reminds me of some of the creations by Swedish Metalcore band My Dear Addiction, in special the pounding drums by Travis and its overall vibe. They put the pedal to the metal and bring forward the type of Metalcore we old school metalheads love the most in Hold On, feeling very aggressive while still showcasing their more melodic side, before they end the album with an overdose of progressiveness flowing from the axes by Taylor, Viktor and Steve in False Ideals, leaving us eager for more of their music in a not-so-distant future.

For Oathbound, Colors In Grey is only the beginning. With eyes set on nationwide touring and continued creative evolution, their mission remains the same, to offer catharsis, hope, and connection through music that speaks from (and to) the soul. Hence, you can join them in such a unique exploration of emotions through heavy music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing their caustic new album by clicking HERE or HERE. With Colors In Grey, their message is clear. Even in life’s darkest moments, there’s a silver lining – and a life still worth living.

Best moments of the album: Colors in Grey, Misunderstood and Hold On.

Worst moments of the album: The Masks We Wear.

Released in 2026 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Origins 1:31
2. Colors in Grey 3:23
3. Set Adrift 3:50
4. Misunderstood 3:57
5. The Masks We Wear 3:28
6. Insomniac 3:40
7. Searching For An Answer 3:26
8. Hold On 4:50
9. False Ideals 3:55

Band members
Chris Fox – vocals
Taylor Harper – guitar
Viktor Schultz – guitar
Steve Schwarz – bass
Travis Morlan – drums

Guest musician
Patrick Franiuk – vocals on “Misunderstood”

Album Review – Semper Acerbus / Following Omens (2026)

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Blasting us across deserts, dunes, mountains, and woodlands, the first full-length offering by this blazing hot Texas-based Metalcore outfit goes deep and dark into the pit of our hearts.

Hailing from from the heart of Del Rio, Texas, the blazing hot Metalcore act known as Semper Acerbus (a Latin phrase that translates to “always bitter” or “always harsh”) goes straight for the jugular with their blistering third full-length album, titled Following Omens. Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Mora (Upon a Burning Body, Kingdom Collapse), and showcasing a classy artwork by Federico Bossinga of Abstract Chaos Design (Dark Funeral, Dimmu Borgir, Old Man’s Child), the follow-up to their 2021 album Ouroboros sees the band formed of vocalist Nelson Acerbus, guitarists Jaime Vargas and Joe Dragich, bassist Sammy Farhat, and drummer Tyler Thomas deliver an explosion of sonic heaviness that thematically covers the whole of the psychological super spectrum, oftentimes all the way to the fringes where the darkness is the deepest and despair is thick as fog on old cobblestone. Lyrically, the band explores all types of toxic relationships leading to destructive aftermaths that teach us the hard lessons, the ones that change us forever.

A very Metalcore intro ignites the opening tune Suffering Awaits, exploding into a well-balanced mix of their core sound and nuances of Death Metal led by the venomous roars by Nelson. After such a demented start the band offers our avid ears Unwanted, with Tyler stealing the spotlight with his progressive, intricate drumming, whereas in One Day At A Time the title carries a deep meaning to all of us, and the band makes sure the music reflects that with its Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore riffs, background keys and anguished screams. And Jaime and Joe rev up the band’s metallic engine with their razor-edged riffs in The Gallows, inspiring us all to bang our heads nonstop to their scathing, electrifying extravaganza.

The second part of the album begins with the cinematic interlude Alluring Vendetta, warming us up for the hard hitting Archangel, where Nelson keeps vociferating rabidly from the bottom of his blackened heart accompanied by another rumbling performance by Sammy and Tyler armed with their respective bass and drums. Wounded sounds a bit generic compared to the other songs, as it doesn’t offer the same level of intricacy nor dynamism; fortunately, Torn Inside gets the band back on track with a striking blend of Progressive Metalcore spearheaded by the demolishing yet very technical drumming by Tyler, not to mention the guitars by Jaime and Joe are breathing fire. And their coup-de-grace comes in the form of District Coward, again presenting a truly menacing kitchen by Sammy and Tyler, as heavy and headbanging as it can be.

Blasting us across deserts, dunes, mountains, and woodlands, Following Omens goes deep and dark into the pit of our hearts while the band entertains themes of isolation, addiction, vendettas, and death, religion and romance, omens and ghosts. Such a must-see name of the current Metalcore scene is waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details, and you can also stream their acid creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and purchase your copy of their excellent newborn spawn by clicking HERE or HERE. In the end, the new album by Semper Acerbus is perfect for those who want to rock out, while simultaneously important for those who need to engage in a search of the self. We dig them. We play them loud as all hell, and we’re one of them.

Best moments of the album: Suffering Awaits, The Gallows and District Coward.

Worst moments of the album: Wounded.

Released in 2026 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Suffering Awaits 4:11
2. Unwanted 3:22
3. One Day At A Time 4:05
4. The Gallows 3:40
5. Alluring Vendetta 1:00
6. Archangel 3:41
7. Wounded 3:37
8. Torn Inside 3:29
9. District Coward 3:51

Band members
Nelson Acerbus – vocals
Jaime Vargas – guitar
Joe Dragich – guitar
Sammy Farhat – bass
Tyler Thomas – drums

Album Review – Noumenia / Echoes (2025)

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This promising Italian Post-Groove Metal band will hit us hard and fast to the sound of their exciting debut album, dealing with the paradoxical power of conjoining anger with empathy, despair with hope, and desolation with trust.

An exciting Post-Groove Metal album featuring heavy drumming, rhythmic virtuosity, ripsaw female growl vocals, and a gargantuan guitar sound that literally reinvents the power of the power chord, Echoes is the debut offering by Northern Italy-based band Noumenia, from Ancient Greek Νουμηνία, which translates to “new moon” and signifies the first day of the lunar month. Produced by Richard Meiz (Lacuna Coil, Genus Ordinis Dei), and mixed and mastered by Daniele Salomone (Lacuna Coil, Inverno) at DDStudio Records, Echoes is a powerful album that hits hard and fast, featuring buzzsaw vocals that explore a myriad of textures and tones, and an addictive groove vibe that lifts audience members out of their seats.

Eerie piano notes permeate the air in the opening tune Blind Idols before Samuele begins hammering his drums nonstop, opening the gates of the underworld for Vivian to deeply roar like a true she-demon; and we then face the groovy and modern The Circle, where their Djent vein arises stronger than ever thanks to the band’s “Matteos” armed with their stringed weapons. The quartet then increases their aggression and violence in Outsider, offering a striking hybrid of Post-Groove Metal with the music by Machine Head and In Flames; whereas the Djent-infused metallic, rumbling bass by Matteo Campagnoli will crush our heads in Fractures, while Vivian continues to vociferate deeply and with tons of anger in her blackened heart. And Fall Apart is another song that sounds at the same time very melodic yet visceral, with its background keys walking hand in hand with Vivian’s clean and harsh vocals.

Samuele continues to blast his drums in great fashion in Black Ocean, with the riffs by Matteo Radaelli exhaling Groove Metal for our total delight. It’s time to go full Groove Metal in Outbreak, with all band members sounding tight and infuriated until the very last second, followed by Firewall, one more song where Vivian’s anguished vocals are effectively complemented by the pounding drums by Samuele. Digital Aftermath is by far one of the darkest and most complex songs of the album, with Matteo Campagnoli crushing his bass majestically, not to mention Vivian reaches her deepest guttural of the entire record. And lastly, the band continues to venture through darker paths in Under the Veil, which ends up being a kind of tiresome outro as it’s too long and doesn’t offer anything truly outstanding.

In the end, Echoes is about the paradoxical power of conjoining anger with empathy, despair with hope, desolation with trust, and emptiness with the heartbeat of spirit. The band itself suggests that whether we bask in the sunlight or plunge down into the abyss, we do it with passion and verve, exactly like the music they have to offer us all in their debut opus. Hence, you can check what such a promising band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their live performances, stream their music on Spotify, and of course, put your dirty hands on Echoes by clinking HERE, or simply click HERE for all things Noumenia. This is undoubtedly a must-listen for fans of Post-Groove Metal, Modern Metalcore, Modern Metal, and other contemporary styles, building a very exciting path ahead of those Italian metallers and, therefore, inspiring them to keep delivering great music that will surely echo across the entire world.

Best moments of the album: The Circle, Fractures and Digital Aftermath.

Worst moments of the album: Under the Veil.

Released in 2025 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Blind Idols 5:40
2. The Circle 3:41
3. Outsider 3:31
4. Fractures 4:17
5. Fall Apart 3:53
6. Black Ocean 4:31
7. Outbreak 3:50
8. Firewall 4:25
9. Digital Aftermath 5:20
10. Under the Veil 3:52

Band members
Vivian Nigro – vocals
Matteo Radaelli – guitar
Matteo Campagnoli – bass
Samuele Zichi – drums

Album Review – Shadow of the Talisman / As Above, So Below (2025)

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Behold this concept album of first-class Alternative Metal introducing us to The Dark One, who chooses to recruit and resurrect a broken man to transform him into a killing machine soon known as The Outlaw.

An Alternative Metal band from Flint, Michigan that takes concept rock to the next level while striving to unite all facets of the metal scene through complex musical journeys and heart-wrenching lyrics, and a community where every metalhead can find something perfect for them, Shadow of the Talisman are ready to kill armed with their debut opus, entitled As Above, So Below. Recorded at Raydon Studio with the help of Mark Stewart, serving as co-producer and mix engineer, the debut by vocalist Mike Smith, guitarists Zack Harrison and Owen Summerland, bassist Elijah Kinney, and drummer Kyle Williams is a concept album introducing us to The Dark One, who chooses to recruit and resurrect a broken man to transform him into a killing machine soon known as The Outlaw. This tragic devil’s plaything loses his reality like a dollar bill in a hurricane, and goes straight to a fiery Hell where a deal is made and the remains of his soul, shattered. When The Outlaw resurfaces on Earth as a gunslinging demon, he wreaks havoc in Westerntown, a metaphor for the civilized society this miscreant trashes and shreds. And even though he eventually has a change of heart, there is no future for him but to return to the Hell that forged him, where he is destined to annihilate The Dark One and become the new ruler of the underworld.

Just hit play and the band already comes ripping with six minutes of heaviness in the opener Arise, with its cinematic intro inviting us all to their metal feast spearheaded by the enraged roars by Mike; and Mike’s vocals remind me of the great John Bush in What Is Real?, while Zack and Owen deliver tons of heaviness and melody through their axes. Kyle and Elijah then bring the groove in Fiery Descent while Mike continues to scream the story of The Dark One and The Outlaw for our total delight, whereas Elijah’s metallic bass sets the tone in Dead with the Devil, offering a thrilling fusion of Alternative and Groove Metal, with Kyle hammering his drums until the song’s very last second.

The second half of the album begins with a song dedicated to The Outlaw, again showcasing the band’s dexterity and passion for melody and groove while remaining as heavy as possible. Then a Southern Rock-inspired intro evolves into Cursed, a ballad that sounds as if it was taken from an Avenged Sevenfold album. It could have been slightly shorter, though. Lastly, we have the two-part song that gives the name to the album, starting with As Above, perfect for some nice headbanging, for nonstop horns raising and for screaming it along with Mike, with its last part being a display of melodious, passionate riffs and solos by Zack and Owen, flowing into So Below, a beyond heavy and fulminating tune crafted by the band where their modern-day Groove Metal vein pulses harder than ever, putting a climatic, epic conclusion to the album and therefore to its background story.

A metallic tornado of genres and mediums swirled into a sensational horror story told through funky, break-oriented Alternative Metal featuring powerful vocals and intricate, raucous instrumentals, As Above, So Below will undoubtedly carve the name of Shadow of the Talisman in the current American metal scene, and you can put your dirty hands on such an electrifying album by clicking HERE or HERE. Don’t forget to also give the band a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream their incendiary music on YouTube, Spotify or any other streaming platform. Will we hear from The Dark One and The Outlaw again in the future, maybe in a new concept album by Shadow of the Talisman? As the answer to that is a mystery for now, let’s keep banging our heads to the fury blasted in As Above, So Below, one hell of an album (pun intended) from the modern American Alternative Metal scene.

Best moments of the album: Arise, Dead with the Devil and So Below.

Worst moments of the album: Cursed.

Released in 2025 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Arise 6:01
2. What Is Real? 5:43
3. Fiery Descent 3:09
4. Dead with the Devil 3:50
5. The Outlaw 5:16
6. Cursed 6:09
7. As Above 8:01
8. So Below 9:29

Band members
Mike Smith – vocals
Zack Harrison – guitar
Owen Summerland – guitar
Elijah Kinney – bass
Kyle Williams – drums

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 – As Paradise Falls / Madness / Medicine EP (2022)

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Let’s bang our heads to the new EP by a Deathcore duo aiming at redefining what the Australian metal scene is capable of.

“They laugh at me because I am different… I laugh at them because they are all the same…”

Aiming at redefining what the Australian metal scene is capable of, Brisbane-based Deathcore duo As Paradise Falls (also known as APF) has been on a dark rollercoaster of pure emotion in the pursuit to find where they truly fit in the world both as people and as a band. After the releases of their 2014 debut EP Save Yourself and their 2017 debut full-length album Digital Ritual, As Paradise Falls dropped off the radar and halted the progress of the band with no explanation, but it looks like they’re back on track with their 2020 single Bleed for the Crown, and more important than that, with their brand new EP titled Madness / Medicine. Produced by Shane Edwards at Studio 28 in Thailand, Madness / Medicine is a new breed of Deathcore that has raised the archetype of heavy music, proving how talented vocalist Ravi Sherwell and guitarist Danny Kenneally are while also providing music lovers with a very good reason to bang their heads nonstop to the sound of the EP’s five incendiary tracks.

BATS is simply sinister and caustic from the very first second, where Ravi’s enraged, demonic vocals will pierce your mind mercilessly while Danny hammers his guitar in great fashion, resulting in a fantastic opener for the EP. If you’re a diehard fan of Deathcore you’ll fall in love for this tune without a shadow of a doubt, whereas Captain Hero is even more demented than its predecessor, with the heaviness exhaling from the song’s bass and drums being outstanding while the duo adds elements from classic Death and Groove Metal to their core sound to make things even more violent. Then we have KFBR392, slightly more alternative as if Slipknot ventured through the realms of Deathcore, where once again Ravi barks and roars like a demented beast while Danny will haunt your damned soul with his riffage; and get ready for another round of insanity and heaviness by As Paradise Falls entitled Mechanical Hannibals, a lecture in Deathcore showcasing all elements we love in the genre such as wicked vociferations, rumbling bass lines and pulverizing riffs. Finally, closing the EP we’re treated to two minutes of dementia in the form of TR4K 1, with Danny cutting our skin deep with his sick riffs, therefore inspiring us all to succumb to the dark side of Deathcore.

As already mentioned, As Paradise Falls want to show the world the Deathcore scene in Australia is stronger than ever, with their new EP representing that evolution and, consequently, where we should expect to see the duo in the coming years. Hence, you can keep track of all things As Paradise Falls by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram and by listening to more of their wicked creations on Spotify, and don’t forget to obviously purchase a copy of Madness / Medicine sooner than you can say “Deathcore” by clicking HERE. Hopefully, Ravi and Danny will continue to deliver awesomeness in their upcoming releases without having to put the band on hold again, expanding their reach to new, unexplored lands and showing the world what Australian Deathcore is all about, just like what they have to offer us all in their entertaining new release.

Best moments of the album: BATS and Mechanical Hannibals.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. BATS 3:08
2. Captain Hero 3:38
3. KFBR392 2:52
4. Mechanical Hannibals 3:05
5. TR4K 1 2:11

Band members
Ravi Sherwell – vocals
Danny Kenneally – guitar

Album Review – Haunted By Silhouettes / No Man Isle EP (2022)

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Hailing from Norway, this unrelenting Melodic Death Metal squad is unleashing upon humanity a short and sweet EP destined to leave their listeners with a deadly taste for more.

Formed in 2013 in the city of Trondheim, Norway, the beautifully named Melodic Death Metal outfit Haunted By Silhouettes is unleashing upon humanity a new EP entitled No Man Isle, a short and sweet follow-up to their 2019 album The Last Day on Earth. Comprised of vocalist Mathias Jamtli Rye, guitarists Per Kristian Grimsland and Stian Hoel Fossen, bassist Ola Nilsen Kjøren, and drummer Håvard Bustad, the band is destined to leave their listeners with a deadly taste for more (along with necks bursting with pain) after listening to their new effort, portraying a style that is an actual evolution of what was once referred to as Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal or once proudly called Gothenburg Death Metal.

And the cinematic intro Departure sets the stage for the quintet to crush our souls in Flock, starting in full force to the infernal growling by Mathias while Ola hammers his bass majestically. In other words, it’s Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal infused with the most visceral elements from Groove Metal, resulting in a true headbanging composition for admirers of the genre. Then we have Selkie, featuring guest vocals by the one and only Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork), who makes a powerful duet with Mathias while the band makes sure the atmosphere remains dense and enfolding from start to finish in a great display of Melodic Death Metal. Putting the pedal to the metal it’s time for Icon, where Per and Stian extract sheer electricity and rage form their stringed axes while Håvard “gently” invites us all to slam into the circle pit to the sound of his furious beats; whereas the guitars by Per and Stian continue to embellish the airwaves in the title-track No Man Isle while Mathias roars and growls in anger nonstop, supported by the classy, rhythmic drums by Håvard and, therefore, sounding heavy and melodic at the same time just the way we like it.

The talented and unstoppable Norwegian metallers from Haunted By Silhouettes are waiting for your feedback on Facebook and on Instagram, where of course you can get to know more about the band, their tour dates and plans for the future, and don’t forget to also stream their music on Spotify as many times as you want, and to obviously purchase or stream No Man Isle from your favorite retailer or service by clicking HERE. As already mentioned, the EP might be short in duration, but that didn’t stop the band from delivering tons of awesomeness in the form of their classic Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal, warming us up for their upcoming full-length album which might not have a release date yet, but we know it’s going to be marvelously violent and melodic.

Best moments of the album: Flock and Icon.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Departure 0:26
2. Flock 3:02
3. Selkie 3:24
4. Icon 4:16
5. No Man Isle 5:16

Band members
Mathias Jamtli Rye – vocals
Per Kristian Grimsland – guitar, vocals
Stian Hoel Fossen – guitar
Ola Nilsen Kjøren – bass
Håvard Bustad – drums

Guest musician
Björn “Speed” Strid – vocals on “Selkie”

Album Review – Through The Noise / Tragedies EP (2022)

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This talented Swedish Post-Hardcore and Nu Metal outfit is back in action with an inspiring three-track EP, pointing to an exciting musical direction prior to their next full-length album.

Vocalist Jowl Nyberg, guitarists Victor Adonis and Marcus Skantz, bassist Martin Lingonblad and drummer Peter Liwgren, collectively known as Lund/Malmö, Sweden-based Post-Hardcore/Nu Metal outfit Through The Noise, are back in action now in 2022 with a brand new EP entitled Tragedies, following up on their highly acclaimed 2019 album Dualism. During the Covid-19 lockdowns the band was unable to tour; however, there was plenty of time to write new material and they wrote a bunch of new songs, and after some careful consideration they decided that it would be best to release an EP before a full-length album, so they tracked three songs which make up Tragedies. Produced by Robert Kukla at Obsidian Recording Studios, Tragedies showcases a more sinister and heavier side of Through The Noise, appealing not only to the band’s current fanbase but also to anyone in search for fresh and vibrant heavy music.

The quintet arises from the underworld with a fusion of Alternative Metal and darker elements in Tantalus, bringing forward poetic lyrics rabidly declaimed by Jowl (“Perpetually trapped / Lost sense of time / Eternal damnation / Cursed with temptation”) and an amazing job done by Peter with his crushing drums, while Victor and Marcus add tons of heaviness to the music with their refined riffage. And Peter keeps hammering his drums in Aktaion, with all whimsical background elements making a thrilling paradox with the metallic bass by Martin and the raspy roars by Jowl, being therefore perfect for banging your head and jumping up and down with the band in the name of heavy music. Lastly, in Lamia we’re treated to another round of their wicked words (“Aggression bottled up from past transgressions / Disfigured, tormented by the pain / Forever haunted by my heinous actions / A victim, forced by godly hands”) supported by the visceral hybrid of Alternative Metal and Hardcore blasted by the quintet, making us eager for more of their music in a not-so-distant future.

You can get in touch with the talented guys from Through The Noise and know more about the band, their tour dates and plans for the future on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their music and videos, steam their entire catalog on Spotify, and of course purchase your copy of Tragedies by clicking HERE, showing your utmost support to the Swedish underground. Nobody truly knows what will happen to the world of music in the coming months due to this never-ending Covid-19 madness, but at least we can rest assured the fires of heavy music will keep burning thanks to hardworking bands like Through The Noise, and based on the heaviness and melodies offered to us in Tragedies I can’t wait to see how their next full-length album will sound. It will be awesome, no doubt about that.

Best moments of the album: Tantalus.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Tantalus 3:55
2. Aktaion 4:41
3. Lamia 3:24

Band members
Jowl Nyberg – vocals
Victor Adonis – guitar
Marcus Skantz – guitar
Martin Lingonblad – bass
Peter Liwgren – drums

Interview – Tommaso “Tommy” Monticelli (Genus Ordinis Dei)

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Join us in this awesome interview with Genus Ordinis Dei guitarist and producer Tommaso “Tommy” Monticelli where he discusses about the band’s new opus Glare of Deliverance, the series of videos from the album, and what’s next for those talented Italian metallers.

Tommaso “Tommy” Monticelli (Genus Ordinis Dei)

The Headbanging Moose: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us about the music by Genus Ordinis Dei. Can you please start by introducing yourself to our readers? Who are the guys from Genus Ordinis Dei, and what are your goals with the band?

Tommy: Hi, I’m Tommy and I’m the guitarist and producer of Genus Ordinis Dei. We’re 4 metalheads: Me, Nick (Guitars and Vocals), Steven (Bass) and Richard (Drums). The band was formed in 2008 in Crema, our hometown. We were just a bunch of long-time friends who shared the passion for metal music and we decided to start to play together. We were 20 years old and none of us ever played in a real band before Genus Ordinis Dei (and I personally still never played in other bands). Richard came later in 2012 after changing two other drummers. Our goal is simple: become the most important Italian metal band ever.

THM: Now let’s begin talking about your 2020 album Glare of Deliverance. It’s known that the album tells the story of a young woman named Eleanor, who is persecuted by the Holy Inquisition, bringing the concept art of American author Tom Roberts to life. Can you explain in more detail this concept behind the album? How did you guys come up with such distinct theme?

Tommy: The idea of the story was born years ago too, actually, I still remember us writing down on a notebook the plot of the chapters while hanging out in a pub in our hometown. Then, almost two years ago, we thought it was good enough and we decided it was time to try to make it real. Glare Of Deliverance tells the story of Eleanor in 10 episodes with 10 videos and 10 songs, describing all the steps that bring Eleanor in the grasp of the Holy Inquisition. More in detail, the Hunters of the Holy Inquisition chase after her interrupting a mysterious ritual. The ritual involves a powerful item, a black stone that she calls “The Heart Of Stone”. The stone goes lost during the chase and she is captured and brought to the citadel where the Inquisitor awaits. She’s examined, tortured and finally judged guilty of witchcraft by the Bishop who gives her the possibility to abjure and be forgiven. But the night before the abjuration, a mysterious entity, The Fallen, appears in her dreams and foresees her fate. The story will continue in the next episode 🙂

THM: Also, each one of the ten songs from the album are combined in sequence like a short film or television series to tell that story. How difficult was it to put together those ten songs in the correct order without having any major breaks or interruptions to the flow of the storyline?

Tommy: It’s been tough! We had to deal with the construction of the video series of this story, a totally new thing for us (and also for the fans) that led us to face a lot of difficulties and uncertainty moments, especially in the middle of this pandemic. We enjoyed it and we’re so proud of the final result, both visually and musically speaking. It took a lot of time, considering that we had to create a crowdfunding campaign that fortunately went well. We wanted to create something that mixes a concept album with a tv series, and I think we did pretty well.

THM: Can you tell us how hard was it to produce the album yourself instead of hiring an external person or company to do it? What are some things you wish you could have done in a different way?

Tommy: After all I have to say that it’s been easier than ever. Having the complete control of any single detail at any step of the production is much better than telling someone else what to do and hoping to share the same vision. Obviously you need the right amount of experience and skill to do it yourself and achieve a professional result. We can’t be happier than this!

THM: How has been the whole experience of shooting a special video for each one of the songs from Glare of Deliverance? How are you guys managing all production, costume designing, extras and so on? And which member of the band has the strongest film-making vein, taking the lead in this bold endeavor?

Tommy: Nick is definitely the video guy of the band. Even if we shot a lot of videos during these years, this was a totally new experience for us. We spent months planning the production of audio and video before shooting the first episode. Creating the storyboards, hiring pro artists to draw the concept and create the costumes and the masks, finding the main actress, finding the locations, hiring the videomaker and planning all the logistics and budget took almost a year, considering that we funded everything with a crowdfunding campaign. We were almost beginners about this and finishing this crazy puzzle on our own makes us extremely proud.

Album Review – Genus Ordinis Dei / Glare of Deliverance (2020)

THM: I want to personally ask about the closing song, the 16-minute aria Fire. How special is that song for you and the rest of the band, I mean, did you feel something different while writing and recording this specific song compared to the others, and can we expect to see you guys playing it live one day?

Tommy: If we’ll have enough time on the setlist we’re gonna play the whole album live. In particular Fire is a special song because the first 9 minutes contain all the main riffs and melodies of the previous 9 songs (revisited, rearranged), a sort of moment of reflection of the journey that took to the final act. It also explodes in a choral epic hook that we personally love. We had a great time recording the choir (in another studio, a bigger one :)), another new experience for us. We feel we’ve grown so much after making this album.

THM: As you guys are based in Italy, one of the countries that have suffered the most with COVID-19, how has this never-ending pandemic been impacting your work with Genus Ordinis Dei and your life in general? How are the other bands from your local scene surviving these years with no live concerts?

Tommy: We always wanted to stay positive and keep developing this idea despite all this crazy situation. Also, we knew that people still need music and entertainment, even if the whole damn world is turning upside down. We decided from the beginning that we’d have never stopped working and that Glare Of Deliverance would be released, a way or another. Every band is trying to do their best to keep creating new content but I understand that it’s a tough challenge.

THM: Can you tell us a little about your biggest idols in music, arts and life in general? And how has their music influenced you and the band in the writing process of Glare of Deliverance?

Tommy: Then there’s a lot of bands that inspired me through this journey but I can’t forget how it started: Blind Guardian, Kamelot, Manowar and Iron Maiden are my all-time favourite guys and they’ll ever be. In this exact moment, the most impressive band to me is Gojira, from the songs to the image to the performances: top band right now. They’re so inspiring. In general I love concept albums and artists that try to focus on creating epic and evocative atmospheres.

Genus Ordinis Dei

THM: Do you think the Italian underground scene is stronger than ever, or do you see it decaying somehow? And what are some bands from your region other than Genus Ordinis Dei that you would recommend to our readers?

Tommy: Italy is not famous for metal bands in general. I’m not into the underground scene so much but for what I’ve seen in the last years, it’s not so interesting. Excluding big bands like Lacuna Coil and Fleshgod Apocalypse, what I would recommend right now are DGM and Nightland. Check them out.

THM: What does the future hold for Genus Ordinis Dei? Can we expect to see more of your epic and atmospheric music in a not-so-distant future?

Tommy: Now we’re focused on the last video episode releases, Dream on March 22nd and the other 3 in the following months. There’s still so much to do before saying “ok, Glare Of Deliverance is done, let’s pass to next one” but I confess that I’m already collecting new melodies and riffs, and we started writing the next storyboard 🙂 But still, we have tons of new stuff regarding Glare Of Deliverance and a couple of great news to spread. We’re preparing for the next live shows, creating a new show from scratch.

THM: Thank you very much for the interview! Any final considerations or comments you would like to share with our readers?

Tommy: If you want something new, something that no one ever did before, follow the first Metal Music Series: Glare Of Deliverance.

Thank you guys for the interview.

Stay safe and stay metal!

Hail!

Links
Genus Ordinis Dei Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify