Tag Archives: groove metal

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 – Coffin Feeder / Big Trouble (2025)

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This Belgian Death Metal and Deathcore supergroup will crush their enemies armed with their debut opus, see them driven before them, and hear the lamentation of their women.

Formed in 2021 in Waregem, a municipality and city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, Death Metal/Deathcore beast Coffin Feeder has just spewed upon humanity their first ever full-length album, titled Big Trouble, the follow-up to their 2022 EPs Stereo Homicide and Over the Top. Recorded by Lander Cluyse and Jeroen Camerlynck, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio Studio, and displaying a marvelous artwork that pays homage to all action movies from the 80’s and 90’s we all love so much, the new offering by frontman Sven de Caluwé (Aborted), guitarists Jeroen Camerlynck and Bart Govers (Fleddy Melculy), bassist Jan Hallaert (Leng Tch’e, Motormouth), and drummer Siebe Hermans (Reverse the Sun, When Plagues Collide) goes above and beyond with their fusion of extreme music and action flicks, resulting in 12 tracks of ultimate brutality that will surely inspire you to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women.

Not sure if the intro There Will Be Trouble was inspired by Big Trouble in Little China or by a quote from Robocop, but anyway it’s a very cool and cinematic warmup for the pulverizing Porkchop Express, featuring guest vocalist Julien Truchan of Benighted, with their slamming feast being led by the hammering drums by Siebe in the best Brutal Death Metal style imaginable. Then featuring guest vocals by Ben Duerr of Shadow of Intent, If It Bleeds, inspired by one of the most famous quotes from the 1984 cult movie Predator, is absolutely mental, with Sven sounding inhumane on vocals in this newborn masterpiece of violence and bloodshed. Conan couldn’t have been left out of the party, and the song in his honor, The Destroyer, will crush your spinal cord to the ruthless riffage by Jeroen and Bart (because they know what’s best in life); whereas the rumbling bass by Jan will make your head tremble in Love at First Death, accompanied by the always demented beats and fills by Siebe. And Plain Zero, with guest vocals by Mark Hunter of Chimaira, is a song that will pulverize your frail body mercilessly, with all vocals and instruments exhaling sheer violence and hatred.

Sven continues to bark like a demonic creature in Obey, offering more of the band’s trademark ferocity, with Jan and Siebe once again crafting utterly thunderous sounds through their infernal kitchen. Then it’s time to bang our heads like rabid maniacs in Get to the Party, with the entire band inviting our “beloved” Richter to a brutal slamming feast made in Belgium; followed by Let Off Some Steam, a lecture in Death Metal infused with Deathcore and endless dementia, with Sven once again bursting his lungs by roaring like an evil beast. Needless to say, Bennett must be proud of the boys from Coffin Feeder. H.I.S.S. is by far the least exciting of all songs, never really taking off despite its strong atmosphere, whereas A Good Day to Die offers another blast of venomous riffs and bass lines by Jeroen, Bart and Jan, bringing nuances of Groove Metal and Djent added to their core essence, not to mention its epic background elements. There’s time for one last dive into the circle pit to the sound of The Wrong Arm of the Law, offering a ruthless slab of Deathcore where Sven and Siebe are in absolute sync with their respective roars and beats.

In a nutshell, if you love a good amount of brutality played to perfection, infused with endless adrenaline, and paying homage to all movies that helped put the word “action” in Hollywood the likes of Predator, Commando, and Cobra, you must give a listen to the infuriated Big Trouble, available for purchase from the Listenable Records’ BandCamp or by clicking on these links for the physical or digital edition of the album. You can also “get to da choppa” and start following this demonic supergroup on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and stream their bestial creations on Spotify. If it bleeds, we can kill it. And if it’s a ruthless fusion of Death Metal and Deathcore like what they have to offer us in Big Trouble, then we can slam.

Best moments of the album: If It Bleeds, Plain Zero, Let Off Some Steam and The Wrong Arm of the Law.

Worst moments of the album: H.I.S.S.

Released in 2025 Listenable Records

Track listing
1. There Will Be Trouble 0:56
2. Porkchop Express 2:57
3. If It Bleeds 3:10
4. The Destroyer 3:02
5. Love at First Death 3:18
6. Plain Zero 3:29
7. Obey 2:32
8. Get to the Party 3:25
9. Let Off Some Steam 3:48
10. H.I.S.S. 1:44
11. A Good Day to Die 3:28
12. The Wrong Arm of the Law 3:22

Band members
Sven de Caluwé – vocals
Jeroen Camerlynck – guitars, backing vocals
Bart Govers – guitars, backing vocals
Jan Hallaert – bass
Siebe Hermans – drums

Guest musicians
Mark Hunter – vocals on “Plain Zero”
Julien Truchan – vocals on “Porkchop Express”
Ben Duerr – vocals on “If It Bleeds”

Concert Review – Machine Head (History, Toronto, ON, 04/28/2025)

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Monday nights are always boring, except when you have four of the must-see bands of the current metal scene worldwide kicking some serious ass in the city.

OPENING ACTS: Unearth, Lacuna Coil and In Flames

What a night of modern and electrifying heavy music at the always amazing History this Monday during the North American Tour 2025 spearheaded by MACHINE HEAD, with special guests UNEARTH, LACUNA COIL and IN FLAMES, and despite the insane traffic in the city and the fact it was a Monday night, we can say it was a nearly sold out event where every single person at the venue had a phenomenal time, including Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I, of course. History is also a great venue for concerts because not only there are plenty of restaurants in the neighborhood, but they also have a few food options inside, like pizza for example, something not common at most venues in Toronto. This means that if you’re running late to any concert but you need to eat something beforehand, you don’t need to waste any second searching for food outside the venue. Simply get inside, and enjoy a slice of pizza while watching your favorite bands playing.

The doors opening at 5pm, when most people were still at work, plus the first band of the night, Boston, Massachusetts-based Metalcore outfit UNEARTH, kicking off their show already at the early time of 6pm, was kind of a bummer as a lot of people ended up missing their show, including myself, and I was very disappointed with that because their 2023 album The Wretched; The Ruinous is a real banger and I was eager to see them playing some of those not-so-new tunes live alongside some older meterial (although their short onstage time didn’t allow them to play their regular full setlist, of course). Well, Keith said they were beyond ruthless onstage led by their rabid frontman Trevor Phipps, already igniting some sick mosh pits in the floor section, and if you also missed those guys live on Monday at least we can enjoy their music on BandCamp and on Spotify, and patiently wait for the next time they pay a visit to Toronto. Hopefully at a later time slot.

Setlist
The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)
My Will Be Done
This Lying World
The Wretched; The Ruinous
Giles
Incinerate
Black Hearts Now Reign

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

Luckily, I made it just in time for the superb performance by Italian Alternative Rock/Metal icons LACUNA COIL, more specifically three minutes before they took the stage by storm with their endless charisma, undeniable talent, and highly addictive, catchy tunes, most of them from their brand new album Sleepless Empire (available on all streaming services like Spotify), including the excellent Hosting the Shadow, Gravity, I Wish You Were Dead, and Oxygen. Damn, those tunes sounded amazing live. The beyond stunning diva Cristina Scabbia (she looks younger than ever, by the way) and the enigmatic, sinister Andrea Ferro drove fans wild during their set, making a more-than-dynamic duo onstage for the delight of everyone who enjoys this type of “Beauty and the Beast” vocal attack. As usual, the duo was effectively supported by their bandmates Daniele Salomone, Marco Coti Zelati and Richard Meiz, enhancing the band’s energy and punch and, therefore, inspiring everyone to raise their horns and sing all songs along with Cristina and Andrea. Lacuna Coil are a must-see band of the current scene, and I can’t wait to see them again in the near future. Needless to say, next time they deserve their own headlining tour, so we can enjoy a lot more of their hypnotizing creations.

Setlist
Intro
Layers of Time
Reckless
Hosting the Shadow
Gravity
Our Truth
Blood, Tears, Dust
I Wish You Were Dead
Oxygen
Never Dawn

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

It was already past 8pm when Sweden’s own Melodic Groove Metal/Metalcore/Alternative Rock titans IN FLAMES began their incendiary performance at History (pun intended), already melting our faces with one of their most electrifying songs ever, Cloud Connected. Frontman Anders Fridén and his henchmen, including the fantastic axeman Chris Broderick, showed no mercy for our souls, delivering hit after hit, with the newer songs from their 2023 album Foregone (also available on Spotify), like In the Dark and Meet Your Maker, blending perfectly with their classics and, consequently, igniting some insane circle pits that were nicely acknowledged by Anders. Not only that, he was also on fire with his dark Swedish humor, making an even stronger connection with the crowd. For instance, he noticed one fan was singing ALL songs perfectly at the barrier, so he said he should not screw up any song otherwise that fan would catch his error. The ending with I Am Above and My Sweet Shadow was epic, and I must say their concert this Monday night might have been their best in the city to date. In Flames certainly love Toronto, and we love them back, which means it won’t take long for the band to kick our asses again with another unrelenting concert in the near future.

Setlist
Cloud Connected
Take This Life
Deliver Us
In the Dark
Voices
Coerced Coexistence
Bullet Ride
Trigger
Meet Your Maker
State of Slow Decay
The Mirror’s Truth
I Am Above
My Sweet Shadow

Band members
Anders Fridén – vocals
Björn Gelotte – guitars
Chris Broderick – guitars
Liam Wilson – bass
Tanner Wayne – drums

MACHINE HEAD

Finally, after an avalanche of first-class heavy music from different parts of the world, the main attraction of the night, Oakland, California’s own Groove/Thrash Metal brigade MACHINE HEAD kicked off their electrifying concert to finish destroying anyone who dared to face some wild mosh pits during the execution of their hard hitting tunes. Robb Flynn, Reece Scruggs, Jared MacEachern and Matt Alston were unstoppable onstage, kindly asking every single fan to keep their phones in their pockets and simply have an amazing time with them, banging their heads, slamming into the pit, having a beer and raising their fists in the air. Blending classics the likes of Locust and Bulldozer with several songs form their new opus Unatoned (also spelled UNATØNED, and of course available on Spotify), released this past Friday April 25, such as ØUTSIDER and BØNESCRAPER, the band put on a phenomenal concert that made a boring Monday night feel like a metallic party on a Saturday.

They’ve been on the road since 1991, but their passion for heavy music is so strong it felt like they were just newcomers full of energy and ready to kick our asses. The circle pit action was intense, Robb kept throwing beer to the fans and having a lot of fun interacting with everyone, including a little kid at the back of the balcony section (showing he’s a guy that pays attention to EVERYONE who attends a Machine Head concert), and the background screen, lighting and smoke added an extra touch of insanity to their show. In the end, after they played the classic Halo, they stayed a little longer throwing countless guitar picks and drumsticks to the crowd, who was brave enough to stay at the venue until the very end, already past 11pm on a Monday night. I guess even if they had stayed there until 2 or 3am the fans would have also been there to support them, because this is how superb heavy music is done. Played live, played loud, and with a beautiful connection between the artist and their fans. Thank you, Machine Head, and rest assured whenever you return to Toronto, we’ll all be there for you.

Setlist
Diary of a Madman (Ozzy Osbourne song)
In Comes the Flood
Imperium
Ten Ton Hammer
CHØKE ØN THE ASHES ØF YØUR HATE
Now We Die
Catharsis
NØT LØNG FØR THIS WØRLD
ØUTSIDER
Locust
BØNESCRAPER
Declaration
Bulldozer
From This Day
Davidian

Encore:
Halo

Band members
Robb Flynn – vocals, guitars
Reece Scruggs – guitars
Jared MacEachern – bass, backing vocals
Matt Alston – drums, percussion

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Interview – Meshuggah’s Burger (Slayer Burger)

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This Meshuggah-inspired beast of a burger will satisfy your craving for high quality food infused with Swedish traditions and an endless dosage of unrelenting heavy music.

Meshuggah’s Burger @ Slayer Burger

The Headbanging Moose: Thank you for this opportunity to meet you and know more about Slayer Burger, and your new partnership with Meshuggah. As this will be published to readers from all over the world, could you please introduce Slayer Burger to the ones who don’t know it?
Slayer Burger: Slayer Burger is not just a local premium burger place — it’s an experience. We bring together fresh, high-quality ingredients, bold flavors, and a rock-and-roll attitude to serve up the ultimate smash and grill burger. Our menu is inspired by heavy music, and we’re always pushing the boundaries with creative and unique recipes. If you love great food and even better music, Slayer Burger is the place for you.

THM: When and where was the idea of having a Meshuggah-themed burger born? And who’s responsible for selecting its ingredients, bringing it to life and making it available at Slayer Burger?
SB: The idea came by Meshuggah’s team and your chef consultant Lilian Cardoso. We wanted to honor Meshuggah’s legacy with a burger that’s just as intense as their music — bold, complex, and unforgettable. Our team, our chefs and marketing crew worked together to perfect the ingredients and create something truly worthy of the name.

THM: What makes Meshuggah’s Burger special in your opinion, I mean, why should people choose it instead of any other burger from your menu or from any competitor?
SB: This isn’t just any burger — it’s a full-on sensory experience. The black bun sets the tone, the lingonberry bacon jam adds a touch of Swedish influence, and the rich, savory flavors balance it all out. It’s a burger that stands out visually and flavor-wise, making it a must-try for fans of Meshuggah and anyone who loves a next-level burger.

THM: Apart from Meshuggah’s Burger, you also have two other burgers with black charcoal buns, Vecna and The Wagyu. How has been the feedback from your consumers to those burgers with black buns? And what makes it special? Is it just the association of color black with heavy music, or is there something else?
SB: People love them! The black bun always grabs attention, but it’s the flavors that keep customers coming back. The association with heavy music definitely plays a role, but at the end of the day, it’s about taste — and we make sure every bite delivers.

Slayer Gif GIFs | Tenor

Click on our Slayer buddy to access the official Slayer Burger website!

THM: Perhaps the most unique ingredient in the new burger is its lingonberry bacon jam. Lingonberries are extremely popular in Sweden, used in countless Swedish dishes including kroppkakor, pitepalt, potato pancakes, spinach pancakes, kåldolmar, and more, and many Swedes grow up picking them in the forest. However, we’re not in Sweden, we’re in Canada. Having said that, do you think Torontonians are ready for the lingonberry?
SB: Absolutely! Toronto is a city that embraces diverse flavors, and lingonberry jam brings the perfect balance of sweet and tart to complement the richness of the burger. It’s a nod to Sweden, but it works incredibly well in Canada burger scene too.

THM: Have the guys from Meshuggah already tried the burger, or are they going to try it during their stop in Toronto next weekend, when they play in the city alongside Cannibal Corpse and Carcass?
SB: We can’t wait for them to try it when they’re in town! We’re confident they’ll love it — it’s made with the same precision and intensity as their music. Also, we’ll have our food truck on the day of the concert, we can’t wait to serve the band and their crew as well.

THM: Is this just the beginning of a series of partnerships with metal bands to create other special items in your menu? And if so, do you already have any other bands in mind for the near future?
SB: We’re always open to new collaborations, especially with bands that share our energy and passion. We can’t reveal anything yet, but let’s just say there are some exciting ideas brewing. Stay tuned!

Meshuggah’s Burger and the Immutable album

THM: You have some amazing options in your menu to go with your burgers, including delicious sides, sweets and exclusive beers. Just like Meshuggah are making the perfect combo with a Cannibal Corpse and Carcass in the city this Saturday, what would be the ideal side and drink to go with Meshuggah’s Burger?
SB: You’ll want something that can stand up to the burger’s bold flavors. Our special Slayer cheese poutine or onion rings make a killer side, and for drinks, our own Slayer Premium Beer with deep, roasted flavors would be the perfect match.

THM: And as in the end it’s always all about the music, what’s the perfect soundtrack for enjoying Meshuggah’s Burger? It can be a full album, just a few songs, or simply one song (if the consumer is a fast eater)!
SB: If you want the full experience, put on Meshuggah’s ObZen or Immutable and let the complex rhythms match the layers of flavor in the burger. If you’re a fast eater, Bleed is a perfect choice — just make sure you can keep up!

THM: Thank you very much for your time! Feel free to send a final message to our readers, and to invite them to visit one of the Slayer Burger locations in Toronto whenever they’re in the city for a nice night of heavy music!
SB: If you love metal and burgers, you need to try the Meshuggah Burger. It’s bold, intense, and built for those who crave something different. Come visit Slayer Burger in Toronto and experience it for yourself — because great food deserves a heavy soundtrack.

Locations

1400 O’Connor Dr. – East York
Toronto – ON – M4B 2T8

739 Queen St E – Riverside
Toronto – ON – M4M 1H4

2013 Yonge St – Midtown
Toronto – ON – M4S 1Z8

Thank you so much for this opportunity to show Slayer to more people =)

Links
Slayer Burger Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Meshuggah Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Album Review – Nephylim / Circuition (2025)

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This Dutch Melodic Death Metal brigade is ready to strike again with their sophomore album, exploring the concepts of “the cycle of life” and “the wheel of fate”.

Founded back in 2015 by friends Kevin van Geffen and Rens van de Ven in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, colloquially known as Den Bosch, a city and municipality in the province of North Brabant, in the Netherlands, Melodic Death Metal outfit Nephylim is ready to strike again with their sophomore opus Circuition, the long-awaited follow-up to their 2020 debut album Severance of Serenity. Produced by Joost van den Broek, Yarne Heylen and Nephylim, with guitars, bass and vocals recorded at Project Zero Studio and drums recorded at Sandlane Recording Facilities, mixed by Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities, mastered by Darius van Helfteren at Amsterdam Mastering, and displaying a captivating artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design, the new album by frontman Tijn Bosters, guitarists Kevin van Geffen and Ralph Lentink, bassist Rens van de Ven, and drummer Martijn Paauwe is a conceptual album that explores the concepts of “the cycle of life” and “the wheel of fate”, with each song being connected to a meaning or state of being such as the origin of life or birth, the consequences of old age, or everyone’s perception of the circle of life, always supported by the world famous Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal sound.

The first half of a two-part song is actually an intro, Travail Pt. I – Anima, a futuristic, whimsical composition that works as the calm before the storm that is the second half, titled Travail Pt. II – Animus, with all background elements elevating the band’s Melodic Death Metal to new heights, not to mention the guitars by Kevin and Ralph transpire melody and rage in the best Gothenburg-inspired style, connecting with Amaranth, where Martijn dictates the song’s rhythm with his classic beats, blending the best of bands like Dark Tranquillity, Insomnium and The Halo Effect. Grand Denial is another lengthy, intricate and energetic aria by Nephylim, with Tijn’s deep, enraged roars walking hand in hand with their boisterous instrumental pieces; followed by the title-track Circuition, which sounds even more melodic and epic, with the stylish riffs and solos by Kevin an Ralph embellishing the airwaves in great fashion. In Withered we face lyrics that reek of Melodic Death Metal (“Glimpse upon a tainted mind, Entangled by the heart of man / Reaching deeper and beyond, As the void smothers whole”) amidst a high-octane, metallic sonority, before all comes to an end with Inner Paradigm, presenting some welcome elements from other genres like Groove Metal and Djent, in special in the rumbling bass by Rens.

By pushing the boundaries in terms of overall production and quality, music and lyrical compositions, Circuition (which is by the way available in full on YouTube and on Spotify) is undoubtedly the band’s strongest effort to date, and will surely elevate the band to new heights in the world of heavy music. You can get to know more about those Dutch metallers on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and obviously support such a talented band by purchasing Circuition from BandCamp or Big Cartel, or by clicking HERE. Nephylim are surely one of the torchbearers of the Melodic Death Metal movement in their homeland, and it’s armed with albums like Circuition that they’re going places, ready to conquer new territories while blasting their undisputed music to metalheads worldwide.

Best moments of the album: Amaranth, Circuition and Withered.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Travail Pt. I – Anima 2:24
2. Travail Pt. II – Animus 6:13
3. Amaranth 5:31
4. Grand Denial 6:22
5. Circuition 5:19
6. Withered 6:18
7. Inner Paradigm 6:08

Band members
Tijn Bosters – lead vocals
Kevin van Geffen – guitars, clean & backing vocals
Ralph Lentink – guitars
Rens van de Ven – bass
Martijn Paauwe – drums

Guest musicians
Kevin van Geffen & Yannick Maris – orchestrations

Album Review – March Of Scylla / Andromeda (2025)

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Behold the debut full-length opus by this excellent French Post-Metal act, delving into the vastness of space and humanity’s intricate relationship with science, the cosmos, and the afterlife.

A dark Progressive and Post-Metal project that explores through ancient myths all the afflictions that humanity encounters, Amiens, France-based March Of Scylla are unleashing upon us their debut full-length album, entitled Andromeda, the follow-up to their previous EPs Archives and Dark Myth. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Francis Caste at the renowned Studio Sainte-Marthe, the newborn spawn by vocalist Florian Vasseur, guitarist Christofer Fraisier, bassist Robert Desbiendras and drummer Gilles Masson delves into the vastness of space and humanity’s intricate relationship with science, the cosmos, and the afterlife, being highly recommended for admirers of the music by Gojira, Tesseract, Sleep Token, and Architects.

Elements from Djent are intertwined with the band’s core Progressive Metal sounds in Ulysses’ Lies, led by the classic drums by Gilles, whereas futuristic sounds permeate the air in the hammering Death Experience, with the metallic bass by Robert hitting us hard mercilessly while Florian declaims the song’s lyrics in great fashion. They keep blasting a wild fusion of Progressive and Post-Metal with Djent and Groove Metal in The Royal Way, perfect for some vigorous headbanging, followed by To Cassiopeia, an atmospheric, eerie and lengthy interlude that sets the tone for Dark Matter, where Florian growls and screams with tons of anguish while also firing delicate yet piercing clean vocals.

The band continues to blast our ears with their melodic and heavy hitting music in Storm Dancer, with Robert’s bass and Gilles’ beats making our heads tremble, instantly merging with BlaAst, bringing forward over six minutes of atmospheric and groovy passages, with the heaviness flowing from all instruments supporting Florian’s powerful vocals. Gilles puts the pedal to the metal and hammers his drums nonstop in Achilles’ Choice, an overdose of Progressive Post-Metal with the bass by Robert sounding utterly metallic; and Florian bursts his lungs screaming in the beyond melodic Myrrha, accompanied by the scorching riffs by Christopher in a lesson in Post-Metal. And last but not least, March of Scylla will smash us all with their Post-Metal onrush in Cosmogony, again showcasing all their energy, versatility and heaviness.

Themes of existential anxiety, social injustice, and deep emotional struggles intertwine with personal storytelling, universal mythology, and historical context throughout the entire album, offering a powerful and thought-provoking musical journey that’s definitely worth a good and detailed listen, and you can show your support to the band by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on YouTube, Spotify or any other streaming service, and above all that, by purchasing Andromeda from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. After all is said and done, there’s a clear evolution in the music by March Of Scylla in Andromeda compared to their previous efforts, paving a bright future ahead of them while they keep delivering sheer sonic awesomeness in the near future, both with other striking albums like their debut one and with their undisputed focus, hardwork and passion for heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Death Experience, BlaAst and Myrrha.

Worst moments of the album: To Cassiopeia.

Released in 2025 Klonosphere Records/Season of Mist

Track listing
1. Ulysses’ Lies 5:00
2. Death Experience 6:44
3. The Royal Way 4:48
4. To Cassiopeia 2:45
5. Dark Matter 4:17
6. Storm Dancer 4:51
7. BlaAst 6:19
8. Achilles’ Choice 4:49
9. Myrrha 4:20
10. Cosmogony 6:07

Band members
Florian Vasseur – vocals
Christofer Fraisier – guitars
Robert Desbiendras – bass
Gilles Masson – 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

Concert Review – Decapitated (The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON, 02/13/2025)

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It doesn’t matter how much snow there is in Toronto, the metalheads in the city will always be there for a night of sheer violence with bands like Decapitated and Incantation.

OPENING ACTS: Exmortus, Darkest Hour and Incantation

After the massive snow storm that hit the city of Toronto and most of the province on Ontario from Wednesday night until Thursday morning, bringing an endless amount of snow to the streets and, therefore, turning any commute into a true nightmare, I thought all roads would be clear Thursday evening when Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I headed to The Phoenix Concert Theatre for a night of sheer brutality offered by EXMORTUS, DARKEST HOUR, INCANTATION and DECAPITATED during their Nihility Across North America Tour 2025, another killer event brought to the city by Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. Unfortunately, my predictions about the roads being clear of snow were wrong (although I was right about traffic being light that evening due to people staying home instead of going to work that day), and Toronto was still a huge freakin’ mess when I got to the show, but in the end no one seemed to care about the gargantuan snow banks blocking every single sidewalk and some streets, as the crowd at the venue was really good for a night when the best thing to do was staying home.

Less than half an hour after the doors opened, Whittier, California’s own Technical Thrash/Death Metal beast EXMORTUS kicked off the festivities with a frantic, very technical and absolutely fun performance, igniting some of the coolest and wildest circle pits of the entire night. Spearheaded by the talented vocalist and guitarist Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez, the band played a short but powerful set including songs form their latest opus Necrophony, available by the way on Spotify, and the reaction form the fans already at the venue was superb. Those guys are simply amazing live, playing all songs to perfection, and I guess it won’t take long for Torontonians to see them again in the city, and hopefully next time they’ll be the headliners and play a full set for our total delight.

Setlist
Oathbreaker
Feast of Flesh
Storm of Strings
Warrior of the Night
Let Us Roam
Metal Is King

Band members
Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez – vocals, guitars
Chase Becker – guitars
Brice Snyder – bass
Adrian Aguilar – drums

After a very short break, Washington, D.C.-based Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore act DARKEST HOUR hit the sage at the Phoenix Concert Theatre for a very energetic show, thanks in part to the breathtaking performances by guitarists Mike Schleibaum and Nico Santora, who didn’t stop shredding their axes, headbanging, running and jumping around the stage, not even for a single second. Currently promoting their 2024 album Perpetual | Terminal, available on both BandCamp and on Spotify, the quintet was eager to get more action from the crowd, which seemed a bit tired most probably due to an entire day of shoveling and braving snow banks across the city. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get some sick mosh pits during their show, and of course every single time frontman John Henry asked people to move inside the pit, he was promptly answered with some nice action by the crowd.

Setlist
Societal Bile
The Sadist Nation
Stand and Receive Your Judgment
The Flesh & The Flowers of Death
Rapture in Exile
Doomsayer (The Beginning of the End)
Tranquil
Amor Fati
Convalescence
With a Thousand Words to Say but One
Goddess of War, Give Me Something to Die For

Band members
John Henry – vocals
Mike Schleibaum – guitars
Nico Santora – guitars
Aaron Deal – bass
Travis Orbin – drums

I guess fans were also saving some energy for the ruthless performance by Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s own Death Metal veterans INCANTATION, who after a considerable delay started playing their 1994 cult album Mortal Throne Of Nazarene in full, just like in all other stops from their current tour. And let me tell you, the live rendition of such a classic album of Death Metal with Doom Metal influences sounded utterly evil, heavy and demented onstage, with the bass by Chuck Sherwood making our heads tremble during their entire show. The iconic John McEntee sounded as infernal as usual on vocals, inspiring us all for some brutal headbanging and, therefore, reminding us all why Incantation have been a staple of the extreme music scene worldwide for so many decades. It was just my second time seeing those guys live, and hopefully not the last one, as I’m sure Incantation love Toronto as much as we love their music.

Setlist
Mortal Throne of Nazarene
Demonic Incarnate
Emaciated Holy Figure
Iconoclasm of Catholicism
Essence Ablaze
Nocturnal Dominium
The Ibex Moon
Blissful Bloodshower
Abolishment of Immaculate Serenity

Band members
John McEntee – vocals, guitars
Luke Shively – guitars
Chuck Sherwood – bass
Kyle Severn – drums

DECAPITATED

Last but not least, it was time to turn up the volume to 11 with the infuriated performance by the main band of the night, Poland’s unrelenting Technical Death/Groove Metal horde DECAPITATED, and when I say it was loud, it’s because it was LOUD. Performing their 2002 classic album Nihility in full, plus a few other songs as part of the encore, the band now fronted by vocalist Eemeli Bodde (who by the way contributed vocals for the track “Flooding Secrations”, performed by a fictional band called Impaled Rektum from the 2018 Finnish movie Heavy Trip), Decapitated crushed our damn minds, souls and bodies with endless heaviness and violence, inspiring all mosh pit lovers to have a very good time inside the hurricane formed in the middle of the floor section. My only complaint is that the show started late, after 10pm, and some fans had to leave before the end because they had to take public transportation home, or simply because they were absolutely tired. As I said, the snow storm drained a lot of our energy during the day, but of course there’s always some left when the band in question is as infernal and vibrant as Decapitated.

Setlist
Nihility
Perfect Dehumanisation (The Answer?)
Eternity Too Short
Mother War
Nihility (Anti-Human Manifesto)
Names
Spheres of Madness
Babylon’s Pride
Symmetry of Zero
Suffer the Children (Napalm Death cover)

Encore:
From the Nothingness With Love
Cancer Culture
Kill the Cult
Hello Death
Iconoclast

Band members
Eemeli Bodde – vocals
Wacław Vogg Kiełtyka – guitars
Paweł Pavlo Pasek – bass
James Stewart – drums

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Album Review – Jinjer / Duél (2025)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worst moments of the album: Someone’s Daughter.

Released in 2025 Napalm Records

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

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

The Year In Review – Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2024

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“Fans still compare me to Bruce Dickinson. I have people coming up to me and saying, Don’t you know that could’ve been you? And I tell them, That was me! I just didn’t want it..” – Paul Di’Anno

It’s hard to put into words the loss of our beloved Paul Andrews (17 May 1958 – 21 October 2024), better known by his stage name Paul Di’Anno, one of the most iconic musicians in the history of heavy music, helping Iron Maiden be what they’re today by giving that edgier vibe to the albums Iron Maiden and Killers, therefore influencing all future generations of musicians not only in Heavy Metal, but also in Punk Rock and Rock N’ Roll. He was a legend and will be sorely missed by anyone who loves good music. There’s not much we can do at The Headbanging Moose to honor his life and work, but we’ll keep celebrating heavy music in his name for as long as we can. I wish he could have played one final show in Toronto so Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I could have registered such a unique moment in the city, but unfortunately time is not always in our favor. Anyway, it might be a very sad year to the metal community worldwide with an irreplaceable loss like that, but heavy music lives on, and that’s why here we have once again The Headbanging Moose’s Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2024, excluding EP’s, best of’s and live albums, to keep the spirit alive and keep raising our horns to countless metal musicians like our great Paul Di’Anno.

1. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield (REVIEW)
Nothing can stand in the way of the Metal Gods as they raise the invincible shield of Heavy Metal.
Best song of the album: The Serpent and the King

2. Werewolves – Die For Us (REVIEW)
Australia’s most savage beast is back with their fifth studio opus, a lecture in Death Metal perfect for beating anyone back to life.
Best song of the album: Spittle-Flecked Rant

3. Aborted – Vault of Horrors (REVIEW)
These Death Metal and Deathcore beasts open their demonic vault of horrors to bring brutality, gore and evil to our damned souls.
Best song of the album: Death Cult

4. Necrowretch – Swords of Dajjal (REVIEW)
This French Blackened Death Metal horde returns blacker than ever with a magnificent opus dedicated to the Islamic Antichrist.
Best song of the album: Vae Victis

5. Gaerea – Coma (REVIEW)
The torchbearers of present-day Black Metal arise again, erupting with intensity, casting forth black ashes over the world.
Best song of the album: Coma

6. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere (REVIEW)
Blood Incantation offer us all two sensational compositions that are as confounding as they are engaging in their scope.
Best song of the album: The Stargate [Tablet I]

7. Benighted – Ekbom (REVIEW)
Let’s dive into the auditory abyss with this Brutal Death Metal and Grindcore entity armed with their newborn beast.
Best song of the album: Fame of the Grotesque

8. Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera (REVIEW)
One of the torchbearers of Symphonic Death Metal worldwide returns with their strongest opus to date.
Best song of the album: I Can Never Die

9. Arhat – Secrets of Ancient Gods (REVIEW)
The newborn spawn by this Ukrainian horde will take you on a journey into the world of ancient gods and mysterious rituals.
Best song of the album: Abyss of Flame

10. Grand Magus – Sunraven (REVIEW)
Sweden’s own Heavy and Doom Metal institution is back with a new collection of battle hymns inspired by the tale of Beowulf and Grendel.
Best song of the album: Skybound

And here we have the runner-ups, completing the top 20 for the year:

11. Ecclesia – Ecclesia Militans (REVIEW)
12. The Last of Lucy – Godform (REVIEW)
13. Rotting Christ – Προ Χριστού (Pro Xristou) (REVIEW)
14. Rage – Afterlifelines (REVIEW)
15. Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams (REVIEW)
16. Blaze Bayley – Circle of Stone (REVIEW)
17. Striker – Ultrapower (REVIEW)
18. Kerry King – From Hell I Rise (REVIEW)
19. Accept – Humanoid (REVIEW)
20. Hiraes – Dormant (REVIEW)

In addition, as I always like to say, sometimes a band doesn’t need to release a full album to kick some ass, and that’s why we also have our Top 10 EP’s of 2024 to show that sometimes less is more, or maybe I should say, less is heavier!

1. Rifftera – Coda (REVIEW)
2. Trollwar – Tales from the Frozen Wastes (REVIEW)
3. Atavistia – Inane Ducam (REVIEW)
4. Ways. – Are We Still Alive? (REVIEW)
5. Enforced – A Leap Into The Dark (REVIEW)
6. Gutvoid – Breathing Obelisk (REVIEW)
7. Onslaught Kommand – Visions of Blood and Gore (REVIEW)
8. Golgothan Remains – Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death (REVIEW)
9. Infernalivm – Conquering the Most High (REVIEW)
10. Dragoncorpse – Fall of House Abbarath (REVIEW)

Do you agree with our list? What are your top 10 albums of 2024? Also, don’t forget to tune in every Tuesday at 10pm BRT on Rádio Coringão to enjoy the best of classic and underground metal with Jorge Diaz and his Timão Metal, and every Thursday at 8pm UTC+2 on Midnight Madness Metal e-Radio for the best of underground metal with The Headbanging Moose Show!

Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year! See you in 2025!

In the end, there’s no Christmas-inspired song this year, nor anything festive like that, but I’ll leave you with the official video for one of the most important songs ever recorded by Iron Maiden, one with a strong punk and thrash vibe, with the one and only Paul Di’Anno on vocals. Let’s raise our horns to him forever and ever, my fellow metalheads! RIP legend!