The newly reinvigorated Italian pioneers of Atmospheric and Progressive Gothic, Doom and Death Metal return with their most elaborately adorned and sonically refined opus to date.
Coinciding with 35 years since the band’s original inception under the Catacomb moniker, and after an extended period of inactivity following the release of their 2016 acclaimed album Ursa, the newly reinvigorated Italian pioneers of Atmospheric and Progressive Gothic/Doom/Death Metal known as Novembre return with their most elaborately adorned and sonically refined opus to date in the shape of their ninth studio album, titled Words of Indigo. Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath) at Unisound, and displaying a classy artwork by Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia) of Seempieces Design Studio, the new album by vocalist Carmelo Orlando, guitarists Alessio Erriu and Federico Albanese, and drummer Yuri Croscenko, with the support of session bassist Fabio Fraschini, will embrace you in a melancholic yet warm darkness, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Sacturnus, Novembers Doom, Shores of Null, Les Discrets, Woods of Ypres, My Dying Bride, and Draconian.
After a whimsical intro the band comes crushing our souls with their share of melancholy and doom in Sun Magenta, spearheaded by the crisp, piercing guitars by Alession and Federico, whereas Statua showcases an even more pensive, darker side of the band, with the clean and harsh vocals by Carmelo sounding amazing from start to finish. The band continues to distill their fusion of Progressive and Doom Metal in Neptunian Hearts, sounding heavy while also bringing tons of melody to our avid ears; whereas Ann-Mari Edvardsen (of The 3rd and the Mortal) makes a stylish vocal duet with Carmelo with her stunning voice in House of Rain, adding even more darkness to their core sound and, therefore, resulting in a beautiful ballad of extreme music, followed by Brontide, keeping the ambience dense, grim and hypnotic thanks to another classy performance by all band members, with Yuri dictating the pace with his doomed beats and fills.
Then after the theatrical interlude simply titled Intervallo we face another blast of their Progressive Doom Metal in the form of Your Holocene, an enfolding, thrilling tune where Carmelo’s deep, nocturnal vocals sound even more powerful, supported by the always incendiary riffs by both Alessio and Federico. Chiesa dell’alba brings forward more of their mix of Paradise Lost-infused doom and the progressiveness of bands like Dream Theater and Allegaeon, again presenting the intricate and fierce drumming by Yuri, followed by Ipernotte, one of the most detailed, multi-layered and vibrant of all songs, where the guitar job by Alessio and Federico is beautifully complemented by the thunderous bass by Fabio Fraschini. And last but not least, the band will darken the skies and consume our minds with Post Poetic, where Carmelo yet again melts our faces alternating between clean, ethereal vocals and the madness of his harsh gnarls, flowing into the climatic outro Onde, putting a pensive, somber ending to the album.
An exquisite and finely-textured display of creative prowess exploring themes of danger and innocence, fear and nostalgia, the latest journey by Novembre takes the listener through the torrents of raging Death Metal and sweeping, uplifting passages of serene poignancy, all woven together as finely crafted and layered melodic epics. You can put your hands on Words of Indigo via BandCamp or by clicking HERE, and don’t forget to also start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tours dates and more of their music, and to stream the embracing sounds from all of their albums on Spotify. November is undoubtedly a month that transpires doom, and the music offered by Novembre in Words of Indigo will surely work as the perfect soundtrack for your gloomiest, darkest days of such a Stygian month.
Best moments of the album:Statua, Your Holocene and Post Poetic.
Worst moments of the album:Brontide.
Released in 2025 Peaceville Records
Track listing 1. Sun Magenta 7:23
2. Statua 6:05
3. Neptunian Hearts 6:11
4. House of Rain 7:33
5. Brontide 6:21
6. Intervallo 1:14
7. Your Holocene 5:29
8. Chiesa dell’alba 7:26
9. Ipernotte 6:52
10. Post Poetic 6:27
11. Onde 2:29
Band members Carmelo Orlando – vocals
Alessio Erriu – guitars
Federico Albanese – guitars
Yuri Croscenko – drums
Guest musician
Fabio Fraschini – bass (session)
Ann-Mari Edvardsen – vocals on “House of Rain”
This Italian and Serbian entity is unleashing upon us their debut opus, offering eight tracks of evocative, hypnotic doom, where the raw power of guitars merges with the spiritual depth of Indian classical music.
Formed in 2024 by the talented and seasoned musicians Elisa De Munari (Elli De Mon) on vocals, harmonium, sitar and dilruba, Marco Degli Esposti (The Great Northern X) on the guitar and drones, Enrico Baraldi (Collars, Ornaments) on bass, and Vladimir Marikoski (The Black Heart Procession, NBG) on drums and percussions, Italy/Serbia-based Hindustan/Psych Doom Metal/Rock entity Litania is unleashing upon us their debut self-titled opus, offering eight tracks of evocative, hypnotic doom, where the raw power of guitars merges with the spiritual depth of Indian classical music. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Marco Degli Esposti and Enrico Baraldi at Happenstance Recording Studio and at Vacuum Studio, the album presents dark and intense songs interspersed with instrumental passages featuring sitar, dilruba, harmonium, and tanpura. The vocals, deep and ritualistic, draw inspiration from ancient Indian Ragas, evoking a sonic journey suspended between abyss and transcendence.
Their fusion of Hindustan sounds and the absolute heaviness of doom will smash you like an insect in Manasi Devi, the “Goddesses of Snakes” or “Serpentine Goddess”, with the vocals by Elisa bringing a welcome (and hypnotizing) touch of finesse to their music. Then investing in a more Psych Rock-oriented sonority we have Ghunghru (a musical anklet made of small metallic bells strung together, tied around the ankles of classical Indian dancers), with Enrico simply hammering his bass in great fashion, followed by Veil of Illusion, which according to the band is a chant of devotion and fire, honoring Shankara, the sage who dissolved illusion, a powerful prayer to the Lord of the Mountain’s Daughter, where silence and sound merge into oneness. Musically speaking, it offers us a perfect fusion of Doom Metal and ritualistic passages; whereas Marco and Enrico are on absolute fire with their axes in Vighnaharta (a Sanskrit term meaning “remover of obstacles” or “destroyer of impediments”), a song tailored for some good old headbanging.
Jamuniya, the Hindi name for the Amethyst gemstone, continues to pave their path of adoration for heavy, doomed sounds and the mesmerizing sounds of Hinduism, where Elisa is once again amazing on vocals while Vladimir delivers those sluggish beats we love in Doom Metal. After that, Marco’s riffage will pierce your skull in Bound, supported by the rumbling bass by Enrico and the pounding drums by Vladimir in another slab of mysterious and uncanny doom. In Shankara, a Sanskrit word meaning “beneficent,” “giver of bliss,” or “one who does good,” and also a name for the Hindu god Lord Shiva, the intro will already embrace you and drag you to the whimsical realm ruled by Litania, all of course boosted yet again by Elisa’s delicate yet visceral vocalizations, before we face Fading Light, which takes a bit too long to properly kick off, but when it does, it’s as heavy and vibrant as its predecessors.
After all is said and done, it’s impossible not to feel absolutely hypnotized by the unique and enfolding music crafted by Elisa, Marco, Enrico and Vladimir in their debut offering, showcasing Litania’s power and paving a very promising path ahead of them. Furthermore, if you want to know more about such an amazing up-and-coming band hailing from Europe, but with strong ties to the Indian culture, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates (and I would simply love to see them live one day), and of course purchase a copy of their breathtaking debut from the Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ BandCamp or webstore, where you can find some beautiful versions of the album for your private collection, or simply click HERE for all things Litania. This is one of those bands that are not just making good heavy music, but infusing it with other sounds form out of the rock and metal specter, and I’m sure once you get a first taste of their unique music, you’ll get addicted to it and your soul will be transported to their ethereal realm for all eternity.
Best moments of the album:Manasi Devi, Veil of Illusion and Shankara.
Band members Elisa De Munari – vocals, harmonium, sitar, dilruba
Marco Degli Esposti – guitar, drones
Enrico Baraldi – bass
Vladimir Marikoski – drums, percussions
This Italian Doom Metal trio will attack armed with their third studio album, spinning tales of arcane fantasy and mortal frailty into riffs that crush and melodies that linger like a curse.
Having carved a niche in the underground since their inception in 2021 with a sound that’s both a homage to the old gods and a fresh hell of its own, slow-burning, groove-heavy, and laced with Stoner Metal venom, Pesaro, Italy-based Doom Metal trio Warcoe returns to action with their third album, titled Upon Tall Thrones, the follow-up to their 2023 opus A Place for Demons. Recorded at Avangarage Recording Studio, and mastered by Craig Thomas, Upon Tall Thrones sees vocalist and guitarist Stefano, bassist Carlo, and drummer Francesco ascend darker, heavier, and more hypnotic as they spin tales of arcane fantasy and mortal frailty into riffs that crush and melodies that linger like a curse.
The opening track Octagon exhales of the trademark and absolutely heavy sound created and perfected by Black Sabbath, from the doomed, grim vocals and riffs by Stefano to the sluggish beats by Francesco, and the final result is obviously hypnotizing, kicking off the album on a high and amazing note. Their devilish Sludge and Doom Metal sounds keep permeating the air in The Wanderer, with Carlo’s low-tuned, rumbling bass walking hand in hand with Francesco’s hammering drums; whereas adding a pinch of Rock N’ Roll to their core sonority we have I’ve Sat Upon Tall Thrones (but I’ll Never Learn), with Stefano slashing his axe in great fashion, resulting in a great option for raising our horns high in the sky in the name of our gold old heavy music.
Then after the soothing instrumental interlude Gather in the Woods we face Flame in Your Hand, another heavy-as-hell Doom Metal aria showcasing the power of the riff while Francesco flawlessly dictates the song’s devilish pace. Spheres again blends the obscurity of Doom Metal with the heavy yet melodic sounds of Sludge and Stoner Rock and Metal, followed by Deepest Grave, and a song with such a Stygian name deserved sheer heaviness, which is exactly what the trio offers, with the cryptic vocals by Stefano sounding spot-on. The ruthless bass by Carlo will punch you in the head in Brown Witch, accompanied by the Black Sabbath-fueled riffs and beats by his bandmates in a lecture in Doom Metal, while lastly it’s time for Dark into Light, with its main riff reminding me a lot of “Heaven & Hell” (which is obviously a good thing), and with the pounding beats by Francesco ending the album on a high note.
Dragging classic doom into the abyss and back with Sabbathian weight, Saint Vitus’ raw gloom, and the swagger of Trouble’s golden-era riffage, Upon Tall Thrones might be the band’s strongest effort to date, and if you want to know more about those bringers of Italian doom you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their riff-laden compositions on Spotify, and grab a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp or from Ripple Music’s BandCamp or webstore. Warcoe definitely know how to craft heavy music filled with doom, gloom, might, and magic, and Upon Tall Thrones will undoubtedly take them places in their exciting mission of bringing sheer doom to our decaying world.
Best moments of the album: Octagon, Flame in Your Hand and Brown Witch.
Worst moments of the album:Spheres.
Released in 2025 Ripple Music
Track listing 1. Octagon 3:39
2. The Wanderer 3:45
3. I’ve Sat Upon Tall Thrones (but I’ll Never Learn) 4:09
4. Gather in the Woods 2:14
5. Flame in Your Hand 4:24
6. Spheres 4:23
7. Deepest Grave 5:00
8. Brown Witch 4:31
9. Dark into Light 5:40
Band members Stefano – vocals, guitars, bass on “The Wanderer”
Carlo – bass
Francesco – drums
The new EP by this up-and-coming Italian band captures the essence of classic Power Metal while pushing their sound into exciting new territories.
Further cementing the band’s place among the most promising names in the new wave of European Power Metal, Stormrageis the brand new EP by Italian Symphonic/Melodic Power Metal warriors Alterium, a powerful chapter that bridges their acclaimed 2024 debut Of War And Flames and their upcoming full-length album. Formed of Nicoletta Rosellini on vocals, Paolo Campitelli on the guitars and keyboards, Alessandro Mammola also on the guitars, Luca Scalabrin on bass, and Dario Gozzi on drums, the band continues their tradition of blending agile riffs, epic atmospheres, and battle-hardened energy in Stormrage, capturing the essence of classic Power Metal while pushing the band’s sound into exciting new territories.
The whimsical, epic keys by Paolo will embellish the airwaves and invite you on a symphonic journey in the title-track Stormrage, accompanied by the classic drumming by Dario and the melodic and powerful vocals by Nicoletta; whereas Sui starts in a more melodic manner, sounding almost like a Folk Metal ballad, before Paolo and Alessandro strike us all with their scorching Heavy Metal riffs in a very detailed, imposing and electrifying feast of Symphonic and Melodic Power Metal. The CD version of the EP comes with two amazing bonus, the first one being their cover version for the classic by Symphony X titled Paradise Lost (check the original version from their 2007 album Paradise Lost), and Alterium’s version is just as magical and enfolding, with Nicoletta’s powerful vocal lines being flawlessly supported by Paolo’s keys and the low-tuned, groovy kitchen crafted by Luca and Dario. And closing the CD version of the EP we have the orchestral version of Of War and Flames, a cinematic rendition of the original version from their own 2024 album Of War and Flames, where all orchestrations walk hand in hand with Nicoletta’s epic, soaring vocals.
In summary, this new chapter sees the band sharpen their songwriting and deliver a fresh burst of adrenaline that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate, reaffirming their mission to carry the torch of European metal with pride and power. Hence, you can get in touch with those Italian metallers via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase their new EP from Big Cartel. As aforementioned, Stormrage works as a bridge between their 2024 album and their future endeavor, and based on the high energy and quality of the music found in their new EP, we can rest assured the future looks extremely promising for such an amazing up-and-coming band.
Best moments of the album:Sui and Paradise Lost.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2025 Independent
Track listing 1. Stormrage 4:16
2. Sui 5:27
CD Version bonus tracks
3. Paradise Lost (Symphony X cover) 6:45
4. Of War and Flames (Orchestral version) 3:40
Band members Nicoletta Rosellini – vocals
Paolo Campitelli – guitars, keyboards
Alessandro Mammola – guitars
Luca Scalabrin – bass
Dario Gozzi – drums
Demons from the war now lives… Rain down explosions upon us… Terror in the air!
As we’re heading to the end of another hot and humid summer, let’s keep the temperatures as warm as possible with our metal lady of this month of September, and you better be prepared as she will breathe fire into your damned soul with her scorching guttural. She’s the unrelenting frontwoman for an amazing Italian Technical Death Metal band named Mechanical God Creation, and since mid-2024 she has also become a vocalist for a ruthless Italian Black Metal band named Stormcrow. As you can see, she takes no prisoners in her quest for extreme music, and I’m sure you’ll have an absolute blast listening to the amazing music crafted by her bands. Her name is Luciana Catananti, a talented she-wolf that will kick your ass mercilessly, keeping the fires of Death and Black Metal burning brighter than a thousand suns in her beautiful homeland.
Born on May 2, 1985 in Bergamo, an Italian city northeast of Milan, in the Lombardy region, Luciana was part of a band named Art of Mutilation when she lived in the UK, and also a member of a band called The Anger back then, but there isn’t much information about The Anger anywhere. Well, at least we know that Art of Mutilation was a Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band based in Birkenhead, England in its early days, then moving to Wrexham, Wales, and the band lasted between 2002 and 2011 before splitting up. Luciana was only part of the band in the year of 2005, having recorded with them the demo Mortality that same year. The demo had only three songs, those being Eviscerated, Blackened Sculpture, and Cabal, and as you can see by the only two songs available on YouTube, Luciana and the boys were a really promising band (which unfortunately is no more), and her vocals were already ruthless.
It was then in 2006 in the charming Italian city of Milan when Luciana founded Mechanical God Creation alongside guitarist Simo, and quickly adding bassist Andrea “Veon” Marini, guitarist Andrea “Runza” Galdi, and drummer Mattia Jay “Jambra” Giambini to their lineup; however, as all four already left the band after a few years, she remains as the only member of the original lineup. Their music also morphed from Melodic Death Metal the likes of Arch Enemy in their early days, hence the name of the band (taken from their 2005 masterpiece Doomsday Machine), to a more visceral, brutal and infernal form of Technical Death Metal, even adding hints of modern-day Death Metal and Progressive Death Metal to their core sound, as you can se in the evolution of their music from their 2007 demo …and the Battle Becomes War, to their 2010 debut Cell XIII, followed by their 2013 sophomore Artifact of Annihilation, and finally their 2019 album The New Chapter, all available for streaming in most streaming services like BandCamp, YouTube and Spotify, except for their demo, and you can also enjoy a lot of official videos like Terror In The Air and I Am The Godless Man, and lots of cool live footage including Walking Dead live in Russia in 2014, on their official YouTube channel.
Although Mechanical God Creation haven’t released any new material since 2019, we can also enjoy our dauntless growler as the new frontwoman for an Italian Black Metal band named Stormcrow since July 2024, under the moniker Vexa (maybe taken from a half-troll from Dungeons & Dragons, who knows). Playing what they like to label as “Alpine Black Metal”, the band currently formed of our beloved Luciana, or if you prefer, Vexa on vocals alongside Vastis also on vocals, Astaroth and Tohrus on the guitars, Zedar on bass, and Wraith on drums has been making a name for themselves since 1997, having already released the demo Hell on Earth (2000), the EP Wounded Skies (2004), and the full-length albums Disposition to Tyranny (2012), Face the Giant (2019), and more recently Path to Ascension (2024), all available on BandCamp and on Spotify. Furthermore, although Luciana has only been playing live with the band for now, with no participation in any of the band’s albums, not only you should still listen to all of their discography as their music is awesome, but it will also give you a very good taste of what Luciana has to offer when hitting the stages together with her new horde (and stay tuned as their 2026 European dates are coming soon).
Apart from Mechanical God Creation, Stormcrow, The Anger, and Art of Mutilation, you can also find Luciana as a guest vocalist for the song Urban Massacre, from the 2019 album 1996, by an Italian Death Metal/Grindcore band named Abbinormal. It’s a one-minute song, which might be very short for us metalheads eager for more of Luciana’s vocals, but enough already to show how violent she can sound. She has also recently contributed with her powerful vocals to a track titled Portals, on the new album by legendary Dutch Death Metal band Pestilence that should see the light of day sometime still in 2025 (or maybe only in 2026). In addition, you can also find on YouTube a cover version for Lamb of God’s Walk With Me In Hell by Luciana alongside Italian guitarist and bassist Francesca Mancini, of bands like Chaos Rising, Necrosy, and Sudden Death, and let me tell you that such an incredible female duo kicked some serious ass with their rendition of one of the best songs by Randy Blythe and his crew.
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Highly influenced by bands the likes of Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse and Deicide, just to name a few, Luciana enjoys writing caustic, harsh lyrics that reflect the daily reality and the problems we all face in the time we’re living that is so full of very important and sudden changes from the cultural, political and technological point of view. Moreover, apart from heavy music, Luciana also enjoys listening to bands and artists like David Bowie, Adele, Coldplay, and Amy Winehouse, showing her eclectic music taste, and when asked which was her first ever live concert and the very first album she bought, she mentioned the always controversial Marilyn Manson (saying it was a great show and that he is a good frontman, but also pointing out she doesn’t listen to him anymore), and probably a Metallica album as far as she remembers.
Having already played at some of the biggest festivals in Europe with heavy music giants including Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Megadeth, Graveworm, Meshuggah, and Amon Amarth, just to name a few, Luciana also mentioned in one of her interviews that she really enjoys a festival in Slovenia named Metalcamp, saying that although it’s not as big as Wacken Open Air, it’s a very nice festival in the midst of nature. I really wish both Mechanical God Creation and Stormcrow would cross the pond and come play a few shows in Canada and in the United States, but I understand it’s not easy nowadays to tour the world due to the high touring costs. Well, maybe I can catch them at an European festival next year, right?
Despite being a proud Italian, while at the same time of course having her own constructive feedback about the current political and social landscapes in her homeland, Luciana is not very involved with the Italian underground scene. She mentioned in one of her interviews that she obviously knows bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse are proudly carrying the Italian flag everywhere they go, and she feels very happy for them despite not being a true fan of their music.
Currently working in the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) department of WormHoleDeath and Epictronic, Luciana mentioned in an interview that one of her biggest mistakes in music was having stopped to play the piano after years playing it, as it certainly helped her to feel calm. However, if you think she enjoys movies that would also make her calm down and relax, you’ve got another thing coming as her favorite flicks are horror movies with zombies or exorcisms, with her favorite one being the classic Dawn of the Dead. Maybe one day we’ll see Luciana joining the cast of a horror movie, playing some sort of she-demon, screaming at our faces, and sending shivers down the spines of the lighthearted. Because she’s a true extreme music diva, and she will show no mercy for your soul armed with her phenomenal vocals and badass attitude.
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
These four-piece melodeath outfit from Italy is back with their sophomore album, a conceptual journey into the depths of the human psyche, exploring difficult yet universal emotions such as loneliness, self-doubt, and alienation.
Combining heavy and melodic Death Metal foundations with modern textures and acidic synths, Bergamo, Italy-based all-female Gothic/Melodic Death Metal outfit Hellfox is unleashing their sophomore opus, beautifully entitled The Spectrum of Human Gravity, following up on their 2022 debut The Call. Recorded by Alessio Lucatti at Eden Studio, mixed and Mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, and showcasing a very stylish cover art by Eva Marabotti, the new album by Greta Hammonia Antico on vocals, Gloria Naflekt Kaps on the guitars, Priscilla Poe Foresti on bass and vocals, and Federica Fedi Piscopo on drums is a conceptual journey into the depths of the human psyche, exploring difficult yet universal emotions such as loneliness, self-doubt, and alienation through allegorical storytelling and striking visual metaphors, with each song giving voice to a different “face of the self,” capturing the chaos and coherence that define our inner worlds.
Acoustic, serene guitar lines permeate the air in Nautilus before we’re treated to the epic feast titled Seaweed Braids, where their clash of harsh growls and clean vocals works well amidst a Doom Metal-infused sonority; and the metallic bass by Priscilla ignites the also melodic Empty, gradually joined by the pounding drums by Federica and the sharp guitars by Gloria, presenting a good dosage of Alternative Metal added to its core. Water On The Ceiling also presents a spot-on fusion of Gothic and Melodic Metal led by the classic beats by Federica while Priscilla keeps roaring like a she-demon in contrast with the angelic vocals by Greta, whereas Greta keeps embellishing the airwaves with her charming vocals in Pareidolia while Gloria extracts sheer heaviness from her dark riffage.
Then what seems to be a heavy ballad quickly explodes into a feast of Melodic and Alternative Metal titled Atlas, offering more of the band’s trademark paradox of darkness and light represented by the respective vocals by Priscilla and Greta, followed by Six Times Lighter, another song with strong and rumbling bass lines by Priscilla, accompanied by the hammering beats by Federica while at the same time sounding gentle and whimsical. A very modern start ignites the absolutely headbanging The Centipede, where the stringed axes by Gloria and Priscilla will make your head tremble, followed by The Warrior, The Child, The Healer, most definitely the song with the coolest or most poetic name, kicking off with the harmonious riffs by Gloria and being quickly joined by the penetrating vocals by Greta. And lastly, the quartet brings forward the embracing Voices, a decent outro with cinematic vocalizations, but that’s it.
In a nutshell, the music found in The Spectrum of Human Gravity thrives on contrast, with their dual melodic and growled female vocals, distorted layers, and atmospheric electronics merging into an emotional and immersive sound, with influences ranging from Amorphis and In Flames to Dark Tranquillity, embracing vulnerability, rage, beauty, and discomfort in equal measure. If you want to experience all that contrast proposed by the girls from Hellfox, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates (currently mainly in Italy, but I’m sure we’ll soon see them spread their wings over other parts of Europe and of the entire world), stream their music on Spotify or on any other streaming service, and of course purchase a copy of their excellent new album from the Rockshots Records webstore. You can also click HERE for all things Hellfox, letting the melodious yet visceral sonic duality from their new album reach deep inside your heart and soul and, consequently, firing them up for more first-class albums in a not-so-distant future.
Best moments of the album:Water On The Ceiling, Atlas and The Warrior, The Child, The Healer.
Worst moments of the album:Voices.
Released in 2025 Rockshots Records
Track listing 1. Nautilus – Seaweed Braids 4:33
2. Empty 3:44
3. Water On The Ceiling 3:50
4. Pareidolia 4:41
5. Atlas 3:53
6. Six Times Lighter 4:13
7. The Centipede 4:19
8. The Warrior, The Child, The Healer 4:34
9. Voices 1:19
Band members Greta Hammonia Antico – clean vocals
Gloria Naflekt Kaps – guitars
Priscilla Poe Foresti – bass, harsh vocals
Federica Fedi Piscopo – drums
This up-and-coming Italian duo will destroy your senses with their blend of Death and Black Metal, offering an inter-spiritual bridge between the heavens and hell itself in their new album.
Formed back in 2018 in the fires of Trieste, the capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy, Black/Death Metal entity Affliction Vector is ready to crush our putrid souls to the sound of their first-ever full-length album, titled Contra Hominem, the follow-up to their 2020 debut EP Death Comes Supreme. Contra Hominem, a Latin phrase that translates to “against the person” or “argument against the man”, displays the full power of Affliction Vector’s potential, being highly recommended for maniacs of more-recent Teitanblood or esteemed labelmates Possession and Venefixion. In addition, despite being “just” a duo, vocalist, guitarist and bassist Ans and new drummer Stefano (Claustrum, Fuoco Fatuo) create a swirling mass of miasmic physicality, patiently doling out dizzying speed and stomping doom alike, where every single second, every single strike of string or drum, every howl from the abyss, is actually felt, so authentic is their execution.
Cryptic, Stygian piano notes drag us to Affliction Vector’s lair in Antiuomo, evolving into a fusion of Death and Doom Metal led by the gnarls from the abyss by Ans, whereas in Lethal we face extremely lethal sounds blasted by Ans and Stefano, with Ans’ Black Metal riffs scathing our minds mercilessly; followed by the cadaverous interlude Cavern’s Murmur, setting the stage for the duo to consume our damned souls once again in Ephemeral Lifeless, another onrush of blackened sounds where the strident guitars by Ans match perfectly with Stefano’s devilish beats. Then after another (not-so-exciting) sinister interlude titled Abyss Rises we have Nero Gorgo, a lecture in chaos and insanity by the duo, with Ans bursting his lungs screaming like a demonic beast nonstop. In Animalis Irae they blast our evil minds with another round of their Black and Death Metal magic, with Ans shredding his guitar in great fashion; whereas lastly it’s time to descend into the abyss with the duo in To Lucifer, bringing forward 6(66) minutes of savage growls, demonic riffs and hammering drums, closing the album on a pure sulfuric note.
After all is said and done, Affliction Vector are offering an inter-spiritual bridge between the heavens and hell itself. And then, after nearly a half-hour, Contra Hominem concludes and that listener is either invigorated or drained, or both. Hence, if you want to experience the spiritual voyage offered by the duo in their brand new album, you can find the band on Facebook and on Instagram with news and more of their music, stream their devilish, caustic creations on Spotify, and grab a copy of the ruthless Contra Hominem from Iron Bonehead’s BandCamp or webstore. The Italian Death and Black Metal scene is always a very interesting and fun one, and of course Affliction Vector live up to the legacy of the genre, sounding as dark, heavy, evil and grim as we learned to love in the underground, all perfectly depicted in their bestial new offering.
Best moments of the album:Lethal, Nero Gorgo and To Lucifer.
Catching the light with every stroke… Bringing to life the soul trapped in stone… Carving your name into eternity!
After witnessing her latest breathtaking live performance in Toronto last month, let’s say that the our metal lady of this month of June on The Headbanging Moose climbed up to the top of the list in terms of priority. She was simply fantastic onstage together with her also amazing band, hypnotizing every single person at the venue with her undeniable talent, incredible voice, and stunning looks. A dramatic soprano better known as the Opera singer of Italian Symphonic Death Metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse, she can sing pretty much any type of music, from Opera to Heavy Metal, from modern rock music to pop, and so on, and whenever she has some free time from music she’s also a PC gamer geek. I’m talking about the beyond talented Veronica Bordacchini, and I’m sure after knowing more about her life and career you’ll definitely get addicted to her beautiful vocals and music.
Born on July 9, 1988 in Todi, a town and “comune” (or municipality) of the province of Perugia, in the region of Umbria in central Italy, Veronica was a fan of games like hide-and-seek and playing cards during her childhood. “I was lucky enough to have been born in a country area, just a few kilometres from the historic centre of my little town, Todi, in the province of Perugia. I grew up in this building with five families. All five families had at least one child my age, so we went to kindergarten, elementary, and middle school together. From the first to the last day of summer vacation always under the house playing hide-and-seek and then cards because I’m old at heart. I was already playing cards when I was 12 years old, it’s wonderful. I still enjoy it. So ‘briscola’ (a typical Italian game cards) with friends of the same age was another game,” she mentioned in one of her interviews.
Speaking about her career with Italian cult metallers Fleshgod Apocalypse, the band had already been active for a few years before she joined them first as a guest musician, and then as a permanent member of the band. Fleshgod Apocalypse were formed back in April 2007 by Francesco Paoli, formerly frontman of the band Hour of Penance, releasing their debut opus Oracles in 2008, and a few years later, more specifically in 2011, it was when Veronica started singing with the band both in the studio as a guest vocalist in a few songs per album, as well as a touring musician, always as a soprano. Her first songs with the band were Temptation and The Egoism, both from their 2011 album Agony, followed by Kingborn, Towards the Sun, Warpledge and Epilogue, from their 2013 album Labyrinth; Cold as Perfection, Paramour (Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden) and Syphilis, from their 2016 album King; and finally doing all soprano vocals in their 2019 album Veleno, still as a guest musician, like in the songs Sugar and Carnivorous Lamb.
It was back in 2020 when Veronica became a permanent member of the band, doing both soprano and clean vocals in a few singles, those being The Day We’ll Be Gone, No, Blue (Turns To Red), and Pendulum, before recording with them in 2024 the superb full-length opus Opera, definitely marking another step forward for the band, incorporating new suggestions into that unique blend they’re renowned for, such as sheer violence, majestic orchestrations, and soaring melodies. Not only that, the cover art portrays Veronica as Music, a superior entity that defeats the social and artistic decay of modern age, and the music found in the album is simply stunning as you can enjoy in songs like Morphine Waltz, I Can Never Die, and Bloodclock. All of their creations with (and without) Veronica are available on Spotify, as well as all of their official videos can be found on YouTube. Currently formed of Francesco Paoli on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and bass, Francesco Ferrini on the piano, string arrangements and orchestral effects, our diva Veronica Bordacchini on operatic and clean vocals, Fabio Bartoletti on lead and rhythm guitars, and Eugene Ryabchenko on drums, Fleshgod Apocalypse are reaching new heights with Opera, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for the band in the world of music.
Veronica is (or was) also the vocalist for a Perugia, Italy-based Symphonic/Gothic Metal band named In Tenebra, which doesn’t have anything released after their 2009 demo Introspection, a 2012 two-song promo, and a 2014 five-song promo including the two tracks from their 2012 promo, one from their debut demo, and two new songs. The songs from Introspection are available on YouTube, which means you can enjoy some pre-Fleshgod Apocalype Veronica in the songs Against Myself, The Promise, and My Perfect Evil, but that’s it. She was also part of a Gothic/Industrial Metal duo named Wisteria over ten years ago under the moniker ValchiReA, alongside multi-instrumentalist Stefano Urbani (aka AtoragoN), not only recording the vocals for their 2010 demo Mechanical Phoenix and their 2014 album Under an 8-Bit Moon, but also taking care of the layout for the 2014 release. You can enjoy some of the coolest songs of their 2014 album on Youtube, those being R’Lyeh (The Call of the Cthulhu), Cenobite (Hellraiser), and their cover version for Eleanor Rigby, by The Beatles.
She can also be found as a guest vocalist in a variety of songs and albums from bands from different styles, those being the song What She Creates, She Will Destroy, from the 2021 EP The Holocene Termination, by Indian Death/Black/Thrash Metal machine Demonstealer; all female vocals in the 2022 album Decade of Silence, by Finnish Symphonic Death/Doom Metal band Depressed Mode; the song The Great Tribulation, from the 2022 EP The Alchemy Project, by Dutch Symphonic Metal masters Epica; the song Tartarus Rising, from the 2025 album Tomb of the Tormentor, by International Symphonic Deathcore act Hate Within; and the song Holographic Webs We Weave, from the 2019 album Lamentations: Of Deceit & Redemption, by Australian Technical Black/Death Metal band In the Burial. Let’s say it was more than obvious that we would see Veronica contributing to countless bands, because you know, her vocals are simply perfect for any type of music.
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In some of her interviews, Veronica discussed her life on the road, not only talking about how demanding touring can be, but also about some of her favorite places to play, as well as the weirdest ones. When asked about the weirdest venue she’s ever played at, her answer was a boat named Petit Bain in Paris. “Because it’s a very small boat, even though it’s a full-fledged venue inside. But when the audience does the wall of death, circle pit, or moshpit, the boat moves, and you’re there saying, ‘Oh my God.’ But on the other side, the 70,000 Tons of Metal was twice the best experience of my life, just because of the concept,” commented Veronica, who also prefer long tours with 30 or more shows in a row than smaller ones. “You come back home after three days, then you have to leave for other 3 days, then again you go home, then you leave again and so on. Usually you feel good when you have to face really long tours, even with a hostile weather, even if I have to say that the first week is always a bit tougher, then you go with the flow and you get used to it.”
She also mentioned that although it might be a bit harder for women to be part of a metal band, once you’re in you end up getting all the necessary support from the rest of the band, as well as from fans and even other musicians. “I consider myself lucky because those guys with whom I share so much of my life are brothers,” she said, mentioning all the support she’s been receiving from Francesco from day one. In addition, she also commented about the confidence she now has thanks to the one and only George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher of Cannibal Corpse, who went to see Fleshgod Apocalypse once in Berlin. He hugged her after the show and said “this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” and Veronica replied “I have like all your records, I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a little girl,” because she said she grew up listening to Grindcore and Deathcore. Then she told him she was afraid of his judgment, to which he replied “are you kidding? I mean, it’s well done, it’s beautiful. You’re beautiful and good.”
Veronica also loves to play in the United States and Canada, saying the band has even gotten bigger in those countries than in her homeland Italy, because in her opinion the North American fans are always willing to drive longer distances to see concerts, and buy a lot more merchandise during those concerts. “I still remember when I was the merch chick for Fleshgod Apocalypse. I remember a guy who came to get a copy of the album and he told me that he already had a copy at home, he had also t-shirts and he told me that he wanted to buy even more because he wanted to give us his complete support.” The band has already headlined a few tours across the United States and Canada, all very successful with lots of sold out concerts, which proves Veronica is not wrong at all when she praises her North American fans.
As a very active person in different social media platforms, Veronica believes the internet has done more good than bad to most bands and music in general. She said in one of her interviews that the internet allowed people from the most remote corners of the earth to get to know bands from all across the globe, as well as several kids started playing instruments because of online tutorials and lessons, also mentioning that, on the other hand, the human contact between teacher and student might have been lost a little bit. The internet also played a nice part in the life of Veronica back in January 2023, as she was taken by surprise when her partner asked her to marry him onstage during one of their shows in Madrid, Spain. Her then boyfriend, Alessandro Salari, came out from behind the stage holding the ring box behind his back, approached her, showed her the box and knelt down, and of course she nodded “yes,” and the couple hugged as the crowd cheered wildly. The internet played a huge part in it as she was able to share such a special moment in her life with the entire world via her official Instagram account. “I know this might sound cheesy, but words can’t describe my feelings at all right now. The sacrifices this guy made just to get to Madrid and propose in front of the whole venue are remarkable. I can’t be happier to share my everything with the best person I’ve ever met in my whole life. I know you’ll make me the happiest wife ever and I promise I’ll try to do the same for you. I love you.” Not sure if it was the adrenaline and happiness that took her entire body and soul at that moment, but after that her vocals got even more powerful, touching and emotional both in the studio and on stage. Is it the power of love, of the power of metal? I would say both, and may she continue her incredible path in heavy music for many decades to come, always hypnotizing us all with her undeniable talent and charisma.
Emerging from the boiling bowels of horrendous vomit and uncompromising gore, this unrelenting Italian Goregrind brigade will attack armed with their filthy sophomore album.
Emerging from the boiling bowels of horrendous vomit and uncompromising gore, the unrelenting Italian Goregrind brigade Golem Of Gore is finally back with their most faceted, dramatic yet filthier work, entitled Ultimo Mondo Cane, or “last dog world” in English, a monstrous battle hymn for all the gore freaks out there. Recorded by Marco Carboni, mixed and mastered by Davide Guerri (with vinyl mastered by Carlo Altobelli at Toxic Basement Studio), and displaying a sick artwork by James Wilson with collage art by Adam Medford, the sophomore album by vocalist Riki, guitarist Marco, bassist Bonne, and drummer Dave is an overdose of savagery and blast beats, proving only gore is real and, of course, being recommended for admirers of the music by Last Days Of Humanity, Regurgitate, Pissgrave, and Caustic Wound, among several others bringers of gore worldwide.
The album starts with the cryptic, devilish movie-like intro Cruelty Abounds On This Planet, opening the gates of horror and gore and, therefore, letting Golem of Gore invade our world and kill us all in The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead, with Riki’s demented, deep guttural sounding absolutely bestial. In Regurgitated Entrails With Intense Mortification the name of the song says it all, offering an overdose of savagery led by the insane drums by Dave; whereas guest Gabri from Terror Firmer delivers screaming devastation in Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness, elevating its gore and insanity considerably. The visceral riffs by Marco will slash your entrails in In The Cold Room Of My Restaurant, You Are Dog Food, while in L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin all members of Slug Gore (those being Amianto, Fuoco and Sbocco) unite for total gore and devastation. The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris is the perfect depiction of the band’s infuriated blend of Grindcore, whereas A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep presents one and a half minute of brutal slamming led by the demented drumming by Dave, which is also the case in Buried in Feces – Ultimo Mondo Cane.
Then we face the spine-chilling interlude La Montagna della Dea Cannibale before guest Tom from Haggus spews filth in Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit, a ruthless, wild display of Goregrind perfect for slamming into the pit like a true metalmaniac. Fucked By The Shovel, Thrown Into Violent Screams is another song with a charming name displaying the always gruesome roars by Riki, followed by Methamphetamine – Drenched In Piss And Gore, another minute of pure Grindcore with their riffs and blast beats sounding inhumane. The two part song formed of Through The Gates of Hell – Una tomba aperta and Back From The Gates of Hell – Una bara vuota showcases a band that only knows the language of gore; followed by The Final Feast of the Damned – Tre Passi nel delirio, with Marco and Bonne destroying their stringed axes. Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne is an ode to the most putrid and horrid Italian horror movies, offering excellence in pure gore and heaviness, before all comes to an end with Senza Uscita – Worse Than Reality, a virulent, putrid outro that will haunt your damned souls for all eternity.
“Every culture, every belief hides grotesque contradictions. Mondo Cane (1962) exposed this raw truth, unveiling cruelty, rituals, and civilization’s dark side. This album is our tribute – no escape, no trigger warnings. Face the horror or look away… but it won’t disappear. Pure goregrind: relentless blast beats, vomit-drenched vocals, and crushing guitars. No gimmicks, no clownish nonsense… just 100% raw, putrid brutality in your face,” commented the band, and you can join them in all of such filth and gore by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their putrid creations on Spotify, and by purchasing a copy of the depraved Ultimo Mondo Cane via mailorder or BandCamp. Our world is cruel, filthy, and dark, and the extreme aggression flowing from the new album by Golem Of Gore will open your eyes for all that’s wrong in our rotten and decaying society.
Best moments of the album:The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead, The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris, A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep, Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit and Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne.
Worst moments of the album:La Montagna della Dea Cannibale (Interlude).
Released in 2025 Everlasting Spew Records
Track listing 1. Cruelty Abounds On This Planet (Intro) 2:36
2. The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead 1:46
3. Regurgitated Entrails With Intense Mortification 1:21
4. Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness 2:19
5. In The Cold Room Of My Restaurant, You Are Dog Food 2:18
6. L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin 2:26
7. The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris 2:39
8. A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep 1:31
9. Buried in Feces – Ultimo Mondo Cane 1:00
10. La Montagna della Dea Cannibale (Interlude) 3:16
11. Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit 2:10
12. Fucked By The Shovel, Thrown Into Violent Screams 3:14
13. Methamphetamine – Drenched In Piss And Gore 1:00
14. Through The Gates of Hell – Una tomba aperta 0:43
15. Back From The Gates of Hell – Una bara vuota 0:44
16. The Final Feast of the Damned – Tre Passi nel delirio 1:30
17. Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne 2:42
18. Senza Uscita – Worse Than Reality (Outro) 4:32
Band members Riki – vocals
Marco – guitars, vocals
Bonne – bass, vocals
Dave – drums
Guest musicians
Gabri – vocals on “Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness”
Amianto, Fuoco & Sbocco – vocals on “L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin”
Tom – vocals on “Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit”
Coinciding with 35 years since the band’s original inception under the Catacomb moniker, and after an extended period of inactivity following the release of their 2016 acclaimed album Ursa, the newly reinvigorated Italian pioneers of Atmospheric and Progressive Gothic/Doom/Death Metal known as Novembre return with their most elaborately adorned and sonically refined opus to date in the shape of their ninth studio album, titled Words of Indigo. Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath) at Unisound, and displaying a classy artwork by Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia) of Seempieces Design Studio, the new album by vocalist Carmelo Orlando, guitarists Alessio Erriu and Federico Albanese, and drummer Yuri Croscenko, with the support of session bassist Fabio Fraschini, will embrace you in a melancholic yet warm darkness, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Sacturnus, Novembers Doom, Shores of Null, Les Discrets, Woods of Ypres, My Dying Bride, and Draconian.
An exquisite and finely-textured display of creative prowess exploring themes of danger and innocence, fear and nostalgia, the latest journey by Novembre takes the listener through the torrents of raging Death Metal and sweeping, uplifting passages of serene poignancy, all woven together as finely crafted and layered melodic epics. You can put your hands on Words of Indigo via BandCamp or by clicking HERE, and don’t forget to also start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tours dates and more of their music, and to stream the embracing sounds from all of their albums on Spotify. November is undoubtedly a month that transpires doom, and the music offered by Novembre in Words of Indigo will surely work as the perfect soundtrack for your gloomiest, darkest days of such a Stygian month.
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 