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”
These ruthless Italians are back in action with their violent third album, a neck-breaking Thrash Metal assault that is inextricably linked to war and its horrors.
After the successful releases of their 2020 debut Filthgrinder and their 2021 sophomore album The Dawn of Ares, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy-based Thrash Metal bulldozer Xenos A.D. is back into the battlefield with their third full-length installment, entitled Reqviem for the Oppressor. Mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studios and displaying a sinister artwork by Ivan Stan, the new album by Ignazio Nicastro on lead vocals and bass, Giuseppe “Tiyris” Taormina on the guitars and harsh vocals, and Danilo Ficicchia on drums is inextricably linked to war and its horrors expressed through its nine tracks of pure violence, resulting in a neck-breaking Thrash Metal assault that pays homage to thrashing titans such as Slayer, Megadeth, Kreator, Exodus and Testament, as well as to the melodies and progressive tendencies of Metal Church and Death Angel.
The epic, cinematic intro 1986 sets the stage for Xenos A.D. to attack us like rabid wolves in the infuriated Dogma of War, a classic thrashing beast led by the pulverizing beats and fills by Danilo, inviting us all to join them in war (aka slam into the mosh pit). Then the Stygian bass by Ignazio and the acoustic guitar by Giuseppe ignite the ruthless Tears on the Face of God, presenting tons of progressiveness, rage and heaviness; and the trio speeds things up and kicks us all in the ass with Crown of Separation, offering an overdose of harsh vocals, Thrash Metal riffs and pounding drums. After such a hurricane of heaviness, Giuseppe shreds his axe mercilessly in Welcome the Destroyer, while also firing a sick guitar solo in the name of old school Thrash Metal.
Children of the Atomic Sun is another frantic creation by Xenos A.D. that will surely provide their fans with a very good reason to go mental inside the circle pit, with Ignazio’s vocals sounding utterly caustic; whereas the band then fires their most insane, relentless sounds in The Bleeding Hands of Faith, with Danilo hammering his drums nonstop inspired by thrashing giants the likes of Exodus and Anthrax. The title-track Reqviem for the Oppressor sounds absolutely inspired by Megadeth, in special due to the Hangar 18-like riffs blasted by Giuseppe, offering our avid ears an overdose of violence, metallic sounds and endless fury, ending with the post-war outro Dance of the Gods, where Giuseppe offers one final blast of his striking guitar lines.
Violent and technical from start to finish, Reqviem For The Oppressor, which can be purchased by clicking HERE, sends an aggressive message to the unbelievers, proving why Thrash Metal will forever represent all the violence, hatred and every other nasty thing that’s gradually consuming our society and, therefore, leading us to our inevitable and horrid end. You can also show your support to the guys from Xenos A.D. by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and stream their austere creations on Spotify, getting ready for some sick mosh pits anytime they take your city by storm. Xenos A.D. will keep on thrashing as long as the human race continues to spread evil across the world (which will basically happen forever and ever), delivering albums like Reqviem For The Oppressor to make our everyday lives less stressful as we relax inside a nice and frantic mosh pit.
Best moments of the album:Dogma of War, The Bleeding Hands of Faith and Reqviem for the Oppressor.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2025 My Kingdom Music
Track listing 1. 1986 1:37
2. Dogma of War 4:10
3. Tears on the Face of God 5:35
4. Crown of Separation 4:59
5. Welcome the Destroyer 4:52
6. Children of the Atomic Sun 5:24
7. The Bleeding Hands of Faith 4:40
8. Reqviem for the Oppressor 7:08
9. Dance of the Gods 3:57
Band members Ignazio Nicastro – lead vocals, bass
Giuseppe “Tiyris” Taormina – guitars, harsh vocals
Danilo Ficicchia – drums
This obscure horde from Italy and Poland returns with their caustic third studio offering, encasing more dissonant sounds while embracing once again the occult, the profane, and the hermetic.
Formed in 2020 by vocalist and guitarist Mróz, Italian/Polish Black Metal horde Amalekim (by the way, Amalek was a nation that harassed the rear caravan of Israelites during the Exodus, seen as the absolute nemesis of the Jews) continues to trace their obscure path in 2025 with their third full-length offering, titled Shir Hashirim, or “שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים”, a Hebrew phrase that translates to “Song of Songs”, the follow-up to their 2023 opus Avodah Zarah. Mixed and mastered by the band’s own bassist Azghâl, with a stunning cover illustration once again painted by Igor Datkiewicz, the new album by the aforementioned Mróz and Azghâl alongside guitarist Atanor and drummer Ktulak walks a more innovative path, encasing more dissonant sounds while embracing once again the occult, the profane, the hermetic, not only in the music, but also in the concept and lyrics. The parable of the two mothers and Solomon, as shown on the cover, lends itself to a complex interpretation, such as the role of power and the choice to submit to it, dogmatic authority, divine law, and how these references, crystallized and widespread in everyday existence, are in reality fragile and not so unshakeable.
Their devilish Black Metal mass begins with the beyond phantasmagorical Chant I: Ra’al Zorem, offering an overdose of blast beats, venomous gnarls and an endless sense of hatred and despair; whereas as imposing as the opening tune, the title-track Chant II: Shir Hashirim will demolish your senses to the slashing riffs by Mróz and Atanor while also presenting haunting background sounds and vocalizations, flowing into Chant III: Mesharet HaShilton, which after a serene, eerie start explodes into an overdose of Black Metal led by Ktulak’s hammering drums. And their fourth offering, entitled Chant IV: Sodot HaYekum, exhales a humongous amount of darkness and sulfur, with Mróz roaring with tons of anger and anguish in his blackened heart.
Mróz and his henchmen continue to crush our putrid bodies in Chant V: Tanur Nitzchi, with Azghâl and Ktulak bringing forward their caustic Marduk-inspired kitchen; and there’s no sign of peace or hope in Chant VI: Tisha Daltot, with the visceral riffage by Mróz and Atanor walking hand in hand with Ktulak’s unstoppable blast beats in the name of Black Metal. Then such an amazing horde presents their most demonic side in Chant VII: Haka’as HaNachash, a lecture in old school and modern-day Black Metal where Mróz sounds deeply infuriated on vocals. Lastly, the album ends on a high and Mephistophelian note with Chant VIII: Mishteh Malkhuti, a slab of devilish Black Metal magic spearheaded by the always demented drums by Ktulak.
As in their previous work, the biblical metaphor is at the heart of Shir Hashirim, while the music remains as caustic, venomous, occult and devilish as it has been a constant in the music by Amalekim. There are so many layers and different ways to interpret their music it’s hard to put all that into words; however, you can always check what the band’s up to on Facebook and on Instagram to get to know more about them, their music, beliefs and ideas, as well as their tour dates, and not only stream their unique creations on Spotify, but also show them your utmost support by purchasing their newborn spawn from their own BandCamp, from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp, or from Sound Cave. The music found in Shir Hashirim might not be an easy listen for the average rock and metal fan, but once you dive deep into their world of harsh and occult Black Metal, you won’t ever want to come back.
Best moments of the album:Chant II: Shir Hashirim, Chant IV: Sodot HaYekum and Chant VII: Haka’as HaNachash.
A debut EP of classic Death Metal made in Italy, paying tribute to the elephant trunks of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula photographed by the Hubble Telescope from NASA on April 1, 1995.
Created by two old time friends sharing a passion for Extreme Metal, with its name taken from “Enceladus”, the sixth largest moon of Saturn, Italian Death Metal duo Encelado is set to unleash upon us their debut EP, entitled Pillars of Creation. Recorded and mixed at Umbra Studio, with band logo and album artwork designed by the band’s own Damien, and featuring guest drummers Max and Devin, the new EP by the aforementioned Damien on the guitars, bass, synths and backing vocals alongside Simone on vocals pays tribute to the elephant trunks of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula photographed by the Hubble Telescope from NASA on April 1, 1995, with lyrics dealing with topics including space exploration, artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and death, while the music displays a solid mix of Aborted, All Shall Perish, Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse, and Suffocation.
Simone’s deep, otherworldly guttural will send shivers down your spine in Dark Nebulas, while Damien fires some sick Death Metal riffs and metallic bass lines and guest Max demolishes his drums mercilessly. Gravety, the second song of the EP, keeps the atmosphere dense and grim, with the bass lines by Damien sounding truly menacing, all boosted by the devilish guest drums by Devin. Then an overdose of hammering drums, visceral growls and classic Death Metal riffs will smash you like an insect in Fragments Of Fear, perfect for some wild headbanging, and the EP ends on a high note with the title-track Pillars Of Creation, where Simone’s deep, vile gnarls match perfectly with the brutal yet technical sounds crafted by Damien and Max, beautifully depicting their passion for Death Metal and, therefore, leaving us eager for more of their music in a not-so-distant future.
Pillars of Creation, which is available for purchase from the band’s own Big Cartel, might be short in duration, with only four songs in total, but it’s indeed an amazing debut by the duo formed of Simone and Damien, and a very good indication of where they’re headed to with Encelado. Who knows, maybe they’ll reach an unknown constellation in the near future with new music, right? And if you want to get in touch with the boys, you can find them on Instagram, as I’m sure they would love to hear what you have to say about their cosmic Death Metal music. I don’t think it will take long for them to release their first full-length album, and if it’s just half as good as Pillars of Creation, we’ll surely be very happy Death Metal fans.
Best moments of the album:Dark Nebulas and Pillars Of Creation.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2025 Regenerate Records
Track listing 1. Dark Nebulas 4:11
2. Gravety 3:25
3. Fragments Of Fear 3:34
4. Pillars Of Creation 2:58
Band members Simone – vocals
Damien – guitar, bass, synths, backing vocals
Guest musicians
Max – drums on “Dark Nebulas”, “Fragments Of Fear” and “Pillars Of Creation”
Devin – drums on “Gravety”
Further cementing the band’s place among the most promising names in the new wave of European Power Metal, Stormrage is 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.
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.
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 