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Metal Chick of the Month – Laura Guldemond

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Lock, lock, lock her in the tower!

As the fires of summer continue to burn in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s nothing better than dedicating an entire article to one of our beloved Burning Witches, more specifically the one responsible for turning the band’s lyrics into sheer power and energy through her soaring, undisputed vocals. Not only a classy vocalist and frontwoman, she’s also a diehard metalhead, always ready to show her love for old school Heavy Metal, and always ready to rock our world with her incredible voice and charisma. Her name is Laura Guldemond, a crazy wild child and frontwoman for one of the must-see names of the current metallic scene, and once you know more about her career, her personal life, and her passion for heavy music, there’s certainly no turning back, as you’ll be under the spell of one of the most talented “witches” of the worldwide metal community. Having said all that, are you ready to be locked in the tower by the phenomenal Laura Guldemond here on The Headbanging Moose?

Born on July 31, 1988 in Zoetermeer, a city in the Western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, Laura doesn’t exactly come from a family of musicians, but there was still a lot of music surrounding her in her early days. “It’s funny, because my parents weren’t into music, but my grandparents were musicians – they played the double bass and the violin. They travelled around playing music, and I guess the next generation was fed up with that, so it had to continue with me! My mum’s half-sister still plays the flute, too.” Although she could sing a little bit and was comfortable with some notes, she had to learn the high notes by taking singing lessons, and at one point she decided she wanted to become a professional singer. Then she went to a conservatory in Eindhoven called The Metal Factory to continue with her studies. “When I was about twenty years old, I decided to take things a little more seriously, and that’s when I started taking singing lessons. Later on, I decided that I had to study music somehow. I auditioned for the Haarlem conservatory and ended up in the preparatory course for it, but then I came across the Metal Factory, and I was part of the first batch of students there.”

Laura has been immersing herself in Heavy Metal and Hard Rock for most of her life, saying it was a big discovery for her when she was younger. “My parents never really went any heavier than Queen. Which I like, but then I discovered Within Temptation, and I loved it. That was probably mainly because it sounds a little mysterious. That’s what I liked about it, at least. When the time came that I had enough allowance to buy albums, I found W.A.S.P.’s Dying for the World right next to Within Temptation. I really like W.A.S.P. as well. From then on, I started listening to more and more different things. Quite quickly after that, I decided that I wanted to play guitar. And I did have a guitar, so I did try to play it, but I had no lessons, and I ended up giving up. I did already sing, and that’s what I kept doing,” she commented.

It was in 2019 when Laura joined the amazing Burning Witches, replacing the band’s original vocalist Seraina Telli, and she fit the blank spot perfectly with her undisputed vocal potency, being immediately embraced by the band’s diehard fanbase. That same year, she released her first song with the band, the excellent Wings of Steel, following by the EP Wings of Steel, also in 2019, and her first-ever full-length opus with the girls, Dance with the Devil, in 2020. That same year, the band released an EP titled Acoustic Sessions, followed by their full-length albums The Witch of the North (2021), The Dark Tower (2023), and more recently Inquisition (2025), all available on Spotify or any other streaming platform. Furthermore, you can also check Laura and the girls kicking ass on the official videos for songs like High Priestess of the Night, The Dark Tower, The Witch of the North, and Unleash the Beast, or check their official YouTube channel for those videos, full playlists and other content including interviews and live footage of all of their tours.

When Laura joined Burning Witches, she said they were all very welcoming, helping her overcome any initial challenges as she said she’s the type of person that needs a lot of time to get used to other people. There was of course a lot of rehearsal time required in the beginning until they all got used to Laura’s vocal style and vice-versa, but as expected there’s also a lot of fun involved in the overall process. “We go out to dinner sometimes, we hang out after rehearsals, so that is nice,” she commented, also having some nice words to say about the freedom she has while writing material for the band. “When it comes to writing my melodies and lyrics, I have a fairly large amount of freedom. Sometimes they come up with something they like, but even then, I am free to try something else, or we can discuss various ideas. It’s always fairly open. It kind of depends on how attached they are to the ideas they already have. There are plenty of times when there is no idea at all yet, and I can just make up whatever I like.”

Needless to say, the band’s diehard fans were all very welcoming when Laura became a member of Burning Witches, even when you take into account they already had two very solid albums released prior to her joining the band. Laura was actually more prepared for the feedback from the audiences than her bandmates in the end. “To be completely honest, I think it had been a much more emotional process for the rest of the band than it has for me. In a way, I had kind of already prepared myself for such reactions. The stories are out there. Like Tarja and Nightwish, for example. You still hear people complaining about that these days, which makes me think: guys, seriously, still? You know it is going to happen, and you know it is going to keep happening. So I was mentally prepared for that. Some of those people have returned, others haven’t. That’s just how things go.”

Before becoming the frontwoman for the indomitable Burning Witches, Laura was the vocalist for an array of very interesting bands and projects. It looks like her first Heavy Metal band was Utrecht, Netherlands-based Progressive Metal act Synergy Protocol, having played with them from 2013 until 2015, and having recorded their 2014 debut three-track demo. Around the same time, from 2014 to 2015, she was also the vocalist for Epic Rock Choir, a Netherlands-based group of singers specialized in major rock and metal opera projects like Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s The Theater Equation, and founded an Experimental and Electronic Rock and Metal project named Generation Lost together with Marco van der Hoorn, but nothing has ever been released under that flag.

The other two bands that Laura was a member of were Dordrecht, Netherlands-based Progressive Metal/Rock project Magoria, working as one of their vocalists between 2017 and 2018, and of course her main band before she joined Burning Witches, the excellent Eindhoven, Netherlands-based Symphonic Power Metal band Shadowrise, fronting the band from their inception back in 2009 until they split up in 2019 (one of the reasons being of course her full-time commitment with Burning Witches), having recorded with them the 2016 EP Escape from Shadow Island, and their 2018 self-titled full-length, both available on BandCamp and on Spotify.

Not only that, Laura can also be found as a guest musician in several different bands and projects, showcasing her absolute energy, dynamism and versatility, allowing her to sing basically any music genre you can think of. For instance, she was a guest vocalist on the song Valkyries in the Sky, from the 2024 album Gods of Metal (Year of the Dragon), by German/Italian Heavy Metal band All for Metal; choir vocals on the official video recording of the 2016 album The Theater Equation, by Dutch Progressive Metal/Rock icons Ayreon; vocals on the song Schwestern aus Stahl, from the 2025 Damokles, by German Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band Blindgänger; vocals on the song The Path That Never Ends, from the 2026 album Sons of the Abandoned, by Spanish Melodic Death Metal outfit Bloodhunter; vocals on the song Back on the Streets, from the 2022 album Back on the Streets, by UK Power Metal band Chrysalïd; and vocals on the 2025 single Fierce, by Swiss Symphonic Metal band Deep Sun.

If you think this is it, you’ve got another thing coming, as Laura was also a guest vocalist on the song Receptor, from the 2025 album Receptor, by American Progressive Metal act Dissona; vocals on the song Poison Tears, from the 2025 album Unbreakable, by the indomitable Heavy Metal/Hard Rock duo Ellefson-Soto; vocals on the song False Faced Demon, from the 2022 album Inquisition, by Dutch Symphonic Metal band Epinikion; female vocals on the song Blind Souls, from the 2017 album The Endless River, by Jordanian Melodic Death Metal band Eternal Insomnia; vocals on the 2022 album Malleus Maleficarum, and on the Avatarium cover The Fire I Long For, from the 2023 album Ventus Metallum, by German Heavy/Power/Progressive Metal project FB1964; and vocals on the song For Blood & Glory, from the 2021 album Serpent Chariot, by Austrian Blackened Thrash Metal band Golden Blood.

Do you want some more? Well, Laura was also featured as a guest vocalist on the song Stand United, from the 2022 album Dealer of Souls, by Swiss Heavy/Power Metal band Gomorra; on the song All Women in Me, from the 2023 self-titled album by Dutch Progressive/Symphonic Metal band Heavenqueen; on the song Sleeper, from the 2025 album Gilgamesh, by Ukrainian Progressive Metal/Rock act Korypheus; vocals on the song The Great Masquerade, from the 2025 album Remnants of Rapture, by Canadian Heavy Metal outfit Lycanthro; on the song Alone, from the 2024 album Shadow Empress, by Progressive Metal warrior Nino Helfrich; backing vocals on the 2015 album Wayward Sanctuary, by the now defunct Dutch Progressive Metal/Rock project ReSolve; vocals on the song Your Time Has Come, from the 2024 album Blood of the Witches, by German Heavy Metal/Hard Rock guitarist Stephan Georg; choirs on the 2015 album The Diary, by Dutch Symphonic/Progressive Metal/Rock duo The Gentle Storm; vocals on the song Neverealm, from the 2026 album Neverealm, by Greek Heavy Metal band Valiant Sentinel; and vocals as one of the “Pirate Queens” on the song The Pirate Queens, from the 2022 album Lost, by Dutch Symphonic Power Metal project Woods of Wonders.

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As you can see, Laura is one of the best vocalist of the current Heavy Metal scene worldwide, with countless bands recruiting her as a special guest in their new albums, and of course with her career with the striking Burning Witches being the icing on the cake. However, it’s important to say that before being such an accomplished vocalist, she’s also a true metalhead, nurturing deep passion for the same rock and metal icons as any of us, as well as some of the most interesting names of the non-metal scene. “Lots of awesome metal bands have influenced me during the years. To name a few I listened to a lot as a teenager; Within Temptation, W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Halestorm, Eluveitie, Death Angel and Kamelot. But also great contemporary singers like Sia, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce. This is reflected in the versatility of my voice,” she commented.

When asked which song she loves the most in her life, her answer was the purest, most incendiary form of Heavy Metal you can think of. “I love Painkiller by Judas Priest because the drums start playing and you immediately feel the energy.” Moreover, she considers the one and only Metal God Rob Halford as a role model, saying he’s one of the people who’ve inspired her the most in terms of how she sings with Burning Witches now, as well as the indomitable Bruce Dickinson. “What I love is that he has so many songs with a lot of vocal dynamics. So I would say both he and Bruce Dickinson inspired me. I’ve heard Bruce a few times when people are listening from a bit further away and it sounds hyper-laden. I think it’s because I have a bit of memorization there too.” Dio is also a huge influence in her life, and the fact Burning Witches recorded a cover version for the all-time classic Holy Diver also shows how much she loves his unique voice.

Speaking of cover songs, Laura also maintains a really entertaining YouTube channel as her “solo project” (which you can also find alongside all of her other links and social media by clicking HERE), recording multiple cover songs with very special guests the likes of Courtney Cox and Sara Jolís as her support band, among other interesting videos. For example, you can enjoy Laura’s soaring vocals in killer cover songs including W.A.S.P.’s Wild Child (which is by the way one of the bands she used to listen to the most when she began listening to metal music), Iron Maiden’s The Trooper, Cradle of Filth’s  Nymphetamine Fix, AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, Slayer’s Raining Blood, Pantera’s Walk, and Judas Priest’s Painkiller, among several other incredible videos where she will melt your faces with her scorching, sharp vocals.

Speaking of her vocal technique and how she prepares for the intense life on the road, Laura, who currently uses a Neumann U 87 Ai (a legendary large-diaphragm FET condenser microphone, featuring cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns), mentioned in one of her interviews how difficult it is to bring to stage what’s recorded in the studio. “Recording a song is one thing, but singing it at the same level every night is a different matter.” Owner of very versatile and dynamic vocals, as already mentioned, she said she always enjoys trying new things with her voice. “The others in Burning Witches like it when my voice sounds relatively deep, so we have been playing around with lower keys in recent years,” she commented. “These days, I have been trying to learn to use vocal fry better than I could before. So who knows? Maybe I will be doing something with that in the future. But it has to get better first. Singing clean with a bit of distortion on it is something I know I can do well at this point. If I add something that doesn’t sound quite as good, and you can actually hear that difference in quality, it will just end up sounding weird.”

She also commented about the importance of maintaining a good health, in special when your voice is your instrument of work. “I am often afraid of getting a sore throat, so my main priority is keeping nice and warm. During summers, I hardly ever have a sore throat, but once winter rears its head, I have to be careful. And to be fair, during spring and autumn as well. Also, when I work out too hard, and my body gets tired, I get a sore throat as well. That is something to watch out for.” She also mentioned it’s extremely important to build up her stamina before a headlining tour starts, alternating between singing and resting until she’s warm enough for the band’s longer-than-usual sets. “Especially if I have just been on vacation, and I haven’t sung for a while. Then it truly is important to build up my stamina, as I’m really going to feel the difference once I have to do a longer set.”

This might sound repetitive, but Laura is not only an extremely talented vocalist; she’s also a vocal coach ready to help any newcomers to the world of singing with her professional and dynamic approach. You can find more details about Laura’s services as a vocal coach (in Dutch, English or German) on her official website, including the subtypes of services available such as singing lessons, workshops, and growling. “I always try to find ways to make them practice things step by step. There are certain techniques that require you to use a little more power, which means they are potentially more dangerous, as more power is a bigger burden on your vocal cords if you do it wrong. That’s why I try to explain things step by step, so they can actually warm up to it step by step, allowing them to do things properly from the moment they start to add more power to it.”

In the end, after witnessing Laura kicking some serous ass live for the first time earlier this year in Toronto, I felt the urge to write this tribute to such a phenomenal vocalist, and after knowing more about her and her focus and hard work to keep delivering high-quality Heavy Metal for the masses, we must all agree she’s more than just another frontwoman. She’s the epitome of heavy music, a woman that puts her heart and soul into her music, delivering breathtaking vocals with endless charisma it doesn’t matter if she’s singing with Burning Witches, if it’s recording a cover song for her YouTube channel, or if it’s as a guest for another rock and metal band. Laura will most certainly hypnotize you with her stunning vocals and screams, lock you inside her tower of Heavy Metal, as I warned you in the beginning of this tribute, and throw the key away. Well, I bet you’ll be more than happy when that happens.

Laura Guldemond’s Official Facebook page
Laura Guldemond’s Official Instagram
Laura Guldemond’s Official YouTube channel
Burning Witches’ Official Facebook page
Burning Witches’ Official Instagram
Burning Witches’ Official YouTube channel

“Lots of awesome metal bands have influenced me during the years. To name a few I listened to a lot as a teenager; Within Temptation, W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Halestorm, Eluveitie, Death Angel and Kamelot. But also great contemporary singers like Sia, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce. This is reflected in the versatility of my voice.” – Laura Guldemond

Metal Chick of the Month – Heidi Aaltonen

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“Don’t try to run… Walk away with me… The time is running out… Break into pieces and rise high!”

The month of July might be one of the hottest (if not THE hottest) of the year anywhere above the Equator, and there’s nothing better than travelling all the way to the land of ice and snow, also known as Finland, to turn up the heat even more like in a traditional Finnish sauna with the incendiary vocals by our unstoppable metal lady chosen to make our webzine a much better place this month. Although she has just recently joined Finnish Heavy/Power Metal brigade Dyecrest as their new frontwoman, she’s not a newcomer to the metal community, having already recorded and released several albums and singles with different bands from her homeland in the past two decades. Her name is Heidi Aaltonen, formerly known as Heidi Bergbacka, and she will kick your ass mercilessly with her potent vocals and undeniable charisma, inspiring you to raise your horns together with her in the name of heavy music.

Born and raised “somewhere in Finland”, Heidi began her metal career as the frontwoman for Tampere-based Melodic Heavy Rock band MoonMadness, having established since then her presence in the Finnish heavy music scene through underground classic rock-infused metal music, session collaborations, and live guest work. As the vocalist for MoonMadness between 2001 and 2008, she released in 2008 the band’s one and only full-length album, titled All in Between, alongside guitarist Otto Hallamaa, bassist Juha Leppäharju, keyboardist Turkka Vuorinen, and drummer Antto Nikolai Tuomainen. The single Stroke of Midnight, released in 2007, successfully broke into the Finnish Top 20 singles chart, with her vocal performance being praised by fans and critics for its 70’s and 80’s classic Hard Rock sensibilities. Unfortunately, MoonMadness are no more, but their music is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of classic rock and metal.

Heidi also has a solid backing and session work from her early days, having collaborated with distinct bands from the Finnish scene. For instance, she recorded all female vocals (as Lady Heidi von Bergbacka) for the 2020 album Outojen tornien varjoissa (or  “in the shadows of the strange towers” in English), by Finnish Black Metal horde Faustian Pact; backing vocals (as Heidi Bergbacka) in the 2016 album Vieraan vallan aurinko (which translates to “the sun of a foreign power”), by Finnish Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band Kotiteollisuus; backing vocals in the 2007 album Sleep and the 2009 album As Days Grow Darker, both by the now defunct Finnish Heavy Metal band Masterstroke; backing vocals in the 2021 album Novus Ordo Mundi, by Progressive Thrash/Heavy Metal band Stam1na; and female, choir and backing vocals in several albums, EPs and singles by Finnish Melodic Heavy Metal (with Schlager influences) band Viikate, such as their 2013 album Kymijoen lautturit, their 2014 album Panosvyö, and their 2024 album Hiljainen, as well as backing vocals while on tour with the band.

In addition, following her early metal foundations, she transitioned to alternative genres with projects like Sound of Divas (an internationally touring, Nordic musical project produced by MagnumLive, a prominent, full-service event production and entertainment programming agency based in Finland, that blends five vocal soloists with a big band and brass section) and WhatFour (an acoustic band from Lappeenranta, Finland). Ultimately, such a diverse vocal background paved her way back into heavy music, culminating in her recruitment to front Dyecrest and spearhead their fifth full-length album, titled Defying Gravity, representing the band’s most focused and mature work to date, a clear statement shaped by experience and artistic vision.

Hailing from Ristiina, located in the province of Eastern Finland and part of the South Savo region, Dyecrest are a Melodic Metal band active since the early 2000’s (having changed their original name Dyecast to the current one) blending Power Metal, traditional Heavy Metal and progressive influences, showcasing a sound defined by strong melodies, energetic riffs and a balanced mix of heaviness and emotion, earning the band a solid international following, and allowing them to share the stage with renowned acts the likes of W.A.S.P., DragonForce, Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica, and appearing at major European festivals. since their inception, the band has released the albums The Way of Pain (2004), This Is My World (2005), Are You Not Entertained? (2018), Once I Had a Heart (2023), and the aforementioned Defying Gravity earlier this year, plus the EP The Stage Is Set in 2019, all available on any platform such as Spotify.

Currently formed of Heidi on vocals alongside Matti Pasanen and Henri Arola on the guitars, Pirkka “Pirkkis” Ohlis on the guitars and keyboards, Jukka “Zoukki” Matilainen on bass, and Niko Takala on drums, Dyecrest had three vocalists prior to Heidi becoming their frontwoman, those being Janne Oksanen, Kimmo Blom (RIP), and Mikael Salo. “Regardless of the singer, sound-wise it’s still the same band,” commented Heidi. For Heidi, joining the band wasn’t about reshaping their identity, but helping them rebuild their foundation. After years of pauses and transitions, Dyecrest found themselves at what she described as “ground zero,” a moment to start building again while preserving the spirit that longtime listeners recognize. The transition turned out to be smoother than expected. Instead of resistance, the band encountered enthusiasm from fans. “I felt at home straight away,” she said, admitting she was surprised by how welcoming audiences were.

On April 26, 2026, Dyecrest released their first album ever with Heidi on vocals, the already mentioned Defying Gravity, after having released the singles Failed One, Unravel Me and Bite the Bullet, in 2025, and the single Forsaken, in 2026. The title of the album captures the band’s renewed confidence. Rather than simply resisting obstacles, Heidi describes it as “standing your ground and taking your place,” reflecting a band pushing forward in a challenging music industry while affirming their worth and identity. “We didn’t have a definite plan on how we were going to sound or what we were going to do. We just did it, and the sound and the songs developed during the process. What this album did was create the sound that we want to be in right now. Regarding the next album, we now know more than we knew while we were making this one,” she commented in one of her interviews.

“The timing was awkward, and for the band the timing was very poor. A very bad time to change lead singers. We managed it very well. I am a learner, I got thrown into the mix and did some live shows, even without singing on the previous album. The range was suitable for me – I could sing those songs, so we didn’t have hard times on learning the songs and trying to fit in those shoes that Mikael left. It all went very naturally, even though the timing wasn’t ideal – releasing an album that didn’t have the same singer as the one that would appear for the live shows. It was different, but we were able to do it,” she said about the change in vocalists in Dyecrest, also explaining how she was involved in the writing process of the album. “I need to feel it so I can have the text,” she explained, describing her process in a very simple way. She listens to the music, and then just follows the emotional direction it suggests.

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One very important detail in Heidi’s involvement with Dyecrest is that she is married to Miitri Aaltonen, who has been mixing all of their albums since 2018, and of course that existing connection with the band made her transition into the role of their new vocalist a lot easier and smoother than expected, even though the band had never thought about having a woman instead of a man taking care of their vocal duties. Furthermore, Heidi’s involvement during the songwriting phase of Defying Gravity definitely changed the way the band works, as she took on a major role in writing both lyrics and vocal melodies.

Regarding her idols and influences in music and life in general, she said she doesn’t like to narrow her list down to only a few names, complementing by saying she listens to music in every category to keep discovering new details and nuances that she can incorporate to her own style. “I listen to a lot of ballad-singers, good range vocal singers. I like different styles of music, not only metal. Of course, most of it is metal music, but I take everything in because I want to explore music. For me to say one or two artists that have influenced me, it’s not possible, it’s all around me.”

As it happens with every single musician on earth, Heidi loves to be onstage and to exchange a lot of energy with the crowd. “When I am on stage, I need people to feel something. I know that they won’t feel it if I don’t feel it. What my goal is in every show, I kind of offer a getaway for an hour. From everything that surrounds you. I want them to see us; I want them to watch us. There are shows that have been like that. There are memories and experiences with the band – a lot of them are good from that point of view,” she commented. “If we can provide people one hour of peacefulness with good live music, then that’s the place I want to take it.”

Although she believes the current scene is really tough not only for Heavy and Power Metal, but for music in general, she still thinks there’s always a place in music for great melodies, and the fact that Finland is the country with the highest number of bands in Melodic Metal compared to any other country in the world gives hope to everyone who lives and breathes heavy music in her homeland. Needless to say, we must all agree with her, because a land that has provided us with the magical music by bands like Nightwish, Amorphis, Children of Bodom and Stratovarius, among many others, will always deserve our full attention and admiration.

Heidi also thinks it’s very important to shoot videos and showcase the band instead of sticking only to the music itself. “We have our brother making the videos for us and all the graphics for the band, Sami. The main thing in the videos is to capture the band, what is expected for example for when you see the band live. I do think the videos still have their importance today, even though we don’t have MTV and all music channels that show all the videos. Maybe someday we will have this happen again. The videos have increased their value at this point – compared to say five years ago. Video making, it takes a lot of money and effort to make these, but it was obvious that we were going to make videos. And you can see through YouTube how many viewers we have had, and it has paid off.”

In one of her interviews, Heidi mentioned that one of the greatest lessons she’s learned so far as the frontwoman for Dyecrest is that what comes around, goes around. “Be nice to people that you meet, because they will be a part of you someday.” In addition, she said that if the people around you feel you don’t have your whole heart into the music you’re making, if you just do the music because you do the music, it’s never going to work. In the case of Heidi and Dyecrest, we most definitely do not need to worry about it, because they put their hearts and souls into crafting their first-class Heavy Metal, and may Defying Gravity be just the first step of the band with Heidi fronting them, as we all certainly want to enjoy her soaring vocals in many other Dyecrest albums in the coming years.

Heidi Aaltonen’s Official Instagram
Dyecrest’s Official Facebook page
Dyecrest’s Official Instagram

“When I am on stage, I need people to feel something. I know that they won’t feel it if I don’t feel it. What my goal is in every show, I kind of offer a getaway for an hour. From everything that surrounds you. I want them to see us; I want them to watch us.” – Heidi Aaltonen

Album Review – Prime Creation / Souls Of The Fallen (2026)

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This talented Swedish brigade returns with their fourth studio album, once again delivering their own blend of modern, hard-driving and melodic Heavy Metal.

Arising from the ashes of Power Metal band Morifade in early 2015, Linköping, Sweden-based act Prime Creation is ready to unveil their fourth studio album, titled Souls of the Fallen, following up on their 2023 album Tell Freedom I Said Hello. Consisting of skilled and experienced musicians, those being Esa Englund ($ilverdollar, Hellshaker) on vocals, Robin Arnell (Los Sin Nombre, Morifade) and Rami Tainamo on the guitars, Henrik Weimedal (Devil’s Crown, Morifade) on bass, and Kim Arnell (Zornheym, Devil’s Crown, Morifade, Nephenzy Chaos Order) on drums, Prime Creation deliver their own blend of modern, hard-driving and melodic Heavy Metal in Souls Of The Fallen, being therefore recommended for admirers of the music by renowned acts from the Power Metal scene worldwide the likes of Nocturnal Rites, HammerFall, Brainstorm and Firewind, among several others.

Futuristic sounds ignite the band’s modern-day Power Metal voyage in Galactic Rebirth, led by the classic drums by Kim while Robin and Rami deliver classy, no shenanigans riffs nonstop, followed by Ghosts, presenting one hundred percent European Power Metal magic flowing from all instruments, being therefore highly recommended for fans of the genre. It looks like their riff-making machine is working at full power in the entire album, as in Blood Harvest they keep slashing our minds with their scorching guitars while Esa fires his trademark raspy vocals; and the pounding drums by Kim kick off the title-track Souls of the Fallen, accompanied by the low-tuned, metallic bass by Henrik in a hard hitting blend of Heavy and Power Metal.

Alliance is a solid power ballad that keeps the momentum going, although it could have been slightly shorter in duration. The vocals by Esa are once again impeccable, though, as well as their melodious riffs and solos, whereas the band offers more of their high-octane Power Metal magic in Lost Legacy, with its Iron Maiden-inspired rhythm offering us all a very good reason to raise our fists together with the band. Legends Never Die is another epic composition by the band, with their Swedish Melodic Metal roots arising from the underworld, being perfect for playing our good old “air guitar;” before Kim kicks off the closing tune Ashes of Trust while Robin, Rami and Henrik bring forward a massive stringed attack armed with their incendiary axes for our total delight.

After all is said and done, if Power Metal with a melodic Swedish twist is your cup of tea, Souls Of The Fallen will certainly satisfy your cravings, inspiring Prime Creation to keep delivering top-of-the-line heavy music for many years to come. Furthermore, if you want to know more about the band, their music, tour dates and plans for the future, you can find those talented heavy metallers from beautiful Sweden on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their full discography on Spotify, and of course put your metallic hands on Souls Of The Fallen by purchasing it from the ROAR! Rock of Angels Records’ BandCamp or webstore, or from other online stores like Sonic Age Records. Having said all that, as true metalheads we can all rest assured that as long as Prime Creation keep releasing high quality albums like their new one, the souls of the fallen will remain alive inside our hearts.

Best moments of the album: Galactic Rebirth, Blood Harvest and Ashes of Trust.

Worst moments of the album: Alliance.

Released in 2026 ROAR! Rock of Angels Records

Track listing
1. Galactic Rebirth 3:28
2. Ghosts 4:35
3. Blood Harvest 3:09
4. Souls of the Fallen 5:07
5. Alliance 6:07
6. Lost Legacy 3:40
7. Legends Never Die 5:22
8. Ashes of Trust 4:51

Band members
Esa Englund – vocals
Robin Arnell – lead guitar
Rami Tainamo – rhythm guitar
Henrik Weimedal – bass
Kim Arnell – drums

Album Review – Blood Of Angels / Les Agnst ov Thanatous (2026)

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This Florida-based Extreme Metal beasts are ready to attack with their sophomore album, plunging headfirst into the emotional and psychological aftermath of death.

Inspired by the burgeoning local metal scene of Tampa, Florida, Melodic Death/Thrash Metal beasts Blood of Angels are making their mark on the genre that has guided them through the darkest of times. With local town heroes such as Cannibal Corpse and Nasty Savage inspiring down that path, the band formed of vocalist Randy Reyes, guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist The Maggot, and drummer Jonathan Rushford blends Death, Black, Thrash and lashings of Power Metal into a high-octane frenzy, combining their musical prowess and instrumental talents to make social commentary on public mistruths and the atrocities committed against humanity. Now in 2026 the quartet is unleashing their sophomore opus, entitled Les Agnst ov Thanatous (which refers to the existential dread, anxiety, and deep-seated fear surrounding the inevitability of death, with “Thanatos” being the Greek mythological personification of death and “Angst,” German for anxiety or dread, representing the psychological weight of this realization), plunging headfirst into the emotional and psychological aftermath of death while presenting a cohesive narrative that traces the human response to grief through violence, ritual, memory, and reflection.

After the cryptic, horror movie-like intro Transitional Portal, the band comes crushing our souls with Beating You, where Jonathan hammers his drums in the best Death Metal style while Randy delivers deep, enraged vociferations for our total delight, supported by the always caustic guitar lines by Aaron. Then investing in a more Melodic Death Metal sonority the band offers our ears the hard hitting The Last Rites, perfect for some wild headbanging to the demolishing drums by Jonathan; and the quartet sounds absolutely on fire in Red River Death, a massive Death and Thrash Metal extravaganza led by the infuriated, grim roaring by Randy while his bandmates don’t stop pounding their sonic weapons.

The Pain Inside starts as a ballad, then morphs into a not-so-inspired metal aria, losing its grip after a while, albeit the crying guitar by Aaron still sounds great in the end; whereas back to the sound the band truly thrives we face Spillage, a Death Metal onrush where The Maggot and Jonathan make the earth tremble with their demented kitchen. Aaron’s riffage then revs up the band’s ruthless engine in Minds of the Broken, inviting us all for some action inside the pit. Nevermore presents elements from Sludge and Stoner Metal added to their core, a seven-minute feast of riff after riff, as heavy and groovy as it can be, with The Maggot once again kicking ass on bass, before all fades into the outro Eulogy, as enigmatic and cryptic as the intro, making the album go full circle.

Through its cohesive narrative and emotional intensity, Les Agnst ov Thanatou stands as the band’s most immersive conceptual work to date, inviting listeners to confront fear, loss, and mortality directly, offering an experience that remains long after the final sound fades. And you can also be part of such a unique experience by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their caustic creations on any platform like Spotify, and of course by grabbing a copy of Les Agnst ov Thanatous by clicking HERE. Death has always walked hand in hand with Extreme Metal, and Blood Of Angels definitely know how to turn all that fear, violence and darkness into ass-kicking heavy music as what they have to show us all in their new album.

Best moments of the album: Red River Death, Spillage and Minds of the Broken.

Worst moments of the album: The Pain Inside.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Transitional Portal 2:37
2. Beating You 4:05
3. The Last Rites 5:19
4. Red River Death 5:54
5. The Pain Inside 7:29
6. Spillage 3:26
7. Minds of the Broken 3:46
8. Nevermore 7:45
9. Eulogy 1:35

Band members
Randy Reyes – vocals, acoustic guitars
Aaron Robinson – guitars
The Maggot – bass, backing vocals
Jonathan Rushford – drums, keyboards

Album Review – Who On Earth / It Takes The Village (2026)

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Crafting a heavy, story-driven sound rooted in some of the biggest names of the genre, this Heavy Metal ensemble attacks again with their electrifying sophomore album.

Crafting a heavy, story-driven sound rooted in influences like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Tool, New Jersey’s own Heavy Metal/Hard Rock ensemble Who On Earth are ready to rock our world once again with their sophomore opus It Takes The Village, following up on their 2022 debut Blame. Currently formed of vocalist Coosh, guitarists Johnny James Barone and Jimmy Kocha, bassist Pete Rizzi, and drummer Howie Fallon, such an electrifying American rock and metal band is on fire throughout the entire It Takes The Village, honoring the legacy of former guitarist Bruce Gatewood (RIP), and re-energizing those five talented musicians to keep moving forward in the name of our good old Rock N’ Roll.

Their Southern Metal vein arises in the opening tune Vigilance, where the massive riffs by Johnny and Jimmy provide Coosh with exactly what he needs to shine on vocals, and their Rock N’ Roll groove keeps flowing in Any Other Way, reminding me of old school Soundgarden, with Howie kicking some ass behind his drums. Shadows is a solid rockin’ tune where the backing vocals by Coosh’s bandmates add a lot of power to his classic vocal lines, while the massive bass by Pete dictates the pace in the mid-tempo Hard Rock feast Good Man Down, excellent for enjoying a beer at a rock pub anywhere in the world. Closer is a weird interlude that doesn’t add much to the album, followed by Too Close, starting with the 70’s-inspired bass by Pete and accompanied by the always striking riffs by Johnny and Jimmy, flirting with Alternative and Groove Metal and Rock.

There’s no time to breathe as Who On Earth continue to fight the unfaithful in Double Or Nothing, a song that should be added to the playlists of all rock stations around the globe, not to mention how electrifying their guitar solos sound. Then we have Monster!, a journey back in time without sounding outdated where Coosh once again leads his crew with a killer vocal performance, highly recommended for hitting the highway with your loved ones, followed by Oh, Set Me Free, another very melodic display of Hard Rock that reminds me of some creations by the mighty Armored Saint. It’s time to open up the pit and slam together with your buddies to the sound of We Don’t Belong Here, led by the pounding drums by Howie; and Ascension is a cinematic interlude that feels like it was taken from a Power Metal album, warming us up for The Unbeaten, a delicate ballad by the boys to put an enfolding ending to the album. Well, there are still the bonus tracks left, all offering the band’s trademark fusion of Hard Rock with Southern and Groove Metal, just like in the thrilling extended version of Vigilance, with Mike Orlando and Jason Bittner as guest vocalists.

Heavy riffs, classic bass, galloping drums, and an endless amount of sheer energy. That’s exactly what will hit you as you listen to the excellent It Takes The Village, proving that despite some bumps on the way, the guys from Who On Earth are inspired and focused to keep moving forward no matter what. Having said that, don’t waste your time and go show your support to those guys by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their Youtube channel, by streaming their rockin’ creations on Spotify and on Apple Music, and of course by purchasing their new album from Bandcamp. Because Who On Earth live and breathe Heavy Metal and Rock N’ Roll, and in the end, who on earth doesn’t enjoy some high-quality heavy music, right?

Best moments of the album: Vigilance, Too Close, Monster! and We Don’t Belong Here.

Worst moments of the album: Closer.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Vigilance 4:15
2. Any Other Way 3:07
3. Shadows 4:00
4. Good Man Down 3:13
5. Closer 1:00
6. Too Close 3:39
7. Double Or Nothing 4:09
8. Monster! 4:08
9. Oh, Set Me Free 4:28
10. We Don’t Belong Here 3:51
11. Ascension 1:47
12. The Unbeaten 4:15

Bonus tracks
13. Jane 4:17
14. Down And Out – Dvrko Remix 3:41
15. Vigilance [Extended] 5:08

Band members
Coosh – vocals
Johnny James Barone – guitar
Jimmy Kocha – guitar
Pete Rizzi – bass
Howie Fallon – drums

Guest musicians
Mike Orlando – vocals on “Vigilance [Extended]”
Jason Bittner – vocals on “Vigilance [Extended]”

Concert Review – Burning Witches (The Garrison, Toronto, ON, 04/23/2026)

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Metalheads in Toronto were finally locked in the dark tower of Heavy Metal ruled by the phenomenal Witches of the North on their first ever concert in the city.

OPENING ACTS: AMMO and Thunderor

For the first time ever in their already solid career, the indomitable BURNING WITCHES, with the support of THUNDEROR and AMMO, took the city of Toronto by storm with their undisputed blend of Heavy and Power Metal during their Canadian Tour 2026, brought to the city by Boonsdale Records. I initially thought The Garrison might have been too small for these three amazing bands, but due to the fact Dark Tranquillity were playing in the city at the exact same time, the attendance for Burning Witches wasn’t exceptional. It feels like that’s the norm in Toronto in April and May, and then in September and Ocober, with countless concerts night after night, then huge draughts in the summer and winter. Well, Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to worship our beloved Witches of the North, bringing to our metallic hearts an overdose of metal awesomeness (louder than an atom bomb, by the way), and I’m sure after such an amazing show they’ll quickly return to Toronto in the near future for another ass-kicking concert.

In order to properly introduce the first band of the night, I have a question for you. Are you too metal for metal? That’s exactly what Toronto’s own Heavy Metal brigade AMMO delivered to us all this Thursday night, playing their already classic hymn Too Metal for Metal, plus songs from their 2019 EP Taking the Throne, and their 2025 single Mortis Rex, all available on BandCamp and on Spotify. With guitarist Brett Williams now also taking care of their vocal duties, the quartet kicked some serious ass onstage, properly warming up the crowd for the upcoming attractions. Kudos also to the iconic bassist Necro Hippie for blasting his bass nonstop, adding an extra layer of heaviness to the band’s core sound. I think their first full-length album is long overdue, we definitely need that, as those guys know how to add the word “METAL” to any stage, and if you ever have a chance to see them live, do not miss it.

Setlist
Mortis Rex
Far From Here
Street Metal Werewolves
Heart of Sin
Empire
Too Metal for Metal

Band members
Brett Williams – vocals, guitars
Matt Lewis – guitars
Necro Hippie – bass
Struan Robertson – drums

After a short break, it was time for Toronto’s Heavy Meta/Hard Rock heroes THUNDEROR to bring the arena-rock anthems from their 2022 album Fire It Up and their brand new offering Bleed for It to life at The Garrison, both available on BandCamp and on Spotify, and I’m always going to say it’s truly impressive how the band’s mastermind JJ Tartaglia is capable of singing, playing drums, and even playing keyboards at the same time. Well, we can all do that, but of course let’s say the quality of the sound in that case will be below hideous, right? Jokes aside, and back to the concert, it felt like being taken back to the glory of the 80’s during their set, with songs like Fire It Up, Get ‘Em Counted, and in special Cape Breton Home, featuring the awesome guest fiddler Zoe S., inspiring us to headbanging and raise our horns together with JJ and his crew. If you don’t know Thunderor yet, don’t waste your time and go check their music, and if possible, go see them live. It’s time to pump up the volume, my friends!

Setlist
Fire It Up
One Chance
Pump Up The Volume
Get ‘Em Counted
Cape Breton Home
Dangerous Times
Thunderor
How We Roll

Band members
JJ Tartaglia – vocals, drums, keyboards
Jonny Nesta – guitars
Brycen Gunn – bass

BURNING WITCHES

After a long wait of over ten years, Switzerland’s unparalleled Heavy/Power Metal brigade BURNING WITCHES finally toured Canada, or at least a few selected Canadian cities including Toronto, and the excitement on the faces of all fans at The Garrison was crystal clear with their first chance ever to see those talented ladies kicking some serious ass live. Having released the excellent Inquisition in 2025 (available on both BandCamp and Spotify, just like all of their other albums), the band formed of the air raid siren Laura Guldemond (what an incredible voice!), the virtuosi Romana Kalkuhl and Courtney Cox on the guitars, the thunderous Jeanine Grob on bass, and the unstoppable Lala Frischknecht on drums delivered a fantastic mix of their entire discography for the total delight of all concert goers, leaving us all eager for more after all was said and done.

Lots of vocalists use a variety of corrective and creative effects on their microphones during their live performances, such as reverb or delay, but not Laura. Her voice is unbelievable, absurdly powerful and piercing, adding even more electricity to their already thrilling songs like Dance With the Devil, The Dark Tower (my favorite of the night), Inquisition, and the beautiful ballad Release Me. It’s truly a thing of beauty, but of course her bandmates make sure there’s endless heaviness for her to shine on vocals. Romana and Courtney didn’t stop shredding their axes, while Jeanine and Lala made the whole venue tremble. It was insanely loud. Fans were having a phenomenal time, raising their fists, chanting all songs with the girls, and even igniting some mosh pits during their faster songs.

After their coup-de-grace with the classics Hexenhammer, Wings of Steel, The Witch of the North, and Burning Witches, as it was their last show of the tour (before getting a flight to Germany the following morning to play at a festival basically that same day), we were all expecting a surprise like “Holy Diver”, but that’s fine. We understand how exhausting their flight back could be, and besides, we already got to see them playing their biggest classics live in the city for the first time, right? After the show, some of the girls spent a few minutes outdoors chatting with fans. I had the pleasure of talking for a bit with Courtney and Jeanine, and I must say they’re not just extremely talented musicians, but super nice ladies who make the world a much better place with their music and charisma. I really hope this wasn’t their first and only show in Toronto, as they need to return to the city to play at a bigger venue (and not on the same day as a major player like Dark Tranquillity), so that more people get exposed to their stunning Heavy Metal. As a huge fan of the band, I can’t wait to get locked in a dark tower in Toronto once again by the most talented witches of heavy music.

Setlist
Sanguini Hominum
Soul Eater
Shame
Dance With the Devil
Maiden of Steel
The Dark Tower
Sea of Lies
Inquisition
Release Me
Black Widow
Evil Witch
Lucid Nightmare
Dungeon of Infamy
The Witch Circle
Hexenhammer
Wings of Steel
The Witch of the North
Burning Witches
Malus Maga

Band members
Laura Guldemond – vocals
Romana Kalkuhl – guitars
Courtney Cox – guitars
Jeanine Grob – bass
Lala Frischknecht – drums

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Album Review – Preludio Ancestral / Guardians of Twilight (2026)

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The Argentinian guardians of heavy music return with their sixth album, continuing to evolve toward an even more epic and melodic Power Metal sound while shaping a strong and distinctive identity.

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the shape-shifting Heavy/Power Metal entity Preludio Ancestral returns in 2026 with a new opus, entitled Guardians of Twilight, following up on their underground cult albums Hacia lo inmortal (2012), Kybalion (2015), El misterio de la pasión divina (2016), Oblivion (2018), and Magnus (2023). Currently formed of Jackson “Jax” Harwood and Cole Maverick Turner on vocals, the band’s mastermind Leonardo Gatti on the guitars, keyboards, orchestrations and bass (who was also responsible for composing, mixing and mastering the album), Juan Pablo Kilberg also on the guitars, and Martin de Pas on drums, the band continues to evolve toward an even more epic and melodic Power Metal sound in their new opus, shaping a strong and distinctive identity while reaffirming Leonardo’s epic vision and status as one of Latin America’s most inspired composers in the genre.

The striking guitars by Leo and Juan permeate the air in the epic and powerful Blades of the Burning Sky, also presenting soaring vocal lines with elements from Hard Rock and AOR, which in the end sounds amazing, followed by Riders of the Crimson Storm, another song with a beyond Power Metal name led by Martin’s unstoppable beats and fills. The Shadow Throne is a bit generic compared to the previous songs, not as powerful nor engaging, but the vocal lines are again impeccable, whereas in Flame of the Eternal Dragon the name and the sound transpire Rhapsody of Fire, blending the finesse of Symphonic Metal with the excitement of Power Metal. Leo and Juan are on fire with their killer riffs and solos in The Storm of a Thousand Wings, boosted by Leo’s own keys, orchestrations and thunderous bass; and the band goes full Melodic Rock and AOR in The Sorceress of My Heart, with their soulful guitar solos walking hand in hand with the classic beats by Martin.

The second half of the album invites us all to grab our swords and shields and go slay some dragons in Rise of the Golden Flame, another excellent Power Metal extravaganza showcasing striking guitar solos and backing vocals, and the fight goes on in Vengeance of the Dragonheart, with Martin hammering his drums nonstop and, therefore, adding an extra touch of pure Heavy Metal to their core sound. Leo continues to fire his trademark solos in Crown of the Rising Sun, with the music alternating between sheer adrenaline and epic, fist raising moments, followed by The Last Stand of Light, another solid hybrid of Symphonic Power Metal and Melodic Rock and Metal with all vocals sounding truly powerful and passionate. Those Argentinian warriors definitely know how to add Heavy Metal magic to their song titles, which is also the case in Forged in the Skyfire, as epic as the rest of the album; while lastly we have Twilight of the Hero, a climatic ending to the album showcasing another round of soaring vocals, striking riffs and pounding drums.

In the end, the sixth studio album by this excellent band from Argentina will surely please admirers of the music blasted by renowned acts the likes of Stratovarius, Rhapsody of Fire, Masterplan and Gamma Ray, among many others, keeping the fires of Melodic and Symphonic Power Metal burning brighter than a thousand suns. You can get in touch with Leonardo and his henchmen via Facebook, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase Guardians of Twilight from their own BandCamp, from the Fighter Records’ BandCamp, or from Xtreem Music’s webstore. Because they are the guardians of Heavy Metal, and they’ll keep fighting for good music no matter what armed with their striking new album.

Best moments of the album: Blades of the Burning Sky, Flame of the Eternal Dragon and Rise of the Golden Flame.

Worst moments of the album: The Shadow Throne.

Released in 2026 Fighter Records

Track listing
1. Blades of the Burning Sky 5:06
2. Riders of the Crimson Storm 3:41
3. The Shadow Throne 4:46
4. Flame of the Eternal Dragon 3:43
5. The Storm of a Thousand Wings 4:36
6. The Sorceress of My Heart 5:02
7. Rise of the Golden Flame 3:59
8. Vengeance of the Dragonheart 5:00
9. Crown of the Rising Sun 3:46
10. The Last Stand of Light 4:12
11. Forged in the Skyfire 4:09
12. Twilight of the Hero 4:35

Band members
Jackson “Jax” Harwood – vocals, choirs
Cole Maverick Turner – vocals, choirs
Leonardo Gatti – guitars, keyboards, orchestrations, bass
Juan Pablo Kilberg – guitars, choirs
Martin de Pas – drums

Album Review – Timeless Rage / My Kingdom Come (2026)

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This powerful German Symphonic Metal ensemble is back with their sophomore album, revolving around the major themes of power, freedom, rebellion, love, guilt, war, and the cycle of life and death.

Having carved out their own niche with an unmistakable blend of catchy Power Metal, detailed Melodic Metal, symphonic influences, and dark, mystical tones since their inception in 2012, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany-based Symphonic Power Metal ensemble Timeless Rage is back with their sophomore effort My Kingdom Come, the follow-up to their 2022 album Untold. Currently formed of vocalist Nicolaj Ruhnow, guitarists Christian Pirch and Michael Benk, bassist Daniel Wengle, keyboardist Anna Keil, and drummer Klaus Buchfink, Timeless Rage have created an album with five chapters that range from orchestral opulence to uncompromising metal power, with its content revolving around the major themes of power, freedom, rebellion, love, guilt, war, and the cycle of life and death. Theological, mythological, and human perspectives are interwoven, questioning moral certainties as well as religious and social structures.

My Kingdom Come is simply epic and imposing from the very beginning, with Nicolaj stealing the spotlight with a powerful vocal performance while Christian and Michael deliver sheer adrenaline from their axes. Then Daniel’s bass and Klaus’ drums are boosted by the striking keys by Anna in The Seed Of Fear, resulting in a bold, multi-layered Symphonic Metal aria tailored for admirers of the genre; whereas investing in a more direct Power Metal sound led by the hammering drums by Klaus we have The Devil’s Masquerade, perfect for their live concerts. Conquistadores feels like an epic adventure on unruly waters, alternating between fast and heavy Power Metal moments and ethereal passages; and Moonbite Serenade offers us all six minutes of absolute heaviness in the form of Symphonic Metal led by the crushing drums by Klaus while Anna’s keys add an extra touch of epicness to their music.

A Vampire’s Legacy continues their symphonic adventure, perfect for admirers of the music by Kamelot, with Nicolaj once again delivering a striking vocal performance for our total delight. After the serene interlude Regrets, we’re treated to The Enemy Is You, where the band puts the pedal to the metal and brings forward the heaviest sound of all songs, in special the demolishing beats and fills by Klaus supported by Daniel’s rumbling bass, followed by We All Shall Fall, which despite its nice atmosphere and the haunting keys by Anna sounds a bit generic in the end compared to the rest of the album. Lastly, blending elements from Melodic Rock and AOR to their core sonority the band fires The Pale Death, also presenting another excellent riff attack by Christian and Michael to properly conclude the album.

In a nutshell, Timeless Rage deliver in My Kingdom Come a work that appeals to genre fans as well as listeners who value storytelling, atmosphere, and musical class, and you can join those talented Teutonic metal warriors on Facebook and Instagram (or simply by clicking HERE), staying up to date with all things surrounding the band, including their breathtaking live performances, as well as stream their music on Spotify, and purchase a copy of their thrilling new album from BandCamp or from Metalapolis Records. In a sea of never-ending gimmicks, Timeless Rage focus on what really matters, which is first-class heavy music with a strong background story, and I’m sure My Kingdom Come will be featured among the top Symphonic Metal albums of the year all across the world.

Best moments of the album: The Seed of Fear, Moonbite Serenade and The Enemy Is You.

Worst moments of the album: We All Shall Fall.

Released in 2026 Metalapolis Records

Track listing
1. My Kingdom Come 5:09
2. The Seed Of Fear 5:19
3. The Devil’s Masquerade 3:54
4. Conquistadores 4:56
5. Moonbite Serenade 6:16
6. A Vampire’s Legacy 4:20
7. Regrets 1:07
8. The Enemy Is You 5:06
9. We All Shall Fall 5:24
10. The Pale Death 4:21

Band members
Nicolaj Ruhnow – vocals
Christian Pirch – guitars
Michael Benk – guitars, backing vocals
Daniel Wengle – bass, backing vocals
Anna Keil – keyboards, backing vocals
Klaus Buchfink – drums

Metal Chick of the Month – Julia Elenoir

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I see your faces… Bleeding from within…

Ciao, miei cari metallari! Are you ready to embark on a wild journey to the “Bel Paese” together with The Headbanging Moose to know more about our metal lady of this month of April? Not just a metal singer and songwriter, but she’s also a psychologist and psychotherapist, creating a strong connection between heavy music and mental health, or as she prefers to say, she talks to the community where loud music meets deep healing. Bridging metal, psychology, and visual art, shaping a voice and a vision that are both intense and deeply human, she’s the frontwoman for the up-and-coming Italian band 5RAND, and one of the must-see names of the new generation of growlers. Her name is Julia Eleonora, better known by her stage moniker Julia Elenoir, and she will kick your ass mercilessly with her undeniable talent, charisma and passion for all things Heavy Metal.

Born and raised in the beautiful city of Rome, Italy, Julia has been creating music since her childhood, having grown up surrounded by rock and metal. She started playing classical guitar at the age of 13, and formed her first band when she was 17, beginning to compose her earliest songs. Over the years, her musical style evolved naturally from lighter styles like Hard Rock to a heavier, more introspective metal sound, with Death Metal becoming her main style. “Because I love its edge, its rawness, the catharsis it creates. The extreme side lets me explore, push boundaries and channel aggression and vulnerability at the same time. With 5RAND we mix melodic death and deathcore …not to provoke, but to dig deeper,” she said when asked why she decided to follow such an extreme path with Death Metal.

Founded in 2015 in Rome, Italy by Julia on vocals and Pierluigi Carocci on the guitars (who was working on his own solo project), Riccardo Zito on bass, and Francesco Marroni on drums, but currently formed of Julia and Pierluigi alongside bassist Acey Guns and drummer Andrea De Carolis, the up-and-coming Melodic Death/Groove Metal act 5RAND builds on a punishing modern metal foundation layered with the cinematic depth of melodeath, creating an intense and emotionally immersive soundscape and, therefore, carving out a distinctive place in the modern metal scene. “The name 5RAND comes from a South African 5 Rand coin that Pierluigi once received from a shaman as a good-luck charm. It stayed with him and with us,” explained Julia in one of her interviews. “Musically, we live at the crossroads of aggression and melody. We play, we record, we move forward.”

Having since toured extensively across Europe, sharing the stage with iconic acts such as Dark Tranquillity, Vader, Butcher Babies, Infected Rain and many others, 5RAND alredy released their debut album Sacred / Scared in 2017, followed by their 2019 sophomore Dark Mother, and their excellent third installment Ordhalia, from 2025, a sonic evolution in their already solid career, sounding darker, more introspective, and conceptually daring. Furthermore, Julia has written all the lyrics for 5RAND and has co-composed the music for every song released by the band to date, showing how much she’s involved with 5RAND. Not only that, even Julia couldn’t give a precise answer when asked how she would label the music by 5RAND, just to give you an idea of how dynamic, fresh and unique their style can be. “That would be hard to say precisely, since we don’t fit exactly in only one subgenre, like many many modern bands don’t. We’ve got a bit of Thrash and Death Metal, but also Industrial Metal and a lot of melodies too.” And if you want to experience their music in loco you can find their albums on Spotify, and also visit YouTube to enjoy their official videos for songs like Old Angel Midnight, Paint of Pain, Erase, Several Injuries, Cordyceps, live versions of Preacher of Lies and Cordyceps, and many more.

Owner of such a powerful and versatile voice, it was obvious that we would see Julia as a guest vocalist for different bands and projects. For instance, you can find her doing all female vocals for the 2022 album Ex Mortis Gloria, by Bristol, England-based Technical Death Metal band Imperium; as a guest vocalist for the song A New One, from the 2018 album Liberation, by Italian Symphonic Heavy Metal band Infinita Symphonia; and also as a guest vocalist for the 2020 album Phagocity, by Italian Groove Metal outfit South of No North. Moreover, when asked about venturing on a solo project in the near future, she said that’s indeed a possibility. “I’m always open. For now, I’m focused on 5RAND, but I don’t rule out solo work or collaborations in the future. Art is fluid; it transforms. I’d especially like to do something acoustic with my own songs, but for now we’re working on the next release.”

As expected, Julia is highly influenced by some of the most important names in the history of heavy music. “Growing up, we’d say the classics: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer… now the names are slightly different and more recent though, like Slipknot, Gojira, Fear Factory,” she commented. In addition, as one of the most promising female growlers of the current scene, Julia is also a huge admirer of the music by Arch Enemy and Jinjer. “I’ve been inspired by voices like Corey Taylor from Slipknot, and among the women I really admire Cristina Scabbia, Alissa White-Gluz, Tatiana Shmayluk, and other artists who know how to blend intensity and versatility. I admire anyone who can shake me to the core while destroying the stage.”

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Regarding her vocal technique, Julia said that she works a lot on her clean and growl dual-voice style. “It’s not about volume, but control, endurance, and intensity. You have to be able to express emotion even when the voice is rough. I always warm up, focus on breathing, and pay close attention to vocal health. Clean parts and growls require completely different mindsets.” She practices a lot everyday, always focusing on warmups and breathing exercises, saying that singing in a Death Metal and/or Metalcore style has its easy parts, as well as really hard ones. “The hard part is keeping vocal health and expressiveness. The ‘easy’ part or at least what becomes more natural with experience is letting emotion flow once technique is solid.”

If there’s one thing that Julia and the boys from 5RAND enjoy doing, that’s hitting the stages with their live concerts. After signing with Art Gates Records, the band started working on new dates, aiming at expanding their touring and reaching a wider audience. A very good reason why all of us should keep an eye on their social media, because if 5RAND are taking your city by storm anytime soon, you surely don’t want to miss it. Also, when asked which song she likes to sing live the most, she mentioned the excellent Cordyceps. “Cordyceps because the crowd goes particularly crazy with that song, but I love to sing all our songs.” Julia also has her “hobbies” behind the scenes during their tours. The rest of the band said they suspect Julia really enjoys watching people eat. “That’s why everything she cooks is in enormous quantity,” commented her fellow bandmates.

When questioned about the current metal scene in Italy, she said that Death Metal, as well as Progressive and Power Metal, might probably be the most appreciated genres by Italian fans, apart of course form the bigger bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica and so on, but she also said that the majority of the Italian people tend to be a bit “lazy” in their musical taste and aren’t that eager to discover new bands or genres. “People mostly like what they already know,” she commented. Furthermore, she also mentioned she’s proud to see a new generation of women participating in the scene in Italy. “We’re seeing more and more women in metal bands, which is obviously very good! Many of them are very talented, maybe they’re still a bit confined to the symphonic style and to singing (too few women play an instrument on stage), but we hope their number keeps growing; versatility will come eventually.” However, she also believes everyone should be treated equal in heavy music. “I don’t think a band should be considered just for its members’ sex. In a better world, the musicians’ sex shouldn’t be more important than the colour of their hair.”

As mentioned in the beginning of this tribute to our multi-talented Italian diva, Julia is also a professional psychologist, having studied Psychiatry, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (with a major in Psychology) at Sapienza Università di Roma, graduating in 2013, and having also got a major in Brief Strategic Therapy (BST) from Scuola di Specializzazione in Psicoterapia Breve Strategica, currently running her own initiative named “Harmony of Chaos”, offering a fusion of metal music and insights on mental health. Not only that, Julia seems to be a philomath, having also obtained a Master’s Degree in Web Marketing and ICT and a degree in Marketing, Management and Business Economy, both also at Sapienza Università di Roma. And when she’s not studying, she loves arts, books, and sports, especially outdoors and in nature, as well as cooking a lot and keeping fit. As you can see, Julian never stops, she’s always creating new things, always searching for something new, always broadening and deepening her knowledge, and may she keep condensing all that awesomeness in the music by 5RAND for many years to come, because it’s people like Julia who definitely contribute to a much better world.

Julia Elenoir’s Official Facebook page
Julia Elenoir’s Official Instagram
Julia Elenoir’s Official YouTube channel
5RAND’s Official Facebook page
5RAND’s Official Instagram
5RAND’s Official YouTube channel

“Joining 5RAND in 2015 was a big step. I’m also passionate about psychology… in fact, I’m a psychologist and later specialized as a psychotherapist with a metal soul. I love helping people overcome mental struggles.” – Julia Elenoir

Album Review – HyperioN / Cybergenesis (2026)

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These Italian Heavy Metal warriors return with their third studio opus, a dark concept album rooted in classic Sci-Fi telling a story of resistance and sacrifice where the human spirit defies impossible odds.

Formed in 2015 by drummer Jason Beghelli and guitarist Davide Cotti to play traditional Heavy Metal, drawing inspiration from bands such as Metal Church, Queensrÿche, and Judas Priest, while adding their own personal touch, Bologna, Italy-based force HyperioN, whose name was taken from the Hyperion Cantos, a series of science fiction novels written by Dan Simmons, returns to the battlefield with a new opus, titled Cybergenesis. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Davide Cotti, with vocals recorded by Antonio Inserillo, and displaying a striking cover artwork hand-painted on canvas by English artist Ryan T. Hancock, renowned for his work with bands such as Seven Sisters, Blood Star, and Stormborn, the follow-up to their 2020 sophomore Into the Maelstrom is a dark concept album rooted in classic Sci-Fi, from Star Trek to Ghost in the Shell, telling a story of resistance and sacrifice where the human spirit defies impossible odds, all carefully brought into being by Max Morelli on vocals, Francis Dipasquale and Davide Cotti on the guitars, Simone “Nega” Cauli on bass, and Francesco Madonna on drums.

The striking guitars by Francis and Davide kick off the band’s metallic journey in Deafening, evolving into a frantic Heavy and Power Metal extravaganza where Max’s vocals couldn’t have sounded more epic. Then investing in a darker, more rhythmic sonority, it’s time for Francesco to shine on drums in Rewire, Rebuild, presenting elements of Progressive Metal to give the song an extra kick, followed by Yet We Still Fight, clearly inspired by the glory of 80’s Heavy Metal, with Max delivering those soaring vocals we all love so much supported by the spot-on riffage by Francis and Davide. And The Shackles of Chronitus is an Epic Power Metal composition with a strong, reverberating kitchen by Simone and Francesco, albeit not as exciting as the rest of the album.

An Iron Maiden-inspired atmospheric and melodic intro evolves into another killer tune entitled Blood Over Chrome, where their riffs and solos bring endless stamina to the already exciting song’s pace; whereas Grain of Sand brings to our avid years metal’s old school galloping rhythm led by Simone and Francesco, providing Max with exactly what he needs to fire his rebellious vocal lines. Rhizome Rider brings forward more of the band’s trademark sound, a pure Heavy Metal feast tailored for admirers of the style perfect for raising their fists together with HyperioN, and closing the album we face the theatrical, ruthless The Whole of Time, with its background keys and sounds elevating its punch considerably, not to mention Francis and Davide are once again on fire armed with their stringed axes.

The concept of Cybergenesis fits seamlessly with the fiery Heavy Metal therein, a daring expedition into a space-time rift that ends in disaster, and all that power, tragedy and rebelliousness couldn’t have sounded better than what HyperioN have to offer us all in their new album. You can get in touch with those talented Italians via Facebook and Instagram, including their breathtaking live performances, stream their music on Spotify or any other streaming platform, and grab a copy of Cybergenesis from BandCamp or from Fighter Records, or click HERE for all things HyperioN. Will the reborn commander Rhizome Rider succeed in leading a rebellion from within and sacrificing himself to free humanity? Simply listen to the thrilling Heavy Metal crafted by HyperioN in Cybergenesis, and you’ll have the answer to that question and more while you bang your head to their undisputed heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Deafening, Yet We Still Fight and Blood Over Chrome.

Worst moments of the album: The Shackles of Chronitus.

Released in 2026 Fighter Records

Track listing
1. Deafening 3:54
2. Rewire, Rebuild 4:46
3. Yet We Still Fight 4:26
4. The Shackles of Chronitus 4:51
5. Blood Over Chrome 5:18
6. Grain of Sand 4:17
7. Rhizome Rider 4:57
8. The Whole of Time 6:48

Band members
Max Morelli – vocals
Francis Dipasquale – guitars
Davide Cotti – guitars
Simone “Nega” Cauli – bass
Francesco Madonna – drums