Inspired by the past, a new Swedish Melodic Metal entity arises with their debut offering, a tribute to the bands that led them onto the path they are on today.
A new Swedish Melodic Metal band which incorporates many different influences from the fields of AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, and Progressive Rock and Metal into their sound, Heathen’s Eye are set to release their debut album, entitled Port Inspiro, or “inspired by the past” in Esperanto, a tribute to the bands that led the band onto the path they are on today. Featuring five experienced musicians with background in several genres, the band formed of Robb Lindh on vocals, Göran Hamrin on the guitars, Ola Hellström on bass, Mikael Andersson on keyboards, and Jonas Jönsson on drums brings together all of their influences from the 80’s and 90’s to the album, being therefore recommended for fans of Masterplan, Accept, Queensryche, Firewind, and Lynch Mob, among others.
Jonas revs up the band’s rockin’ engine in One Black Lie, quickly evolving into a beyond solid feast of European Hard Rock, with Robb distilling his hypnotizing vocals for the delight of fans of the genre. The band then takes us back to the golden years of 80’s Hard Rock with Mirrorman, with Göran’s stylish riffs walking hand in hand with Mikael’s mesmerizing keys; whereas a cinematic, creepy intro explodes into another feast of Melodic Rock and Metal entitled Ghosts Of Yesterday, more cadenced and harmonious than its predecessors. Robb continues to fire his beyond melodious vocals in Still Water Runs Deep, while Mikael’s keys and Jonas’ beats add an extra Rock N’ Roll touch to the music, and the rumbling bass by Ola exhales groove and heaviness in the fast-paced Firepriest, a song perfect for hitting the highway on a hot summer day. After such a hurricane of rock music, it’s time for a cheesy but very melodic ballad titled Is It Over Now, with Robb stealing the show with his passionate vocal lines.
Just the start of Endless Lines transpires the 80’s, gradually evolving into another mid-tempo Hard Rock aria where Jonas takes the lead armed with his fierce beats, followed by Lost In The Wind, another beautiful ballad by those Swedish rockers, with the minimalist guitar lines by Göran clashing perfectly with Robb’s vocals. Shine is a very generic Melodic Rock tune that doesn’t add much to the album, despite the band’s classy musicianship being there as usual; while they get back on track in Monsters, offering a six minute voyage through the realms of classic Hard Rock, Melodic Rock and Metal, and even Rock N’ Roll, with Göran and Ola extracting sheer adrenaline from their axes until the very last second. The band keeps rockin’ our world with Blind, adding hints of old school Heavy Metal to their core Hard Rock; and lastly, we’re treated to another six-minute feast of melody and passion titled Time To Deliver, with Jonas pounding his drums while Mikael’s keys bring a pinch of modernity to the music.
Most members of Heathen’s Eye live in the beautiful north, the land of snow, aurora borealis, months of eternal darkness in the winter, and warm days when the sun never sets in the summer. These contrasts are also reflected in their music, which spans over Heavy Rock, airy ballads and Progressive Metal, exactly like what they have to offer us all in Port Inspiro. Hence, you can get to know more about this exciting new name of the Swedish rock and metal scene by following them on Facebook, and purchase a copy of their classy debut from the Pride & Joy Music shop. Inspired by the past, Heathen’s Eye is crafting the future of Melodic Rock and Metal in their new album, leaving us eager for more in the coming years.
Best moments of the album:Mirrorman, Firepriest and Monsters.
Worst moments of the album:Shine.
Released in 2025 Pride & Joy Music
Track listing 1. One Black Lie 4:57
2. Mirrorman 5:08
3. Ghosts Of Yesterday 5:07
4. Still Water Runs Deep 4:58
5. Firepriest 5:33
6. Is It Over Now 5:34
7. Endless Lines 4:37
8. Lost In The Wind 5:08
9. Shine 4:32
10. Monsters 6:14
11. Blind 5:32
12. Time To Deliver 6:07
Band members Robb Lindh – vocals
Göran Hamrin – guitars
Ola Hellström – bass
Mikael Andersson – keyboards
Jonas Jönsson – drums
In this month of February, let’s put an Egyptian touch to The Headbanging Moose with a multi-talented lady who knows how to masterfully blend the harshness of heavy music with the whimsical cultural sounds of her homeland, crafting a unique blend that became a trademark in her already solid career in music. Owner of a powerful voice that can range from the most delicate cleans vocals to deep guttural roars, she had to go against all odds to make her music be heard, and we must thank her for being so obstinate because her music is indeed a thing of beauty. I’m talking about Cherine Amr, sometimes also referred to as Cheen, the mastermind behind Massive Scar Era, and a woman who will bravely fight for freedom of speech, for creativity, and for women’s rights, always against any type of oppression, including obviously religious oppression, and always armed with the power of heavy music.
Hailing from the famous and beautiful Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, in Egypt, Cherine got interested in Western Heavy Metal in the late 90’s during her teens thanks to one of her friends, when the genre became popular in Egypt even though the police were known to round up fans for some not-so-nice questioning. That of course didn’t stop Cherine from listening to heavy music and, consequently, from forming Massive Scar Era in the early 2000’s, with all criticism she received in her homeland only fueling her passion for crafting high quality rock and metal since then.
It was in 2004 in her hometown Alexandria when Cherine, alongside Suzie and Sarah Kasrway, formed Massive Scar Era, an Egyptian Alternative Metal collaborative project characterized by a distinctive fusion of Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, and Punk Rock, spiced up with elements of traditional Egyptian music, reflecting the cosmopolitan allure of Alexandria intertwined with the raw essence of Cairo’s urban landscape. The name of the band is also very meaningful to Cherine. “The name means so much to us. It has many layers and the more the years go by the more we relate to it. We wanted a name that reflects how traumatic and aggressive the world is, that we are living in right now. I was thinking about a good name for a long time, and a good friend of mine in Egypt suggested it to us. Since the band started as an all-girl band at its beginning, Massive Scar Era was also the long name for its abbreviation Mascara; however, we stopped using Mascara a long time ago.”
The band released their debut EP Reincarnation back in 2006, immediately receiving a lot of feedback from all types, including criticism from family members and religious authorities in their homeland. Those struggles were mentioned in the internationally released book Heavy Metal Islam, by author Mark LeVine, in 2008, and the band also faced difficulty in finding gigs and record distributors in their country during that period due to popular disdain for aggressive music.
The international success of Massive Scar Era led the band to play at Sweden Rock Festival in 2009, and to be feature in the Egyptian film Microphone in 2010, showcasing Alexandria’s arts and music scene. The band then went on to release a series of albums starting in 2010, those being Unfamiliar Territory (2010), Precautionary Measures (2011) and Comes Around You (2012), leading them to play at European summer music festivals regularly. Finally, in 2013 Cherine and her Massive Scar Era were featured in the film Before the Spring, After the Fall, which depicted the participation of Egypt’s rock musicians three years before the 2011 Arab Spring.
It was in 2015 when Cherine had to relocate to Montreal, the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province, to escape her home country’s criticism and harassment toward her music, and that change also impacted the way things worked for Massive Scar Era, as Cherine’s creative vision for the project evolved into a more collaborative project where she started inviting a diverse group of musicians to contribute to the band’s sound and bring her vision to life. This approach differs from having a fixed band lineup, enabling Cherine and her guest musicians to explore and experiment with various musical styles and influences while keeping the core elements of the project’s identity intact.
Following her relocation to Canada, Cherine and her Massive Scar Era have already recorded the albums 30 Years (2016), Color Blind (2018), Metal Goes Egyptian (2023), and more recently Assyad (2024), which is perhaps her most experimental album to date. There are also some interesting videos online for some of her best creations, including Pray, School Girls, 30 Years, Color Blind, Unfollow, and the more-than-special series of videos titled Metal Goes Egyptian: Live with an Egyptian Arabic Orchestra, where you can also enjoy her work with visuals as part of her music.
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Her 2024 album Assyad definitely deserves a listen by any fan of good quality music, and also by any person interested in knowing more about the Egyptian culture and traditions. The album is a result of years of research into the Egyptian Zār traditions, all masterfully transformed into beautiful music by Cherine and her henchmen. Zār is a possession cult that incorporates music and dance into its rituals, aiming to establish reconciliation between individuals and the spirits (Assyad) believed to inhabit their bodies, causing illness. The Assyad represent the projection of fears and anxieties, and the Zār ritual seeks to alleviate suffering, challenges, and conflicts faced by the individual. At the heart of the Zār ceremony, an ensemble guides the devotees through a trance dance, breaking down barriers to personal identity through rhythmic and melodic patterns deeply rooted in emotional and cultural contexts. This allows individuals in a trance to identify with the possessing spirits, providing a unique sensory experience.
It was back in 2021 when Cherine undertook a 20-day residency with Zār musicians in Cairo, Egypt, supported by Dr. Kawkab Tawfik, also connecting deeply with the Zār Abul Al-Gheit Ensemble, led by Mohammed Abouzied. Then in 2023 she united metal and Zār musicians for a three-week residency in Montreal, hosting music workshops to refine their collaboration, resulting in an interactive show at Le Petit Campus on August 18, 2023, and in the album Assyad, blending traditional Zār songs and rhythms with metal, with each track being inspired by a specific Zār spirit.
Ultimately, Assyad makes a powerful analog between two demonized groups; the Heavy Metal audience, and the Zār community, who have both had their music and practices come under scrutiny by society at large. Through the album, Massive Scar Era and The Abou El-Gheit Ensemble invite listeners to embrace the unknown and explore the deep connections between music, culture, and community. Hence, if you want to be part of the unique experience of listening to Assyad, the album is available for streaming in full on BandCamp and on Spotify, and as already mentioned, it’s a must-listen for admirers of heavy music with folk and cultural elements.
There are some very interesting interviews online with Cherine, including this one HERE, and in most of those interviews she’s questioned about how it is to make heavy music in her homeland Egypt, how it felt to be called Satanists by whoever was against heavy music in their country, and everything surrounding the Arab Spring. “Let’s be honest and put things in a realistic perspective; news outlets romanticize insurgency, but when you are in the situation and you know that your life can be taken away, you can literally pee your pants. We were scared! We are still afraid. I moved to Canada because of this,” commented Cherine. “If I haven’t left Egypt, I would probably have toned it a little bit down. Currently, the government is on edge and arresting anyone that looks suspicious to them, and our case wouldn’t get the public support.”
A huge lover of Molokhia, an iconic Egyptian soup made of jute mallow leaves from which the dish gets its name, Cherine dreams of playing with Massive Scar Era at Wacken Open Air, bringing her Egyptian roots, arts and music to a much broader metal community, and I’m sure her dream will come true sooner than later due to the high quality and depth of her music. I can already imagine her Egyptian sounds hypnotizing tons of headbangers at the biggest metal festival in the world, allowing her to show the entire world that heavy music has no boundaries, no religion, no gender, and so on, evolving into a symbol of freedom even in places where political and religious oppression has sadly become a deeply rooted part of the society.
“Music is my frustration outlet so whatever experience I face I let it out in the music. I’m politically active, not by choice, I think anyone who grew up in Egypt has to be, especially if you are a woman. Moving to Canada also influenced the topics I write about because I moved into a minority category and was subject to harassment and discrimination.” – Cherine Amr
Embark on a thrilling story through a tapestry of Heavy Metal, following the journey of Joe, an immortal protagonist caught in a universe-threatening cataclysm.
Known for their unique fusion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) styles with Progressive Rock and catchy singalong melodies, Montreal, Quebec-based Heavy Metal brigade Mad Parish has been a formidable force in the Canadian heavy music scene for over a decade, culminating now in 2025 with the release of their sophomore opus The Dust Of Forever, a concept album that marks a bold new chapter for the band. Recorded by vocalist and guitarist Josh McConnell, guitarist Bob Eaglesham, bassist Patrick Latreille, keyboardist Andre Bisson, and drummer Paskal Belanger, the album weaves an original story through a tapestry of Heavy Metal, following the journey of Joe, an immortal protagonist caught in a universe-threatening cataclysm, promising to transport listeners to another realm, with layered sounds and textures that reveal new aspects with each listen.
The futuristic intro Prophecy will transport you to the world created by Mad Parish in Defecther, starting in a very progressive manner to the classic riffs by Josh and Bob, while Josh also fires his Ozzy Osbourne-inspired vocals. Patrick, Andre and Paskal generate a whimsical atmosphere in Possess The Child, blending Progressive Rock and Metal in great fashion; followed by Outerest In Irisius, the first interlude of the album, as ethereal and mystical as the intro, working as the warmup to Ouen Formation, one of the most 70’s-inspired songs of all, in special its vocals, backing vocals and overall pace. Here we go with another interlude titled Hunted, revving up their engines for Astra T.R.A.Z (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone), where they take their progressiveness to a whole new level to the stylish riffs by Josh and Bob and the striking keys by Andre. Transmission #1 Dream On is a bit too happy for my taste, but it is what the band had in mind to prepare us for Resistius, blending NWOBHM with 70’s Progressive Rock, with Paskal sounding flawless behind his drums. We then face another interlude, this time titled Aeternal, followed by another classy creation named An Age To Quell, where Josh and Bob’s riffage sounds thrilling until the very end.
Transmission #2 – Will Of God, the second interlude in the form of a transmission, is a Jazz-ish one, setting the tone for Loched, a Rock N’ Roll extravaganza highly inspired by old school Progressive Rock with Josh’s vocals sounding beyond ethereal, not to mention Andre’s striking Deep Puple-ish keys. Cathedron Wakes takes off from where the previous song ended, with their riffs and solos adding an extra touch of finesse to the overall result; and the piano by Andre in the interlude Book of Rites will captivate your senses before we’re treated to Bishop’s Tomb, boosted by the classic drums by guest Gopal Devanathan, resulting in one of the most electrifying of all songs of the album. There are too many interludes to my taste, and Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum might be the weakest of all, but everything gets back on track in The Experience Hunter, where Bob not only plays the guitar, but he’s also responsible for all keyboards, bass and drums, which is truly impressive. There’s one more interlude to go, entitled Trajectory: Tantus, heightening our senses for The Dust Of Forever, a riff-driven tune with a galloping pace led by the drumming by guest Gopal Devanathan, flowing into the outro Hail To The Hunter, putting an atmospheric, cryptic conclusion to the story.
Fans can look forward to an immersive album experience later this year, complete with a companion comic book titled The Experience Hunter Chronicles (with story by Josh McConnell, artwork by Niall Skinner, editing by Rahl Stafford, and design by Maximus Rex) and plans for a visually stunning live show (with the band’s live lineup comprised of Josh McConnell on vocals, Bob Eaglesham and Aaron Carbray on the guitars, Andre Bisson on keyboards, Gino Laposta on bass, and Max Rex on drums) featuring costumes, set pieces, and special effects, recommended for those who enjoy Iron Maiden, Virgin Steele, and Camel. Hence, don’t forget to see what such a unique band of the Canadian scene is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and to purchase a copy of the album along with a limited edition comic book via BandCamp, letting the story of the immortal being from the comics penetrate deep inside your mind while you listen to the stylish music by one of the most innovative bands hailing from Montreal.
Best moments of the album:Possess The Child, Resistius, Loched and Bishop’s Tomb.
Worst moments of the album:Transmission #1 Dream On and Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum.
Released in 2025 Independent
Track listing 1. Prophecy 1:30
2. Defecther 4:32
3. Possess The Child 4:45
4. Outerest In Irisius 1:34
5. Ouen Formation 6:35
6. Hunted 1:51
7. Astra T.R.A.Z (Tower Reformatory Asteroid Zone) 4:42
8. Transmission #1 Dream On 1:40
9. Resistius 6:44
10. Aeternal 1:44
11. An Age To Quell 4:05
12. Transmission #2 – Will Of God 2:04
13. Loched 3:24
14. Cathedron Wakes 5:37
15. Book of Rites 1:06
16. Bishop’s Tomb 3:32
17. Transmission #3 – Baz Raa Luum 1:46
18. The Experience Hunter 5:04
19. Trajectory: Tantus 2:02
20. The Dust Of Forever 5:11
21. Hail To The Hunter 1:01
Band members Josh McConnell – lead vocals, guitars, bass on “Transmission #1 Dream On”
Bob Eaglesham – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, bass and drums on “The Experience Hunter”
Patrick Latreille – bass
Andre Bisson – keyboards, piano on “Book of Rites”
Paskal Belanger – drums
Guest musicians
Peter Mika – keyboard solo on “Resistius”
Gopal Devanathan – drums on “An Age To Quell”, “Bishop’s Tomb” and “The Dust Of Forever”
Tony Spina – drums on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”
Jeff Louch – piano on “Transmission #2 – Will Of God”
This ruthless Finnish Black Metal horde returns with a scorching yet cold and vile concept album where its dreamlike story slowly advances towards indescribable horrors.
Formed in the spring of 2017 in Pori, a city in Finland and the regional capital of Satakunta, the unrelenting Black Metal horde known as Noitasapatti, which is Finnish for “witch’s sabbath”, is set to darken the skies with the release of their sophomore album, titled Sankarin matka, or “a hero’s journey”, the follow-up to their 2022 debut Kuolemattomille maille. Displaying a broad range of sounds while also bringing a lot of fresh soundscape to their music, Sankarin matka is a concept album consisting of an intro and seven songs where its dreamlike story slowly advances towards indescribable horrors, which waver between dream and reality until the truth is exposed in all of its heinousness, while the music is clearly inspired by 90’s Black Metal, British Death and Doom Metal, and even Progressive Rock, showcasing all the talent and dexterity by Erakko on vocals, bass, mouth harp and horns, Liekkiö on the guitars, Kadonnut on keyboards, and Häviö on drums.
Tulikipuna, or “red fever”, is a beyond cinematic intro, a phantasmagorical start to the album that nicely flows into Tuhatkasvoinen, or “thousand faced”, where Erakko begins screaming like a maniac supported by the classic Black Metal riffs by Liekkiö. After that, we have the the title-track Sankarin matka, bringing to our avid ears more of their fusion of Black Metal with experimental sounds, with the intricate beats by Häviö and the wicked keys by Kadonnut sounding absolutely electrifying; and their fusion of raw Black Metal with atmospheric and melodic sounds works really well in Paluu liekkeihin (“back to the flames”), the most Atmospheric Black Metal song of the entire album.
Käskyläisen sanat (“orderly words”) continues with their piano-infused extreme music attack, sounding even more piercing and devilish to the caustic riffage by Liekkiö while Erakko barks the song’s Finnish lyrics like a creature of the underworld, whereas Henkien polulla(“on the path of spirits”) sounds haunting and captivating from the very first second, reminding me of some of the songs from the early days of Cradle of Filth. Moreover, Kadonnut has mastered the art of devilish keys, making the song feel truly experimental at times. Then creepy guitars and bass lines will penetrate deep inside your skin in Matka halki myrskyjen, or “a journey through storms”, despite lacking more energy and getting stale after a while, though. Finally, let’s embark on a 10-minute voyage through the realms of cryptic Black Metal with Noitasapatti in Tähtivaeltaja, or “star trek”, where the bitterly cold gnarls by Erakko match flawlessly with the phantasmagorical sounds crafted by his bandmates, with its piano outro exhaling melancholy for our total delight.
A hero’s journey can be dark, evil and very demanding, just like what Noitasapatti have to offer us all in their new beast Sankarin matka, and if you think you have what it takes to face that infernal path you can get in touch with the band via Facebook or Instagram, stream their wicked creations on Spotify, and purchase their venomous new opus on BandCamp or from the Inverse Records webstore. However, be warned you’re going to face unimaginable horrors as soon as you hit play, proving once and for all the devilish power of Black Metal hailing from the North, sounding scorching and caustic while at the same time bitterly cold and chilling.
Best moments of the album:Sankarin matka, Käskyläisen sanat and Tähtivaeltaja.
Worst moments of the album:Matka halki myrskyjen.
Released in 2024 Inverse Records
Track listing 1. Tulikipuna 1:33
2. Tuhatkasvoinen 4:09
3. Sankarin matka 5:10
4. Paluu liekkeihin 6:21
5. Käskyläisen sanat 6:42
6. Henkien polulla 4:18
7. Matka halki myrskyjen 5:48
8. Tähtivaeltaja 9:50
Band members Erakko – vocals, bass, mouth harp, horns
Liekkiö – guitars
Kadonnut – keyboards
Häviö – drums
Guitarist Dave Fox and his Unwanted Guest return with another round of first-class rock and metal music, a true labour of love reflecting his personal and musical journey thus far.
The multi-talented Sheffield, England-based Dave Fox, lead guitarist of UK’s own Heavy Metal band Seventh Son, has recently re-emerged from the old school metal scene with a fresh take on 90’s Hard Rock, Progressive and Alternative Metal under the moniker Unwanted Guest, releasing in 2022 his critically acclaimed debut solo album Grave Metallum, which climbed to number 10 on the Amazon New Release Metal Charts. Following his successful debut, Dave has devoted nearly two years and 1,000 hours to writing, recording, and producing 12 new tracks for the second Unwanted Guest album, entitled Bonedead, a true labour of love reflecting his personal and musical journey thus far. On his new album, Dave once again performs all vocals and instrumental duties, showcasing his versatility as a seasoned rock guitarist and producer, giving the whole album a very personal and honest vibe.
Bonedead begins with Mary Had a Little Lamb, which according to Dave himself “is a very personal song lyrically and discusses the degeneration of elder family members. For some people, death is more preferable than being kept alive and suffering.” Musically speaking, it’s an exciting rockin’ tune where Dave slashes his guitar mercilessly while delivering melodious vocal lines, followed by Six Degrees of Saturation, exploring the concept of an abandoned playlist, sat on someone’s device, that may contain a masterpiece that no one will ever hear. “It is destined to remain digital dust, even more so when millions of bands are uploading song after song each day – most of which fall by the wayside – hardly ever being heard. What chance do these small artists ever have?”, said Dave, delivering another blast of modern-day Hard Rock showcasing classic riffs, bass lines and pounding drums. Then eerie background sounds add a welcome dose of insanity to The Alchemist, sounding like a Rock N’ Roll version of Deep Purple; and Dave enhances the heaviness of his riffs in Dead End, blasting a great fusion of Alternative Rock and Metal with classic Hard Rock in the vein of Velvet Revolver. It’s then time for Dave to invest in a more melodic vibe in the ballad Beneath the Broken Shell, with hints of Southern Rock in its riffs and beats; whereas Imposter Syndrome, a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals, offers tons of groove flowing from the bass guitar while all riffs and keys bring endless electricity to the music.
The second half of the album starts in a Velvet Revolver/Alter Bridge vibe with I’m Just a Guy, where Dave showcases all his passion for the riff while his vocals also sound as striking and melodic as they can be, followed by Show Yourself, another banger by Dave and his Unwanted Guest perfect for hitting the highway or simply enjoy it at home while having a cold beer, with the whole song exhaling pure Rock N’ Roll, in special Dave’s stylish riffs. He definitely knows how to blend classic rock music with the modern sound of the 90’s and 2000’s, which is exactly what we’ll get in Kindred State of Mind, flowing into the also rockin’ tune Future Skeleton, where he fires his classic riffs and beats from start to finish. It’s not amongst the strongest songs of the album, but it’s still very enjoyable, of course. His guitar lines sound heavier and more piercing in Funeral in My Brain, again nicely complementing his bass and drums, therefore supporting his vocal lines in great fashion; and lastly, it’s pedal to the metal in the flammable extravaganza titled Wrap Me Up, a striking conclusion to an album that reeks of our beloved Rock N’ Roll.
Bonedead can be appreciated in its entirety on Spotify, and you can also grab a copy of it from the project’s own BandCamp page, keeping Mr. Dave Fox very happy and motivated to continue his rockin’ journey and to bring to our avid ears more of his classy creations. You can also start following him on Facebook for news and other nice-to-know information about his Unwanted Guest, and also subscribe to his YouTube channel for more of his music. Both his debut Grave Metallum and his newborn spawn Bonedead are excellent albums that certainly deserve a listen by anyone who loves rock and metal music, and as mentioned, the more personal the albums by Dave and his Unwanted Guest sound and feel, the more thrilling his musical creations will be for all of us, proving again there’s nothing better than rock and metal music that is true to the heart as the soundtrack to our lives.
Best moments of the album:Six Degrees of Saturation, Imposter Syndrome and Show Yourself.
Worst moments of the album:Future Skeleton.
Released in 2024 Independent
Track listing 1. Mary Had a Little Lamb 4:09
2. Six Degrees of Saturation 3:58
3. The Alchemist 3:53
4. Dead End 4:52
5. Beneath the Broken Shell 3:34
6. Imposter Syndrome 3:37
7. I’m Just a Guy 3:57
8. Show Yourself 4:05
9. Kindred State of Mind 3:29
10. Future Skeleton 3:23
11. Funeral in My Brain 3:26
12. Wrap Me Up 2:48
There’s nothing better than celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada than with an ass-kicking metal concert, don’t you agree? That’s exactly what we got in Toronto this Monday when OPETH and TRIBULATION paid a visit to the city during their North American Tour 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, in another event organized by the awesome Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. And if you think the venue was empty due to one of the biggest holidays in Canada, you’re absolutely wrong, as fans simply took the venue by storm in a sold out (or almost sold out) night of sheer progressiveness and heaviness. Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to cover such a unique display of heavy music made in Sweden, and I guess both bands will surely return to Toronto sooner than later with a new show as not only both have new albums coming out in the next few weeks, but the reception of the crowd to them was also fantastic during the whole night.
Precisely at 7:30pm, Stockholm’s own Death/Gothic Metal outfit TRIBULATION hit the stage for a dynamic and diverse performance, and I say diverse because their sound has evolved and changed so much through the years it feels like every song is a different band playing on stage, plus the fact each band member looks like they belong to a different music style. That doesn’t mean the show was bad or boring; quite the contrary, the quartet was on fire during their entire show, with their new songs Tainted Skies, Hungry Waters and Saturn Coming Down, from their new album Sub Rosa in Aeternum (to be released on November 1) sounding really strong and vibrant live. I personally prefer their older material when they were more inclined to Death Metal, but any of their phases work really well on stage, and the crowd’s reaction to each song played proved that. Now let’s wait and see what their new album will bring to us all, and next time they visit Toronto I’m sure a lot of people that were at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to see only Opeth will feel more than excited to see Tribulation headlining a concert in the city.
Setlist Tainted Skies
Nightbound
Suspiria de Profundis
Hungry Waters
Saturn Coming Down
Strange Gateways Beckon
Melancholia
Band members Johannes Andersson – vocals, bass
Adam Zaars – guitars
Joseph Tholl – guitars
Oscar Leander – drums
As Stockholm’s iconic Progressive Death Metal/Rock institution OPETH was scheduled to start their performance at 8:45pm, I honestly thought the show was going to end earlier than most shows in the city, maybe even earlier than 10:30pm, but when the band in question is Opeth you can rest assured they’ll provide you with a long and detailed concert, to the point I only got back home close to midnight. The charismatic Mikael Åkerfeldt and his henchmen did a fantastic job on stage not only with their unique blend of progressiveness and heavy music, but also with the bonus “stand up comedy show” by Mikael in between songs. Seriously, the guy was on fire, and as I love that type of dark humor that only made the concert even more fun for my personal taste.
Their new songs §1 and §3, of their upcoming new album The Last Will and Testament (to be released on November 22), plus classics the likes of Ghost of Perdition, Sorceress and Deliverance, drove their fans crazy during their entire set, and as mentioned, Mikael’s jokes about only getting the munchies and eating an entire package of ham and one of cheese after trying marijuana for the first time, or saying that they’re not a pop band to accept requests for songs unless it’s the next song in their setlist, put an even bigger smile on the faces of everyone at the venue. I’m not a diehard Opeth fan but I believe there’s a recurring joke with the song “You Suffer”, by Napalm Death, and Opeth ended up playing it four or five times demanding us to “sing” its lyrics along with them. If you know that specific song, you can imagine how funny that was.
This was my third time only seeing Opeth, the latest one being my first (or second) show after the pandemic was over, when they played alongside Mastodon, and I don’t know why, maybe because I was more prepared this time, Opeth sounded way cooler to me, putting on a very entertaining and vibrant show exactly the way their Torontonian fans were asking for. The sound quality was excellent, the visuals were stunning, and the band sounded sharp and tight from start to finish. Having said that, I won’t be surprised if they visit Toronto again next year with a full tour focused on their new album due to the amazing reception from all fans this Monday, and I’m sure the venue will be pretty much sold out again as Opeth are becoming one of the most beloved bands by metalheads (and even non-metalheads) from Toronto and surroundings.
Setlist §1
The Leper Affinity
The Grand Conjuration
The Devil’s Orchard
Eternal Rains Will Come
In My Time of Need
Face of Melinda
Heir Apparent
§3
Ghost of Perdition
Encore:
Sorceress
Deliverance
Band members Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars, cittra, mellotron, percussion
Martín Méndez – bass, backing vocals
Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, Hammond organ, mellotron, piano, synthesizers, backing vocals
Waltteri Väyrynen – drums, percussion, backing vocals
One day after a beyond wild night with Hatebreed, Toronto hosted another brilliant metal extravaganza with DARK TRANQUILLITY and AMORPHIS, plus very special guests FIRES IN THE DISTANCE, at the always cozy The Opera House, again organized by the one and only Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. And let me tell you that I wasn’t expecting the venue to be so jam packed on a Tuesday night, proving once again how passionate the fans in the city are about heavy music. Seriously, I think someone forgot to stop selling tickets after the venue’s maximum capacity was reached, because it was really hard to move around the venue and to get downstairs to the floor section to enjoy the shows, with a lot of people just standing close to the bar at the back, behind the sound table. Even raising our horns or clapping our hands in the pit was difficult, but of course, nothing that would have made the night less enjoyable.
One major problem before the show was the insane traffic to get to the city, plus the fact there were absolutely no parking spots available anywhere near the venue, and because of that I sadly missed the show by Newington, Connecticut-based Melodic Doom/Death Metal act FIRES IN THE DISTANCE. I was dying to see those guys live as both their albums, Echoes from Deep November (2020) and Air Not Meant for Us (2023), both available on Spotify, are a thing of beauty and I’m sure their songs sounded even more powerful on stage. At least my buddy Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi was there to take some crazy photos of their concert, and I promise next time they visit Toronto I’ll skip work if needed to get to their show on time.
Setlist Harbinger
Wisdom of the Falling Leaves
Crumbling Pillars of a Tranquil Mind
Idiopathic Despair
Band members Craig Breitsprecher – bass, vocals
Kristian Grimaldi – guitars, vocals
Yegor Savonin – guitars, keyboards
Jordan Rippe – drums
I was just able to get inside the venue around 15 minutes before the first headliner of the night, Helsinki, Finland’s own Melodic Heavy Metal/Rock institution AMORPHIS, kicked off their ultra melodic, vibrant and colorful show, and I say colorful because the way they set up their stage was very appealing to my eyes. Also, the talented frontman Tomi Joutsen and his henchmen did a very good job in blending their new material that’s clearly more inclined to Progressive Rock, like the songs Northwards, On the Dark Waters, The Moon and The Wolf, from their 2022 album Halo, with old classic including the always stunning Doom Metal aria My Kantele, and that fusion of past and present was really well received by all fans that were almost smashed on the floor section. The entire band sounded sharp and spot-on, and their connection with the crowd was also fantastic during the whole show.
Setlist Northwards
On the Dark Waters
Sky Is Mine
The Moon
The Castaway
Silver Bride
The Wolf
Wrong Direction
My Kantele
Magic and Mayhem
Black Winter Day
House of Sleep
The Bee
Band members Tomi Joutsen – lead vocals
Esa Holopainen – lead guitar
Tomi Koivusaari – rhythm guitar
Olli-Pekka Laine – bass
Santeri Kallio – keyboards
Jan Rechberger – drums
As a lot of people left the pit to grab some merch, a beer or go outside for a smoke, I could then find a spot on the floor section to enjoy the other headliner, the unstoppable Gothenburg, Sweden-based Melodic Death Metal entity DARK TRANQUILLITY, and fortunately I had my concert earplugs with me because those guys were maybe too loud for such a small venue. The multi-talented, iconic, awesome Mikael Stanne alongside his band of first-class musicians also did a beautiful job mixing songs from their excellent new album Endtime Signals, like Shivers and Voids and Not Nothing, with their older material, and all songs sounded so electrifying the circle pit formed in the middle of the floor section looked like one from a pure Death Metal show, putting a huge smile on everyone’s faces including of course Mikael, who was visibly touched by the beyond warm reaction from the sold-out venue. Everyone was singing along with the band, raising their fists, headbanging, and so on, fueling those Swedish rockers to keep hammering our heads with their top-notch metal music until the very end of the night, and after all was said and done it was visible on their faces that it won’t take long for the mighty Dark Tranquillity to take the city of Toronto by storm again.
Setlist Shivers and Voids
Hours Passed in Exile
Forward Momentum
Unforgivable
Atoma
The Last Imagination
Nothing to No One
Wayward Eyes
One Thought
Cathode Ray Sunshine
Not Nothing
Empty Me
Phantom Days
Lost to Apathy
Misery’s Crown
Band members Mikael Stanne – vocals
Johan Reinholdz – guitars
Christian Jansson – bass
Martin Brändström – keyboards
Joakim Strandberg-Nilsson – drums
One of the must-see names of the Progressive Rock and Metal scene returns with their sixth full-length album, sounding like a dystopian western or a post-apocalyptic survival movie.
More than a decade has passed since the release of Aetherial, the debut album by Houston, Texas-based Progressive Metal/Rock band Oceans Of Slumber, and a lot has changed since then for this “Dark Cinematic Metal” outfit. After recruiting Cammie Gilbert (now Gilbert-Beverly) in 2014, the crew’s trajectory took a natural, upward tilt, fueled by the hugely positive response received by second album, Winter, released in 2016. Monuments to a restless creative spirit, the band’s third, fourth and fifth albums, The Banished Heart (2018), Oceans Of Slumber (2020) and Starlight and Ash (2022), raised the stakes ever higher. Recorded at Estudios Audiovision, produced, mixed and engineered by Joel Hamilton at Studio G, mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering, and displaying a classy artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design, their sixth full-length opus, titled Where Gods Fear to Speak, sees the band exploring new heights, therefore sounding even tighter and more compelling than before, proving why vocalist Cammie Beverly, guitarists Alex Davis and Chris Kritikos, bassist Semir Ozerkan and drummer Dobber Beverly have become a reference in the style.
The album kicks off with the darkly embracing title-track Where Gods Fear to Speak, where the heaviness in the guitars by Alex and Chris make a stunning paradox with the powerful vocals by Cammie, blending Progressive and Groove Metal with the obscurity and heaviness of Doom Metal, followed by Run From the Light, featuring guest vocals by the one and only Mikael Stanne of Swedish melodeath legends Dark Tranquillity, another avalanche of intricate guitar lines, harsh and clean vocals, and the always groovy beats by Dobber, sounding like several songs in one. Then a smooth intro boosted by minimalist background synths evolves into a beautiful ballad titled Don’t Come Back From Hell Empty Handed, where Cammie obviously steal the spotlight with a phenomenal vocal performance, whereas Wish is another solid tune by the band showcasing the always massive beats by Dobbie supported by the classic bass lines by Semir. And Cammie will steal your heart in the captivating tune Poem of Ecstasy, presenting the band’s trademark hybrid of Progressive Rock and Metal in a beyond thrilling way.
The Given Dream presents hints of R&B added to the band’s core rock essence, feeling very delicate yet profound and somber, with once again all background elements sounding beautifully haunting; while I Will Break the Pride of Your Will is even more experimental and progressive than its predecessors, with Alex and Chris taking the lead with their stylish riffs. In Prayer we face the dark and evil harsh roars by the iconic frontman Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell clashing in great fashion with Cammie’s embracing, delicate vocals, with all acoustic elements making the song even more detailed and complete, followed by The Impermanence of Fate, showcasing another jaw-dropping vocal performance by Cammie to the classy sound of the piano by Dobber, who also hammers his drums, exploding into sheer savagery while sounding like classic Death Metal in a multi-layered and bold aria of heavy music. And lastly, we have their stunning rendition of Wicked Game, originally recorded by Chris Isaak in the 1989 album Heart Shaped World (check the original version HERE), a more than gorgeous icing on the cake to close the album on a perfect note.
“This album is a dystopian western or a post-apocalyptic survival movie, somewhere between The Handmaid’s Tale, The Dark Tower and Cormac McCarthy,” states Dobber. “The whole idea is that Where The Gods Fear To Speak is a movie, and we’ve written the soundtrack. If the world was taken over, like in movie The Book Of Eli, and Gary Oldman had found the Bible and the true power of it, and he was wielding the power of the lord over everybody, those people that were maybe just into their traditional spiritualism or people that were not religious at all, they would be the defectors, so the record is written from the viewpoint of the defectors. The ending credits are our version of ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak. We wanted to take it back to when the music in movies set the tone for everything.” Hence, if you want to join Oceans of Slumber in this thrilling cinematic ride, you can follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, listen to all of their beautiful albums on Spotify, and of course purchase their new album by clicking HERE or HERE. Where Gods Fear To Speak proves that Oceans Of Slumber will not let the occasional setback put them off their creative stride, and I personally can’t wait to see what’s next to one of the must-see names of the progressive scene worldwide.
Best moments of the album:Where Gods Fear to Speak, Poem of Ecstasy, The Impermanence of Fate and of course Wicked Game.
Worst moments of the album:I Will Break the Pride of Your Will.
Released in 2024 Season of Mist
Track listing 1. Where Gods Fear to Speak 6:25
2. Run From the Light 5:15
3. Don’t Come Back From Hell Empty Handed 8:28
4. Wish 3:53
5. Poem of Ecstasy 6:33
6. The Given Dream 3:36
7. I Will Break the Pride of Your Will 5:27
8. Prayer 5:03
9. The Impermanence of Fate 6:20
10. Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover) 5:26
Band members Cammie Beverly – vocals
Alex Davis – guitars
Chris Kritikos – guitars, synths
Semir Ozerkan – bass
Dobber Beverly – drums, piano
Guest musicians
Mikael Stanne – vocals on “Run From The Light”
Fernando Ribeiro – vocals on “Prayer”
This Heavy Rock trio from Texas strikes again with their third studio album, pushing their sound into heavy psych territory with hints of Post-Rock and Progressive Rock.
Founded in 2019 in Houston, Texas by multi-instrumentalist Travis Weatherred, quickly joined by bassist Stephen Griffin and with drummer Jason Motamedi officially rounding out the lineup, Heavy/Psych Rock trio Fostermother is about to release their third full-length opus, titled Echo Manor, pushing their sound into heavy psych territory with hints of Post-Rock and Progressive Rock. Produced, mixed and mastered by Travis Weatherred, and displaying a classy artwork by Kimberly Weatherred, Echo Manor is a finely chiseled 10-track opus that is a rich sonic journey driven by goldsmith riffing, alluring grooves and the haunting Alternative Rock/Shoegaze-infused vocals by Travis.
The opening tune Wraith already presents the band’s trademark rockin’ sounds, with the Sludge Metal riffs by Travis and Stephen adding endless heaviness to their already thrilling music, flowing into the neck-breaking Heavy Rock tune Empty One, bringing to our avid ears their fierce yet melodic riffs, plus of course the classic beats by Jason. Then sounding more melodic and mysterious, All We Know is another song heavily influenced by Sludge Rock and Metal, while Travis continues to deliver his smooth, penetrating vocal lines; whereas Jason’s pounding drums kick off the title-track Echo Manor, starting in an ethereal, atmospheric manner before the guitars by Travis and Stephen bring sheer Rock N’ Roll to our ears, not to mention their soulful guitar solos. And it’s then time to invest in a Doom Metal sound in Rituals Unknown, while still presenting their Psych Rock vibe, again delivering the power of the riff for our total delight.
Featuring a guest guitar solo by Rusty Miller of High Desert Queen, get ready for a six-minute Heavy Rock voyage together with the trio entitled King To A Dead Tree, with their guitars and bass sounding striking supported by the hammering drums by Jason, followed by Carry Me, a serene ballad by the band that doesn’t add much to the album, although the vocals by Travis are spot-on. And offering more of their Heavy Rock with psych and sludge elements we have Watchers, where the riffs by Travis and Stephen walk hand in hand with the slow and steady drums by Jason; while the second to last song of the album, titled Lighthouse, once again ventures through the lands of Sludge and Stoner Rock. Finally, Jason pounds his drums with tons of anger in In The Garden Of Lies, a melodic, whimsical creation by Fostermother, working as an outro as the music fades into the embracing sound of minimalist piano notes.
In a nutshell, Fostermother deliver exactly what they said about their music in Echo Manor, bringing forward the power of the riff to us all while also presenting tons of delicate and atmospheric moments. Hence, don’t forget to visit the band’s official Facebook and Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, to stream their music on Spotify, and if Heavy Rock is your cup of tea you can grab a copy of the album from their own BandCamp page, as well as order a physical copy of the album in the US, in Europe or worldwide, or click HERE for all things Fostermother. When a band sounds so heavy yet so delicate at the same time like Fostermother, you know they’re going places, and Echo Manor is proof that they’re on the right path, always sounding honest, fresh and loyal to their foundations.
Best moments of the album:Empty One, Echo Manor and King To A Dead Tree.
Worst moments of the album:Carry Me.
Released in 2024 Ripple Music
Track listing 1. Wraith 4:39
2. Empty One 4:03
3. All We Know 3:47
4. Echo Manor 3:50
5. Rituals Unknown 3:44
6. King To A Dead Tree 6:20
7. Carry Me 3:06
8. Watchers 5:10
9. Lighthouse 3:21
10. In The Garden Of Lies 3:38
Band members Travis Weatherred – vocals, guitars, keyboards
Stephen Griffin – guitars, bass, keyboards
Jason Motamedi – drums
Guest musician Rusty Miller – guitar solo on “King To A Dead Tree”
This Bulgarian doom trio will darken your senses with their fifth full-length album, a monumental work of sadness and despair taking the listener on a soul reaping journey through afterlife and purgatory.
Formed in the already distant year of 2000 in the city of Varna, Bulgaria, crafting a hybrid of Blackened Doom with fantasy-influenced lyrics, the unyielding Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal entity Darkflight has just unelashed upon mankind their fifth full-length opus, titled Entropy, following up on their 2017 album The Hereafter. Stronger than ever, and showcasing a melodic brilliance, the album proves that the band has matured and created a monumental work of sadness and despair, taking the listener on a soul reaping journey through afterlife and purgatory, all carefully brought into being by Milen Todorov on vocals and bass, Ivo Iliev on the guitars and synths, and Valentin Deskov on drums, being therefore perfect for admirers of the music by My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Katatonia.
The band’s obscure, old school Doom Metal feast begins with the lugubrious A Sad Place to Call Home, with Valentin delivering those traditional sluggish beats, darkening the skies while Milen declaims the song’s deep lyrics with tons of passion. Second Genesis is even more melodic, whimsical and atmospheric, blending the finesse of Atmospheric Black Metal with nuances of Progressive Rock while Ivo sounds fantastic on the guitars, delivering an amazing solo halfway through it; and a mysterious female guest vocalist bring an extra touch of finesse to So Much to Tell, a beautiful ballad by Darkflight that brings melancholy and hope to our blackened hearts, whereas more of their fusion of rock and metal sounds is offered to us all in Vague Echoes, with the soothing guitars and synths by Ivo sounding very comforting and enfolding.
Then a pensive, deep start to the passionate vocals by Milen kick off the also embracing tune Buried Together, a beautiful ballad led by the intense vocals by Milen, while Rebirth follows a similar pattern, being at the same time dark, atmospheric and mesmerizing, with Ivo having an amazing performance with his piano and synths, or in other words, it’s definitely a song to listen to together with your loved ones. Your Time Has Passed is a more straightforward tune by Darkflight, bringing forward their trademark dark sounds infused with Gothic Rock and Metal elements, also offering another blast of Milen’s ethereal vocal lines while Valentin dictate’s the song’s gorgeous pace behind his drums. They keep embellishing the airwaves with their Atmospheric Black, Doom and Gothic Metal in Towards the Ruins, where once again Ivo and Valentin generate the perfect ambience for Milen to shine on vocals; and closing the album the trio offers more of their soothing, penetrating sounds in the form of Be Well, not as amazing as the rest of the album but still a solid ballad by those Bulgarian rockers.
In a nutshell, Entropy is a very well-crafted and detailed journey through the realms of Atmospheric Black and Doom Metal that truly deserves a full listen by any fan of good heavy music, and if you also want to know more about Darkflight, their tour dates and plans for the future, you can start following the band on Facebook, stream their music on Spotify or any other streaming service, and above all that, grab a copy of their striking new album from Symbol of Domination’s BandCamp page. The dark, pensive and mournful musical journey crafted by Darkflight in their new album will simply crush your hearts and souls, positioning them as one of the must-see names of the Bulgarian scene, and adding an extra layer of doom to the metal community worldwide.
Best moments of the album:Second Genesis, Vague Echoes and Your Time Has Passed.
Worst moments of the album:Be Well.
Released in 2024 Symbol Of Domination/Australis Records
Track listing 1. A Sad Place to Call Home 6:02
2. Second Genesis 6:40
3. So Much to Tell 4:40
4. Vague Echoes 5:40
5. Buried Together 4:45
6. Rebirth 4:52
7. Your Time Has Passed 3:38
8. Towards the Ruins 5:36
9. Be Well 5:00
Band members Milen Todorov – vocals, bass
Ivo Iliev – guitars, synths
Valentin Deskov – drums
A new Swedish Melodic Metal band which incorporates many different influences from the fields of AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, and Progressive Rock and Metal into their sound, Heathen’s Eye are set to release their debut album, entitled Port Inspiro, or “inspired by the past” in Esperanto, a tribute to the bands that led the band onto the path they are on today. Featuring five experienced musicians with background in several genres, the band formed of Robb Lindh on vocals, Göran Hamrin on the guitars, Ola Hellström on bass, Mikael Andersson on keyboards, and Jonas Jönsson on drums brings together all of their influences from the 80’s and 90’s to the album, being therefore recommended for fans of Masterplan, Accept, Queensryche, Firewind, and Lynch Mob, among others.
Most members of Heathen’s Eye live in the beautiful north, the land of snow, aurora borealis, months of eternal darkness in the winter, and warm days when the sun never sets in the summer. These contrasts are also reflected in their music, which spans over Heavy Rock, airy ballads and Progressive Metal, exactly like what they have to offer us all in Port Inspiro. Hence, you can get to know more about this exciting new name of the Swedish rock and metal scene by following them on Facebook, and purchase a copy of their classy debut from the Pride & Joy Music shop. Inspired by the past, Heathen’s Eye is crafting the future of Melodic Rock and Metal in their new album, leaving us eager for more in the coming years.
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 