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Album Review – Midnite City / Bite The Bullet (2025)

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The party is just getting started with the new album by these torchbearers of classic Hair Metal and Hard Rock, and everyone is invited.

Since exploding out onto the scene like a tornado back in 2017, UK’s own Hard Rock/Hair Metal heroes Midnite City have taken on the world, grabbed the tired music scene by the scruff of its neck, injected passion, fun, melody, and colour back into it, and climbed to the top of the tree to be crowned the true kings of Hair Metal. Now in 2025 the band formed of Rob Wylde on vocals and guitar, Miles Meakin on lead guitar, Josh Williams on bass, Shawn Charvette on keyboards, and Ryan Biggs on drums returns with their strongest album to date, Bite The Bullet, ticking every single box fans expect from a Midnite City album. Mixed by Chris Laney (Europe, Crash Diet, Crazy Lixx, Pretty Maids), the album offers a bit of everything, from super poppy, catchy, and hook laden party Rock N’ Roll, to Melodic Rock monsters, to arena sized power ballads, to Glam Metal anthems laced with attitude and a side order of Hard Rock, and so on.

Let’s get this Hair Metal party started with Live Like Ya Mean It, where the classic vocal lines by Rob are boosted by the song’s even more classic backing vocals, followed by Worth Fighting For, another old school tune presenting hints of AOR with the guitars by Miles and Rob exhaling the glory of the 80’s, sounding absolutely inspired by the music from all bands who made those years so amazing. It’s Going To Be Alright is a bit too cheesy for my taste, despite Miles still kicking ass with his soulful solo, but in the end it’s a generic song. Then an overdose of Hard Rock and Hair Metal will crush your senses in Heaven In This Hell, led by the striking keys by Shawn, and their  rock and metal celebration goes on in full force in Running Back To Your Heart, with Rob stealing the show with his stylish vocals. Ryan then puts the pedal to the metal, hammering his drums in the best Hard Rock style, in Lethal Dose Of Love, again presenting those catchy backing vocals we all love so much.

After that, it’s time for a whimsical interlude entitled Archer’s Song, as if it was crafted to be featured in a romantic scene of an afternoon movie from the 80’s or 90’s, warming us up for Seeing Is Believing, one of those power ballads that make the hearts of diehard fans of Hair Metal beat even faster and warmer. The guitars by Rob and Miles are boosted by the rumbling bass by Josh and the upbeat keys by Shawn in No One Wins, keeping the adrenaline flowing through the album and making it impossible to stand still to its catchy vibe; whereas their Melodic Rock and AOR vein pulses harder than ever in Hang On Til Tomorrow, led by the crisp vocals by Rob and the classic drums by Ryan. Their rockin’ party ends with When The Summer Ends, a Van Halen-infused Rock N’ Roll extravaganza with Ryan once again kicking ass behind his drums, also presenting a killer keyboard solo by Shawn as the icing on the cake.

In a nutshell, Bite The Bullet delivers a sound that is made for the biggest stadiums around the globe, bringing back everything that was so thrilling, energetic, and flamboyant about late 80’s Hair Metal in one fell swoop, being highly recommended for fans of Tigertailz, Mötley Crüe, Crash Diet, and Crazy Lixx, just to name a few. You can get in touch with those torchbearers of old school Hair Metal by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, get your party going to the sound of their full discography available on Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of the electrifying Bite The Bullet from countless retailers such as HHV, Decks Records, and Bengans.
Because the party is just getting started with the new album by Midnite City, and everyone is invited.

Best moments of the album: Heaven In This Hell, Lethal Dose Of Love and When The Summer Ends.

Worst moments of the album: It’s Going To Be Alright.

Released in 2025 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Live Like Ya Mean It 4:44
2. Worth Fighting For 4:25
3. It’s Going To Be Alright 4:33
4. Heaven In This Hell 3:47
5. Running Back To Your Heart 4:47
6. Lethal Dose Of Love 3:59
7. Archer’s Song 1:08
8. Seeing Is Believing 5:06
9. No One Wins 4:33
10. Hang On Til Tomorrow 4:24
11. When The Summer Ends 4:41

Band members
Rob Wylde – vocals, guitar
Miles Meakin – lead guitar
Josh Williams – bass
Shawn Charvette – keyboards
Ryan Biggs – drums

Album Review – Ültra Raptör / Fossilized (2025)

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The fast and furious Cadillac driving dinosaurs hailing from Canada will rock your world to the sound of their incendiary sophomore full-length album.

Formed in 2015 in the charming Quebec City, and having already released their self-titled debut EP in 2018 and their first ever full-length album Tyrants in 2021, Heavy/Speed Metal antediluvian creatures Ültra Raptör are back with album number two, the incendiary Fossilized. Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Lizotte, and displaying an insane artwork by Mario López, the new beast by Phil T. Lung on vocals, Criss Raptör and Zoltan Saurus on the guitars, Dick Van Heuß on bass, and Tony Bronco on drums offers another round of the band’s blend of primeval speed and savagery with meticulous, precision playing, or in other words, everything a metal hungry headbanger could ask for and more.

Those prehistorical Québécois warriors already put the pedal to the metal in the title-track Fossilized, with the frantic, sharp riffs by Criss and Zoltan bringing even more adrenaline to their striking Speed Metal sound. Then the glory of the 80’s, or maybe I should say from “metal’s prehistoric age”, comes in full force in Spinosaurus, led by the hammering drums by Tony in a headbanging feast of heavy music. In Hard ‘N Fast that’s exactly what you’ll get, with Phil T. Lung stealing the show with his old school, passionate vocals, sounding perfect for some action on the dance floor; and Criss and Zoltan show no mercy for their stringed axes in Livin’ for the Riff, delivering nonstop incendiary riffs and solos just the way we love it in Thrash Metal, followed by Bitter Leaf, which starts in a weird way before morphing into a decent thrashing tune, despite still lacking an extra kick.

They get back on track with an 80’s-inspired rock and metal train titled X-Celerator, offering more of the band’s trademark riffs and the raspy vocals by Phil T. Lung, and the band keeps speeding things up and invading our senses with their Thrash Metal-infused sounds in Pterö-Ranger, living up to the legacy of the genre. Those Canadian bastards will invite us to slam into the circle pit once again and shake our bodies to the sound of Down the Drain, where Criss and Zoltan will cut your skin deep with their caustic riffage. Then in the interlude Le voyageur d’Oort, melodious guitar lines will transport you to the whimsical world ruled by Ültra Raptör before facing the closing tune Face the Challenge, a pure Hard Rock and Rock N’ Roll feast inspired by giants the likes of Scorpions, perfect for heading out to the highway with your beloved ones.

In summary, the impact of the new opus by the Cadillac driving dinosaurs from Canada on the metal scene will be seismic. Fossilized is the epitome of energized, exhilarating metal, and you can join the band in their quest for fast and heavy music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their thrilling creations on Spotify, and of course by purchasing Fossilized from the Fighter Records’ BandCamp or from the Xtreem Music’s webstore. The Raptör is back, baby! And if you don’t want to be fossilized as a dull and prehistorical being, you better jump inside your Cadillac and rock to the sound of this newborn beast made in the icy cold Great White North.

Best moments of the album: Fossilized, Hard ‘N Fast and X-Celerator.

Worst moments of the album: Bitter Leaf.

Released in 2025 Fighter Records

Track listing
1. Fossilized 4:08
2. Spinosaurus 3:55
3. Hard ‘N Fast 4:19
4. Livin’ for the Riff 4:14
5. Bitter Leaf 4:40
6. X-Celerator 3:58
7. Pterö-Ranger 4:09
8. Down the Drain 4:54
9. Le voyageur d’Oort 1:10
10. Face the Challenge 5:11

Band members
Phil T. Lung – vocals
Criss Raptör – lead guitar
Zoltan Saurus – rhythm guitar
Dick Van Heuß – bass
Tony Bronco – drums

Album Review – Warcoe / Upon Tall Thrones (2025)

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This Italian Doom Metal trio will attack armed with their third studio album, spinning tales of arcane fantasy and mortal frailty into riffs that crush and melodies that linger like a curse.

Having carved a niche in the underground since their inception in 2021 with a sound that’s both a homage to the old gods and a fresh hell of its own, slow-burning, groove-heavy, and laced with Stoner Metal venom, Pesaro, Italy-based Doom Metal trio Warcoe returns to action with their third album, titled Upon Tall Thrones, the follow-up to their 2023 opus A Place for Demons. Recorded at Avangarage Recording Studio, and mastered by Craig Thomas, Upon Tall Thrones sees vocalist and guitarist Stefano, bassist Carlo, and drummer Francesco ascend darker, heavier, and more hypnotic as they spin tales of arcane fantasy and mortal frailty into riffs that crush and melodies that linger like a curse.

The opening track Octagon exhales of the trademark and absolutely heavy sound created and perfected by Black Sabbath, from the doomed, grim vocals and riffs by Stefano to the sluggish beats by Francesco, and the final result is obviously hypnotizing, kicking off the album on a high and amazing note. Their devilish Sludge and Doom Metal sounds keep permeating the air in The Wanderer, with Carlo’s low-tuned, rumbling bass walking hand in hand with Francesco’s hammering drums; whereas adding a pinch of Rock N’ Roll to their core sonority we have I’ve Sat Upon Tall Thrones (but I’ll Never Learn), with Stefano slashing his axe in great fashion, resulting in a great option for raising our horns high in the sky in the name of our gold old heavy music.

Then after the soothing instrumental interlude Gather in the Woods we face Flame in Your Hand, another heavy-as-hell Doom Metal aria showcasing the power of the riff while Francesco flawlessly dictates the song’s devilish pace. Spheres again blends the obscurity of Doom Metal with the heavy yet melodic sounds of Sludge and Stoner Rock and Metal, followed by Deepest Grave, and a song with such a Stygian name deserved sheer heaviness, which is exactly what the trio offers, with the cryptic vocals by Stefano sounding spot-on. The ruthless bass by Carlo will punch you in the head in Brown Witch, accompanied by the Black Sabbath-fueled riffs and beats by his bandmates in a lecture in Doom Metal, while lastly it’s time for Dark into Light, with its main riff reminding me a lot of “Heaven & Hell” (which is obviously a good thing), and with the pounding beats by Francesco ending the album on a high note.

Dragging classic doom into the abyss and back with Sabbathian weight, Saint Vitus’ raw gloom, and the swagger of Trouble’s golden-era riffage, Upon Tall Thrones might be the band’s strongest effort to date, and if you want to know more about those bringers of Italian doom you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their riff-laden compositions on Spotify, and grab a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp or from Ripple Music’s BandCamp or webstore. Warcoe definitely know how to craft heavy music filled with doom, gloom, might, and magic, and Upon Tall Thrones will undoubtedly take them places in their exciting mission of bringing sheer doom to our decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Octagon, Flame in Your Hand and Brown Witch.

Worst moments of the album: Spheres.

Released in 2025 Ripple Music

Track listing
1. Octagon 3:39
2. The Wanderer 3:45
3. I’ve Sat Upon Tall Thrones (but I’ll Never Learn) 4:09
4. Gather in the Woods 2:14
5. Flame in Your Hand 4:24
6. Spheres 4:23
7. Deepest Grave 5:00
8. Brown Witch 4:31
9. Dark into Light 5:40

Band members
Stefano – vocals, guitars, bass on “The Wanderer”
Carlo – bass
Francesco – drums

Album Review – Primal Fear / Domination (2025)

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The Teutonic eagle of Heavy Metal strikes again with a thunderous 13-track opus, a masterclass in sonic warfare offering an unrelenting barrage of soaring vocals, earth-shattering riffs, and battle-hardened anthems forged in fire and steel.

Spanning more than 25 years of pure Heavy and Power Metal, having faced numerous challenges since their formation in 1997, and having repeatedly risen from their lowest points like a phoenix from the ashes, Germany’s own metal commando Primal Fear is finally back into the battlefield with their fifteenth studio opus, simply titled Domination, following up on their successful 2023 album Code Red. After a recent line-up change, which saw the incredible Thalìa Bellazecca join on guitar and André Hilgers on drums, alongside the iconic frontman Ralf Scheepers, the unbreakable bassist Mat Sinner, and the unstoppable guitarist Magnus Karlsson, the band will strike again with a thunderous 13-track opus, a masterclass in sonic warfare offering an unrelenting barrage of soaring vocals, earth-shattering riffs, and battle-hardened anthems forged in fire and steel.

The album kicks off with the striking The Hunter, with Ralf delivering pure adrenaline through the song’s classic words (“Through the labyrinth of fear, you’re lost and alone / A primal force unleashed a river of blood / This is the part / When you will run for your life / And every step you take / Leads closer to my knife / Blood stains the ground / The hunt never ends”); and  Magnus and Thalìa showcase their passion for shredding in the excellent Destroyer, a pure Primal Fear extravaganza with Mat and André keeping the rhythm flowing in great fashion. The band then goes full Melodic Power Metal in Far Away, where Thalìa proves why she was chosen as the new band’s guitarist as her dexterity is impressive, followed by I Am the Primal Fear, and as cheesy as the song title might sound, the music is a great mid-tune party by the band, with Mat kicking some ass on bass. Needless to say, it’s great to have him back in action. Tears of Fire is another song with a classic title following a similar pattern as the previous song, with Ralf’s soaring vocals adding an extra touch of epicness to the overall result; whereas back to a heavier, faster and more dynamic sonority we face Heroes and Gods, with André crushing his drums while Ralf pierce our minds with his undisputed screams.

Hallucinations is a smooth, melodic instrumental piece where Thalìa once again steals the spotlight with her flammable axe, warming us up for Eden, a dark and enfolding power ballad by those Teutonic metallers led by Ralf’s passionate vocal performance. In Scream the name of the song says it all, demanding us to jump up and down with Primal Fear and simply scream together with Ralf. Furthermore, the heaviness flowing from the guitars by Magnus and Thalìa is truly awesome, boosted by Mat’s thunderous bass. The Dead Don’t Die brings forward another blast of razor-edged riffs and blast beats that reek of Rock N’ Roll, perfect for some wild headbanging, and get ready to be caught in a crossfire of pure Heavy Metal to the sound of Crossfire, where André pounds his drums nonstop for our total delight. March Boy March is a song that gradually evolves into a metal attack led by Ralf’s piercing vocals while the band’s guitar duo keeps delivering sheer electricity through their axes, and ending the album we have the melancholic ballad A Tune I Won’t Forget, which is fine for what it is despite taking away some of the power blasted in all previous songs.

Recorded by Dennis Ward at Kangaroo Studios, produced by Mat Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers and Magnus Karlsson, and mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Domination reeks of classic Primal Fear while at the same time sounding fresh and unique, proving why the band has been on the road for so many years against all odds. You can check what the German eagle is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their breathtaking live performances, stream their incendiary discography on Spotify, and above all that, put your metallic hands on Domination by clicking HERE. Primal Fear are more than ready to spread their metal wings once again all across the globe and dominate the world of heavy music armed with their new album, a new chapter in the career of this Teutonic eagle that refuses to die, forever fighting in the name of our beloved Heavy Metal.

Best moments of the album: Destroyer, Heroes and Gods, Scream and Crossfire.

Worst moments of the album: A Tune I Won’t Forget.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. The Hunter 4:21
2. Destroyer 4:31
3. Far Away 4:19
4. I Am the Primal Fear 5:41
5. Tears of Fire 5:14
6. Heroes and Gods 4:10
7. Hallucinations 2:37
8. Eden 7:25
9. Scream 4:27
10. The Dead Don’t Die 4:27
11. Crossfire 4:12
12. March Boy March 5:01
13. A Tune I Won’t Forget 3:32

Band members
Ralf Scheepers – vocals
Mat Sinner – bass, vocals
Magnus Karlsson – guitars
Thalìa Bellazecca – guitars
André Hilgers – drums

Album Review – Helloween / Giants & Monsters (2025)

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Confident and bursting with vigor, these German giants of Heavy Metal and monsters of Rock N’ Roll are back with their breathtaking seventeenth studio album.

With 15 gold awards, six platinum awards and over ten million records sold, German Heavy Metal masters Helloween are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary with the successor to their critically acclaimed 2021 self-titled masterpiece. Confident and bursting with vigor, the septet formed of frontmen Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, guitarists Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf, and drummer Dani Löble presents one of their most versatile albums to date, titled Giants & Monsters, the seventeenth studio album in their undisputed career. Recorded and mixed by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward at Mi Sueno Studio, mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren and Emil Pohjalainen at Wisseloord Studios, and once again displaying a stunning artwork by Eliran Kantor, Giants & Monsters showcases a band that keeps reinventing themselves while staying true to the foundations of Heavy Metal, continuing to challenge seven brimming careers even after four decades.

Mr. Andi Deris begins embellishing the airwaves with his striking vocals in Giants on the Run, a classic Helloween tune sounding fast, electrifying and epic from start to finish, and I must say I love the fact Kai also delivers some vocal lines during the song. Then it’s time for Mr. Michael Kiske to take us back to the glory of the 80’s in Savior of the World, a flawless Power Metal song striking us hard like fire and thunder, with Dani kicking some ass behind his drums; whereas venturing through the realms of Progressive Rock but always rooted in their classic Heavy Metal sonority we have A Little Is a Little Too Much, one of those songs perfect for dancing with your loved ones. The visceral riffs by Kai, Michael Weikath and Sascha set the tone in the Primal Fear-like attack titled We Can Be Gods, flowing majestically until the very end. And Into the Sun, which was originally recorded for their 2021 self-titled album, but scrapped after being altered during production (as the final result wasn’t to their liking), is a charming ballad led by the hypnotizing vocals by Kiske and Andi.

This Is Tokyo, the first single released a couple of months ago, was a very good sign of the classic, old school approach by Helloween with a Melodic Rock/AOR twist, boosting their vocal lines even more while the chorus couldn’t have sounded catchier; and it’s pedal to the metal in the Heavy and Power Metal attack entitled Universe (Gravity for Hearts), with Dani’s fast and furious beats providing Kiske with exactly what he needs to make his vocals soar high like an eagle, resulting in eight minutes of pure metal magic by our beloved German pumpkins. The septet then offers two three-minute songs, the first being Hand of God, showcasing a more experimental sounds mixed with their core essence. Not their best effort, to be honest, while back to a more electrifying sound we have Under the Moonlight, with the guitars by Kai, Weikath and Sascha adding an overdose of Rock N’ Roll to their core sound. There’s still time for one more epic tune by Helloween, the phenomenal Majestic, and the music perfectly reflects the song title, with Kiske taking the lead with his unparalleled vocals while the band’s guitar triumvirate penetrates deep inside our souls with their superb, classic riffs and solos, or in other words, it’s an epic conclusion to such a metallic celebration by Helloween.

After all is said and done, Giants & Monsters presents the experience and musical enthusiasm of a band that can do anything and everything blazes its way, with all creative limits being set aside once and for all. “What keeps motivating us is the fact that we’re extremely different. That generates suspense and creative energy,” explained Michael Weikath, “and if problems do occur, we connect through our passion and our sense of humor. We try not to take ourselves and everything around us too seriously,” added Kai Hansen, before Andi Deris concluded with a bang. “In the end, we’re just seven guys who want to make music and enjoy the incomparable force that arises when we’re together. Helloween is way more powerful than the sum of its parts.” Hence, if you also want to be part of the Pumpkins United army, you can follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their classy music on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course add their superb new album to your private collection by clicking HERE. Because Helloween are giants of Heavy Metal, they’re monsters of Rock N’ Roll, and while they’re among us we can all rest assured heavy music will remain alive and kicking.

Best moments of the album: Savior of the World, A Little Is a Little Too Much, This Is Tokyo, Universe (Gravity for Hearts) and Majestic.

Worst moments of the album: Hand of God.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. Giants on the Run 6:20
2. Savior of the World 4:15
3. A Little Is a Little Too Much 3:30
4. We Can Be Gods 5:24
5. Into the Sun 3:39
6. This Is Tokyo 4:16
7. Universe (Gravity for Hearts) 8:22
8. Hand of God 3:44
9. Under the Moonlight 3:07
10. Majestic 8:10

Band members
Michael Kiske – vocals
Andi Deris – vocals
Kai Hansen – guitars, vocals
Michael Weikath – guitars
Sascha Gerstner – guitars
Markus Grosskopf – bass
Dani Löble – drums

Album Review – Spades GT / United (2025)

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This Canadian brigade is ready to save rock music with the incendiary fusion of Crossover Thrash, Hardcore and Punk Rock found in their sophomore album.

Hailing from the charming Barrie, a city in Central Ontario, Canada, about 90 kilometers north of Toronto, the up-and-coming sonic brigade known as Spades GT is ready to save rock music with the incendiary fusion of Crossover Thrash, Hardcore and Punk Rock found in their new album, titled United. Produced by Kyle Marchant at Room 21 Sound in Toronto, the follow-up to their 2024 debut Sewer City Radio sees the band currently formed of John Pierce on vocals, Matt Voros and Dan Horton on the guitars, Sean Macnab on bass, and Tyler Reiner on drums on absolute fire, inspiring us all to slam into the pit to its eight hard-hitting compositions in a resonant exploration of connection and unity, examining diverse perspectives and scenarios from the deeply interpersonal to broader political landscapes.

The quintet wastes no time and kicks off their Rock N’ Roll party with Anthem, led by the pounding drums by Tyler and the classic, soaring vocals by John, not to mention how incendiary the riffs by Matt and Dan sound, followed by the electrifying title-track United, where the band unites the heaviness of metal music with the rebelliousness of Hardcore and Punk Rock, and the final result is perfect for some crazy mosh pit action. Tyler keeps hammering his drums in Demons, while Matt and Dan deliver an overdose of adrenaline through their stringed axes, and Filthy Lie is a song that’s more than perfect for hitting the road with your loved ones, for enjoying it while going skateboarding, and of course for showing the band your horns during their live concerts.

Game for Two then blends the sounds blasted by giants like Motörhead, The Exploited and Rancid, with Tyler taking the lead behind his drums in a frantic rock and punk extravaganza; whereas the last batch of songs features some very special guest musicians, starting with guest vocals by Andrew Moorehouse of The Fast Life in Wrecked, even faster than its predecessors. Needless to say, it should sound amazing if played live. Strong, featuring a rap verse by guest Julien “Mersinary” Santos of Reel Wolf, is another furious, heavy-as-hell tune by Spades GT, with the vocals by John exhaling sheer adrenaline, and lastly, featuring former second guitarist Jay Sarrazin, we have the flammable Die on Our Feet, closing the album on a high and vibrant Rock N’ Roll note.

John, Matt, Dan, Sean and Tyler are among us to save Rock N’ Roll, and the music found in their new album United proves they’re in the right path to reach their undisputed goal, combining hard-hitting riffs, driving rhythms, and compelling vocals to create a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly contemporary. Hence, you should give those hardworking Canadians a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, keeping an eye on their live performances, subscribe to their official YouTube channel, stream their new album in full on Spotify or on other major streaming platforms, or simply click HERE for all things Spades GT. Those five talented musicians are united in the name of Rock N’ Roll throughout the 27 minutes of music found in their new album, and you won’t regret joining them and headbanging to their melodic and very aggressive sounds.

Best moments of the album: United, Filthy Lie and Wrecked.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Sewer City Records

Track listing
1. Anthem 2:39
2. United 3:49
3. Demons 3:03
4. Filthy Lie 3:25
5. Game for Two 3:39
6. Wrecked 3:14
7. Strong 3:33
8. Die on Our Feet 3:29

Band members
John Pierce – lead vocals
Matt Voros – guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Filthy Lie”
Dan Horton – guitar
Sean Macnab – bass
Tyler Reiner – drums

Guest musicians
Andrew Moorehouse – vocals on “Wrecked”
Julien “Mersinary” Santos – vocals on “Strong”
Jay Sarrasin – guitars on “Die on Our Feet”

Album Review – Baest / Colossal (2025)

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Back from the fires of Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, this unstoppable creature will crush you with their fourth studio album, a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity.

Back once again from the fires of Aarhus, Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, the ruthless Death Metal creature known as Baest will crush our damned minds and souls with their fourth full-length opus, entitled Colossal, following up on their fantastic albums Danse Macabre (2018), Venenum (2019) and Necro Sapiens (2021) while also cementing their reputation as Extreme Metal mavericks with an ear for lethal hooks. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, and featuring a demonic artwork by Solo Macello, the new offering by frontman Simon Olsen, axemen Lasse Revsbech and Svend Karlsson, bassist Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen, and drummer Sebastian Abildsten is an absolute monster, bursting at the seams with catchy riffs and classy melodies, with stylistic salutes to everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Dokken, through to Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, while still rooted in the belligerent Death Metal that informed previous records, resulting in a magnificent Rock N’ Roll rebirth of such a prominent beast from the Danish metal scene.

The AC/DC-infused riffs by Lasse and Svend ignite the opening tune Stormbringer before the music turns into a wild fusion of Death Metal with Progressive Rock and Metal elements, followed by the indomitable Colossus, showcasing heavy-as-hell, Doom Metal-infused lyrics growled by Simon (“Colossus / Breath the air of the deceit / Colossus / Feel the weight of your defeat / Colossus / Never stray from the common line / Colossus / Crushed under the weight of the colossus”) while the sounds blasted by his bandmates are absolutely dark and menacing. The band keeps delivering sheer adrenaline spearheaded by the venomous vocals by Simon in In Loathe and Love, a lesson in modern-day Death Metal, whereas in King of the Sun, featuring Jesper Binzer of Danish rock band D-A-D on guest vocals, we’re treated to a rockin’ sonority led by the classic beats and fills by Sebastian.

Then blending the fury of Death Metal with the heaviness of Doom and Sludge Metal we have Imp of the Perverse, with Mattias and Sebastian hammering their thunderous weapons mercilessly; and featuring additional vocals by Danish black metal band ORM, the band offers another blast of insanity, heaviness and classy Death Metal in Misfortunate Son, with the riffage by Lasse and Svend exhaling pure adrenaline. Then get ready to be crushed into tiny pieces to the sound of Mouth of the River, where Simon’s deranged growls walk hand in hand with Sebastian’s pounding drums; and a guitar-driven instrumental tune titled Light the Beacons, which feels like an ode to all of their idols and influences, sets the stage for Depraved World, a multi-layered, groovy and vibrant composition where the deep roars by Simon match perfectly with all riffs, bass lines and beats, putting a climatic ending to the album.

Colossal never bends to current trends; instead, it is a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity, representing a wholesale transformation. Inspired by and infused with old school, classic metal riffs, Colossal is an album that delights in the glory of Heavy Metal and the fine art of rocking out, inviting us all to bang our heads and raise our horns together with those beyond talented Danes, and they’re waiting for you on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify with more of their ass-kicking music, undisputed attitude, and deep passion for all types of rock and metal music. Hence, you can purchase a copy of Colossal by clicking HERE, or you can also click HERE for all things Baest, getting to know more about one of the best bands of the current scene worldwide. As you might have noticed, something colossal is coming, and you better brace for impact as those boys are armed to the teeth with the pulverizing sounds of their incendiary newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Colossus, In Loathe and Love, Mouth of the River and Depraved World.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Stormbringer 4:32
2. Colossus 4:23
3. In Loathe and Love 5:09
4. King of the Sun 4:09
5. Imp of the Perverse 5:56
6. Misfortunate Son 4:02
7. Mouth of the River 4:24
8. Light the Beacons 3:42
9. Depraved World 6:03

Band members
Simon Olsen – vocals
Lasse Revsbech – guitars
Svend Karlsson – guitars
Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen – bass
Sebastian Abildsten – drums, percussion

Guest musicians
Jesper Binzer – vocals on “King of the Sun”
ORM – vocals on “Misfortunate Son”

Album Review – Heathen’s Eye / Port Inspiro (2025)

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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

Album Review – Witchrot / Soul Cellar (2025)

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Toronto’s own conjurers of doom and psychedelia return with their sophomore opus, reflecting the lives of its creators, delving into themes of hopelessness, betrayal, paranoia, and societal frustration.

Emerging from Toronto’s underground in 2018, Doom/Sludge Metal/Psychedelic Rock conjurers Witchrot have captivated audiences with their heartfelt fusion of Doom Metal with fuzzed-out psychedelia and haunting shoegaze, with their atmospheric melodies and crushing heaviness pushing genre boundaries, creating a sound that lingers like an echo in the abyss. Now in 2025 the band formed of vocalist Lea Reto, guitarist Peter Turik, bassist Jon Ferreira, keyboardist Patrick Sherrard, and drummer Myles Deck is set to release Soul Cellar, the follow-up to their 2021 debut Hollow. Recorded by Nixon Boyd at Simcoe Mechanical and by Dylan Frankland at Palace Sound, with additional recordings by Chad Ross and Scott Deathe, mixed by Dylan Frankland, mastered by Tony Reed at HeavyHead Recording Company, and displaying a darkly sexy cover art by ZZ Corpse, Soul Cellar reflects the lives of its creators, delving into themes of hopelessness, betrayal, paranoia, and societal frustration, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the raw emotion and sonic depth the band has become known for.

In the opener Possession Deepens, a smooth, sexy and enfolding start gradually evolves into a psychedelic sonic voyage led by the minimalist yet powerful vocals by Lea, supported by the atmospheric sounds by her bandmates; and Peter then enhances the band’s aggressiveness with his sharp riffs in Tombstoned, blending Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal in great fashion while Myles offers those trademark sluggish beats. Throat Cutter is another song that starts in a phantasmagorical way before exploding into more of their fierce rock and metal sonority, with Peter stealing the show again armed with his axe; whereas adding an extra pinch of old school Rock N’ Roll to their core sound we have Die Alone, with Patrick’s striking keys being nicely boosted by the rumbling kitchen by Jon and Myles. Green River is a way too mellow tune that’s not at the same level as the other songs of the album, flowing into Spineless, sounding a lot heavier, darker and stronger thanks to another mesmerizing vocal performance by Lea, resulting in a lecture in modern-day Doom Metal infused with Psychedelic Rock. And lastly, we face the title-track Soul Cellar, with the reverberating, menacing bass by Jon making your head tremble in the name of dark and merciless Doom Metal.

In Soul Cellar, Witchrot continues to evolve while staying true to their roots, creeping and crawling under your skin armed with their insane grooves and eerie keys that will haunt you for days, sounding absolutely diabolical and addictive. Hence, you can get in touch with this precious gem of the Torontonian underground via Facebook and Instagram, staying up to date with all things Witchrot (including their excellent live performances), subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify or on any other platform, and of course purchase Soul Cellar from BandCamp. Doom and psychedelia have never sounded better together thanks to the undeniable talented of the Witchrot crew, and once you savor their music for the very first time, there’s no turning back.

Best moments of the album: Tombstoned, Die Alone and Spineless.

Worst moments of the album: Green River.

Released in 2025 Fuzzed and Buzzed Records/Majestic Mountain Records

Track listing
1. Possession Deepens 6:51
2. Tombstoned 5:05
3. Throat Cutter 6:23
4. Die Alone 5:06
5. Green River 2:44
5. Spineless 5:03
6. Soul Cellar 8:14

Band members
Lea Reto – vocals
Peter Turik – guitar
Jon Ferreira – bass
Patrick Sherrard – keyboards
Myles Deck – drums

Concert Review – Delain (The Axis Club, Toronto, ON, 03/20/2025)

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Three of the best bands of the current Symphonic Rock and Metal scene worldwide beautifully warmed up the city of Toronto on a cold but fun night of first-class music.

OPENING ACTS: Edge of Paradise and Xandria

Despite the cold rain that fell over Toronto during most of the day this Thursday (after a warm and sunny Wednesday, by the way), the turnout at The Axis Club to see EDGE OF PARADISE, XANDRIA and DELAIN during their North American Tour 2025, another excellent event brought to the city by Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment, was amazing, with over 3/4 of the venue taken by metalheads eager for some Symphonic and Melodic Metal, plus of course some of the city’s best metal photographers like Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi. Not only that, now that pretty much all the snow has already melted, the time needed to get in and out of the city, as well as to find a parking spot, has improved considerably, allowing fans to get to the venue in time for all attractions. Doors opening at 6:30pm and the first show starting only at 7:15pm also helped a lot, giving people time to grab some merch and drinks before the shows started.

The first band to hit the stage was Los Angeles, California’s own Hard rock band EDGE OF PARADISE, spearheaded by the beyond stunning frontwoman Margarita Monet. They sounded absolutely amazing live, driving the energy level up and properly prepping all fans for the upcoming attractions. Having just released their sixth album Prophecy, the band played a few new songs as part of their setlist, including Prophecy Unbound, Death Note and Falling Light, and the crowd’s response to their new songs couldn’t have been better. This was not the first time the band played in Toronto, and definitely not the last, as I’m sure Maragarita and the boys will return to the city with their Rock N’ Roll attitude sooner than later, and who knows, maybe next time as headliners of their own tour.

Setlist
Prophecy Unbound
The Other Side of Fear
Hologram
Death Note
Falling Light
Give it to Me (Mind Assassin)
The Unknown

Band members
Margarita Monet – vocals
Dave Bates – lead guitar
David Ruiz – rhythm guitar
Kenny Lockwood – bass
Jamie Moreno – drums

From all three bands playing Thursday night, Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany-based Symphonic Metal act XANDRIA is by far my favorite one, in special after the Greek goddess Ambre Vourvahis joined the band back in 2022, with their 2023 album The Wonders Still Awaiting and their 2024 EP Universal Tales being used as the base for their setlist. Songs like You Will Never Be Our God, Reborn and Universal sounded powerful onstage, plus of course the fan-favorite closing song Nightfall, proving they’re more than ready for a headlining spot in Toronto in the near future. As mentioned a few times in other reviews for Xandria, the band’s founder Marco Heubaum nailed it with their new lineup, with Ambre of course being the icing on the cake in their recent “rebirth”, and that translates into sheer admiration, screams and horns high in the air every time they hit the stages of Toronto. The volume of the vocals during the entire night for all three bands, not only for Xandria, was a hit and miss mainly due to their high range, but nothing that would make any of the shows less enjoyable, and of course Ambre killed it as usual for our total delight.

Setlist
You Will Never Be Our God
Reborn
Universal
200 Years
Two Worlds
Live the Tale
Nightfall

Band members
Ambre Vourvahis – vocals
Marco Heubaum – guitars, keyboards, programming, backing vocals
Rob Klawonn – guitars
Tim Schwarz – bass
Dimitrio Gatsios – drums

DELAIN

Diana Leah had big shoes to fill back in 2022 as the replacement of the iconic vocalist Charlotte Wessels for Dutch Symphonic Metal/Rock band DELAIN, but after seeing her live this Thursday in Toronto I must say the Romanian kicks some serious ass and the band was spot-on in choosing her as their new frontwoman. The drumming by Sander Zoer and the grinding riffs and solos by Ronald Landa also sounded fantastic during the entire night, while Diana sounded superb on both new songs like The Reaping and Dance With the Devil, from their new EP Dance With the Devil, and old songs such as April Rain, Not Enough and We Are the Others. The lighting was also on point the entire night for all bands, and in the case of Delain that only made their show even more special for their fans. Just like what happened with Edge of Paradise and Xandria, I’m beyond certain we’ll see Delain again in Canadian lands sooner than later based on the smiles on their own faces and on the faces of all fans at the venue, proving Symphonic Metal indeed has its place in the heart of Torontonian metalheads.

Setlist
The Cold
Suckerpunch
The Reaping
Dance With the Devil
Burning Bridges
Creatures
Sleepwalkers Dream
Stardust
Get the Devil Out of Me
Your Body Is a Battleground
Queen of Shadow
The Gathering
Don’t Let Go
Moth to a Flame
April Rain
Not Enough
We Are the Others

Band members
Diana Leah – lead vocals
Ronald Landa – guitars, harsh vocals
Ludovico Cioffi – bass, harsh vocals
Martijn Westerholt – keyboards, orchestrations
Sander Zoer – drums

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