Tag Archives: rock n’ roll

Concert Review – W.A.S.P. (History, Toronto, ON, 11/11/2024)

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Countless fans in Toronto had the pleasure of witnessing a once in a lifetime explosion of classic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock by one of the most iconic bands of all time.

OPENING ACT: Armored Saint

If you love first-class live music played to perfection, then you must join W.A.S.P., with support of ARMORED SAINT, during their Album One Alive World Tour 2024, just like what happened at the beyond excellent History this Monday night in Toronto. Seriously, both bands were absolutely flawless during their incendiary shows, and of course Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to witness those giants (as the word “dinosaurs” seems a bit to old for them) of heavy music. It was quite chilly in Toronto, and of course really dark, but that didn’t stop countless lovers of our good old Rock N’ Roll to take the venue by storm on the worst day of the week for anything, and to have a great time together with the bands.

Precisely at 8pm, Los Angeles, California’s own Heavy Metal/Hard Rock juggernaut ARMORED SAINT kicked off their electrifying, classic and perfect performance in Toronto, blending old school songs the likes of Can U Deliver and Reign of Fire with a new tune from their 2020 album Punching the Sky, the excellent End of the Attention Span. John Bush was phenomenal as usual, delivering his striking vocals for the delight of the crowd, and even getting down to the floor section to sing one of the songs close to the soundboard. Seriously, his voice hasn’t aged at all. What a vocalist! And what to say about Joey Vera on bass, or the Sandoval Brothers? In other words, if you’ve never seen Armored Saint live, don’t miss the chance because those guys are simply superb on stage.

Setlist
End of the Attention Span
Delirious Nomad
The Pillar
March of the Saint
Aftermath
Book of Blood
Win Hands Down
Can U Deliver
Reign of Fire

Band members
John Bush – vocals
Phil Sandoval – guitars
Jeff Duncan – guitars
Joey Vera – bass
Gonzo Sandoval – drums

W.A.S.P.

After a short break (where I desperately went for a pizza, as I was starving), it was time for one of the most iconic bands to ever arise from Los Angeles, California, Heavy Metal/Hard Rock legends W.A.S.P., to melt our faces with one of the most hypnotizing performances of the year in Toronto. Blackie Lawless (or maybe I should call him “Blackie Flawless” after Monday), Doug Blair, Mike Duda and Aquiles Priester took no prisoners in their quest for old school heavy music, kicking some serious ass with the full play of their 1984 self-titled cult album (referred to as “Album One” by Blackie himself), plus a bunch of other classics during the encore.

Blackie even mentioned that when they started thinking about playing the whole album on this tour, one of the managers he consulted with said the idea was terrific, but only if they played all songs in the same order of the album. Blackie said that was insane as they had never opened a W.A.S.P. show with I Wanna Be Somebody, but in the end that’s exactly what they did, and the fans in Toronto embraced the whole idea with tons of love, respect and admiration for Blackie and his crew. It was a “once in a lifetime” concert for everyone at History, as Blackie said they’ll never do that again, and song after song you could see the joy and energy flowing from fans of all ages. I mean, who can stand still and not start dancing and headbanging to On Your Knees or Tormentor, right?

The background of the stage was also a thing of beauty, playing the official videos of all songs being played live by the band, connecting their past, present and future in a compelling way, and of course things only got rowdier and more fun during the encore with songs like I Don’t Need No Doctor, Wild Child and Blind in Texas inspiring all of their Torontonian fans to sing along the lyrics with Blackie. As already said, this was a unique opportunity to see the band playing their debut album live from start to finish, and I guess none of the fans at History this Monday night will ever forget the awesome experience of witnessing that blast of classic rock and metal live by one of the most important bands in the history of music. Who knows, maybe we’ll see them playing other albums in full in the future, but until then I’m sure Toronto will keep the electricity of such a stunning live rendition of “Album One” flowing through their veins.

Setlist
The End (The Doors song)
W.A.S.P. Medley
W.A.S.P. Album One Alive
I Wanna Be Somebody
L.O.V.E. Machine
The Flame
B.A.D.
School Daze
Hellion
Sleeping (in the Fire)
On Your Knees
Tormentor
The Torture Never Stops

Encore:
The Big Welcome
Inside the Electric Circus / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It
The Real Me (The Who cover)
Forever Free / The Headless Children
Wild Child
Blind in Texas
Riders on the Storm (The Doors song)

Band members
Blackie Lawless – vocals, guitars, keyboards
Doug Blair – guitars
Mike Duda – bass, backing vocals
Aquiles Priester – drums

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Album Review – Unwanted Guest / Bonedead (2024)

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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

Band members
Dave Fox – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Barathrum / Überkill (2024)

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Behold this beast of an album by one of Finland’s very first Black Metal bands that proves why they are eternal.

Formed in the distant year of 1991 in the land of ice and snow, Helsinki, Finland-based Black/Doom Metal horde Barathrum needs no introduction, remaining as one of Finland’s very first Black Metal bands and, more importantly, one of the longest-running. Now seven years after the release of their 2017 beast Fanatiko, the band comprised of Demonos Sova on vocals, Ruttokieli on lead guitars, Nuklear Tormentörr on bass, and Vendetta on drums returns in full force with their tenth studio album, the highly anticipated metal attack titled Überkill. A no shenanigans, in-your-face blast of extreme music, Überkill proves that the Finns are, above all, a very great Heavy Metal band, just one that’s jet-black, ass-kicking, and bass-driven as fuck. Simple-yet-sublime pleasures, now and forever. Again, Barathrum are eternal!

Death by Steel is absolutely dark and evil from the very first second, with the dirty riffs by Ruttokieli infesting the atmosphere before Demonos Sova attacks with his demonic gnarls; and blending the obscurity of Black Metal with Hardcore and Rock N’ Roll, the band offers the headbanging Mountain of Bones, led by the classic drumming by Vendetta, whereas a wicked intro gradually morphs into the harsh, metallic feast titled Spark Plugs of Purgatory, again with Demonos Sova crushing our damned souls with his goblin-like vociferations. More of their infernal Punk Rock-infused riffs will penetrate deep inside your dirty mind in Black Magick Rites, while Nuklear Tormentörr and Vendetta craft a rumbling base with their respective bass and drums, and investing in a much darker sound we have Ritual Murder, with Nuklear Tormentörr hammering his bass manically until the music evolves into an absolute chaotic vibe perfect for slamming into the pit.

White Red Black and Pale is another rock and metal extravaganza by those Finnish blasphemers led by the venomous gnarls by Demonos Sova, sounding slow, steady and evil from start to finish, followed by Denial of God, a beautiful name for another impious tune by Barathrum, offering our putrid ears an overdose of harsh sounds while Vendetta pounds his drums in the name of old school Black and Thrash Metal. It’s then time for seven minutes of sheer obscurity and blasphemy in the form of Dark Sorceress, where the cryptic, ritualistic vocals by Demonos Sova match flawlessly with the Doom Metal-inspired sounds blasted by his bandmates, and closing the album we’re treated to the venomous sounds of the title-track Überkill, oozing Barathrum from the very first second, with Ruttokieli stealing the spotlight armed with his wicked, scorching riffs.

Evil has many forms as people like to say, and after listening to Überkill you’ll quickly realize Barathrum are definitely one of the manifestations of everything that’s immoral, sinful and blasphemous. That means they more than nailed it with Überkill, and if you want to join one of the most important hordes in the history of Finnish Black Metal you can start following the band on Facebook, stream their hellish creations on Spotify or any other streaming service, and above all that, purchase their incendiary new spawn from their own BandCamp page or from the KVLT shop. Überkill is the perfect example as to why Barathrum are still alive and kicking (and therefore haunting our damned souls) after so many decades, and I bet those devilish creatures will keep on decimating us all with their undisputed extreme music for many years to come with amazing albums like their newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Spark Plugs of Purgatory, Ritual Murder and Überkill.

Worst moments of the album: White Red Black and Pale.

Released in 2024 Hammer of Hate

Track listing
1. Death by Steel 4:32
2. Mountain of Bones 4:33
3. Spark Plugs of Purgatory 4:00
4. Black Magick Rites 3:22
5. Ritual Murder 3:44
6. White Red Black and Pale 4:24
7. Denial of God 3:45
8. Dark Sorceress 7:06
9. Überkill 4:59

Band members
Demonos Sova – vocals
Ruttokieli – lead guitars, backing vocals
Nuklear Tormentörr – bass
Vendetta – drums

Guest musicians
Grimharm – bass, backing vocals (live)
Naz – guitars (live)

Album Review – Fostermother / Echo Manor (2024)

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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”

Album Review – Nighthawk / Vampire Blues (2024)

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Raise your horns to a compilation of fast-paced, spontaneous Rock N’ Roll hymns crafted by this multi-talented Swedish musician and his more-than-special crew.

Formed during the pandemic by bassist Robert Majd (Metalite, Captain Black Beard) as a side project where he got to play the guitar and work with different musicians, Swedish Melodic Hard Rock/AOR powerhouse Nighthawk is ready to unleash its third full-length opus, titled Vampire Blues, following up on their 2023 opus Prowler. Featuring the aforementioned Robert on the guitars alongside Linnea Vikström (Thundermother) on vocals, Nalle Påhlsson (Treat) on bass, Richard Hamilton (Houston) on the keyboards, and Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters) and Peter Hermansson (220 Volt) on drums, plus guest vocalist Danny Hynes from Weapon, Vampire Blues is a compilation of fast-paced, spontaneous Rock N’ Roll hymns tailored for admirers of the genre, offering some extremely catchy songs while also sounding technical and detailed.

The thrilling opener Hard Rock Fever offers us all a fusion of 70’s and 80’s Rock N’ Roll led by the striking keys by Richard, or as “the real Bruce Dickinson” would say, “I got a fever, and the only prescription is the Hard Rock attack by Nighthawk” (if you know what I mean); followed by Generation Now, the first single of the album, bringing to our avid ears more of the charming yet powerful vocals by Linnea while Robert, Nalle and Richard are on fire armed with their sonic weapons. Then the Deep Purple-inspired keys by Richard keep embellishing the airwaves in Turn To The Night, while the song’s drums sound and fell truly upbeat and vibrant, and there’s no time to breathe as Linnea will penetrate deep inside your mind with her soaring vocals in Living It Up, another great display of old school Hard Rock by the band. The first cover song of the album is S.O.S. (Too Bad), originally released by Aerosmith in their 1974 album Get Your Wings (check the original version HERE), and what an amazing rendition by Nighthawk where Lianne steals the spotlight with her striking vocals; and it’s pedal to the metal with another electrifying rockin’ tune titled Burning Ground, where the riffs by Robert are nicely boosted by the classic keys by Richard, not to mention how powerful Linnea sounds once again on vocals.

A church-like intro quickly evolves into a dancing Hard Rock extravaganza titled Save The Love, showcasing the band’s trademark beats, riffs and keys, inviting us all to hit the dance floor like there’s no tomorrow, and it’s impressive how they sound technical and progressive without forgetting to deliver a huge amount of energy in their music, with the fun and vibrant The Pledge being a very good example of that, followed by Come And Get It, a song perfect for hitting the highway with your loved ones where Linnea an Robert make a dynamic duo with their respective piercing vocals and flammable riffs, making it impossible to stand still to their Rock N’ Roll party. Then featuring the already mentioned Danny Hynes on guest vocals we have Hold It Baby, originally recorded by Sam & Dave in their 1967 album Soul Men (also check the original version HERE), the second cover of the album which will take you back to the late 60’s and fill your heart with Nighthawk’s twist on soul music. Lastly, we’re treated to an electrifying live version of the song Just Let Go, and although I’m not sure if it’s a bonus track, it’s an amazing addition to the album where the band sounds as tight as in the studio.

After all is said and done, I have only one question to you. What are you waiting for to join Robert and his Nighthawk in the electrifying Rock N’ Roll celebration found in Vampire Blues? He’s eagerly expecting you on Facebook with news and more of his music, you can stream all of his creations on Spotify, and of course show your total support to this talented Swedish musician by purchasing a copy of Vampire Blues from different locations like Sound Pollution. It’s known that Robert is already working on his fourth studio album under the Nighthawk banner, and I’m curious to see if it will sound just as inspired and fun as Vampire Blues, but until then we can relax, grab a cold beer, raise our horns and enjoy the excellent music found in one of the best Melodic Hard Rock albums of the year, no doubt about that.

Best moments of the album: Hard Rock Fever, Burning Ground and Come And Get It.

Worst moments of the album: The Pledge.

Released in 2024 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Hard Rock Fever 2:23
2. Generation Now 2:40
3. Turn To The Night 2:54
4. Living It Up 2:08
5. S.O.S. (Too Bad) (Aerosmith cover) 2:50
6. Burning Ground 2:57
7. Save The Love 2:35
8. The Pledge 2:47
9. Come And Get It 2:41
10. Hold It Baby (Sam & Dave cover) 3:15
11. Just Let Go (Live) 5:05

Band members
Linnea Vikström – vocals
Robert Majd – guitars
Nalle Påhlsson – bass
Richard Hamilton – keyboards
Robban Eriksson – drums
Peter Hermansson – drums

Guest musician
Danny Hynes – vocals on “Hold It Baby”

Album Review – Bad Marilyn / Eye of the Snake (2024)

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The debut album by this talented Swiss Heavy Metal outfit will take you on a journey to a magical world to the sound of its eleven incendiary tracks.

Founded in the summer of 2023 in Wangen an der Aare, Bern, a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, Heavy/Power Metal warriors Bad Marilyn have just unleashed upon us their debut album, titled Eye of the Snake, an album that will transport the listener into a magical metal world. Recorded at Kangaroo Studios, The TrakShak Studio and The Hämst Studio, produced, mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward, co-Produced by Sammy Lasagni and Andri Leonardo, and displaying a classic artwork by Stan-W Decker, Eye of the Snake offers eleven powerful songs thoroughly crafted by the Helvetic formation of Andrea Raffaela on vocals, Sammy Lasagni on guitars, David Craffonara on bass, Andri Leonardo on keyboards, and Armin Schöpfer on drums.

An epic intro quickly evolves into the Power Metal feast I Die Inside, where the whimsical keys by Andri walk hand in hand with the she-wolf roars and soaring vocals by Andrea, whereas Middle-Eastern sounds ignite the also very melodic and headbanging Eye Of The Snake, where Armin pounds his drums nonstop supported by the solid bass lines by David; and leaning towards Melodic Rock and AOR we have Perfect Moment, but of course without forgetting their classic Heavy Metal essence, with the guitars by Sammy sounding striking and harmonious. Retribution is not as exciting as the previous songs and quite confusing at times, albeit the vocals by Andrea are spot-on as usual, but fortunately back to a more direct sonority the band offers our ears the upbeat, melodic Heavy Metal tune Children Of Tomorrow, with Armin dictating the pace with his classic beats and fills. Sammy then takes the lead with his Iron Maiden-inspired riffs in When She’s Gone, a song that blends melody and heaviness in a well-balanced manner.

Their Rock N’ Roll party continues with an overdose of metallic riffs and blast beats titled Revolution, where Andrea delivers a striking vocal performance supported by the fast and thrilling music by her bandmates; and it’s time for a charming power ballad titled Legend Of Salvation, where the power of Armin’s drums is boosted by Andri’s stylish keys. Queen Of Thunder carries an old school name for a song with a strong 80’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal vibe, keeping the adrenaline flowing in the album while also showcasing more of Andrea’s beautiful vocals, with Andri also kicking some ass with a nice keyboard solo; and they take their heaviness to new heights in Eternal Pain, led by the pounding drums by Armin and the slashing riffage by Sammy, resulting in a thrilling Heavy Metal attack tailored for fans of 80’s heavy music. Last but not least, we’re treated to one final strike of soaring vocals and classic riffs in We Will Rise, putting an incendiary ending to the album.

Eye of the Snake can be appreciated in full on Spotify, but of course you can show your utmost support to Andrea and the boys by purchasing the album from their BandCamp page or webstore, or by cliking HERE, and don’t forget to also give the band a shout on Facebook and on Instagram. This Swiss band definitely knows how to craft fun and vibrant Heavy Metal, taking you as mentioned to a magical world to the sound of their flammable music, and just like a snake I’m sure they’ll strike again soon with another album just as good as their debut offering.

Best moments of the album: I Die Inside, Revolution and Eternal Pain.

Worst moments of the album: Retribution.

Released in 2024 Independent

Track listing
1. I Die Inside 4:42
2. Eye Of The Snake 4:18
3. Perfect Moment 4:55
4. Retribution 4:22
5. Children Of Tomorrow 3:45
6. When She’s Gone 4:15
7. Revolution 4:00
8. Legend Of Salvation 4:30
9. Queen Of Thunder 4:34
10. Eternal Pain 4:16
11. We Will Rise 5:15

Spotify bonus track
12. Stay Awake 4:34

Band members
Andrea Raffaela – vocals
Sammy Lasagni – guitars
David Craffonara – bass
Andri Leonardo – keyboards, backing vocals
Armin Schöpfer – drums

Concert Review – Raven & Artillery (Hard Luck Bar, Toronto, ON, 04/20/2024)

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All hell broke loose at the Hard Luck Bar in Toronto thanks to a massive night of pure metal music with seven insane bands, spearheaded by the iconic Artillery and Raven.

OPENING ACTS: Potential Threat, Vapor, Wicked, Lutharo and Vicious Rumors

As mentioned in the two previous concert reviews here, I wasn’t able to attend the absolute metal party at the Hard Luck Bar on Saturday with the bands POTENTIAL THREAT, VAPOR, WICKED, LUTHARO, VICIOUS RUMORS, ARTILLERY and RAVEN (yes, all those amazing bands played on the same night at the same venue) on a co-headlining extravaganza during Raven’s All Hell’s Breaking Loose Across North America Tour 2024 and Artillery’s 40th Anniversary North American Tour 2024, a mega event once again organized by Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. However, although I couldn’t be there due to my trip to New York and Newark to see the almighty Judas Priest, my buddy Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi was there on a double duty, taking care of all photos and also of the review, sending me a quick summary of all the metal madness going on at one of the most famous pubs in Toronto.

The first band to hit the stage, precisely at 6pm, was San Francisco, California’s own Thrash Metal veterans POTENTIAL THREAT, who despite being formed back in 1986 only have three official albums released, the latest one being Threat to Society, from 2019. Formed of vocalist and guitarist Mike Noble, guitarist Daniel Sheridan, bassist Damien Sisson, and drummer Kenny Noble, the band was on fire during their entire concert, leaving Keith eager for more of their music. I don’t think they’re on Spotify, though, but you can find some of their albums on BandCamp and probably on other streaming services, so if you love some mosh pits, just go for it as you’re in for a real treat (or maybe I should say a real “threat”).

Band members
Mike Noble – vocals, guitars
Daniel Sheridan – guitars, backing vocals
Damien Sisson – bass, backing vocals
Kenny Noble – drums, backing vocals

After a short break it was then time for Geyserville, California’s Thrash/Groove Metal band VAPOR to kick some ass on the small but incendiary stage of the pub, getting the crowd going inside the mosh pits and, of course, driving the temperature up considerably at the Hard Luck Bar. It was another excellent round of thrashing songs for the fans at the pub, and you can get to know more about Vapor and their music and go check their wicked creations on BandCamp and on Spotify in case you’re curious to know how those great musicians sound when they get together in the name of our good old Thrash Metal.

Band members
Nate Klug – vocals, guitars
Tom Barrett – lead guitars
Nick Altenburg bass, backing vocals
Edgar Canaan – drums

The third band of such an extensive night of rock and metal was American Glam Metal/Rock N’ Roll squad WICKED, whose last release was the 2022 album Sunburn (available on Spotify, as well as their previous albums), and according to Keith they brought a more Guns N’  Roses-inspired vibe to the venue, with their long blond hair waving around nonstop. I would say a weird choice after two devastating Thrash Metal bands, but the fans enjoyed their songs a lot and the energy at the venue kept flowing in an amazing way, so kudos for the organizers for adding them to the bill. Hence, if you want to know more about this electrifying Rochester, New York-based band, you can find all information you can imagine about them by clicking HERE.

Band members
Danny – vocals, guitar
Scotty V – guitars, backing vocals
Chad Michael – bass, backing vocals
Gunnar – drums, backing vocals

Perhaps the band I regret missing the most from Saturday’s party is Hamilton, Ontario, Canada’s own Melodic Death Metal beast LUTHARO, as they’re by far one of the driving forces of the current Canadian scene. Having just released the breathtaking album Chasing Euphoria, the band led by the stunning Krista Shipperbottom delivered a breathtaking show to an even bigger crowd, which was huge by then, inspiring everyone to slam into mosh pit after mosh pit. Go check more of the amazing music by this Canadian institution for the “Hammer” on Spotify, or click HERE for all things Lutharo. On a side note, Keith mentioned Krista should be one of our metal ladies of the month, and as I love Lutharo I think that will happen still in 2024, so stay tuned for an overdose of Krista sooner than you can scream “born to ride”!

Setlist
Gates of Enchantment
Reaper’s Call
Ruthless Bloodline
Wings of Agony
Born to Ride
Lost in a Soul

Band members
Krista Shipperbottom – vocals
Victor Bucur – guitars, backing vocals
Jeff Wilson – guitars
Chris Pacey – bass
Cory Hofing – drums

The very last of the opening acts of such an amazing night of heavy music in Toronto was Santa Rosa, California-based Heavy/Power Metal masters VICIOUS RUMORS, who are celebrating their 45th anniversary by performing their critically acclaimed first album, Soldiers Of The Night, in its entirety for the first time in North America. Keith mentioned a lot of people were there to see them, elevating their status to maybe what we can call the ” third headliner” of the night, and that by the time they hit the stage the venue was so jam packed that he had a really hard time taking photos of their show as the crowd was not letting the photographers go up front to do their job. Sometimes people get way too excited with heavy music, and I gotta say I love that.

Setlist
Premonition
Ride (Into the Sun)
Medusa
Soldiers of the Night
Murder
March or Die
Abandoned
Replicant
Digital Dictator
Minute to Kill
Don’t Wait for Me

Band members
Brian Allen – vocals
Geoff Thorpe – guitars, additional vocals
Gunnar DüGrey – guitars
Robin Utbult – bass
Larry Howe – drums

ARTILLERY

The first headliner of the night was Danish Thrash Metal institution ARTILLERY, playing 44 shows in 26 states during their 40th Anniversary North American Tour, and according to Keith they kicked some ass Saturday night in Toronto. No idea why, but Keith said that Edgar Canaan of Vapor played drums for Artillery on Saturday in Toronto as their regular drummer Frederik Kjelstrup Hansen wasn’t there, but also that such minor detail didn’t take any energy from their demolishing performance. Quite the contrary, they killed it, and in my opinion Artillery are one of those bands that are mandatory to see live at least once in your lifetime if you consider yourself a true metalhead.

Setlist
The Devils Symphony
The Almighty
Turn up the Rage
By Inheritance
The Face of Fear
Bombfood
Legions
10.000 Devils
Khomaniac
Deeds of Darkness
Terror Squad

Band members
Martin Steene – vocals
Michael Stützer – lead guitars
René Loua – guitars
Peter Thorslund – bass
Edgar Canaan – drums

RAVEN

And last but not least, the jam packed Hard Luck Bar was destroyed by ruthless Heavy Metal veterans RAVEN, during their All Hell’s Breaking Loose Across North America Tour 2024, obviously promoting their 2023 opus All Hell’s Breaking Loose. As soon as they hit the stage, it was an avalanche of Heavy Fuckin’ Metal from Great Britain right in the faces of everyone who was in the front row, with John Gallagher, Mark Gallagher and Mike Heller bringing the best heavy tunes you can think of for the total delight of the massive crowd that took over the Hard Luck Bar. Don’t forget to keep an eye on all things Raven by clicking HERE, in special their amazing live concerts, because once they take the stages of your city you know that all hell will break loose.

Setlist
Destroy All Monsters
Hell Patrol
The Power
Surf the Tsunami
Turn of the Screw
All for One
Rock Until You Drop
Guitar Solo
Faster Than the Speed of Light
Inquisitor
Bass Solo
All Hell’s Breaking Loose
On and On
Break the Chain
Rock Bottom (UFO cover)
Supernaut (Black Sabbath cover)
Symptom of the Universe (Black Sabbath cover)
Victim of Changes (Judas Priest cover)
Chain Saw

Band members
John Gallagher – lead vocals, bass, 12-string bass
Mark Gallagher – guitars, backing vocals
Mike Heller – drums

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Album Review – Hellwalker / Coldblooded EP (2024)

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A raw album of Portuguese Death Metal presenting a downward spiral into madness, a vision of our post pandemic society that’s slowly collapsing due to its many emerging social problems and near outbreaks of a world war.

A one-man Death Metal band formed in 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal out of the post-COVID pandemic by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist B.R. (aka Bruno Rodrigues), of bands like Rotem and Savager, the venomous beast named Hellwalker has just unleashed a raw and dirty EP titled Coldblooded, following up on the project’s 2023 self-titled debut full-length album. Continuing to worship the old school way and its sound while trying to push the threshold of the extreme by using lower guitar tunings with a more gruesome and dirtier chainsaw sound, low guttural vocals and a more polished production, Coldblooded is a downward spiral into madness, a vision of our post pandemic society that’s slowly collapsing due to its many emerging social problems and near outbreaks of a world war, showcasing B.R.’s talent and passion for the extreme during the album’s 27 minutes of visceral, raw Death Metal sounds while also enfolded by a sick artwork designed by our lone wolf himself.

The title-track Coldblooded starts in a dirty, obscure way with B.R. showcasing his most demented side through his wicked vociferations, or in other words, it couldn’t have sounded rawer than it already does, and he keeps extracting sharp and visceral sounds form his guitars and bass in Decimation while his deep gnarls will darken the skies in the name of primeval Death Metal. Love Turns into Hate is a mid-tempo tune where his riffs and drums walk hand in hand, sounding a little weird, in special the slower, darker moments, but overall it’s an interesting song; whereas Them Crooked Vultures is another eerie, cadaverous creation by our Portuguese lone wolf where his devilish vocals match perfectly the song’s somber rhythm, and with the utterly metallic sound of his bass reverberating inside our cranial skulls mercilessly.

In the thrilling Breath In Breath Out the multi-talented B.R. adds an amazing dosage of the Rock N’ Roll played by The Misfits to his wicked sonority, inviting us all to hit the dance floor and raise our horns by bringing to our avid ears an endless dosage of rebelliousness through his raspy vocals and caustic riffs. Then offering another round of old school extreme sounds blended with industrialized elements we have My Name Is Hate, with the song’s beats sounding like an evil assembly line while B.R. keeps growling in the name of darkness. And last but not least, the rhythmic Fantasmas (a Portuguese word that means “ghosts”) closes the album by presenting B.R.’s trademark fusion of Death Metal with rock and industrial sounds, sounding and feeling again absolutely dark and grim until the very end.

If you want to listen to Coldblooded in full to feel the fury and rawness emanating from B.R.’s vocals, riffs, bass and drums, you can find it on YouTube, on BandCamp, and on Spotify (where by the way you can also enjoy his 2023 self-titled debut album if you’re curious to listen to the evolution in his sound from that album to Coldblooded), as well as on Amazon Music and on Apple Music. Also, Hellwalker is not on any social media, showing how underground and primeval B.R. wants the project to be, proudly raising the flag of old school Death Metal in his homeland Portugal, and hoping for his vile noises to reach the four corners of the earth. Hellwalker is the absolute opposite of mainstream, and if that’s your cup of tea, go for Coldblooded as you won’t get disappointed at all.

Best moments of the album: Decimation and Breath In Breath Out.

Worst moments of the album: Love Turns into Hate.

Released in 2024 Rot’em Records

Track listing
1.Coldblooded 4:20
2.Decimation 3:32
3.Love Turns into Hate 1:57
4.Them Crooked Vultures 4:49
5.Breath In Breath Out 3:46
6.My Name Is Hate 5:28
7.Fantasmas 3:15

Band members
B.R. – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Ecclesia / Ecclesia Militans (2024)

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Chasing the heretics since 2016 anno Domini, these French Heavy and Doom Metal inquisitors are back with their fantastic sophomore album, armed with purifying fire, blessed swords, and Holy Rage.

Chasing the heretics since 2016 anno Domini, French Heavy/Doom Metal inquisitors Ecclesia are back with their sophomore black mass, entitled Ecclesia Militans (or “the church militant” from Latin, an expression traditionally ascribed to Pope Clement V, who used it in his letter to King Philip IV in 1311 to indicate all living Christians), the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2020 opus De Ecclesiæ Universalis. Armed with purifying fire, blessed swords, and Holy Rage, the band currently formed of Frater Arnhwald on vocals, Julius Accusator and The Witchfinder General on the guitars, Frater Ignis Sacer on bass, Pater Walkelinus on organ and keyboards, and Pater Hexenhammer on drums will convert fans of Candlemass, Solstice, and especially Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath as well as anyone who can feel the righteous fervor of medieval brimstone with their new album, demanding us to confess our sins to the sound of their perfect syncretism between traditional Heavy Metal and Epic Doom Metal.

The irreligious intro Vade Retro (from the admonition “vade retro me satana” or “get behind me, Satan!”, from the Gospel of Mark, 8:33, spoken by Jesus to Peter) will invite you to join the black mass conducted by Ecclesia in the rockin’ feast titled If She Floats, where the striking riffs by Julius Accusator and The Witchfinder General will slash your ears mercilessly, setting the tone for the soaring vocals by Arnhwald, all boosted by the song’s phantasmagorical background keys. Then we have Et Cum Spiritu Tuo (or “and with your spirit” from Latin), keeping their mass-infused sound reverberating to all four corners of the earth, in line with the excellency of their 2020 album by presenting a solid fusion of Heavy and Doom Metal with poetic lyrics (“Fear not my friend / For I have come to relieve you / Wherever you hide / You shall be found out and snatched out of misery / A gang of priors is waiting for you / We’ve had enough / The chalice is broken / Are you ready for a wild holy ride?”). The howling winds will bring to our avid ears six minutes of heresy and doom in the form of Antecclesia, starting in an enfolding way to the bass by Frater Ignis Sacer and evolving into a lecture in Heavy and Doom Metal in the vein of Mercyful Fate and Candlemass; and it’s pedal to the metal in the breathtaking title-track Ecclesia Militans, showcasing the band’s trademark heaviness accompanied by their church-like background sounds, or in other words, it’s an incendiary Rock N’ Roll party led by Arnhwald’s striking vocals.

The second half of the album kicks off with the keyboard-infused aria The Exorcism, a headbanging feast spearheaded by the heavy and groovy riffage by the band’s guitar duo, always supported by the metallic bass by Frater Ignis Sacer, whereas more of the hammering drums by Pater Hexenhammer will hit you hard in Ereptor Verae Fidei (or “redeemer of the true faith” from Latin), sounding haunting yet captivating at the same time. Redden the Iron is the perfect hybrid of Heavy Rock and Doom Metal, with Arnhwald sounding flawless on vocals once again while Julius Accusator, The Witchfinder General and Frater Ignis Sacer bring the noise armed with their thunderous axes, and Ecclesia still have time for another Stygian aria entitled Harvester of Sinful Souls, with the keys by Pater Walkelinus sending shivers down our spines while Pater Hexenhammer blasts sheer obscurity from his drums in the most Doom Metal of all songs, living up to the legacy of such brilliant genre, before the otherworldly outro Quis ut Deus (a Latin sentence meaning “Who [is] like God?”) puts a stylish, grim and ethereal ending to another successful black mass by Ecclesia.

If you consider yourself a true heretic, it’s time to confess all your sins and grab a copy of Ecclesia Militans from Ecclesia’s own BandCamp page as well as from the Aural Music webstore as a CD, a black and gold LP, or a heretic blood LP, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details about one of the rising forces of the European metal scene. Just like the Catholic church, Ecclesia are increasing their dominance all over the world with their first-class witchfinding doom, and their new album Ecclesia Militans will certainly convert more and more heretics to their cause in the coming years. Amen.

Best moments of the album: Antecclesia, Ecclesia Militans, Redden the Iron and Harvester of Sinful Souls.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Aural Music

Track listing
1. Vade Retro 1:41
2. If She Floats 4:35
3. Et Cum Spiritu Tuo 3:58
4. Antecclesia 6:13
5. Ecclesia Militans 3:48
6. The Exorcism 5:19
7. Ereptor Verae Fidei 4:49
8. Redden the Iron 4:07
9. Harvester of Sinful Souls 7:02
10. Quis ut Deus 1:50

Band members
Frater Arnhwald – vocals
Julius Accusator – lead guitar
The Witchfinder General – rhythm guitar
Frater Ignis Sacer – bass
Pater Walkelinus – organ, keyboards
Pater Hexenhammer – drums

Album Review – Lucifer / Lucifer V (2024)

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Sweden’s own Heavy and Doom Metal coven will drag you to their Stygian lair to the sound of their breathtaking fifth full-length offering.

Three years after the release of their critically acclaimed album Lucifer IV, Stockholm, Sweden’s own Heavy/Doom Metal/Rock coven Lucifer returns from the depths of the underworld with a new and breathtaking offering, simply titled Lucifer V, blasting our ears with their characteristic doomed sounds in the name of darkness and evil. Highly recommended for fans of Ghost, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Witch Mountain, Coven, Kadavar and Fleetwood Mac, among others, the new album by the talented witch Johanna Platow Andersson on vocals, Linus Björklund and Martin Nordin on the guitars, Harald Göthblad on bass and Nicke Andersson on drums will put you in a fantastic trance with its sharp and enfolding fusion of Heavy and Doom Metal with Rock N’ Roll, proving why the band has become a reference in the genre worldwide.

The Black Sabbath-inspired riffs by Linus and Martin ignite the thrilling opening tune Fallen Angel, showcasing the band’s trademark groove and darkness, with Johanna stealing the spotlight already with her mesmerizing vocals; whereas a Doom Metal start gradually morphs into the rockin’ extravaganza At the Mortuary, where once again Nicke showcases all his talent behind his drums dictating the song’s charming pace in great fashion. Then investing in a more direct Rock N’ Roll sound, get ready to dance in the dark together with Lucifer in Riding Reaper, with the riffs by the band’s guitar duo exhaling electricity and feeling, and the cabaret-inspired sound of the piano sets the tone for Johanna to deliver her passionate, devilish vocals in Slow Dance in a Crypt, a beautiful ballad that should sound amazing if played live, not to mention the song’s fiery guitar solos. Right after that we have A Coffin Has No Silver Lining, a true Rock N’ Roll anthem played to perfection by Johanna and the boys, bringing to our ears an addictive chorus and the striking riffs and solos by Linus and Martin.

It’s then time for another ass-kicking creation by Lucifer titled Maculate Heart, starting in an introspective way before exploding into a feast of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock led by the hammering drums by Nicke, followed by The Dead Don’t Speak, bringing forward four minutes of the band’s classic sonority with hints of Blues Rock added to their core essence, in special to the awesome guitar solo by Linus. Let’s now hit the road with Lucifer to the sound of Strange Sister, with Johanna having another soaring, sensational vocal performance supported by the rumbling bass by Harald and the classy beats by Nicke; followed by the straightforward tune Nothing Left to Lose but My Life, which despite being a solid song and having its dark charm it’s below the rest of the album in terms of energy and creativity. And lastly, there’s still time for two alternate versions of At the Mortuary (Halloween edit) and Maculate Heart (radio edit) as bonus tracks, and both are just as incendiary as the original ones.

Johanna and her henchmen are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with more of their music, news, and their tour dates (and you should never miss a Lucifer concert as it’s simply brilliant, like the one I had the pleasure to witness in Toronto in November), and don’t forget to also subscribe to their official YouTube channel and stream all of their stylish compositions on Spotify. And above all that, go grab a copy of the incendiary Lucifer V by clicking HERE or HERE, adding to your grim album collection one of the coolest albums of another dark and sinister year ahead of us.

Best moments of the album: Fallen Angel, Slow Dance in a Crypt, A Coffin Has No Silver Lining and Maculate Heart.

Worst moments of the album: Nothing Left to Lose but My Life.

Released in 2024 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. Fallen Angel 3:15
2. At the Mortuary 6:07
3. Riding Reaper 4:19
4. Slow Dance in a Crypt 4:28
5. A Coffin Has No Silver Lining 4:25
6. Maculate Heart 4:09
7. The Dead Don’t Speak 3:58
8. Strange Sister 4:20
9. Nothing Left to Lose but My Life 4:40

Bonus tracks
10. At the Mortuary (Halloween edit) 4:56
11. Maculate Heart (radio edit) 3:37

Band members
Johanna Platow Andersson – vocals
Linus Björklund – lead guitars
Martin Nordin – rhythm guitars
Harald Göthblad – bass
Nicke Andersson – drums