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
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
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.
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
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
Swedish hard rock powerhouse H.E.A.T made a triumphant return to Finland at the iconic Tavastia delivering an electrifying performance that left fans exhilarated. With their new album, Welcome to the Future, set to drop in April, the band proved once again why they are one of the most celebrated acts in the modern hard rock scene. Before the main act, Finnish rockers Temple Ballswarmed up the crowd with their high-energy sound. Hailing from Oulu, the band has been making waves by opening for industry legends such as Sonata Arctica and Bruce Dickinson. Promoting their latest album, Avalanche (2023), they set the tone for an unforgettable night.
From the moment the band took the stage, it was clear they were on a mission to captivate the audience. Their setlist was a well-balanced mix of fan favorites: songs like “Lonely Stranger” and “Dead Weight” showcased their signature anthemic choruses and driving guitar work, while “Trap” and “Bad Bad Bad” got the audience singing along. Closing with “Thunder From the North”, Temple Balls left no doubt that they are more than ready to conquer bigger stages everywhere.
Setlist
Strike Like a Cobra
Lonely Stranger
Hell and Feelin’ Fine
Dead Weight
Let’s Get It On
Prisoner in Time
Trap
Bad Bad Bad
Thunder From the North
Band members
Arde Teronen – vocals
Jiri Paavonaho – guitar
Niko Vuorela – guitar
Jimi Välikangas – bass
Antti Hissa – drums
H.E.A.T The anticipation in Tavastia was palpable as the lights dimmed and Glenn Frey’s “The Heat Is On” played through the speakers. The Swedish rockers hit the stage with “Disaster”, one of the two brand-new songs from their upcoming album, instantly igniting the crowd. Vocalist Kenny Leckremo commanded the stage with his amazing vocals and infectious energy, while Dave Dalone’s fiery guitar solos kept the adrenaline pumping. The setlist was a well-curated journey through their discography, featuring powerful renditions of “Emergency”, “Dangerous Ground”, and “Hollywood”.
One of the standout moments came during “Beg Beg Beg”, where the band seamlessly incorporated a snippet of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” – a nod to rock legends of the past. Midway through the show, the anthem “Living on the Run” had fans singing at the top of their lungs. The band couldn’t hide the joy of being there, specially Kenny who said a few times how they like to play in Finland and how excited they were to show the new songs, introducing the yet-to-be-released “Bad Time for Love”. Always with high energy, the band made the fans incredibly happy with classics such as “1000 Miles” and “One by One”, before the grand finale with “Tearing Down the Walls”. H.E.A.T’s performance was a masterclass in modern hard rock: passionate, explosive, and engaging from start to finish. With Welcome to the Future on the horizon, this show served as a powerful reminder that the band remains at the forefront of the genre. The very next day, Finnish fans were surprised by the announcement that H.E.A.T will play at Rockfest in Turku this summer. And if they bring their tour to your city, don’t miss out the opportunity to have the best of times with their high-voltage performance!
Setlist Intro: The Heat Is On (Glenn Frey song)
Disaster
Emergency
Dangerous Ground
Hollywood
Rise
Nationwide
Harder to Breathe
In and Out of Trouble
Beg Beg Beg (included snippet from Black Sabbaths War Pigs)
Cry
Back to the Rhythm
Living on the Run
Bad Time for Love
1000 Miles
One by One
Tearing Down the Walls Outro: Sister Christian (Night Ranger song)
Band members
Kenny Leckremo – vocals
Dave Dalone – guitar
Jimy Jay – bass
Jona Tee – keyboards
Don Crash – drums
This talented Texan foursome is back in action with their fifth full-length album, turning all levels further and bursting with contagious energy through its supercharged eight tracks.
Founded in 2016 when former members of the bands The Dead Revolt and Rivers joined forces to push the limits of song writing and creativity, Houston, Texas-based Occult Rock/Stoner/Doom Metal beast Warlung is back with fifth studio album, titled The Poison Touch, the follow-up to their 2022 album Vulture’s Paradise, delving deeper into atmosphere while maintaining the gritty undertone that defines their sound. Recorded by Andrew Jacob Rodriguez at King Benny’s House of Sound, mixed and mastered by Travis Weatherred, and displaying a classic artwork by Laura Bennett, the new opus by George Baba on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Philip Bennett on vocals and guitar, Chris Tamez on bass, and Ethan Tamez on drums sees the Texan foursome turn all levels further and burst with contagious energy through the album’s supercharged eight tracks, delivering the exact dose of evil and epic stories you need to enter the winter, being therefore recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Green Lung and Ghost, among other rock and metal heavyweights.
The band comes ripping in full force in the high-octane, rockin’ tune Digital Smoke, led by the striking vocal attack by both George and Philip, therefore starting the album on a majestic note. Then investing in a Southern Rock-infused sonority it’s time for their guitars to strike us hard in White Light Seeker, a classy and smooth composition by those American rockers, followed by the atmospheric interlude Mourning Devils, perfectly warming us up for Spell Speaker, which starts with the metallic bass by Chris inspiring us all for some good old headbanging, supported by the classic beats by Ethan, quickly joined by the melodious riffs and solos by George and Philip, flowing majestically through its almost nine minutes and sounding very Black Sabbath-ish for our vulgar delectation.
They continue to blast our ears with their melodic fusion of Stoner Metal with Occult Rock in Holy Guide, with the background keys by George giving the whole song a welcome haunting vibe in the vein of Ghost. It’s time to hit the road alongside Warlung in the Rock N’ Roll-fueled tune Rat Bastard, again showcasing their passion for heavy music with a sensational performance by George and Philip on the guitars, not to mention how groovy the bass by Chris sounds and feels. The quartet then offers the decent ballad The Sleeping Prophet, overflowing melancholy before we’re treated to 29th Scroll, 6th Verse, bringing forward one last explosion of Occult Rock infused with Sludge Metal nuances, with Ethan pounding his drums mercilessly until the very end.
From start to finish, the listener will be blasted with in-your-face, hard-rocking energy while simultaneously embracing a hauntingly beautiful experience while the band keeps exploring new realms, serving as both a continuation and evolution of their occult-laden style inspired by the 70’s era of rock and psychedelia. Hence, don’t forget to give those talented Texans a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their awesome discography in full on several streaming services like Spotify, and of course to purchase a copy of their newborn rockin’ opus from the Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ BandCamp or webstore (also available in the United States). Warlung bring it throughout their entire new album, paying homage to the past of Rock N’ Roll while at the same time always marching forward, leaving us eager for more of their fusion of rock, doom and the occult in the near future.
Best moments of the album:Digital Smoke, Spell Speaker and Rat Bastard.
Worst moments of the album:The Sleeping Prophet.
Released in 2025 Heavy Psych Sounds Records
Track listing 1. Digital Smoke 4:28
2. White Light Seeker 5:22
3. Mourning Devils 1:36
4. Spell Speaker 8:44
5. Holy Guide 3:48
6. Rat Bastard 4:03
7. The Sleeping Prophet 3:48
8. 29th Scroll, 6th Verse 4:36
Band members George Baba – vocals, guitar, keyboards
Philip Bennett – vocals, guitar
Chris Tamez – bass
Ethan Tamez – drums
These four Swedish girls are back in action armed with their brand new, blistering onslaught of loud, addictive Hard Rock.
Having already demonstrated their outstanding artistic potential many times over, Sweden’s own all-female Hard Rock brigade Thundermother has completed work on their new album, beautifully titled Dirty & Divine, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2022 album Black & Gold, and is primed to detonate anew armed with a new selection of rock anthems highly recommended for admirers of the genre. Currently formed of Linnea Vikström Egg on vocals, Filippa Nässil on the guitar, Majsan Lindberg on bass, and Joan Massing on drums, the band continues to establish themselves as one of the most vivacious and vital Hard Rock bands around with Dirty & Divine, always with a never-say-die spirit and collective charisma that underpins everything they do.
It’s a new era for Thundermother, and the girls arrive in style in So Close, blending the smoothness of Rock N’ Roll with their trademark edgier Hard Rock vibe, not to mention Linnea sounds amazing on vocals. Can’t Put Out The Fire sounds even more exciting than the opening tune, with Filippa kicking ass on the guitar while Majsan and Joan deliver a more-than-vibrant kitchen, followed by Speaking of the Devil, one of the first singles released, which will sound fantastic during their live concerts and with Linnea’s vocals burning our hearts mercilessly. Feeling Alright is a bit generic compared to the other songs, albeit still presenting the band’s characteristic rockin’ sounds; whereas back to a more electrifying and fun mode we have Take The Power, a Rock N’ Roll party by those unstoppable ladies, with Linnea once again kicking some serious ass with her powerful, soaring vocals.
I Left My License in the Future presents an interesting Judas Priest vibe, blending the sonority of Turbo Lover with You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, and of course the final result is a lesson in heavy music, while Dead Or Alive also showcases a cool, melodic sound boosted by a fun official video, with Filippa delivering those minimalist but extremely captivating riffs nonstop. Then investing in a strong Southern Rock sonority they offer us all Can You Feel It, with Joan blasting her AC/DC-inspired beats while Filippa is on fire with her riffs and solos; and Bright Eyes keeps the atmosphere vibrant and fresh, with their solid guitar lines and classic beats offering Linnea the perfect base for her striking vocals. Lastly, as those girls are never tired of blasting pure Rock N’ Roll for our total delight, we’re treated to American Adrenaline, putting a dancing conclusion to the album and making us eager for their new setlists with songs like this one in their upcoming live performances.
A blistering onslaught of loud, addictive Hard Rock, Dirty & Divine marks the start of a new age for Thundermother, or in other words, those girls are revved up and ready to rock, and you can join them on Facebook and on Instagram in their quest for Rock N’ Roll, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase a copy of their striking new album from the AFM Records webstore. “We fight for Rock N’ Roll” is the motto Thundermother live by all day, every day, and the music found in Dirty & Divine proves that’s more than just a motto for them, but a way of life, also representing a new start for a band that will surely keep kicking our asses for many decades with their undisputed music.
Best moments of the album:Speaking of the Devil, Take The Power and I Left My License in the Future.
Worst moments of the album:Feeling Alright.
Released in 2025 AFM Records
Track listing 1. So Close 3:47
2. Can’t Put Out The Fire 3:16
3. Speaking of the Devil 3:46
4. Feeling Alright 2:49
5. Take The Power 2:58
6. I Left My License in the Future 3:33
7. Dead Or Alive 3:44
8. Can You Feel It 3:14
9. Bright Eyes 3:31
10. American Adrenaline 3:09
Band members Linnea Vikström Egg – vocals
Filippa Nässil – guitar
Majsan Lindberg – bass
Joan Massing – drums
A manifesto of pure, unfiltered old school German Heavy Metal masterfully brought into being by one of the most important bands in the history of the genre, going back to their raw and energetic roots.
Back to the roots or back to the future? No matter how you call it, Teutonic Heavy Metal masters Grave Digger have recorded the first album of their undisputed career completely without keyboard passages, entitled Bone Collector. Produced, mixed and mastered at Graveyard Studio, displaying a killer AI-generated artwork, and featuring for the first time ever guitarist Tobias Kersting, the follow-up to their 2022 album Symbol of Eternity finds its way back to long forgotten trademarks, showcasing all the passion for heavy music by the iconic frontman Chris Boltendahl alongside the aforementioned Tobias Kersting on the guitar, Jens Becker on bass, and Marcus Kniep on drums.
A dark, somber intro suddenly morphs into a high-octane Heavy Metal beast titled Bone Collector, with Marcus hammering his drums manically supported by the slashing riffs by Tobias while Chris’ vocals exhale pure metal as usual. The breathtaking The Rich, the Poor, the Dying is even faster and more infuriated than the opener, with Tobias and Marcus once again sounding inhumane with their respective riffs and beats, not to mention the song’s amazing Thrash Metal vibe; and the rumbling bass by Jens kicks off the also heavy-as-hell Kingdom of Skulls, transpiring old school Grave Digger for our total delight. The Devil’s Serenade is the perfect soundtrack for a wild road trip, with Tobias and Jens slamming their stringed axes in the name of our good old Rock N’ Roll, followed by Killing Is My Pleasure, another one of the previously released songs, offering a blast of first-class pure, unfiltered Heavy Metal recommended for some action inside the pit; whereas the riffs by Tobias continue to pierce our minds in Mirror of Hate, maybe the weakest (or perhaps I should say “the least strong”) song of the album.
In Riders of Doom we can easily notice that the name of the song is not in vain, as there’s a huge dosage of cryptic doom flowing from all instruments, in special from Jens’ massive, metallic bass lines, resulting in a true headbanging, horns raising metal extravaganza; and get ready to head into the battlefield (aka the mosh pit) together with Chris & Co. to the sound of the furious Made of Madness, a lecture in Heavy Metal with a strong thrashing base where Chris once again sounds superb on vocals, all spiced up by an ass-kicking solo by Tobias. Graveyard Kings brings forward more of their thrilling fusion of Heavy and Power Metal, keeping the album at a high level of heaviness and rage, and the quartet still has a lot of fuel to burn in the incendiary Forever Evil and Buried Alive, a flawless depiction of the power and importance of the music by Grave Digger to the history of Heavy Metal. Lastly, the album ends with the six-minute doomed tune Whispers of the Damned, with Marcus pounding his drums in the name of absolute darkness.
Raw, brutal, honest and yet catchy, Bone Collector is a manifesto of German Heavy Metal, old school at its best, without rust and patina, no self-copying and always authentic. This is how the band’s new work can be described, going back to their roots, but still sounding energetic, fresh and multifaceted, and you can get in touch with the band and stay up to date with all things Grave Digger, including their upcoming 45th anniversary tour, by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course be part of their metallic legacy by purchasing Bone Collector by clicking HERE or HERE. Those veterans are more than ready to dig your grave and collect your bones to the sound of their new album, keeping the fires of their undisputed Heavy Metal burning for many decades to come.
Best moments of the album:Bone Collector, The Rich, the Poor, the Dying, Made of Madness and Forever Evil and Buried Alive.
Worst moments of the album:Mirror of Hate.
Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music/ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records
Track listing 1. Bone Collector 4:19
2. The Rich, the Poor, the Dying 3:25
3. Kingdom of Skulls 3:45
4. The Devil’s Serenade 4:01
5. Killing Is My Pleasure 3:29
6. Mirror of Hate 4:43
7. Riders of Doom 4:55
8. Made of Madness 3:59
9. Graveyard Kings 4:13
10. Forever Evil and Buried Alive 3:34
11. Whispers of the Damned 6:16
Band members Chris Boltendahl – vocals
Tobias Kersting – guitar
Jens Becker – bass
Marcus Kniep – drums
Our metal lady of this very special month of October is not called Melissa, she won’t break the oath, and she’s definitely not an uninvited guest. What she will certainly do is kick your damned ass mercilessly to the sound of her rumbling bass, as she was born to sin in the name of our good old Rock N’ Roll. Her name is Rebecca Baldwin, better known as Becky Baldwin, the unstoppable bass player for British Heavy/Thrash Metal act Fury, for the iconic Danish Heavy Metal coven Mercyful Fate, for British Punk Rock band Hands Off Gretel, and of course one of the most famous members of the IMFC, or the Iron Maiden Fan Club. Having said that, get ready to bang your heads and raise your horns together with one of the most badass bass players of the current metal scene worldwide while The Headbanging Moose celebrates 11 years of existence.
Born on April 6, 1991 in Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, England, Becky used to play the piano when she was a child, later picking up the bass as a teenager and beginning to perform with bands at school. In 2009, she moved from Trowbridge to Bristol to study at BIMM Music Institute and became closely involved in the local music scene. Moreover, she holds a BA Honours degree in Professional Musicianship, and now lives in the birthplace of Heavy Metal, Birmingham, a major city in England’s West Midlands region, where metal titans like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Napalm Death saw the light of day. An energetic live performer and an efficient recording musician who specializes in fingerstyle bass guitar playing, Becky has performed approximately 100 gigs per year since 2012 all over Europe and into the United States, offering her skills for a wide variety of bands including covers and original bands from genres ranging from metal to folk, urban, funk, pop, jazz and more.
At the end of 2017, following a tour where she filled in on bass, Becky joined Worcester, England-based Heavy/Thrash Metal maniacs Fury, having recorded with the band so far the albums The Grand Prize, in 2020, followed by a 2021 live album titled The Grand Prize… Live, and more recently the album Born to Sin, in 2022, as well as several singles including an acoustic version of Dragon’s Song, in 2023, and a re-recording of the song Prince of Darkness, from their 2014 debut The Lightning Dream, earlier this year. Those albums and singles can be found on Spotify or any other streaming platform, and you can also enjoy their official videos on YouTube for the songs Prince of Darkness, If You Get to Hell First, Hell of a Night, and Nowhere To Be Seen, among others. Currently formed of Becky on bass alongside vocalist Nyah Ifill, vocalist and guitarists Julian Jenkins, guitarist Tom Atkinson, and drummer Tom Fenn, the band is always taking stages by storm live as you can see in their official tour page, keeping the spirit of Heavy Metal alive whenever they hit the road.
It was back in 2022, more specifically during Bloodstock, when Becky was waiting to see Mercyful Fate live for the first time in her life, that she was called backstage to meet the band, when she was told that they needed a fill-in bass player for an upcoming North American tour, and that they had seen her bass covers she posts online and thought she would be a good fit for the job. “I had been a fan of Mercyful Fate since my teens, so watching them live, meeting them, and being offered a temporary job with them all in the same day was pretty insane! The tour was unbelievable, definitely a period of time I’m very grateful for!” After that experience playing live with the band in 2022, Mercyful Fate recently announced earlier in 2024 they have officially recruited Becky as a permanent member, making her the first woman to hold the position in the band’s history. “I guess the idea was floating around for a while, but it’s quite recent still, the news that I was going to be permanent in Mercyful Fate,” mentioned Becky in one of her interviews.
Becky also said she’s confident about injecting her own flavor into the basslines for their upcoming album. “I think the songwriting is still gonna be very much King Diamond and Hank Shermann kind of heading up most of that, but definitely writing bass lines. I’ve studied all of Timi’s bass lines very meticulously now, and so I really feel like I can bring some of that into the new bass lines for the next record.” Hence, if you want to take a look at Becky’s playthroughs of classics by Mercyful Fate, you can find on her YouTube channel her videos for Curse of the Pharaohs, A Dangerous Meeting, Black Funeral, Melissa, and Come to the Sabbath, among others, as well as this interview with The Metal Voice where she discusses how she joined the band.
As mentioned, Becky is also the bassist for UK’s own Punk Rock band Hands Off Gretel, and although the band has been on some sort of hiatus since 2021, I believe we can except news from those girls and guys anytime soon, and if you want to enjoy their music while waiting for something new from the band you can check their official YouTube channel, including their fun video for the song S.A.S.S. Apart from Hands Off Gretel, you can find recordings of Becky with her past bands or as a guest musician, some as an online collaborator. For instance, she was part of a Bristol-based Power Metal band named Control the Storm between 2010 and 2016, having recorded with them their 2011 demo and the 2015 album Beast Inside; played bass for a Cardiff, Wales-based Heavy Metal band named Triaxis from 2014 to 2018, recording with them the 2015 album Zero Hour; and played bass with the bands Dorja, from 2015 to 2019, IDestroy, from 2014 to 2018, and Metro 13, between 2013 and 2014 (and you can find lots of videos of Becky playing with those bands on the media page of her official website). In addition, she also played bass live with a band named Proscenium, in 2016, she can be found as a guest bassist for Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, or simply Warhorse, having recorded with them the songs Warhorse, Get Get Ready, Go, Stop the War, Here Comes the Night, and Forever Bound, all from their 2024 album Warhorse, and she has also recorded sessions for Total Guitar magazine and the Rockschool exam board (now renamed RSL Awards).
As a renowned member of the IMFC – Iron Maiden Fan Club, Becky was featured on a segment of the website called “Fan of the Week”, where she discussed a little about her passion for the boys. “My family home started getting music channels and Maiden were one of the first classic metal bands I came across. Their music videos for Number of the Beast, Run To The Hills and Can I Play With Madness were on regular rotations on my favourite channels and shows. A few years later I met a friend at school who was a huge fan and showed me more of the back catalogue,” commented Becky, who also said that she saw them live for the first time when she was only 15, in December 2006 on the A Matter of Life and Death tour in Cardiff. “I loved the show, I had never seen visuals and energy on stage like Maiden have. But as a first timer at a Maiden concert I had wished they would play the classics that I had wanted to see for years. Now, I would love to watch them play a full A Matter of Life and Death concert! I guess everyone wants to see their favourites live some time, and when you’re young it’s hard to time it right for your first gig experience!”
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
A fan of the band since 2003, with her first album being Fear of the Dark and her favorite song being The Clansman, Becky has already seen them live a few times, including Sonisphere UK in 2010, Hellfest France in 2014, Download UK 2022, and The Future Past Tour in Birmingham this year. Furthermore, she seems to know exactly what makes Iron Maiden so special. “I think it’s the story telling, the history and interesting lyrical subjects that set them apart from every other great metal band. There are loads of bands with equally talented musicians, but something about this formation of people just works. They have a knack for making the lyrics fascinating as well as memorable, and the music catchy enough make you want to join in. And the bass is really loud and has fun parts, which does a lot for me!” Not only that, Becky and her Fury have also played at the Cart & Horses, the birthplace of the band. ” Playing the Cart & Horses ‘The Birthplace of Iron Maiden’ is always a special one for us. It’s a lovely bar full of cool memorabilia, and I love that they have made the basement a dedicated space for live rock music – the area really needed it. The show was completely sold out, and despite some sound issues, everyone seemed to have a great time. I hope the place gets more support as a venue, from both the public and continued support from Maiden themselves!”
A proud endorser of D’Addario Strings, Neural DSP modelers, Darkglass Amps and Alperious Pickguards, Becky owns some really cool equipment, including a Rickenbacker 4003, a Rickenbacker 4001, a Fender Deluxe Jazz V (5 string), a Danelectro Longhorn, a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, a Darkglass AO900 Head + DG212N Cabinet, and D’addario NYXL Strings. “I have six basses altogether, my favourite is my 1977 Rickenbacker 4001, customized with a Seymour Duncan pick up. A lot of people think it’s wrong to modify vintage instruments, but I love that bass and enjoy making it unique in any way that I can.”
She obviously loves Steve Harris, saying he is an iconic bassist and songwriter, and that as a metalhead it’s impossible to escape his influence. “Maiden is one of few bands of their style to keep their bass mixed audibly, and for that I salute them! For a new bass player it can be so hard to figure out what you’re supposed to do, how to play a song when you can’t really hear much. Not a problem for Maiden! Steve certainly influenced my heavy plucking finger style, and I love the chords he does to accent some beats, which most finger style players would avoid. And of course, the occasional bass solo is the icing on the cake!” And if you want to witness her passion for the boys, you can watch this amazing bass playthrough of the classic The Number of the Beast on her YouTube channel, where she uses a Rickenbacker 4001 fitted with Seymour Duncan pickups, strings from D’Addario (NYXL. Gauge 45-105), Microtubes X Ultra, and a scratchplate by Alperious Pickguards.
Becky also teaches bass playing and has a few tutorials on YouTube and on her Patreon, saying she has a few online students doing live Zoom lessons. “I love teaching Maiden basslines, recently I was teaching a student Powerslave which is one of my favourites to play,” said our talented metalhead, who’s also a co-founder of a specialist private tuition company called Bristol Rock Centre, which runs a teaching and rehearsal studio in Mangotsfield, leading workshops with that company. Not only that, she has also aided exam board Rockschool in the writing and proofing of tuition and exam books including Let’s Rock Bass, the Popular Music Theory collection and the 2014 Vocal syllabus, also leading workshops with Rockschool, and having given lectures at BIMM Bristol, ACM Birmingham and Access Creative College. Furthermore, she has received tuition from top musicians such as Stuart Clayton (Carl Palmer Band), Damon Minchella (Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller) and Jim Barr (Portishead, Get The Blessing).
And last but not least, for a number of years Becky was an active member of the Musician’s Union Wales & South West England Regional Committee and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, representing female musicians. As you can see, Becky has been living and breathing music for her entire life, always ready to rock and to support new musicians, and with her undeniable talent and charisma she’s definitely going to become one of the references in bass playing in the world of heavy music really soon. In other words, let’s keep enjoying the thunderous bass by Becky (and you can also support her by purchasing her merch on Big Cartel, or by clicking HERE to know more about her career and her music), and may she keep spreading her wings to all four corners of the earth with Fury, Mercyful Fate, or any other band that’s lucky enough to have her as their bassist.
The city of Toronto was expecting total hell this Sunday night, and that’s exactly what we got with Exciter and Midnight, crowning a beyond successful tour in the name of our beloved underground extreme music.
It was definitely one of the hottest nights of the entire summer this past Sunday in Toronto, and things got even hotter with an endless dosage of depravity, heaviness, rebelliousness, circle pits, crowd surfing, Rock N’ Roll, Heavy, Thrash and Speed Metal at the always fun Lee’s Palace, when DEADWOLFF, WRAITH, MIDNIGHT and EXCITER brought to the city the very last stop of their undisputed Feel The Evil Like a Knife North American Tour 2024, courtesy of Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment, crowning a beyond successful tour with a wild and vibrant show for all lovers of heavy music. Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were of course invited to join the party, and let me tell you that all bands were absolutely incredible from start to finish, and the fact that the show was in the middle of a long weekend (due to Civic Holiday in Ontario) inspired all concert goers to go mental during the whole night, as they had a full Monday to recover after such a hurricane of insanity blasted by those amazing bands.
Precisely at 8pm, the very first band of the night, Toronto’s own Heavy Metal/Hard Rock trio DEADWOLFF, kicked off their high-octane, no shenanigans concert, with Tommy Wolffe, Bobby Deuce and Patrick Woodall paying a tribute to all things Rock N’ Roll by delivering a hard-hitting performance that put everyone already at Lee’s Palace to dance, bang their heads and raise their horns together with those talented boys. Songs like Locked and Loaded, Homeward Bound, Pedal to the Metal, Six to Midnight and Heavy Rock n’ Roll, all from their 2023 debut Heavy Rock n’ Roll (available on BandCamp and on Spotify) sounded fantastic live, offering an insane amount of electricity and power to everyone at the venue and, consequently, leaving us all eager for the next time Deadwolff kicks some ass on the stages of Toronto. If you want to know more about Deadwolff, simply click HERE, and I’m sure we’ll soon have another great album by those guys and another amazing tour to celebrate all the beauty of Rock N’ Roll with them.
Setlist Double Up
Locked and Loaded
Homeward Bound
Walking on Nails
Down to the Wire
Pedal to the Metal
Gang Wracks
Six to Midnight
Wanted Man
Heavy Rock n’ Roll
Band members Tommy Wolffe – vocals, bass
Bobby Deuce – guitars
Patrick Woodall – drums
If Deadwolff were pure Rock N’ Roll, Indiana’s own Blackened Speed/Thrash Metal act WRAITH were absolute evil, destroying everything and everyone that dared to cross their path in Toronto this Sunday night. The band formed of Matt Sokol on vocals and guitars, Jason Schultz also on the guitars, Chris Petkus on bass and Mike Szymendera on drums was ruthless, demonic and heavy-as-hell during their impressive performance, igniting some of the sickest circle pits of the entire night (and of the entire year, to be honest), also inspiring tons of fans to do some wild, nonstop crowd surfing and stage diving. Their brand new album Fueled by Fear is simply demented, and the songs Asylum and Fueled by Fear, plus their old material including Cloaked in Black, Absolute Power, and my favorite of the night, Devil’s Hour, sounded pulverizing live. If you want to know more about the band and their music, go to BandCamp, Spotify, or click HERE, and if they ever take your city by storm do not miss the chance to witness live one of the most infuriated bands out there.
Setlist Asylum
Fueled by Fear
Heathen’s Touch
Dominator
Gatemaster
Cloaked in Black
Eyes of the Sacred Ram
Absolute Power
Devil’s Hour
Band members
Matt Sokol – vocals, guitars
Jason Schultz – guitars
Chris Petkus – bass
Mike Szymendera – drums
Finally after so many years I was able to witness Cleveland, Ohio-based Black/Speed Metal cult machine MIDNIGHT live for the first time ever, and let me tell you that I got exactly what I was expecting, and that was total hell. Promoting their insane new album Hellish Expectations, the band spearheaded by the iconic beast Athenar kicked some serious ass on stage this Sunday, sounding as blasphemous, depraved acid and heavy as humanly possible, therefore putting a huge smile on the faces of all fans who were having an amazing time inside the circle pits and doing some crowd surfing and stage diving as well. One of the stage divers was Adermo von Pitlord, vocalist for the underground Toronto band Profligator, and if you know the guy you’ll understand when I saw there were at least seven deaths (and counting) after he jumped from the stage into the crowd. All songs sounded brilliant, including Lust Filth and Sleaze, Black Rock’n’Roll, Szex Witchery, and new tunes like Expect Total Hell and Nuclear Savior (all available on BandCamp and on Spotify), and close to the end of Unholy and Rotten all hell broke loose with multiple musicians from the other bands taking over the stage and instruments, showing how much fun everybody was having during one of the craziest shows ever. Now I want to see Midnight live again, and again, and again.
Setlist Vomit Queens
Lust Filth and Sleaze
Black Rock’n’Roll
Expect Total Hell
Masked and Deadly
Dungeon Lust
Fucking Speed and Darkness
Szex Witchery
Evil Like a Knife
Nuclear Savior
Mercyless Slaughtor
F.O.A.L.
Satanic Royalty
You Can’t Stop Steel
Unholy and Rotten
Band members Athenar – vocals, bass
Commandor Vanik – guitars
Iron Possessor – drums
Last but certainly not least, it was time for Ottawa’s own Speed Metal institution EXCITER to put on the fourth flawless performance of the night, proving why those veterans have become and will always be a reference in Canadian extreme music. Spearheaded by the unparalleled Dan Beehler on vocals and drums, alongside Daniel Dekay on the guitars and Allan Johnson on bass, the trio crushed our damned souls with their electrifying fusion of speed and heaviness, with songs like Stand Up and Fight, Heavy Metal Maniac and Violence & Force taking us all back in time to the glorious days of Thrash and Speed Metal. Also, I gotta say that playing Judas Priest’s classic “Exciter” on speakers before their show was not only an amazing warmup, but also a beautiful tribute to the Metal Gods, making me and several other fans even more excited to the show (pun intended), which resulted in more circle pit action, of course. You can listen to all songs by one of the staples of Canadian thrash on Spotify, or click HERE for all things Exciter, and hopefully it won’t take too long for them to return to Toronto for another thrilling night of undisputed heavy music.
Setlist Exciter (Judas Priest song)
The Holocaust
Stand Up and Fight
Heavy Metal Maniac
Die in the Night
Iron Dogs
Beyond the Gates of Doom
Evil Sinner
Pounding Metal
Violence & Force
Long Live the Loud
Encore:
Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
Band members Dan Beehler – vocals, drums
Daniel Dekay – guitars
Allan Johnson – bass
***Review by Elizabeth “Liz Bathory” Anderson, with photos by Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi***
Day 1: July 19, 2024
Venue: Lion’s Gate Park, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Performers: Sumo Cyco, Buckcherry, Big Wreck, and The Headstones
This was my first time at Crewfest, and let me tell you, driving through Toronto traffic was an adventure in itself. But as soon as I arrived, the vibrant sound of Sumo Cyco hit me. I got there a bit late but still caught “Move Mountains” and “Bystander.” Fans I spoke to were thrilled about hearing “Undefeated.” Their stage presence was electric, and their sound really stood out. The crowd was loving every minute of it.
During intermission, I wandered around and soaked in the Crewfest vibe. The air was filled with the smell of stone-baked pizza and weed. There was a Crewdama tent where people were playing with kendama toys, and a small drone flew overhead. The crowd was a mix of young and old, metalheads, country fans (probably for the side stage), boho ladies, and bikers. The organizers did a great job with the portable washrooms, including wheelchair-accessible ones and an accessible seating area. As the night went on, portable outdoor chairs started popping up near the shaded areas – a thoughtful touch by the organizers.
Next up was Buckcherry. Their stage energy was impressive. The frontman’s style was urban meets rock ‘n’ roll, and their guitarist Stevie D stood out with his funky riffs and Tokyo Drift-style jacket. They got the crowd going with “Crazy Bitch” and played some classic rock/bluesy metal tunes like Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC. They also did a cool cover of “Rollin’ on a River” by Proud Mary.
Big Wreck was the next big act. By then, the sun was setting, and the stage lights were becoming more impressive. Drummer Sekou Lumumba was highlighted on the big screen, and he looked amazing. Seeing him in action was a treat. One nostalgic moment was when one of the band members threw an Emoji beach ball into the crowd, reminding me of my first concert (The Rolling Stones in the early 90s at the CNE). Big Wreck’s set had some heavy-sounding songs paired with classic metal vocals, including their 90s hit “That Song” and a cover of Thornley’s “Come Again.”
During the next intermission, I explored the venue more. There was an area dedicated to local vendors selling rolling papers, bongs, candies, cannabis, and more. There were even shirts being sold to fundraise for mental health support. The food section near the VIP area was a delight, with trucks serving wood-fired pizza, decked-out perogies, BBQ sandwiches, poutine, and Greek food. The VIP area had lit-up tents and seats sponsored by local businesses, Vanessa Mortgage Broker and Lanca, offering drinks and charcuterie boards. I did get asked to leave the Lanca tent since they didn’t accept my media pass.
Finally, The Headstones took the stage. Their lighting was spectacular, lighting up the whole area to the point that it could be seen from blocks away. They had the biggest crowd of the day, and their sound mixed classic funk with punk elements. Frontman Hugh Dillion made a few jokes, including a funny pizza delivery joke aimed at someone by the stage.
Day 2: July 20, 2024
Venue: Lion’s Gate Park, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Performers: Otherwives, Junkhouse, Sloan, The Trews, and Goo Goo Dolls
Day 2 started off mellow with a soft opening from the side stage, giving an old-school rock and roll vibe. The crowd was a mix of Tragically Hip and Red Hot Chili Peppers fans, many rocking cowboy hats and boots. The side stage featured local country artists playing covers like Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” and they threw shirts into the crowd at the end of their set.
I tried Crewfest’s own branded lager by Farm League Brewing. As a beer lover, I had to give it a shot, and it was pretty good – a mild, crisp taste similar to a Belgian ale. As I enjoyed my beer, Otherwives, a local band from Welland, Ontario, hit the main stage. Their stage presence was great, and they reminded me a bit of Billy Talent. The crowd was really into their 00s-style punk pop riffs.
During the next intermission, 50 Mission played Tragically Hip covers on the side stage, and the audience grew. Then Junkhousetook the main stage, opening with “Jesus Sings the Blues.” Frontman Tom Wilson shared stories about their days in Hamilton and various shenanigans, making their set feel personal and engaging. The T-rex in the crowd really jammed out during “Be Someone.”
The side stage was closed for the next intermission, so I checked out more vendors, including AE3D Printing and Collectables. They had cool 3D-printed fidget toys, dice rollers, game controller holders, and more. Time flew by, and before I knew it, Sloanwas on stage. The crowd, now even larger, went crazy for their 90s hits like “The Other Man,” “Money City Maniacs,” “The Rest of My Life,” and “The Good in Everyone.”
The Trews followed, opening with “Tired of Waiting.” The crowd sang along enthusiastically. As they performed “Fleeting Trust,” the sun set, and the stage lights became more vibrant. Their set ended with “Hold Me In Your Arms,” leaving the crowd buzzing.
Finally, the Goo Goo Dolls took the stage. Their lighting was the most impressive, with beams visible from a distance. They opened with “Dizzy” and played hits like “Long Way Down,” but the crowd went wild when they started “Iris.” It was the perfect ending to a fantastic festival.
Crewfest 2024 was an unforgettable experience filled with diverse music, vibrant energy, and thoughtful organization. From the lively performances and nostalgic moments to the well-planned amenities and variety of vendors, Crewfest had something for everyone. It was a celebration of music and community that brought people together for two days of pure enjoyment. If you haven’t been to Crewfest yet, mark your calendars for next year – it’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Note: Unfortunately, due to the high temperatures that hit the festival area on Saturday, our buddy Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi wasn’t able to stay at Crewfest during that day, which is why there are no photos from day 2 of the festival.
A new Swedish Melodic Metal band which incorporates many different influences from the fields of AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, and Progressive Rock and Metal into their sound, Heathen’s Eye are set to release their debut album, entitled Port Inspiro, or “inspired by the past” in Esperanto, a tribute to the bands that led the band onto the path they are on today. Featuring five experienced musicians with background in several genres, the band formed of Robb Lindh on vocals, Göran Hamrin on the guitars, Ola Hellström on bass, Mikael Andersson on keyboards, and Jonas Jönsson on drums brings together all of their influences from the 80’s and 90’s to the album, being therefore recommended for fans of Masterplan, Accept, Queensryche, Firewind, and Lynch Mob, among others.
Most members of Heathen’s Eye live in the beautiful north, the land of snow, aurora borealis, months of eternal darkness in the winter, and warm days when the sun never sets in the summer. These contrasts are also reflected in their music, which spans over Heavy Rock, airy ballads and Progressive Metal, exactly like what they have to offer us all in Port Inspiro. Hence, you can get to know more about this exciting new name of the Swedish rock and metal scene by following them on Facebook, and purchase a copy of their classy debut from the Pride & Joy Music shop. Inspired by the past, Heathen’s Eye is crafting the future of Melodic Rock and Metal in their new album, leaving us eager for more in the coming years.
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 