Tag Archives: sweden

Album Review – Leper Colony / Those of the Morbid (2025)

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The unstoppable Marc Grewe and Rogga Johansson are back with their infuriated sophomore album, once again bringing forth a ruthless, violent fusion of German and Swedish Death Metal styles with classic American influences.

The ruthless, violent result of wedding German and Swedish Death Metal styles with classic American influences, Death/Thrash Metal entity Leper Colony is back with  Those of the Morbid, the follow-up to their 2023 self-titled album, blasting our faces once again with their harsh, no shenanigans blend of extreme music. Recorded by Rogga Johansson at The Rotpit, with vocals and moth harp recorded by Marc Wüstenhagen at Daily Hero Recording Studios, mixed and mastered by Håkan Stuvemark at Necrotic Audio Productions, and featuring a classic Death Metal artwork by Felipe Mora, the new album by the infernal duo formed of Marc Grewe (Morgoth, Insidious Disease, Asinhell) on vocals and Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, Ribspreader, Revolting) on guitars and bass, supported by Håkan Stuvemark (Wombbath) on lead guitars, and Jon Rudin (Monstrous, Dead Sun) on drums is perfect for fans of Obituary, Death, Pestilence and Insidious Disease, delivering a pure, unfiltered fusion of Death and Thrash Metal with no fillers, just killers.

Håkan  and Rogga waste no time and kick off their shredding attack in Facing the Faceless, with Marc quickly joining his bandmates with his demented screams, followed by Masters Voice, a pulverizing fusion of Death and Thrash Metal led by the crushing beats by Jon, being perfect for some demented action inside the pit. Their hammering sounds continue to pound our cranial skulls in The Age of Insanity, with the band’s guitar duo extracting sheer aggression from their axes, and it’s time for a brutal, demented metal attack by Leper Colony titled Flesh to Rot to Ashes, with Jon demolishing his drums manically. and it looks like their thrashing Death Metal party has no time to end, as Realm of Madness once again presents the trademark scorching riffs by Rogga burning our skin mercilessly.

Then the metallic riffs and bass lines by Rogga set the tone in the also infuriated Those of the Morbid Inclination, offering more of the band’s blend of Death and Thrash Metal while Marc vociferates like a devilish creature; whereas it’s pedal to the metal in the frantic Apocalypse Whore, with Håkan kicking off the song with a wicked guitar solo before everything converges into a hurricane of thrashing and deadly sounds. Then featuring guest Oliver Recker armed with his mouth harp, Leper Colony crafts an overdose of heaviness in the gruesome, evil Creature from the Deep, an excellent depiction of their core sound. Lastly, after endless devastation the band offers the horror movie-inspired track A Story in Red, sounding dark and heavy albeit lacking the same punch as the rest of the album.

Rogga Johansson is undoubtedly one of the most hardworking musicians to ever arise from the Swedish metal scene, making it impossible to keep track of all of his bands and projects, but if there’s one band that deserves a listen from all of his endeavors, that’s Leper Colony. His partnership with Marc Grewe is amazing, and that synergy translates into an overdose of aggression and rage in the music by Leper Colony. Those unstoppable metallers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram, they’re ready to kick your ass with their putrid sounds on Spotify, and you can obviously purchase Those of the Morbid from the band’s own BandCamp, from the Testimony Records’ webstore, or by clicking HERE, showing your support and admiration to the underground as a whole. Because it doesn’t matter if it’s with Leper Colony, Paganizer, Ribspreader or any other of his projects, Rogga Johansson is going to get you, no matter how far, nor how morbid.

Best moments of the album: Flesh to Rot to Ashes, Those of the Morbid Inclination and Apocalypse Whore.

Worst moments of the album: A Story in Red.

Released in 2025 Testimony Records

Track listing
1. Facing the Faceless 3:21
2. Masters Voice 3:40
3. The Age of Insanity 3:35
4. Flesh to Rot to Ashes 3:10
5. Realm of Madness 3:23
6. Those of the Morbid Inclination 3:49
7. Apocalypse Whore 3:31
8. Creature from the Deep 3:40
9. A Story in Red 4:14

Band members
Marc Grewe – vocals
Håkan Stuvemark – lead guitars
Rogga Johansson – guitars, bass
Jon Rudin – drums

Guest musician
Oliver Recker – mouth harp on “Creature from the Deep”

Album Review – Lik / Necro (2025)

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The modern-day purveyors of classic Swedish Death Metal strike again with their fourth studio album, the musical equivalent of a classic shock-horror movie drenched in blood and gore.

Considered by many as the modern-day purveyors of classic Swedish Death Metal, Stockholm’s own unrelenting beast Lik (which means “corpse” or “corpses” in Swedish) gloriously returns to action with their fourth studio album, simply titled Necro. Recorded at NBS Studio (aka Necromorbus Studio), produced by Lawrence Mackrory at Rorysound Studios, and displaying a zombified cover art by Stockholm-based tattooist and artist Jens Olsson of Ink Fanatics, Necro is the musical equivalent of a classic shock-horror movie that’s drenched in blood and gore and packed with over-the-top extremities masterfully crafted by Tomas Åkvik on vocals and guitar, Niklas “Nille” Sandin also on the guitar, Joakim Antman on bass, and Chris Barkensjö on drums, standing loud and proud over so many imitators.

The dirty riffs by Tomas and Niklas will kick you in the nuts in the opener Deceased, with the band distilling their undisputed Death Metal with tons of rage and insanity, followed by War Praise, a ruthless sonic attack where the visceral growls by Tomas walk hand in hand with the pulverizing beats by Chris in a lecture in Swedish Death Metal. They is another beast of a song showcasing a dual guitar attack boosted by the rumbling bass by Joakim, and it’s pedal to the metal with the unrelenting extravaganza Worms Inside, with Chris taking the lead with his demented beats and fills for our total delight. Then the bass lines by Joakim will smash your cranial skull in Morgue Rat, offering more of the band’s trademark violence, gore and obscurity.

In Shred into Pieces the name of the song says it all, as you’ll be pulverized into micro pieces to their venomous slab of Death Metal bringing forward the fuming riffs by Tomas and Niklas, and Tomas keeps vociferating rabidly in In Ruins, a horror movie-like tune where the entire band shows no mercy for our putrid souls. Inspired by a trial that led to a series of executions in Stockholm between November 7 and 9, 1520, after the coronation of Christian II as the new king of Sweden, The Stockholm Massacre beautifully depicts that savagery in the name of old school Death Metal; and there’s still time for more heaviness and aggression in Fields of Death, where their core Death Metal is boosted by Chris’ demented drumming. Last but not least, the guitars by Tomas and Niklas transpire savagery in Rotten Inferno, putting a gruesome, evil conclusion to such an incendiary album.

Continuing to fly the Swedish Death Metal flag across the global stage, Necro was born out of pure love and respect for the genre and its creators’ artistic visions to keep pushing their own musical boundaries. “The ambition with Necro was to make an even better record than the previous albums,” says Tomas. “I think this one is really tied together. As it started growing and the songs got put together we were 100% focused on making that Lik album. I really think we made a really good death metal album, we found the right ingredients to make this one work.” Hence, you can experience all of their gore, violence and metallic sounds by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their sick creations on Spotify, and of course by purchasing the fulminating Necro from BandCamp or from Metal Blade Records as a CD or as a violet with purple splatter vinyl 12″, or simply click HERE for all available options. The new blood-soaked opus by Lik will certainly inspire all Death Metal fans around the world to slam into the pit like true metalmaniacs, solidifying the band’s army of zombies on all four corners of the earth, and consequently, prepping our rotten and decaying world for more Lik in the coming years, even if we face its inevitable end sooner than later.

Best moments of the album: War Praise, Worms Inside and The Stockholm Massacre.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Metal Blade Records

Track listing
1. Deceased 4:21
2. War Praise 3:40
3. They 4:02
4. Worms Inside 3:08
5. Morgue Rat 4:58
6. Shred into Pieces 2:18
7. In Ruins 4:40
8. The Stockholm Massacre 2:42
9. Fields of Death 4:02
10. Rotten Inferno 5:41

Band members
Tomas Åkvik – vocals, guitar
Niklas “Nille” Sandin – guitar
Joakim Antman – bass
Chris Barkensjö – drums, backing vocals

Interview – Meshuggah’s Burger (Slayer Burger)

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This Meshuggah-inspired beast of a burger will satisfy your craving for high quality food infused with Swedish traditions and an endless dosage of unrelenting heavy music.

Meshuggah’s Burger @ Slayer Burger

The Headbanging Moose: Thank you for this opportunity to meet you and know more about Slayer Burger, and your new partnership with Meshuggah. As this will be published to readers from all over the world, could you please introduce Slayer Burger to the ones who don’t know it?
Slayer Burger: Slayer Burger is not just a local premium burger place — it’s an experience. We bring together fresh, high-quality ingredients, bold flavors, and a rock-and-roll attitude to serve up the ultimate smash and grill burger. Our menu is inspired by heavy music, and we’re always pushing the boundaries with creative and unique recipes. If you love great food and even better music, Slayer Burger is the place for you.

THM: When and where was the idea of having a Meshuggah-themed burger born? And who’s responsible for selecting its ingredients, bringing it to life and making it available at Slayer Burger?
SB: The idea came by Meshuggah’s team and your chef consultant Lilian Cardoso. We wanted to honor Meshuggah’s legacy with a burger that’s just as intense as their music — bold, complex, and unforgettable. Our team, our chefs and marketing crew worked together to perfect the ingredients and create something truly worthy of the name.

THM: What makes Meshuggah’s Burger special in your opinion, I mean, why should people choose it instead of any other burger from your menu or from any competitor?
SB: This isn’t just any burger — it’s a full-on sensory experience. The black bun sets the tone, the lingonberry bacon jam adds a touch of Swedish influence, and the rich, savory flavors balance it all out. It’s a burger that stands out visually and flavor-wise, making it a must-try for fans of Meshuggah and anyone who loves a next-level burger.

THM: Apart from Meshuggah’s Burger, you also have two other burgers with black charcoal buns, Vecna and The Wagyu. How has been the feedback from your consumers to those burgers with black buns? And what makes it special? Is it just the association of color black with heavy music, or is there something else?
SB: People love them! The black bun always grabs attention, but it’s the flavors that keep customers coming back. The association with heavy music definitely plays a role, but at the end of the day, it’s about taste — and we make sure every bite delivers.

Slayer Gif GIFs | Tenor

Click on our Slayer buddy to access the official Slayer Burger website!

THM: Perhaps the most unique ingredient in the new burger is its lingonberry bacon jam. Lingonberries are extremely popular in Sweden, used in countless Swedish dishes including kroppkakor, pitepalt, potato pancakes, spinach pancakes, kåldolmar, and more, and many Swedes grow up picking them in the forest. However, we’re not in Sweden, we’re in Canada. Having said that, do you think Torontonians are ready for the lingonberry?
SB: Absolutely! Toronto is a city that embraces diverse flavors, and lingonberry jam brings the perfect balance of sweet and tart to complement the richness of the burger. It’s a nod to Sweden, but it works incredibly well in Canada burger scene too.

THM: Have the guys from Meshuggah already tried the burger, or are they going to try it during their stop in Toronto next weekend, when they play in the city alongside Cannibal Corpse and Carcass?
SB: We can’t wait for them to try it when they’re in town! We’re confident they’ll love it — it’s made with the same precision and intensity as their music. Also, we’ll have our food truck on the day of the concert, we can’t wait to serve the band and their crew as well.

THM: Is this just the beginning of a series of partnerships with metal bands to create other special items in your menu? And if so, do you already have any other bands in mind for the near future?
SB: We’re always open to new collaborations, especially with bands that share our energy and passion. We can’t reveal anything yet, but let’s just say there are some exciting ideas brewing. Stay tuned!

Meshuggah’s Burger and the Immutable album

THM: You have some amazing options in your menu to go with your burgers, including delicious sides, sweets and exclusive beers. Just like Meshuggah are making the perfect combo with a Cannibal Corpse and Carcass in the city this Saturday, what would be the ideal side and drink to go with Meshuggah’s Burger?
SB: You’ll want something that can stand up to the burger’s bold flavors. Our special Slayer cheese poutine or onion rings make a killer side, and for drinks, our own Slayer Premium Beer with deep, roasted flavors would be the perfect match.

THM: And as in the end it’s always all about the music, what’s the perfect soundtrack for enjoying Meshuggah’s Burger? It can be a full album, just a few songs, or simply one song (if the consumer is a fast eater)!
SB: If you want the full experience, put on Meshuggah’s ObZen or Immutable and let the complex rhythms match the layers of flavor in the burger. If you’re a fast eater, Bleed is a perfect choice — just make sure you can keep up!

THM: Thank you very much for your time! Feel free to send a final message to our readers, and to invite them to visit one of the Slayer Burger locations in Toronto whenever they’re in the city for a nice night of heavy music!
SB: If you love metal and burgers, you need to try the Meshuggah Burger. It’s bold, intense, and built for those who crave something different. Come visit Slayer Burger in Toronto and experience it for yourself — because great food deserves a heavy soundtrack.

Locations

1400 O’Connor Dr. – East York
Toronto – ON – M4B 2T8

739 Queen St E – Riverside
Toronto – ON – M4M 1H4

2013 Yonge St – Midtown
Toronto – ON – M4S 1Z8

Thank you so much for this opportunity to show Slayer to more people =)

Links
Slayer Burger Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Meshuggah Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Album Review – Arch Enemy / Blood Dynasty (2025)

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The global legends of pure fucking metal return with their twelfth studio album, capturing the essence of the band in its collection of vicious, high-energy rippers.

Legends of pure fucking metal for nearly 30 years, Melodic Death Metal outfit Arch Enemy returns to the battlefield with their twelfth studio album, entitled Blood Dynasty, the follow-up to their 2022 beast Deceivers. Recorded and mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, produced by the band’s own Michael Amott and Daniel Erlandsson, and featuring a creepy artwork by Alex Reisfar, Blood Dynasty captures the essence of Arch Enemy in its collection of vicious, high-energy rippers without sounding outdated, always looking forward, therefore showcasing all the talent and passion for heavy music by frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz, guitarists Michael Amott and Joey Concepcion, bassist Sharlee D’Angelo, and drummer Daniel Erlandsson.

An imposing, epic intro suddenly explodes into Dream Stealer, with Michael and Joey sounding venomous armed with their axes while Alissa fires some of her deepest guttural roars ever. Needless to say, I would love to see and hear more of this more violent side of Arch Enemy. Then Daniel keeps pounding his drums in Illuminate the Path, sounding modern yet loyal to the band’s Melodic Death Metal roots; followed by March of the Miscreants, another violent and visceral display of heavy music by the band led by the blistering riffs by Michael and Joey, and A Million Suns, a solid composition by the band showcasing the trademark riffs and solos by Mr. Michael Amott. And it looks like the band wanted to get back to their most aggressive vibe in the album, with Don’t Look Down being the perfect example of that.

The second part of the album starts with the sinister interlude Presage, getting us pumped for Blood Dynasty, with Alissa barking the song’s  lyrics (“Cracks in the ice below our feet / Our own worst enemy on all fronts / A strategy of self-deceit? / A hornets nest, about to be released”) amidst an overdose of classic Arch Enemy. Paper Tiger also sounds ruthless, from its in-your-face intro declaimed by Alissa (“See no, hear no / Speak no evil / We are each our own devil / And we make this world our hell”) to its galloping pace led by Sharlee and Daniel, reeking of old school Melodic Death Metal for our total delight. I personally think there was no need for a ballad like Vivre Libre in the album, and although Alissa does a decent job with her potent clean vocals, the song sounds generic and out of place; whereas The Pendulum alternates between more cadenced moments and a fast-paced rhythm with elements of the Heavy Metal by Iron Maiden (and even some nuances of Power Metal). And lastly, there’s nothing better than a true banger to end the album like Liars & Thieves, with Daniel hammering his drums frantically while we all slam into the pit like true metalheads.

“This is our 12th studio album, and the rule of metal is that you’ve got to keep trying to say the same thing, but in slightly different ways!” says Michael Amott. “There’s a degree of familiarity in our sound, which I don’t see as a problem because we’re playing the music we love. But obviously we’ve got to throw a couple of curveballs in there each time, a few new interesting things to spice it up a little bit. How do you get people talking about your record when it’s the 12th one, you know?” Well, Mr. Amott is absolutely right, as all bands need to reinvent themselves once in a while to avoid getting repetitive or dull, and let’s say Arch Enemy have more than succeeded in doing that so far, with Blood Dynasty sounding strong from start to finish. You can find more information about the band and their tour dates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, get ready to rock to their new album on Spotify, and of course purchase it by clicking HERE, helping Arch Enemy stay atop of the world as the leaders of the Melodic Death Metal movement since their inception.

Best moments of the album: Dream Stealer, March of the Miscreants, Paper Tiger and Liars & Thieves.

Worst moments of the album: Vivre Libre.

Released in 2025 Century Media

Track listing
1. Dream Stealer 4:29
2. Illuminate the Path 4:48
3. March of the Miscreants 4:49
4. A Million Suns 3:45
5. Don’t Look Down 4:07
6. Presage 0:47
7. Blood Dynasty 3:51
8. Paper Tiger 3:56
9. Vivre Libre 4:07
10. The Pendulum 3:42
11. Liars & Thieves 4:20

Band members
Alissa White-Gluz – vocals
Michael Amott – lead guitars, backing vocals
Joey Concepcion – lead guitars, backing vocals
Sharlee D’Angelo – bass
Daniel Erlandsson – drums

Album Review – Thundermother / Dirty & Divine (2025)

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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

Album Review – Scitalis / Maledictum (2025)

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Your body and soul will burn to the new opus by this Swedish Black Metal horde, a haunting exploration of despair and wrath inspired by Sweden’s witch trials during “Det stora oväsendet” (1668–1676).

After their successful 2022 debut Doomed Before Time, Umeå, Sweden’s own Black Metal horde Scitalis returns with their sophomore opus, entitled Maledictum, a haunting exploration of despair and wrath inspired by Sweden’s witch trials during “Det stora oväsendet” (1668–1676). The band’s evolving lineup is reflected throughout the entire album, with newcomers W on drums and L on rhythm guitars joining vocalist and bassist A and lead guitarist S, resulting in a raw, emotional record that captures the agony and anger of the time while showcasing the band’s growth and uncompromising approach to our beloved Black Metal.

W already showcases his welcome card with his demented blast beats in Reborn, an old school, in-your-face Black Metal beast with A gnarling nonstop for our total delight, followed by Suffering, an avalanche of ruthless, sulfurous Black Metal for the masses led by the scorching riffs by S and L, showcasing over six minutes of absolute darkness for admirers of the genre. Seven Years Ov Blood is another bold, multi-layered creation by such an uncanny horde, with the strident riffs by S and L matching perfectly with A’s devilish vociferations; flowing into the also harsh and impious Trial, presenting hints of Blackened Doom in its sluggish beats and low-tuned bass.

This unyielding Swedish horde comes ripping once again in Burn Before Dawn, another savage composition blending the fury of classic Black Metal with the hypnotizing passages of Melodic Black Metal; and the guitars by S and L transpire pure evil in Ashes After The Fire, being gradually accompanied by the massive beats by W and the always visceral roars by A, resulting in a monumental aria of darkness and blasphemy. There’s time for one final breath of evil by Scitalis, entitled Endless Wrath, with the reverberating bass by A and his always menacing gnarls haunting our damned souls for all eternity, all boosted by another violent performance by W on drums.

After all is said and done, you’ll realize the Black Metal feast blasted by Scitalis in Maledictum (available in full on YouTube and on Spotify) is a more than perfect choice for representing the horror of the witch trials in Sweden in the 1600’s, and you can know more about the band, their music and the whole concept behind their pulverizing new album by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their wicked creations on Spotify, and by grabbing a copy of the album on BandCamp or by clicking HERE or HERE. The burning of witches has always been a constant topic discussed by countless bands from all genres and subgenres of metal music, but it’s when you face a band like Scitalis that you can feel the fires burning your body and soul while they keep filling every single space in the air with their caustic music, exactly like what’s found in the incendiary Maledictum.

Best moments of the album: Suffering, Burn Before Dawn and Ashes After The Fire.

Worst moments of the album: Trial.

Released in 2025 Vendetta Records

Track listing
1. Reborn 4:16
2. Suffering 6:21
3. Seven Years Ov Blood 5:59
4. Trial 7:13
5. Burn Before Dawn 5:44
6. Ashes After The Fire 6:20
7. Endless Wrath 6:31

Band members
A – vocals, bass
S – lead guitars
L – rhythm guitars
W – drums

Album Review – The Halo Effect / March Of The Unheard (2025)

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Let’s join this Swedish melodeath juggernaut in their march of the unheard to the sound of their incendiary sophomore album.

Gothenburg, Sweden’s own Melodic Death Metal outfit The Halo Effect may have begun as five old friends just making music for fun, but they’re now one of the most beloved new bands in Heavy Metal. Now in 2025 fans of bands like Dark Tranquility, Insomnium and Soilwork have a lot to celebrate with March Of The Unheard, a triumphant successor brimming with everything that made their 2022 debut Days of the Lost an instant breakthrough, showcasing all the talent and passion for heavy music by frontman Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, Grand Cadaver, Cemetery Skyline), guitarists Jesper Strömblad (Ceremonial Oath, Cyhra, Dimension Zero) and Niclas Engelin (We Sell The Dead, In Flames), bassist Peter Iwers (Fleetburner, In Flames), and drummer Daniel Svensson (In Flames, Diabolique).

Their Swedish melodeath vein pulses harder than ever in the opener Conspire To Deceive, with Jesper and Niclas slashing their axes in the best Scandinavian style, followed by Detonate, which will work majestically if played live, a pedal-to-the-metal creation by the band where Mikael’s roars and Daniel’s beats match flawlessly; and there’s no sign of slowing down at all, as the quintet continues to distill their Melodic Death Metal attack in great fashion in Our Channel To The Darkness. Then investing in a more cadenced, traditional sound, it’s time for Cruel Perception, led by the classic drums by Daniel, followed by What We Become, one of those songs perfect for some sick headbanging thanks to the pounding drums by Daniel, supported by the metallic bass lines by Peter.

After that, we face the epic, imposing interlude This Curse Of Silence, working as an intro to the title-track March Of The Unheard, offering our avid years an overdose of first-class Melodic Death Metal with nuances of classic Heavy and Power Metal. Needless to say, Mikael is once again bestial on vocals, which is also the case in Forever Astray, another great option for banging our heads while the band’s guitar duo continues to deliver sheer electricity form their sonic weapons. A grim start then evolves into another massive feast of hammering drums and sharp riffs in Between Directions, albeit not as powerful as the other songs; whereas in A Death That Becomes Us the band gets back to a more ferocious yet very melodic sonority, with Mikael leading his horde in another strong candidate for their live performances. There’s more classic Swedish metal music for the masses with Mikael roaring to the riffage by Jesper and Niclas in The Burning Point, before the album ends with the stunning Coda, an atmospheric and epic outro that puts a climatic conclusion to the entire record.

After all is said and done, March Of The Unheard isn’t just another opus of Gothenburg melodeath; it announces that The Halo Effect still have fresh ideas for the genre, 30 years after their members helped catapult it to international acclaim. Now united under one banner, they are gunning for global success once again, and you can know more about the band and enjoy their classy music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing their new album by clicking HERE, joining The Halo Effect on their exciting and metallic march of the unheard.

Best moments of the album: Detonate, What We Become, March Of The Unheard and A Death That Becomes Us.

Worst moments of the album: Cruel Perception and Between Directions.

Released in 2025 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. Conspire To Deceive 3:57
2. Detonate 3:58
3. Our Channel To The Darkness 3:29
4. Cruel Perception 4:04
5. What We Become 3:47
6. This Curse Of Silence 2:01
7. March Of The Unheard 2:59
8. Forever Astray 3:41
9. Between Directions 4:29
10. A Death That Becomes Us 4:07
11. The Burning Point 3:48
12. Coda 3:54

Band members
Mikael Stanne – vocals
Jesper Strömblad – guitars
Niclas Engelin – guitars
Peter Iwers – bass
Daniel Svensson – drums

Album Review – Völva / Desires Profane (2024)

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Behold the new album by these three ruthless Swedish Black Metal ladies, a howling, hate-filled voice of rage, fueled by the fire and the fists that have subjugated womankind.

“Like the screams from a thousand vengeful souls from the witch’s bonfire.” – Vittra describes the sound of Völva

Forged in 2018 in in the simmering underground cauldrons of Punk and Black Metal of Malmö, Sweden, Black Metal/Crust outfit Völva will crush your damned soul to pieces in their new album, titled Desires Profane, a howling, hate-filled voice of rage, fueled by the fire and the fists that have subjugated womankind since the old ways were undone by the insidious Christian contamination of the world. Recorded by Oliver Dah in Studio Quaalude, mixed and mastered by Ulf Blomberg at Hoborec, and with a cryptic artwork by The Black Bird Sings, the first full-length album by vocalist and bassist Hedonosticia, guitarist Vittra and drummer Skuld seeks to explore Satanic Feminism, breaking away from conformity and exploring a higher purpose through free will, body and lust, all while being recommended for admirers of the caustic creations by Darkthrone, Urgehal, Wolfbastard and Taake, among many others.

Their evil, dirty and cryptic feast of Black Metal kicks off in full force with The Tower (check their performance playing this amazing song at Quaalude Sessions #15), with Hedonosticia already crushing our minds with her she-wolf gnarls, and it’s time to walk through the fires of hell together with those talented Sweds in Walk With Me, with Vittra showing no mercy for our souls, blasting infernal riffs nonstop. They then go full Black Metal in Expulsion of the Flesh, delivering endless animosity and darkness, with Hedonosticia’s harsh vocals sounding utterly piercing; followed by Inverted Cross, displaying a beautiful name for another explosion of Black Metal magic by the trio, again melting our faces with their unrelenting savagery, blast beats and hellish growls, before we face five minutes of sluggish, grim and visceral passages in Never Forgive, showcasing elements of Doom Metal added to their devilish core essence.

And they keep hammering our putrid souls with their blend of Black Metal and Crust in The Serpent, also delivering elements of Death Metal and Blackened Death Metal, led by the infernal roars by Hedonosticia and the massive beats by Skuld, whereas Perpetual Putrefaction sounds a bit generic compared to the rest of the album, albeit still presenting the band’s characteristic blasphemous, demonic sounds. Asmodeus is one of the most infuriated of all songs in Desires Profane where Vittra’s riffs are the epitome of evil, sounding devilishly metallic, while Hedonosticia continues to summon the creatures of the underworld with her she-demon gnarls; followed by Salvation, another evil onrush of Black Metal masterfully brought into being by the band, living up to the legacy of Swedish Black Metal, with Skuld once again kicking ass on drums. And last but not least, they offer us all a ruthless Black Metal extravaganza titled Vagabond, reminding me of some of the most wicked creations by the mighty Skeletonwitch.

In summary, those three Swedish ladies sound absolutely insane and on fire throughout their entire newborn beast, proving once again that women not only have their place in heavy music, but that they can also sound heavier, darker and more caustic than any man. Hence, you can check what they’re up to on Instagram, including their tour dates, stream their creations on any streaming service like Spotify, and grab a copy of their scathing new album from their own BandCamp, from the Grind To Death Records’ BandCamp, or from the Fiadh Productions’ BandCamp, helping them spread their infernal howl in the name of feminism and Black Metal to all four corners of our sexist and decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Expulsion of the Flesh, The Serpent and Asmodeus.

Worst moments of the album: Perpetual Putrefaction.

Released in 2024 Grind To Death Records/Fiadh Productions

Track listing
1. The Tower 4:10
2. Walk With Me 2:59
3. Expulsion of the Flesh 3:45
4. Inverted Cross 3:12
5. Never Forgive 5:19
6. The Serpent 3:42
7. Perpetual Putrefaction 2:30
8. Asmodeus 2:31
9. Salvation 4:38
10. Vagabond 2:28

Band members
Hedonosticia – vocals, bass
Vittra – guitars, backing vocals
Skuld – drums, backing vocals

Album Review – Grand Magus / Sunraven (2024)

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After a very long wait, Sweden’s own Heavy and Doom Metal institution is back with a new collection of battle hymns inspired by the tale of Beowulf and Grendel.

In their over 20 years of career, Stockholm, Sweden’s own Heavy/Doom Metal institution Grand Magus has been eternalized in the music history and looks back on a treasury full of all-time Heavy Metal anthems. Now in 2024 the band formed of Janne “JB” Christoffersson on vocals and guitars, Mats “Fox” Skinner on bass, and Ludwig “Ludde” Witt on drums is back with a new blast of memorable battle hymns entitled Sunraven, a concept album about Beowulf and Grendel, a worthy follow-up to their 2019 album Wolf God, and a lecture in heavy doom that will certainly feature among the best metal albums of the year on any list that worships the power of the mighty riff.

And the riffs by Janne sound beautifully heavy and doomed in Skybound, setting the tone in a lesson in Epic Doom Metal by the trio, with the deep, passionate vocals by Janne adding even more epicness to the overall result. Yes, I guess I’ll overuse the word “epic” on this review as you might have already notice. Then investing in a more direct Doom Metal sound we have The Wheel of Pain, with the pounding drums by Ludwig and the low-tuned bass by Mats bringing sheer heaviness to the music, followed by the title-track Sunraven, where the trio keeps delivering sonic awesomeness with their crisp, sharp riffs and blasting beats sounding majestic. It’s time to darken the skies with the melodic and heavy Winter Storms, as cold as it’s vibrant and grim, in line with their Swedish roots and loyal to their foundations; whereas The Black Lake is perhaps the most Black Sabbath-ish song of the entire album (and even of their entire career), to the point we can imagine the almighty Dio singing it. Needless to say, Janne is once again spot-on with his vocals and riffs.

The second half of the album begins with the utterly epic, electrifying Hour of the Wolf, with the guitars by Janne and the rumbling kitchen by Mats and Ludwig inviting us all to head into the battlefield together with Grand Magus, followed by Grendel, another blast of their classic fusion of Heavy, Epic and Doom Metal, offering more of their trademark riffs and beats as well as the low-tuned bass by Mats. To Heorot sounds utterly stunning form start to finish, inspiring us all to raise our fists in the air to the classic vocals by Janne while Ludwig hammers his drums in great fashion, sounding also perfect for some vigorous headbanging in the name of doom; and the power of the riff is also outstanding in the closing tune The End Belongs to You, putting a classy ending to the album and leaving us all more than eager for more (as the album has only 35 minutes of music in total).

I would have simply loved if the album had an extra 10 or 15 minutes of music, mainly because we’ve all been waiting for a new Grand Magus opus for quite some time, but let’s say the band kept Sunraven tight and sharp from start to finish  without sounding cheesy, tiresome or anything like that, which means it might have only 35 minutes in duration, but those are damn intense 35 minutes for our total delight. Hence, don’t forget to stream the album in full on YouTube and on Spotify, to follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, and above all that, to grab a copy of the hammering Sunraven by clicking HERE. “The album is about Beowulf and Grendel. In essence, Sunraven is Beowulf, and that’s my own invention,” Janne explains. “But some of the songs are written about and from the perspective of Beowulf, and some of the songs are written about and from the perspective of Grendel, the monster he faces in Denmark. That kind of steered me and carried me through the lyrical process this time. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve always been fascinated by that tale. These myths and legends are about all the basic things that we sing about – life, death, glory, dishonour, love, hate, overcoming difficulties, facing impossible opposition and so on.” In other words, what can sound more Heavy Metal than such a strong tale, right? And of course, only Grand Magus could bring all that to life with so much passion, epicness and glory.

Best moments of the album: Skybound, Sunraven, Hour of the Wolf and To Heorot.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. Skybound 3:28
2. The Wheel of Pain 3:23
3. Sunraven 3:37
4. Winter Storms 5:15
5. The Black Lake 5:34
6. Hour of the Wolf 4:03
7. Grendel 3:32
8. To Heorot 3:00
9. The End Belongs to You 3:21

Band members
Janne “JB” Christoffersson – lead vocals, guitars
Mats “Fox” Skinner – bass, backing vocals
Ludwig “Ludde” Witt – drums

Concert Review – Opeth (Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto, ON, 10/14/2024)

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There’s nothing better than a night of Progressive Rock and Metal to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in Toronto.

OPENING ACT: Tribulation

There’s nothing better than celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada than with an ass-kicking metal concert, don’t you agree? That’s exactly what we got in Toronto this Monday when OPETH and TRIBULATION paid a visit to the city during their North American Tour 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, in another event organized by the awesome Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. And if you think the venue was empty due to one of the biggest holidays in Canada, you’re absolutely wrong, as fans simply took the venue by storm in a sold out (or almost sold out) night of sheer progressiveness and heaviness. Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to cover such a unique display of heavy music made in Sweden, and I guess both bands will surely return to Toronto sooner than later with a new show as not only both have new albums coming out in the next few weeks, but the reception of the crowd to them was also fantastic during the whole night.

Precisely at 7:30pm, Stockholm’s own Death/Gothic Metal outfit TRIBULATION hit the stage for a dynamic and diverse performance, and I say diverse because their sound has evolved and changed so much through the years it feels like every song is a different band playing on stage, plus the fact each band member looks like they belong to a different music style. That doesn’t mean the show was bad or boring; quite the contrary, the quartet was on fire during their entire show, with their new songs Tainted Skies, Hungry Waters and Saturn Coming Down, from their new album Sub Rosa in Aeternum (to be released on November 1) sounding really strong and vibrant live. I personally prefer their older material when they were more inclined to Death Metal, but any of their phases work really well on stage, and the crowd’s reaction to each song played proved that. Now let’s wait and see what their new album will bring to us all, and next time they visit Toronto I’m sure a lot of people that were at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to see only Opeth will feel more than excited to see Tribulation headlining a concert in the city.

Setlist
Tainted Skies
Nightbound
Suspiria de Profundis
Hungry Waters
Saturn Coming Down
Strange Gateways Beckon
Melancholia

Band members
Johannes Andersson – vocals, bass
Adam Zaars – guitars
Joseph Tholl – guitars
Oscar Leander – drums

OPETH

As Stockholm’s iconic Progressive Death Metal/Rock institution OPETH was scheduled to start their performance at 8:45pm, I honestly thought the show was going to end earlier than most shows in the city, maybe even earlier than 10:30pm, but when the band in question is Opeth you can rest assured they’ll provide you with a long and detailed concert, to the point I only got back home close to midnight. The charismatic Mikael Åkerfeldt and his henchmen did a fantastic job on stage not only with their unique blend of progressiveness and heavy music, but also with the bonus “stand up comedy show” by Mikael in between songs. Seriously, the guy was on fire, and as I love that type of dark humor that only made the concert even more fun for my personal taste.

Their new songs §1 and §3, of their upcoming new album The Last Will and Testament (to be released on November 22), plus classics the likes of Ghost of Perdition, Sorceress and Deliverance, drove their fans crazy during their entire set, and as mentioned, Mikael’s jokes about only getting the munchies and eating an entire package of ham and one of cheese after trying marijuana for the first time, or saying that they’re not a pop band to accept requests for songs unless it’s the next song in their setlist, put an even bigger smile on the faces of everyone at the venue. I’m not a diehard Opeth fan but I believe there’s a recurring joke with the song “You Suffer”, by Napalm Death, and Opeth ended up playing it four or five times demanding us to “sing” its lyrics along with them. If you know that specific song, you can imagine how funny that was.

This was my third time only seeing Opeth, the latest one being my first (or second) show after the pandemic was over, when they played alongside Mastodon, and I don’t know why, maybe because I was more prepared this time, Opeth sounded way cooler to me, putting on a very entertaining and vibrant show exactly the way their Torontonian fans were asking for. The sound quality was excellent, the visuals were stunning, and the band sounded sharp and tight from start to finish. Having said that, I won’t be surprised if they visit Toronto again next year with a full tour focused on their new album due to the amazing reception from all fans this Monday, and I’m sure the venue will be pretty much sold out again as Opeth are becoming one of the most beloved bands by metalheads (and even non-metalheads) from Toronto and surroundings.

Setlist
§1
The Leper Affinity
The Grand Conjuration
The Devil’s Orchard
Eternal Rains Will Come
In My Time of Need
Face of Melinda
Heir Apparent
§3
Ghost of Perdition

Encore:
Sorceress
Deliverance

Band members
Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, guitars, cittra, mellotron, percussion
Martín Méndez – bass, backing vocals
Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals
Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, Hammond organ, mellotron, piano, synthesizers, backing vocals
Waltteri Väyrynen – drums, percussion, backing vocals

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