Tag Archives: united states

Album Review – Veilburner / All That Glimmers is Gloam (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

This uncanny American Avantgarde Death and Black Metal duo is back from the netherworld with their caustic ninth studio album, pitting the listener as judge and jury, bearing witness to a deposition of spiraling madness.

Less than a year of releasing the massive Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy, Pennsylvania, United States-based Avantgarde Death/Black Metal duo Veilburner is back from the netherworld with their ninth studio album, poetically titled All that Glimmers is Gloam. Featuring a wicked, captivating artwork by Luciana Nedelea, the new offering by the uncanny Chrisom Infernium on vocals (who also took care of lyrics and album design) and Mephisto Deleterio on all instruments and vocals (as well as being responsible for the music and production) pits the listener as judge and jury, bearing witness to a deposition of spiraling madness – a testimony mired in the bog of counterfeit gnosis, orchestrated amid Mephisto’s instrumental haunts of melodic dissonance and Chrisom’s séanced howls, each reverberating through a theatre of fracturing sanity.

The duo kicks off another demented feast of Avantgarde Death and Black Metal with Here is Thine Sabbath, So Mote it Chasm, where Mephisto crafts a piercing, demonic ambience with his riffs, bass and drums; followed by Oblivion is Yours to Labyrinth, which carries a cryptic name for a lesson in Experimental Black Metal, with their devilish vociferations sounding as captivating as they’re haunting. Vitriolic Hiss, one of the first singles released, will darken your minds and consume your souls, led by the caustic, inhumane vociferations by Chrisom, while Phænomena Obscura is another song with a beyond venomous title, and the music is just as harsh, with the guitars by Mephisto transpiring aggression.

No idea if Dis’ Obedient Woe is a song or an interlude. It’s one hundred percent atmospheric and a bit too lengthy for my taste, though, whereas in Of Godslave and Blood Mortar the duo gets back to a much more ferocious and insane vibe, with all background elements sounding like the soundtrack to a cryptic horror movie. Then in A Séance to Spectre we’re treated to a wild fusion of Avantgarde Black Metal with Industrial and Experimental Metal elements, not to mention Mephisto doesn’t stop pounding his drums not even for a single second; followed by Golgothic Holocaust, another song with a killer guitar work by Mephisto while Chrisom continues to darkly declaim the song’s demented words. And they close the album with the infernal title-track All That Glimmers is Gloam, where all vocals, riffs, bass and drums walk hand in hand in an ode to absolute chaos and darkness.

As mentioned in the review of their preivous album, you can find such a unique duo on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their fantastic discography on Spotify, and put your dirty hands on their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. If you’re a fan of the infernal music blasted by renowned acts the likes of Blut aus Nord, Imperial Triumphant, Deathspell Omega, Hexrot, Oranssi Pazuzu, Akhyls, and Akercocke, you’ll surely have an amazing time listening to All That Glimmers is Gloam. However, you better be prepared as once you enter Veilburner’s realm of madness and obscurity, there’s no way out.

Best moments of the album: Oblivion is Yours to Labyrinth, Phænomena Obscura and All That Glimmers is Gloam.

Worst moments of the album: Dis’ Obedient Woe.

Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Here is Thine Sabbath, So Mote it Chasm 5:03
2. Oblivion is Yours to Labyrinth 5:05
3. Vitriolic Hiss 5:52
4. Phænomena Obscura 5:32
5. Dis’ Obedient Woe 5:33
6. Of Godslave and Blood Mortar 5:48
7. A Séance to Spectre 6:49
8. Golgothic Holocaust 4:03
9. All That Glimmers is Gloam 6:42

Band members
Chrisom Infernium – vocals
Mephisto Deleterio – all instruments

Album Review – Odious Spirit / The Sourceless Scourge (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

This unique Experimental Death and Thrash Metal creature returns with its sophomore opus, offering more of its hypnotic wall of sound that leaves the listeners stunned by its heaviness and complexity of forms.

The raw beauty of The Treason of Consciousness, the 2024 debut album by Poughkeepsie, New York-based Experimental Death/Thrash Metal creature Odious Spirit (the brainchild of vocalist and guitarist James Oskarbski), was a significant hint of the wonders to come, which duly arrive now in 2026 with the project’s sophomore effort, titled The Sourceless Scourge. Written and recorded by James Oskarbski, mixed by Kevin Bernsten at Developing Nations, mastered by James Plotkin, displaying an enigmatic artwork by Jari Anttonen of fantastinen (with visual design by Francesco Gemelli), and with session musicians Cullen Gallagher on bass and Jason Bursese (Thanatotherion, Black Fucking Cancer) on drums, The Sourceless Scourge offers more of the project’s hypnotic wall of sound that leaves the listeners stunned by its heaviness and complexity of forms, but equally eager to uncover its secret mechanisms with each new listen.

The crushing drums by Jason ignite the band’s inhumane feast in True Non-Existence, with James already delivering his insane, deep guttural vociferations for our total delight; followed by Close to the Sun, which sounds even more demented and dissonant, with the heaviness flowing from James’ riffs living up to the legacy of Experimental Death Metal while also flirting with Technical Death Metal for our total delight. The Betrayer’s Will keeps the momentum going with another multi-layered, experimental blast flowing from all instruments, with Cullen’s bass and Jason’s drums sounding thunderous; whereas Void Without End is even more technical and dissonant than its predecessors, not to mention James is once again demented on the guitars while also blasting his scathing roars nonstop. And lastly, we’re treated to Temporal Euthanasia, another complex and detailed creation by James where his visceral guttural matches perfectly with the demolishing drums by Jason.

Builders of grandiose sonic architecture that exist in perfect balance between Technical Thrash and Death Metal and minimalist Avantgarde Metal, Odious Spirit is on fire in The Sourceless Scourge, an album highly recommended for admirers of the music by renowned acts the likes of Voivod, Immolation, Krallice, Mick Barr, and Ocrilim, just to name a few. You can find more information about Odious Spirit on Instagram, stream the project’s eccentric music on most platforms like Spotify, and of course purchase The Sourceless Scourge from the I, Voidhanger Records’ BandCamp or from Metal Odyssey in the EU or in the US. No one knows what James Oskarbski and his Odious Spirit will offer us all after The Sourceless Scourge, and that’s the beauty of his music. It’s unique, heavy, visceral, and never the same.

Best moments of the album: Close to the Sun and Temporal Euthanasia.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 I, Voidhanger Records

Track listing
1. True Non-Existence 6:27
2. Close to the Sun 8:53
3. The Betrayer’s Will 7:48
4. Void Without End 6:47
5. Temporal Euthanasia 8:37

Band members
James Oskarbski – vocals, guitars

Guest musicians
Cullen Gallagher – bass (session)
Jason Bursese – drums (session)

Album Review – Iapetus / The Mother Void (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

These Melodic and Progressive Death Metal innovators are back with the third part of their cosmic trilogy, a story of a mother and a son, of mankind and the cosmos, of feeling destined to failure in a world designed to destroy.

Following on their critically acclaimed full-length albums The Long Road Home, released in 2017, and The Body Cosmic, released in 2019, Long Island, New York- based Melodic/Progressive Death Metal innovators Iapetus (which means “the piercer” or “the one who pierces” in ancient Greek, describing a mythological Titan, a moon of Saturn, and a prehistoric ocean) return with the third part of their phenomenal trilogy, The Mother Void. Recorded by Alexander Backlund, mixed by Jens Bogren, and mastered Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, and displaying a cosmic artwork by Vanessa Lemen, the stunning new offering by Matthew Cerami on vocals, guitars, bass and arrangements, and Jordan Navarro on the guitars, keyboards and drum arrangements sees the duo be joined by Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade) on vocals, along with several notable guest musicians including drummer Brody Taylor Smith (Invent Animate), guitarist Benjamin Baret (Ne Obliviscaris), and vocalist Frank Harper (Caelestra), resulting in a bold, multi-layered nd flawless metal voyage highly recommended for admirers of bands the likes of Ne Obliviscaris, An Abstract Illusion, Persefone, and Insomnium.

After the atmospheric, ethereal intro Parturition we’re dragged into the world of prog death madness ruled by Iapetus in The Mother Void, an embracing title-track that sets the tone for the rest of the album, with the guitars by Matthew and Jordan exhaling heaviness and cosmic energy. After such a killer tune, we face Aniara, presenting 17 minutes of first-class, no shenanigans Progressive Death Metal where the all harsh vocals clash beautifully with the penetrating, hypnotizing clean vocals by Fabienne, sounding like multiple songs in one; whereas Red Giant keeps the momentum going, with Brody crushing his drums with endless rage and intricacy while the song’s background keys give it a truly whimsical vibe. Needless to say, Fabienne’s vocals take the song, which is already majestic, to a whole new level of awesomeness.

Then after the enfolding interlude Énouement we face the most detailed and soul consuming song of the entire album, TON, featuring guests Benjamin Baret of Ne Obliviscaris on a guitar solo and Frank Harper of Caelestra on vocals. It’s an 18-minute Progressive Death Metal beast where Matthew and Jordan slash their guitars nonstop, accompanied by the thunderous beats and fills by Brody, not to mention Matthew delivers sheer awesomeness through his bass. Furthermore, its ethereal passages will bring some peace to our hearts while at the same time they demolish our hopes and dreams once again with their massive wall of extreme sounds, before all comes to an end with The World Be Undone, where its delicate keys and Fabienne’s minimalist vocals bring hope to our darkened hearts.

“The Mother Void is the story of a mother and a son; of mankind and the cosmos; of feeling destined to failure in a world designed to destroy. It is a conceptual record, meant to be digested in whole; the conclusion to a trilogy of albums dedicated to the tension between mortal existence and immortal space. It is our most personal record to date, and its scope is mirrored in size only by the passion that accompanied its creation. We claw from The Mother Void,” commented the duo, who are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news and more of their amazing music. Don’t forget to also stream their unique creations on Spotify, and to put your hands on such a masterpiece by purchasing it from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. The Mother Void is more than just a metal album; it’s a cosmic journey, and you’re invited to join Matthew and Jordan on this breathtaking mission.

Best moments of the album: Aniara, Red Giant and TON.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Willowtip Records

Track listing
1. Parturition 1:40
2. The Mother Void 12:54
3. Aniara 17:12
4. Red Giant 11:58
5. Énouement 1:51
6. TON 18:43
7. The World Be Undone 4:54

Band members
Matthew Cerami – vocals, guitars, bass, arrangements
Jordan Navarro – guitars, keyboards, drum arrangements

Guest musicians
Brody Taylor Smith – drums (session)
Fabienne Erni – vocals (session)
Ethan Navarro – vocals (session)
Mark Lazeski – additional synths & SFX (session)
Benjamin Baret – guitar solo on “TON”
Frank Harper – vocals on “TON”

Album Review – Smoulder / Witch Wife in an Alien World (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

This fearless, confrontational, and adventurous Epic Heavy and Doom Metal horde returns with their their opus, a bold, daring collection of eight songs that continue to push boundaries and shatter conventions.

Fearless, confrontational, and adventurous Epic Heavy  and Doom Metal. That’s exactly what you’ll get in Witch Wife in an Alien World, the brand new offering by the unstoppable multi-national beast known as Smoulder, following up on their critically acclaimed 2023 sophomore Violent Creed of Vengeance. Recorded between Soundwell Studio by Valtteri Kallio, and Swift Road Studios by Vincent Ippolito, with mixing and mastering duties courtesy of Roland Rodas, and artwork by British fantasy and horror illustrator Ian Miller (reflecting the ugliness and hard truths of the album’s themes), the new offering by Sarah Ann on vocals, Shon Vincent and Collin Wolf on the guitars, Adam Blake on bass, and Kevin Hester on drums is a bold, daring collection of eight songs that continue to push boundaries and shatter conventions. Inspired by Sarah Ann’s current Finnish residence, citing the country’s “monumentally positive impact” on her life, including a high-functioning, affordable healthcare system to go along with a reliable 24/7 transit and robust outdoor space, complete with safe air and clean water, Sarah Ann wants the rest of the world to have what she has, tying into the album’s broader context of tackling more real-life themes that are purposely adversarial and coupled with a growing sense of disconnection in a world that, conversely, is more connected than ever through technology.

Kevin kicks off the band’s adventurous metal journey in Water Wars, before Sarah comes ripping with her epic, soaring vocals while Shon and Collin deliver their trademark Judas Priest-inspired riffs nonstop; and investing in a more Hard Rock-oriented sound we have Shadow Of The Vulture, with Adam and Kevin generating a reverberating atmosphere with their heavy, doomed kitchen. They keep blasting their hypnotizing fusion of Heavy and Doom Metal in Noitien Loitsu, boosted by another killer guitar attack by Shon and Collin while the song also features a guest solo from the band’s live guitarist, Bootleg Henkka (also of Finnish epic black metallers Havukruunu). And it’s time for another blast of Epic Doom Metal in the form of Crush The Neophytes, where Sarah once again steals the show with her striking, powerful vocals.

Back to a more ferocious, razor-edged sound we’re treated to the excellent Empathy’s Wrath, again showcasing the band’s characteristic epic vocals, crushing riffs and hammering drums, whereas they enhance their Doom Metal vibe in Their Name Lives On, melting our faces with the scorching riffs by the band’s unstoppable axed duo. Cathedral Of The Trees is another solid composition by the band, albeit a bit generic compared to the rest of the album, while they return to a more incendiary, killer sonority in Smouldering Remains, ending the album on a truly epic and visceral mode with Sarah’s vocals walking hand in hand with the rumbling sounds blasted by her henchmen.

After all is said and done, you’ll quickly realize Smoulder remain committed to exploration and adventure in their new album Witch Wife in an Alien World, always bringing something fresh and unique to their avid fanbase. If you want to explore the epic world ruled by Smoulder, you can find those amazing musicians on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their striking creations on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the album from BandCamp, as well as from Cruz Del Sur Music as a CD, a black vinyl LP, or a limited edition spectral purple LP, or click HERE for all things Smoulder. Smoulder are on fire throughout their entire new opus, opening our eyes to some of the issues that are leading our society to damnation, while keeping our souls warm and protected by their killer, epic heavy music. All hail Smoulder, and may we all be able to one day experience the alien world inhabited by the mighty witch Sarah Ann.

Best moments of the album: Water Wars, Empathy’s Wrath and Smouldering Remains.

Worst moments of the album: Cathedral Of The Trees.

Released in 2026 Cruz Del Sur Music

Track listing
1. Water Wars 4:36
2. Shadow Of The Vulture 4:16
3. Noitien Loitsu 4:52
4. Crush The Neophytes 6:57
5. Empathy’s Wrath 5:02
6. Their Name Lives On 4:48
7. Cathedral Of The Trees 5:24
8. Smouldering Remains 7:00

Band members
Sarah Ann – vocals
Shon Vincent – guitar
Collin Wolf – guitar
Adam Blake – bass
Kevin Hester – drums

Guest musician
Bootleg Henkka – guitar solo on “Noitien Loitsu”

Album Review – Crimson Steel / Show No Fear (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

Drawing from the lineage of metal gods, Raleigh, North Carolina’s own Heavy Metal brigade returns with a cinematic full-length album built on power, prophecy, transformation, and defiance.

Drawing from the lineage of Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Crimson Glory, and Queensrÿche, Raleigh, North Carolina’s own Heavy Metal/Hard Rock brigade Crimson Steel returns with their sophomore offering Show No Fear, the follow-up to their 2022 debut Night Creatures, and a cinematic full-length album built on power, prophecy, transformation, and defiance. Produced, engineered and mixed by Wendy Brancaccio and Bill Spears at Vintage Noise Studio, mastered by Anthony Focx at A. Focx Productions, and showcasing an old school artwork by an artist named Jonathan, the new album by Tina Langevin on vocals, David Ryan on the guitars, Joel McGee on bass, and Will Adkins on drums captures a band fully embracing the grandeur of classic Heavy Metal while sharpening its own identity through dramatic storytelling, progressive arrangement, and commanding performances.

The cinematic intro As Above, So Below warns us all a metal storm is about to come in the breathtaking Dark Rider, with Tina already delivering her trademark soaring vocals supported by the pure metal riffs by David while Will and Joel make sure the atmosphere remains as thunderous as it can be. No Absolution is a classic display of Heavy Metal with Hard Rock elements where Joel once again hammers his bass mercilessly, making the earth tremble for our total delight; and David and Joel are on total fire armed with their axes in Purifier, inspiring us to bang our heads nonstop while Tina keeps delivering her classy high-pitched vocals in the name of rock and heavy music, supported by Joel’s vocals.

It’s time for a shredding feast by David in the thunderous Final Phase, supported by Joel’s massive bass lines, sounding darker than its predecessors yet deeply rooted in classic Hard Rock. David then takes care of the sinister acoustic interlude Prelude to the Blade, before we face Century Sword, starting with another solid riff attack and morphing into an Epic Heavy Metal feast led by Tina’s storytelling vocals. Then we face Bleed into One, featuring guest vocals by James Rivera of Helstar, a dark ballad by Crimson Steel that feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the album (not to mention Tina should have had a bigger role in it). Fortunately, there’s the title-track Show No Fear to put a striking, electrifying ending to the album, with their guitars and bass breathing fire while Will pounds his drums in sheer Heavy Metal insanity.

On Show No Fear, all of the band’s influences become the foundation for a mythic, dark, emotionally charged album driven by melody, muscle, and conviction, and if you want to put your metallic hands on it you can find the album on BandCamp, and of course give a shout to Crimson Steel on Facebook and Instagram, and stream their music on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. Across its 39-minute runtime, Show No Fear presents Crimson Steel as a band rooted firmly in traditional Heavy Metal and intent on building something vivid and immersive. It is an album of dark myth, human struggle, and hard-won defiance. It is Heavy Metal as story, spectacle, and statement.

Best moments of the album: Dark Rider, Final Phase and Show No Fear.

Worst moments of the album: Bleed into One.

Released in 2026 Heaven And Hell Records

Track listing
1. As Above, So Below 1:11
2. Dark Rider 4:39
3. No Absolution 5:53
4. Purifier 4:18
5. Final Phase 5:44
6. Prelude to the Blade 0:45
7. Century Sword 5:18
8. Bleed into One 6:30
9. Show No Fear 4:52

Band members
Tina Langevin – lead vocals
David Ryan – guitar, backing vocals
Joel McGee – bass, backing vocals
Will Adkins – drums, backing vocals

Guest musician
James Rivera – vocals on “Bleed into One”

Album Review – Wharflurch / Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

Florida’s own Death and Doom Metal entity returns with the sequel to the epic psychedelic saga that started in their debut album, an odyssey for the adventurous listener, and a deathly riff journey into the outer cosmos.

Hailing from Gainesville, Florida, the ruthless Death/Doom Metal entity Wharflurch left the Death Metal world hanging at the end of their 2021 debut Psychedelic Realms ov Hell, with the protagonist of the first album being lost in a fungal haze of disillusionment at the album’s conclusion. They return with the sequel to the epic psychedelic saga, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters, another concept album continuing the story, placing our “hero” at the precipice of an incredible journey to the furthest regions of our universe. A true Sci-Fi epic of world-building and conceptualization, the new offering by vocalist and guitarist Myk Colby, and vocalist and drummer John Mamo (with guest appearances by Garrett Alvarado, frontman for Maul, on vocals as the voice of the “Sporelords,” and Jamie Stewart, throat shredder for The Abscence, Party Time, and Hot Graves, doing narratives and guest vocals on quite a few songs) places the listener at a vantage point to interpret interplanetary life as ventures of this secret race of mycelial beings who control the life force of galaxies with a hidden hand.

A cosmic intro quickly evolves into a prog death feast led by the scathing riffs by Myk titled Death Toll Horror while John pounds his drums nonstop, resulting in a ruthless start to the sonic voyage crafted by the duo; followed by Forgotten Temple, as intricate as it is demonic, with the duo hammering our heads mercilessly with their gruesome vocals and striking guitar lines, all boosted by an ethereal background. Their old school Death Metal vein pulses harder than ever in Non Zero Expanse, with John dictating the pace with his cadaverous beats and fills, and they continue their otherworldly journey with the Progressive Death Metal attack titled Headless God, again showcasing those Cannibal Corpse-infused riffs we all love so much.

It takes a while for Dimensional Parasite to really take off, but when it does it offers more of the band’s trademark blend of Death Metal. It could have been a little faster, though. Then again presenting a wild blend of progressiveness with harsh, visceral sounds we have The Leaving Orbs, where John is once again flawless behind his drums accompanied by the whimsical guitars by Myk, followed by Revelations ov the Spore Lords, heavy and obscure from the very first second, alternating between doom-laden Death Metal moments and bursts of sheer savagery. And lastly, we’re treated to Mycodeath and Rebirth / Awakening the Emissary, an expansive instrumental outro that feels like the ending scene and credits of a Sci-Fi movie.

Embraced by the sinister, otherworldly artwork by American artist Claw//Eight, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters is definitely a must-listen for fans of the craziest form of Death and Doom Metal, and you can find more details about such a demented duo on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase the album from the Personal Records’ BandCamp or webstore (or click HERE for all things Wharflurch). In the end, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters is more than just an album of heavy music. It’s an odyssey for the adventurous listener, a deathly riff journey into the outer cosmos, where our destiny has been foretold by beings who treat our planet as a failed.

Best moments of the album: Forgotten Temple, Non Zero Expanse and Revelations ov the Spore Lords.

Worst moments of the album: Dimensional Parasite.

Released in 2026 Personal Records/Gurgling Gore/Dawnbreed

Track listing
1. Death Toll Horror 4:10
2. Forgotten Temple 6:18
3. Non Zero Expanse 4:32
4. Headless God 5:08
5. Dimensional Parasite 5:21
6. The Leaving Orbs 5:42
7. Revelations ov the Spore Lords 6:15
8. Mycodeath and Rebirth / Awakening the Emissary 8:28

Band members
Myk Colby – vocals, guitars, synthesizers
John Mamo – vocals, drums

Guest musicians
Garrett Alvarado – vocals
Jamie Stewart – vocals, narration

Album Review – Altarheart / Prone To Wander (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

The ride is about to begin to the sound of the new album by this talented American Progressive Metalcore duo.

Hailing from Charleston, in the “Mountain State” of West Virginia, Progressive Metalcore project Altarheart began in early 2023 as a solo endeavour from vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Conn. After releasing one full-length album, and welcoming his brother Alex Conn on drums, the new, expanded Altarheart released the EP Creatures Here Below in 2024, followed now in 2026 by their second full-length album, titled Prone To Wander. Mixed and mastered by Anthony Conn himself, Prone To Wander affords space and clarity to every element of the band’s complex sound, while it also sees the duo taking giant strides forward and fulfilling all the potential shown by their previous EP in abundance.

All background elements elevate the epicness and add an extra kick to Wayward, with Anthony roaring in great fashion while his brother Alex pounds his drums in the best Metalcore way imaginable. Then in Mortal Man, featuring Scapegoat as a guest vocalist, Anthony delivers an overdose of scathing riffs while also hammering his bass nonstop, followed by Not Well, which sounds and feels introspective yet enraged at the same time, with Alex bringing his share of heaviness through his pounding drums. Rustbelt sees the duo again deliver a solid blend of Progressive Metalcore with Djent elements, with the guitar work by Anthony sounding insane; and the atmospheric Consider The Lillies works like the calm before the storm for Low Souls, another dark and visceral creation by the Conn Brothers, with Alex stealing the spotlight with his killer beats and fills.

Brother, Sister presents what’s perhaps their most Metalcore sound of all, following a more traditional take while Anthony’s harsh and clean vocals exhale despair; whereas Weaken My Flesh, featuring Michael Grice on guest vocals, is an explosion of Technical and Progressive Metalcore where Anthony delivers another round of his piercing roars and guitars lines. Streets Of Mold feels extremely metallic and detailed, with even nuances of Industrial Metal added to its core, resulting in an enfolding aria by the duo, while Island Of One is an excellent option for headbanging together with the boys, with Anthony and Alex being in absolute sync with their scorching riffs and pounding drums. Then a serene intro morphs into another ruthless display of Metalcore entitled Reconcile, keeping the atmosphere dense and pensive, before we face For Those Who Have Wandered Away, closing the album on a high note with its epic background sounds.

An achievement in itself, but also a step in a journey still to unfold, Prone To Wander is highly recommended for fans of Bring Me The Horizon, August Burns Red, Refiner, and The Light Superior, just to name a few, and you can give those talented brothers a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their classy music on Spotify, and purchase Prone To Wander from their own BandCamp (or click HERE for all things Altarheart). The ride is about to begin to the sound of the new opus by Altarheart, and you better get ready because it’s going to be a heavy and melodic one.

Best moments of the album: Wayward, Rustbelt and Island Of One.

Worst moments of the album: Consider The Lillies.

Released in 2026 Rottweiler Records

Track listing
1. Wayward 3:43
2. Mortal Man 3:14
3. Not Well 3:26
4. Rustbelt 3:55
5. Consider The Lillies 3:17
6. Low Souls 4:18
7. Brother, Sister 3:41
8. Weaken My Flesh 4:33
9. Streets Of Mold 3:51
10. Island Of One 3:30
11. Reconcile 4:27
12. For Those Who Have Wandered Away 4:39

Band members
Anthony Conn – vocals, guitars, bass
Alex Conn – drums

Guest musicians
Scapegoat – additional vocals on “Mortal Man”
Michael Grice – additional vocals on “Weaken My Flesh”

Album Review – Hanging Garden / Dream Death (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

Blending multiple sounds to create something highly intricate, varied, and dynamic, this one-man Progressive Death Metal entity returns with its thrilling sophomore album.

The brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Cruz, of bands like Noxis, Scumbag, and Dissonance, Yonkers, New York-based Progressive Death Metal beast Hanging Garden blends multiple sounds to create something highly intricate, varied, and dynamic, just like what it has to offer in its sophomore album, titled Dream Death, following up on its 2024 debut The God That Made Them Bow. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Dylan himself, with a stunning artwork by Hafiz, the album presents Dylan’s trenchant prog and tech death approach expertly tempered by transcendental melodic passages, and all of it bears a blackened touch on top of it.

Dylan wastes no time and begins his prog attack with Arete, delivering an avalanche of intricate riffs and blast beats while he vociferates rabidly until the very end. He then brings forward an even more chaotic yet harmonious sonority in Ondine, sounding absolutely heavy from start to finish while led by his demonic vociferations; whereas Dreamwoven presents an amalgamation of styles from Progressive Metal to Experimental and Dissonant Death Metal, with his riffs and solos sounding utterly electrifying. Carambola carries a very peculiar name for a song, musically while speaking it’s another explosion of Progressive Death Metal where he hammers his drums manically; and shifting his focus from hard hitting drums to classy, melodious guitar lines we have Endymion, whhile still maintaining his core essence intact. It’s impressive how he manages to sound so dynamic and fresh with each song like in Tears of Lustful, Secret Desire, as if Dream Theater had a bastard son addicted to the violence of Death Metal, before we face one last breath of progressiveness and insanity by Dylan titled Suffering Radiant Memories, firing piercing guitar solos for our total delight.

In the world of Death Metal, the unrelenting Hanging Garden has concocted an undeniably refreshing sound that is highly nuanced, textured, and worth delving into, exactly like what’s offered in the excellent Dream Death. Highly recommended for fans of the fusion of intricacy and violence by renowned acts the likes of Death, Sentenced, Goreworm, Xenosis, Opeth, and Krallice, among several others, Dream Death can be purchased from Hanging Garden’s own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, and don’t forget to also follow the project on Facebook, and to stream its music on Spotify. Progressive Death Metal is indeed a subgenre of heavy music with basically no boundaries, and Dylan and his Hanging Garden are among us to keep exploring those new lands with each and every album release, with Dream Death paving a fantastic path ahead of the project.

Best moments of the album: Ondine, Dreamwoven and Tears of Lustful, Secret Desire.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Arete 6:46
2. Ondine 6:51
3. Dreamwoven 6:32
4. Carambola 6:04
5. Endymion 4:16
6. Tears of Lustful, Secret Desire 6:04
7. Suffering Radiant Memories 4:22

Band members
Dylan Cruz – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Valkyrie’s Fire / Out of Darkness (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

This new Symphonic Metal force emerging from the shadows of Music City is ready to attack with their debut album, a monumental journey through the dualities of human grief, historical despair, and cosmic beauty.

The Nashville, Tennessee music scene is historically synonymous with country legends, yet a new force is emerging from the shadows of Music City to claim a different kind of throne. Having rapidly ascended to become the definitive Symphonic Power Metal powerhouse of the American South, the up-and-coming act Valkyrie’s Fire is unleashing upon us their debut full-length album, titled Out of Darkness, following up on their 2024 EP Ascension. Produced, engineered, and mixed by the band’s own Joey Grimaldi, mastered by Swedish metal luminary Mikael Sehlin (Amaranthe, Engel, In Flames), and visually anchored by the striking artwork by renowned illustrator Jan Yrlund (Delain, Battle Beast, Manowar), the new album by vocalists Adam Sanders and Bettie Floyd, guitarist Joey Grimaldi, bassist Dave Hale, keyboardist and cellist Salem Belladonna, and drummer Ryan Metroka is a monumental journey through the dualities of human grief, historical despair, and cosmic beauty, positioning the band at the absolute forefront of modern Symphonic Metal.

The cinematic intro In Spirit, In Shadow will transport us to the band’s fantasy realm, warming us up for Evermore, with the vocal duet by Adam and Bettie working really well, reminding me of the absolute joy flowing from all songs by Visions of Atlantis. Then we have Valkyrie’s Fire, the song that carries the band’s name, bringing to our avid ears epic sounds clashing with the incendiary riffs by Joey, sounding absolutely fast, thrilling and fun; and Salem keeps embellishing the airwaves with her magical keys in Cascade, while Bettie steals the spotlight with her soaring vocals. Featuring Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe as a guest vocalist, Ryan kicks off the ban’s Epic Power Metal feast in Burning Sky, another ass-kicking tune by the band, followed by Shattered, the most theatrical of all songs, with the cello by Salem bringing sheer melancholy to their dark sounds; and I See the Angels Fly is a dense, multi-layered ballad that will bring peace to our blackened hearts, with Joey’s guitar lines spreading sheer passion.

Then back to a more electrifying and fast sound we’re treated to the Symphonic Power Metal beast Skylark, with Dave’s thunderous bass walking hand in hand with Ryan’s beats, crafting that galloping rhythm we all love so much in Heavy Metal. Labyrinth feels a bit generic compared to the rest of the album, as it tries to be too epic but falls flat after a while; whereas Bone and Thorn is another bold power ballad by the band where Joey steals the show once again with his classy riffs and solos. After that we face Dark Moon, inspired by the classic sound crafted by Nightwish while boosted by Salem’s hypnotizing cello, followed by Nocturne, offering a more direct, in your face Power Metal sonority overflowing adrenaline and setting the stage for I Will Rise Again, an epic ten-minute journey through the lands of modern-day Symphonic Metal that puts a climatic ending to the album.

Pacing Valkyrie’s Fire as a formidable contemporary to bands like Epica, Within Temptation and Nightwish by blending the grandiosity of European Symphonic Metal with the sharp production values of the modern Nashville metal scene, Out of Darkness feels both timeless and urgent, inviting us all to join the band in their quest for heavy music. Hence, if you have what it takes to embark on such a mystical and thrilling journey, you can find the band on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of Out of Darkness by clicking HERE. Valkyrie’s Fire will certainly spread their wings over the entire metal community with the release of Out of Darkness, and when the music in question is so good and compelling, we’ll all be very happy to be caught in such a dark embrace.

Best moments of the album: Evermore, Valkyrie’s Fire, Skylark and I Will Rise Again.

Worst moments of the album: Labyrinth.

Released in 2026 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. In Spirit, In Shadow 0:50
2. Evermore 4:41
3. Valkyrie’s Fire 4:42
4. Cascade 5:21
5. Burning Sky 4:00
6. Shattered 5:44
7. I See the Angels Fly 6:49
8. Skylark 4:43
9. Labyrinth 4:33
10. Bone and Thorn 7:31
11. Dark Moon 6:38
12. Nocturne 5:47
13. I Will Rise Again 9:57

Band members
Adam Sanders – vocals
Bettie Floyd – vocals
Joey Grimaldi – guitars
Dave Hale – bass
Salem Belladonna – keyboards, cello, backing vocals
Ryan Metroka – drums

Guest musician
Mikael Sehlin – vocals on “Burning Sky”

Album Review – Cartilage / Operating Altar (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

At St. Petersen’s University Hospital, nightmares become coursework, and the new album by this American Death Metal and Grindcore beast is the perfect soundtrack to those horrors.

At St. Petersen’s University Hospital, nightmares become coursework, and Operating Altar, the new album by San Francisco, California-based Death Metal/Grindcore beast Cartilage (and the follow-up to their 2022 sophomore offering The Deader the Better), is the soundtrack to those horrors. Recorded by Mike Flory at Casa Carti (vocals, guitars, dialogues, bass) and by Scott Evans at Antisleep Audio (drums), mixed by Scott Evans at Antisleep Audio, mastered by Leon Del Muerte at Beastman Audio, and with a gory, visceral artwork by David Romero of CinemaMind, the new album by Mark Wallace on cankerous larynx invocations (aka vocals), Mike Flory on oscillating vein necromancy (aka guitars), Ria Flory on strung fascial divinations and tracheal exertions (aka bass), and Adam Houmam on tremoring transmutations on taut epidermises (aka drums) is a grand‑guignolesque blood ritual disguised as an album, ready to carve its way through the living, the dead, and anyone foolish enough to listen without anesthesia, being perfect for admirers of the putrid sounds blasted by Exhumed, Impetigo, Carcass, and Pharmacist.

There’s no hope in sight right from the beginning in Metal, Bone And Sinew, with Adam taking the lead with his demented beats and fills while Mark vociferates like a troll from hell; and Mike’s riffs ignite the quartet’s Death Metal extravaganza in S.C.D. (Sudden Cardiac Death), also presenting hints of Thrash and Black Metal to make things even more infuriated and violent. Then we see Adam hammer his drums like a lunatic in The Autopsy: A Surgical Sonata, inviting us all to slam into the band’s cesspool of blood and gore, followed by The Sanguine Fiend, presenting another blast of slamming sounds where Mike and Ria make an incredible stringed duo, pounding their axes nonstop until the very end.

It’s impressive how those four metallers can sound so demented and visceral while keeping a good dosage of harmony flowing form their instruments, like what they have to offer in A Lymphatic Labyrinth Of Roiling Rot, whereas they keep penetrating deep inside our minds with their striking riffs and blast beats in Among The Offal, which gets a bit confusing halfway through it (but nothing to worry about). Adam once again crushes his drums (and consequently our hopes and dreams) in Anatomical Incantations, demolishing our frail bodies with their insane fusion of Grindcore with Death and Thrash Metal; and The Operating Altar is by far one of the most complex and dynamic of all songs, with the goblin-like vocals by Mark (which also sound inspired by Overkill’s one and only Bobby Blitz) bringing even more insanity to their music. Finally, they conclude their onrush of blood and gore with Stitch By Stitch, where their Grindcore is infused with melody and groove.

“With this album, we sought to compose one large piece instead of simply a collection of songs. We’ve combined more influences from the likes of both brutal death metal and classic heavy metal, yet we pushed ourselves to faster tempos that we’ve never done before. Operating Altar is uniquely formulated to leave your ears bleeding with pleasure, our Maggot O-Pus if you will!” Those beautiful words by guitarist Mike Flory perfectly summarize Operating Altar, the logical next step for the Bay Area’s blood-brokers, with their horizons expanding without losing the red-eyed fury that has become their signature, and you can join them in their gory journey by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their putrescent music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing their new album via BandCamp or mailorder. In the end, Operating Altar is the sound of a cauterizing wound. All at once scorching, hardening and sealing their sound into a new and grander whole.

Best moments of the album: S.C.D. (Sudden Cardiac Death), The Autopsy: A Surgical Sonata and The Operating Altar.

Worst moments of the album: Among The Offal.

Released in 2026 Everlasting Spew Records

Track listing
1. Metal, Bone And Sinew 4:31
2. S.C.D. (Sudden Cardiac Death) 4:05
3. The Autopsy: A Surgical Sonata 3:20
4. The Sanguine Fiend 2:53
5. A Lymphatic Labyrinth Of Roiling Rot 3:30
6. Among The Offal 3:36
7. Anatomical Incantations 3:16
8. The Operating Altar 4:08
9. Stitch By Stitch 4:03

Band members
Mark Wallace – vocals
Mike Flory – gutiars
Ria Flory – bass
Adam Houmam – drums