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Album Review – Castrator / Coronation of the Grotesque (2025)

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New York-based Death Metal maidens are back with their relentless sophomore album, firmly cementing the band among the extreme music elite.

Three years after their crushing debut Defiled in Oblivion, New York-based Death Metal maidens Castrator return with Coronation of the Grotesque, an album that not only exceeds all expectations, but leaves them shattered in its wake, firmly cementing the band among the North American Death Metal elite. Recorded across multiple studios with key figures in the United States Death Metal scene, mixed and mastered by Noah Buchanan at Mercinary Studios, produced by Carolina Perez and Taylor Nordberg (Deicide, Inhuman Condition, Ribspreader), and displaying a gruesome, dystopian artwork by Jon Zig, the new album by the badass Clarissa Badini on vocals, Sara Loerlein on the guitars, Robin Mazen on bass, and Carolina Perez on drums explores a range of historical and societal themes that reflect on injustice, victimization, and human suffering. Among the topics confronted are the tragic killing of Mahsa Amini, the ancient Sumerian practice of eunuchization, and seething condemnation of predator Naasón Joaquín García.

The opening tune Fragments of Defiance will already melt your damned faces to the demented beats and fills by Carolina and the she-demon gnarls by Clarissa, resulting in an insane way to kick off the album, and Sara showcases all her dexterity and rage armed with her stringed axe in I Am Eunuch, delivering pure Death Metal riffs for our total delight. Covenant of Deceit is another song that reeks of Death Metal, starting with a cryptic intro before Sara and Robin hammer their sonic weapons mercilessly until the very last second; whereas Clarissa’s vocals get even deeper and more demonic in Mortem Opeterie, which is Latin for “to meet a violent death”, always supported by the visceral, no shenanigans sounds blasted by her bandmates. And Carolina keeps showing no mercy at all for our necks and bodies in Remnants of Chaos, inviting us all for some wild action inside the pit.

Those girls are definitely not fooling around when it comes to playing old school Death Metal, with Deviant Miscreant sounding as infernal as it is technical and vibrant, led by the stone crushing drums by Carolina, followed by Psalm of the Beguiled, less frantic but heavy-as-hell, with Sara delivering some Cannibal Corpse-inspired riffs that will burn you alive accompanied by the low-tuned, menacing bass lines by Robin. After such an imposing tune, Sara continues to strike us all with her riffs and solos in Blood Bind’s Curse, adding an extra touch of insanity to the band’s onrush of brutality while Clarissa barks and roars nonstop, and those girls are on absolute fire in the also demented Discordant Rumination, keeping the album at an insane level of violence. Last but definitely not least, their cover version for the all-time classic Metal Command by Exodus, from their 1985 masterpiece Bonded By Blood (check the original version HERE), is a stunning Death Metal rendition of such a thrashing beast, with Clarissa and Sara stealing the spotlight with their respective roars and riffs.

“We see it as a leap forward,” exclaims drummer Carolina Perez. “It’s by far the strongest work we’ve done to date. Writing Coronation of the Grotesque was an incredibly enjoyable experience, and everything seemed to come together much more naturally this time. While the album still retains elements of who we were as a band, it’s much more refined, cohesive, and brutal.” And if you want to join those absolutely talented and ferocious ladies in their quest for Death Metal you can start following them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their ass-kicking music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the incendiary Coronation of the Grotesque from the Dark Descent Records’ BandCamp or  webstore (as a CD, LP, or tape), or simply click HERE for all things Castrator. Those girls are not fooling around when it comes to crafting brutal, in-your-face Death Metal, and you better be ready as once you have the pleasure of listening to their scathing new opus, you’ll be pulverized by their undisputed heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Fragments of Defiance, Mortem Opeterie, Blood Bind’s Curse and Metal Command.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Dark Descent Records

Track listing
1. Fragments of Defiance 3:33
2. I Am Eunuch 3:42
3. Covenant of Deceit 4:08
4. Mortem Opeterie 3:18
5. Remnants of Chaos 3:17
6. Deviant Miscreant 3:15
7. Psalm of the Beguiled 3:41
8. Blood Bind’s Curse 3:46
9. Discordant Rumination 4:20
10. Metal Command (Exodus cover) 4:13

Band members
Clarissa Badini – vocals
Sara Loerlein – guitars
Robin Mazen – bass
Carolina Perez – drums

Album Review – Incite / Savage New Times (2025)

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This Phoenix, Arizona brigade is back with a new powerhouse of modern Thrash Metal, encapsulating the pure nature of the band instilled with their unyielding drive and years of dedication to honing their sound.

Ever since their beginnings, Phoenix, Arizona’s own Thrash/Groove Metal brigade Incite has been fiercely devoted to crafting their distinctive sound, making their mark since their 2009 debut The Slaughter. Now in 2025 the band formed of Richie Cavalera on vocals, Layne Richardson on the guitars, Christopher “EL” on bass, and Lennon Lopez on drums presents their most ferocious incarnation in the form of Savage New Times, the follow-up to their 2022 album Wake Up Dead. Recorded by Steve Evetts at Bell House Studios, mixed by Arthur Rizk, and displaying a dystopian artwork by Marcelo Vasco, Savage New Times is a powerhouse of modern Thrash Metal, encapsulating the pure nature of the band instilled with their unyielding drive and years of dedication to honing their sound.

Eli, Christopher and Lennon begin hammering their sonic weapons in the name of Thrash Metal in Lies, being quickly joined by the visceral vocals by Richie; followed by Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up), another feast of Thrash and Groove Metal where Richie screams like a demented beast while Lennon invites us all to slam into the pit to the sound of his unstoppable beats and fills. Then the scorching riffs by Eli keep burning our skin in Just a Rat, offering more of the band’s trademark fusion of Groove Metal and heavier sounds, whereas Chucked Off is also heavy as hell, albeit a bit confusing compared to the other songs, with Eli still showcasing a good performance armed with his axe. And Doubts and the Fear lives up to the legacy of modern-day Thrash and Groove Metal, with Richie once again bursting his lungs roaring.

A sinister intro gradually morphs into a harsh and obscure metal attack titled Dolores, showcasing the band’s darkest, most introspective side, with Lennon dictating the pace with his hammering beats, and the quartet then offers an overdose of groove and violence in the form of No Mercy No Forgiveness, with Eli and Christopher extracting sheer aggression form their stringed weapons. Richie declaims pensive, dark words with tons of hatred in Used and Abused, resulting in a vile and infernal metal attack by the band, while Never Die Once reminds me of some of the creations by Soulfly, offering a strong Groove Metal sound boosted by Lennon’s pounding drums. Finally, closing the album we’re treated to two minutes of violence and animosity in the form of the title-track Savage New Times, inspiring us all for some wild, neck-breaking headbanging together with the boys.

With sheer determination and raw talent, Incite have carved out a place in modern thrash, dominating every stage with their unbreakable, unforgiving sound, and their new opus Savage New Times represents a true coronation of their focus, hard work and passion for heavy music. Hence, you can get in touch with those Phoenix thrashers via Facebook and Instagram, stream their wicked music on Spotify, and above all that, show them your utmost support by purchasing Savage New Times by clicking HERE or HERE. Our rotten and decaying society is definitely living its most savage, evil times in history, and in order to survive that there’s nothing better than our good old Thrash Metal, just like what Incite are offering in their scathing new album.

Best moments of the album: Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up), No Mercy No Forgiveness and Savage New Times.

Worst moments of the album: Chucked Off.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. Lies 3:27
2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up) 2:33
3. Just a Rat 2:40
4. Chucked Off 2:48
5. Doubts and the Fear 3:15
6. Dolores 5:42
7. No Mercy No Forgiveness 2:46
8. Used and Abused 3:11
9. Never Die Once 3:22
10. Savage New Times 2:28

Band members
Richie Cavalera – vocals
Layne Richardson – guitars
Christopher “EL” – bass
Lennon Lopez – drums

Album Review – Thorn / Nebulous Womb of Eternity (2025)

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Phoenix, Arizona’s own Death/Doom Metal creature arises from its Stygian lair with its fourth studio offering, bringing forward more of its asphyxiating grasp like a pin-pricked voodoo ragdoll.

Having a knack of churning out punchy, rotten Death Metal hymns rife with some nasty, lurching grooves, Phoenix, Arizona’s own Death/Doom Metal creature Thorn arises from its Stygian lair with its fourth studio offering, entitled Nebulous Womb of Eternity, following up on its critically acclaimed 2023 opus Evergloom. Mixed and mastered  by Daniel Bonofiglio (Fumes, Gutvoid, Intestinal Hex, Grotesque Mass, Internal Infestation), and displaying a visceral artwork by Arifullah Ali of KanvasKarat, the new album by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brennen Westermeyer brings forward more of the project’s asphyxiating grasp like a pin-pricked voodoo ragdoll, being therefore perfect for fans of bands the likes of Mortician, Fumes, Wharflurch, Fluids, Intestine Baalism, and Retching.

Brennen showcases all his passion for the extreme from the very first second in Ooze Maelstrom, crushing his drums nonstop in great Death Metal style while also adding an extra dosage of groove to the music, and our cryptic lone rider goes full Doom Metal in the utterly heavy and disturbing Entombed in Chrysalis, hammering his drums like there’s no tomorrow while also extracting pure malignancy from his riffs, ending in a beyond cadaverous way. Then back to a more in-your-face, straightforward Death Metal mode we have Quartersawn Remains, where Brennen sounds inhumane on vocals while also firing flammable, acid riffs. Zombifying Mold, featuring a guest solo by Daniel Bonofiglio, also sounds utterly inhumane for our total delight; and it’s pedal to the metal in the infuriated Haunting Gale, with its Death Metal core being nicely blackened by a good dosage of Doom Metal. Before all is said and done, we face the obscure, grim interlude Gloaming Corporeal Form, which could have been slightly shorter, setting the stage for the title-track Nebulous Womb of Eternity, featuring guest vocals by Ryan Fairfield (Hallowed Butchery, Toxic Cross), bringing to our putrid ears Brennen’s deep passion for heavy and visceral sounds, resulting in a scathing fusion of primeval death and doom where his vocals sound as cadaverous as possible.

In a nutshell, if you like the idea of Death Metal sounding massive, ponderous, and packed with heaving, earth-rumbling parts, then Nebulous Womb of Eternity is most certainly meant for you, and you can grab a copy of the album from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, adding it to your devilish collection of doom. Don’t forget to also check what Brennen and his Thorn are up to on Instagram, to stream all of his albums on Spotify, or simply click HERE for all things Thorn. This is definitely the type of music not recommended for the lighthearted. This is primeval, dirty and vile Death Metal, and you better be prepared if you think you have what it takes to face Nebulous Womb of Eternity.

Best moments of the album: Entombed in Chrysalis, Quartersawn Remains and Nebulous Womb of Eternity.

Worst moments of the album: Gloaming Corporeal Form.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Ooze Maelstrom 5:14
2. Entombed in Chrysalis 8:27
3. Quartersawn Remains 4:35
4. Zombifying Mold 4:19
5. Haunting Gale 3:54
6. Gloaming Corporeal Form 2:56
7. Nebulous Womb of Eternity 7:33

Band members
Brennen Westermeyer – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Daniel Bonofiglio – guitar solo on “Zombifying Mold”
Ryan Fairfield – vocals on “Nebulous Womb of Eternity”

Concert Review – Killswitch Engage (Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA, 07/22/2025)

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***Review and photos by Jaffer Hasan***

Killswitch Engage Light Up the Xfinity Center with Ferocity and Fire at Summer of Loud.

If there was ever a band built to headline a summer metal fest in their home state, it’s KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. At this year’s Summer of Loud at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, the local legends proved once again why they’re not just mainstays of the metalcore scene—they’re masters of controlled chaos.

Fire, Fury, and Flawless Execution

Before a single note rang out, the stage was already alive with tension. Not from the crowd (who were more than ready), but from the impressive pyrotechnics rig surrounding the band’s setup. Pyro-heavy shows are no joke—and when you’re playing with fire, literally, precision and safety are non-negotiable. The Killswitch crew made it look effortless. From a behind-the-lens view in the pit, you could see just how dialed-in everyone was. Flames exploded into the air in perfect rhythm with the music—sometimes close enough to feel the heat slap your skin. For those of us in the photo pit, it was a surreal moment: we were laughing to ourselves while trying not to get roasted. A high-wire act of fire and fury pulled off without a hitch. Huge respect to the crew and the band for making that kind of spectacle look smooth and safe. That doesn’t happen by accident.

Right Into the Fire – The Setlist Ignites

Without delay, Killswitch Engage tore into their set with “Rose of Sharyn.” No intro, no easing in—just full-throttle power from the first beat. The opening riff dropped like a hammer, and the crowd erupted. From the pit to the back lawn, fists flew and bodies moved. The band wasted no time keeping the pace unrelenting, diving straight into “In Due Time,” which had the entire amphitheater screaming along. By the time “This Fire” hit, the title became literal. Jetting flame columns lit up the stage as if trying to keep up with the intensity pouring off it. At times, it felt less like a concert and more like a battlefield with guitars.

Adam D. & the Band – Iconic and Unhinged in the Best Way

Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, clad in his trademark “I’m With Stupid” shirt, was a burst of energy and humor in the chaos, sprinting across the stage, launching high kicks, and headbanging with wild precision. It’s his blend of comedic showmanship and musical mastery that keeps Killswitch shows so unique—it’s heavy, but it’s never self-serious.

Vocalist Jesse Leach was in peak form, delivering both growling aggression and soaring clean vocals with conviction, channeling raw emotion into every lyric. Whether he was screaming into the lights or putting his hand to his heart during the more emotional moments, the connection with the crowd was real.

A Tribute to a Titan

As the night neared its end, the band closed their set with their now-legendary cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver,” a track they’ve long made their own. But this time, it carried a different weight. Just hours before the show, the metal world had been rocked by the passing of Ozzy Osbourne—a foundational figure in the genre’s history.

Before launching into “Holy Diver,” Leach addressed the crowd with reverence, dedicating the song to Ozzy’s memory and legacy. It was a perfect moment of tribute—honoring a godfather of metal with the power of performance rather than words. The crowd responded with horns in the air, voices raised, and hearts full.

Final Thoughts

Killswitch Engage didn’t just play a show at Summer of Loud—they lit the place on fire. Quite literally at times. It was a celebration of metal, a masterclass in live performance, and a hometown throwdown wrapped in flame and ferocity. For fans in the pit, on the lawn, and behind the lens, it was a night to remember—one that reminded us how cathartic, powerful, and straight-up fun a metal show can be when it’s done right. And if you were there, you felt it: the heat, the heart, the history. Killswitch Engage came home—and they burned it down in the best way possible.

Setlist
Rose of Sharyn
In Due Time
This Fire
I Believe
Hate by Design
Forever Aligned
The Signal Fire
My Curse
Aftermath
The End of Heartache
My Last Serenade
Holy Diver (Dio cover)

Band members
Jesse Leach – lead vocals
Adam Dutkiewicz – lead guitars, backing vocals
Joel Stroetzel – rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Mike D’Antonio – bass
Justin Foley – drums

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Album Review – Haxprocess / Beyond What Eyes Can See (2025)

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Playing incredibly heavy Death Metal music, this American group will attack with their sophomore album, sounding relentless in its barrage of gargantuan otherworldly riffs.

Playing incredibly heavy Death Metal music, leaden, thick and dark, while also somehow attempting to go progressive wielding that sound, like Morbid Angel covering The Chasm songs under the influence of Blood Incantation, Jacksonville, Florida-based Progressive Thrash/Death Metal brigade Haxprocess in unleashing upon humanity their sophomore beast, entitled Beyond What Eyes Can See, following up on their critically acclaimed 2023 debut The Caverns of Duat. Displaying another sick artwork by Juanjo Castellano (Ritual Fog, Typhonian), the new album by Lothar Mallea on vocals and guitar, Shane Williamson also on the guitar, Davis Leader on bass, and Adam Robinson on drums once again brings to our avid ears an overdose of epic songs averaging 10 minutes, sounding relentless in its barrage of gargantuan otherworldly riffs, what with the ever-changing patterns and combinations, albeit delivered in a comfortable pace so that everything can be registered for posterity, being therefore recommended for fans of Morbid Angel, Blood Incantation, The Chasm, Immolation, Opeth, Atvm, Atheist, Felgrave, and Typhonian, just to name a few.

Just like in their debut offering, the album begins in an atmospheric manner with the ethereal 11-minute beast titled Where Even Stars Die, with the deep, visceral growls and the slashing riffage by Lothar, alongside Shane also on the guitar, turning it into a must-listen song for admirers of Progressive Death Metal. The Confines of the Flesh is yet another complex, multi-layered and incandescent composition by the quartet, with Adam taking the lead with his intricate beats and fills while also presenting the raw and gory sounds of classic Death Metal the likes of Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse; and the band continues to embrace us in darkness and insanity with Thy Inner Demon Seed, with Davis firing absolutely mental bass lines while Adam keeps pounding his drums nonstop, all of course spiced up by another vile vocal performance by Lothar. Finally, after a beyond technical and melodic start we’re treated to an overdose of progressiveness and demented sounds in Sepulchral Void, with Lothar and Shane sounding brilliant armed with their axes, offering our avid ears several breaks, variations and tempo changes. In other words, it’s hard to describe the whole song in words due to its endless layers, an amalgamation of styles rooted in first-class Progressive Death Metal.

In summary, Beyond What Eyes Can See is an album that can withstand endless listens, offer everything a Death Metal fan would want, and yet do so much more than an average album would because of their constantly evolving music that manages to remain engrossing as well. Hence, don’t forget to give the band a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase such a multi-layered, captivating album from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. Beyond What Eyes Can See is as epic as a Death Metal album can possibly get without letting go of any of the heaviness that’s an inherent part of the band’s sound, and if you think you have what it takes to face this metallic voyage blasted by Haxprocess, simply hit play and you’ll definitely have an amazing time.

Best moments of the album: Where Even Stars Die and Sepulchral Void.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Where Even Stars Die 11:28
2. The Confines of the Flesh 9:28
3. Thy Inner Demon Seed 10:43
4. Sepulchral Void 13:12

Band members
Lothar Mallea – vocals, guitar
Shane Williamson – guitar
Davis Leader – bass
Adam Robinson – drums

Album Review – The Lucidia Project / The Twilight Affliction EP (2025)

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This promising American Melodic Metal band will captivate your senses with their new EP, weaving intimate, confessional lyrics through a massive and atmospheric soundscape, sounding at the same time both crushing and cathartic.

Blending an amalgamation of styles including Melodic, Alternative, Symphonic, Death, and Doom Metal alongside a rich emotional tapestry of confessional songwriting, vocalist and keyboardist Chase Baldwin and bassist Benjamin Jacobs founded The Lucidia Project back in 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States, releasing their self-titled demo that same year, followed by the EP Requiem in 2023, and the standalone single Soul Killer in 2024. Now in 2025 the band formed of the aforementioned Chase Baldwin on vocals, piano, strings and drum programming, and Benjamin Jacobs on bass, alongside guitarists Daniel Williams and Garrett Carroll, is set to unleash a new EP entitled The Twilight Affliction, taking a vast array of artistic influences from Tori Amos to Katatonia and Nightwish, and presenting listeners with a sonic identity that is both intimate and momentous. Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Danny Meyer at Sunway Studios, with the band’s own Chase Baldwin also working as a recording engineer and co-producer, the six-song EP weaves intimate, confessional lyrics through a massive and atmospheric soundscape, sounding at the same time crushing and cathartic.

Chase already showcases his passion for delicate sounds with his piano in Prophecy, being gradually joined by his bandmates in a lecture in Progressive Metal, with the band’s guitar duo delivering classy yet powerful riffs nonstop. The second song of the EP, titled Bloodlines, brings forward a more metallic version of the band, with Chase offering harsher vocals while Daniel, Garrett and Benjamin fire a striking stringed attack; and the band then goes full Progressive Metal in December, with their stylish riffs, classic drums and enfolding vocals turning it into a must-listen for fans of the genre. Lockdown is a song with a traumatic name for the newest generation, starting in an ethereal manner before evolving into pure progressiveness and electricity led by Daniel and Garrett’s piercing guitars; and it’s time for a beautiful ballad spearheaded by Chase’s stylish vocals and piano titled Lights Out, embracing us all in total darkness until the very end. Then closing the EP we’re treated to In My Sleep, where once again their whimsical but strong sounds fill every single space in the air, blending slower, charming passages with more visceral and melancholic nuances.

In a nutshell, The Twilight Affliction stands as the band’s most cohesive and emotionally resonant work to date, a testament to the band’s growing sonic identity, sounding absolutely moody, orchestral, and unapologetically vulnerable. “This EP is a journey through the darker corners of the human experience -loss, disillusionment, resilience,” commented the band’s mastermind Chase Baldwin. “It’s not just about grief or despair; it’s about finding clarity in the twilight, even when the light fades.” You can get in touch with the guys from The Lucidia Project and learn more about their music, their goals and plans for the future on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their classy creations on Spotify, and purchase your copy of their new EP by clicking HERE. The Lucidia Project are a precious gem of the current American heavy music scene, and their new opus The Twilight Afflicition will most definitely help them reach new heights and keep delivering first-class music to us metalheads in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: Prophecy and December.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Prophecy 4:53
2. Bloodlines 3:59
3. December 4:27
4. Lockdown 5:14
5. Lights Out 4:46
6. In My Sleep 8:30

Band members
Chase Baldwin – vocals, piano, strings, drum programming
Daniel Williams – guitars
Garrett Carroll – guitars
Benjamin Jacobs – bass

Album Review – Drawn and Quartered / Lord of Two Horns (2025)

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These American Death Metal beasts will desecrate all that is holy with their new album, a maelstrom of blast-driven violence, suffocating atmosphere, and riff work sharp enough to flay flesh from bone.

Relentless and unwavering, Seattle, Washington-based Death Metal beasts Drawn and Quartered return to desecrate all that is holy with the release of their brand new full-length album, Lord of Two Horns, their ninth studio album and a more-than-worthy follow-up to their 2021 record Congregation Pestilence. Mixed and mastered by Loïc F. at Krucyator Productions, and displaying a sick artwork by Gabriel T. Byrne, the new offering by vocalist and bassist Herb Burke, guitarists Kelly Shane Kuciemba and Brandon Corsair, and drummer Simon Dorfman sees the band deliver eight tracks and 34 minutes of their trademark unfiltered carnage spiced up by their signature early 90’s-influenced Death Metal darkness with more speed and brutality than ever before, proving why they’ve become legends in the underground extreme music scene.

Their opening attack titled Black Castle Butcher is a demented, no shenanigans, and absolutely ruthless display of Death Metal that kicks off the album on an insane mode, with Simon sounding simply inhumane on drums while Herb vomits the song’s devilish words like a true beast. Then the visceral riffage by Kelly and Brandon will peel your flesh like a rabid cannibal in Zealous Depopulation, perfect for some insane action inside the mosh pit; followed by the title-track Lord of Two Horns, showing absolutely no mercy for our putrid bodies and souls, a demonic display of violence led by the infernal roars by Herb who also hammers his bass in great fashion. And Into the Mouth of the Dead is another song with a charming and delicate name that will pulverize your senses to the demented beats and fills by Simon.

The quartet then adds hints of Blackened Death Metal to their core sonority in Three Rivers of Poison (Blasphemous Persecution), showcasing an even darker side thanks to the venomous vociferations by Herb; whereas Simon delivers a freakin’ brutal performance in Grimoire of Blood, providing Kelly and Brandon with exactly what they need to slash their axes in the name of heavy music. Then adding a welcome dosage of Doom Metal to their evil sound we face The Devil’s Work Is Never Done, slower than its predecessors but utterly heavy and caustic, proving how dynamic their music can be; and ending the album we have the two-minute feast of madness and aggression titled Mass Grave Curse, with the entire band crushing their sonic weapons mercilessly until the very last second.

A maelstrom of blast-driven violence, suffocating atmosphere, and riff work sharp enough to flay flesh from bone, Lord of Two Horns is Death Metal crafted to maim, forged in fire and performed with malicious intent, and you can put your blood-soaked hands on such a demented album by purchasing it from the Nuclear Winter Records’ BandCamp or webstore, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream their music on Spotify (it looks like there are two links, which means you can stream their albums either HERE or HERE). Lord of Two Horns is a savage display of classic Death Metal, leaving us eager for more of the music by those ruthless American musicians, and if you don’t like what they have to offer in their newborn spawn, well, you should definitely be drawn and quartered.

Best moments of the album: Black Castle Butcher, Lord of Two Horns and The Devil’s Work Is Never Done.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Nuclear Winter Records

Track listing
1. Black Castle Butcher 3:24
2. Zealous Depopulation 3:23
3. Lord of Two Horns 5:37
4. Into the Mouth of the Dead 4:20
5. Three Rivers of Poison (Blasphemous Persecution) 5:19
6. Grimoire of Blood 3:38
7. The Devil’s Work Is Never Done 5:33
8. Mass Grave Curse 2:00

Band members
Herb Burke – vocals, bass
Kelly Shane Kuciemba – lead & rhythm guitars
Brandon Corsair – guitars
Simon Dorfman – drums, percussion

Album Review – Shadow of Intent / Imperium Delirium (2025)

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These American Symphonic Deathcore masters are back with their majestic fifth opus, expanding their signature blend with new industrial and atmospheric textures.

Since their formation in 2014, Connecticut’s own Shadow of Intent have garnered a reputation for crafting mind-blowingly melodic, technical, prog-tinged Symphonic Deathcore. Widely acknowledged as one of the forerunners of the current Deathcore renaissance, the band currently formed of Ben Duerr on vocals, Chris Wiseman on the guitars and samples, Andrew Monias on bass, and Bryce Butler on drums is back in action with their fifth studio opus, entitled Imperium Delirium, following up on their 2022 album Elegy. Produced, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio, with additional mixing by Mike Low, and displaying a sinister artwork by Dan Seagrave, Imperium Delirium expands the band’s signature blend of symphonic grandeur, blackened melody, and Deathcore precision with new industrial and atmospheric textures, being highly recommended for fans of Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Lorna Shore, and Cattle Decapitation, among others.

Prepare to Die is utterly imposing and symphonic from the very first moments, quickly morphing into a Deathcore beast where Ben’s deep, enraged guttural walk hand in hand with the killer drumming by Bryce, followed by Flying the Black Flag, one of the first singles of the album, showcasing darkly poetic lyrics (“A subterfuge emerges from the confusion / Corrupting patterns, piercing the timeline / A trail left emblazoned with no regard / They fly the black flag high”) amidst an infernal sonority. Infinity of Horrors offers us all another explosion of ferocity and symphonic elements, with the guitars and samples by Chris generating a thrilling, cinematic wall of sounds, whereas Mechanical Chaos is one of the most technical and complex of all songs, with Bryce sounding like a stone crusher on drums for our total delight. There’s not a single space left empty in the air in They Murdered Sleep, a massive Deathcore extravaganza where Chris sounds once again infernal armed with his axe and samples; and Ben roars and vociferates deeply like a wild beast in The Facets of Propaganda, enhancing the song’s already demented heaviness to a whole new level.

Then featuring guest vocals by the one and only George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher of the mighty Cannibal Corpse, Feeding the Meatgrinder presents more of the band’s wicked words (“Violent attrition / Salivating for the kill / Brutality is to be redefined / They aim to dominate / Hordes metastasize a vengeance indiscriminate / Disregard for human life is in the nature of the business”) while the music is ruthless Deathcore at its finest; while Vehement Draconian Vengeance carries a stylish name for another blast of Deathcore by the band, where Chris and Andrew generate a Stygian ambience with their respective riffs and bass lines. Beholding the Sickness of Civilization is a neck-breaking, downtempo tune by Shadow of Intent where all background elements give it a haunting vibe, followed by Apocalypse Canvas, a fun and vibrant instrumental composition by the quartet where the guitar lines by Chris and the rumbling, intricate bass by Andrew sound insanely gripping. Their Symphonic Deathcore onrush goes on in full force in No Matter the Cost, with Ben roaring like a demented creature while Chris slashes his sonic weapons nonstop, and the title-track Imperium Delirium is undoubtedly the most complete, detailed and incendiary of all songs, spearheaded by Bryce’s phenomenal drumming. Put differently, it’s epic, apocalyptic and absurdly engaging until the very end.

A scathing anti-imperialist statement, tackling war, propaganda, and the machinery of modern violence with nihilistic clarity, Imperium Delirium cements the band’s name as one of the most important forces in the history of Deathcore worldwide, and if you’re from another dimension and don’t know anything about Shadow of Intent, you can find the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and so on, stream their music on any available service like Spotify, and of course show them your total support by purchasing their new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. Imperium Delirium likely refers to the concept of an “empire in delirium,” describing an empire or ruling power experiencing a state of madness, chaos, or a loss of control. That’s exactly what our decaying society is experiencing nowadays pretty much in every single part of the world, and the music brought forth by Shadow of Intent in their new album certainly represents that chaotic situation to perfection, showing that although our world might be coming to an end, at least let’s go down in style listening to some first-class Deathcore.

Best moments of the album: Flying the Black Flag, Infinity of Horrors, Feeding the Meatgrinder and Imperium Delirium.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent/Blood Blast Distribution

Track listing
1. Prepare to Die 4:00
2. Flying the Black Flag 3:57
3. Infinity of Horrors 4:13
4. Mechanical Chaos 3:50
5. They Murdered Sleep 4:01
6. The Facets of Propaganda 5:19
7. Feeding the Meatgrinder 4:03
8. Vehement Draconian Vengeance 3:54
9. Beholding the Sickness of Civilization 4:30
10. Apocalypse Canvas 5:08
11. No Matter the Cost 4:16
12. Imperium Delirium 7:34

Band members
Ben Duerr – vocals
Chris Wiseman – guitars, samples, backing vocals
Andrew Monias – bass
Bryce Butler – drums

Guest musician
George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher – vocals on “Feeding the Meatgrinder”
Francesco Ferrini – additional keyboards

Album Review – For Your Health / This Bitter Garden (2025)

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A Post-Hardcore/Mathcore creature from Columbus, Ohio will attack your senses with the chaotic intensity and politically-charged lyrics of their sophomore album.

Since their formation in 2018, Columbus, Ohio’s own Post-Hardcore/Mathcore creature For Your Health has been building a reputation for chaotic intensity, visceral live performances, and politically-charged lyrics. Now in 2025 the band currently comprised of vocalist Hayden Rodriguez, guitarists Nick Marzluf and Rosa Delgado, bassist Johnny Deborde, and keyboardist Simona Morales has just released their sophomore album, titled This Bitter Garden, following the band’s acclaimed 2021 debut full-length In Spite Of. Recorded in only 15 days, with the band working with producer Eric Hudson at a studio “repurposed from an old church in the sticks of Illinois”, with an eerie artwork by the band’s own Simona Morales, and featuring session drummer Caden Clinton, the album sounds utterly harsh, haunting and caustic, helping the band in paving their Stygian path armed with their undisputed, impactful music.

The band takes no prisoners and begin distilling their noisy sounds in Davenport (A Rotten Pear), with Hayden screaming manically nonstop, followed by Flowers For The Worst Of Them, bringing forward a great fusion of Hardcore with progressive elements, with Nick and Rosa extracting sheer adrenaline from their guitars. Then the rumbling drums by Caden dictate the pace in the also melodic yet visceral With Empty Promises & Loaded Guns, perfect for some action inside the pit, and it’s pedal to the metal in the demented Gaia Wept, where Hayden’s vile screams are nicely boosted by the song’s violent beats. After such an insane sonic attack, the band delivers more melodic sounds in the form of Clementine, followed by the weird The Radiant Apostasy, a short and eerie display of the band’s core sonority.

Heaven, Here begins in a more serene mode to the sound of the piano by Simona, flowing smoothly while adding a good share of melancholy to the album before all explodes in absolute chaos and madness in Longinus, led by another wicked performance by the band’s guitar duo supported by Johnny’s bass. The Rotting Pair is undoubtedly one of the most detailed and complex of all songs thanks to the amazing job done by all band members armed with their sonic weapons, with Hayden’s striking vocals being the icing on the cake; and they keep hammering their instruments without mercy in In The Valley of Weeping, resulting in another frantic display of Post-Metal with Hardcore influences. Then they need less than two minutes once again to kick us hard in the ass with Lamb Without Fold, with the blast beats by Caden sounding heavier than hell. Your New Curse follows a similar pattern, with Hayden showcasing pure insanity and rage through his screams, and the band concludes their wild feast with the longest of all tracks, Hostel Elysia, starting in an enfolding manner until their venomous vein bursts once again.

“These songs are a true distillation of all the sonic ideas we’ve explored previously and our different interests,” shared guitarist Rosa Delgado. “Hayden has a strong appreciation for film. We’re coupling his world-building and atmosphere with the immediacy, urgency, and brutality of our early material. We’re always striving to challenge ourselves. This Bitter Garden is an expansion of everything before.” Vocalist Hayden Rodriguez also had some interesting words to say about the album. “This Bitter Garden is the first recording where we got to express ourselves as the full band we’ve been playing as for the last four years. Everyone’s voice comes through. We’ve progressed, but it still feels like For Your Health.” Hence, in order to experience the sonic attack by For Your Health in all of its glory, you should start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, and above all that, grab a copy of their new album from the band’s own BandCamp, from the 3DOT Recordings’ webstore or by clicking HERE. The music by For Your Health might not seem too aggressive at first, but once you’re embraced by their scorching noise and grim lyrics, you’ll then realize Hardcore has never sounded so intense nd violent.

Best moments of the album: Flowers For The Worst Of Them, Gaia Wept and The Rotting Pair.

Worst moments of the album: The Radiant Apostasy.

Released in 2025 3DOT Recordings

Track listing
1. Davenport (A Rotten Pear) 2:02
2. Flowers For The Worst Of Them 3:18
3. With Empty Promises & Loaded Guns 3:29
4. Gaia Wept 1:40
5. Clementine 3:36
6. The Radiant Apostasy 1:53
7. Heaven, Here 3:10
8. Longinus 1:59
9. The Rotting Pair 4:26
10. In The Valley of Weeping 4:07
11. Lamb Without Fold 1:46
12. Your New Curse 1:46
13. Hostel Elysia 5:01

Band members
Hayden Rodriguez – vocals
Nick Marzluf – guitar, vocals
Rosa Delgado – guitar, vocals
Johnny Deborde – bass
Simona Morales – keyboards, piano, synthesizers, vocals

Guest musician
Caden Clinton – drums (session)

Album Review – King’s Hammer / To Speak In Tongues EP (2025)

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Prepare to be crushed when the hammer of Death Metal by this one-man project from Richmond, Virginia falls to the sound of its debut EP.

To Speak in Tongues, the debut EP from King’s Hammer, the savage Death Metal solo project by Richmond, Virginia’s own Chuck Weatherman (the guitarist and vocalist of thrashers Shovelhead A.D.) is an outpouring of the accomplished frontman’s hardest and heaviest musical inclinations. Mixed by Chuck Weatherman himself, and mastered by Seth Metoyer (of Mangled Carpenter and Pulpit Vomit), To Speak In Tongues delivers riff upon riff upon riff, making for remorseless, relentless, yet atmospheric listening, being highly recommended for fans of Mortification, Dyscarnate, Pantera, and Grave, among others. Put differently, when Chuck Weatherman’s hammer of Death Metal falls, prepare to be crushed.

It’s pedal to the metal from the very first second in The War in Heaven, where Chuck hammers his bass and drums while also vociferating deeply like a dark creature, kicking off the album on a high note. The hellish Vehement Zeal showcases very poetic lyrics declaimed by Chuck (“Loneliness is my bride / Without it then I would die / I came from nothing / to nothing I’ll return / Another body made savage / And a soul be one with He”) while the music sounds heavy, fast and visceral just the way we like it in Death Metal, and Chuck goes absolutely heavy on bass in Wrath Decends, also delivering groove and rage through his growls and thunderous riffs and drums. Then we have Crusade IX, offering a heavy-as-hell blend of 90’s Death Metal in the vein of Unleashed, with his deep roars sounding menacing; whereas last but not least, Chuck ends the EP with the grim and technical Witches Bvrn, blasting his drums and slashing his axe in great fashion until the very end.

From old school Death Metal attack and brutal grooves to the shuddering juggernaut of darkness that is the concluding track of the EP, King’s Hammer takes no prisoners. To Speak In Tongues has all the grit and raw venom that Death Metal needs to deliver the maximum impact, and you should definitely face that sonic attack by following the multi-talented Chuck Weatherman and his King’s Hammer on Instagram, by streaming his devastating creations on Spotify or any other streaming service available, and above all that, by purchasing a copy of To Speak In Tongues from the project’s own BandCamp, or from the Broken Curfew Records’ BandCamp. It’s time to let the hammer fall, as already mentioned, and while Mr. Chuck Weatherman crushes our putrid bodies with his riff-infused blend of heaviness, we can rest assured this is just the beginning for such a promising project hailing from the United States.

Best moments of the album: Vehement Zeal and Wrath Decends.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Rottweiler Records/Broken Curfew Records

Track listing
1. The War in Heaven 3:34
2. Vehement Zeal 3:15
3. Wrath Decends 2:36
4. Crusade IX 3:40
5. Witches Bvrn 3:14

Band members
Chuck Weatherman – vocals, all instruments