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Concert Review – Marilyn Manson (House of Blues, Boston, MA, 05/10/2025)

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

Marilyn Manson Returns to Boston with Blood, Snow, and Thunder at the House of Blues.

It wasn’t just a concert — it was a resurrection.

MARILYN MANSON stormed back into Boston’s House of Blues (currently known as Citizens House of Blues) like a gothic godfather reclaiming his altar. The room was beyond packed — shoulder to shoulder, boot to boot, black lace clashing with leather jackets in a tightly wound pit of anticipation. The sweat was already dripping before the lights even dropped, and yet no one seemed to care. We were all there for the same reason: to feel something sharp, loud, and unforgettable.

The curtain stayed drawn, but a sickly green light started pulsing behind it. A low hum bled into the room, like an electric prayer. Then came the sound — low and ominous at first, like something bubbling up from a haunted basement. It got heavier. The green turned blood red. The tension climbed. Then, all at once, it dropped.

Manson emerged — no delay, no ceremony. Just impact. The Antichrist Superstar himself, boots hitting the stage like a war drum, launching full-throttle into “Disposable Teens.” The crowd exploded. It wasn’t just noise; it was a roar — primal, unified, almost spiritual. You could feel it in your ribs.

His voice? As dangerous and commanding as it ever was. His presence? Still that eerie blend of preacher and predator. Between verses, he paused to acknowledge the city: “Boston… I missed you. And they won’t take you away from me.” Each time he said it, the room got louder. Fans shrieked, fists shot up, people climbed on each other’s shoulders like they were trying to reach him physically.

At several points in the show, in a perfectly grotesque Manson flourish, he’d grab a crisp tour shirt from the stage setup, wipe the sweat from his face and chest with it like it was a communion cloth — then fling it into the sea of hands with a smirk. It wasn’t just merch at that point. It was a souvenir soaked in madness, and fans clawed for it like it meant salvation.

The setlist played like a requiem for the old world — each track crashing harder than the last. “The Beautiful People” turned the floor into a writhing sea of bodies, and “mOBSCENE” brought out the chaos with such force it almost tore the walls off. Crowd surfers popped up like popcorn, riding waves of hands and howling like lunatics.

But Manson’s not just about chaos — he’s about control. He wielded the atmosphere like a weapon, tightening and releasing with perfect timing. Energy? It never dipped. Not once. Even the walls were sweating.

And just when it felt like we’d hit the limit, the encore delivered the sucker punch. Fake snow — pure white, cascading down like ash — poured across the stage as Manson drifted into a haunting, theatrical version of “Coma White.” It was strange, beautiful, and totally unhinged.

Then — the real surprise. With a wry smile and a devilish glint, he launched into a cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” Darker, slower, and more menacing than ever. That iconic drum break? It hit like a sledgehammer to the chest. The whole place lost it.

In a world obsessed with reinvention, Manson doesn’t have to change — he just has to show up. And when he does, it’s not just a concert. It’s a ritual.

Boston will be feeling this one for a long time.

Setlist
Nod If You Understand
Disposable Teens
Get Your Gunn
Tourniquet
This Is the New Shit
Sacrilegious
The Nobodies
Say10
mOBSCENE
Long Hard Road Out of Hell
The Dope Show
As Sick as the Secrets Within
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics cover)
The Beautiful People

Encore:
In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover)

Encore 2:
Coma White
One Assassination Under God

Band members
Marilyn Manson – lead vocals
Tyler Bates – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Reba Meyers – guitars, backing vocals
Piggy D. – bass, backing vocals
Gil Sharone – drums

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Album Review – Lacabra / Lacabra (2025)

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Arising from a previous band out of the ashes of the Covid-19 pandemic, this five-piece Progressive/Blackened Death Metal act is ready to kill armed with their debut offering.

Arising from a previous band named Locisteller, out of the ashes of the Covid-19 pandemic, Seattle, Washington-based Progressive/Blackened Death Metal act Lacabra is ready to kill armed with their self-titled debut offering, showcasing an array of eclectic influences from traditional Heavy Metal, Dark Wave, Black Metal as well as 90’s Melodic Death Metal. Produced by Gwen Kerjan at Slab Sound Studio, mastered by Andy LaRocque at Sonic Train Studios, and displaying a sinister artwork by world renowned illustrator Néstor Ávalos, the album is a must-listen for fans of Goatwhore, Crypta, Nervosa, Blood Incantation, and Amorphis, effectively depicting all the dexterity and passion for heavy music by Lance Neatherlin on vocals, Michael Anthony and Eric Snyder on the guitars, Eric Weber on bass, and Richie Sather on drums.

A darkly atmospheric intro sets the stage for Lacabra to summon the dark forces in Blood Of The Goat 1876, offering a solid blend of Blackened and Melodic Death Metal led by the striking riffs and solos by Michael and Eric Snyder. Lance’s enraged vocal lines are the main ingredient in the striking Fallacy, where the progressiveness flowing from their guitars, bass and drums is amazing; and it’s time to bang our heads nonstop together with Lacabra in Human Quilt, where the metallic sound of their guitars walk hand in hand with the massive beats by Richie. And another shot of eerie sounds ignite Nothing, where the band fires an even darker sonority led by the devilish gnarling by Lance.

The band then enhances their animosity and delivers an overdose of aggressive sounds in Reprobate, leaning towards a more classic version of Black Metal, with Richie stealing the show with his intricate yet demented drumming; whereas Enemy (Feeding The Flames) is indeed a flammable display of blackened music, with Lance roaring manically supported by the unstoppable riffs by Michael and Eric Snyder. Such an evil horde shows no sign of slowing down at all in I Am Thee, crushing our frail bodies with their Blackened Death Metal attack mercilessly, while a more cadenced side of the band arises in The Devil’s Mechanic, with their Melodic Death Metal riffs and beats reminding me of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity. They end the album with Fractured, which is in my opinion the most electrifying of all songs, delivering sheer adrenaline and heaviness and, therefore, inviting us all to slam into the pit like there’s no tomorrow.

The guys from Lacabra are not fooling around when it comes to crafting heavy, enraged, dark and melodic music, and you can give them a shout and show them all your respect by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as by streaming their music on Spotify, and put your dirty hands on their infernal debut opus by purchasing it from their own BandCamp or from the M-Theory Audio’s webstore. I’m sure Lacabra will soon spread their blackened wings and horns to all four corners of the earth with their live performances, and if the energy flowing from the stage is just as half as good as the music found in their new album, you better be prepared to be crushed like an insect inside the pit, because there will be blood.

Best moments of the album: Reprobate, The Devil’s Mechanic and Fractured.

Worst moments of the album: Nothing.

Released in 2025 M-Theory Audio

Track listing
1. Blood Of The Goat 1876 6:15
2. Fallacy 4:39
3. Human Quilt 3:35
4. Nothing 5:32
5. Reprobate 4:18
6. Enemy (Feeding The Flames) 3:53
7. I Am Thee 5:49
8. The Devil’s Mechanic 3:37
9. Fractured 5:32

Band members
Lance Neatherlin – vocals
Michael Anthony – guitars
Eric Snyder – guitars
Eric Weber – bass
Richie Sather – drums

Album Review – Eschaton / Techtalitarian (2025)

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This Technical Death Metal and Deathcore juggernaut returns after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded lineup, offering us all their breathtaking, intricate and demented third studio album.

Formed in 2006 and based in both Naugatuck, Connecticut and Lowell, Massachusetts, Technical Death Metal/Deathcore juggernaut Eschaton returns after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded lineup that undoubtedly elevates their sound to hitherto unexplored heights, exploding our senses with their third full-length offering, entitled Techtalitarian. Displaying an Aliens-inspired artwork by Dave Melvin, the new beast by vocalist Mac Smith (Apogean, Abyssalis, Hammer of Dawn), guitarists Christian Muenzner (Retromorphosis, Eternity’s End, Necrophagist, Obscura, Alkaloid) and Josh Berry (the band’s founder), bassist Scott Bradley (Inanimate Existence), and drummer Darren Cesca (Goratory, Serpents of Gnosis, Pillory, Deeds of Flesh, Arsis) is the perfect follow-up to their 2019 album Death Obsession, standing on its own without having to be necessarily pitted against any of the aforementioned bands’ past efforts.

Their futuristic Death Metal attack begins with Inferior Superior, with Darren simply demolishing everything and everyone that dares to cross his path while Mac fires inhumane roars for our total delight, and the sick shredding by Christian and Josh set the tone in Devour the Contrarian, another bestial tune overflowing heaviness and insanity. Then their violent sounds will hammer our heads mercilessly in Blood of the People, where they showcase all their dexterity while also staying loyal to the foundations of the most ruthless form of Death Metal, whereas more demented riffs, solos, blast beats and demonic vociferations are offered to our avid ears in Hellfire’s Woe, perfect for some wicked headbanging, with Scott’s bass lines sounding utterly metallic. And The Bellicose Duality sounds even more infuriated and insane than its predecessors, with the entire band melting our faces with their undisputed Technical Death Metal sounds.

The album continues on a high and visceral note with Econocracy, with Darren once again demolishing his drums with tons of rage and dexterity while Mac barks and growls like a rabid beast nonstop; and in Antimatter the rabid Mac vociferates the song’s wicked lyrics manically (“Bleeding from inanimate spiracles / Metonymy of our existence / Our roaming stative / Repelling forces within all existence”) amidst a hurricane of aggressive yet complex Death Metal. Techtalitarian, the song that carries the name of the album, perfectly summarizes Eschaton’s current sound, a striking combination of violence with the most technical form of extreme music you can imagine. Darren also dictates the pace in The Sufferer’s Dichotomy, while Christian and Josh extract sheer insanity from their axes; followed by the closing tune Castle Strnad, which might be their homage to Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder, who sadly passed away on May 11, 2022. Not sure if that’s the case, but even if it’s not, this is another neck-breaking, unrelenting display of first-class Death Metal by the band.

You can put your tech death hands on Techtalitarian by purchasing a copy of it from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ main store, Bandcamp, Europe store or US store, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream more of their demented creations on Spotify or any other streaming service. Eschaton are back into the Death Metal battlefield stronger and sharper than ever, staying loyal to their foundations but of course with the renewed energy brought by the band’s new members turning their heat and aggression up to 11, and if you consider yourself a loyal servant of the extreme music arts, always staying tech, then Techtalitarian is a must-have in your dark and heavy collection.

Best moments of the album: Hellfire’s Woe, The Bellicose Duality and Techtalitarian.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Inferior Superior 4:12
2. Devour the Contrarian 3:46
3. Blood of the People 4:51
4. Hellfire’s Woe 5:04
5. The Bellicose Duality 4:24
6. Econocracy 5:28
7. Antimatter 4:02
8. Techtalitarian 4:00
9. The Sufferer’s Dichotomy 4:20
10. Castle Strnad 5:21

Band members
Mac Smith – vocals
Christian Muenzner – lead guitars
Josh Berry – guitars
Scott Bradley – bass
Darren Cesca – drums

Album Review – Unmerciful / Devouring Darkness (2025)

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This Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal beast strikes again with their fourth studio album, delivering ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression.

Known for their relentless brutality and technically devastating sound, Topeka, Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal creature Unmerciful returns with their fourth full-length opus, titled Devouring Darkness, the follow-up to their 2020 album Wrath Encompassed. Recorded, produced and mixed by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, mastered by Alan Douches, and displaying a visceral artwork by Santiago Francisco Jarramillo, the new album by newcomer Josh Riley on vocals, guitarists/bassists Clinton Appelhanz and Jeremy Turner, and drummer Trynt Kelly delivers ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression, solidifying their reputation as one of the most punishing acts in modern Death Metal, being therefore recommended for fans of Hate Eternal, Suffocation, and Origin.

Miracle In Fire is a beyond devastating start to the album, kicking us hard in the head with their no shenanigans, devilish sounds led by the guttural gnarls by Josh, and their Brutal Death Metal infused with Technical Death Metal keeps roaring manically in Unnatural Ferocity, with Trynt sounding like a stone crusher from hell on drums. There’s no time to breathe as Unmerciful simply shows no mercy for our necks and bodies in Malice Unbound, spearheaded by a visceral riff attack by Clinton and Jeremy, whereas the title-track Devouring Darkness offers us all a more obscure, doomed side of the band, with Josh barking deeply like a demonic entity. And Relentless Malevolence blasts our faces with two and a half minutes of sheer insanity and ruthless violence, with the crushing beats by Trynt making the earth tremble.

Their cover version for Origin’s Vomit You Out, which original version was part of their 2000 self-titled debut, is a fulminating rendition of such a tech death classic led by the demented growling by Josh; while Infernal Conquering is one of the heaviest, most infernal of all songs, with their scorching riffs and demented beats and fills providing Josh with exactly what he needs to bark like a beast. The Reaping is another explosion of brutality offered by the band, with the demonic growling by Josh and the inhumane drumming by Trynt being perfect for some action inside the mosh pit; and they keep smashing us like putrid insects in Voracious Lunacy, another killer Brutal and Technical Death Metal composition showcasing their passion for extremely heavy riffs. Finally, the album couldn’t have ended in a more ferocious way than with Vengeance Transcending, where their lancinating guitars and blast beats sound absolutely brutal until the very end.

After all is said and done, it’s clear that Unmerciful are definitely cementing their legacy even further with Devouring Darkness, offering more of their signature precision and brutality for the delight of Death Metal fans worldwide, and you can start following this ruthless band on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as stream their music on Spotify and of course purchase a copy of their sanguinary new album from BandCamp or from Willowtip Records. Unmerciful are among us to blast our ears with Brutal Death Metal at its finest, and instead of succumbing to darkness, let’s simply devour it mercilessly to the sound of their infuriated new album.

Best moments of the album: Miracle In Fire, Infernal Conquering and The Reaping.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Willowtip Records

Track listing
1. Miracle In Fire 4:06
2. Unnatural Ferocity 3:33
3. Malice Unbound 3:39
4. Devouring Darkness 5:35
5. Relentless Malevolence 2:40
6. Vomit You Out (Origin cover) 2:51
7. Infernal Conquering 4:12
8. The Reaping 4:15
9. Voracious Lunacy 3:39
10. Vengeance Transcending 3:51

Band members
Josh Riley – vocals
Clinton Appelhanz – guitar, bass
Jeremy Turner – guitar, bass
Trynt Kelly – drums

Album Review – Axiom Chaos / Primacy Arrival (2025)

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A new entity has crawled from the boiling swamps that lie in the deepest recesses of the Death Metal underworld, unleashing hell to the sound of their debut offering.

A new entity has crawled from the boiling swamps that lie in the deepest recesses of the Death Metal underworld, a force of terrifying alien power and chilling otherness that is about to bleed insidiously into our reality. I’m talking about Ohio/South Carolina, United States-based Technical/Brutal Death Metal outfit Axiom Chaos, a ruthless creature that’s unleashing upon humanity their debut offering, entitled Primacy Arrival. Bedecked in the visionary artwork of Morket Art (Engulfed, Inverted Ascension), the first full-length opus by the duo formed of Justin Vølus (Vølus, Fall Of Gnosis, Maggot Crown) on vocals and Ben Vanweelden (Venomous Echoes, Ceremonic Buryment) on the guitars, bass and drums will challenge, disturb and dominate, opening new pathways for Death Metal and, therefore, being recommended for fans of Immolation, Vastum, Blood Incantation and Disma, just to name a few.

Justin begins his ruthless vocal attack in The King, I Am, sending shivers down our spines while Ben crafts a caustic fusion of Death and Doom Metal not recommended for the lighthearted; whereas the title-track Primacy Arrival showcases an even more enraged duo, with the riffage by Ben exhaling heaviness and hatred. They keep spreading their sonic violence in The Gift of Recognition, a Brutal Death Metal feast led by Justin’s deep, inhumane roaring, and Justin’s vile shrieks will crawl under your skin in Extraterrestrial Necrotic Urge, while Ben smashes his drums in the name of Death Metal. Let’s then slam into the pit together with Axiom Chaos in Antediluvian Origin Unknown, a frantic, no shenanigans explosion of Death Metal led by the crushing riffs and drums by Ben; and there’s still time for more violence and hatred in the form of Wormhole Pathways of Conquest, with Justin bursting his lungs by roaring like a beast. Finally, Ben sounds once again striking and furious with his riffs and beats in Exodus Into Oblivion, putting a demolishing yet very melodic and vibrant ending to the album.

In Primacy Arrival, Axiom Chaos have fused the devastating impact of Death Metal with the untamable capricious might of pandemonium, invoking strange, compelling visions tailored for admirers of the genre. Hence, if you want to get in touch with such a talented and brutal American duo, you can find those guys on Facebook, stream their music on Spotify, and of course show them your utmost support by purchasing a copy of their incendiary, evil debut from Comatose Music’s BandCamp or webstore. The stairways to the new world are open and the drums of destruction are calling. The fires of war are alight to the sound of Primacy Arrival, a demented display of savagery that will surely please anyone in search for endless violence but with a huge slab of dexterity and melody.

Best moments of the album: The King, I Am, The Gift of Recognition and Exodus Into Oblivion.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. The King, I Am 4:24
2. Primacy Arrival 4:30
3. The Gift of Recognition 4:53
4. Extraterrestrial Necrotic Urge 3:54
5. Antediluvian Origin Unknown 4:25
6. Wormhole Pathways of Conquest 4:22
7. Exodus Into Oblivion 5:24

Band members
Justin Vølus – vocals
Ben Vanweelden – guitars, bass, drums

Album Review – Ominous Ruin / Requiem (2025)

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San Francisco, California-based tech death juggernauts are back with their infuriated sophomore opus, representing a powerful exploration of the human psyche, the ravages of time, and the inevitable descent into oblivion.

San Francisco, California-based Ominous Ruin, the ruthless Death Metal juggernaut known for their intricate compositions and unrelenting sonic brutality, has returned to the battlefield with their highly anticipated new album, simply titled Requiem, following up on their critically acclaimed 2021 opus Amidst Voices That Echo in Stone. Written, produced, mixed and mastered by the band’s own guitarist Alex Bacey, recorded by Cody Fuentes at Rapture Recordings and by Petr Oplatka at Petropolys Media, and displaying a striking artwork by world renowned illustrator Pär Olofsson, the new album by newcomer Crystal Rose on vocals, Alex Bacey and Joel Guernsey on the guitars, Mitch Yoesle on bass, and Harley Blandford on drums is a formidable leap forward in both musical complexity and emotional depth, while also representing a powerful exploration of the human psyche, the ravages of time, and the inevitable descent into oblivion.

The album starts with a delicate, atmospheric Intro, setting the stage for Ominous Ruin to demolish our senses in Seeds of Entropy, with the intricate yet visceral guitar lines by Alex and Joey providing Crystal with exactly what she needs to roar like a true she-wolf in a killer display of Technical Death Metal. Crystal continues to vociferate rabidly in Eternal, while Harley delivers a bestial performance behind his drums, resulting in six minutes of first-class extreme music; and after the eerie instrumental interlude Bane of Syzygial Triality the band will smash us like putrid insects with Divergent Anomaly, with Harley once again pounding his drums manically supported by the rumbling bass by Mitch, sounding beautifully insane from start to finish.

In Fractal Abhorrence they continue with their undisputed feast of Technical Death Metal infused with sheer brutality and rage, with their riffs and bass lines sounding utter metallic while Crystal keeps blasting her venomous roars for our total delight. And get ready for eight minutes of demented, intricate and visceral sounds in Architect of Undoing, the most detailed of all songs, starting with a beyond thrilling instrumental piece before crystal arrives growling like a demon, not to mention Harley sounds beyond inhumane on drums. Then the band shows no sign of mellowing down their sound in Staring into the Abysm, again blasting our ears with their ruthless Death Metal, with Mitch simply sounding infernal on bass; whereas lastly, we’re treated to the Archspire-like title-track Requiem, another lecture in dexterity, speed and insanity by the band led by the phenomenal riffage by Alex and Joey.

Requiem is, at its core, a continuation of Amidst Voices that Echo in Stone, having its conception spawned from the raw emotion of personal issues and turmoil, as it was created during a dark time in the band’s lives. All that darkness translates into first-class extreme music as expected, turning the album into a must-listen for fans of the genre. Hence, don’t forget to check what Ominous Ruin are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to check more of their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and to grab a copy of the incendiary Requiem by clicking HERE. The album might be a new phase in the band’s career, but their core savagery, violence and intricacy is intact, inviting us all to join them in the battlefield while they take another giant step forward in their exciting career.

Best moments of the album: Seeds of Entropy, Divergent Anomaly, Architect of Undoing and Requiem.

Worst moments of the album: Bane of Syzygial Triality.

Released in 2025 Willowtip Records

Track listing
1. Intro 0:56
2. Seeds of Entropy 4:03
3. Eternal 6:05
4. Bane of Syzygial Triality 2:39
5. Divergent Anomaly 5:17
6. Fractal Abhorrence 5:14
7. Architect of Undoing 7:59
8. Staring into the Abysm 3:16
9. Requiem 5:01

Band members
Crystal Rose – vocals
Alex Bacey – guitars
Joel Guernsey – guitars
Mitch Yoesle – bass
Harley Blandford – drums

Album Review – Behölder / In The Temple Of The Tyrant (2025)

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This American horde will attack our senses with their debut opus, a true love letter to Epic Doom Metal inspired by classic Dungeons & Dragons.

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States, Behölder are an Epic Doom/Dark/Power Metal band inspired by classic Dungeons & Dragons, formed in late 2021 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez. Produced by the same Carlos Alvarez, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström at Björnström Ljud & Produktion, and displaying a stunning artwork by Zsofia Dankova, their debut opus, titled In The Temple Of The Tyrant, features eight tracks of monstrous proportions, a true love letter to Epic Doom Metal weaving cautionary tales from the more grim, foreboding realms of fantasy against a backdrop of colossal riffs with elegant yet powerful melodies, all carefully crafted by vocalist John Yelland, guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Matt Hodsdon, bassist Michael Sanchez, and drummer Andrew Julkowski.

A Pale Blood Sky begins in a strong doomed vibe thanks to the heavy riffs by Carlos and Matt, supported by the always thunderous bass by Michael, and let’s all headbang like beasts to the epic vocals by John because those are awesome. Then their melodious, penetrating guitar lines set the tone in Dungeon Crawl, another feast of Epic and Doom Metal with a thrilling galloping pace; and it’s time for an even heavier tune titled Into the Underdark, with the pounding drums by Andrew walking hand in hand with the deep vocals by John, not to mention how powerful the bass by Michael sounds. After that we face Eyes of the Deep (featuring guest vocalist Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis), which reminds me of some of the darkest creations by Black Sabbath with Dio, in special from when they were called Heaven & Hell, with the entire band sounding tight, epic and fierce until the very last second.

The band then fires a more introspective composition entitled For Those Who Fell, offering seven minutes of dark, sluggish passages rooted in classic Doom Metal, or in other words, it’s a beautiful dark ballad by the band. Then investing in a primeval, tribalistic sound we have Draconian (Slave or Master), as if it was part of a somber, obscure ritual, with the riffage by Carlos and Matt penetrating deep inside our skin in great fashion, followed by Summoned & Bound, which lacks the same energy and punch from the previous songs. John still delivers his share of epicness through his vocals, though. And lastly we’re treated to I Magus, an amazing blast of Epic Doom Metal led by the thunderous vocals by John while his bandmates not only craft a powerful sound, but their backing vocals are also spot-on, putting a phenomenal and obviously epic ending to the album.

As the band itself likes to say, their debut album offers us all avid listeners “magic, mayhem and riffs heavier than a storm giant’s ass,” being therefore highly recommended for fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Sorcerer, and Memento Mori, among others. Hence, you can join the band in their magic metal quest by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course by purchasing a copy of In The Temple Of The Tyrant from the Black Lion Records’ BandCamp or webstore, from Indiemerchstore, from Season of Mist, or simply by clicking HERE or HERE. In the end, Behölder are definitely going to make a lot of noise armed with their first ever album, adding an extra dosage of sheer doom to the already heavy and thunderous world of Dungeons & Dragons.

Best moments of the album: A Pale Blood Sky, Draconian (Slave or Master) and I Magus.

Worst moments of the album: Summoned & Bound.

Released in 2025 Black Lion Records

Track listing
1. A Pale Blood Sky 6:34
2. Dungeon Crawl 5:39
3. Into the Underdark 5:20
4. Eyes of the Deep 6:25
5. For Those Who Fell 6:58
6. Draconian (Slave or Master) 5:52
7. Summoned & Bound 5:34
8. I Magus 6:44

Band members
John Yelland – lead vocals
Carlos Alvarez – guitars, backing vocals
Matt Hodsdon – guitars, backing vocals
Michael Sanchez – bass, backing vocals
Andrew Julkowski – drums, backing vocals

Guest musician
Tomi Joutsen – vocals on “Eyes of the Deep”

Album Review – Grey Mountain / Grey Mountain (2025)

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A transatlantic metal project featuring members of several renowned acts strikes with their debut offering, a crushing fusion of Heavy, Death and Doom Metal with Post-Metal and other discordant influences.

A transatlantic metal project featuring members of Monsterworks, Bull Elephant, Construct of Lethe, and Black Harvest, Grey Mountain are unleashing upon us their self-titled debut opus, offering our avid ears a crushing fusion of styles from Heavy, Death and Doom Metal to Post-Metal and other discordant influences. Recorded by the band itself, mixed by vocalist and guitarist Jon Higgs (Thūn, Moose Cult), mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound, and displaying a stylish artwork by guitarist and bassist Kishor Haulenbeek (Black Harvest, Construct of Lethe, In Human Form), the debut album by the aforementioned Jon and Kishor, alongside drummer James Garnett (Monsterworks), will hit you right in the jugular without a single drop of mercy, proving those three talented musicians are not fooling around with their new partnership.

The minimalist guitar lines by Jon and Kishor and the sluggish beats by James set the tone in Grey Mountain, offering a sharp fusion of Doom and Post-Black Metal, or in other words, the music couldn’t have represented better the name of the song (and also of the band). Perpetual Imbalance might be shorter in duration, but it’s as harsh and visceral as the opening track, with James hammering his drums in the name of modern-day Sludge Metal; followed by A Universal Evil, another melodic yet grim creation by the trio, offering a dynamic guitar duel between Jon and Kishor, being therefore perfect for breaking your neck headbanging. Then presenting a pure Post-Metal sonority we have Hermitage, with Jon’s anguished roars sounding beautifully haunting; whereas Many Shades, A Storm starts in a more introspective, serene manner before evolving into a not-so-exciting Post-Metal feast led by James’ classic beats. It’s time for the trio to crush their instruments in Decline and Fall, with Jon roaring like a beast amidst a modern-day fusion of Post-Metal with Doom and Sludge Metal, and the band fires one last breath of heavy and melodic sounds in the form of Living Mythology, with their riffs and solos sounding caustic and piercing until the very end.

Having already a second album planned in a not-so-distant future, Grey Mountain deliver an overdose of heaviness in their self-titled debut offering, which you can purchase from Ampwall or from BandCamp. Also ,although the band itself doesn’t have any official social media yet, you can get more details about the whole project as well as other projects from Jon’s Instagram, and who knows, maybe sooner than we can say “metal” we’ll see those guys hitting the stage together as Grey Mountain. Based on the quality of the music found in their debut, I think we all agree we need that to happen.

Best moments of the album: Grey Mountain, Hermitage and Living Mythology.

Worst moments of the album: Many Shades, A Storm.

Released in 2025 Eat Lead and Die Music

Track listing
1. Grey Mountain 6:39
2. Perpetual Imbalance 3:39
3. A Universal Evil 7:27
4. Hermitage 6:35
5. Many Shades, A Storm 4:30
6. Decline and Fall 3:52
7. Living Mythology 5:48

Band members
Jon Higgs – guitars, vocals
Kishor Haulenbeek – guitar, bass, vocals
James Garnett – drums

Album Review – Exiled Hope / Apocrypha (2025)

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A lone she-wolf of Symphonic and Blackened Power Metal returns with the third and exciting installment of her ongoing musical narrative.

Formed in 2019 in Maryland, United States, Symphonic/Blackened Gothic/Power Metal one-woman army Exiled Hope is set to unleash the project’s third installment of its ongoing musical narrative, entitled Apocrypha. Drawing musical inspiration from the likes of Avantasia, Nightwish, Kamelot and Cradle of Fitlh, to name a few, the lone she-wolf Sofia Frasz is back in action with a twelve-track album that follows a new protagonist who seeks guidance from familiar (yet otherworldly) forces as he uncovers the truth about the path to success laid out before him, further expanding the story Sofia and her Exiled Hope have crafted through the years.

Sofia kicks off the album to the soothing sound of the piano in The Summoning, already showcasing her passion for dark and melancholic music, exploding into Blackened Gothic Metal to the sound of her she-demon gnarls; and our diva strikes again in full force with her classic riffs, low-tuned bass and deep vocals in The Day Will Come, offering a darker version of contemporary Symphonic Metal. She then puts the pedal to the metal in the rockin’ tune Blood Of The Ancients, showcasing all her dexterity behind the drums, whereas she makes a passionate vocal duet with guest Metal Matt in Dreamwalker, a soothing ballad that sounds truly powerful from start to finish. Then we face Over For You, leaning towards the early days of Nightwish with a darker twist, with Sofia kicking some ass with her potent vocal reach and classic riffs; and featuring guest vocalist Imperator Mortem we have Altar Of Moloch, with both Sofia and Imperator Mortem sounding like obscure creatures from the underworld in a lecture in Atmospheric Black Metal.

In The Silence Is Deafening she switches gears to a more Doom Metal-inspired sound with Gothic and Symphonic Metal nuances, once again hypnotizing us all with her vocals, followed by Behold My Shattered Skies, the second ballad of the album, sounding as enfolding as the first one and with Sofia’s deep vocals walking hand in hand with the song’s ambience. After that, we’re treated to Deathslayer, bringing forward over eight minutes of first-class heavy yet delicate music, a trademark sound by Sofia and her Exiled Hope, with her striking riffage, blast beats and devilish growls adding an extra touch of insanity to the music, exploding into a melodic attack of Blackened Power Metal led by her classic guitar lines and crushing drums entitled Lightborn. She then offers another Ambient track titled Remnants, maybe a bit too long for an instrumental interlude, while closing the album we have Forbidden Majesties, where once again Sofia showcases both her delicate and demonic sides at the same time.

“The release of Apocrypha represents three years of practice, exploration, trial and error, learning, and a lot of overthinking,” commented Sofia about her newborn baby. “Apocrypha feels detailed and relatable, yet larger-than-life, and I hope you enjoy the journey of listening to it as much as I enjoyed the journey of creating it. Creating music is about the journey as much as it is about the destination, or the final product.” After such beautiful words by our dauntless diva, you should definitely go check what she’s up to on Facebook and on Instagram, listen to her music on YouTube and on Spotify, and grab a copy of Apocrypha from BandCamp or by clicking HERE, allowing Sofia’s music to penetrate deep inside your soul on another exciting journey by one of the most creative names of the current metal scene.

Best moments of the album: The Day Will Come, Dreamwalker, Deathslayer and Lightborn.

Worst moments of the album: Remnants.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. The Summoning 3:19
2. The Day Will Come 3:46
3. Blood Of The Ancients 4:08
4. Dreamwalker 3:40
5. Over For You 4:20
6. Altar Of Moloch 4:25
7. The Silence Is Deafening 4:28
8. Behold My Shattered Skies 4:57
9. Deathslayer 8:11
10. Lightborn 5:27
11. Remnants 3:52
12. Forbidden Majesties 4:25

Band members
Sofia Frasz – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Metal Matt – vocals on “Dreamwalker”
Imperator Mortem – vocals on “Altar of Moloch”

Album Review – Allegaeon / The Ossuary Lens (2025)

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World domination awaits to the sound of the striking new beast by one of the must-see bands of the current Technical and Melodic Death Metal scene worldwide.

Never allowing themselves to stagnate, preferring to thrive on chaos, change and evolution, Fort Collins, Colorado-based Technical/Melodic Death Metal beast Allegaeon is back with their seventh studio opus, entitled The Ossuary Lens, the follow-up to their 2022 album Damnum, and their first with original vocalist Ezra Haynes since his 2015 departure following the Elements of the Infinite album. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered once again by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio, the new album by the aforementioned Ezra Haynes on vocals, Greg Burgess and Michael Stancel on the guitars, Brandon Michael on bass, and Jeff Saltzman on drums might not be a concept album in the traditional sense, but there is an overarching theme to it, a representation of several different viewpoints of death, with its science-based lyrics sounding as challenging as the progressive musicianship, resulting in a set of songs that simply slay.

A serene, melancholic intro titled Refraction sets the tone for the reinvigorated Allegaeon to attack like a demented beast in Chaos Theory, where Ezra returns in full force to the band armed with his demonic roars while Jeff also showcases all his technique and rage behind his drums. In Driftwood the band blasts dark, violent words (“Blindsided, in a shell of silence, alone / Decided, motive breach the eyelids, then sewn / Reminded, death walks beside us, inside us / In hindsight it was the path of a nihilist and pawn”) amidst a beyond Progressive Death Metal sound; followed by the epic and imposing Dies Irae, with all background elements matching perfectly with the visceral riffage by Greg and Michael in an overdose of Melodic Death Metal. And The Swarm is a beautiful and violent depiction of the band’s core essence, with the inhumane screams by Ezra being boosted by the thunderous bass and drums by Brandon and Jeff.

If the first five songs of the album were an overdose of aggression, their technical and rabid feast continues majestically with Carried by Delusion, with Jeff once again stealing the spotlight with his unstoppable beats and fills. Then featuring guest acoustic guitars by world renowned musician Adrian Bellue, who brings an extra touch of finesse to the band’s demented sounds, we have Dark Matter Dynamics, where Greg and Michael’s shredding riffs and solos are a thing of beauty; and the band speeds things up considerably while letting their Technical Death Metal vein arise in Imperial, led by the melodic yet piercing guitars by Greg and Michael. Wake Circling Above is a seven-minute song that starts in a more introspective manner with a Stygian background atmosphere before evolving into a complex display of Technical and Melodic Death Metal, where Ezra screams manically to the caustic riffs, bass lines and beats by his bandmates; and lastly, the closing tune, entitled Scythe, is another sonic beast, an epic, climatic composition where Jeff’s thunderous beats are nicely complemented by the song’s Stygian ambience.

“I think in the beginning we were a little more stripped down,” commented guitarist Greg Burgess. “Very guitar-forward, focused melodeath. Over time, I think more technical, symphonic and progressive elements creeped in. Finally, where we are today is all of that combined, added with more ambient elements.” In summary, The Ossuary Lens is an accomplished album that sees a rejuvenated band at the peak of its powers, and you can enjoy their undisputed dexterity and passion for heavy music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their solid discography on Spotify, and by purchasing their excellent new opus from BandCamp or from Metal Blade Records by clicking HERE or HERE. In the end, world domination awaits to the sound of the newborn spawn by Allegaeon, one of the must-see bands of the current scene, always ready to kick our asses and melt our faces with their first-class, undisputed “melotech”.

Best moments of the album: Dies Irae, The Swarm, Dark Matter Dynamics and Wake Circling Above.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Metal Blade Records

Track listing
1. Refraction 0:59
2. Chaos Theory 4:32
3. Driftwood 4:28
4. Dies Irae 3:48
5. The Swarm 3:28
6. Carried by Delusion 4:49
7. Dark Matter Dynamics 6:03
8. Imperial 4:08
9. Wake Circling Above 6:55
10. Scythe 5:40

Band members
Ezra Haynes – vocals
Greg Burgess – guitars
Michael Stancel – guitars, backing vocals
Brandon Michael – bass, backing vocals
Jeff Saltzman – drums

Guest musician
Adrian Bellue – acoustic guitar on “Dark Matter Dynamics”