Cirith Ungol
Live at the Roxy
Metal Blade Records
25 April 2025
Oh, man, it's nice to see an underappreciated California band, formed in 1971, live long enough to finally get some recognition. They were toiling in obscurity in the 1970s and recording albums in the 1980s. While some people knew of them then, it was never an easy ride for this band; they never made it as rock stars. Their music was too quirky, and I guess in 1980s California, these guys weren't glamming it up for attention. Instead, they were doing something like "Tolkien prog warrior heavy metal," not exactly the pretty-boy look MTV was after. They didn't play the game; they were too stubborn. Ultimately, things haven't worked out too shabbily for them. They haven't ended up looking like 1980s buffoons and money-worshipping fools, which is more than can be said for dozens upon dozens of California glam rock bands. What a cool live recording this is.
Disc 1
1. Velocity (S.E.P.) 05:17
2. Relentless 04:25
3. Sailor on the Seas of Fate 07:32
4. Sacrifice 04:53
5. Looking Glass 04:33
6. Dark Parade 06:14
7. Distant Shadows 05:54
8. Down Below 05:28
44:16
Disc 2
1. Atom Smasher 04:26
2. I'm Alive 05:17
3. Frost and Fire 03:48
4. Black Machine 04:19
5. Blood and Iron 04:03
6. Chaos Descends 04:48
7. The Frost Monstreme 05:24
8. Fire (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown cover) 02:53
9. Death of the Sun 03:57
10. Master of the Pit 07:26
11. King of the Dead 08:20
12. Join the Legion 07:05
01:01:46
Live at the Roxy
by Cirith Ungol
Prog rock protometal in the style of the 1970s, done in 2025? I've been listening to this upcoming album, but because it's prog, it takes a while to fully grasp with my metal music mind. However, the release date is fast approaching, and two songs are already streaming on Bandcamp. I recommend checking out these two songs, especially if you have an interest in protometal and 1970s-style prog. I don't know anything about the entity named Phantom Spell, so I'll share the official biography I received from official sources. Now you know as much as I do! Before the release date, you can start with these two songs and see what you think. Don't expect screaming and animal-farm sounds from modern angry loud metal. Think something mellower and gentler on your ears instead. This will be nice and easy on your ears!
Phantom Spell
Heather & Hearth
Cruz Del Sur Music
18 July 2025
BIO: Bursting forth from The Black Spire with a charming blend of classic prog rock and NWOBHM-era metal, Phantom Spell has been tantalizing unsuspecting onlookers since emerging in 2021… Dexterous twin-lead guitars entwine with undulating synths and Hammond organ to form the perfect backdrop for Kyle McNeill’s enchanting voice. Like a long-lost soundtrack to your favourite AD&D supplement, Phantom Spell promises adventure and mystery aplenty!
It’s coming up on three long years since Phantom Spell’s debut album, Immortal’s Requiem, left the comfort of its dusty home.
Since then, only whispers have been heard; the odd rumor caught on the wind. Reports of a skulking wizard with a travelling band of roguish bards, appearing only for a fleeting moment before retiring back to the shadows of his tower. Now, the wizard returns with a new set of compositions. Hark!
Phantom Spell’s second full-length offering, Heather & Hearth, is a collection of heartfelt tales, weaving the potent nostalgia of home with vivid fantasy and cautionary storytelling. It retains all the ingredients that made Immortal’s Requiem such a tantalising listen, but adds fragility and subtlety. As the album title suggests, a folk thread is woven into the fabric of each song. Acoustic guitar moves to the forefront, no longer just a supporting role. The artful use of space in the brooding quiet sections amplifies the Hammond-fuelled uproar that follows. There is melancholy in the majesty, but hope is never lost.
Once again, McNeill plays and programs all instruments on the record. Recorded and mixed at his own Wizard Tower Studios, Heather & Hearth is another solo adventure. However, with a now-established live act, it won’t be long before these new compositions take on a life of their own out in the wild. Mastered once again by Justin Weis of Trakworx, the album has been given the utmost care for vinyl, cassette, and CD release. The vinyl will once more be handled by the splendid Cruz Del Sur, with whom Phantom Spell has formed a strong bond. CD and cassette editions will be released via McNeill’s own Wizard Tower Records.
Line-Up:
Kyle McNeill - Vocals / Guitar / Bass / Drums / Keys
Live Line-Up:
Kyle McNeill - Vocals / Guitar
Jose Soler - Guitar
Ramon Romero -Keyboards
Miguel Moreno - Bass
José Vicente - Drums
Heather & Hearth
by Phantom Spell
American metal band CELESTIAL WIZARD (Colorado) is about to release their third full-length album this week. The band is becoming known for their mix of traditional metal with death metal elements. The first video below, while a good song, is actually not a good representation of everything that they do because the song sounds like a melodic death metal band, but if you watch the second video below you will get a better illustration of the range of the band. Put them together, and now that's more like what the band is all about for the album.
CELESTIAL WIZARD
Regenesis
Scarlet Records
11 July 2025
CELESTIAL WIZARD - Wicked Master (Official Video)
CELESTIAL WIZARD - Pale Horse (Official Video)
Regenesis
by Celestial Wizard
Check out the lyric video for the song "A Beginning" by Dreams of Gray, melodic death metal from Chicago, U.S. This is the first song from the upcoming three-song EP scheduled for September, 2025. If you like the song, I recommend listening to the 2023 debut EP. I have included a link for the EP below.
Dreams of Gray
A Beginning
5 September 2025
1.A Beginning 4:49
2.Beyond the Sky 4:25
3.Across the Endless Sea 4:27
Dreams Of Gray A Beginning
Below you will find the first song of this new EP and also the 2023 debut EP.
A Beginning
by Dreams of Gray
The World After
by Dreams of Gray
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090219272895
The Dutch band Black Knight is new to me, but they began a long time ago. Metal Archives shows that they began in 1981! Actually, Metal Archives shows the years of activity this way: 1981-1982 (as Capture), 1982-2008, 2012-present. Anyway, this album is already out, but I am not knowledgeable enough about this band to explain their history and music. Instead, check out this lyric video from the album. Below you will also find the official biography of the band. If you like the album, I can tell you that it is available on streaming services, so be sure to check it out there. It is hard-driving, traditional heavy metal, with plenty of energy and shredding guitar. Especially if you enjoy the old-style bands that play heavy metal proudly, this album should be interesting to you. I have been listening to it, and I've been liking what I'm hearing. Warning: Metal Archives shows three bands with this same name. However, Metal Archives shows that there is only one band from Holland with this name, so this is the Dutch band, from Amsterdam, North Holland.
Black Knight
The Tower
No Dust Records
4 July 2025
1 Deluded
2 The Tower
3 Survive
4 Exploration
5 Misery
6 Die
7 Rise
8 Deceivers
9 Fire
10 Im Dunkeln
BIO: Formed in 1982, Black Knight has been a relentless force in the Dutch metal scene for over four decades. With their roots deep in the heavy metal soil, they released two demos in the '80s and early '90s, but it was their 1998 debut album, "Tales from the Darkside," that truly set the stage on fire. Touring across the Benelux, Germany, and Bulgaria, they left a trail of headbanging fans in their wake.
“Despite numerous lineup changes, drummer and founding member Rudo Plooy has been the unwavering heartbeat of the band.”
In 2007, they unleashed their second album, "The Beast Inside," further solidifying their place in the metal pantheon. Fast forward to 2020 and Black Knight was ready to conquer the world with their new album, "Road to Victory”. The reviews were nothing short of spectacular, but the Covid-crisis delayed their tour until 2021. At MISE Open Air 2022 in Germany, Henk Overbosch took the stage as the new lead singer with bass player Ron Heikens and Gertjan Vis returning as guitarist alongside Ruben Raadschelders. In the same year Black Knight celebrated their 40th anniversary with their “40 years live!” album.
With fresh energy and creativity, Black Knight is back with a vengeance. Their upcoming album, "The Tower," set to release in May 2025, promises harder guitar riffs, progressive influences and melodic vocal lines, all the while staying true to their classic old-school vibe. This album is a call to tear down the towers of division and create a better world through the power of metal.
After forty years of making classic metal, Black Knight is still coming for you, sharper and faster than ever before!
BLACK KNIGHT Tower Official Lyric Video
https://www.facebook.com/BlackKnightNL/?locale=nl_NL
Wytch Hazel
V: Lamentations
Bad Omen Records (North American Distribution: Metal Blade Records)
4 July 2025
Are you interested in a joyful trip back to the future?
"The British band Wytch Hazel (Lancaster, Lancashire, England) is a particular type of retro or vintage classic rock, a hard-rock band working with the sounds of the 1970s from a contemporary perspective. First, what they are not. They are not any of the following 1970s genres and styles associated with that decade: stoner, psychedelic, doom, folk, blues-rock, prog, glam, punk, disco, shock or southern rock. So, they are not any of those styles from the 1970s, but they are a classic heavy rock heavy metal band. Now, let's pause: They are a peculiar retro, vintage band, in the sense that there is actually not a band in the 1970s that sounds like this because they are too heavy metal for the 1970s. For example, the drumming is a bit too fast for too much of the time and the guitars do too many galloping riffs for too much of the time.
So, what does that leave us regarding the 1970s? It leaves us with glimpses, partial views and fragments of the elements of Wytch Hazel. You can find segments, songs, a feel, a vibe from certain sounds of the 1970s being utilized and interpreted by Wytch Hazel for its own purposes: a joyful, pleasant, very melodic classic rock reminiscent of the 1970s or a joyful form of protometal. (I will get back to this issue in a minute.)
This fifth album is another awesome work from Wytch Hazel. It has their signature sound, a warm, vintage 70s hard rock sound of the melodic guitars. The sound is hard rock/metal with some big, fan-friendly moments. American fans of classic rock would recognize this sound as familiar because of the 1970s vibe, the melodic singing. The music is all about melody and well-crafted songs made to get fans listening. The guitars sound like they are not as distorted and loud as contemporary metal, so that allows the vocals and melodies to shine.
I had said that I would get back to this point. For new fans in the United States: If you have heard classic rock on the radio, you may have heard certain songs that might provide a general field of action. Some songs by Blue Öyster Cult sound similar to Wytch Hazel. For example, “(Don’t Fear) “The Reaper” and “Burnin’ for You” by Blue Öyster Cult have that melodic classic rock with pleasant vocals and a bit of melancholic feeling. “The Boys Are Back in Town” and “Cowboy Song” by Thin Lizzy have that guitar sound in the melodies that seems familiar with Wytch Hazel. Now, having that said, “The Boys Are Back in Town” has party-rock lyrics, and Wytch Hazel is not like that. Wytch Hazel features lyrics about spirituality and personal struggles within the soul and mind. Alright, well, that’s pretty much it, those four songs that you may have heard on the radio provide a broad idea of what to expect. Personally, I think this Wytch Hazel album is really good and I have enjoyed it a lot.
V: Lamentations
by Wytch Hazel
https://www.facebook.com/wytchhazel
ESCHATON
Techtalitarian
Transcending Obscurity Records
30 May 2025
It looks like Metal Archives shows at least seven bands with this same name, but this is the technical death metal band from Naugatuck, Connecticut, and Lowell, Massachusetts, in the United States. They began in 2006 and have released an EP and two full-length albums before this new 2025 album. The founder is Josh Berry, and for this album, the line-up is: "Christian Münzner, formerly of Obscura and Necrophagist, accompanying the band founder Josh Berry on guitars. For the vocals, they have enlisted the services of Mac Smith of Apogean and Abyssalis, and for the bass, they have brought on Scott Bradley from Inanimate Existence, while Darren Cesca of Pillory and formerly of Deeds of Flesh and Arsis continues to hold down the fort on drums." This new album features ten songs in 45 minutes. The vocals showcase lower and higher growls, switching between death metal, brutal death metal, and black metal styles, so it's not monotonous growling. The drumming is a clinic in dexterity and frenzy-paced technicality, and together with the bass guitar, it provides a robust rhythm section. The guitar playing is insanely fast and shredding. In other words, this is technical death metal just like the doctor ordered.
I like this type of unhinged but skilled technical speed. Just because I am not able to write an essay on this type of blasting speeds and technicality, that doesn’t mean that it is not fun. There’s tons of shredding, which is something that I also like. The sheer speeds and agility are fun all by themselves. If you would like a comparison, it’s a bit similar to some jazz and classical music, or even instrumental shred metal music, in the sense that musical ability does matter a lot. In order to execute at this level the musician has to have the ability to do crazy things with the instruments. This new album is totally my cup of tea. You know, when it comes to technical death metal, this is exactly the kind of stuff that really feels like an adventure in metal music, but in a good way because this is not experimental-weirdo metal. You would think that Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen or Dave Mustaine would at least nod their heads in approval of the instrumental skills of this band. It's a good blend of intricate playing and sheer skill that just hits all the right notes (so to speak, because I know nothing about music theory). I find it satisfying to hear a band execute this style with such precision and intensity. This type of technicality is also fun to watch live because it makes you wonder how they are able to play these songs in the live setting. Anyway, fans of fast, crazy speeds in metal music, this album is for you.
https://www.facebook.com/eschatonmetal
Texas melodic metal band Millennial Reign recently issued a cover of the Petra classic song "I Am on the Rock." The original song appeared on Petra's 1990 critically acclaimed album "Beyond Belief." Metal Archives shows that Millennial Reign began in 2010. Their first album, self-titled, is from 2012. Their second album is Carry the Fire from 2015. The Great Divide is their album from 2018. Then, in 2021, they issued the EP Carry the Fire Again, which featured their current singer, Tiffany Galchutt. It looks like they had three previous singers before Tiffany Galchutt. Their most recent album is World on Fire from 2024, and that is the one that I am most familiar with. In my opinion, it is a good combination of classic rock and melodic metal, but probably closer to the sound of heavy/power metal than anything else. I have enjoyed the album, but I do not know their previous albums very well.
Anyway, check out their cover of the classic Petra song!
The earth is shakin'
It's like a bad dream
This world is crumblin'
Comin' apart at the seam but
I am on the Rock
Everywhere I'm turning it's only bad news
This bomb is tickin' and we're getting to the end of the fuse but
I am on the Rock
(Chorus)
I am on the Rock, the sure foundation
I am on the Rock, His revelation
Though the winds may blow
And though the floods may grow
I shall not be moved, 'cause I am on the Rock
The storm's approaching, I'm standing high and dry
Firmly planted on the Rock that is higher than I
I am on the Rock
Kingdoms failing, they fall around me
Plans eroded, and washing away to the sea
There is no Rock in this world but our God
Millennial Reign - I Am on the Rock (Petra Cover) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Petra: I Am On the Rock
https://www.facebook.com/millennialreign
Byzantine
Harbingers
Metal Blade Records
13 June 2025
This album convinced me! I was not expecting anything in particular, actually. The truth is that I do not know this band's music and I had never heard their albums. Therefore, I did not really expect-want a certain sound from them. It was like a surprise, "Let's see what this is all about." Plus, I didn't even know if their name, a word for the Eastern Roman Empire, would have anything to do with the music. After having listened to the album, I think their name is simply a band name, not a statement of lyrical focus. I did not have access to the lyrics for album.
It would be fake to write pretending that I know the band's music, discography or history, so let's get to the facts of what actually happened when listening to this album. Man, it sounded very American, very American metal! I would say it is a bit of concoction of 33% Southern/Louisiana/Texas metal grooves, 33% thrash-adjacent, and 33% late 90s heaviness-emotional vibes/metalcore foundations.
The genre doesn't matter, though. The songs only took a few listens before I felt like I understood the general sound of the band. Some of the songs do, in fact, sound like a contemporary (not retro, not 80s) thrash: chunky, hard-driving, marching-forward riffing, headbanging rhythms, with some aggro-metal screaming and some melodic singing. At other times, the groove metal feeling channels the ready-for-a-war-of-words attitude of in-your-face level of confidence-attitude with the band throwing down as hard as they can and throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the listener, and it works.
This review is actually not very good at communicating how listenable and enjoyable the songs are. Fans of American post-1990 metal will find a lot of those sounds coming together but done by grown men: groove metal and metalcore done with a lot more knowledge from when the band began back in the year 2000.
https://www.facebook.com/Byzantinewv
Byonoisegenerator
Subnormal Dives
Transcending Obscurity Records
13 June 2025
It's finally time for people to check out this puppy in its entirety! This band is such a roller coaster of frenzied, ultra-fast extreme music joined with—of all things, believe it or not—jazz. Yes, jazz. What a way to throw a monkey wrench into everyone's notions about music, confuse everyone, and give them all a good time while doing it! OK, first of all, don't approach this music unless you have a sense of adventure. Actually, this band might function as a test to find out just how uptight or self-righteous a person is! It is such a noisy, noisy album—like a crazy cacophony. It can go warp-speed fast, then break down into some chugging, and then it might be almost silent, with only the saxophone heard. For a split second, it sounds like elevator music—and then the next second, it sounds like a bear is barreling down the road, coming to say more than just hello. The vocals are an exquisite collection of screams, yells, growls, and other similar sounds. Grind and jazz have joined together in an alliance. Man, I can't wait to play this album at our next senior citizens' bingo game on Thursday night!
Subnormal Dives
by BYONOISEGENERATOR
https://www.facebook.com/byonoisegenerator
Petra
The Best for Last
May 16, 2025
Girder Music
1.Destiny
2.Right Place
3.Dance
4.Just Reach Out
5.Creed
6.Whole World
7.Jekyll & Hyde
8.Beyond Belief
9.Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
10.Somebody’s Gonna Praise His Name
11.He Came, He Saw, He Conquered
12.All Fired Up
I am very late on this one. This release came out back in May. The label, Girder Music, put out something of a collector's item to celebrate 50 years of Petra's music. It's a greatest hits–type package, put together after the band's shows that were done in honor of their 50th anniversary. These are the songs the band played in concert, and the label says that, “Each release includes a printed, autographed setlist inside the booklet, with songs written in (singer) John Schlitt's own handwriting—complete with a song scribbled out.” Apparently, with the use of technology, AI, and all those things, some people asked if the setlist was really written by hand, and the label has had to confirm again that it is handwritten, not computer-generated. Like I say, this is a collector's item. It’s not new music, but longtime fans and collectors might be interested. Well, by now, the label has probably run out of copies, but they can always make more if people demand it.
This release can also be a good introduction for audiences not familiar with this band. Petra is one of the most important names of all time in Christian rock, formed in 1972, with a debut album in 1974 that kicked off a long career and discography. They have gone through many personnel and style changes—from '70s rock, to 1980s classic rock and heavy metal, to '90s-style rock, and back again to rock and metal in various forms. Looking over the collection of songs, and taking into account their musical range, it seems that classic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal have won out in terms of popularity with the fans, for the most part.
Recommendation 1: From a contemporary perspective of metal music, 2003's Jekyll and Hyde is the heaviest, with the guitar tone being their chunkiest and most contemporary. Of course, the music and the singing itself are very good. The album is something like American commercial, radio-friendly post-2000s metal music. They also have a Spanish-language version of the album (from time to time the band has released some albums in Spanish). Both versions are very enjoyable.
Recommendation 2: If you like the sound of the '80s, 1988's On Fire! and 1990's Beyond Belief are prime-time classic Petra. Petra fans consider both albums very good. On Fire! features a wonderful '80s arena rock/heavy metal classic energy, while Beyond Belief sounds like a hit-after-hit album, just full of great songs.
Recommendation 3: 1982's More Power to Ya is more like straight classic rock; it's a lot of fun, and so is the follow-up, 1983's Not of This World. Both albums are very good, showing Petra in the '80s incorporating more of a contemporary rock sound. These albums do not have Petra getting as heavy as they would later become in the '80s, but they are very good at classic rock and arena rock—though not yet diving into a real, clear heavy metal sound.
Recommendation 4: On Amazon Music, there is a collection called Power Praise. It sounds like reworked songs in a kind of praise rock style, like a very melodic and upbeat church choir/arena rock blend. It is as catchy as catchy can be, in addition to feeling like a greatest hits medley or reworking of some of Petra's best songs. It’s an awesome collection. Another very enjoyable album is Classic Petra Live, which is both a live album and a live concert video. The sound quality and song selection are great.
Recommendation 5: One of the most curious albums by Petra is called Beat the System (1984). In the '80s, Petra was heading in the direction of arena rock, and then they took a break from hard rock and made—get this!—a techno rock album. It sounds like '80s electronic pop music powered up with hard rock guitars. It's different, for sure! This is not where new fans should start, but for fans who love everything '80s, this album should be a fun and unique experience. At the time the album came out, it must have confused fans quite a bit because fans would have been expecting more arena rock. Then, after this album, the band seemed to have gotten that experiment out of their system and went back to making arena rock and metal-friendly music. Maybe don’t start your Petra journey with Beat the System, but the album is incredibly different, upbeat, and fun—like what you imagine the '80s were like. This album sounds like that, in the form of "electronic pop arena rock," or something close to it.
Anyway, getting back to this particular collection right here called The Best for Last, from this collection I recommend the following two songs for new fans to start.
1. "All Fired Up" from 1988's On Fire!
and 2.
"Creed" from 1990's Beyond Belief. This is possibly the clearest, fullest statement of what Petra is all about.
I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only son, I believe in the virgin birth.
I believe in the Man of Sorrows, bruised for iniquities.
I believe in the lamb who was crucified, and hung between two thieves.
I believe in the resurrection, on the third and glorious day
I believe in the empty tomb, and the stone that the angel rolled away
He descended and set the captives free
And now He sits at God's right hand and prepares a place for me
This is my creed
The witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted it will last
And I will hold steadfast
To this creed
I believe He sent His spirit, to comfort and to reveal
To lead us into truth and light, to baptize and to seal
I believe He will come back, the way He went away and..
Receive us all unto Himself but no man know that day
This is my creed
The witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted it will last
And I will hold steadfast
To this creed
I believe He is the judge, of all things small and great
The resurrected souls of men, receive from Him their fate
Some to death and some to life, some to their reward
Some to sing eternal praise, forever to the Lord
And through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted it will last
And I will hold steadfast
To this creed
https://girdermusic.com/products/petra-the-best-for-last-cd?srsltid=AfmBOorGbgAzY-YnKjKnKgjea8LRrY6XVHSXPbVbZxqoTHV5QF6dCAj2https://petrareunion.com/products/petra-the-best-for-last-cd
Dreams of Gray
A Beginning
5 September 2025
1.A Beginning 4:49
2.Beyond the Sky 4:25
3.Across the Endless Sea 4:27
Headbanging metal music, namely, melodic death metal, comprises an important element in the forging of Dreams of Gray's energy and
heaviness, which often launches into bouts of speed, and sometimes blasting speeds. The fundamentals of the classics of metal music are at work: effective riffs, focused songwriting and a general a sense of efficiency. That's the vigor in this music. For example, the three songs all work within the four-to-five-minute mark, and they stay on point. There are no self-indulgent tangents. These are songs, not exercises in showmanship or experimentation. It's difficult to argue against the focused songwriting found on this EP.
I already told you that headbanging metal music is front and center with Dreams of Gray, but there is an additional component. The mood, at times, is rather somber and consists of reflections on mortality and the recurring theme of solitude, expressed in melodies loaded with longing, either looking back into the past or with eyes set on a horizon yet to be manifested but anticipated. Whereas one would expect a soft or even a frail type of feeling, the actual result abounds in energy, given that thrash and death metal, are the main pillar of Dreams of Gray. The intense, heavy vocals of death metal are essential here, but there are various tones even within these hard vocals, from the lower end to the more extended screams. By way of contrast, the melodic vocals range from a controlled or restrained voice to a melodic midrange male singing tone, and to even more melodic vocal passages. (FYI, right now, only one song is available for listening, and it's on the third song on here that you will hear some other different vocal touches, steps that are expanding the vocal repertoire of Dreams of Gray.)
In short, Dreams of Gray aims to give the audience a more complete aesthetics and a well-rounded listening experience. It's not about aggression nor depression, but rather about inner strength in the face of the constant struggles of life, paired to the energy of metal music. You will find that the vocals are surprisingly comprehensible. I don't have the lyrics, but I didn't find it a problem to figure out the words. The lyrics bring forth not pessimism but rather resilience, and the music gives the listener a vigor that is somber and sublime.
Below you will find the first song of this new EP and also the entire 2023 debut EP. The 2023 EP is certainly a good introduction to Dreams of Gray.
A Beginning
by Dreams of Gray
The World After
by Dreams of Gray
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090219272895
Our friends in Florida notwithstanding, how many alligator-on-the-cover albums do you have on rotation this week? If your answer is "none," "not enough!," "I want more!," or “You can do it, waterboy!”, then let's rectify that personal shortcoming of yours. I don’t know about you, but I don't have a particularly good memory, and I just don't remember too many albums with an alligator on the cover, except for a long-forgotten German band whose animal-themed albums I still like: a couple of their CDs do, in fact, have an alligator on the cover. Fast forward decades into the present, to a band named A-Z, featuring a singer and drummer that some fans may recognize, namely, Ray Alder from long-running melodic prog band Fates Warning and former Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder.
Their band name is not too cool. The name of the album is puzzling (a pseudochemistry expression?). The artwork is such a bad idea. They should have run these ideas by their wives to fix the problem. I can hear the sensible and reasonable wives saying, “No, honey, don't put an alligator on the cover of the album! Babe, nobody wants to see that, seriously. Instead, use a band picture or something positive or cool. Anything would be better than a dumb ole alligator on the cover. Who are you trying to attract? Only people in Florida?”
No matter. One listen makes it abundantly clear that they in the worst way want you singing along. This is melodic contemporary ear-friendly songwriting done by seasoned experts at their profession. Expect midtempo and melodic classic rock/heavy metal aimed at hooking you in as fast as possible. This won't make people mosh, but it will make fans smile and maybe help make the work commute easier to tolerate. You've got it: good singing, intelligible riffs, expert solos, fun rhythm section and songs to remember.
In addition to Alder and Zonder, on guitars the band includes Nick Van Dyk from Redemption, which from 2005 to 2017 had this same singer Ray Alder on vocals for five studio albums. On lead guitars they have Simone Mularoni (Redemption [live], ex-Lione/Conti, ex-Empyrios, ex-Lalu, ex-Sunstorm, ex-Sweet Oblivion, ex-Frontiers All Stars). On bass they feature Philip Bynoe (Warlord [2013-2021, 2023-present], who has worked with legendary guitarist Steve Vai. In addition, Philip has worked with Ring of Fire and other groups in other genres that are not metal. Lastly, on keyboards they have Jimmy Waldo, who has a long career in music, including Alcatrazz (1983-1987, 2016-2017, 2019-present) and Warlord (2023-present). In the past Jimmy worked with Blackthorne, New England, Murderer's Row, Spirit Nation, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Warrior, and Waterbone. It’s a collection of very experienced musicians making music that is accessible and melodic. It’s meant to be different from their other prog bands. It’s classic rock meets melodic metal that general audiences can understand.
https://www.facebook.com/AthruZBand
Ahamkara
The Harrow of the Lost
Bindrune Recordings
25 April 2025
I messed up. Again. I should have told you about this melodic black metal band way earlier. Ahamkara (U.K.) released an album in 2014, but to be honest, I don’t know if I actually heard it, I don’t remember listening to it. Now, in 2025, they’ve released a new album, and this one I’ve heard tons of times. I’m not really sure why I had some difficulty grasping the music at first. Maybe listening to it in the car wasn’t the best way to experience it. Personally, I find that black metal usually doesn’t sound great in a car. I’m not a car audio expert or technician—I’m sure there’s a way to adjust a sound system to suit black metal, but I don’t have the technical skills for that. Anyway, I’ve found that the album sounds best through headphones.
Setting aside my tardiness and general incompetence, let’s get to the heart of the matter. The band is often labeled “atmospheric black metal,” and that’s fine. I’m not going to argue with it, but this isn’t “forest,” “synth” or meandering black metal. There’s a lot of speed and energy here. The slower parts are also quite melodic, and honestly, that’s what I like about it: it still sounds very much like black metal. Ahamkara presents a lively, melodic style that really works for fans of the genre. The combination of fast-paced rhythms and intricate melodies creates an enjoyable listening experience. What stands out most to me is how each song layers melodies over the riffs. It’s not just nonstop rhythm guitar, which can be fun but loses my interest quickly.
The album is made up of four tracks, totaling around 43 minutes. The “atmospheric” parts are done with guitars, no ambient filler, no political themes, and it's not mellow, post-metal vibes. It’s fast, melodic black metal with slower moments that are well-executed, not distractions. As for the lyrics: they focus on the sorrow of loss and are clearly written from a mature, thoughtful perspective by adults who’ve experienced the death of a loved one. For example: “Beyond the veil there is fear, an immeasurable gulf that gnaws incessantly, on the febrile ragged edges of my grief, torn intolerably open to the foulness of the world.” The lyrics are a bit difficult to understand at first reading, and that's on purpose. It's direct, in-your-face yelling about clichéd topics.
The Harrow Of The Lost
by Ahamkara
https://www.facebook.com/theembersofthestars
https://theembersofthestars.bandcamp.com/album/the-harrow-of-the-lost
Shores of Null
Beauty Over Europe
Sulphur Music / Masked Dead Records
9 May 2025
Italian melancholic dark metal band Shores of Null released their first-ever live album, Beauty Over Europe, in May 2025. The record marks a significant milestone in the band’s journey, capturing the intensity, atmosphere, and emotional depth of their acclaimed live performances. Featuring 10 carefully selected tracks, the album was recorded during their long 2023 European tour in support of their critically praised studio album, The Loss of Beauty.
The 2023 tour saw Shores of Null sharing the stage with fellow masters of doom and melancholy—Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium—on a run that spanned 35 shows across 18 countries. From Norway and Denmark to packed venues in Germany, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary, the band delivered powerful performances night after night. These shows not only introduced their haunting blend of melodic doom, post-metal, and blackened atmospheres to new audiences but also reaffirmed their place in the upper echelon of the European dark metal scene.
Beauty Over Europe offers a vivid snapshot of that unforgettable tour. The album highlights the band’s ability to translate the somber beauty of their studio recordings into a gripping live experience. Tracks are filled with sorrowful melodies, heavy riffs, and frontman Davide Straccione’s signature deep, emotive vocals, resonating with themes of loss, solitude, and introspection.
Guitarist Gabriele Giaccari comments:
“This tour was an incredible journey, the longest in our career, and a true milestone for Shores Of Null. As the promotional tour for The Loss Of Beauty, our latest and most acclaimed album to date, it was an honor to bring these songs to life across 35 shows in 18 countries. Sharing the stage with monumental bands like Swallow The Sun and Draconian—huge inspirations for our music—was unforgettable. Despite the melancholy of their sound, they’re some of the most fun and genuine people we’ve met, and by the end of this epic journey, we were proud to call them friends.
We owe special thanks to our incredible crew—Petri, Matti, Mikko, and Tero—who ensured everything ran seamlessly and made this experience unforgettable. To pay homage to this extraordinary chapter, we decided to produce a live album. Recorded during key moments of the tour, it captures the essence of these unforgettable performances and is dedicated to all the people who supported us live and shared these magical moments with us.”
Below you’ll find the full album along with a selection of live videos. If you’re a fan of doom metal but haven’t yet discovered Shores of Null, now is a good time give the band a chance and see if it lives up to the acclaim for you!
Beauty Over Europe
by Shores Of Null
Shores Of Null - The Last Flower (Live in Aschaffenburg)
Shores Of Null - Quiescent (LIVE) - "Beauty Over Europe"
Shores Of Null - A Nature in Disguise (LIVE) - "Beauty Over Europe"
https://www.facebook.com/shoresofnull
Encelado
Pillars of Creation
Regenerate Records
29 April 2025
Houston, we have no problem. When the vastness of space informs the lyrics of your wrist-breaking, arthritis-tendonitis technical death metal, then we get a particular soundtrack to the journey to the stars. Star Wars! Star Trek! Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! They all need this music. In point of fact, I have to get on this case, as they say in Japanese, trés muito prontíssimo, and make some phone calls to a couple of high-ranking officials at NASA.
NASA needs this music! Make this music the soundtrack to space exploration voyages. In addition, Elon Musk and I have discussed this music for the upcoming voyages to colonize Mars. All in all, Elon Musk agrees that space travel and technical death metal make for a fruitful partnership. After all, with lyrics expressing the anxiety of adaptability to the rigors of life for the fragile-body humans in the face of planets, stars, constellations and galaxies, how can you not: "In the vast expanse of cosmos, where darkness engulfs light, we drown in the darkness of our souls, a symphony of chaos and control." Neat, right?!
Therefore, here's a nifty EP of technical death metal to get the blood pumping. Is this catchy? No. is this melodic? No. Will you be able to hum the songs? No. Well, hey, it's music that sounds like warp-speed acrobatics with instruments and low, gruff inscrutable growling. The fun is in the intensity-speed of the cluster. After a few listens it begins to make more sense, and it begins to sound more coherent. Then, the flashes of melody, the gleams of memorability began to fit together like a puzzle. Frankly, only the musician themselves remember the songs very well because they are the one who built the songs from scratch, from smaller ideas, a riff here and there. The rest of us? We are just here for the dizzy heights of the ride to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, in collaboration with Reigning Phoenix Music, today unleashed a series of epic announcements for Cold Slither, a newly reimagined heavy metal band based on the infamous fictional group from the iconic 1985 animated series G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero.
"This isn't just an album – it's a sonic strike straight from Cobra Command!” said Cold Slither. “We're back, louder, heavier and deadlier than ever. We can’t wait for G.I. JOE fans and metalheads to experience the raw power of our music, culminating in our live debut at San Diego Comic-Con. Prepare your ears for total domination... Let’s Rock and Cobra Roll!”
Following the success of “Cold Slither” and “Knock Em Dread,” the band’s explosive new single, “Thunder Machine,” is now streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. The hard-hitting track, inspired by the Dreadnoks' brutal battle rig, delivers cinematic riffs and raw energy — an explosive anthem forged from chaos, rebellion and heavy metal fury.
The identities of the band members have now been revealed as:
Zartan: Gus Rios, vocals/guitars (GRUESOME, UNION BLACK, LEFT TO DIE)
Ripper: Matt Harvey, guitars (EXHUMED, GRUESOME, LEFT TO DIE)
Torch: Ross Sewage, bass (EXHUMED, IMPALED)
Buzzer: Andy Selway, drums (KMFDM)
COLD SLITHER – Thunder Machine | Official Lyric Video | Cobra Road Rage Reborn | G.I. Joe
Swedish 2025 Grammi winners OPETH are pleased to unveil a full-on band performance video for "§1." The track is taken from their current success album The Last Will And Testament (released on November 22, 2024 through Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music), which was highly praised by press and fans alike and saw frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt return to growling vocal territory for the first time in 16 years. Their new material has additionally been warmly welcomed during their ongoing world tour, which is why the video arrives right in time as their touring cycle commences at the legendary Sweden Rock Festival today.
Åkerfeldt states: “So here’s a video (of sorts) for your ‘enjoyment.’ We had requests left, right & centre to do one of them measly ‘lyric videos’ or ‘visualizers’ for ‘content.’ Now, right there are three words I despise! I’ve made it clear in our circle of trust that we shouldn’t use the word ‘content’ even if that’s exactly what we’re working on. We’re not some goddamn influencers, now are we? So can we please settle on the old-fashioned word ‘video’ without meddling with modern online lingo? And a video is what it really is. A performance video, no less. We figured it’s a bit more happening to look at (should you decide to do so) than a lyric video. ‘§1’ is the opener on “The Last Will And Testament.” A good song. I like it! The video looks good. As good as it can look when involving 5 middle-aged, slightly hungover geezers miming along to something. We shot it in some industrial area in Birmingham (UK) on the latest Euro tour. Everyone (well, the band and crew) were quite eager to get out of there as we had dinner planned at a fancy curry house locally. Much thanks to Ash Pears and ASH TV, who were really professional (ie: quick!) and made the whole experience rather easy on us. Hope you dig it, people!”
Holler
Next in Line
Scarlet Records
23 May 2025
There’s a unique appeal to the band Holler, named after frontman Terence Holler (whose name is Mario Tarantola), formerly the vocalist for the Italian prog metal band Eldritch, with whom he performed for over 30 years and recorded 12 studio albums. Despite his legacy, both Holler and their record label make sure to underline that this new project is not prog metal. Holler marks a clear departure from Eldritch’s sound. The debut album, Reborn, released in 2024, seems designed specifically to establish this difference. Rather than continuing in the vein of prog or modern metal, Holler delivers American-style, radio-friendly, arena rock with a strong melodic hook. The only real link to the past is Terence Holler’s unmistakable voice.
Holler has more in common with classic rock than with anything happening in today’s metal scene. The music includes piano, a mix of slower and midtempo tracks, and strong vocal melodies that truly take center stage. It’s the kind of music made for singing along. In a more logical world, this album would be playing on American classic rock radio, slotted somewhere in between bands like Boston, Night Ranger, The Cars, Sammy Hagar, and Heart.
Admittedly, I didn’t connect with Holler’s debut right away, and I had a similar reaction to their second album at first. Nevertheless, I kept returning to it, mostly out of curiosity about what Terence Holler was doing after so many years with Eldritch. Over time, something clicked. It’s been a strange journey getting to that point, especially since I’ve never been the biggest fan of classic rock, but I’ve come to genuinely enjoy what Holler is doing. It’s catchy and melodic, drawing heavily from the styles of the 1970s and 1980s. To me, the new 2025 album—Holler’s second—is more accessible than their debut. One noticeable shift is the increased presence of guitars. It seems clear that Holler recognized the need to bring the guitars more to the forefront, and they’ve done just that on this record. Make no mistake, this isn’t prog metal! What Holler delivers here is a blend of classic rock and hard rock, with touches of traditional heavy metal. One standout example of heavy metal is the track “Crystal Eyes”, which leans into old-school heavy metal. That said, most of the album isn’t as heavy or fast as “Crystal Eyes.” The overall tone stays rooted in classic rock, with a balance of melody that defines Holler’s evolving sound.
Here's some fun trivia: The album also features a rock cover of pop star Sia’s hit “Chandelier”! Confession: I did not know that it is a cover when I first heard it. I just thought that it is another song on the album. Well, it is a surprisingly fitting song that brings forward Holler’s ability to reinterpret modern pop through their classic rock sound.
What a fun album! Fans of catchy, positive songwriting and of melodic, upbeat songs in general should find here lots to listen to a couple of times, and then after those couple of times, it’s very likely that the listener will notice that the entire work is worth delving deeper into to see what it is really all about. After a brief mellow and ethereal introduction of some two and half minutes, they begin with a pretty heavy number, and we’re off to the races!
On their three previous albums these Italians were categorized as something like “neosymphonic power metal,” but I have to tell you, this band on their fourth album rocks out. Moonlight Haze sounds energized. It's a good new direction. It's still melodic and catchy, and still elegant, but this is not keyboard-dominant mellow music with super high operatic vocals. While the ballad “L'eco del silenzio” features operatic singing and the Italian language, it is not the total direction of the album. Believe you me, they could do operatic vocals on all the songs, considering that their singer Chiara Tricarico has the ability to sing that way, but Moonlight Haze has chosen rock!
It's heavier, more uptempo, with the drums and guitars taking on a more pronounced presence. I'm happy with the new sound. It assimilates the various phases of their music, and adds a bouncing, rocking feel to it. It works! Now that they are on their fourth album, Moonlight Haze has become more visible on the European scene, and deservingly so. For example, the singer Chiara Tricarico has been singing live with Avantasia, which means that the melodic metal big boss Tobias Sammet, one of the most important figures in power metal, has been paying attention. Really, though, I feel like this band will be achieving a whole lot more success in the future. Fans of melodic metal may want to get on this bandwagon now. It’s not too late, and I’m sure the band is now accepting new applicants, so inquire within.
Beyond
by Moonlight Haze
https://www.facebook.com/moonlighthazemetalband
MOONLIGHT HAZE - Chase The Light (Official Video)
MOONLIGHT HAZE - Awakening (Official Video)
CELESTIAL WIZARD
Regenesis
Scarlet Records
11 July 2025
CELESTIAL WIZARD - Wicked Master (Official Video)
CELESTIAL WIZARD - Pale Horse (Official Video)
Regenesis
by Celestial Wizard
