Within Silence – The Eclipse of Worlds (Ulterium Records)
The prolific popularity of power metal has spread beyond conventional support into all the nooks and cranny territories of the globe. Slovakia may not be on the tip of your tongue for heavy metal,...
The Gates of Slumber – Bottom of the Earth
Photo: Marshall Kreeb
Sometimes the passage of time allows older bands to resurrect new feelings of what they’ve accomplished in the scene. Take the case of Indiana-based doom metal outfit The Gates of Slumber. Formed...
Pestilent Hex – Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow (Debemur Morti Productions)
There are many factors that need to go right to execute a quality album. As we’ve seen many times over, an extremely high level of talent does not always equal a quality record. When...
Neckbreakker – Within the Viscera (Nuclear Blast)
Originating in 2020 and together for a few years under another name Nakkeknaekker, this Danish group smartly changed to a more English friendly (and discernible) Neckbreakker. They’ve made the rounds in the underground –...
Starchaser – Voyage for the Great Unknown
Photo: Soile Siirtola
We have plenty of readers on this site that appreciate a mix of classic heavy metal and melodic / power-oriented styles. With members from acts like Tad Morose, Wolf and M.ill.ion among...
Vana – Trial & Terror (Rebellion Records)
One of the latest examples of how the metal genre is creatively opening some borders, Vana is a New Zealand-based singer who has gained a notable following on social media platforms such as Twitch...
Mystery Blue – Night Demon (Massacre Records)
Another early entry in the European heavy metal brigade, French act Mystery Blue originally hit the scene in 1978 – releasing a series of demos and two albums during the 1980s before fading away...
The Spirit – Death’s Salvation
When it comes to serving up an organic blackened death metal style, there’s plenty to enjoy in the discography of German band The Spirit. You’ll hear elements of progressive rock sitting next to this...
HANABIE. – Bucchigiri Tokyo (Sony Music)
Rapidly gaining worldwide recognition after their second album, last year's Reborn Superstar, HANABIE. have been sprinkling in new singles since then among stops from the touring circuit, two of which have made their way...
Necronomicon Ex Mortis – The Mother of Death (Self-Released)
There’s something to be said for a frequent release schedule in the current here today, gone tomorrow music industry – especially if you have the talent, ambition, and ability to issue quality material. Such...