Crystal Viper – The Silver Key (Listenable Records)
Red line continuity appears to be a requirement in the discography of Crystal Viper – as their new studio record The Silver Key illustrates. The lyrical themes draw from the cosmic horror output of...
SIBIIR – Undergang (Fysisk Format)
Hardcore combining with metal obviously isn’t a new idea, and can add up to an irresistible combination of heaviness and unfiltered angst. Many shoehorn those two together with diminishing returns, sadly, but it hits...
Kryptos – Full Speed Ahead
Photo: Vishal Dey
Traditional heavy metal has been a gateway aspect of this style that penetrates this scribe’s passion for the genre since adolescence. Artists like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Accept among others...
Construct of Lethe – A Kindness Dealt In Venom (Transcending Obscurity)
If Construct of Lethe represents anything, it’s blatant unconventionality. A quality to be admired, especially in the death metal scene these days. Their 2018 album Exiler is a monument to that principle; a monstrous...
Commander – Angstridden (MDD Records)
Seems like a second life occurs in the metal realm more often than you think. Once careers and family responsibilities settle in, usually as you get older that quest beckons for creative output where...
Bridear – Born Again (Psychomanteum Records)
One of Japan's long-standing metallic exports is that of Bridear, who have championed a balance between NWOBHM influences, Jpop, and modern metalcore into their musical assault since forming in 2011. While to some it...
Evergrey – Working Through the Silence
Photo: Patric Ullaeus
On the verge of celebrating thirty years together as a band, Evergrey appears very productive at this stage of their career. Theories of Emptiness is the group’s latest studio record – their...
LustQueen – LustQueen EP (StarRise)
Up and coming vocal talent Yuina quickly showcased her abilities within the anime scene in the role of Wien Margarete in the second season of Love Live Superstar!! (and has since become a member...
Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (The Artisan Era)
The cliché of claiming a band’s latest work is “the best thing they’ve ever done” has doubtlessly been an overused statement. Hell, yours truly has certainly been guilty of it, and it’s admittedly difficult...
Mana Diagram – Light of the Destiny (Self-Released)
Featuring two former members of Hagane (vocalist Uyu and guitarist Mayto), Mana Diagram formed last year and released their debut single "Glitter Wind" towards the end of that year. Light of the Destiny serves...
200 Stab Wounds – Slicing Through the Pack
Photo: Bailey Olinger
There’s a new generation of death metal bands garnering appeal on a younger audience bursting with energy to support musicians they can relate to. Ohio’s 200 Stab Wounds fit that mold –...
Adelon – Resurgence (Self-Released)
The parameters of progressive, technical death metal have been pushed to the limits since the evolution of acts like Gorguts and Nile into artists such as Beyond Creation or Obscura. Refinement of ideas into...
Sunburst – Manifesto (Inner Wound Recordings)
Almost a decade ago is when I first checked out Sunburst, a Greek power/progressive metal outfit that started in 2010. Everything about this band and their debut album Fragments of Creation hit me like...
PaleNeØ – ØCTAVE (Self-Released)
Formed in 2022, PaleNeØ is a Japanese modern metal act that has to date only released a number of shorter singles over the last two years. ØCTAVE marks the band's first EP release, and...
Withering Surface – A Scathing Exit Plan
Photo: Lena Angioni
If melodic death metal is one of your favorite genres in this scene, there’s been plenty of records as of late worthy of your attention. It’s almost as if musicians are aiming...