Vicious Blade – Relentless Force (Redefining Darkness Records)
Another Steel City act that aims to make its mark, Vicious Blade started in 2019 and has had members in their ranks past or present with ties to Eviction and Castrator among others. Releasing...
Jaded Heart – Intuition (Massacre Records)
Consistent in releasing product on a biennial basis since Common Destiny in 2012, Jaded Heart remains a steady presence for reliable melodic heavy metal / hard rock material. Michael Bormann elevated the early years...
The Black Dahlia Murder – Refreshed and Renewed
There's no way to discuss The Black Dahlia Murder at this point without some reference to former frontman Trevor Strnad and his passing in 2022. Many were not sure the band would go on,...
Neptune – End of Time (Pride & Joy Music)
Many musicians didn’t get just acclaim in previous eras due to lack of exposure or just the tough ceiling present to gain a record deal. Second chances come to them, thankfully due to modern...
Eclipse – Megalomanium II (Frontiers Music)
It's no secret that Eclipse is a great band. They write kickass tunes and Erik Mårtensson is a great singer. That's simply the facts as they're presented to these ears. I've been on the...
Charlotte Wessels – Exorcising Demons
Back in 2020, Charlotte Wessels began a rigorous release schedule of writing and releasing one song a month as a solo artist. She's since released two Tales from Six Feet Under releases as a...
Glacial Tomb – Lightless Expanse (Prosthetic Records)
Consisting of two members from Khemmis, Glacial Tomb showcases more of the extreme blackened/death side of things for guitarist / vocalist Ben Hutcherson and bassist David Small. Drummer Michael Salazar fills out the three-piece...
Eradicator – The Paradox (Metalville)
Already impressing this scribe through their previous release Influence Denied back in 2021, German thrash unit Eradicator celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band on this sixth studio album The Paradox. Choosing to stimulate...
Distant Dominion – Sonic Tsunami
Photo: Josh Mahesh Kost
Another pandemic upstart, Distant Dominion is a Philadelphia area unit that consists of players with plenty of seasoning across the extreme metal landscape in acts like Krieg, Mortal Decay, and Rumplestiltskin...
Satan – Songs in Crimson (Metal Blade Records)
Alive in keeping their adventurous brand of traditional heavy metal on course 44 years beyond their inception (with a 20 year ‘lunch break’ in some periods), Satan continually possess tunnel vision in where they...
Crimson Sun – Sorrowbreaker (Self-Released)
Often specific countries already set ears attuned to delightful anticipation mode due to the rich fertile landscape already available in other artists across the metal genre. Place Finland front and center in that category...
Eradicator – A Chaotic Paradox
Celebrating twenty years together as a band, German thrash act Eradicator unleashes their sixth studio platter for The Paradox. The quartet incorporates influences past and present to keep things fresh, as dynamics with melodies...
Mass Disorder – Hupokrisis (Self-Released)
Portugal five-piece Mass Disorder have been delivering their brand of thrash/death since 2013. Naturally working their way through some lineup changes over the years, they released a debut EP The Way To Our End...
Flotsam and Jetsam – I Am the Weapon (AFM Records)
Modern technology in capable hands equals outstanding final results. Especially when you look at the veteran artists in heavy metal who were under the gun of big budget studio time as labels, managers, and...
Powerwolf / Unleash the Archers – September 8, 2024 – The Masquerade, Atlanta
Photos by: Brittany Barkasi
Powerwolf's first full invasion of North American soil in early 2023 was an event more successful than the band ever imagined. Selling out shows left and right, we at Dead Rhetoric...