Notable metal albums from 2025 that are required listening I love seeing end of year lists and am always fascinated to see how different they are from person to person, molded by what they gravitate to and what resonates. I have definitely broadened the genres and bands I listen to, but I still bias toward […]
My Top Metal albums for 2025: Top 25 full lengths, Top 2 EPs, 16 more to check out Read More »
My 2024 metal album of the year. Absolutely stunning symphonic metal that cannot be confined! I have been anticipating the new release from Boston area symphonic metal band Seven Spires for quite some time. “A Fortress Called Home” dropped this past Friday, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, even after reviewing the first 2
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Speedy melodic symphonic power metal with progressive fabric! I love discovering new bands, particularly smaller bands that should be more known. Such is the case with Madison, Wisconsin, symphonic power metal band Queen of Dreams, who released their latest full length, “Subnivium,” back in January of this year. Melodic, powerful, heavy, technical, and with some
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Dungeons & Dragons themed epic melodic doom infused with power! Behölder just released a new single today (which also includes an amazing ode to a Savatage classic), and I realize I am WAY overdue reviewing their debut album released back in April of this year. Have you ever had the experience where you discover a
Behölder / In the Temple of the Tyrant – Album Review Read More »
Speedy historical symphonic power metal with thrash sensibility! I love well done symphonic power metal. There is just something about the over the top feel, the big melodies and earworm choruses, and the stereotypical concept album tapestry. Germany’s WarKings released their latest album, “Armageddon,” in July, and it absolutely fits the bill. The focus on historical events
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Power metal meets melodeath in the Wild West! I was first introduced to Celestial Wizard in 2024, seeing them perform at Mad with Power and Mile High Power Fests, causing me to check out their 2022 release “Winds of the Cosmos”. I enjoyed their blend of power metal and melodeath and was curious to see
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Ludicrous speed power metal marries melodeath in expert fashion! Imagine an alternate timeline where Dragonforce grew up in Gothenburg and decided to emphasize extreme vocals while still maintaining some cleans, particularly on the choruses, while reveling (and even amping up) the long drawn out guitar virtuoso solos, but then ultimately decided to move to Canada.
Crimson Shadows / Whispers of War – Album Review Read More »
Fun and inspiring symphonic power metal from Italy! Italian symphonic power metal band Moonlight Haze recently released their 4th album, “Beyond.” I have been following them for a bit but admittedly was only somewhat familiar with their earlier material, honestly moreso with Chiara Tricarico’s earlier work when she was with Temperance. I was excited to
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Wolven power metal with killer hooks and thrash sensibility! Lycanthropy: the supernatural transformation of a person into a wolf Lycanthro: An amalgam of lycantrophilia and various flavors of smoking hot metal that will tantalize your ears. Ottawa-based purveyors of wolven metal Lycanthro just released their sophomore album, “Remnants of Rapture,” and for this metalhead who
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Amazing progressive power metal with a Wild West theme! Let me start by saying I love Utah-based progressive power metal band Judicator, even more so after seeing them live for the first time last year at Mile High Power Fest (and sadly missing them at Epic Fest last month). John Yelland’s voice is incredible and
Judicator / Concord – Album Review Read More »
