REVIEWS MAY 2026
«April | Index | June»RESTLESS SPIRIT: Restless Spirit
Magnetic Eye Records on May 8 - AlbumRESTLESS SPIRIT consist of a trio of friends from Long Island, New York. Their musical roots are in the steel mills of Birmingham and the English working class, but these friends translates it into an American sonic slang with elements from desert and stoner metal and even a occasional progressive flourish.
This is their 4th album, and what we get is something that sounds both classic and modern at the same time. Their influences from BLACK SABBATH can definitely be heard, an so can the American desert rock and stoner metal. And this combination really works here, because it sounds really good.
This is a band that you should check out.
facebook.com/restlessspiritny | instagram.com/magneticeyerecords
KONQUEST: Dark Waters
No Remorse Records - CD, LPAs the press release didn't really give that much information about this band, I don't know anything about them. So let's just focus on the music that they play instead, which is good old heavy metal in the late 70s/early 80s tradition. And now that you know that, it's actually not so much else to talk about, as they are doing a great job here, and you should know what it sounds like.
So what you get here is 8 really good songs, and it sounds like they know what they are doing, because it's very professional. Every fan of classic heavy metal should check this out.
noremorse.gr | instagram.com/_konquest_
IGNESCENT: Eternal
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - LP, CD, DigitalIGNESCENT is a band from Chicago, formed in 2018, who play something that I would describe as modern pop metal. And that could be horrible of course. But somehow this is not so bad. They might not be a new favorite band, but I can at least listen to a few songs with them without a nervous breakdown. The whole album at once is a little too much for me though.
They compare this band with acts like FLYLEAF, EVANESCENCE, JINJER, and SKILLET, if that says something to you? Emotional vocals, driving riffs and soaring melodies are the main ingredients here anyway.
/ffm.bio/eternal_album | facebook.com/ignescentmusic | frontiers.it
MÄRVEL: Secrets
Leather Lake - Digital Single
After the release of their 10th studio album, "Brain Drain Diaries", in December last year, the Swedish melodic energy rockers MÄRVEL are back with a new single. This track is built on a steady drive, sharp guitars, and a melodic nerve. It's the kind of stuff that this band is so good at. It's direct and emotional at the same time, and just fantastic. This band never seems to dissapoint, and I like that kind of bands.
This track will be included on a expanded edition of "Brain Drain Diaries", which they plan to release this spring. And there will be more interesting recordings on that edition of the album, they say.
marvel.ffm.to/secrets | marveltheband.com
The REAL McKENZIES: Black Agnes
Stomp Records - Digital SingleHere's another single with Vancouver's Celtic punk rock veterans The REAL McKENZIES, and it's the second taste of their upcoming album, "On Yer Bike", which arrives on May 29.
This track leans more to their classic Fat-era sound - fast, melodic pop punk with blazing bagpipes and a massive shout-along hook. Yes, this is more like melodic punk rock than the Celtic punk that they use to play. But it's a damn good song anyway, so don't worry. You check this out.
orcd.co/blackagnes | realmckenzies.com
LETHAL LIMITS: Elevate
Lethal Limits - MCD, Digital EPLETHAL LIMITS is the solo project of Jeff Corso, a Bay Area punk lifer with deep East Bay roots. He's based in Oakland and blend sharp power pop hooks with 90s punk grit and melody. But the first times I heard this, I thought it sounded more like indie rock or something alternative. Not really sure why, because it is punk rock, but maybe not with the best singer? Or maybe I should say that he has his limitations instead, because somehow it works anyway.
These 4 songs are not that bad, it just took a few listenings to hear that. The opening track, "Phenomenon", is probably my favorite. But a track like "Love Bleed" is also very good. Give it a try.
composureoakland.bandcamp.com/album/elevate
FORSAKEN PROFITS: Knives
Forsaken Profits - Digital SingleThis song have unfortunately been waiting a little too long for a review, as it was released a month ago (April 3). But unfortunately too much other shit comes in the way sometimes.
Anyway, this is a taste of their upcoming album, "Road Rash". It's described as "a 2-minute back-alley brawl - no warning, no cleanup, no apologies". The music is a mix of skate punk and crossover thrash, and it actually works damn fine. It's a fast and energetic song, but at the same time catchy. You should give it a try.
linktr.ee/ForsakenProfits
REXORIA: Fallen Dimension
Black Lodge Records on May 8 - CD, LP, DigitalSwedish melodic metal band REXORIA has been active for 10 years now, and "Fallen Dimension" is their 4th studio album. They fuses power, melody and cinematic storytelling, and call it royal metal. It's a powerful album where they blend heavy, power, and symphonic elements with razor-sharp riffs and big choruses. These 11 tracks are delivered with so much strength and elegance that it could almost be a modern classic.
The album features 2 duets with Mike Andersson (TUNGSTEN) and Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell, HARDLINE).
orcd.co/blod194album | blacklodge.se | rexoria.com
The QUILL: Master Of The Skies
Metalville Records on May 8 - CD, LP
Swedish heavy hard rockers The QUILL have been around for a long time now. And this time they might actually be a little heavier and darker. But otherwise they are hardly here to reinvent their sound. They just do what they always have done, and they still do it very good.
That BLACK SABBATH are among their influences can really be heard here. But I can also hear a short thing that sounds like SLAYER in one of the songs. And that last piece, "Master Of The Skies (Reprise)", actually sounds like Swedish rock band The SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES.
Well, The QUILL has once again succeeded to create a really good album, so I have nothing to complain about. Fans of heavy hard rock from the 70s should really check this out, and even some fans of doom might like this too.
metalville-shop.com | thequill.se
MADVICE: L'Ottavo Giorno
Art Gates Records on May 8 - CDItalian extreme metallers MADVICE are said to deliver their darkest, fastest and heaviest material to date, and after listening to this I think I can agree. They combine melodic death metal and blackened thrash metal, and their sound draws from both the Scandinavian death metal tradition and the raw edge of American thrash metal. But there's also elements of Mediterranean elements that add a unique atmosphere.
It's a varied and interesting material that we get here. Sometimes it's really fast, sometimes heavy. The band was formed in 2016, so they are very good at what they are doing, which you absolutely can hear on this album.
artgatesrecords.com/artists/madvice
HYPOSTASIS: Birth Of A Mask
Hypostasis on May 8 - AlbumHYPOSTASIS is a progressive metal group from Athens, Greece. This is their debut album, which is also a concept album. And that's more or less all I know about them, as they didn't give me that much information (not even a link).
I can tell you more about their music though, which is dark and melodic. But there can also be heavier or atmospheric moments. And as usual when it's a progressive group, they seems to be very good musicians. This is really not bad for being a debut, but I guess that they might have experience from previous bands. A pretty good album anyway, so I guess it could be worth a try.
(No link)
GADGET: Coerced
De:Nihil Records on May 8 - 12" EP, Digital EPSwedish grindcore veterans GADGET are back with their first proper release since 2016. It's also the debut for the revitalized lineup featuring Emilia Henriksson on vocals and Kristofer Jankarls on guitar. These 7 tracks was written between 2019 and 2023, alongside a re-recording of the 2017 track "Funerary Rites", which had previously been released only digitally in 2020 and never received a physical release.
This might sound like a violent chaos, and it is fast and brutal, but they seems to have control anyway. 6 of these 8 tracks are from just 24 seconds to 1:26 minutes. The second last track is not really a song, but a way too long atmospheric thing that last for 5 and a half minutes (boring). And the last track is a heavy thing that last for 2 and a half minutes. I like those 6 first outbursts better than those 2 last tracks.
I might not always be such a big fan of grindcore, but once in a while there's a good band, and this is one of them. They blend their grind with hardcore/punk and death metal, and there's even elements of noise and doomy sludge here. If you like it really intense, then you should love this.
youtu.be/koWThN3imUo?si=JGpuxXHkI5tXCoik | denihilrecords.bigcartel.com | gadgetgrindcore.bandcamp.com
TYGERS OF PAN TANG: Electrifyed
Mighty Music on May 4 - Digital SingleNWOBHM legends TYGERS OF PAN TANG return with a new single, and that's good news, because they are a really good hard rock band. With this song they succeed to deliver something that sounds both classic and modern at the same time. It's razor-sharp and riff-driven with melodic and powerful vocals - Just the kind of anthem that you have been looking for all day long.
To be able to deliver something that is this good when you have been around for over 40 years, that's not bad at all. This seems to be the first taste of an upcoming album, which is more good news.
bfan.link/topt-elec | tygersofpantang.com | mightymusic.dk
A Roxx Records Salute To The 40th Anniversary Of To Hell With The Devil
Roxx Records - CDThis year it's 40 years since American hard rock/heavy metal band STRYPER released the album "To Hell With The Devil". And Roxx Records decided to celebrate it with a tribute album. All artists are on Roxx Records, except for SEVERED ANGEL who is on their NoLifeTilMetal Records label. This tribute cover every single track on the legendary album, even the intro, in chronological order from beginning to end, and end with a classic bonus track of "Soldiers Under Command".
Among the artists are REIGN OF GLORY, GERMAN PASCUAL, ALL FOR THE KING, WEAPONS OF GOD and MOTIVIK, just to mention some of them. Most of these artists are doing good versions, except for Seth Metoyer, who is doing some kind of rock mix of "All Of Me", which sounds more like a lame and modern pop/rock song - Total crap! But otherwise it was nice to hear these songs again, as I had not heard them in something like 40 years. Most of these songs are still very strong, but maybe a few too many of those slow ones.
This tribute compilation was personally curated by Bill of Roxx Records.
ccmusic.com/to-hell-with-the-devil-40th-anniversary-various-artists/....
BEYOND THE STYX: Divid
Innerstrength Records on May 8 - CD, LP, MC, DigitalThis is the 4th full-length album from this French metallic hardcore band, which formed in 2011. They have a dark and violent sound, which also includes elements of thrash and death metal.
Their new album is said to be their most aggressive, yet expressive, work to date. It's heavy and powerful with angry vocals, as well as lots of energy, just like it use to be when it comes to this genre. So they are not doing anything unique at all, but it sounds just as good as any other hardcore band, so there's no reason to complain. This is definitely worth checking out.
linktr.ee/beyondthestyx | innerstrengthrecords.com
ABUSER: Blood Marks
Xtreem Music on May 7 - CD, DigitalABUSER formed in Wrocław, Poland in 2018. They deliver a relentless, aggressive and blood thirsty kind of thrash metal, mainly in the raw old school way. They released a demo in 2019, and now they are getting ready to unleash their debut album, which is a adrenaline rush. This is something for those who are dedicated to the hardest and fastest kind of thrash.
This album is really strong and there's just good songs. You should really give these guys a try, because I'm very sure that you will like what you hear.
facebook.com/abuserthrash | xtreemmusic.com
Tarja feat. Dani Filth: I Don't Care
earMUSIC - Digital SingleThe second single from Tarja Turunen's upcoming album, "Frisson Noir" (release date June 12), is much more metal and less epic than the first single was. It's also much shorter than the over 10 minutes long "At Sea" was. She get some help with the vocals from Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH), which gives the song a beauty and the beast feeling as Tarja's soaring soprano collides with Dani's razor-sharp screams.
This is much better than the first single was, so I suggest that you check this out instead. And because of that I also get some hope that the new album won't be totally hopeless, as there will hopefully be more tracks like this.
youtu.be/4i9d4Rpjzp0
SPARAGMOS: Error (reissue)
Selfmadegod Records - CD, LPPolish death/thrash metallers SPARAGMOS released this album in 1994, but only on cassette for some reason. Now it has also been released on CD and LP for the first time.
This is of course a remastered version, which gives it a fresh, significantly clearer and more dynamic sound, while preserving the raw, organic spirit of the 90s. At the time, this was one of the boldest and most progressive records on the Polish (and beyond) extreme metal scene. We get technical precision, power-driven choruses, expansive melodies, and experimental song structures pushed far beyond the genre's standards of the era.
The drummer should have tuned the snare drum though, because it sounds like he borrowed grandma's cookie jar. Otherwise not much to complain about. It simply sounds very good and well done. So if you're tired of the same old death metal or thrash metal, then give this a try.
The band formed in 1989 in Warsaw. They were active until 2002, and released 3 albums and 2 demos during that time. "Error" was their second album.
facebook.com/OfficialSparagmos | selfmadegod.com
SCAMPI CHIPS DIP & CAMPARI: Monster
SODEH Records - Digital SingleThis time the Norwegian punk collective deliver a catchy and melodic punk rock anthem. It somehow have a dark atmosphere, and yet it will make you feel good - Succeed with that if you can! I don't know how many times they sing ":Monster", but it really works here. It's a great song anyway, just like their last single also was.
While "Let Go" (their last single) was an explosive punk song, "Monster" is more confrontational and more melodic. It's the second taste of their upcoming debut album, "Well, It Ain't Fast Food", which I really look forward to hear.
youtu.be/KOyXLPLIX_Q?si=EqN_VhK8_ZvjhFir | sodeh.ca | instagram.com/scampichipsdipandcampari
GENERAL CHAOS: The Idiots Have Taken Over
Stomp Records - Digital SingleGENERAL CHAOS is a punk trio from Montreal, and the members are just 16. They gives us a catchy punk rock anthem in the same league as RANCID and SOCIAL DISTORTION. It's direct, confrontational, and rooted in frustration with political dysfunction and unchecked power. I really like what I hear, and this sounds very promising for the future.
This is the second single from a upcoming EP, "Can't Please 'Em All".
The band formed in 2022, when they were just 12 years old. At the age of 15 they released their debut album, "Outta My Way".
orcd.co/theidiots | instagram.com/generalchaos.band
AXE & ASHES: Stand And Fight
Axe & Ashes - Digital SingleAXE & ASHES is a heavy metal project led by Andrey Smirnov (ex-U.D.O., Dirkschneider), and this is their second single.
"The new single delivers a powerful blend of driving riffs, soaring vocals, and anthemic choruses, combining the timeless spirit of classic 80s metal with a polished, contemporary production", they say. It's a very good song in the same tradition as ACCEPT and his former band U.D.O., so if you like that, then you should really give this a try.
I already look forward to hear some more from this band..
youtu.be/4QSNcj62UVA?si=5ICY6_TPC4dYDfsy | axenashes.com
BÖDEL: Dödsbringaren
DiSTAT Records - Digital Single
This is the title track from the Swedish band BÖDEL's debut album, which was released in January, and the third single from that album. A pretty long song for being crust punk with its 2:45 minutes, but not less good or less energetic because of that. You could say that it's heavy but explosive, and it kicks ass just like most of their other songs. So if you have not heard this band yet, and you happens to love classic d-beat hardcore/punk, then it's about time that you check them out now.
linktr.ee/bodelpunk
FURNACE: Refracted City Lights
Emanzipation Productions - Digital SingleSwedish melodic death metal band FURNACE was formed by Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER, RIBSPREADER etc etc etc) and bassist Peter Svensson (ASSASSIN'S BLADE, VOID MOON), and this is a taste from an upcoming album, titled "Echoes Of A Distant Future (Trojan Hearse Part II)".
Blending crushing riffs with haunting, atmospheric leads, this single captures the band's signature balance between melody and menace. It begins with a true heavy metal solo, and sounds dark and cinematic somehow. It's also a pretty heavy song, but when a solo comes again it goes faster, and then it's heavier again. A pretty o.k. song, but not much else.
emanzipation.dk | bfan.link/frnc-refract
BLACK SWAMP WATER: All The Difference
Mighty Music - Digital SingleThis Danish band's music could be described as modern heavy rock as they mix the heaviness of classic hard rock with a southern-tinged swagger. And the latest single is described as "a fast-paced but still emotionally charged track that leans deep into the band's introspective side lyric-wise, but exuberant, playful side sound-wise". To me it sounds like a energetic hard rock song in the 70s tradition, so I like it. This is something that you really should check out if you like good old hard rock or heavy rock.
bfan.link/bsw-allthe | mightymusic.dk
AVARICE: Underling
Mighty Music - Digital SingleAVERICE are said to deliver a crushing, groove-driven statement with this single. It's built on heavy, dragging riffs and a relentless sense of weight. We talk about heavy and powerful groove metal brutality here, where they also blend in elements of death and thrash metal, as well as hardcore and melodic death metal. Not bad at all, but a whole album with this might be a little too much for me. I guess that fans of a band like SEPULTURA or maybe even SOULFLY could like this.
This song is taken from their second album, "Perpetual Ruin", set for release in June. The band formed in 2006, and they are from Denmark.
bfan.link/avrc-under | mightymusic.dk «April | Index | June»
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