 Photo Credit: Jeff Tidwell Chaotic-Death Metal Outfit CRONOS COMPULSION Announce Debut Album Lawgiver, First Single Out Now Stream “Lawgiver” Here The Denver-based genre fusing metal quartet CRONOS COMPULSION is preparing to unveil their obliterating chaos in their forthcoming album Lawgiver. Known for their crushing riffs, frenzied rhythms, and a genre-defying blend of death-doom, chaotic metal, and noise-laced breakdowns, CRONOS COMPULSION is ready with a new line-up to enter their next chapter. The first single and title track “Lawgiver” is available now. Lawgiver, CRONOS COMPULSION’s debut album, has been several years in the making and features a revised track from 2021’s Cursed and Decaying EP, “Neolithic Meditations,” and eight other tracks of all-new material. “We’ve been playing these songs live for quite some time now so we’ve managed to distill this down into what we think is a solid first full-length”, says vocalist and guitarist Wil Wilson. The album, set for release on July 11th on digital, CD and LP via Avantgarde Music death metal division Unorthodox Emanations, is a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism as well as humanity’s basest instincts. CRONOS COMPULSION is: Wil Wilson – vocals, guitar, noise Raye Mokarry – guitar Addison Herron-Wheeler – bass, backing vocals Zach Johnson – drums Recorded and mixed by Austin Minney at All Aces Studios. Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. All photos by Jeff Tidwell. Artwork by Liam Day. About CRONOS COMPULSION: Initially formed in 2021 with Wil Wilson on guitar and vocals, Addison Herron-Wheeler on bass, and Jon Linsky on drums, CRONOS COMPULSION have been creating their signature brand of death-doom, noise, chaotic metal, and beyond since right after the pandemic. Their debut EP, Cursed and Decaying, released in 2021, and was followed by their Malicious Regression EP in 2023. 2024 saw Jon exit the band on mutual terms with Raye Mokarry stepping in to fill the role, and Zach Johnson took over drum duties that same year. Their debut full-length, Lawgiver, will be out this June via Avantegarde Records. Links: Bandcamp: https://cronoscompulsiondeath.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cronoscompulsion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cronoscompulsion  Lawgiver Track List: 1. Obligate Condition 2. Maladapt 3. Gyre of Decaying Filth 4. Ancestral Remains 5. Sun Devouring Wound 6. Neolithic Meditations 7. Mortal Dissolution 8. Lawgiver 9. Incursion of Deific Chaos Copyright © 2025 C Squared Music, All rights reserved. |
doom metal
New Metal Music Friday!
Here are ten new releases you should check out for the weekend!
Ànv by Eluveitie
Ànv is finally here! Eluveitie fans have been waiting since 2019’s Ategnatos, which is one of my favorite Metal albums. It’s hard to follow up such an incredible album, but I think they achieved a similar magic with Ànv. Expect soaring Folk Melodies, haunting vocals from the incomparable Fabienne Erni, even more crazy technical Heavy Metal solos, and more violin epics. This album is just MORE of everything I love about Eluveitie. It’s heavier, darker, catchier, more complex, faster, and more layers of the Folk sound. This album plays loud, so that you can hear all eight musicians individually. The addition of Lea-Sophie Fischer on Violin and Hurdy Gurdy is spectacular. She restores the fast paced technicality on Violin that attributes to so much of Elu’s unique sound. Her playing on this album is mind-blowing. Rafael Salzmann and Jonas Wolf exceed expectations for me on guitars. The solos are crisp, the accents are disturbingly eerie, and the rhythm is so paralyzingly fast. Everything is so well constructed and put together, definitely credited to Jonas’s writing ability. It doesn’t get boring or stale. It captures you, like only Eluveitie can, and it doesn’t let go.
Truth be told, I didn’t expect to love this album, and I absolutely do. I don’t know how they keep raising the bar and stay pure Folk Metal. There’s no formula, but you know it’s authentically Eluveitie. It’s yet another dark and beautiful album from them. The talent of this band is unmatched and legendary, and Ànv is a testament to everything they’ve contributed to music. I love the complexity of it. It’s not predictable in any way. Each song is unique and incredibly emotive. This album is definitely on my list of a Best of 2025.
My Favorite songs: Taranoias, The Prodigal Ones, Awen, The Harvest, All Is One, Aeon of the Crescent Moon
The track is taken from the band’s newest album ‘Ànv.’ Out on all music platforms and in various physical formats via: https://eluveitie.bfan.link/anv.yde
Rivers of Nihil Stun with new single
Their self-titled album out May 25th via Nuclear Blast Records may be my album of the year. Based upon the three singles that I have heard, this album is devastatingly good. I’ve heard songs from them in the past, but none compare to the impact of Water & Time. This new song is one of the best songs I have ever heard in my entire life. This song is a masterclass in composition. They went above and beyond on this song. The full body chills I get when I listen to this song are unmatched. This song is worth tens of thousands of reaction videos. I wish I would’ve filmed my reaction to hearing this song for the first time. My Jaw was on the floor. It took everything I had to keep from tearing up. I said “oh my god” multiple times at every change. Then, the Saxophone solo hit, and I was utterly blown away. You have to sit down and experience this song.
Halestorm Release New Dark Single
So, I am really torn on this one. I really want to like this song. It’s overall a great song, maybe one of their most epic songs ever made. The problem I have with the song, is the obvious similarity of “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins in the intro. I don’t know if it’s a purposeful sampling, but it’s similar enough to make me wonder. I’m not against lawful sampling, but if it’s done without clearly stating, it bothers me. Regardless, this is a great song and well written. A lot of their writing in the past ten years has been a little stale for me, this is something different.
Fit For a King blaze with new track
One of my favorite Metalcore bands of all time is back with a new extremely heavy dramatic track. It’s a bit predictable, considering about 80% of Metalcore sounds exactly like this right now. I like it, it’s just a bit bland and sounds like anything from Volumes, Bury Tomorrow, Bring Me the Horizon, Memphis May Fire, Architects, Devil Wears Prada, I could go on. I like a lot of songs by these bands, I have nothing against Metalcore. I love Metalcore, but the genre is getting extremely watered down and stale to me. What do you think about Fit For a King and the state of Metalcore?
Ozark Based Etched In Embers Releases All That Remains style track
This song really surprised me. I didn’t expect such good melodic vocals and excellent song progression. These guys only started in 2020, so they’re fairly new. I am interested to see where they go with this style.
Heavy Metallers AMBUSH Combine Old Sounds for New Speedy Track
If you like Hammerfall, Helloween, Blind Guardian, Man O War, and Dream Evil, this band is definitely up your alley. This guy’s range is stunning. The solo is reminiscent of Vivian Campbell on Holy Diver. I like it and can’t wait to check out more of their catalog.
French Prog Metalcore Stun With A dual Language Track
This is one of my favorite songs they have ever released. I’ve been listening to them for a couple years now. I love their chaotic and technical style. I think they’re an underrated band in the genre, along with brothers and sister band Novelists. This is a super emotive song, reminding me of my favorite song by them “Alive”. Love the dynamics and the choir style vocals towards the end. We need a Landmvrks/Novelists tour in the USA.
THE DARKEST PLACE I’VE EVER BEEN, out now! Stream and order: https://arisingempire.com/landmvrks
Portuguese Dark Symphonic Death Metal GODIVA is back!
The legendary Dimmu Borgir adjacent band is back with a new video for blazing track “All Seeing Eye” off of Hubris in 2023. The band formed in 1999, but hasn’t been very active. Hopefully, this video marks a new return for the band. I want more of this. If you like old Dimmu, this is right up your alley
All Girl Trio Blows it Out of the Water
Welsh band Häxan brings a new kind of Rock with absolutely stunning vocals that soar with precision. I have never heard of Häxan, but these girls are spectacular musicians. The guitar solo is tasteful and gorgeously melodic. The bass, like with any power trio, is excellently heard and booming. The song is perfectly constructed. Häxan is the next big thing in Hard Rock, I truly believe they have huge potential
Pre-order here: https://haxan.co.uk
Listen and download here: https://linktr.ee/haxanband
American Family Goes Symphonic Rock With Brand new Epic
LILIAC is a Romanian-American Heavy Metal band made up of members of the Cristea family. I’ve been following this band’s career for awhile now, and I think this is their best song yet. Being that their parents are from Romania, they classify their music as “Vamp Metal” which had me hooked right away. This song was a punch in the face that I need to listen to this band a lot more.
➣ Website: https://www.liliacband.com/music
New Heavy Music Report of the Week
It has been a hell of a month for me personally. Life has its ups and downs and endless battles, but music is always my shield wall or barrier for all the trials in life. Music is what drives me to rise above it all and continue to fight for a better life. I dread to think what the darkest times would be like without it. While I usually go to my comfort bands during these times, I also like to keep up to date on the world of Metal. And, it’s been a whirlwind of impactful releases and fresh takes in the music industry. Below, I have compiled some of my favorite releases these past two weeks. After I finish this, I will be working on the next installation of my favorite Heavy Metal albums to try to finish up the series. From there, I will go on to discuss my favorite Heavy Metal and Rock songs of all time.
Symphonic Progressive Metal Band Epica Stuns With “Aspiral”
“Aspiral” is a Progressive Symphonic Journey for the ages. It is bold, loud, and tastefully produced. Finally, it’s an Epica album you can hear each member shine on. Each member of Epica has different influences and techniques that attribute to the band’s signature sound. But those individuality qualities have been quite foreshadowed by fifty layers of orchestra and choir that sometimes make me forget they have one of the greatest lead singers in Metal. “Aspiral” is a peak of Epica and Simone Simons’ career. You can finally hear her beautiful Soprano vocals with perfect timbre and intonation. Her Prog writing style also gets to shine on this record. It is one of my top five Favorite Epica records and will be on regular rotation. This is definitely an album of the year contender.
Check out the latest single from “Aspiral”
Order Aspiral: https://epica.indiemerch.com/
Classic Melodeath Band Arch Enemy Freshens the Genre with “Blood Dynasty”
International Melodeath trailblazers Arch Enemy are back with the bombastic “Blood Dynasty”. This album is a surprising fresh take on classic Arch Enemy sounds without delving into thew commercialism. It’s gritty, dark, and moody as ever. My hopes for this album based on the first two singles were low, but Blood Dynasty grabbed me instantly. This is such a departure from Deceivers, which continued the more formulaic sound of War Eternal. While I loved those albums still, I desperately wanted a Classic Arch Enemy album with Amott’s more Thrash style riffs. Blood Dynasty delivers on all fronts, and really pulled me in upon first listen. This is one of AE’s most encapsulating releases of the diverse and long catalog. It is a complete thrill to experience.
One of my favorite songs from Arch Enemy’s career.
Order “Blood Dynasty” Here: https://linktr.ee/blooddynasty
New Video From Legendary band MESSA
Order “The Spin” Here: https://www.metalblade.com/messa/
About MESSA; https://www.metalblade.com/messa/#bio
New Live Video Clip From “An Evening With” Haken
Order An Evening With and Discover More Haken Here: https://hakenmusic.com/
Doom Metal Epic Featuring the Famous Heiki Langhans
Taken from the album “We, The Dead” to be released on May 9, 2025 by Meuse Music Records.
Instrumental Post Rock Stun with New Gorgeous Track
Preorders Available here: https://www.welostthesea.com/
Brand New Power Metal Track Speeds With Classic Blind Guardian-esque vox
Swedish Melancholic Rock Legends Return With Doomy Prog Track
Order their new album here; https://lnk.to/KAT-NAEOTWS
TechDeath Juggernauts Release New Track with Legend
shadowofintent.com
Swedish Proggers Release Chaotic New Deftones Influnced Track
Order their new album here: https://www.vildhjartastore.com/product-category/dar-skogen-sjunger-preorder/
Melodeath Power Group Release New Single and new Album
What new releases did I miss? What have you been spinning lately? Let me know below in the comments!
While Heaven Wept Suspended at Aphelion Review
Virginian Doom Metal band, While Heaven Wept, create passionate music that is a league of its own. The band mixes classical styles with modern progressive music to make incredibly ethereal music. Their last record “Fear of Infinity” was an explosive Power album that contained jam after jam, threading passion through each and every line, weaving brilliance as each track was produced. This album is rivaled with Arjen Lucassen’s Star One and any Dream Theater album released in recent years. After “Fear of Infinity” and earlier work “Vast Oceans Lachrymose”, While Heaven Wept was posed with the task of creating a new, more moving, more mind blowing album. This task was vastly completed with their 2014 album, Suspended At Aphelion.
Upon first listen to While Heaven Wept’s new album, you are opened up to a number of transcending sounds throughout each track. From the moving and saddened strings, to the powerful and smooth delivered vocal lines, to the slow building guitars and drums, this album can only be described as a masterpiece. The intro track Introspectus is a classical movement, strings and classical acoustic guitar bringing a feel reminiscent of Greensleeves. The album then drops into the Power and Doom Metal mix with partner tracks Icarus and I and Ardor. The two tracks are brilliantly melded and crafted together, with a slow building delivery much like a soundtrack to a Medieval movie. Icarus and I also mixes growling with powerful vocals, mixing perfectly to prove this band isn’t just another Prog band. Ardor is more moving and theatrical compared to its sister track, bursting with emotion and passion. Heartburst is an even more moving track, with a slow building piano melody building on top of light synth, all highlighting the soft and deepened vocals. The build up into the dueling vocals and neoclassical guitar solo is absolutely brilliant and captivating on this track. This song definitely gives the feel I expected with a new While Heaven Wept album: dark, gloomy, saddened, and uplifted all at the same time.
“Suspended At Aphelion” does pick up into the Doom Metal side with the faster jamming track Indifference Turned To Paralysis. The bass line on this track is technical and played with fast precision, adding a new layer to the sound on this album. As a bassist, I applaud any band who makes the bass a stand out instrument on albums. The three part epic track The Memory of Bleeding/ Souls in Permafrost/ Searching the Stars is layered with four thousand different sounds and feelings, without becoming overwhelming and confusing. The vocals are really unique on this three part epic, containing perfectly harmonized vocals from two well versed vocalists. This song is particularly catchy and interesting because of the changing tempo coming from the drums, adding even more layers of the music. Every band has layers, but no one flows through the layers like While Heaven Wept. Each layer sounds carefully crafted and inspired by this harmony the band always achieves on every album. Reminiscent of Strangers / Lifelines Lost is evidence of the layers with a slow piano ballad beginning, building into brilliant guitar work with excellent soloing one after another., leading into soft group sung vocals. Restrospectus is an album closer with trademarked strings, leaving you with a feeling of melancholy, yet hope. It is a perfect way to wrap up this short but beautiful album.
The passion, artistry, writing, and well thought out instrumentation and vocal melodies that were put into “Suspended At Aphelion” make it a masterpiece of an album.
Album Rating 8/10
Metal Valkyrie 