melodic death metal

My Top Albums and Singles of 2023

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2023 was in my opinion, one of the greatest years for Metal and music in general. The innovations in the genre were overflowing this year. All the true quality releases make it one of the most difficult years to rank and categorize the best of the best. I have revised this article and list so many times, I’ve lost count. It seems I am discovering a new band, song, and album that defies all my musical expectations everyday and it truly astounds me. So, I picked my favorites. It’s not a popularity contest or based on the songs that live rent free in my head, it’s just my favorite albums based upon my perception of quality and innovation. I based my decisions upon personal preference, but also just sheer quality of composition and aspects that made the record stand out from your typical Metal albums. This list could really be in multiple orders, but I just put my favorites in the succession I feel reflected my listening habits the most. Let’s face it, it is impossible to put all of the best albums of 2023 in order by quality or ingenuity. There’s simply too many excellent albums.

What albums did you love this year? Which ones did I leave out or miss entirely? Comment below and let me know.

My Top Albums 2023

  1. Hermitage: Daruma’s Eyes Part 2- Temperance

This should come as no surprise that this album is ranked number one for me, as I predicted in my review. Temperance came back with an ingenious concept album and one of the most musically talented lineups I have heard since Epica. It’s a Symphonic Power Metal Opera for the ages. It overshadowed anything Ayreon or Star One have done for almost a decade, in my opinion. Marco Pastorino and crew made a once in a lifetime bombastic and moving record with impossibly good vocals. It is innovative as it uses so much Classical elements with huge wall-of-sound production and an eclectic mix of vocalists that come together to absolutely blow your mind. It sounds futuristic, but mirrors the production quality of Hard Rock and Prog albums from the 1980’s. It is a stunning record that I don’t think will be topped anytime soon.

2. Fearless In Love- Voyager

Voyager are one of my top 20 bands of all time, and this record is indicative of why they always deserve a top spot. This album does something for me that few albums do; it occupies the same space in my brain as Devin Townsend. Fearless In Love is an emotional journey through modern times and is a riff-heavy progressive romp if I’ve ever heard one. It’s as if Devin Townsend and Tears For Fears collaborated on a star ship. This album doesn’t sound like any other album, yet it mirrors Townsend’s genius riffing on Accelerated Evolution so eloquently. This is undoubtedly my favorite guitar record of the year, but also contains juicy bass lines and sing along emotive choruses. Fearless In Love is truly the most uplifting album of 2023 and one of the best guitar performances of all time.

3. Blue Blood- Phantom Elite

Blue Blood was a complete surprise to me. I knew of Phantom and the excellent Marina La Torraca, but their releases never impacted me until this absolutely aggressive record. It is everything I love about Spiritbox and Jinjer, but with a softer side. It’s a Djent/Prog Industrial album with Symphony Metal overtones and beautiful vocals. It’s an album with massive range and variety, no two songs sound the same. It’s fresh and modern without being contrived. The riffs are punchy and enigmatic, always changing and layering on top of loud bombastic drums and crunchy bass lines. Blue Blood is catchy, chaotic, emotive, and groove oriented. It deserves so much more recognition for utter quality. I never expected this band to hit my top ten, but this record is undeniably fantastic.

4. Beyond the Black- Self Titled

When I thought about my favorite records of the year, this is the first one that actually came to my mind. It’s an album I continue to go back to, despite it being a little more radio friendly than what I usually love. There’s just an exquisite mix of genres and influences on this album. It’s Arena Rock with immense emotion and chuggy heavy riffs. Jennifer Haben is one of the most underrated vocalists who fits into any genre or rhythmic pocket. She has an innate tone that is rarely heard in modern music. Kai Hansen is also one of my favorite drummers of late. His performance on this record ties everything together and holds it all in a heavy package. It’s high production quality without being bubblegum or robotic. Beyond the Black created something reflective of Covid times without being too dark or too in your face and it is truly cathartic to listen to. It has profound meaning underneath catchy hooks and huge arena sounds, something modern Rock typically lacks nowadays. This is a truly special record that will surprise you in depth of content and diamond quality.

5. The Wonders Still Awaiting- Xandria

The Wonders Still Awaiting was originally second on this list, but the year squeaked out even more gems and made it difficult for me to order this list any other way. I am an avid Symphonic Metal listener, admittedly less and less as of the last Epica release. Xandria came back in 2023 with a new lineup that dominated my year in music. The addition of Ambre Vourvahis has reignited this band to the glorious torch it once carried. She is the only vocalist on this list to give me actual chills and goosebumps. Marco Heubaum continues to write moving and enchanting music atop heavy riffs and new growling vocals that set him apart from other Symphonic Metal bands. This album is extremely moving throughput and wonderfully thought-provoking. It greatly foreshadows other releases in the genre of the past five years. I will always hold a higher standard to Xandria than Nightwish, and this gorgeous album proves the reasons why.

6. Anno 1696- Insomnium

I am not the biggest Insomnium fan, but subjectively this is a flawless Melodeath record. This Finnish Melodeath band is known for creating utterly devastatingly heavy albums, emotionally and instrumentally. Anno 1696 is no deviation from their usual greatness, but it definitely hearkens to an 90’s Death Metal sound that creates a unique blend on top of a great story.  It is poetry in brutality. The addition of Jani Liimatainen has reignited the band and added a new voice. It’s as though lead vocalist and bassist Niilo Sevanen is the narrator, and Jani is another inner voice of the characters. I’ve never heard another album like it, yet you know it’s Insomnium right away. There is a unique blend of Folk music and Melodeath on this album as well that was new and very interesting. Insomnium refuse to be formulaic and continue to push the envelope of genres. 2023 was all about genre breaking and blending, which is why this album was so successful. 

7. Heimdal- Enslaved

Another unexpected gem of 2023 for me. I had never truly given Enslaved a listen, and I realized the err of my ways very quickly when Heimdal came out. This album is a pinnacle of 2023’s genre blending. It mixes 70’s Prog and modern Death Metal in a Viking setting. It’s far from the cheesy formulaic Viking Metal people have grown tired of. Heimdal is an existential journey through the Great Norse worlds and audibly envelopes you in a strange ethereal aura. The synths and organ give it a primordial feel and is not something I ever expected to hear in Death Metal, but is Enslaved’s special brand that really sets them apart for me. The production quality is pure without being too clean for extreme music. It’s perfectly balanced and flows smoothly like a linear story line. It is such a welcome change from overproduced music with no edge or nostalgia.

8. Nemesis AD- Serenity

Serenity is unfortunately an underdog of Symphonic Metal despite continuously putting out quality records. Nemesis AD is a testament to the ultimate strength of this band in bombastic thematic riffs and smooth powerful vocals from Georg Neuhauser and of course the incomparable Marco Pastorino. This album is profoundly beautiful, riff heavy, and catchy with great hooks. It sits somewhere between Sonata Arctica and Therion. To me, it feels more Power Metal than Symphonic without being contrived or another band just influenced by Nightwish. This is a history lesson of inspiration and self empowerment without being cheesy. Serenity set themselves apart from the rest with this record and made something truly special that I will continue to listen to for years to come.

9. Shades of Sorrow- Crypta

Thrash Metal and Death Thrash are not my cup of tea or area of expertise at all. It’s not that I dislike the darker heavier side of Metal. I listen to brutal bands like Archspire, Lorna Shore, Emperor, Triptykon, Draconian, and Cattle Decapitation. Thrash Metal has never spoken to me, however, and lacks a certain refined technicality I need in my music. So, I came to this new Crypta expecting it to be boring to me. Boy was I wrong… Shades of Sorrow is technical perfection in brutality and darkness. This album crushes your senses and spirit in all the best ways. Crypta is a powerhouse of four women with the essence of Thrash and Death and Melodeath in one technically sound package. They are one of the best bands I have heard in a long time. Their chemistry is tangible, led by drummer Luana Damatto holding down the heavy rhythmic section with Gene Hoglan-like groove and precision. If I had to give individual music awards out, Luana would undoubtedly be my drummer of the year winner. Shades of Sorrow is better than I expected and is truly one of the best Thrash records I have ever heard in my life. The fact that its four women delivering one of the heaviest albums of the year just makes me unbelievably proud and happy to be alive. They are terribly underrated and this album deserves to be on every top ten list.

10. This Heathen Land- Green Lung

Where in the heck did Green Lung come from? They went from being a band I’d never heard of to one of the bands dominating every top ten list of 2023. It’s shocking how well received this album is by the heaviest listeners in the Metal Community. The riffs on This Heathen Land are too perfect to resist, however. This album mixes Folk Rock, Black Sabbath, and Ghost like catchiness to create solid Stoner Metal rooted in Pagan epics. This sounds like it could be put out in the 1970s with the heavy organ sound and creepy high pitched vocals. It’s heavy, ethereal, and anthemic all in a smoothly delivered package (That’s what she said). This Heathen Land by Green Lung is far from an album I expected to be on my top ten, but it is just so damn solid I can’t think of any album that deserves this spot more. All of you elitists that hate on Ghost are absolute hypocrites if you’re jamming this album since in came out, and I hope that realization hits you like a truck. This is one of the most listenable albums on this list and is quite addictive. Once you start listening to Green Lung, you won’t be able to stop.

Honorable Mentions:

Terrasite- Cattle Decapitation

Time Will Take Us All- Entheos

Bleed Out- Within Temptation

Riverside- ID Entity

Fauna- Haken

Avenged Sevenfold- Life Is But A Dream…

Tales From The North- Bloodbound

Dark Waters- Delain

My Top Singles of the Year

  1. Darkness is Just a Drawing- Temperance
  2. Broken Orbit- In Mourning
  3. Reflections of AD- Serenity
  4. Inner Beast- Phantom Elite
  5. Free Me- Beyond The Black
  6. Ultraviolet- Voyager
  7. Never Dawn- Lacuna Coil
  8. Lilian- Insomnium
  9. Jaded- Spiritbox
  10. Native Colossus Live at Mad With Power- Shield of Wings

Honorable Mention Singles

As the Flower Withers- Elysion

One More Flag in the Ground- Kamelot

Two Worlds- Xandria

Basterd Von Asgard ft Fabienne Erni- Feuerschwanz

More- The Warning

Hey Brother- Dartagnan

Maxine- Green Lung

Beneath- Delain

This playlist features 20 of my favorite songs of 2023

Click play or watch on Youtube to see the full list on the sidebar

That’s all for now!

Melodeath Juggernauts Hiraes Announce New Album

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HIRAES (feat. Former Members of Dawn of Disease & Critical Mess) Strike Back with Sophomore Melodic Death Metal Assault

New Album, Dormant, out January 26, 2024 via Napalm Records
Pre-Order HERE

Watch the Music Video for First Single, “Through The Storm”, HERE

photo by Lisa Ulferts
German-based melodic death metal formation HIRAES – featuring former members of Dawn of Disease and Critical Mess – will furiously kick off the new year with the release of their sophomore studio album, entitled Dormant, due out January 26, 2024 via Napalm Records!

Wasting no time, HIRAES have just unveiled the first single from Dormant – thunderous album opener “Through The Storm”. The track offers a glimpse into the variety of elements on the album, including powerful and varied drumming, poignant and melancholic melodies, infectious choruses, and breathtaking soundscapes – all complimented by Britta’s versatile vocals. 
 The band comments about the track and video:
“In a way, the video is a continuation of our first single, ‘Under Fire’, from the last album. It’s dedicated to a storm and its indomitable energy. Experience this debut single and join us as we navigate ‘Through The Storm’ together!“

The band adds: 
“We are far beyond proud to present our second album Dormant to you! The album will grab you with its intensity from the first second on and won’t let you go. We invested a lot of energy, dedication and passion to create this monumental and melancholic piece of melodic death metal. Having played countless shows over the last two years, Dormant captures the energy of HIRAES’ live performances and places the songs right between heart and gut. 

Once again, none other than the talented staff of Fascination Street Studios under the direction of Jens Bogren are responsible for the refinement of our sound. We are so much looking forward to unleashing Dormant upon all those metalheads out there!“
Watch the official video for “Through The Storm” HERE:

Compared to their lauded 2021 debut, Solitary, it’s immediately evident that HIRAES did not only grow within their sound due to countless live appearances, but have invested more time and energy into developing their sophisticated songwriting and production, leaning further into their own unique sound profile. Due to the use of varying keys and sonic elements, Dormant is undoubtedly fresh without sacrificing the nuances that caused their first album to connect so successfully with fans. With their very first offering, HIRAES already created an exciting new melodic death metal emergence, built upon a brutalized vocal attack, intense melodies and aggressive guitars. On Dormant, HIRAES  flexes their own trademarks in an intensified way, ranging from versatile drumming, catchy riffs and hymn-like melodies to enthralling soundscapes and the impressive vocal onslaught of singer Britta Görtz. Dormant is a stirring, intense and dynamic death metal affair that is both heavily brutal and dark, yet full of melodic melancholy. 

Pre-Order Dormant HERE!

Dormant track listing:
1. Through The Storm
2. We Owe No One
3. Undercurrent
4. Chance To Fail
5. About Lies
6. Come Alive
7. Ocean Child
8. Nightflight
9. Red Soil
10. Dormant

Set to be released on January 26, 2024,  Dormant will be available in the following formats:

– 1 CD Digisleeve (6page)
– 1 LP Gatefold solid royal blue
– Digital Album
HIRAES are:
Britta Görtz – vocals
Lukas Kerk – guitars
Oliver Kirchner – guitars
Christian Wösten – bass
Mathias Blässe – drums

HIRAES online:
Website
Facebook
TikTok
Instagram
Napalm Records

Canadian Melodic Metallers Lutharo Announce New Album and Release New Single

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LUTHARO Announces New Album Chasing Euphoria, Releases New Single
Watch “Time To Rise” HERE
Melodic metal outfit LUTHARO returns with a cacophony of all that is metal! The Canadian metallers bring forth their signature mixture of traditional heavy metal, melodic death metal, thrash metal and more on their latest effort, Chasing Euphoria, the follow-up to their critically lauded debut full-length Hiraeth. Due out March 15th 2024 via Atomic Fire Records, Chasing Euphoria is as destructive and violent as it is soaring and captivating. Pre-orders are available HERE. 

Today the band has also shared a new single and video for “Time To Rise.” The video is an intimate look inside behind the scenes at the band’s practice and rehearsal. 

The band elaborates on the album: “We are beyond excited to finally announce our second full length album “Chasing Euphoria” will be released on March 15th 2024! This album is very near and dear to our hearts as it has brought out the most emotion in us to date! We laughed, we cried and we put everything we have into this album. So when you listen to these songs, know you are taking a piece of us with you.”

And of the single, they share: “We are incredibly eager to finally introduce to the world our newest single “Time to Rise”. This one is a doozy. This song is not only one of the most emotional we’ve written but has pushed us FAR out of our comfort zone in so many ways. This song has endless layers to it but its most dominant subject matter is inner child trauma and how it affects us in adult life especially when it isn’t resolved or acknowledged. We hope that through this song our listeners can begin a learning journey just as we have through this writing process. To anybody reading this remember to give yourself some grace, you and the younger version of you deserve it.”

Chasing Euphoria features dynamic production from Lasse Lammert of LSD Studios (ALESTORM, GLORYHAMMER, WIND ROSE, SVARTSOT & more!) and striking cover art from Niklas Sundin (ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILLITY, DELAIN, & more!), with orchestral arrangements from Elliot Vernon (ALESTORM).

ABOUT LUTHARO: Formed in 2014, LUTHARO strive to sculpt an epic sound that sees aspects of power and death colliding, combining artfully crafted melodies, harmonies and precision with hard-hitting power and force. Members Krista Shipperbottom (vocals), Victor Bucur (guitar), John Raposo (guitar), Chris Pacey (Bass) and Cory Hofing (drums) may have found their groove on this new record, but don’t expect them to fall into a rut. LUTHARO opens the throttle all the way and barrels forward into new territories.
 
After releasing two EPs, LUTHARO pulled out all the stops on Hiraeth, the debut full-length album that was released on October 15th, 2021. Following their 2018 debut EP UNLEASH THE BEAST, and 2020 EP WINGS OF AGONY, Hiraeth saw the quintet push their compositional and performance skills further than ever before. What Hiraeth brought forth, Chasing Euphoria now amplifies. Expertly balancing hauntingly beautiful atmospheres with raw power and aggression. A fantastically epic journey that needs to be experienced to be believed.
 
Recorded by drummer Cory Hofing at Coho Studio, with additional recording by Thomas Ireland and mixing and mastering by Lasse Lammert of LSD Studio, Chasing Euphoria is out March 15th, 2024, via Atomic Fire Records. The band partnered with Niklas Sundin for the stunning artwork featured on the cover. 
 
Prepare your necks for a maelstrom of windmills as Chasing Euphoria is certain to provoke headbanging, boisterous pits and chanting singalongs. An aggressive touring schedule will give you plenty of opportunity to join them for an electrifying evening as the riffs and raucous beats pummel you. 
 
Shipperbottom’s earth-shaking vocal performance is impossible to ignore, from her thorny growls to soaring falsettos. – Metal Injection
 
…The Canadians’ self-released debut album is a primarily traditional metal record with bags of melody, shitloads of muscular power and large amounts of virtuoso musicianship….Bridging the gap between ancient and modern with admirable skill, LUTHARO have dropped one of this year’s most vital debuts. – Blabbermouth
 
Gatling gun riffage glues the listener to the wall, practically challenging you not to get out of your seat and bang that head, while huge melodies soar and dive in and out of that furious wall of noise. – Metal Observer

Chasing Euphoria Tracklist: 

  1. Gates of Enchantment    
  2. Reaper’s Call    
  3. Ruthless Bloodline    
  4. Time to Rise    
  5. Born to Ride    
  6. Bonded to the Blade    
  7. Chasing Euphoria    
  8. Creating a King    
  9. Strong Enough to Fall    
  10. Paradise or Parasite    
  11. Freedom of the Night
Lutharo Is:
Krista Shipperbottom – Vocals
Victor Bucur – Guitars, backing vocals
Chris Pacey – Bass
Cory Hofing – Drums
Jeff Wilson – Guitar (Live)

Connect with Lutharo HERE or at one of the links below:
Bandcamp: https://lutharoband.bandcamp.com/album/hiraeth
Website: https://www.lutharo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LutharoOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutharo_official/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lutharoband
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/38RQwSDbSq8ztizimX2vYp
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LutharoOfficial
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lutharo_official

#NewMusicFriday 11/10/13!

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Back with new music Friday on the blog! Here are my top ten picks of the day/week you might’ve missed. It’s short and sweet, which is rare for me as I can be quite the windbag on here.

What are you listening to today?

Favorite album and singles post of the year coming soon! Stay tuned and don’t forget to sign up for updates below this post.

Plini, atmospheric Metal guitarist, and legendary Animals as Leaders’ Tosin Abasi shred it out
German Symphonic Melodic heavyweights Beyond the Black release new live video
Italian Power Metal legends Secret Sphere are back with brand new speedy single.
German 90’s band HELMET return with new album and single
Ex-Three Days Grace singer Adam Gontier and Skillet’s John Cooper groove on this catchy modern rock guitar heavy track.
A new discovery for me in the realm of Progressive Metalcore. Kinda like ERRA, Volumes, and Periphery. Great lyrics and drums as well as super technical guitars.
Portland Metalcore band Dying Wish drops heavy new ballad single. BIG surprise to me how good this is. This is the kind of music I wanted fifteen years ago.
Legendary German Power Metallers are back after 11 years with edgy Neoclassicism, and you guessed it, DRAGONS
Italian Melodic Metal powerhouses return with gorgeous power ballad that will undoubtedly make a big impact on listeners
Canadian Juno Award winning band debuts new intense speed single with a horror theme

Modern Metal Band Infected Rain Announce New Album

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INFECTED RAIN are:
Lena Scissorhands – Vocals    
Vidick – Guitar    
Alice Lane – Bass    
Eugeniu Voluta – Drums

Industrial Modern Metal Act Infected Rain are coming back with a new album in February 2024 with “TIME”. Insight to TIME offers a bombastic trip-hop Metal blended journey into the ever flowing sands of time. It’s going to be heavy, moody, and trippy. The Moldovian band want to bring new flavors in their follow-up to ECDYSIS (2022) and continue to evolve their sound with a new member, Alice Lane on Bass. The band’s most successful album yet will be undoubtedly difficult to follow up on, but Infected Rain has not let us down yet and I don’t suspect they ever will. They’re one of the most intensely heavy bands I have ever heard in my life. New single NEVER TO RETURN is a shoe-in for their usual ball busting material, but it has a new cerebral sound that is truly mesmerizing with Eastern instruments flirting with a low end rhythmic feel. It’s identifiable as Infected Rain, but certainly matured and evolved.

INFECTED RAIN says about TIME:
“TIME is not just an album, it’s a journey, a testament to our evolution as INFECTED RAIN. 
Time isn’t just a measure; it’s an ever-flowing river, a constant reminder of our fleeting moments and enduring legacies. 
This subject resonates deeply throughout the record, offering to you a chance to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and dream of the future. 
With TIME, we invite you to experience the phenomena of time with us, in all its haunting beauty and raw power.”

INFECTED RAIN says about “NEVER TO RETURN”:

“‘NEVER TO RETURN’ is our deep dive into the unstoppable flow of time, reminiscent of the shifting sands in an ancient desert.
Like smoke that slips through fingers, moments pass us by, leaving behind traces of memories.
In this song, amidst the backdrop of the vast, timeless desert, we transform into ethereal creatures, exploring the mysteries of time. It’s a reflection on life’s journey, with all its fleeting moments, and a reminder that every second counts.”

TIME is out February 9th, 2024 via Napalm Records

Listen to NEVER TO RETURN now!

INFECTED RAIN are on tour in the USA right now, supporting the duke of spook himself, WEDNESDAY 13! See below for all remaining tour dates:
WEDNESDAY 13 w/ INFECTED RAIN, Gemini Syndrome and Black Satellite:
11/07/23: Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
11/09/23: Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theater
11/10/23: Madison, WI @ The Annex
11/11/23: Joliet, IL @ The Forge
11/12/23: Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theater
11/14/23: Belvedere, IL @ Apollo Theatre
11/15/23: Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
11/16/23: Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
11/17/23: Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse
11/18/23: Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box
11/19/23: Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz
11/22/23: Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
11/24/23: Winston-Salem, NC @ Millenium Center
11/25/23: Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
11/26/23: Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho
11/28/23: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
11/30/23: Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse
12/01/23: Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
12/02/23: Columbus, OH @ The King Of Clubs
12/03/23: Indianapolis, IN @ Hi Fi Annex
12/05/23: Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music
12/06/23: Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theater
12/08/23: Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
12/09/23: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

Melodeath Supergroup BERZERKER LEGION Review 2023

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Berzerker Legion 2023

The Swedish Melodeath Supergroup presents to be a new force to be reckoned with in 2023 with new hard hitting record “Chaos Will Reign”. This may be the heaviest album I’ve reviewed so far this year and vastly impressed me. I hadn’t listened to these guys but a couple times so I came in to this review pretty much blind. The lead songwriter sent comments and an introduction to the album that intrigued me.

BERZERKER LEGION was founded in 2016 by guitarists Tomas Elofsson (Hypocrisy) and Alwin Zuur (Asphyx) with a vision to create death metal of the most belligerent quality, they recruited a line-up of solid well-known musicians consisting of James Stewart (Vader) on drums, Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath) on vocals and Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral) on bass to complete the Legion.

Alwin Zuur (guitars/songwriter) comments: “During the recent years Tomas and I met each other at shows and festivals regularly. Much of our conversations were about music and styles. During these meetings we found out that we really had a lot of common musical interests.”

“Music wise our debut album ‘Obliterate the Weak’ displays the perfect balance between brutality, melody and harmony. Being a fan of the early 90’s Swedish Gothenburg style, with bands like At The Gates, Eucharist, A Canorous Quintet, as well as being a die-hard fan of brutal old school death metal style with bands like Bolt Thrower, Obituary, I have always wanted to write songs showing a mix of such different death metal genres.

With our new album “Chaos Will Reign” we have further developed ourselves in our typical musical mix of melody and brutality. “Chaos Will Reign” sounds more professional, complete, massive and powerful thanks to Jonas Kjellgren’s production . It has become the logical successor, a huge step forward compared to our debut album “Obliterate the Weak”.”

“Chaos Will Reign” is a sonic blast of 90’s Death Metal and Extreme elements that settle into a speedy groove. This album is an assault on the senses and delivers pounding tracks time after time with clinical beats and extended range Death Growls. This album vastly foreshadows the last album in production quality and modernity that falls in line with more popular sounds in Death Metal today. It is as if Amon Amarth, At the Gates, and Devildriver had a speedy baby. The riffs are chuggy, fast, and groovy switching it up from track to track to add flair and variation. The aggression and desperation of battle drip through this record. My favorite track “Choirs of Anguish” is 90’s Metal to the T with modern speed and pummeling instrumentation. There is a great at least 8 second vocal fry scream on this that stunned me. Pettersson’s range is staggeringly good and can go toe to toe with the young guns in Extreme vocals. The solo is surprisingly melodic and just tasty. There’s also Fleshgod-like orchestration underneath that I absolutely love. Any music that makes me feel like the Gates of Hell are opening for celestial war is going to stick with me, and this whole album just has that feel. The whole album is just really well composed and flows expertly. These guys know what they are doing with this genre. As a drummer, I find the drums to be absolute perfection to the highest level of technicality and speed without losing the raw sound of Death Metal drums. They just do not stop and are a force of nature on “Chaos Will Reign”. There is something so nostalgic throughout this record. Some of the songs have groovier parts in the guitars while keeping complete aggression that reminds me of Pantera. It’s just a great sound that keeps you coming back for more.

This is one of my favorite Death Metal albums of the year by far, and I can’t wait for everyone to positively experience this album as I have. I am not the biggest Death Metal fan, but this album has inspired me to seek out more bands like Berzerker Legion. I am super impressed by this band and would love to experience this music live. I highly recommend this album for fans of Cattle Decapitation, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dimmu Borgir, and Melodeath in general.

Rating: 9/10

Comes out October 27., 2023 via Listenable Records

The Surprising New Album By Saturnus

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Danish Death Doom band, Saturnus, has done something incredible this year.  They have put out an album that has left me speechless, which is a feat since I never shut up about music.  My reviews have been sparse lately, as I think reviews are becoming more and more trivial.  This is not a formal review, but a write-up to honor one of the year’s best albums.  I don’t listen to a lot of Death-Doom, but Saturnus is one of my exceptions.  I decided to write about this band and album as I don’t see many posts about them and I have no clue as to why they don’t have more listeners.  

Saturnus began in Copenhagen as Asesino in 1991 by vocalist Thomas A.G. Jensen and bassist, Brian Hansen as a typical Black Metal band.  In 1993, their sound changed and their name became Saturnus to match their switch to Gothic Doom Metal with a Melodeath twist.  This sound has been marinating with classic albums like Veronika Decides to Die and Saturn in Ascension.  Their records have solidified their sound and made them incredibly underrated in the Death Doom genre which has exploded with hundreds of new bands since Paradise Lost blazed a new trail.  Now, we have bands like Saturnus mixing old Death Metal, Doom, and Melodeath like Insomnium creating a whole new sound.  They have come a long way since 1991, 32 years ago, believe it or not, and their latest short but epic record, The Storm Within, is a testament to their growth and building legacy. 

The Storm Within is a fifty-nine-minute journey through the human condition or psyche.  It is a provocative, emotional, and daring feat that is all-consuming.  Those fifty-nine minutes will either seem to last mere minutes or a lifetime.  It is not just an album, but a Doom movement.  I say this because of the reflective breakdowns of spoken word, emotive, piano, and gorgeous melodic guitar lines right before crushing guttural growls.  It is poetry in Doom.  The title track opens and sets the entire mood, but you never know what to expect next.  You can settle into it as a mood, but the music can throw you off and surprise you in an instant.  It builds, crashes, and plummets into the depth of despair, and then lifts you into a higher consciousness.  It changes but effortlessly flows together.  This is the exact sound that any new and upcoming Death Doom band should strive for.  

Truth is the final track of the album, marking the end of the journey, but showing more growth than ever.  Whoever played the piano on this record is simply genial.  It fits Death Doom perfectly while sounding so classical on Truth.  There is something very Draconian about this track and the acoustics building into this guttural chest-rattling growl with arpeggios on keys is a shocking moment in music I may never forget.  I don’t know much about this band and their influences or history, but this song tells me everything I need to know about how brilliant they are.  

If you listen to this record all the way through, you will come out of it a changed person.  Genres be damned, this album is perfection.  I love everything they did with it.  I love the departures and the classic Saturnus sounds.  I love the drum sounds, they remind me of Summoning’s folk style with massive reverb.  I love the different influences, almost some Bardcore in there which is unexpected.  I love the guttural aspects and distortion but the refinement of it.  It is a Death Doom record that is a must-hear this year.  

For fans of Paradise Lost, Agalloch, Insomnium, and Swallow the Sun.

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#NewmusicFriday 3/31/23

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I was on vacation last week and didn’t have time to update the blog. My family and I went to Las Cruces, New Mexico for a week off. It was a much needed break filled with nature and relaxation. Before that, I attended Eluveitie, Omnium Gatherum, and Seven Spires in Denver. I planned to write up a review on it, but honestly words fail to describe how musically perfect, emotional, and spiritual that show was. Eluveitie now stands as the best band I have ever seen live. They were note perfect, despite missing three members (Chrigel, Nicole, and Kay). So for now, here’s new music you must hear this week.

Scar Symmetry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9yi6jDmezc

Ad Infinitum Album Release, Chapter III- Downfall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3onA_XzUu8k

Listen and order to the new album here: https://lnk.to/ChapterIIIDownfall

New bombastic song from Power Metal legends BLOODBOUND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6kZKuIezAg

Frozen Crown Single from Call of the North

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqNVklVPj4A

Order or listen to the full album here https://bfan.link/call-of-the-north-4NEW Lyrre Album (Solo project from ex Eluveitie member Michalina Malisz)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMoQc5pa6OI Order from the USA: https://ancestore.eu/en_US/c/Merchandise/48/1/full

Thrash Power Band Burning Witches is back!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mA3koz5alQ

Deathcore legends After The Burial bring amazing guitarwork

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9GUUqDFfBM

Death Thrashers Sworn Amongst Return!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNm_rWY-fqk

#NewMusicFriday 3/3/23

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This year has already brought us so great much music, I can hardly keep up with it all.. Below is most of the awesome releases that dropped for new music Friday! Have a merry metal weekend!

Omnium Gatherum

Haken- New Album Fauna

New Elvenking

Unearth

Cradle of Filth

This is the best COF song I’ve heard in 10 years.

This is absolutely brutal

Extreme and Nuno are back!

New Deathstars, Finally!

Foregone by In Flames Review

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I am a huge fan of all bands Melodeath; From Dark Tranquility, In Mourning, Arch Enemy, Omnium Gatherum, and all bands alike, I cannot get enough of this dichotomy of music. The chugging guitars, brutal screams, blast beats, all broken up by melodic singing and beautiful guitars just hit me soul deep. It took seeing In Flames live in 2019 to fully understand their impact on this growing genre. I had never listened to them, assuming they were hard on my ears like At The Gates, but seeing them live absolutely blew all my expectations away. This band is anything but hard on the ears. This band is a masterclass in Melodeath composition. Recently, the band has taken the more Melodic elements as well as sick riffs and made them even more catchy. The criticism of the band “changing their sound” has been a hot topic since album “Sirens” and has ultimately but stupidly hurt the band’s credibility in the world of Melodeath. For me, new In Flames is more than just them trying to get more radio play or new fans, it is a testament to the band’s resilience and ingenuity. They took this quintessential sound and brought to to modernity and kept it absolutely mature, heavy, and absolutely unique.

In Flames has blended their old Thrashy sound with new and fresh Melodeath luster and turned it into an absolute masterpiece with 2023 release “Foregone”. This is a youthful yet profound venture for the band, not compromising quality for emotional depth. Anders Friden repeatedly shows his range and depth on songs like “Pure Light of Mind”, “Meet Your Maker” and both parts of the title track. This man took a vocal blowout and completely reinvented himself into one of the greatest dual voice front men of all time. This album is a complete testament to this band’s tenacity to not give up or give into the defeating aspects of the music business. While there’s so many new qualities, they manage to throw us back to old In Flames with searing tracks like “The Great Deceiver” and “State of Slow Decay”. They flawlessly blend old influences of Hardcore Punk and Thrash with modern Melodeath dual track guitars. It is an all encompassing sound that works so well in an arena setting. They’ve always been a heavy band you can sing along to, but every song on this album seems to stick with me. “In The Dark” is a perfect example of heavy ear worms on this record. Lyrically, this album is one of the most profound since “Clayman”. Riff wise, this may be the most full album they’ve ever put out. Bjorn and legendary Chris Broderick are relentless on Foregone. Tanner Wayne is an absolute beast on drums, holding everything together even when it seems so chaotic. The chemistry of this band is what makes this album musically perfect. Plus, the bass solos on Cynosure are deliciously interesting and tastefully done, making it impossible not to headbang. Every beat, every note, every bend is so synchronized that it feels computer generated without being over produced. “Foregone” is another new age Melodeath hit and deserves every positive recognition it can get.

Rating: 10 out of 10