Metal Reviews

More than a throwback, Lightning In A Bottle is Pentagram’s fierce reminder that doom metal’s fire still rages. With raw honesty, thunderous riffs, and Bobby Liebling’s haunting charisma front and center, the album blends legacy with fresh fury—proving they’re not just surviving the genre they helped shape, they’re still defining it.

Caliban return with Back From Hell, a blistering yet introspective Metalcore record that redefines their sound. With explosive riffs, emotional depth, and bold experimentation, the band proves they’re not just surviving—they’re evolving.Guest spots from Mental Cruelty and Fit For An Autopsy raise the stakes, but it’s the raw honesty and sonic ambition that truly set this album apart.

On Sea Glass, Candice Night opens a window into her soul, crafting a deeply personal collection of songs shaped by a decade of love, loss, and transformation.Known for her ethereal vocals and poetic lyricism, Night steps into the spotlight with a solo album that shimmers with heartfelt stories and timeless musical grace.From folky Americana to lush acoustic ballads, Sea Glass is as delicate and dazzling as its name suggests—an album that speaks softly but leaves a lasting echo.

Gothic Doom Metal band Opia unveil stunning debut album I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep—a heart-wrenching journey through grief, death, and Victorian darkness. Words: Jools Green @opiaband_official @hammerheartrecords666

Don Airey unleashes Pushed To The Edge, a thunderous solo album packed with rock brilliance, featuring Carl Sentance and Deep Purple’s Simon McBride. Words: @brian_boyle_72 @donaireykeys @earmusic

Hursan: Self-titled debut EP crashes onto the scene with a punishing fusion of Sludge, Hardcore, and Metal, delivering what might just be the ultimate soundtrack to societal collapse.Crafted entirely through a DIY approach—self-recorded, mixed, and mastered—this four-track release oozes raw intensity and bleak atmosphere, laced with unexpectedly groovy twists. Words: Jools Green @hursan.band

Italian Scarlet Doom pioneers Messa return with The Spin, a genre-defying album that blends haunting vocals, vintage analog textures, and bold '80s influences.From crushing riffs to ethereal jazz-infused passages, this Metal Blade release showcases a band evolving fearlessly and masterfully.Words: @hutchie224 @messa_band @metalbladerecords

In an age where streaming reigns and album art often goes unnoticed, Epica’s Aspiral demands full attention—both visually and sonically.Marking a bold new chapter in their nearly 25-year journey, this ninth studio album is a Symphonic Metal masterclass, brimming with cinematic grandeur, intricate compositions, and powerhouse performances from Simone Simons and company. Words: @hutchie224 @epicaofficial @nuclearblastrecords

With Inverted World, Death Metal pioneers Cancer deliver a searing and sinister slab of brutality. Set for release on April 25, 2025, the album marks a fierce return with founding member John Walker joined by a dynamic new lineup. Lyrically confronting manipulation, cult mentalities, and historical atrocities, each track is a dark, thought-provoking journey powered by relentless riffs, thunderous drums, and haunting growls. Inverted World is both a statement of intent and a brutal reminder that Cancer remain a force to be reckoned with. Words: Jools Green @cancerofficialband @peacevillerecords

Explore Dead And Buried by Stoneload, a heavy stoner blues debut merging grunge, thrash, and raw emotion into 15 ferocious tracks. Stream now on Spotify. Words: @sophzrocks @stoneload_band_official

Those Damn Crows unleash emotional and high-energy anthems on new album God Shaped Hole. A hard rock triumph, this is authentic, powerful, and arena-ready. Words: @zombierocker86 Photo: @robert_sutton_photography @earacherecords @thosedamncrows

King Kraken. March Of The Gods is a thunderous step forward, blending heavy riffs, refined songwriting, and groove-laden Metal in this must-hear 2025 album. Words: @hutchie224 @kingkrakenuk

Finnish vocalists Noora Louhimo and Netta Laurenne drop Falling Through Stars on April 18, 2025—an '80s-inspired metal album blending radio rock with a fierce modern edge.

Industrial Puke unleash raw Crust/Death Metal power on new album Alive To No Avail, out 28 March 2025. Short, furious tracks deliver unrelenting sonic intensity. Words: Jools Green @industrialpuke @suicide_records

Smith/Kotzen return with Black Light/White Noise, proving they've cornered the market on melodic rock with fiery riffs, dual vocals, and pure chemistry. Words: @brian_boyle_72 @richie_kotzen @misteradriansmith @bmgpmuk

As Rush celebrates five decades of groundbreaking music, Rush 50 offers fans a sprawling compilation packed with rare early recordings, electrifying live performances, and collector's extras. But with several previous box sets already out there, does this anniversary release bring enough fresh content to justify the price tag? Words: @hutchie224 @rush

Steven Wilson. The Overview is more than a return to progressive roots—it's a sweeping, cosmic journey through sound and self. Blending organic instrumentation with electronic textures, Wilson crafts a visionary album full of emotional depth and intellectual ambition.From ambient soundscapes to orchestral grandeur, The Overview is a masterclass in modern prog that proves Wilson is still pushing boundaries and redefining what progressive music can be. Words: @a.nashphotography @stevenwilsonhq @fictionrecords

Let’s be honest—we were all holding our breath for this one. With Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox dive headfirst into new territory without losing what made us fall in love with them in the first place. From the apocalyptic opener Fata Morgana to the emotionally charged closer Deep End, this album is a wild, genre-blending ride that proves Spiritbox are here to stay. Words: @_carol_tuck_ Photo: @tonynmph @spiritboxmusic