Metal Reviews

Motörhead’s Orgasmatron turns 40 with a Cameron Webb remix, remastered originals and raw bonus recordings. Paul Hutchings revisits a landmark album and weighs its familiar grit against the remix’s fresh bite.

Walls Of Jericho channel the fire of their live shows into their first album in a decade. With punishing breakdowns, Candace Buckingham’s raging vocals and guests including Randy Blythe, System Error: Humanity is a return worth celebrating.

I gave glowing reviews to the previous two albums by Iron Savior, 2023's Firestarter and 2022's Ironbound Vol.2. As I said then, Power Metal is a divisive genre, often dismissed by fans...

Little Angels are back, and what a return. Their new five-track EP, Big, Bad And Back, blends nostalgia, maturity and pure rock 'n' roll magic. Paul Monkhouse discovers a band whose chemistry remains as potent as ever, delivering some of the finest music of their career.

French progressive Post-Metal outfit Hypno5e push musical boundaries with Trame Noire, their seventh studio album. Blending explosive riffs, intricate rhythms, atmospheric melodies and moments of crushing intensity, this is a challenging yet deeply rewarding listen. Paul Hutchings explores an ambitious release that refuses to be predictable.

Indian Thrash Metal trio Kasck return with The Universal Lie, a ferocious debut full-length that captures everything great about old-school Thrash. Blistering riffs, powerful songwriting and thought-provoking lyrics make this one of the most impressive Thrash releases in recent memory.

Cats In Space promised their most grandiose album yet. With Suit Of Armour, they deliver something even more powerful: soaring ’70s-inspired rock, epic storytelling and raw emotion that hits hardest when the armour comes off. Liz Medhurst reviews.

Blacktop Mojo push beyond southern rock on Discount Fireworks, blending thunderous Metal riffs, grunge and blues with raw emotional power. From the blistering Guttshot to the aching Little White Orchids, this is an album whose impact is instant.

Danish quartet Konvent expand their Death/Doom roots with Black Metal influences, thunderous riffs and haunting melodies. Paul Hutchings reviews Firesky, a bold, atmospheric and fiercely compelling album that marks a new high point for the band.

Nearly 30 years into their career, Cult Of Luna remain at the peak of their powers. In The Shadow Of Your Shadow is a monumental 71-minute journey through loss, darkness and crushing intensity, featuring Joe Duplantier and David Eugene Edwards. Devastating, diverse and quite possibly the best album of 2026.

Scarlet Rebels deliver their most introspective album yet with Flawed By Design. Big hooks, heartfelt performances and sharp social commentary mark another step forward for the Welsh rockers.

Funeral Doom pioneers Pantheïst return with Uncanny Times, their seventh album and potentially their finest work yet. Combining crushing riffs, haunting soprano vocals and majestic, melancholic soundscapes, Kostas Pangiotou and his band deliver a breathtaking release destined to stand among the genre's defining works.

More than sixty years after helping shape Heavy Metal, Tony Iommi proves his creative fire is far from extinguished. With Jorn Lande, Becky Baldwin and Karl Brazil alongside him, From The Dark delivers powerful riffs, dark melodies and fresh inspiration from one of Metal's founding fathers.

Inspired by frontman Vats Lyengar’s near-death experience at sea, Rainburn’s thirty-seven connects nine songs exploring faith, love and mortality. The Bangalore trio blend intricate progressive rock with industrial edges on an album that rewards repeated listening.

Nickelback come out swinging on Everything Under The Sun, pairing some of their heaviest riffs with irresistible hooks and emotional depth. Paul Monkhouse explores a fifteen-track album that could be their finest work yet.

Northern Irish Pagan Metal pioneers Waylander return with their sixth studio album, Mac Tíre: Son Of The Land. Drawing on ancient Irish mythology, folklore and pagan spirituality, the band deliver a powerful and uplifting blend of crushing Metal, haunting whistle melodies and traditional Irish instrumentation. Jools Green reviews an album rich in atmosphere, passion and storytelling.

Boss Keloid return with their sixth album, Float & Aperture, an expansive and deeply personal journey through progressive rock, sludge and experimental sounds. Rich in melody, emotion and creativity, it may well be their finest work yet.

Seven hours of psychedelic magic at Cambridge Corn Exchange celebrate Syd Barrett’s enduring legacy, with Kula Shaker, Soft Machine and a show-stealing performance from Diana Silvera.