Wings Of Steel | Winds Of Time | High Roller Records

Release Date: October 17th, 2025

Format: CD, Vinyl, Digital

Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Country: United States

Wings Of Steel started when Leo Unnermark and Parker Halub crossed paths in Los Angeles during their studies. They clicked fast, wrote their first material in 2019, and later introduced themselves with a self titled EP in 2022. Their first full album “Gates Of Twilight” arrived soon after and pulled attention in Europe, especially for Leo’s soaring vocals and Parker’s sharp guitar work. With drummer Damien Rainaud completing the trio in the studio and High Roller Records handling European distribution, the band’s momentum has grown into something serious. “Winds Of Time”, written and recorded in California through late 2024, marks their next big strike.

The new album opens in grand form with “Winds Of Time”, a long heavy metal odyssey that piles melody, storytelling and ambition into one towering introduction. The band pushes forward with confidence in their craft, not through arrogance, but through the simple fact that the material is strong. Leo raises the vocals to theatrical heights, never slipping into excess, while Parker’s guitar work navigates heroic leads, neoclassical fire and old school flair. The duo understands how to build tension and release without drifting, and the music keeps you locked in for the entire journey.

“Saints And Sinners” swings in with a sharp kick, bringing speed and adrenaline. It is short, energetic and delivers instant impact. “Crying” brings the emotional curveball, a power ballad with an 80s touch and guitar leads that flirt with blues phrasing. Further in, “Burning Sands” and “To Die In Holy War” have a strong heavy metal pulse, driven by galloping rhythms and soaring vocal lines. The band pulls inspiration from heroes of the past without copying them, shaping the influences into something personal. “Lights Go Out” steps into darker territory, atmospheric without drifting away from the heavy metal roots. Before closing, “We Rise” delivers one more triumphant climb, and “Flight Of The Eagle” lifts everything even higher with open sky ambition and big, expressive guitar leads.

“Winds Of Time” stands among the year’s best heavy metal albums. It is crafted with passion, high skill and no shortcuts. The performances are strong across the board, from the vocal power to the guitar wizardry to the precise drumming. The songwriting keeps the album engaging from the towering opener to the giant finale. Wings Of Steel proves that their rise is not hype, but the result of serious work and clear musical vision. This album deserves its place in the top releases of 2025.

Score: 9.5

Soulfly | Chama | Nuclear Blast Records

Release Date: October 24, 2025

Format: CD/LP/Digital

Genre: Groove Metal

Country: Brazil, United States

Soulfly has been part of metal history for decades, growing out of Brazil with a mix of tribal intensity and street born aggression. Max Cavalera built the band around the fire of his early years, carrying a lifetime of touring, collaboration and family driven creativity. “Chama” arrives as the thirteenth Soulfly release, shaped by Max’s long journey from Belo Horizonte to Arizona and strengthened by the next generation of Cavaleras who now push the band forward. It comes from a place that mixes personal roots with imagery drawn from indigenous cultures and urban struggle, bringing together themes that have followed Max since the start of his career.

“Chama” moves with the ferocity that longtime listeners expect from Soulfly. The riffs strike hard, the energy snaps from track to track, and the voice behind the microphone still roars with that raw Brazilian fire. Portuguese lines return as a natural extension of the album’s story, tracing the path of a boy from the favelas who seeks a deeper spiritual force and wanders into tribal worlds far away from the chaos of the city. Soulfly channels those ideas with a dirty, street soaked attitude, mixing anger, ritual elements and the rough edges that have always defined the band’s sound.

The lineup around Max adds a lot of spark. Zyon Cavalera drives the songs with relentless stamina, pushing the pace without overcrowding anything. Guests like Dino Cazares, Mike DeLeon and Michael Amott throw their own energy into the storm, each one giving the album another push forward. Their appearances do not distract from the core identity of Soulfly, they simply thicken the attack and give certain moments extra bite. It is the kind of cooperation that feels natural for a band known for keeping friendships close and sound raw.

The production keeps things heavy and aggressive, giving space for the riffs to crush and the vocals to roar. The studio team understands Soulfly’s roughness and lets it breathe through the mix without softening the edges. “Chama” comes across as a charged experience that marches through jungle fire, street warfare and spiritual unrest without losing its drive. It has the dirt of the favela and the smoke of the ritual fire in the same breath, staying true to the path Soulfly has walked for decades.

Soulfly delivers an album that stands firmly in its own world, fueled by heritage, family, rebellion and that timeless Cavalera spark. It hits hard, burns hot and keeps its identity sharp from start to finish. Anyone following the band through the years will recognize this flame instantly, and newcomers will understand quickly why Soulfly still matters.

Score: 7.5

Testament | Para Bellum | Nuclear Blast Records

Release Date: October 10^th, 2025

Format: Vinyl/CD/Cassette/Digital

Genre: Thrash Metal

Country: United States

Testament formed in the Bay Area during the mid eighties and grew into one of the signature names of American thrash. Across decades of changing scenes they pushed forward with fierce vocals, intricate riff writing, and a rotating cast of highly skilled musicians. Their path has never been quiet, and “Para Bellum” arrives as another chapter from a band that has survived every shift around it and continues to attack with drive and imagination.

“Para Bellum” brings Testament into 2025 with a sound that has fire and tension, shaped by long running chemistry between Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson. The album circles around themes of human pressure, spiraling technology, and the strange disorder that ties them together. Tracks like “Infanticide A.I.” and “Shadow People” strike quickly, built on tight riff patterns and Chuck’s shifting vocals, moving from raw power to colder chants when the story calls for it. The lyrical direction locks into the broader picture of an increasingly unstable world, treating chaos less like fiction and more like a warning shot.

A large part of the album’s strength comes from the arrival of Chris Dovas behind the kit. His playing pushes Testament forward with sharp timing and energetic bursts that give Peterson and Alex Skolnick plenty of room for fast climbs and melodic turns. Songs rise and fall with constant motion, never flat, always circling back to the tension at the heart of the album. “For The Love Of Pain” and “High Noon” tap into darker territory, carrying a blackened edge that fits naturally with the band’s thrash backbone. Chuck’s delivery rides on top of it all, strong and varied, shaped to match the story of each track.

“Meant To Be” brings a softer shade into the album without breaking the flow. Testament rarely step into ballad territory these days, which makes this track stand out through contrast alone. It moves with steady build, swelling into a larger emotional push that makes sense within the album’s struggle between humanity and fracture. The added string work by Dave Eggar deepens the atmosphere, not as decoration, but as another voice pushing the theme forward.

Skolnick and Peterson remain the twin engines of the band. Their guitar lines stretch from sharp thrash runs to icy tremolo passages, giving “Para Bellum” a wide expressive sound. Steve DiGiorgio follows closely underneath, adding movement and shape than sticking to simple rhythm duties. With Jens Bogren handling the mix, everything hits hard with clarity, giving space to every idea without washing anything out. Testament sounds energized, focused, and fully engaged with the world they’re writing about. "WW3" in "Titans Of Creation", “Para Bellum” the title of this album that means "Prepare For War", are they prophets? What will eventually happen? If you want peace prepare for war.

Score: 8.0

Dead Heat | Process Of Elimination | Metal Blade Records

Release Date: October 10th, 2025

Format: Digital/CD/LP

Genre: Thrash Metal

Country: United States

Dead Heat formed in Oxnard, California in 2016 and quickly became a name tied to the border where thrash and hardcore shake hands and start a fight. They have toured heavily across the United States, Europe and Japan, released splits, EPs and full length albums, and slowly pushed their sound into sharper and more forceful territory. Their move to Metal Blade puts them on a larger platform, and “Process Of Elimination” arrives as their most ambitious step forward, shaped by constant touring, growing musical skill and a louder voice about the world around them.

“Process Of Elimination” hits with raw energy, the sort that comes from a band that has spent years in tight clubs, sweaty basements and packed festival pits. The production keeps the band’s sound forward with strong volume and definition, letting the riffs crack and the vocals cut through without blurring the edges.. Dead Heat pushes harder here than on previous releases, pushing their thrash side to the front while keeping their hardcore roots alive. The songs come fast, loaded with tempo changes, sharp riffing and vocal attack without hesitation. You can hear the band drawing from Slayer, Sepultura, Kreator and Pantera, but also folding in the grit of Cro Mags, Leeway and other hardcore heavyweights.

Tracks such as “Perpetual Punishment”, “The Order”, “By My Will” and the title track capture the band at full stride. Dead Heat leans into aggression without losing control of their pacing, which gives the album a steady and satisfying pulse. You can sense the band’s increasing skill in the way parts lock together and how the heavier sections strike without turning muddy or confusing. Even when the band experiments with different vocal approaches or shifts in groove, they keep things tight and energetic.

Lyrically they speak plainly about frustration, resistance and the world spinning in the wrong direction. Their approach matches the music, straightforward and unapologetic, never wrapped in flowery language. Dead Heat writes from lived experience, from touring, from watching politics twist people’s lives, from seeing communities pushed aside. That grounding gives the album a solid foundation that supports the storm of riffs and shouts around it.

“Process Of Elimination” lands as the strongest Dead Heat album to date, a release built by a band that has grown tougher, sharper and more assured through constant motion. It hits hard, says what it wants to say and delivers the kind of crossover thrash that works equally well in a packed venue or blasting through headphones on a bad day. It is a step upward for them, both musically and in sheer impact, and it marks their Metal Blade debut with a strike that leaves strong impression.

Score: 8.5

Coroner | Dissonance Theory | Century Media Records

Release Date: October 17^th, 2025

Format: CD/Mediabook CD/LP/Digital

Genre: Progressive/Thrash Metal

Country: Switzerland

Coroner has a long history in European metal, a history built on fast hands, twisted rhythms, and an attitude that shaped technical thrash before most bands knew where to start. Formed in the mid eighties in Zürich, the trio pushed heavy music into strange corners with albums that listeners still talk about today. After decades of silence, “Dissonance Theory” arrives through Century Media Records, showing a band that stayed hungry and never dulled its edge.

The new album moves with a steady pulse and a cool precision that suits Coroner’s style. The songs have a forward pull, the riffs turn tight circles, and the rhythm section locks in with a kind of cold fire. Tommy Vetterli’s guitar work has a clear character, bending lines and patterns in ways that keep the album lively from start to finish. Ron Broder delivers vocals with grit, and his bass work meshes tightly with Diego Rapacchietti’s drumming, creating a tough frame for the shifting guitar lines. Nothing drifts or fades, everything stays firm and intentional.

“Renewal” and “Symmetry” present the album’s approach well, with sharp structures and a darker atmosphere running through them. The writing plays with tension, breaking patterns and rebuilding them in ways that hold attention without sliding into chaos. The mix by Jens Bogren helps every detail land with strength, giving the album a modern punch while respecting the band’s rawer roots. There is a strong flow across the whole release, the kind that keeps the listener grounded while the band twists the musical path under their feet.

“Dissonance Theory” works as a powerful return, the sort of comeback that sounds like the band never left the studio at all. It has the focus of seasoned musicians who know their craft inside out and the spark of artists who still push forward. For metal listeners who grew up on Coroner or listeners discovering them for the first time, this album stands tall among 2025 releases and could easily be the album of the year. The limited mediabook CD has extra CD the cult 1986 demo "Death Cult" with Tom G. Warrior on vocals.

Score: 9.5

Coroner online:

https://www.coronerofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/coronerband

https://www.instagram.com/coronerband

https://www.youtube.com/@coronerofficial

https://www.tiktok.com/@coronerofficial

Century Media online:

https://www.centurymedia.com

https://www.facebook.com/centurymedia

https://www.instagram.com/centurymediarecords/

https://www.youtube.com/centurymedia

Arch Enemy | Blood Dynasty | Century Media Records

Release Date: October 10^th, 2025

Format: Digital/CD/LP

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Country: Sweden

Arch Enemy, the long running Swedish melodic death metal band formed in the mid nineties, built its name on sharp riffcraft, vivid melodies and a theatrical mix of aggression and uplift. Across decades and several line up shifts, the band held onto a recognisable identity powered by Michael Amott’s writing style and a strong vocal presence. With “Blood Dynasty” they arrive at their twelfth full length and the last as it seems with Alissa on vocals, now that these lines are written.

“Blood Dynasty” plays like the work of a band that knows its terrain and attacks it with sharp precision. The songs move with steady pressure, heavy guitars, soaring leads and Alissa White Gluz in commanding vocal form. The production by Jens Bogren gives everything weight and punch, keeping Arch Enemy’s trademark blend of aggression and melody right at the surface. The album’s core tracks, originally released earlier in the year, still hit with strong hooks and tight structure, and the added material folds neatly into the album’s atmosphere without disrupting its flow.

The singles “Dream Stealer,” “A Million Suns,” “Blood Dynasty,” “Paper Tiger” and “Liars And Thieves” continue to carry that balance of intensity and catchiness that Arch Enemy has refined over many records. Even when the band takes a more melodic route, the guitars keep an edge that prevents anything from drifting into softness. Alissa’s delivery cuts clearly through the mix, shifting from harsh to soaring passages with confidence. The rhythm section, as always with this group, stays steady and powerful, keeping everything grounded and energetic.

The bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition, including the previously unreleased “Lachrymatory,” add more color and momentum rather than simple extras. They fit naturally into the album’s character, expanding its presence and giving longtime listeners something new without creating a split between the original material and the fresh additions.

“Blood Dynasty” lands as a strong late era Arch Enemy chapter. The band sticks to what they do well, sharp guitars, big hooks, fierce vocals, and a polished melodic attack. It has all the elements that keep fans returning to this band, delivered with the precision of musicians who know their craft inside out. It is energetic, heavy, memorable and built to last through repeated listens. Arch Enemy keept their flame burning bright here. No one is irreplaceable. As Angela was replaced worthily  by Alissa the same will happen. There’s future and after Alissa.

Score: 8.3

Vintersorg | A Dialogue With The Stars | Hammerheart Records

Release Date: September 26^th, 2025

Format: 4CD Box Set

Genre: Folk/Black Metal

Country: Sweden

Vintersorg has always been tied to the landscape and the mind, one foot in icy Nordic forests and the other in astronomy books and philosophical ponderings. Andreas Hedlund built this project in the mid nineties and shaped it into something recognisable through soaring baritone vocals, raw black metal roots and a growing interest in cosmic themes. This box set brings together “Hedniskhjärtad”, “Till Fjälls”, “Ödemarkens Son” and “Cosmic Genesis”, four albums that chart his evolution from earthy pagan metal to star bound progressive expression.

Hammerheart Records presents these albums in a carefully assembled collection with remasters handled by Hedlund himself. The sound is noticeably clearer without losing the rough edges that defined his early work. “Till Fjälls” and “Ödemarkens Son” still have that wild northern temperament, driven by melodic leads and Scandinavian folklore, while “Cosmic Genesis” leans into science inspired lyricism and broader arrangements. Hearing these albums together shows how quickly Vintersorg expanded its horizons, not through drastic switches, rather through an ongoing push toward richer ideas.

“Hedniskhjärtad” remains the elemental spark, direct and personal, a window into the project’s roots. The following albums present a steady climb, with the songwriting growing more expressive and the vocals stretching into larger shapes. By the time the box reaches “Cosmic Genesis”, the universe seems wide open, and Hedlund dives into it with hunger for discovery. The thread linking all four releases is his instinct for combining harshness and melody in a way that still feels connected to cold landscapes and introspective wandering.

As a collector’s edition, this set works well for long time followers and for anyone who wants a full view of Vintersorg’s early path. The expanded poster, the rebuilt artwork and the careful sound treatment give these albums a new life without rewriting their history. Listening to them in sequence is like watching an artist climb from mountain shadow to starlit heights, always curious, always ready to explore the world around him and the one inside his own head. This box set captures that journey with respect and energy, a strong reminder of how powerful these albums still are.

Score: 8.5

 

          

Rage | A New World Rising | Steamhammer/SPV

Release Date: September 26^th, 2025

Format: LP/CD/Digital

Genre: Power Metal

Country: Germany

Rage has lived through every twist the German metal scene ever threw at them, and their history stretches back far enough to fill a bookshelf. Peavy Wagner has kept the band alive through countless lineups, always pushing forward with a stubborn spark that refuses to dim. “A New World Rising” arrives with that long running story behind it, carrying the energy of musicians who clearly enjoy creating together. Peavy, Jean Bormann and Vassilios Maniatopoulos tracked the album at their own studio in Leverkusen, giving it a personal touch that suits their long history.

The album leans into heavy, punchy metal with bright power metal edges. Rage aims for impact through strong hooks, quick shifts in tempo and vocals that cut straight through. There is a noticeable optimism running across the material, something that Peavy made very clear when talking about the band’s mindset. The message is simple, think for yourself, stop letting fear drive you. That tone fits their melodic writing, which pushes forward with steady pace and loud enthusiasm. The sound is familiar for Rage, still full of sharp riffs and that classic German approach to metal songwriting.

The thirteen songs move with speed and energy, each carrying a straightforward structure that helps the album stay lively. The guitar work keeps things tense and catchy, while Peavy’s voice remains the anchor. Nothing drifts into bloated territory, the band prefer quick strikes that leave an impression without dragging on. Rage taps into their heavy and thrashy side when needed, switching to more melodic phrases only to fire back into aggression moments later. This makes the album flow with the sense of a band who are comfortable in their skin and willing to push themselves creatively.

“A New World Rising” is one of those albums that shows Rage still has plenty to say. It is bright, loud, determined and written with the attitude of a band that refuses to sink into routine. Even with decades behind them, they charge forward with a spark that newcomers often struggle to summon. Fans of Helloween, Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Running Wild and the rest of the German power metal family will find this one immediately appealing. Rage delivered their metal reputation, with a kick-ass album positive at its core.

Score: 8.0

Ambush | Evil In All Dimensions | Napalm Records

Release Date: September 5^th, 2025

Format: CD/Vinyl

Genre: Heavy Metal

Country: Sweden

Ambush has been carrying the torch for traditional heavy metal since 2013, rising fast in the Swedish scene through relentless touring and a fiery devotion to classic steel. Their style draws clear influence from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Accept, with melodic guitar lines and soaring vocals that helped them earn loyal crowds across Europe. After years of building momentum, “Evil In All Dimensions” arrives as their Napalm Records debut, a moment that naturally brings higher expectations.

The album hits with straightforward heavy metal energy, powered by bright twin guitars, steady rhythmic drive and vocals that shoot straight into the stratosphere. Ambush keeps things punchy and immediate, letting the riffs do the talking. Songs like “Evil In All Dimensions” and “Bending The Steel” go for speed and impact, pushed along by a lively rhythm section that stays locked in from start to finish. There is also space for atmosphere and tension when the band wants it, especially in “The Night I Took Your Life” where the darker tone works in the album’s favor.

“I Fear The Blood” steps into more emotional territory, offering a dramatic moment that breaks the pace without drifting into anything overly sentimental. It shows Ambush in a more expressive mode, carried by strong vocal delivery and steady instrumental support. The remaining tracks bring a mix of high velocity metal and mid tempo heaviness, always staying within the band’s familiar terrain. The production keeps everything clear and front loaded, allowing the riffs and vocals to stand tall.

“Evil In All Dimensions” doesn’t try to complicate its mission. Ambush delivers a heavy metal album built for denim jackets, loud speakers and raised fists. It’s energetic, catchy and delivered with the enthusiasm of a band in its prime. Fans of old school European steel will easily fall into its world, and newcomers to the band will get a strong introduction to what Ambush is all about.

Score: 8.0

Amorphis | Borderland | Reigning Phoenix Music

Release Date: September 26^th, 2025

Format: CD/LP

Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal

Country: Finland

Amorphis has been part of metal history for more than three decades, evolving from a gritty death metal band into one of the most distinctive melodic forces in Europe. Formed in Helsinki in 1990, they built their name on atmospheric storytelling, Finnish folklore and a constant desire to expand their musical language. Through every era, the core of the band stayed solid, and “Borderland” arrives as another milestone in a long run that rarely stumbles.

“Borderland” finds the band working with Danish producer Jacob Hansen for the first time, and his approach gives the album a strong sense of clarity and balance. The songs the songs travel on a clear melodic path, shaped by Esa Holopainen’s flowing guitar lines, Santeri Kallio’s rich keyboard layers and Tomi Joutsen’s deep growls paired with his instantly recognizable baritone. The band focuses on direct songwriting, without unnecessary detours, and the result is an album that stands firm in its character.

The overall tone leans toward the more melodic and accessible side of the Amorphis spectrum, although the heavier roots remain present throughout. Tracks move between punchy riffs, warm folk-influenced melodies and steady rhythmic drive. The band sounds settled in its approach, delivering material that feels naturally connected to their long creative history. Pekka Kainulainen’s lyrics continue to draw from myth, ancestry and destruction, giving the album a consistent thematic voice.

“Borderland” may not aim for dramatic transformation, although it presents Amorphis in a refreshed state. The production is bright, the performances are tight and the album maintains enough interest. It sits comfortably among the band’s modern-era releases, offering enough variation and atmosphere to stand on its own without relying on nostalgia or dramatic pivots. Fans of the band’s melodic side will likely connect with this chapter immediately.

Score: 8.3

Paradise Lost | Ascension | Nuclear Blast Records

Release Date: September 19^th, 2025

Format: CD/Vinyl/Digital

Genre: Death/Doom/Gothic Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Paradise Lost started in Halifax in 1988 and quickly became one of the most influential names in gloomy metal. Their early albums mixed crushing heaviness with dark melody and helped define what later became known as gothic metal. Through the years they explored doom, electronic textures, and grand melodic metal, building a catalogue that inspired artists from Cradle Of Filth to Chelsea Wolfe. “Ascension” arrives more than three decades into their career and shows a band that remains steady, experienced and sharp in its dark craft.

“Ascension” works like a long walk through everything Paradise Lost has built since the late eighties. The guitars carry that familiar coldness, the kind Gregor Mackintosh has been shaping since “Gothic”, and Nick Holmes moves easily between deep growls and his grim singing voice. The album often shifts from heavy pressure to mournful melody, always keeping an atmosphere that feels grounded and human. There is a constant grey tone running through the songs, steady and unbroken, like a fog that refuses to clear.

What stands out here is how naturally the band moves between gloom, classic metal charge, and sombre melody without sounding scattered. “Serpent On The Cross” hits early with an almost old school swagger, while “Silence Like The Grave” sinks deeper into their gothic side. Tracks like “Tyrants Serenade” and “Salvation” have that distinctly Paradise Lost sadness, the sort that never turns theatrical, just heavy in a very matter-of-fact way. The final stretch, especially “The Precipice”, gives the album a stately curtain call, steady and dark to the last second.

“Ascension” comes across as a steady chapter from a band fully aware of its craft within its chosen shadows. There is no fluff, no attempt to dress things up with unnecessary gloss. Paradise Lost simply deliver a strong, cold-hearted metal album that stands proudly beside their respected catalogue. Three and a half decades in, and they still know how to turn sorrow into something powerful, atmospheric and undeniably their own.

Score: 8.5

Novembers Doom | Major Arcana | Prophecy Productions

Release Date: September 19, 2025

Format: CD, Vinyl

Genre: Doom Metal, Dark Metal

Country: United States

Novembers Doom has walked a long road since their early days in Chicago. Formed by Paul Kuhr in 1989, the band grew from the American death doom underground into one of the most recognizable names in dark metal. Their path has taken them through heavy, sorrow-laden albums, melancholic atmospheres and steady growth across decades. "Major Arcana" arrives as their twelfth full length, six years after "Nephilim Grove", carrying the familiar bleakness that has always marked their work while opening a new chapter through the tarot inspired concept that shapes the album’s tone and imagery.

"Major Arcana" presents Novembers Doom in a fully settled creative space. The band leans into their trademark mixture of heaviness and emotional weight, shifting between harsh vocals, sorrowful melodies and patient pacing. Nothing is detached from the story they want to tell. The songs move through darkness in different shades, sometimes crushing, sometimes pained, sometimes strangely reflective, always tied to the album’s atmosphere. The lyrical approach stays focused on the tarot concept, using symbolism to give each song its own narrative space without drifting into detached abstraction.

The album’s range is one of its strongest qualities. Tracks like "Ravenous" and "Bleed Static" strike hard with their heavier approach, while pieces such as "Mercy" or "The Dance" sink into melancholy and resignation. "The Fool" and "Dusking Day" bring a livelier swing, keeping the record from falling into a single emotional direction. This variety gives the album a steady flow from beginning to end, maintaining interest without relying on drastic stylistic shifts. The band balances aggression and sadness naturally, using each side of their sound to deepen the album’s atmosphere.

Production keeps the music grounded. Vocals sit clearly in the mix, guitars sound massive without turning the sound into chaos and the rhythm section pushes the music forward with weight and restraint. The album is unified, not stitched together, and the performances hold a mature character that fits the long running history of Novembers Doom. Nothing tries to be flashy. Instead, the band relies on lived experience and strong songwriting to build a coherent album that rewards attention.

"Major Arcana" stands as a confident return for Novembers Doom, a dark metal album that respects the band’s legacy without falling into formula. It is heavy, emotional and thoughtfully crafted, offering plenty to sink into for anyone who has followed them through the years. The tarot concept adds color without overwhelming the music, giving the album a personality that fits its somber nature.

Score: 9.0

Kamelot | Ascension 1995-1998 | Noise Records

Release Date: September 19^th, 2025

Format: 3CD Box Set/5LP Vinyl Box Set

Genre: Power Metal

Country: United States

Kamelot started in the mid nineties in Florida and quickly built a reputation inside US power metal. Their early era was marked by strong ambition, melodic guitar work, and dramatic vocal approaches. The band moved fast, releasing three albums in four years. These albums shaped the foundation that later turned Kamelot into one of the most respected names in symphonic and power metal worldwide.

“Ascension (1995-1998)” brings together “Eternity”, “Dominion” and “Siége Perilous” in one package. This is a direct look at the group’s early climb, presented with new remasters by Jacob Hansen. The sound has more presence now, giving these albums new life while keeping their character intact. Hearing the band move from the rawer debut into the more atmospheric territory of “Siége Perilous” shows how quickly they developed during that short window.

“Eternity” and “Dominion” still have that young band energy, with strong guitar themes and earnest delivery. Mark Vanderbilt’s voice might surprise newcomers who only know the later albums, although it fits the material of that period. These two albums show Kamelot before the broader melodic expansion that came later, while “Siége Perilous” presents the turning point with Roy Khan stepping in. His presence changed the direction of the band and you can hear that shift clearly, even in this early form. The remaster helps the three albums sit well together, giving them similar volume and brightness without altering their original identity.

The extra demos are a welcome touch for anyone who has followed the band for years. They offer a raw look at how some ideas started. The booklet and photos add more value, especially for fans who enjoy seeing how a band grows behind the scenes. What this set accomplishes is simple, it puts the first stage of Kamelot’s history in one place with stronger sound and enough bonus material to feel complete.

This collection works well for long time listeners who want a clear window into the band’s youth and for newer fans who want to explore where it all began. It shows Kamelot before the larger productions and grand arrangements, during the years when they were finding their path. It is a solid, respectful presentation of the early catalogue and a strong anniversary release.

Score: 8.0

Behemoth | Pandemonic Incantations | Metal Blade Records (Re-Release)

Release Date: September 12^th, 2025

Format: MediaBook CD/Vinyl/

Genre: Black/Death Metal

Country: Poland

Behemoth entered a new phase in 1998 when Nergal and Inferno shaped “Pandemonic Incantations”. This was the point where the group shifted from their early black metal roots toward a heavier and more layered vision. Nergal handled vocals, guitars and bass, while Inferno took charge of drums, forming a leaner lineup that pushed the band forward with clear intent. The themes of occultism, rebellion and self empowerment were already central, and this album marked the moment they began to sharpen them into the form that later defined their rise.

Metal Blade Records brought this chapter back to the surface with a reissue that packs seven bonus tracks and a new twenty page booklet. Eliran Kantor supplies fresh artwork that honors the original spirit while giving it a new look. The extra material, including the “Bewitching The Pomerania” EP and rare mixes, adds historical value for collectors and newcomers who want a broader view of the album’s place in Behemoth’s path.

“Pandemonic Incantations” still has the raw energy that made it important. The mix is rough around the edges, which actually adds character rather than taking anything away. You hear a band in transition, pushing their sound toward something heavier and more forceful. Nergal’s vocal delivery, combined with the guitar work, builds a harsh atmosphere, and Inferno’s drumming drives the aggression without turning the songs into noise. The album moves with steady intent and shows how Behemoth began to tighten their approach.

The reissue highlights how much this era mattered. The bonus material broadens the context, the booklet provides insight into a time of growth, and the refreshed artwork ties everything together. It is a release aimed at listeners who want a clear look at Behemoth before they entered their later dominant phase. You can hear the hunger in the writing and the push for a more defined sound, something that would become a core part of their identity.

Score: 8.0

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