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Showing posts with label Dying Victims Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dying Victims Productions. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Witching Hour |Rise Of The Desecrated |Dying Victims Productions (Reissue)


Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format Vinyl LP
Genre Blackened Thrash Metal
Country Germany

Witching Hour comes from Saarland, Germany, bringing pure black thrashing madness. Back in 2009, Marco Justinger handled bass duties, Sascha Bastian destroyed the guitars, Jan Hirtz screamed the vocals and added more guitars, and Simon Wender smashed the drums. This line-up created "Rise Of The Desecrated", their debut album full of juvenile enthusiasm for raw and evil thrash metal. Dying Victims Productions finally licensed this mayhem from Evil Spell Records to give us a proper vinyl LP release.

This album throws straight-up Teutonic thrash metal right into your skull. The speed is relentless. Hirtz shreds his vocal cords with absolute aggression. The guitars rip through the speakers with ungodly velocity, tearing everything apart. Wender batters his drums mercilessly, pushing the music forward with insane energy. The production stays entirely raw, delivering the music with maximum hostility.


The riffing cuts like a rusty chainsaw. The bass lines rumble constantly under the distorted guitars, adding a thick layer of filth. The solos explode out of nowhere, tearing up the rhythm section into shreds. Witching Hour delivers fast tempos and aggressive metallic chaos consistently. You headbang until your neck snaps. The whole album bleeds pure thrash metal energy.

"Rise Of The Desecrated" delivers excellent thrashing madness. It is a highly entertaining release for anyone who lives for fast and evil music. You spin this LP and destroy your living room. The riffs rule, the attitude is perfectly aggressive. A very strong blast of Teutonic thrash that gets the job done.

Score: 7.5

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Midyrasi’s Kult |Italian Dark Sound |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Doom Metal, NWOBHM
Country Italy

Midyrasi's Kult formed as an underground alliance of veterans from Italian doom outfits like DoomSword, Midryasi, Agarthi, and Fiurach. They dropped their first demo, "Mountain Devil", through Caligari Records in March 2025, catching the attention of tape traders everywhere. Now, Dying Victims Productions is backing their first full-length assault, "Italian Dark Sound". These guys mix traditional heavy metal, old-school doom metal, and early black metal, channeling the bizarre occult aura of their homeland's cult names like Black Hole and Death SS. Geilt handles the vocals and bass, bringing up to eleven different musicians into the fold to complete the sessions.

The music on "Italian Dark Sound" delivers a chaotic, hypnotic trip into a total underground nightmare. Geilt's low-end thunder meets Avenir's traditional metal guitar attacks, creating riffs loaded with old-school evil. Wrathlord punishes the drums with steady, doom-laden pounding. They throw away modern studio tricks entirely. Gabry Strada produced the album at RDF Studio, delivering an earthy, kaleidoscopic audio assault. The guitars cut through the speakers with a raw edge. The vocals sound totally possessed. Listeners looking for that specific Pentagram and Celtic Frost crossover will find it right here.


The band unleashes high energy for the majority of the album. Sometimes the strange atmospheric sections drag down the momentum. Certain riffs loop longer than necessary before the next transition happens. The chaotic mix of old Bathory malice and classic Mercyful Fate twin-guitar ideas works well most of the time. Occasionally, the transitions between the doom passages and the faster heavy metal attacks become clunky. The ideas are definitely sick, even when the execution stumbles for a minute. This creates a highly entertaining listening session.

Midyrasi's Kult made a weird, evil album for fans that worship old cassette tapes and patched denim jackets. "Italian Dark Sound" delivers an authentic dose of obscure heavy metal madness. The raw production and sinister songwriting provide massive headbanging moments for anyone devoted to the old underground ways. This release guarantees a good time for maniacs of dark, old-school terror.

Score: 7.5

https://midryasiskult.bandcamp.com/track/mountain-devil-4

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

https://www.instagram.com/midryasiskult

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Aggressive Perfector |Come Creeping Fiends |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Heavy Metal
Country United Kingdom

Aggressive Perfector operates as a heavy metal power-trio born in Manchester, UK. Having a musical background rooted in black metal, the members deliver classic extreme sounds. The roster consists of Mr. 666 on bass, Intimidator destroying the drums, and Dan Chainshaw ripping guitars and vocals. They initially unleashed their brand of satanic heavy metal back in 2019 with "Havoc At The Midnight Hour". Now, the maniacs drop their second full-length album, "Come Creeping Fiends", through Dying Victims Productions.

"Come Creeping Fiends" contains nine tracks forged straight out of a morgue. The music sounds totally evil, raging like a wild beast out for blood. Guitars shred through fast sections while doom segments summon pure agonizing darkness. The drums relentlessly punish the eardrums, driving the infernal assault forward at maximum intensity. The vocals bring a completely deranged, vicious attack from the depths of hell. The whole thing holds together as a massive metallic assault.


The execution across this album goes far beyond their previous work. The trio plays with insane speed, making the new songs deadlier and far dirtier. Tracks such as "Dead Undead" and "Strange Companion" deliver total destruction for the headbangers. The riffs rip through the speakers, tearing everything to shreds. "Fiend In You" unleashes supreme madness, demanding full-volume worship. The production captures all the raw, unholy energy a metalhead could ever want.

Aggressive Perfector delivers a totally killer dose of satanic madness. The insane speed and morbid doom sections combine into a highly lethal concoction. Some transitions drag a tiny bit, preventing a flawless ten, nonetheless the overall destruction remains undeniably awesome. Maniacs craving extreme evil heavy metal will absolutely bang their heads to "Come Creeping Fiends".

Score: 8.0

https://www.facebook.com/AggressivePerfectorBand

https://www.instagram.com/aggressiveperfector_/

https://aggressiveperfector.bandcamp.com/album/come-creeping-fiends

https://www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions/#

https://www.instagram.com/dyingvictimsproductions/

https://dying-victims.de/

https://www.youtube.com/c/DyingVictimsProductions

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Zerre |Rotting On A Golden Throne |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Thrash Metal, Crossover
Country Germany

Zerre emerged from the underground cellars of Würzburg, Germany. Nico Ziska screams on vocals, Dominik Bertelt and Rocco Lepore attack the guitars, Tim Müller destroys the bass, and Basti Spahn annihilates the drums on their newest release. The quintet delivered absolute chaos with their previous album in 2024. Now, Dying Victims Productions unleashes their fourth full-length album, "Rotting On A Golden Throne".

The music plunges headfirst into the decay of power and human corruption. The band attacks with intense hostility and massive crossover grooves. You hear the furious thrashing speed of early Metallica colliding with the stomping rhythms of Faith No More. Bertelt and Lepore deliver a vicious guitar assault. Every riff smashes into the skull. The entire album provides a brutal soundtrack for a crumbling world.


Spahn drives a monstrous, locomotive rhythm on the drum kit. Müller locks his bass lines into the fast tempos to maximize the sonic destruction. Ziska spits pure rage, screaming against a machine bloated by human suffering. The production stays extremely dark and ominous. You catch every angry vocal line and every thunderous blast. Zerre executes their chaos beautifully.

"Rotting On A Golden Throne" delivers a titanic crossover beating. The relentless tempos make the music huge and totally infectious. Sometimes the unyielding speed causes a couple of sections to blur together slightly. The musical hostility remains incredibly fierce regardless of those minor similarities. As the throne collapses entirely, Zerre plays the absolute anthem for its destruction.

Score: 8.5

https://www.facebook.com/zerre.thrash

https://zerrethrash.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/zerre.thrash/

https://www.youtube.com/@zerre.thrash

https://www.youtube.com/c/DyingVictimsProductions

https://dying-victims.de/

https://www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions/#

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dyingvictimsproductions/

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Pagan Altar |Mythical & Magical |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date February 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Heavy/Doom Metal
Country UK

Pagan Altar is a name whispered in the shadows by anyone who actually gives a damn about the history of British metal. Formed in London back in 1978, these guys were far too weird and mystical for the radio, blending heavy/doom with a gloomy, rustic folk vibe that felt like it was unearthed from a burial mound. Led by the late, legendary Terry Jones and his son Alan, the band spent decades as a cult secret before finally getting the respect they deserved. "Mythical & Magical" is their third full-length, pulling together songs that sat in the vault since the late seventies and early eighties, finally seeing the light of day to prove that some things just get more potent with age.

If you want music that sounds like a damp forest at midnight, "Mythical & Magical" is the gold standard. This album is a massive, sprawling beast that ignores every trend from the last forty years. Alan Jones handles the guitar like a wizard, weaving these intricate, soulful leads that dance around the crushing weight of the riffs. It’s got that ancient, dusty atmosphere that Dying Victims Productions is smart to keep alive. This isn't just a collection of songs. It’s a trip into a world of folklore and dark magic that leaves most modern "occult" bands looking like plastic toys.


The vocals from Terry Jones are the real deal, high, reedy, and full of a haunting character that you just don't hear anymore. When he tells stories in tracks like "The Cry Of The Banshee" or "The Crowman," you believe every word of the nightmare. The rhythm section of Trevor Portch and Mark Elliot keeps things grounded, providing a thick, thumping pulse that allows the melodies to soar. There’s a certain melancholy hanging over the whole experience, especially on the longer epics where the folk influence bleeds into the heavy rock foundations.

This reissue is a mandatory pickup for the double vinyl alone, especially with that etching on the final side. It’s the peak of the band’s output, showing off their mastery of that specific "NWOBHM meets 70s rock" style they perfected. The production on "Samhein" and "The Sorcerer" captures warmth and a resonance that digital-obsessed bands can’t replicate. It’s a 20th-anniversary celebration of an album that was already timeless when it dropped, proving Pagan Altar is the true king of the underground.

Score: 8.0



Saturday, February 7, 2026

Venthiax |Rites Of Ra |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date February 27th, 2026
Format CD/Vinyl
Genre Speed/Thrash Metal
Country Sweden

Venthiax formed in March 2021 in Huskvarna, aiming to be the loudest band in the Jönköping region. The lineup features bassist Wendy Juneström, known for the Black Pages fanzine, guitarist Viggo Heinonen, formerly of Pyrrha, and drummer/vocalist Emil Borg. After releasing a demo, an EP, and two live albums, the Swedish trio signed with Dying Victims Productions for their debut mini-album. Drawing influence from 80s titans like Slayer and Sodom, they focus on aggressive, old-school songwriting.

"Rites Of Ra" kicks in the door with the subtlety of a brick to the face. Venthiax clearly worships at the altar of early Teutonic thrash and American speed metal, delivering a sound that reeks of stale beer and leather. The production here is wonderfully grimy. It sounds like it was recorded in a dungeon, keeping the edges rough and the atmosphere dark. There is no modern sheen to hide behind, just pure, unfiltered noise that demands you bang your head until your neck snaps.

Viggo Heinonen’s guitar work drives the chaos. The riffs are fast, jagged, and heavily influenced by the evil sounds of early Sodom or Kreator. He attacks the strings with serious aggression, creating a wall of distortion that powers the whole machine. Solos shriek and wail over the rhythm, adding to the manic energy. The guitar tone is sharp enough to cut glass, providing the perfect soundtrack for a circle pit in a dive bar.


The rhythm section creates a battering ram of sound. Emil Borg abuses his drum kit. His playing is primitive and savage, avoiding technical wizardry in favor of pure propulsion. He whips the toms and crashes the cymbals with a relentless fury that keeps the tempo pushing forward. Wendy Juneström’s bass rumbles underneath, locking in with the drums to form a heavy foundation. This bottom end gives the tracks the necessary muscle to back up the speed.

Vocally, Borg barks out lyrics about ancient rituals and mayhem with plenty of venom. His delivery is harsh and shouted, matching the abrasive nature of the music perfectly. Songs like "Speed Metal Mayhem" live up to their name, delivering exactly what is advertised on the tin. The band keeps things short and punchy, getting in, wrecking the place, and getting out before things get boring.

This mini-album is a fun ride for anyone who misses the glory days of the mid-80s underground. Venthiax delivers a satisfying dose of speed and aggression without overthinking it. It is raw, it is fast, and it is loud. Sometimes that is all you need. Grab a beer, turn the volume up to eleven, and let "Rites Of Ra" tear your speakers apart.

Score: 7.5

Burning Path |Burning Path |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date February 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Heavy Metal
Country Chile

This whole project started in the worst way possible. Back in late 2024, the Chilean scene took a massive hit when Andre Adasme, known to us as Hades, was murdered. That tragedy ended Lucifer's Hammer right there because you just can't replace a character like that. But metal doesn't just stop. His brother Titan and guitarist Hypnos decided to keep the machine running, not by dragging the old name through the dirt, but by starting fresh. They formed Burning Path to honor that legacy. It takes guts to step out of the shadow of a beloved band and try to march forward while the wound is still fresh.

"Burning Path" picks up the torch and runs with it. If you were into the last Lucifer's Hammer stuff, you are going to get exactly what you want here. Titan stepped up to handle vocals along with drums and guitars, joining Hypnos to crank out some serious mid-tempo heavy metal. This isn't about speed or thrashing until your neck snaps; it's about that strut. The songs ride a groove that feels ripped straight from 1985. It’s got that silky, melodic edge that reminds me of Dokken or even Europe before they got too fluffy, but with enough grit to keep it street-legal.


The influences are worn right on the sleeve. You can hear bits of Diamond Head and Heavy Pettin’ in the riffing. It’s catchy stuff. The duo focuses on making anthems that stick in your head rather than showing off how fast they can play scales. The melodies are front and center, bringing a mix of heroism and genuine sadness, which makes sense given the history here. It’s moody, but it still rocks. The production fits the music well, giving the guitars enough bite without losing that melodic sheen that this style needs to work.

Overall, this is a respectful and cool continuation of a sound we already dug. "Burning Path" is a testament to resilience. It honors Hades by keeping the volume loud and the denim vest tight. It’s a good time for anyone who loves that classic, mid-paced heavy metal sound. They managed to pull triumph out of a tragedy, and while it might be a new name on the cover, the spirit is old school and alive.

Score: 7.3

Friday, February 6, 2026

Harrowed |The Eternal Hunger |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date February 27th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Death Metal
Country Sweden

Rising from the maggot-ridden sewers of Stockholm, Harrowed is the new vessel for vocalist and drummer Adam Lindmark, formerly of the Swedish death metal outliers Morbus Chron. He joined forces with guitarist Tobias Alpadie to create this heap of filth. They dropped a demo in 2021 and a split the following year to test the waters. Their sound takes the bones of classic acts like Autopsy, Entombed, and Death Strike and grinds them through a garbage disposal. Now, they are finally unleashing their debut full-length, "The Eternal Hunger", via Dying Victims Productions.

"The Eternal Hunger" kicks in with a sound that is totally crusty and aggressive. The band mixes standard Swedish death metal sounds with a serious dose of punk rock energy. It is not just about playing fast as they throw in these weird, skewed melodies that make the whole thing sound demented. The riffs are thick and grimey. You can hear the Autopsy influence heavily when things slow down and get sludgy. This album has a crazy energy that just wants to break things. The songwriting keeps you banging your head because they switch up the tempos often enough to keep it interesting without getting too fancy.


Production-wise, Robert Pehrsson nailed it at Studio Humbucker. He gave the band a sound that is physical and raw. You can hear the grime on the strings and the impact of the drums. It avoids that fake, plastic sound so many modern bands have. It sounds like a band sweating in a room. They even got legends like Nicke Andersson and Scott Carlson to guest on the album, which adds some serious cool points. The mix allows the dirty bass and the distinct vocals to sit right on top of the chaos.

With a full lineup now including Dag Landin and Estefan Carrillo, Harrowed is ready to bring this noise to the stage. "The Eternal Hunger" is a stonewall of death metal that rips through. It provides a good thirty-six minutes of headbanging fun. If you like your death metal with a bit of punk attitude and a lot of grime, this record belongs in your collection. It is a strong start for the band.

 Score: 7.5

 https://harroweddeathmetal.bandcamp.com/track/the-haunter

https://www.facebook.com/harroweddeathmetal/

https://www.instagram.com/harroweddeathmetal/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3g4-D4n1AGzd0RugnDtVA

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Barbarian | Reek Of God |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date: January 23rd, 2026
Format: CD/Vinyl/Digital
Genre: Speed/Thrash/Black Metal
Country: Italy

Barbarian hails from Firenze, Italy, active for over a decade and a half, locked into the underground with a reputation built on sweat, riffs, and stubbornness. A power trio with zero interest in trends, they have carved their own lane through sheer volume of ideas and a deep obsession with metal history, punk abrasion, and early extreme sounds. Six albums in, they stand as lifers, not tourists.

Barbarian return with “Reek Of God”, their sixth full length and their first strike for Dying Victims Productions. This album sticks to their core habits, fast riffs, ugly hooks, and a constant sense of pressure. The songs are shorter; more packed, and rarely settle into familiar verse patterns. It comes off restless and overloaded on purpose, like someone dumping a crate of records on the floor and playing them all at once. The attitude is confrontational, anti religious, anti comfort, and very much rooted in street level metal thinking.


Musically, “Reek Of God” pulls from raw heavy metal, early death metal grime, and punk spite, all mashed together with frequent tempo shifts. Riffs pile up fast, sometimes almost tripping over each other, which adds to the chaos and occasionally works against the songs sticking long term. Tracks like “Maxima Culpa” and “Cardinal Sinner” hit hard with blunt force, while others feel more like violent sketches than fully locked ideas. The L7 cover “Freak Magnet” fits better than expected, twisted into Barbarian’s own language without sounding like a novelty pick.

Lyrically, the album keeps swinging at religion and authority, with some sharper moments standing out. “Shit He Forgives” pulls lines from Crass and keeps the venom intact, while “Crossburn” flips expectations and makes its stance clear without clever disguises. References like Ice-T and punk politics show up as part of the band’s DNA, not as winks for approval. Barbarian sounds informed, obsessed, and unfiltered, sometimes to a fault.

“Reek Of God” hits harder on energy; the flood of riffs and ideas keeps things intense, though not every track sticks in the memory once the noise clears. This is an album for listeners who prefer friction over polish and attitude over comfort. Barbarian remains stubborn, loud, and allergic to compromise, which keeps them interesting even when the execution stumbles.

Score: 7.5

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Karloff |Revered By Death |Dying Victims Productions


Release Date: January 23rd, 2026
Format: CD/ LP
Genre: 
Black Metal, Punk
Country: Germany

Karloff emerged from Oldenburg in 2018 as a raw outlet for Tom Horrified, known from Graveyard Ghoul, alongside close allies sharing a taste for punk driven metal. Early material showed a rough and street level character, but the debut album “The Appearing” marked a shift toward a heavier and more defined identity. That release placed the band in a space where old school metal and hardcore attitude met under darker skies, setting the groundwork for what followed.

“Revered By Death” continues from that point with a darker and more restrained approach. The songs favor mid paced movement and thick riffs, creating a more oppressive atmosphere than before. The aggression is still present, though it comes through steady pressure instead of speed. The album leans toward a grim and shadowed character, where heaviness comes from the writing and overall direction rather than sheer distortion.


Vocals sit deep in the mix and enhance the ominous tone, while the rhythm section keeps everything grounded and physical. The production supports this approach by staying raw and unpolished, giving the album a coarse and underground presence. There is a noticeable post punk flavor in the vocal effects and chord choices, adding another layer to the band’s evolving sound without shifting focus away from metal roots.

Across its runtime, “Revered By Death” maintains a consistent character that emphasizes darkness and restraint. The album does not rely on sudden shifts or flashy moments, instead building its identity through repetition and atmosphere. This results in a release that feels solid and coherent, even if it rarely pushes beyond familiar territory.

“Revered By Death” stands as a respectable second full length for Karloff. It deepens the band’s established sound and sharpens their darker edge, though it leaves the impression of playing things somewhat safe. For listeners drawn to grim metalpunk with an old school spirit, this album offers a steady and reliable listen.

Score: 7.3

https://www.facebook.com/karloffpunk

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Sacrifice (JPN) | Tears | Relics From The Crypt (Reissue)


Release Date: December 19th, 2025
Format: CD/LP
Genre: Thrash/Heavy Metal
Country: Japan

Sacrifice came out of Tokyo in the mid eighties with a raw attitude, a stubborn commitment to heavy metal played with thrash intensity, and a sound that never chased trends. The band carved its own corner with “Crest Of Black” then sharpened everything with “Total Steel”. “Tears”, released in 1992, arrived during a strange period for heavy music, although Sacrifice kept moving against the current with their own instincts. This reissue brings that era back into view and shows why the album still holds strong today.

“Tears” comes in with a rough spirit, heavier than its title suggests. Sacrifice slows their tempo more often than before, creating a darker and more direct tone. The band sound locked together, driven by sharp riffs and a voice that carries bitterness and anger. Tracks like “Never Land Never Again”, “Hardest Life”, “Broken Heroes” and “Time Slips Through In Front Of Your Eyes” push forward with firm rhythm, harsh edges and a sense that the group wanted to stretch their metallic roots without drifting into confusion. Even when the pace drops, the impact stays strong.


There is a gritty personality running through the album, something that separates it from the American and European scenes of the early nineties. Sacrifice takes familiar influences and twist them into their own Japanese blend, raw and forceful, with no interest in smoothing anything out. The emotional element is present, not in a fragile way, more like scars that the band chose to show plainly. This gives “Tears” an unusual character that still sounds fresh today.

As a reissue, “Tears” returns with the same tough spirit that made Sacrifice a cult name. It stands as a document from a time when metal was shifting around the world, although Sacrifice pushed forward on their own path and delivered something intense, honest and memorable. Anyone into the heavier underground side of metal will understand why this album still earns respect.

Score: 7.0

https://www.facebook.com/sacrificejapan

https://www.instagram.com/sacrificejapangram/

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Tyrann | Djävulens Musik/Besatt | Dying Victims Productions


Release Date: November 21st, 2025
Format: CD
Genre: Heavy Metal
Country: Sweden

From Stockholm, Tyrann is a Swedish heavy metal trio made up of Jakob Ljungberg (drums), Tobias Lindqvist (vocals, bass), and Joseph Tholl (guitars). They’ve already left a mark in the underground scene through other well-known projects, but Tyrann is where they unleash pure, traditional heavy metal in its most direct and adrenaline-fueled form. “Djävulens Musik” (2021) and “Besatt” (2023), now reissued together on one CD, chart the band’s rise from a promising new act to one of the most talked-about names in the modern wave of classic metal revival.


“Djävulens Musik” hits with that distinct energy of early 80s Scandinavian steel. It’s fast, catchy, and stripped of unnecessary gloss. The songs cut straight to the heart of what heavy metal is about, galloping riffs, shout-along choruses, and solos that sound like they were forged in a garage where Motörhead, Judas Priest, and Heavy Load are playing at once. The raw production works perfectly here, making every moment feel urgent and alive. The Swedish lyrics on several tracks add character and local flavor without alienating the listener, giving the record a distinct identity.

Two years later, “Besatt” expands that same spirit with a touch more precision. It’s slightly tighter, but still wild and spontaneous. The energy remains front and center, with “Face The Tyrant” and “Rå Energi” standing out as examples of how to keep heavy metal fresh without diluting its punch. Lindqvist’s voice fits the band’s sound perfectly, halfway between a commanding roar and an anthem-calling bark, while Tholl’s guitar work delivers exactly the kind of riffs and leads fans of traditional metal crave.

Together, these two albums capture Tyrann’s essence, pure heavy metal fire, no frills, no experiments, just passion and hooks that stick. The reissue by Dying Victims Productions and Electric Assault Records (on vinyl) is a great chance for anyone who missed them the first time to catch up with a band that clearly knows how to bring classic metal energy into today’s scene.

Score: 7.0



Saturday, November 8, 2025

Speedclaw | Stardust | Dying Victims Productions


Release Date: November 21st, 2025
Format: CD, Vinyl
Genre: Heavy/Speed Metal
Country: Croatia

Speedclaw comes from Rijeka, Croatia, and since 2015 they’ve been blasting out furious traditional heavy metal with an attitude straight from the early eighties. Their first two EPs, “Iron Speed” and “Beast In The Mist,” earned them a solid reputation among fans of classic metal thanks to their raw, high-octane sound. “Stardust,” released by Dying Victims Productions, is their long-awaited debut album and captures the band at their most confident and energized.

This is an album that hits fast and stays that way. “Stardust” runs a little over half an hour but it’s packed with metallic hooks, twin guitar harmonies, and wild solos that could have come from the golden age of metal. The songs sound fresh but never lose the gritty charm of early speed metal. You can hear the fire and sweat in the riffs, the galloping rhythms, and Silvano Cosic’s sharp-edged vocals, which sound like they were forged in a smoky club filled with denim, leather, and beer.


There’s a good balance between melodic precision and raw power. Tracks like “Tonight” and “Allnighter” tear through the speakers with burning energy, while “Queen Of The Night” and “White Town Rider” bring in that classic heavy metal spirit that recalls bands like early Iron Maiden and Riot. The production by Matej Zec keeps everything punchy and vibrant, and the mixing and mastering by Olof Wikstrand (Enforcer) give the album a clear, energetic drive without polishing away its rough charm.

Half of “Stardust” forms a loose story about life on the road, which adds an interesting layer to the listening experience. It gives the impression of a band that’s been living the metal life day in and day out, speeding through the night, chasing gigs, and refusing to slow down. In the end, “Stardust” is a strong debut from a band that knows exactly where its roots are. It’s fast, loud, and full of heart, a pure shot of traditional metal played with energy and spirit.

Score: 7.5

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Fate’s Hand | Steel, Fire And Ice | Dying Victims Productions


Release Date: November 21st, 2025
Format: CD/LP
Genre: Heavy Metal
Country: Australia

Fate’s Hand formed in Australia in 2021 and immediately stirred attention with their self-titled EP. The members, coming from groups such as StarGazer and Mongrels Cross, already had deep roots in extreme and traditional metal. That short release hinted at something more ambitious: a band channeling the ancient spirit of heavy metal with vigor and intensity. Now, a few years later, they return fully armed with their first album, “Steel, Fire And Ice”, through Dying Victims Productions.

This debut full-length plays like an anthem to the essence of classic heavy metal, fueled by galloping rhythms, heroic vocal lines, and blazing guitar duels. Fate’s Hand takes everything that made their EP powerful and expand it with grander storytelling and wilder momentum. The album charges forward with energy that recalls early Judas Priest and Bathory’s first spark of fury, but with the melodic edge and precision of ‘80s warriors such as King Diamond.


There’s a compelling sense of battle in every song. The riffs strike with force and rhythmical bite, while the vocals soar high, cutting through the storm. The band’s chemistry shows in how tightly they lock into each attack, bringing that old-school fire into sharp modern focus. The production is strong and raw, fitting perfectly with the band’s steel-forged character. Every moment is driven by a passion for glory and confrontation, as if each track were a call to arms in some mythic struggle.

What makes “Steel, Fire And Ice” stand tall is its determination to pure heavy metal spirit. It doesn’t fall into nostalgia or mimicry, it simply is heavy metal in its truest, loudest form. The melodies have muscle, the pace keeps the adrenaline high, and the atmosphere stays fierce from beginning to end. Fate’s Hand has delivered an album that can rally fans of the old masters while proving that the flame still burns strong in new hands.

Score: 7.5


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