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Darkzen Dragon Metal Angels
NiNi Music
The Review
Contenido
HELLOWEEN "Live At Budokan" 2024, a celebration of their legacy in Japan with over 2 hours of metal music!
The Review!
By Darkzen
12/01/2025
It is the first German band to record a live show at the Tokyo Budokan venue in Japan. The band is also working on a new album for 2025. The live setlist is excellent, with surprises! The selection of songs is a great tribute to the most loyal fans as well as to the vast musical career of the band, with a remarkable evolution of HELLOWEEN and presenting more than two hours of pure energy and clear power metal.
Country: Germany
Tracklist
Orbit
Skyfall
Eagle Fly Free
Mass Pollution
Future World
Power
Save Us
Kai's Medley
Forever And One (Neverland)
Best Time
Dr. Stein
How Many Tears
Keeper Of The Seven Keys
Perfect Gentleman
I Want Out
My Recommendation
Divided into two parts, these great songs each leave us with a great set list, excellent and cult! With full-length songs such as Skyfall and Keeper Of The Seven Keys, among others! With pure old-school Power Metal! Although I think more iconic songs were missing, but with that total of fifteen live hits, this is what this new live release of HELLOWEEN collects, who seem to be living one of their best moments in these years, since currently their name occupies the head of the event on the posters of the main festivals, you can see on their website for this 2025, in addition to two super voices from Michael Kiske and founding member Kai Hansen!
Sincerely a great presentation for the end of 2024 and that you can enjoy for this 2025!
Score
100/100
Info
https://www.helloween.org/helloween
https://www.instagram.com/helloweenofficial/
"Requiem For A Damned Love"
The Review!
By Darkzen
12/01/2025
Rockshots Records is excited to announce that RISEN CROW has officially released their debut single and music video for "Risen Crow", the first track from their highly anticipated album "Requiem For A Damned Love" due out February 2025. The single is now available on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by an evocative video that captures the dark, melodic essence of the band’s unique sound.
Formed in 2020 in Rome, Risen Crow stands out in the Italian metal scene with their distinct fusion of power metal and gothic elements. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, Kamelot, and Lacuna Coil, Risen Crow’s music blends powerful riffs, haunting melodies, and atmospheric soundscapes, creating an emotional journey for listeners. The single "Risen Crow" embodies the band’s artistic vision, showcasing their signature mix of powerful metal energy and dark, gothic atmospheres.
The upcoming album, "Requiem For A Damned Love" delves into themes of obsession, damned love, and sacrifice, taking listeners through an intense narrative filled with emotion and depth. The track "Risen Crow" sets the tone for the album, offering a glimpse into the band’s compelling storytelling and dynamic musical approach.
Risen Crow invites fans to experience their dark, melodic journey and immerse themselves in their debut single's evocative atmosphere. With a strong lineup and a unique blend of influences, the band is ready to make their mark on the international metal scene.
Country: Italy
Style: Power Metal
Risen Crow Line Up:
Antonella Della Monica: Vocals
Claudio Vattone: Vocals
Giuseppe Longo: Guitars
Francesco Menale: Guitars
Alessandro Bernabei: Keyboards
Flavio Cicchetti: Bass
Filippo Martini: Drums
Track Listing:
Never surrender
Black Widow
Funeral Jack
Risen Crow
Revelation
Dark In my life
Believe in me
Black Rose
My Recommendation
We start with Never Surrender, an excellent atmospheric/dark sound with that gothic touch that opens us with an instrumental background sound! Next, excellent, melodic and forceful riffs and chords make their presence felt, then we have Black Widow with the guitar line in front and Antonella's beautiful melodic voice making a great duet with Claudio, great melodic power metal! In Funeral Jack we have another atmospheric/gloomy entrance, laments and cries in the background that later with an evil laugh the harmonic, light and slow line of the guitar chords makes its presence felt in front, then with the homonymous song of the band's name Risen Crow with a melodic, harmonic, clean power metal in a duet of both voices! We have a good album by the band made in a fiery, forceful and classic way! I think that for fans of bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Kamelot, Helloween, etc ... power metal with dark gothic influences, formed in 2020 in Rome, will catch you, also with a beautiful voice like Antonella's, she has a modern singing technique and a penchant for the dark atmospheres that we can hear, you can hear a very notable melodic dimension and with a technique for powerful and complex riffs. always with a solid foundation in power metal and gothic dark.
Score
90/100
Info
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Resist!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
27/01/2025
Finnish melodic death metallers Admire the Grim will release their debut album ‘Resist’ via Inverse Records in January 2025. The album, which was crafted for two years, consists of familiar Admire the Grim tunes and acoustic surprises. Antti ‘Hyrde’ Hyyrynen of Stam1na visits as a guest vocalist on the single ‘Resist’. Album debut gig will be held at the legendary Nuijamies venue in the band’s hometown of Lappeenranta, Finland. Afterwards Admire the Grim is heading for gigs around Finland.
Admire the Grim was formed in 2021. The band released its’ well received ‘Rogue Five’ debut EP via Inverse Records in 2022. After the release the band followed up with a Finnish tour and their first gig abroad at Bloodstained Metal Fest in Estonia.
Style: Melodic Death Metal
Members
Katri Snellman (vocals)
Jani Loikkanen (guitar)
Sirja Ojaniemi (guitar)
Petri Hänninen (bass)
Tommi Vante (drums)
Admire The Grim - Resist (album 2025)
Track list:
Crescent Moon
Resist
Revolutions
Rivers to Surge
Acoustic Melodies from the Past and Present
Choke on Your Words
Hypocrite
Mad Queen of the Second Sun
No Limits
My Recommendation
Our friends from Admire the Grim leave us their new album! With a lot of energy, power from the start! With a lot of Death! From the first track of Crescent Moon a huge scream from Katri great! Melodic, rhythmic and fast chords that will make you feel the fresh and new vibe of this album, then we have the homonymous song from the album Resist that starts with the line of guitars and challenging and heavy drums! A melodic and rhythmic song, with that classic characteristic melodic death and in that powerful voice of Katri defiant in every minute of the song! Power and Heaviness everywhere in this new album! Now in Revolutions we have a song a little slower at the beginning of the track, with the guitar and drum line handled in a harmonical and well-coupled way, we have a song with the distinctive seal of the classic style of melodic death without a doubt, later with Rivers to Surge we have a song a little more relaxed where the guitars and drums are the main protagonist, led by the strong voice of Katri! And so we continue until the last song which is No Limits where it closes in an explosive, fast and forceful way, without losing the musical intensity, in the voice without a doubt Katri handles the changes of rhythm very well without modifying her vocal range, but it does fit quite well in the times that we can hear.
A good album is given to us by the Finnish band with a distinctive and classic stamp of Melodic Death! The guitar line and drums make up the main body of the album and that is a good job.
Score
95/100
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/admirethegrim
https://www.facebook.com/admirethegrim
“Tales from the Dark”
The Review!
By Darkzen
27/01/2025
Serpentyne are a symphonic metal band from the UK.
Their music blurs the lines between Symphonic, Folk and Power Metal, creating a diverse and kaleidoscopic sound.
The band combines symphonic elements with female lead vocals and aggressive, down-tuned guitars. The lyrics are centred around myths, legends, historical figures and folklore.
Each song is an immersive listening experience, where the lyrics, music and attitude of the performers come together to perfection.
In addition to the band’s cinematic penchant for engaging storytelling, the quality of their productions is undeniable. The sound is crisp, direct and in the same class as the world’s most celebrated symphonic metal bands.
Maggiebeth, the lead singer, has a unique way of enticing the audience, showcasing a fantastic dynamic range, as well as matching the band’s intensity to perfection.
From hard-hitting and raw, to melodic and highly nuanced, Serpentyne are a metal band with a unique allure to their sound, and their quickly rising reputation speaks for itself.
Style: Symphonic Metal/Folk Metal/Rock
Members:
Maggiebeth Sand - Lead Voice
Lee Willmer - Guitar
Nigel Middleton - Bass Guitar / Vocals
John Haithwaite - Keyboards
Marco Biagini – Drums
Track list:
Prophetess of Dreams
Into The Night
Dangerous Mind
Ghosts of Times Past
Run for your Life
Evil from Within
Dreamer
Seance
March of Death
Promised Land
My Recommendation
The new album starts with Prophetess of Dreams dynamic, powerful and with powerful chords, Maggiebeth's beautiful voice gives it a beautiful medieval/power/epic and symphonic touch, then in Into The Night with a change in rhythm and speed, hard chords and slow time passage, in a great combination of voices that we can hear accompanied by a heartbreaking riff, in Dangerous Mind we have a more melodic sound! Harmonious and that epic and fantastic atmosphere returns! In Ghosts of Times Past we have a more medieval atmosphere, with more operatic aesthetics starting with a very well interpreted chorus that later gives us that melodic, harmonic and very dynamic part! Now in Run for your Life we have a heavier, stronger sound with that medieval and epic atmosphere! With that Folk rock metal touch that we can hear in all the tracks! And from there to the end with March of Death with an underworld sound, dark and intimidating from the beginning of the track, the strong chords and drums that take us with that melodic Symphonic/power metal style and finally with Promised Land that closes with an atmosphere with the ocean in the background with bird sounds and singing in a soft, rhythmic, melodic and forceful way!
It's an energetic, dynamic, melodic album, with strong guitar arrangements that go ahead, with a continuous, forceful and discreet drum, in the great voices! The combination of both gives it that epic atmosphere, with mysticism, folk and fantasy! Lots of musical dynamics! With this new album!
Score
90/100
Social Media and Website links:
https://www.facebook.com/Serpentyneofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/serpentyneofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/serpentyne
https://www.tiktok.com/@serpentyneofficial
"The Circle"!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
02/03/2025
Vallorch’s upcoming album, "The Circle" (2025), set to release in March 2025, which explores the theme of the night in all its facets—from reflection and tranquility to celebration and connection. The album combines Vallorch’s signature folk metal sound with symphonic and power metal influences, blending vibrant melodies, heavy riffs, and a touch of melancholy.
"The Circle" marks a significant step forward in Vallorch’s musical journey. Their debut album, "Neverfade" (2013), introduced their distinctive folk metal style characterized by lively melodies and a straightforward rhythmic approach. With "Until Our Tale Is Told" (2017), the band expanded their horizons incorporating more intricate song structures and exploring new rhythmic patterns. Now, with "The Circle", Vallorch has distilled the essence of their sound, crafting an album that is both polished and emotionally resonant. It balances the simplicity and catchiness of "Neverfade" with the ambitious arrangements of "Until Our Tale Is Told" creating a cohesive and mature work that showcases the band's evolution.
The band’s current sound can be described as flowing, ecstatic, vibrant, grandiose, and gleaming. Influenced by Nightwish, Eluveitie, Alestorm, Epica, and Wind Rose, Vallorch seamlessly blends the energy of folk metal with the grandeur of symphonic and power metal. Their music stands out for its dynamic interplay of epic choruses, intricate melodies, and anthemic atmospheres.
Band: Vallorch
Country: Italy
Style: Folk Metal / Symphonic Metal / Power Metal
Members
Massimo Benetazzo Drums, Percussion
Sara Tacchetto Vocals, Bagpipes, Redpipes, Whistles
Leonardo Dalla Via Bass, Vocals
Riccardo Gianni Violin
Folk Keyboards
Tracklist
To The Silver Summit
Hellpath
Circle Of The Moon
Drink Some More!
Antermoia
Röte Löon
Salbanéo
The Wild One
Dyssomnia
My Recommendation
The album starts with a lot of energy, melodic and folk sounds fill and give body to the opening song of the album To The Silver Summit, violin and wind instruments making an excellent contrast with the chords and rhythms very characteristic of European Folk Metal, then in Hellpath it stays within the same line, light and more acoustic until certain moments, the chords are a little stronger and the combination of clean and guttural voices, Sara's voice register gives it more contrast with respect to the background music, the next song from Circle Of The Moon was the previously released single which the song invites you to reconnect with nature and embrace the joy of living. Inspired by Cimbrian myths, the song captures the essence of the ancient dances to the moon god Maano, celebrating freedom and authenticity, light sound and rhythm, with Drink Some More! We have a slightly more instrumental song at the beginning, but then it surprises us with a power metal content in pure folk style! Fast, light, and melodic, then in Antermoia we have a more acoustic start with classical guitar chords, unintentionally taking us as if we were in a forest by a campfire combining mythical Celtic and Scandinavian styles, and from there we go to the end of the album with a rougher Dyssomnia, harder chords, more marked rhythms, with the mixed style of Symphonic Metal with that more discreet Power metal, Sara's vocal register remains with more body and in better shape!
An album full of myths and history, with a very marked Scandinavian-style folk metal / power / symphonic metal! Lovers of this genre will be very pleased with this high content of a Metal that is part of the European heart!
Score
85/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/vallorch
https://vallorchband.bandcamp.com/music
Damnatio Aeterna!!
Deathless Legacy
The Review!
By Darkzen
02/03/2025
The curse of horror metal!
Combining heavy symphonic sounds, a certain taste for big melodic hooks, and the seducing raspy vocals of mistress Steva, Deathless Legacy carved out their own peculiar niche – no one sounds like them, no one is currently doing the horror metal thing better than them! “Damnatio Aeterna” tells the thrilling story of the lesser demon Malchrum, who is challenged by Lucifer to ensnare a priest in an unspeakable sin, thereby ensuring his eternal damnation. A dark and provocative journey faithful to the band's signature style and filled with an atmosphere of mystery that grows progressively tense as the story unfolds, the seventh Deathless Legacy studio album will finally delve into sophisticated themes and explore the true nature of evil.
Release March 7, 2025 the seventh seal for the Italian masters of theatrical horror-dark metal concept-album featuring a satirical story with strong anticlerical and satanic connotations recorded at Eden Studios; mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio artwork and videoclips by visual artist and band’s leader & drummer Andrea Falaschi (Delain, Elvenking, Temperance) first edition will be released in a 6-panel digipack over 3 million views on YouTube for the videos taken from the previous studio album “Mater Larvarum” over 500.000 streams on Spotify for the previous studio album “Mater Larvarum” for fans of Ghost, King Diamond, Death SS
Style: Horror/Dark/Symphonic Metal
Deathless Legacy:
Steva – vocals
Sgt. Bones – guitar
Alex van Eden – keyboards
Deadwood Nick – bass
Frater Orion – drums
The Red Witch – performances
“Damnatio Aeterna”
Tracklist:
Damnatio Aeterna
Miserere
Get On Your Knees
Communion
Indulgentia Plenaria
Oblivion
Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus
Sanctified
Mother Of God
Nightshade
Gehennae
My Recommendation
The new album starts off totally brutal! With that Demonic and Dark atmosphere! With the title track of the album Damnatio Aeterna, a melodic song and that malevolent symphonic/gothic atmosphere and in the voice of the beautiful Steva with that seductive and dark voice too, with Miserere the chords take over and that funereal piano accompanies with a song a little softer and lighter to the beat, but then that change of rhythm can be heard and Steva's voice emerges from that darkness in an epic way, with Get On Your Knees we have a slow, funereal and Machiavellian beat! Steva's voice sounds even more mesmerizing and seductive, the piano is more of a companion here, a ballad in itself, in Communion we have a funereal sound with that atmospheric overture, which leads to a strong rhythm in the guitars and drums, with a slightly stronger rhythm, but keeping that dark, depressive, malevolent and symphonic seal, with Indulgentia Plenaria we have a suspenseful start, where the keyboard together with the guitars and drums becomes very strong and the sound is present, a song with that malevolent, gothic, symphonic horror style, in Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus it has an excellent entrance with a funereal and satanic church! With that heavy tone in the chords and drums accompanying the choir in the background, Steva's voice with a different register in fact! And so closing with Gehennae in an instrumental way at the beginning and little by little with that slow rhythm and beat, heavy and with very good changes! The chords sound excellent!
The new album is great! From the story with which it was made to the sounds and rhythms that we can hear with intelligent beats, hooks with those chords on the guitars and above all Steva's voice that remains firm, clean, dark and seductive! At times we can find influences with Symphonic Black Metal in a masterful way and progressive changes in certain beats in an excellent way along with that gothic/demonic symphonic atmosphere!
Score
95/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/Deathlessmetal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm9T1YU9gC8&ab_channel=ScarletRecords
Immutable!
The Review!
By Darkzen
30/03/2025
Following the critical acclaim of the original 2022 release, Swedish progressive metal pioneers MESHUGGAH are preparing to unveil the Indelible Edition of Immutable. This new edition redefines the album’s depth and clarity, and includes three riveting live tracks recorded during MESHUGGAH’s world tours in 2023 and 2024, all delivered in a distinctive grandeur of gold-foil accented packaging on vinyl and digipak format. Immutable, The Indelible Edition is set to make sonic waves on April 4th, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music.
MESHUGGAH is a Swedish metal band renowned for their groundbreaking approach to heavy music. Since their formation in 1987, the band has redefined the genre with their complex rhythms, innovative guitar work, and unparalleled technical precision. Often credited as pioneers of the djent movement, MESHUGGAH continues to push boundaries with each release, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. Their latest album, Immutable, cements their status as one of the most influential and forward-thinking bands in metal history.
Band: Meshuggah
Style: Death/Djent/Progressive metal
MESHUGGAH is:
Jens Kidman I Vocals
Mårten Hagström | Guitars
Dick Lövgren | Bass
Fredrik Thordendal | Guitars
Tomas Haake | Drums
Immutable
The Indelible Edition Tracklist:
Broken Cog
The Abysmal Eye
Light the Shortening Fuse
Phantoms
Ligature Marks
God He Sees in Mirrors
They Move Below (instrumental)
Kaleidoscope
Black Cathedral (instrumental)
I Am That Thirst
The Faultless
Armies of the Preposterous
Past Tense (instrumental)
Kaleidoscope (Live)
Ligature Marks (Live)
God He Sees In Mirrors (Live)
My Recommendation
Starting in a brutal, explosive way with an attack of low, heavy and hard strings! In Broken Cog, excellent djent / progressive metal, with The Abysmal Eye the attack of strings and drums is excellently heavy and aggressive, with that Death metal singing style, it gives an excellent power! With good discreet and light solos it gives a good conversion to the sound, Light the Shortening Fuse we continue with a brutality in the chords and exceptional drums! As in the other songs Phantoms, Ligature Marks, Kaleidoscope and God He Sees in Mirrors, we also have tracks that are pauses as in They Move Below (instrumental) and Black Cathedral (instrumental), later we have the versions of three powerful songs like Kaleidoscope (Live), Ligature Marks (Live) and God He Sees In Mirrors (Live).
Meshuggah is always at the forefront with its mix of progressive death metal, with that groove style too, with deep, dense, heavy and strong tones that leave you brutally ground down!
Thus, 16 tracks of absolute chaos, masterful and technical, with the chords and drums of extreme metal ready to destroy everything around you! Combining low-pitched riffs with simple guitar and djent riffs, the bass stands out as you'd expect, with that capacity of strings, and the abrasive vocals of death metal.
An album with a new, revamped, heavyweight, technically perfect edition! A clear example of avant-garde style!
Score
100/100
Info
https://www.youtube.com/user/meshuggah
The Triumph of Metal!
The Review!
By Darkzen
31/03/2025
Hartlight! "This female- fronted symphonic progressive metal band from Switzerland and France invites you to embark on an emotional and spiritual journey through alchemical and esoteric wisdom with their powerful, heartfelt sound!"
HARTLIGHT released ‘The Triumph of Metal’ on 28 February 2025, for a travel that delves even deeper into the themes of alchemical transformation throughout history, the power of nature, and the essence of magic, all within an even grander atmosphere.
You are an integral part of this adventure!
Band: HARTLIGHT
Country: France/ Switzerland
Style: Progressive Symphonic metal
Members
Adrien Djouadou Guitars, Vocals (backing), Bass, Drums, Duduk, Programming
Adrien Guingal Guitars
Noémie Allet Vocals, Bass
Guillaume Remih Drums
Tracklist
The Triumph of Metal
Polymorphia
The Scales of Rebis
Midnight
The City of Tears
Mind's Arboretum
As my Will to Power is Seen 0
A Song of Blood and Steel
My Recomendation
Excellent musical entrance, straight to the point and with the song The Triumph of Metal of the same name from the album, the harmony, rhythm and musical scale are excellent! Noémie's beautiful voice, soft, light and white in contrast to the male choirs and a bit of guttural that was heard, then we move on to the song Polymorphia with a beautiful piano entrance, subtle and elegant, an excellently symphonic overture, moderate chords and drums, Noémie's voice is heard excellent! The riffs with that quite noticeable progressive touch, later in The Scales of Rebis with a faster, stronger sound with that melodic rhythm and maintaining that quite great musical harmony, then we go with Midnight opens with powerful guitar riffs, heavier, a powerful orchestration, bells and an equally forceful drum, the beat and the change of tempos is more noticeable in this song executed masterfully! In The City of Tears a totally different song opens with a soft piano and rain in the background, an extraordinary and somewhat dark opening instrumental with spectacular symphony, symphonic orchestration and an epic and elegant background soundscape sincerely, from there we move on to the end with the song A Song of Blood and Steel that begins with great percussion, strings and orchestration for this epic closing with bright strings and a quite beautiful Asian air! This setting reminds me of an epic cinematic battle cut with open drums and power in the chords, melodic and harmonic with that brilliant orchestra throughout the song.
The albúm is brilliant in every way, with songs that are very long in time, brilliantly done, masterfully without overdoing any of the musical instruments, maintaining that contrast between the tempo of each instrument with the appropriate rhythm changes, a high-pitched progressive symphonic metal. Noémie's voice remains with the same intensity, range, register, and color! It gives an excellent contrast throughout the albúm! And another important thing: her voice always stands out against the musical instruments without getting lost.
Score
98/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/hartlightband/
https://www.instagram.com/hartlight_music/
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Beyond!
The Review!
By Darkzen
05/05/2025
“Beyond” is a perfect mixture of heavy, melodic and super catchy songs recorded in the old fashioned way with little to no edits – Moonlight Haze went ʻorganicʼ this time, with a little help from the acclaimed producer Sascha Paeth that was able to make some of the classic features of the band emerge and shine even more.
The Italian unit keeps delivering its trademark killer refrains while exploring new musical territory, further experimenting throughout ten tracks highlighted by yet another stellar vocal performance courtesy of Chiara Tricarico.
Moonlight Haze’s fourth record is a journey through time and space, galactic landscapes and earthly elements; a never-ending quest for a deeper reality and a purest inner truth. Soul searching symphonic power metal.
Moonlight Haze is a power symphonic metal band from Italy founded in 2018 by Chiara Tricarico and Giulio Capone, vocals and drums/keyboards respectively.
Band: MOONLIGHT HAZE
Country: Italy
Style: Symphonic/Power/Melodic Metal
Members
MOONLIGHT HAZE
Chiara Tricarico - vocals
Marco Falanga - guitar
Alberto Melinato - guitar
Alessandro Jacobi - bass
Giulio Capone - drums, keyboards
Tracklist
Beyond
Tame The Storm
Crystallized
Chase The Light
Would You Dare?
L’Eco Del Silenzio
D.N.A. (Do Not Apologize)
Untold
Time To Go
Awakening
A Brand New Sky (CD bonus-track)
Alive Again (vinyl bonus-track)
My Recommendation
The album starts with Beyond a beautiful performance with a sublime piano and Chiara's beautiful voice accompanying the musical opening, the second track is Tame The Storm begins with forceful, fast, melodic and structured chords, choir voices in the background that give it a beautiful symphonic atmosphere, the next track is Crystallized similar to the beginning of the album, with a sublime, soft and clean vocal opening from Chiara, a melodic and very soft song, then we have Chase The Light a more lively song, keeping that harmonic and melodic part in the musical instruments quite elegant by the way, in fact so far it reminds me a bit of the influence of Avantasia by the great Tobias Sammet! The song has an excellent solo with this peculiar style! Then we have the track Would You Dare? With a similar piano beginning, but with a line of drums and melodic and escalating guitars, a lively, agile song, with that distinctive seal of great operatic Power metal!
The albúm "Beyond" features a purer, more classic production in the symphonic and operatic power metal style, with powerful, melodic, and super-catchy songs, with those choruses and musical hooks that we can hear, in a traditional style with minimal editing in the production. Another very notable point is how Chiara Tricarico's stellar vocal performance shines throughout the album.
Moonlight Haze's fourth album is introspective and modern symphonic power metal!
Score
90/100
Information
https://www.moonlighthaze.com/
https://www.facebook.com/moonlighthazemetalband
Myth of Mankind!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
22/06/2025
Myth of Mankind represents the band’s maturity and evolution, as they explore new musical horizons with heavy riffs, epic orchestrations, and stunning vocal lines performed by the versatile new singer, Sam, alongside the talented Arianna Bellinaso. Flute and violin bring beautiful melodic lines, one of the band’s signature trademarks.
The album was recorded by Davide Tavecchia at Twilight Studio, and the artwork was created by the incredibly talented artist Gustavo Sazes, who has collaborated with some of the most famous bands on the international scene (Arch Enemy, James Labrie, Machine Head, Amaranthe, Epica, Manowar, Exodus, etc.)
Band: Aexylium
Style: Folk Metal
Country: Italy
Members
Sam Biganzoli: vocals
Arianna Bellinaso: vocals
Gabriele Cacocciola: bass
Federico Bonoldi: violin
Alberto Mezzanotte: drums
Fabio Buzzago: guitars
Luca Perrone: guitars
Leandro Pessina: flute
Stefano Colombo: keyboards
Credits
Main Music Composer: Fabio Buzzago
Lyrics: Fabio Buzzago, Gabriele Cacocciola, Samuele Biganzoli
Orchestrations: Fabio Buzzago, Stefano Colombo
Production: Davide Tavecchia, Buzzago Fabio, Stefano Colombo, Alberto Bernasconi
Recording, Mixing, Mastering: Davide Tavecchia (Twilight Studio)
Graphics: Gustavo Sazes
Tracklist
Fontes et Omnia
The Queen
Hexe
Into Oblivion
In Sorrow
Myth of Mankind
Eclissi
Wild Hunt
Surrender
Northern Lights
Eternity
My Recommendation
The album begins with "Fontes et Omnia," a very beautiful, atmospheric, and instrumental song, followed by "The Queen," a melodic death/folk track with slight thrash metal overtones. The chords are quite strong and hard. From there, we move on to the next song, "In Sorrow," where the vocal style abruptly changes and becomes a bit rhythmic, with a black metal-style voice, but the same musical and melodic style is quickly maintained. From there, we move on to the song that shares the album's name, "Myth of Mankind," with an excellent opening of violins and strong, robust riffs. The melodic folk part is immediate, and the vocal style with that black metal tinge is present, a combination of clean vocals and other styles.
Aexylium band leaves us with an album of melodic death metal with robust but typical riffs, also with a refreshingly fierce aggressiveness in the vocals, along with good, classic folk metal sounds that generally lean toward the paganized side. Second vocalist Arianna Bellinaso has a prominent role on this album, with her metallic singing style making its way into the soundscape, moving away from the more classic and common approach of operatic singing. Myth of Mankind is a well-crafted piece of folk metal with a great drive to further boost the rhythm and varied style it has! An album with many musical influences from the great exponents of the genre.
Score
80/100
Info
https://www.instagram.com/aexylium_official
STORMRAGE EP!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
22/06/2025
Info
On July 25, 2025, Alterium will release their new EP Stormrage — a powerful chapter that bridges their acclaimed debut and their upcoming full-length work.
To promote the release, the band will play a series of select shows and festivals across Europe and will make their US debut at the ProgPower festival in Atlanta.
ALTERIUM is an Italian power metal quintet founded in late 2022 by vocalist Nicoletta Rosellini (ex. Kalidia, Walk in Darkness), joined by former bandmates Paolo Campitelli (guitars) and Dario Gozzi (drums), and later by Alessandro Mammola (guitars) and Luca Scalabrin (bass).
Produced by Lars Rettkowitz (Freedom Call), their debut album Of War And Flames was released on March 8, 2024 via AFM Records, featuring 9 original tracks and a cover of Sabaton’s “Bismarck.” The album received excellent feedback, surpassing 1 million streams on Spotify and 1.2 million views on YouTube.
Even before the album's release, Alterium hit the stage across Europe, including performances at Epic Fest (Denmark) and Brainstorm Fest (Netherlands), marking the beginning of their growing presence on the international metal scene.
Band: Alterium
Country: Italy
Style: Modern/Power Metal
Line up:
Nicoletta Rosellini – vocals
Paolo Campitelli – guitars, keyboards
Alessandro Mammola – guitars
Luca Scalabrin – bass
Dario Gozzi – drums
Tracklist:
Stormrage
Sui
Paradise Lost (Symphony X cover) – available only on the CD version
Of War and Flames (Orchestral version) – available only on the CD versión
My Recommendation
The short EP begins with Stormrage, the name of the EP. The song is melodic and very rhythmic. The recently released single, Nicoletta's beautiful voice creates a beautiful atmosphere throughout the song, with melodic riffs, drums, and chords, the classic style of Italian power metal!
"Sui," a song with an even more instrumental atmosphere, with a longer, slower rhythm at the beginning, but that strong, melodic riff transforms it into that classic and powerful Power Metal! Nicoletta's beautiful voice is undoubtedly the strongest part of the song!
"Paradise Lost" (Symphony X cover) starts the song with a beautiful piano and acoustic guitar intro with that slight medieval folk metal tinge. The vocals also blend very well, a bit of progressive power metal from this legendary band!
"Of War and Flames" (Orchestral version) ends this beautiful song, totally in that cinematic and epic style! Completely symphonic and orchestral, and as I mentioned before, the beautiful Nicoletta, with her powerful, melodic, clean voice and brilliant range, delights us with such a subtle performance.
Overall, the EP gives us a great idea of the new album Alterium Band has coming soon, especially for the use of music and instruments, which are absolutely masterfully executed, in that classic Italian power metal style.
Score
95/100
Info
Website: www.alterium.band
Instagram: https://instagram.com/alterium.band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alterium.band
Deus Profanus!!
Empty Mirror band
The Review!
By Darkzen
31/07/2025
Empty Mirror is a Gothic metal band. The Mirror emptied at the dark age of 2020! In November 2022 the album "Echoes of Eternity" was released. In 2023 the band is participating in various concerts and festivals.
In 2024 Empty Mirror record their second album “Deus Profanus”. The single and lyric video clip of "Luminous Child" is released. On December 25th "Deus Profanus" album is released.
Band: Empty Mirror
Country: Athens, Greece
Style: Goth Metal
Members
Afroditi T: Vocals
Andreas Denwar: Vocals
Antonios Tsitseklis: Guitars
Vasilis Kavvathas: Guitars
Miltos D: Bass
Marios Theofilatos: Keys
Dimitra Mechblastess: Drums
Violin in "Deus Profanus" by Johanna von der Vögelweide (Feuerschwanz)
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered at Made in Hell Studio by David Prudent
Drums Recorded at Esoteron Studio by George Dovolos
TrackList
Exordium
Luminous Child
Deus Profanus (feat. Johanna von der Vögelweide from Feuerschwanz)
Zephyros
Medea
Tristessa
My Recommendation
The album begins with "Exordium" in a very atmospheric way, with rain in the background, a background narrative with soft chords, providing a brilliant opening for the next track.
Luminous Child with a slow, gentle rhythm, dense, dark chords, with accompanying choral vocals, a gloomy, dark atmosphere!
Deus Profanus (feat. Johanna von der Vögelweide from Feuerschwanz) starts with some good, hard, metallic riffs, with a slow rhythm that gradually increases musically with a continuous sound and equal tempos, the voice soft, clean, and very melodic! In combination with the guttural voice.
Zephyros is a more melodic, rhythmic song with a 90s style within goth metal, slow rhythms and beats, and a combination of clean male and female vocals.
Medea has a beautiful instrumental opening, with a soft, light chord, Afroditi's beautiful, sublime, clean voice that contrasts well with the male gutturals, a melodic and strong 90s goth style, with that well-crafted dark atmosphere!
Tristessa ends with an equally light, soft musical opening, with clean vocals and a sublime guitar solo that accompanies them with a rhythm featuring all the light and soft instruments. But they later return to the same line with a guttural voice and melodic rhythm.
A concise EP, in a musical vein with a 90s goth metal style, dark, instrumental, slow, and smooth rhythms, but maintaining the dense and heavy guitar line. I could say they have a slight doom metal style.
Score
80/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/emptymirrorband
We Stand United!! EP!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
31/07/2025
Swedish metal outfit ELEINE reach out with a compelling offering that draws together a connection between their studio recordings and live performances. The haunting sonic soundscape of the forthcoming EP, We Stand United, features two unheard pieces: an intro called "Towards The Fields" and the title track is future live favourite. In addition, two live tracks recorded at Masters of Rock 2024 and a symphonic version of "Promise Of Apocalypse", are set to arrive in digital format, CD and vinyl on September 5, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
This is We Stand United - An EP dedicated towards our strong and loyal fans across the world including live tracks and something brand new!
We Stand United is a 5 track EP carrying new heavy riffs, thundering live performances and a rawness we feel many will appreciate." - Madeleine & Rikard
About ELEINE
ELEINE is a multifaceted, intense, epically empowering metal band from Sweden, founded in 2014 and led by vocalist Madeleine Liljestam and guitarist/growler Rikard Ekberg. Their discography includes four studio albums, two electric and even an acoustic EP, which showcase an exquisite balance of darkness with a cinematic and theatrical flair, that collide with the heavy power of influences from thrash, black and death metal. While studio album number five is in the works amidst a headline tour running across 2024-5, We Stand United will be released on September 5, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
Band: Eleine
Country: Sweden
Style: Symphonic Metal
Released: 5 September 2025
ELEINE are:
Madeleine Liljestam vocals
Rikard Ekberg guitars, vocals
Victor Jonasson guitars
Track Listing
Towards The Fields (Intro)
We Stand United
Never Forget [Live at Masters of Rock 2024]
We Are Legion [Live at Masters of Rock 2024]
Promise Of Apocalypse [Symphonic Version]
My Recommendation
“Towards The Fields” (Intro) opens with this brutal track! Mysterious, with that Middle Eastern style, dark and malevolent, a masterful atmospheric overture! Then we have the song “We Stand United” with an equally brutal and heavy guitar line! Dense, in line with that strong, heavy, and dark atmosphere that Eleine gives it with a fury of guitar riffs and a menacing marching rhythm, the combination of guttural and clean vocals gives it that malevolent dark color and merciful white. ELEINE’s iconic atmospheric arrangement impacts with the captivating and charismatic voice of Madeleine Liljestam, accompanied by the fierce and harsh growls of Rikard Ekberg. The lyrical chorus is undoubtedly a plus! "Never Forget [Live at Masters of Rock 2024]" and "We Are Legion [Live at Masters of Rock 2024]" reveal the dynamism and appeal of ELEINE's live performances, with their heavy, rhythmic, and dense guitar lineup coupled with the driving drum beat.
The We Stand United EP concludes with a symphonic version of "Promise of Apocalypse," placing the symphonic orchestration center stage as the main spearhead. This performance creates a truly spectacular, cinematic display!
An excellent EP! As always, Eleine Band is a great band with a unique musical style!
Score
95/100
Info
https://www.instagram.com/eleineofficial
https://www.youtube.com/officialeleine
Holding The Flame!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
31/08/2025
German Heavy Metal advocates TOMB OF GIANTS are back in full force with a new release that will blow you away!
Their latest single "The Flame" is taken from the upcoming EP "Holding The Flame", which was released on July 25, 2025!
TOMB OF GIANTS announces:
"Where darkness rules, a flame will always burn. And you keep it alive! 'The Flame' is our commitment to the positive power of Metal music.
Even if darkness sometimes sets the tone in the world, we believe that the light in all of us keeps burning - as a band and as a community.
Metal unites, Metal makes us strong and always gives us new energy.
A fire that never goes out. Together with you, we rock the sound that gives hope - and shows: the fire stays alive. And you keep it alive!"
Band: Tomb of Gigants
Country: Germany
Style: Power/Heavy Metal
Members
Kai Nikolayczyk Vocals
Oliver Nienhüser Guitars, Vocals
Yannik "Moshi" Moszynski Guitars
Daniel Melchior Bass
Mirco Nienhüser Drums
Tracklist:
The Flame
Evilnator
Midnight Devil
When Destiny Calls
My Recommendation
The EP starts quickly and explosively! With The Flame, reminding us of the old style of 80s Heavy Metal! With those super classic rhythms and beats! Then we have Evilnator with that classic style, starting certain songs with the Iron Lady and the mighty Happy Pumpkin! With that hard and fierce line of chords like machine guns that will explode your ears! Then we have Midnight Devil, a bit slower, but with that same heavy/rock metal style, and ending with When Destiny Calls with a nostalgic, slow, and harmonic musical intro, which later explodes with a fierce guitar and drums! Reminiscent of old-school Heavy Metal!
The German band's EP has that classic old-school Metal combined with Heavy/Rock Metal and Speed Metal with that 80s touch! With a line of melodic, vibrant, hard and challenging guitars, with classic metal epic sounds and rhythms that the band has and gives it its personal stamp, a good Heavy Metal classic!
Score
80/100
Information
https://www.instagram.com/tombofgiants_official/
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Album "X"!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
05/10/2025
About Secret Rule:
Formed in 2014 by vocalist Angela Di Vincenzo and guitarist/producer Andy Menario, Secret Rule has emerged as a powerhouse in the symphonic modern metal scene. Now joined by Andrea Miazzetto (drums) and Sofia Basili (bass), the band seamlessly blends crushing metal riffs, cinematic symphonic layers, and cutting-edge electronic elements, all elevated by Angela’s commanding and emotive vocals. Hailing from Italy, Secret Rule has attracted audiences worldwide with their unique sound and high-energy performances.
With nine studio albums, the band has continually pushed the boundaries of the genre, crafting richly layered compositions and thought-provoking lyrics. Their dedication to musical innovation has earned them a global following and a reputation as trailblazers in modern metal.
Secret Rule celebrates 10 years of music with a special 10th Anniversary Tour! Don’t miss the chance to experience their powerful live show across the UK and Europe this fall.
Full Tour Dates:
20 OCT – Glasgow | Ivory Blacks
21 OCT – Edinburgh | Bannerman’s
22 OCT – Manchester | Aatma
23 OCT – Newcastle | Trillians
24 OCT – Birmingham | Asylum 2
25 OCT – London | Cart & Horses
26 OCT – Treforest | The Green Rooms
07 NOV – DE | Mörlenbach | Live Music Hall
08 NOV – BE | Bree | Ragnarok
Country: Italy
Style: Modern Melodic Metal
Members
Anagela Di Vincenzo: Vocals
Andy ‘Menario’ Menarini: Guitar
Sofia Basili: Bass
Andrea Miazzetto: Drums
Track Listing:
The Answer
Walking Down The Street
In The Silence
Echoes of Earth
Eternal Symphony
Silent Pain
Collapse
Lost In Paradise
Destiny Reloaded
Just A Sacrifice
The Storm
My Recommendation
The album starts with The Answer, an extremely strong song, energetic, melodic, fast, with Angela's voice making a quick appearance! In the song Walking Down The Street we have a rhythm between melodic and symphonic, with that catchy hook, the very well-coupled guitar line, that exceptional super bass with that fresh and modern rhythm! With the song In The Silence we have a softer, slower and rhythmic song, more alternative and structured moments, with the song Echoes of Earth we have an equally modern and alternative style, notable electronic touches in what we have of the album.
In short, the new album X by Secret Rule band preserves the melodic essence on a solid base of symphonic metal, with many modern influences, such as several electronic parts, breakdowns with that also melodic drum, forceful moments, well-made choral combinations with a cinematic atmosphere and of course a remarkable alternative metal.
The chords are very clear and emphasized with groove, with highly orchestral keyboards, melodic metal, symphonic metal, and a certain use of progressive touches with digital parts. Angela Di Vincenzo's beautiful voice is clean, white, and remains high throughout the songs, in other words, dominant, with remarkable emotional clarity.
It's a dynamic and energetic sound, with a strong sense of modern metal. The album explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the struggle with internal and external difficulties, offering a powerful and immersive experience.
Score
90/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/secretruleband/
Evertale !!
The Review!
By Darkzen
05/10/25
Our Italian friends from Elettra Storm are back with their second album! Evertale! With more power metal! A style of its own with the band's distinctive style!
Band: Elettra Storm
Country: Italy
Style: Power metal
Members
Crystal Emiliani – Voice
Francis D. Mary – Voice, guitar
Davide Sportiello – Keyboards, bass
Matteo Antoni – Guitar
Matteo Norbedo – Drums
Tracklist:
Endgame
The Secrets Of The Universe
Hero Among Heroes
Blue Phoenix
Ride The Rainbow
Master Of Fairytales
One Last Ray Of Light
Judgment Time
If The Stars Could Cry
My Recommendation
The album starts with the Endgame song, melodic, rhythmic, fast! Melodic chords with that very characteristic Italian seal, then with the next song The Secrets Of The Universe we have a style similar to Endgame, with that melodic part between the chords and drums, Crystal's beautiful voice stands out brilliantly throughout the song, greatly shading the rhythm and melody, with Hero Among Heroes we have a little heavier melody, as well as the drums and rhythm, if you notice Crystal's powerful voice becomes stronger along with Francis's voice! Excellent vocal duo! Now with Blue Phoenix we again have that speed and melodic rhythm in the guitars and drums line, combining the powerful voices of both vocalists, then with the song Ride The Rainbow we have a ballad with that keyboard beginning and a somewhat sudden pause in the musical rhythm with the voices of both, the rhythm a little slower and more relaxed, now moving on to a more synthesized and general review of the album.
Evertale has a modern musical style with the fantastical and mythological themes of power metal. The new album features technically charged songs, a fast-paced rhythmic foundation, perhaps with slightly progressive touches, and catchy melodic musical sections.
Crystal Emiliani's beautiful voice provides that musical contrast of softness, fury, strength, and melancholy in each track on the album. Elettra Storm Band has released a new album, more mature in its sound and rhythms, giving us a more melodic, modern, and powerful album! With the hallmark of Italian power metal!
Score
80/100
Info
https://www.facebook.com/ElettraStorm
Artifex!!
The Review!
By Darkzen
05/10/25
Symphonic Epic Power Metal There's just a very thin line between art and kitsch, but there are some innovative bands operating smartly near, but never beyond it. Among those: ANCIENT BARDS, managing that balancing act with ambitious grace. Some say ANCIENT BARDS are somehow like "more sophisticated"
Band: Ancient Bards
Country: Italy
Style: Symphonic Epic Power Metal
Members
Sara Squadrani - Vocals
Daniele Mazza - Piano and orchestra
Claudio Pietronik - Guitars
Simone Bertozzi - Guitars
Federico Gatti - Drums
Martino Garattoni - Bass
Tracklist
Luminance and Abyss
My Prima Nox
The Vessel
The Empire of Black Death
Unending
Ministers of Light
Proximity
Soulbound Symphony
My Blood and Blade
Mystic Echoes (Suite of Requiem and Solace)
Under the Shadow
Sea of Solitude
Artifex
My Recommendation
The new album starts with Luminance and Abyss a beautiful instrumental, artistic, operatic and orchestral entrance, with epic narratives to lead us towards a symphonic power metal cut with a good entrance, then with My Prima Nox the beautiful and masterful voice of Sara gives it a beautiful nuance combining a drum line faster and more powerful than the guitar line, you can check how Sara's vocal range does not change with the change of rhythms, it remains unique and makes a beautiful time with the rhythmic part, unlike modern power metal bands where the voice does change a lot with those changes of rhythm and takes away or exceeds power when singing, Sara's great voice shows it, we also have great guitar solos!
With The Vessel we have a beautiful musical and masterful instrumental overture, a very epic song with a bit of Folk metal! While Sara's voice continues to exude charm alongside the male choir vocals! With The Empire of Black Death there are fast, melodic and orchestral sounds and rhythms, the riffs become harder, wilder and the atmosphere darkens with ruthless and strong guttural vocals, with Unending prepare for a beautiful ballad when you are conquered by Sara's voice, a song with a natural instrumental beauty, sweetly sung with a whole soft musical part of keyboards and great symphonic arrangements, and in Ministers of Light the same melodic beat of the previous song continues, with a crescendo movement in both the soft guitars and the voice.
So, more generally, the review of this super album is masterful, just as Ancient Bards has done, although in some songs we have speed, they maintain the rhythm, melody and harmony, but in others we have a more relaxed, symphonic and orchestral rhythm, they slowed it down a bit unlike other of their greatest hits!
It's a great album that further cements the Ancient Bards legacy!
Score
90/100
Info
https://www.instagram.com/ancientbards/
https://www.facebook.com/ancientbards
