Japanese power metal maestros, Lovebites dropped their latest album, Outstanding Power and certain AMG staffers decided it merited a double review. Let the love nibbles commence.
Japanese Metal
Stuck in the Filter: November/December 2025’s Angry Misses
2025 is fading in the rearview, but the Filters still need scrubbing. See what was left over after all the holiday debauchery.
Crystal Lake – The Weight of Sound Review
“Crystal Lake is one of those bands that I lost track of. I adored 2015’s The Sign, its blend of hardcore attitude with a surgical metalcore attack and just enough djent and deathcore to make things interesting resulted in some of my all-time favorites in the style (“Prometheus,” “Matrix,” “Hades”). Yes, it’s knuckleheaded and boner-dragging brutality posturing, but for a jolt of breakdown-heavy sonic adrenaline, the Japanese quintet fit the bill.” Lake effects.
Invictus – Nocturnal Visions Review
“Five years ago, I highlighted Invictus’ 2020 debut LP Catacombs of Fear as part of our year-end death metal roundup feature. Since then, the Japanese death metal trio toiled under the ground with a brutal live schedule and steadily wrote what might very well be my most highly anticipated follow-up in the death metal realm. Hot on the heels of killer releases from personal favorites like Depravity, and jumping just ahead of another highly anticipated salvo from Eximperitus, Invictus’ upcoming Nocturnal Visions has big shoes to fill and stiff competition to combat.” Captaining the soul.
Stuck in the Filter: October 2025’s Angry Misses
December is the best time to browse through the October Filter flotsam, as they’re now heavily discounted like Valentine’s Day candy in August. They’re probably still fresh though. Maybe.
![Sigh – I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Sigh-I-Saw-the-Worlds-End-01.jpg.webp)
Sigh – I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]
“Before we start… yes. Yes, we received I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV on time back when it was released this past June. There was a debate behind the scenes whether a complete remake of Sigh’s seventh full-length from 2007, Hangman’s Hymn, justifies a full-length review. At the end of the day, newer, current bands and releases that were created in 2025 needed precedence, and thus a remake of a classic album, one that many feel didn’t necessarily need one, took a backseat. In doing so, many people slept on it and decided to move on.” The Sigh swings high.
Stuck in the Filter: September 2025’s Angry Misses
Ah, the pungent stench of autumnal Filters. Forget pumpkin spice and get you some Filter droppings from September!
Esprit D’Air – Aeons Review
“Electronic music and metal joining forces is often treated with suspicion. Not electronic in the ‘band member finds a Casio keyboard in their cellar’ sense, but a genuine fusion of the two with synthesizers on the forefront. Esprit D’Air is one of the more recent bands making waves with their take on this mix. A Japanese band formed in London in 2010 and spearheaded by Kai (The Sisters of Mercy—yes, that one), they’ve quickly formed their identity around a catchy blend of alternative metal, J-rock, and trance, among other stranger things.” Strange days.
Barren Path – Grieving Review
“Forged from the ashes of the mighty Gridlink, Barren Path emerge from the blistered earth, hellbent on blazing a pathway of grinding destruction amid charred bursts of white-hot extremity. Legendary grind axeman Takafumi Matsubara overcame a career-threatening injury to shred once more, leading the way with fellow Gridlinker Bryan Fajardo (drums), along with bassist Mauro Cordoba and guitarist Rory Kobzina, who both featured on Gridlink’s swansong, Coronet Juniper (2023). Adding to Barren Path’s gold-plated grind pedigree is the addition of vocalist Mitchell Luna (Maruta, Shock Withdrawal).” Links to Grid-grind.
Stuck in the Filter: February 2025’s Angry Misses
February was a filthy, dirty month and the Filter Techs are gonna tell you all about it,
