“The 80s feel like my own personal primordial, mythological paradise, a Garden of Eden to which I can never return. The gate is eternally guarded by a cherub wielding a flaming sword, but thanks to bands like Rave in Fire, I need not risk being divinely smote in order to feel like I’m back in the garden, all innocent, naked, and happy.” Naked in the rave garden.
“Melodic heavy metal outfit Turbo’s Tribunal heralds the arrival of Mills of Tribunal, hoping to light a fire that warms the dark recesses of our cynical hearts. Hailing from Denmark, Turbo’s Tribunal is the invention of mastermind and sole contributor Andreas Thunbo. Having toiled on demos, EPs, and splits over the last couple of decades, Mills of Tribunal presents Thunbo’s first full-length endeavor. Citing legendary acts like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Running Wild as creative touchstones, can Turbo’s Tribunal live up to the lofty expectations.” Turbo-tastic?
“Hällas—Sweden’s self-styled administrators of ‘adventure rock’—has suffered a nearly decade-long absence from AMG. Back in 2017, El Cuervo (rightly) awarded Excerpts from a Future Past a 4.0, praising the debut for its transportive aesthetic and cohesive performances. Since this one-off review, Hällas has become a premier neo- proto-metal act, yet they haven’t reached the exceptionality of their entrance.” Adventure rock or butt stock?
![Species – Changelings [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Species-Changelings-01.jpg.webp)
“About once a year, I find a technical thrash album I utterly adore. 2023 graced me with Xoth, and 2024’s Dissimulator debut was my favorite album of the year. In 2025, the premiere thrash platter belongs to Warsaw, Poland’s Species. Unfairly or not, thrash is an oft-maligned genre accused of being unserious and trite or stale and stuck in the past. On Changelings, Species’ sophomore offering, the band nimbly threads the needle between paying homage to thrash’s heyday while shaping a fresh sound that’s enchanting yet familiar.” Speed into the future.
“I know what you’re thinking: how is it that ClarkKent is reviewing Wings of Steel instead of Steel Druhm? Believe it or not, he let me review it. After all, he’s not the only steel-named writer in these halls. For those not steeped in DC universe lore, my nickname is Man of Steel—though Steel, in his fatherly way, prefers to call me dumbass, like Red Forman in That ’70s Show. But I see symbolism in his gesture of letting me review this, like he’s taken me under his wings—of steel.” Steel on steel wiolence.
“In the eyes of a legacy creator, novelty and personal excitement drive the continued pursuit of the release. Mark Zonder, esteemed drummer of Warlord and formerly of Fates Warning, lives by this mantra, using A-Z as an outlet for his frenetic rhythmic focus surrounded by the performances of trusted partners.” Prog letters by the numbers.
A new Allegaeon platter triggered a rare double review. Can the fancy melodeath on The Ossuary Lens impress these jaded, overworked, uncompensated staffers?
“Woe betide the lowly copywriter / AI bot that dared to write that a band was ‘for fans of’ Iron Maiden, Virgin Steele, Camel, Rush and Rainbow. Iron Maiden and Camel are among my favorite acts in any genre, while the latter two boast a couple of the best rock albums ever released. Following this description I metaphorically elbowed other staffers aside to reach the sophomore Mad Parish record entitled The Dust of Forever. It’s certainly ambitious, weaving its yarn over 71 minutes and 21 tracks, including ten that run no more than two minutes designed to tell the album’s story through atmospheric interludes.” To dust return.
“Some people just can’t be rushed. Neu Asen Land is the first sign of life from the German atmospheric/progressive black metal band Bergthron since 2010. That’s a 15-year hiatus lasting almost the entire time that our beloved blog has been in operation! The exact identities of the band members have historically been difficult to ascertain, but the promotional material describes them as explorers who used this time for expeditions to remote forests and the Arctic Circle. Talk about a sabbatical!” Back to work!
“Thirty-five years ago, Fates Warning solidified their shift from torchbearers of US power metal with 1989’s Perfect Symmetry, forever moving their progressive path away from power metal and into an emotional, twisting fusion of playful and grooving tunes that no one has assembled quite the same way since. Primary songwriter and guitarist Jim Matheos has anchored the Fates Warning playbook throughout all these changes—from wizards and wailing (Night on Bröcken to The Spectre Within), to Rushin’ and rollin’, and to the edges of Fates Warning’s technical limits. So then, already twenty-plus years into their career at the launch of FWX, what left had Matheos and co. to explore with the Fates sound?” Tempting the Fates.
