“Unlike some of our staff, I’ve never been in a band. However, I can imagine the feeling of satisfaction in putting together and releasing that first full-length record. For every band that achieves this milestone, countless more never do. Italy’s Borrower was nearly among that number. Formed in 1993, Borrower released three demos in the ’90s, a fourth in 2005, and then disappeared until 2018 with their debut EP. Whatever interrupted their musical career, the dream remained, and they finally released their first album (and signed to a label, to boot) 33 years later with their founding vocalist, Massano Ratano, and drummer, Frank Formoso, joined by new guitarists Matteo Marzo and Matteo Marini. Behold their vision, a story of killer, humanoid demons as told through music that harks back to some of the legends of ’80s and ’90s speed metal.” Kill for metal.
ClarkKent
Full House Brew Crew – Glasgow Grin Review
“What do you get when you mix a popular American ’80s sitcom, a ragtag group of brewers, and the Scottish term for the cut to the face of Heath Ledger’s Joker? Apparently, some Greek groove metal. Since Vagelis Karzis (former live bassist for Rotting Christ) formed Full House Brew Crew, in 2009, the band has had a fairly consistent lineup. They’ve also been somewhat consistent with album releases, as Glasgow Grin marks their fifth, though there was a seven-year gap between their second, Bet it All (2011), and third, Me Against You (2018).” Beer me?
Wreck-Defy – Dissecting the Leech Review
“Is a supergroup still a supergroup if the members who made it a supergroup are no longer part of the band? Last Canada’s Wreck-Defy passed through these halls, Steel Druhm was pleasantly surprised by their third LP, Powers That Be. However, the band that Steel reviewed has seen some significant lineup changes since then.” Super substitutions?
Lone Wanderer – Exequiae Review
“It’s no secret that funeral doom is all about death, but in case you weren’t aware, Lone Wanderer hits you over the head with the fact (don’t worry, it’s not a fatal whack). The title of their latest record, Exequaie, is Latin for “funeral rites.” The album cover, from Ernst Ferdinand Oehme’s 1828 painting Procession in the Fog, depicts a ghostly funeral procession, and most song titles use death as a theme in some shape or form.” Rites and wrongs of death.
Dyed in Grey – Harbinger Review
“For progressive death metal acts, the shadow of the masters, Opeth looms large. Yet some recent progressive death acts, like Iotunn, Tómarúm, and Dvne, have carved their own paths in the genre. When Dyed in Grey released their debut, The Abandoned Part, in 2013, Opeth was charting a course into pure prog sans death metal. I only mention Opeth because Dyed in Grey’s brand of prog death sees clear influences in the titans of the genre, though with a more technical, improvisational imprint.” Grey and fancy.
Lord of the Lost – Opvs Noir Vol 2 Review
“Little did I realize when Napalm announced that Lord of the Lost was recording a 33-song trilogy that each album would release so close to one another. A mere four months following the release of Opvs Noir Vol 1, we get Opvs Noir Vol 2, and it’s just in time for stocking stuffer season. Vol 1 was my introduction to this one-time Eurovision finalist, and I came away impressed. So I was pretty excited to see this in the doldrums of our December promo bin. With the quick release of Vol 2, I can only assume Lord of the Lost wrote all 33 songs of the trilogy together, Lord of the Rings-style.” Lots of lost.
Vesseles – Home Review
“In the metalverse, there are plenty of unique personas, and now we can count Valira Pietrangelo among them. She has been very open in interviews about suffering from identity dysphoria. As a result, she dove into making music and eventually discovering herself as a demon. What better way to express your newfound demonhood than through black metal? Everything about Vesseles (pronounced veh-sel-is) revolves around Pietrangelo’s identity.” Demons in the details.
Beyond the Black – Break the Silence Review
“Beyond the Black play the sort of female-led symphonic metal that seems to get a bit of traction in Europe. Since Jennifer Haben formed the band in 2014, they have recorded five LPs that climbed the charts in her home country of Germany as well as those of neighboring countries. Break the Silence, their sixth record, finds them at their peak. It’s a concept album revolving around themes of communication and connection.” Can’t you hear me screaming?
Dead Sun – This Life is a Grave Review
“He must be a music addict. I can’t fathom any other reason Rogga Johansson has so many heavy metal projects. Scratching his songwriting itch must require the slightly different flavors of death metal and variety of collaborators each project provides. This latest from his melodeath outfit, Dead Sun, marks, by my count, album number nine for Rogga this year alone, and it is also album number nine for Dead Sun since its formation.” Rogga! Rogga!
Memories of Old – Never Stop Believing [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]
“Sneaking in at the end of a crowded 2025, Memories of Old released their sophomore record, Never Stop Believing, hoping to fill a Fellowship-sized hole in your heart.” Don’t stop!











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