We all know Marko Hietala as long standing member of the extremely successful Finnish band Nightwish but now the time has come for Marko to explore different music territories and express his personal creativity on the debut solo album “Pyre Of The Black Heart”.

“Stones” begins with soft arpeggios leading to a warm melancholia swiftly followed by the subtle prog elements of the energetic rhythmic section yet the multilayered orchestrations will maintain the main folkish melodic essence. 

“Dead God’s Son” aims to express somber emotions through heartfelt vocals and soothing guitar melodies but while the majority of the song follows a mellow rhythm there are occasional heavier moments built by raw riffage. 

“For You” offers a glowing mixture of lavish atmospheric arrangements and nostalgia infused harmonies creating a slightly darker introspective mood enhanced by the particularly passionate vocal delivery and the delightful melodic guitar leads. 

“I Am The Way” couldn’t sound more melancholic with comforting piano melodies in contrast with the modern flair of the synths and the occasional heavy guitar riffs yet the vocals and the whole instrumentation tend to maintain a shimmering melodic spirit throughout the song. 

“Death March For Freedom” focuses on a darkened groovy approach with the intriguing multifaceted keyboards and the sharp prog oriented guitar work following diverse rhythmic segments and ultimately leading to a catchy big chorus. 

The final track “Truth Shall Set You Free” is destined to move the listeners depicting a peaceful soundscape with evocative arpeggios, luminous violin melodies and understated atmospheric beauty that perfectly accompany the deeply emotional vocal harmonies. 

Listening to “Pyre Of The Black Heart” it becomes evident that Marko is not following a precise music direction as all these songs showcase various influences and such spontaneous songwriting approach will certainly surprise the audience.  

Featuring Greg Mackintosh of Paradise Lost and Chris Casket of Extreme Noise Terror  & Vallenfyre the new band Strigoi proudly unleashes an old school death metal inspired manifesto on the debut album “Abandon All Faith”. 

There is a fiery rage behind “Phantoms” as the rhythmic section delivers angered fast blasts yet something creepy lurks in the dark generating sinister guitar tonalities within the relentless riffage as well as the mournful doom tinged leads. 

“Seven Crowns” is full of smouldering grooves as the guitar riffs and drums truly channel the primal essence of classic death metal spiced up by menacing progressions and the savage growls can certainly amplify the inner turmoil. 

The sonic realm of “Carved Into The Skin” is made of desolation and misery focusing on monolithic doom laden grooves with utterly heavy riffs and gloomy guitar leads that can also evoke enthralling gothic vibes crafting melancholy infused melodies. 

On “Parasite” guitars acquire an abrasive industrial inspired sound enhanced by suspenseful atmospheric layers that introduce a malevolent rhythmic ensemble as the aggressive approach demands faster unstoppable riffs.  

“Plague Nation” again blends refined sorrowful doom elements with majestic fury as cavernous growls are surrounded by an overdose of ravenous guitar riffs while the evidently more melodic licks cut through the dense rhythmic patterns. 

The title track holds an arcane flair with extremely ominous chants and visceral growls emerging from the darkest depths and the instrumental ensemble is characterized by diabolical tonalities further enhanced by the cryptic doom style of the enticing guitar work. 

Greg seems to have a grand music vision in mind for Strigoi in fact while “Abandon All Faith” is just the first release it already showcases impressive musicianship and an inflamed creative force rightfully fueled by hostile dynamics drenched in darkness.  

Swedish doom band Avatarium returns in excellent shape to spellbind you with the grandiose melodic gloom incarnated by the latest full length “The Fire I Long For”. 

“Voices” invites you to enter a world of endless doom with the classic arcane vibes of the guitar riffs marching fiercely through the mighty & groovy rhythmic patterns embellished by the retro allure of organ melodies and Jennie-Ann Smith’s captivating vocal performance.  

While maintaining a fascinating darkened essence on “Rubicon” guitars acquire extremely catchy rock tonalities leading to a sultry melodic solo and memorable rhythmic dynamics surrounded by somber doom atmospheres and haunting organs. 

With a darkened dreamy mood “Lay Me Down” offers gorgeous sentimental melodic guitar progressions following a slower nostalgia infused rhythm surrounded by hazy atmospheric arrangements that allow Jennie-Ann’s passionate vocals to gain the deserved spotlight. 

The dark soul behind the composition of “Porcelain Skull” fully manifests through the grave rhythmic crescendos featuring the sober weight of doom laden guitar riffs and the eerie 70’s accents that will ultimately embrace a bewitching melodic flair emphasized by the soulful vocal delivery. 

You are destined to fall in love instantly with the seductive melodic grandeur of the title track as Jennie-Ann delivers flawless darkly romantic vocals to match the immense instrumental melancholia expressed by the slow burning guitar harmonies and the evocative warmth of the solo that certainly still channel a subtle traditional doomy feeling. 

“Epitaph Of Heroes” celebrates the undiluted darkness of doom metal relying on a massive series of impactful heavy guitar riffs and consequent monolithic grooves enriched by the solemn vocals glowing within the addictive chorus and the vibrant organs providing the perfect dosage of eerie vibes and moody vintage elements. 

“The Fire I Long For” deserves your utmost attention and might be the album that ultimately puts Avatarium in the spotlight as they have created a truly magnificent opus fueled by the timeless magic of classic doom and an enticing melodic composition. 

Nile have always been a symbol of technical death metal and their latest merciless full length “Vile Nilotic Rites” allows them to move forward with evident enthusiasm and a renewed band’s chemistry.  

“Long Shadows Of Dread” perfectly incarnates the insane power of the whole album through a brutal rhythmic approach built by majestic drums and relentless guitar riffs while the soloing is bound to impress with major technical skills and flamboyant shredding. 

The title track stays true to the band’s native death metal style with unstoppable guitar driven grooves and a monolithic rhythmic backbone accompanied by primal cavernous growls and a generous dose of venomous guitar licks. 

“Seven Horns Of War” is an epic work of music adding loads of solemn orchestrations and symphonic accents that basically get you ready for battle and the unrestrained rhythmic patterns filled with fast vicious guitar riffs are clearly fueled by such theatrical flair. 

“Revel In Their Suffering” features additional grand symphonic arrangements that enrich the persistent tech death dynamics skillfully unleashed by the majestic rhythmic section while the lead guitars grab your attention with intriguing melodic phrases. 

“Where Is The Wrathful Sky” manages to channel a perpetual rage courtesy of precise drumming, spiteful riffage and belligerent growls emerging from some forgotten hellish abyss yet within such chaotic sonic realm you will find fascinating eastern style acoustic passages.  

“The Imperishable Stars Are Sickened” can convey a stylish dramatic depth with understated melodic hints and the recurring elegant acoustic guitars that almost feel luminous compared to the darker enigmatic vibes channeled by the main tech death rhythmic rampage that remains an essential component. 

Exploring the dreads of modern civilization “Vile Nilotic Rites” will inevitably hit you in the face with massive death metal grooves and the expected overdose of brilliant guitar dynamics as Nile proudly showcase a ferocious sonic manifesto.

Featuring renowned musicians Jake E (ex-Amaranthe), Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames), Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining) and Alex Landenburg (Kamelot) modern melodic metallers Cyhra return with the sophomore album “No Halos In Hell” showing great chemistry and passion that will certainly solidify their status in the current metal scene. 

“Out Of My Life” offers loads of cool electro atmospheric arrangements yet the guitar work definitely holds a major role with smooth riffage and flamboyant leads while the highly melodic big chorus aims to get stuck in your head. 

On the title track crunchy guitar riffs generate accessible & entertaining grooves even if the melodic essence here remains in the spotlight with a deeply emotive vocal delivery and shimmering multilayered atmospheres. 

“I Am The One” can sound a bit more aggressive as the riffage gains extra gritty energy leading to intense grooves while synths amplify the pop metal approach just like the super catchy chorus that benefits from Jake’s impeccably passionate vocal performance. 

“Dreams Gone Wrong” has some mellow ballad elements emphasized by the perfectly soothing vocals and the dreamy synths yet there are plenty of groovy rhythmic patterns featuring some sharp guitar riffs. 

Instead “Lost In Time” is the authentic full blown ballad of the album focusing on the melancholic piano melodies and the sorrowful vocals that allow Jake to show the intensity of his vocal range and his ability to express a multitude of emotions. 

“I Had Your Back” engage the listeners with memorable groovy dynamics as guitars once again provide constant bouncy riffs surrounded by wistful atmospheric layers and reach the acme with the striking melodic energy of the soloing.   

“Man Of Eternal Rain” is a particularly interesting track offering an elaborate atmospheric background while guitars can sound heavier with galloping bold riffs and still add a satisfying dosage of refined melodies but the solo here is destined to grab your attention with vibrant shredding and dazzling prowess. 

“No Halos In Hell” successfully aims to deliver bittersweet melodies and entertaining hooks resulting in a modern sonic blend that has the necessary catchy vibes to allow Cyhra to reach a wider audience. 

French blackgaze pioneers Alcest worked relentlessly to develop a unique enthralling music style spreading their magical sound all over the world and influencing countless emerging bands. With the release of the sixth full length “Spiritual Instinct” Alcest craft an ethereal collage of passion and melancholy fully expressed by the intricate soundscapes and the evident mystical aura. 

“Les Jardins De Minuit” lies in a limbo between darkness and light as it begins with the understated beauty of melancholic guitars and ethereal vocals that will naturally embrace an irresistible blackened essence reminiscing of the band’s earlier discography in fact the wilder riffage and the tormented growls fit perfectly within the song’s cosmic vision. 

“Sapphire” shines for the moody guitar progressions and the nostalgic vocal delivery that certainly belong to a distant dreamy world even if the rhythmic core has the ability to spontaneously generate wonderful catchy rock vibes that can appeal to a wide audience. 

It feels like dreaming as soon as the epic track “L’Île Des Morts” begins with exquisite darkened tonalities mixed with lovely dream pop elements resulting in a series of spaced out grooves that will acquire an anguished blackened momentum in contrast with the bewitching dosage of fragile emotionally charged guitar melodies emphasized by Neige’s tranquil vocals and celestial atmospheric nuances. 

The title track aptly feels like a spiritual voyage towards another state of existence with a lavish wistful sonic palette that simply cannot go unnoticed with a thoughtful composition focused on shimmering guitar melodies that can express all kinds of uplifting emotions but also an immense melancholy further amplified by the understated atmospheric layers and the comforting soulful vocals. 

“Spiritual Instinct” is a work of music & poetry destined to open new doors for Alcest as they continue to build a distinct legacy pursuing diverse sounds and stylish songwriting ideas inspired by otherworldly feelings to ultimately create a dreamy sonic realm that will inevitably spellbind the listeners.  

Emerging from the burgeoning Icelandic metal scene Une Misère aim to grab your attention with an interesting mixture of violent grooves and darkened emotions on the debut album “Sermon”.

On “Sin & Guilt” intense ominous tonalities influence the guitar work that hits you in the face with relentless riffage and the resulting grooves are characterized by menacing precise rhythmic segments.

The title track amplifies a sense of impending doom as guitars develop particularly obscure tonalities leading to a gloomy introspective momentum but you can rest assured that the rhythmic section is always ready to deliver ferocious heavy progressions. 

Hints of pure melancholia can be perceived throughout “Overlooked / Disregarded” in fact guitars craft some cold melodies surrounded by subtle atmospheric layers while the ravenous growls channel massive hardcore energy during the faster rhythmic grooves. 

The wintry mood of “Fallen Eyes” generates darkly soothing arpeggios and peaceful clean vocals focus on an emotional delivery yet guitars will soon return to unstoppable gritty riffs following a rather hostile rhythmic assault. 

You can feel the inner torment of “Failures” within the angered ensemble of crushing guitar riffs, monolithic bass lines and merciless drumming plus such belligerent approach is always amplified by the ruthless screams. 

“Voiceless” offers an increasingly darker atmospheric aura that emphasizes the psychological weight and the consequent anguish while the savage guitar driven grooves accompanied by an overdose of sharp screams successfully channel a serious will to keep fighting. 

Certainly all over “Sermon” you will find strong hardcore elements leading to intense rhythmic patterns yet the sonic pathway chosen by Une Misère is also fueled by a blackened force that matches the themes revolving around existential struggles. 

Thinking about horror themes in music Wednesday 13 always comes to mind in fact you can expect a frightening sonic experience evidently inspired by classic 80s movies and awful night terrors on the latest record “Necrophaze”.

Featuring a theatrical narration by legendary Alice Cooper the title track marks a grand beginning with 80s inspired synths that build a suspenseful mood while the main heavier elements will emerge with crunchy guitar riffs and a groovy rhythmic ensemble constantly surrounded by a generous dosage of sinister atmospheric layers. 

“Bring Your Own Blood” invites you to an obviously scary party so you better watch yourself as guitars confidently trigger entertaining grooves and the synths tapestries amplify the expected spine-chilling vibes. 

You can easily perceive the horrific serial killer vibes all over “ZODIAC” and again the synths hold a dominant role providing a strong soundtrack style background with multilayered ghastly tonalities mixed with the industrial approach of the rhythmic section. 

Especially in the beginning “Decompose” acquires an extremely gloomy mood with softer atmospheric arrangements but later will unleash loads of catchy guitar driven grooves and a sing along chorus featuring aptly ghoulish vocals. 

The deliciously creepy track “The Hearse” stands out for the profoundly mournful melodies and darkened atmospheres that convey a bewitching gothic glamour consequently the Duke of Spook delivers a particularly malignant vocal performance. 

Despite the macabre title “Life Will Kill Us All” feels almost uplifting with the prominent melodic elements and the high energy of the punk rock grooves that lead to a rather catchy chorus and while the instrumental passages sound less evil the vocals maintain all the freaky vibes throughout the song. 

“Necrophaze” is the ideal horror movie soundtrack, an ode to shock rock and all the creatures lurking in the dark so if you dare to enter the super spooky sonic realm carefully created by Wednesday 13 you will have a lot of fun.