Reviews
3.0
VISIONS OF ATLANTISPirates II - Armada
While ambitious, 'Pirates II - Armada' feels more like a bloated exercise in symphonic tropes than a true seafaring epic.
8.0
BLIND GUARDIANSomewhere Far Beyond (Revisited)
Blind Guardian polishes their fantasy masterpiece into a shimmering, modern diamond.
6.0
GOTHMINISTERPandemonium II: The Battle of the Underworlds
A polished, industrial-leaning follow-up that prioritises atmosphere over organic grit.
9.0
FROZEN CROWNWar Hearts
A sweeping, majestic tapestry of power metal that balances visceral martial grit with ethereal, soaring atmosphere.
7.0
SIMONE SIMONSVermillion
A polished, symphonic addition to the gothic metal canon that prioritises atmospheric consistency over radical sonic innovation.
6.0
POPPYZig
Poppy attempts to bridge the gap between nu-metal grit and synth-pop sheen, but the resulting aesthetic is more confused than confrontational.
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3.0
PARADISE LOSTIcon 30
While the veterans remain masters of atmosphere, Icon 30 feels like an album content to sit on their legacy rather than build upon it.
6.0
TýRBattle Ballads
A polished, safe voyage through Norse mythology that swaps genuine peril for high-production safety.
10.0
ALTERIUMOf War and Flames
A triumphant masterclass in symphonic grandeur, Alterium deliver a flawless epic that cements their status as modern titans of power metal.
6.0
EVERGREYTheories Of Emptiness
A sprawling, slightly bloated excursion into progressive metal that prioritises atmosphere over concise songwriting.
6.0
MASTERPLANMetalmorphosis
Technical proficiency meets a lack of creative direction in Masterplan's latest power metal offering.
5.0
LORD OF THE LOSTOPVS NOIR Vol. 2
A slick, safe collection of gothic tropes that swaps genuine danger for polished industrial sheen.
5.0
POWERWOLFWake Up The Wicked
A study in stylistic stagnation where theatrical grandeur fails to mask a lack of genuine musical evolution.
9.0
AD INFINITUMAbyss
A masterclass in symphonic weight, where cinematic grandeur meets punishing grit to forge a crowning achievement for the modern era.
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3.0
AMARANTHEThe Catalyst
A bloated, directionless excursion that loses the spark of its metal roots in a sea of generic electronic wash.
5.0
BLACKBRIARA Dark Euphony
Blackbriar offers a somber, textured journey through gothic symphonics that ultimately feels slightly diluted by its own ambition.
2.0
DISFIGURING THE GODDESSBloom
A fractured, identity-less journey through the lowest common denominators of modern extreme metal.
9.0
HAMMERFALLAvenge The Fallen
HammerFall deliver a masterclass in power metal, blending galloping anthems with towering production to cement their status as heavy metal royalty.
9.0
IRON SAVIORAwesome Anthems Of The Galaxy
Iron Savior delivers a masterclass in power metal, weaving cosmic scale with high-octane energy and impeccably crafted anthems.
5.0
NIGHTWISHYesterwynde
A sprawling, somber odyssey that prioritises atmospheric density over symphonic spectacle.