This week’s Heavy Music HQ reviews include releases from Acidosis, Black Label Society, Carnivore A.D., Cruel Force, Divine Chaos, Godsticks, Growth, Hellripper, Lion’s Share, Midyrasi’s Kult, Myrath, Samurai Pizza Cats, Total Maniac and Winterfylleth.
The ratings are on a 5-star scale.
Acidosis – Arrival (Self)
When musician Ben Katzman was a teenager, he started a thrash metal band called Acidosis. Like many groups formed around one’s youth, they hung around for a few years before life got in the way. Unlike most of those bands, Acidosis have returned with Arrival, a re-recorded collection of songs dating back over 15 years. Though Katzman is the only one to come back from the original iteration, he has brought with him a new lineup that rejuvenates these tunes.
Teenagers writing music tend to look to their heroes for guidance, and in the case of Acidosis, it’s the “Big 4” of thrash metal (Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer) with some crossover thrash like Municipal Waste. There are subtle nods to those bands (the drum break a minute into “Where I Stand” could’ve been crafted by Nick Menza), one of the indicators that Arrival is a passion project for Katzman.
Rating: 3
(Dan Marsicano)
Black Label Society – Engines Of Demolition (MNRK Heavy)
There was a longer gap than usual between albums for Black Label Society, with more than four years between Doom Crew Inc. and their latest effort, Engines Of Demolition. But with frontman Zakk Wylde touring with Pantera and being part of other projects, that’s understandable.
BLS pick right up where they left off with a deluge of catchy riffs driving bluesy, mostly mid-tempo songs. There are ballads as well, such as the twangy “Better Days & Wiser Times” and “Back To Me.” Wylde was part of Ozzy Osbourne’s band for a long time, and after the legend’s passing last year, he honors his longtime friend on the emotional album closer “Ozzy’s Song.” With Engines Of Demolition, Black Label Society deliver exactly what their legions of fans want and expect.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
Carnivore A.D. – Transmutation (Apostasy)
Carnivore were formed by the late, great Peter Steele (Type Of Negative) in the early ’80s and released a couple of albums before breaking up. They reunited a few times over the years, and in 2017 re-formed under the Carnivore A.D. moniker. Carnivore drummer Louie Beateaux was part of the group for a while, but isn’t anymore. Their first release is the EP Transmutation, as they transform from a tribute band to writing original material.
Carnivore were a crossover thrash band, and there’s plenty of that on the five-track EP on tracks like “Social Decomposition.” Carnivore A.D. explore other styles as well, stomping on the brakes partway through the title track and easing into plodding doom. They tread in Type O Negative territory on the gothic-tinged “I Stand Alone.” Transmutation finds Carnivore A.D. paying homage to Carnivore while also working to establish their own identity.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
Cruel Force – Haneda (Shadow Kingdom)
Back for their fourth foray are German speed metallers Cruel Force and their album Haneda. On proper opener “Whips Are Swinging” there are plenty of the classic shouted Teutonic thrash sounds of yesteryear, reminiscent of the earliest iterations of Sodom, Destruction and Kreator, and Show No Mercy-era Slayer, too. The raw production that had seemingly disappeared from the genre appears here with a little more polish than would be considered the classic sound, but it conveys the proper amount of evil long term.
There are a myriad of neoclassical sounding riffing and solos to be had on “Savage Gods” and “Warlords” as well as the instrumental “Crystal Skull,” allowing for ample opportunities with which to break your neck. The speed of this album very rarely changes enough for you to catch your breath. Cruel Force hearken back to the days of yore in the most authentic way possible, taking an established sound and making it feel like their own. Those whips are eternally swinging on Haneda.
Rating: 3.5
(Tom Campagna)
Divine Chaos – Hate Reactor (Self)
Divine Chaos are able to take modern groove metal aggression and toss some throwback thrash riffs in on their third album, Hate Reactor. The second release with their current lineup has the sort of confidence that grows over time between musicians working and performing together. Every member is on their game throughout, including vocalist Jut Tabor who improves his harsh and melodic tones.
There are a few big swings made on Hate Reactor, like the tranquil introduction to “Condemned To The Void,” that show a new angle to Divine Chaos. Groups willing to attempt something different are the ones that usually stick around for a while, so more of this would be the right call for the band.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Marsicano)
Godsticks – VOiD (Kscope)
UK progsters Godsticks are marking 20 years since their formation. They follow up 2023’s This Is What A Winner Looks Like with their seventh studio album VOiD.
They ride the edge between progressive rock and metal, ramping up the heaviness on songs like “Hold Back” and “Torn Again” while embracing their rock side on tracks such as “Master Of A Plan” and “Ruthless Coward.” And while Godsticks write songs that are complex and progressive, they are also catchy and relatively streamlined, rarely exceeding five minutes. VOiD is quality prog from an underrated band with an excellent catalog.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
Growth – Under The Under (Wild Thing)
Under The Under, the second album from Australian progressive death metal group Growth, lives up to the band’s moniker with their music taking a slight evolutionary step from 2020’s The Smothering Arms Of Mercy. Some of that is as simple as condensing their track listing from nine songs on their debut record to six, which puts Growth in a spot to work their best ideas into less space. They make up for that with multiple tunes going over eight minutes.
There’s no calculated build-up to Under The Under like there was on The Smothering Arms Of Mercy, as opener “Remember Me As Fire” is unrelenting from the get-go. The longer a song goes, the more Growth are able to pull in melodic vocals or a controlled pace like on the title track and “Slings That Shatter.” Under The Under has its share of emotional depth that can be detected with focused attention.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Marsicano)
Hellripper – Coronach (Century Media)
On his fourth album Coronach, solo black thrash act Hellripper (James McBain) aims to envelope the listener in a hailstorm of Scottish tinged Satanism and whatever dark dirges inspire him throughout its run time. Opener “Hunderprest” features McBain’s black metal rasps as well as his high-flying guitar pyrotechnics and even keyboards, leaving very little in his wake as he continues to show why he is such a highly regarded musician in the scene today.
Opening with some beautiful keys, “The Art Of Resurrection” eventually gets enveloped in a firestorm all its own. This track owns some more of the variety found throughout this LP, putting more focus onto McBain’s songwriting abilities. With that being said, a more straightforward track like “Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm” is a total blast as well. Hellripper is an incredible vehicle for McBain and despite the origins of the album’s title, it is a celebration. Coronach properly buries its contemporaries in the dust.
Rating: 4
(Tom Campagna)
Lion’s Share – Inferno (Metalville)
The Swedish heavy/power metal band Lion’s Share last released an album in 2009. Though they have released several singles over the past decade, Inferno is their first full-length in 17 years. It is an old-school release that has a very classical feel with an echo of classic bands like Judas Priest, although this is slightly more power metal in nature. The music has an interesting flair that offers a great way to relive past glories.
In terms of musicianship, this album has solid guitar playing from Lars Chriss, with Nils Patrik Johansson’s vocals having an Accept vibe. There is a fairly good production job and the mix is very good. Though not overly innovative, Inferno is a fun blast from the past and a welcome return for the Swedish duo.
Rating: 3.5
(Adam McAuley)
Midyrasi’s Kult – Italian Dark Sound (Dying Victims)
Formed from Italian metal stalwarts Doomsword, Midryasi, Agarthi and Fiurach — each of them bringing their own blend of doom metal, black metal and a sprinkle of NWOBHM — all come together like a Mechazord to form Italian newcomers Midyrasi’s Kult. Their first release is Italian Dark Sound.
As gritty and dark as the instrumentation feels, it feels like there are a couple instruments missing that would add more to the feeling. The album feels like a collection of good ideas that are missing something to make it better. The ending track, “The Lost Son of Silvester Anfang” feels a bit out of place after seven other tracks were relatively high energy in comparison. As far as debut albums go it is not terrible, it is just missing a couple key elements to give it that ‘Wow’ factor and that is up to Midyrasi’s Kult to decide what that is, exactly.
Rating: 3
(Dalton Husher)
Myrath – Wilderness Of Mirrors (earMusic)
Myrath single-handedly restore faith in a power and folk metal subgenre that has grown stale and safe. With Wilderness Of Mirrors, they deliver masterful songwriting and infectious energy, blending folk influences into a polished, heroic sound that feels genuinely uplifting and motivating.
While the album’s production and accessible nature impress, it slightly overstays its welcome, with later tracks lacking the punch of the explosive opening. Still, Wilderness Of Mirrors is a confident, consistent display of fireworks that proves not everything needs to be edgy; sometimes, pure sunshine is exactly what’s needed.
Rating: 4
(Carlos Tirado)
Samurai Pizza Cats – Press Start (Century Media)
Named after the ’90s Japanese anime series, the German metalcore band Samurai Pizza Cats has members formerly in bands like Electric Callboy and Fall Of Gaia.
They blend electronics into their combination of harsh vocals and melodic singing. Guests like Jessie Williams from Ankor on “T-Rex(plosion)” and Babybeard on “Ramen-Man” help add variety to the proceedings. There’s a danger of being perceived as a novelty act, but SPC’s songs are catchy and infused with humor and their members have metal bona fides. Press Start flies by in less than 30 minutes, with Samurai Pizza Cats delivering an entertaining guilty pleasure of an album.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
Total Maniac – Love Overdrive (Self)
Total Maniac are total sleazebags on Love Overdrive, hitting on women and drinking enough at a bar to threaten the bartender with death if they don’t get another shot. They act like a glam metal band on meth; hard rock with driving speed metal and punk. Love Overdrive has a 1980’s Sunset Strip aura to it, down to the futuristic cover art.
The grime is never washed off the album, and vocalist Diamond Dustin makes sure to be our obnoxious host through it all. His falsettos can be a bit much, as are the random breaks to rant at the listener. Total Maniac saves the best song for “Flatline,” an uproarious closer with a ton of solos packed into under three minutes.
Rating: 3
(Dan Marsicano)
Winterfylleth – The Unyielding Season (Napalm)
Among the most prolific forces in modern black metal, Winterfylleth continue to demonstrate a rare sense of purpose and continuity. With The Unyielding Season, the band’s ninth studio album, they refine the atmospheric black metal they have long mastered: sweeping melodies, resolute riffs, and carefully paced compositions that preserve the cold grandeur defining their sound.
Thematically, the album confronts a world strained by fear and unrest. The songs speak of resistance, of minds uniting against oppression and voices rising where silence is demanded. Amid the intensity, “Unspoken Elegy” offers a striking pause: an acoustic instrumental with mournful cello lines, both mournful yet victorious and heartsome. Aggressive passages are balanced by reflective moments, creating a tension between turmoil and resolve. In that contrast lies the album’s spirit: transforming anxiety about the present into defiance and endurance. The Unyielding Season stands as a true masterpiece; and masterpieces, by their very nature, endure long after the storms of fire have passed.
Rating: 4.5
(Arash Khosronejad)
