Rambling Man's Reviews

  Words by Anselm Anderson Brazilian thrash metal band Nervosa returns with another batch of raw, brutal, and honest songs, centred around politics , war , and religion . The band's sixth album, titled " Slave Machine ," will be released on Friday, April 3rd via Napalm Records . The album picks up right where 2023's Jailbreak left off, with singer Prika Amaral still in top form after making her debut on that record. Her fierce, abrasive vocals rival those of any male singer with guttural growls , as she howls like a wolf on the hunt. The quintet are helped by the strong production skills of Martin Furia , best known for his work with German destroyers, Destruction . His attentive ear to detail brings out the menacing and hellacious feelings of the band as a whole. I have been an admirer of the band ever since i saw them open for fellow Female Metal act, Burning Witches on tour a few years back. Their sound is crisp and emotional, layered over sharp, frenetic guita...

Photo Credit: Simon Liem New Album Same Fangs Releases May 15, 2026 Canadian songwriter Spencer Krug has announced that  his new solo album Same Fangs  will be  out May 15 on Pronounced Kroog, alongside its first single, “Timebomb,”, which landed last week. Available on digital and vinyl, after Wolf Parade ’s “I’ll Believe In Anything” Resurfacing through Netflix’s *Heated Rivalry*, a new wave of listeners began discovering Krug’s catalogue, reliving over twenty years of hard work. For an artist whose projects have amassed hundreds of millions of streams with Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown , Moonface , and his solo recordings, the timing feels more rewarding. Same Fangs   is built almost entirely around piano and voice, the record blends  bombast with tension and clarity over chaos. There are influences of Tobias Jesso Jr.’, late-era  Leonard Cohen , and  Lou Reed ’. But this is not imitation. It’s distillation. An indie lifer narrowing the le...

photo credit: Stian Andersen Norwegian symphonic black metal giants DIMMU BORGIR make their long-awaited return after an eight-year break with their new release , Grand Serpent Rising ,  due for release on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records .  The album delivers thirteen  remarkably diverse tracks that cement the band’s status as one of the most formidable forces in extreme music. Vocalist  Shagrath  says the reflects the past thirty years' of the band's history:  “I truly feel we’ve outdone ourselves musically on this album. It’s been a long and demanding process, but seeing how it all came together makes it incredibly rewarding. Grand Serpent Rising reflects every era of Dimmu Borgir — This album carries echoes of every chapter of Dimmu Borgir’s legacy — I believe our fans will recognize that, and find something within it that truly resonates.”  guitarist  Silenoz  explains about the meaning behind the album title Even the sheer weight...

Photo by Travis Shinn Edited by Anselm Anderson American heavy metal icons, ARMORED SAINT return with their anticipated new full-length release, Emotion Factory Reset , set for release on May 22nd through Metal Blade Records . Emotion Factory Reset, the line up's ninth studio album since 1984’s  Debut LP "March Of The Saint", is eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced by bassist and longtime producer,  Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston ( Anthrax , Stone Sour) the record finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “ Close To The Bone ,” “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have ARMORED SAINT honouring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present. “Each ARMORED SAINT record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don't think we've ever repeated ourselves,” says Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from...

  Words written by Anselm Anderson It’s refreshing to receive an album full of cheer and good vibes in a world of doom and gloom, where many bands focus on expressing their anger over social and political issues. Tyketto offers something fresh with their new album “ Closer to the Sun .” The ten track release is full of anthemic tracks and stories of wisdom about loss, loves and pleasures. The album, freshly released by the renowned Silver Lining Music , was recorded in various studios across the UK and Europe, including Flip Flop Studios and the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales . The band’s blend of radio-friendly tunes with a bluesy edge is reminiscent of early Aerosmith , with every track crafted for pure enjoyment. As a young rock fan, I first discovered Tyketto through their 1991 debut album Don't Come Easy , after a friend made me a tape of it. The band had more of a glam metal vibe back then, but the charismatic Danny Vaughan still led them with warmth and passion. H...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Rob Dukes returns for this twelfth outing for Exodus . The shaven headed vocalist returns following a ten year hiatus from the band. ' Goliath marks his first appearance since 2010's Exhibit B:The Human Condition . Dukes returned to the fold last year, following the departure of vocalist Steve Souza , and this release also marks the first on Napalm Records for the band. Produced by Exodus,  and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis , known for his work with Whitechapel , Nile and Undeath , this ten track release feels like a return to form for the Bay Area Thrashers . The music is intense and authentic, with  each riff cutting though  precision like a butcher's knife. Dukes sounds like an insane man, whose making up for lost time. The album features guest appearances by Peter Tägtgren ( Hypocrisy , Pain ) and violinist Katie Jacoby .  Photo Credit: Jim Lovau The album begins with the dissonant chords on " 3111 ", a track that sets the ...

The Dead Daisies are set to releases a live performance album, following their latest Covers album. Live Plus Five on CD and Vinyl on Friday May 1st in Europe and the UK,  and May 15th in the USA & Canada. This release captures their blistering Live At Stonedead performance at the UK’s Stonedead Festival along with an additional five  bonus tracks from shows across Europe and the US. Live Plus Five includes songs from shows at La Rayonne (Lyon), Picturedrome & Rock City (UK), and the legendary Whisky A Go Go in (Los Angeles) during 2024/25. Guitarist  Doug Aldrich  commented on the release, “We had such a fantastic run during the last tour in the UK! Stonedead Festival was one of the highlights featuring the latest setlist and songs from the history of the band including our last album Lookin' For Trouble . Now, we've gone next level and added 5 extra tracks from epic shows in the UK, France and LA! Hope you enjoy LIVE PLUS FIVE!” - The limited run of p...