Rambling Man's Reviews

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...

Today, Nashville’s country rockers Cody Parks and the Dirty South officially signed with Frontiers Label Group via BLKIIBLK . To mark the occasion, the band dropped their new single “Snake Shaker.” This continues a streak of impressive signings by the label since its inception last year, following the acquisitions of Megadeth , Cro-Mags, and Biohazard. Cody Parks shared his enthusiasm over the news : "I'm beyond excited and blessed to be a part of the BLKIIBLK/Frontiers family. The opportunity to work with industry veterans Jeff Stevenson, Tom Lipsky, and Bob Chiappardi was a no-brainer. Having a team that is aligned with my vision for Country Metal makes this the perfect home for my music, and I can't wait for the world to hear what we have cookin." On the new single, he continues: "‘Snake Shaker’ is a textbook example of our brand. When I started making Country Metal years ago, I wanted to make heavy metal music and tell stories about some of the more unh...

Photo Credit: Tom "da bomb" Corso Edited by Anselm Anderson Lethal Limits is the solo project of Jeff Corso , a Bay Area punk veteran raised in the East Bay . Based in Oakland and originally from Half Moon Bay , Corso has spent decades immersed in the region’s punk and hardcore underground. This past Friday, March 13, 2026, he dropped his latest EP, Elevate . The four-tracker blends 90's punk with power pop . The tracks are melodic with plenty of punchy choruses. For fans  of bands like Hüsker Dü and The Pixies . All tracks were written and produced by Corso himself. Arriving nearly four years after Lethal Limits’ self-titled debut, Elevate shows improvements with shades of Thin Lizzy-style guitar swagger and heavier 90s grunge , all while keeping focus on the  choruses. The sound is reminiscent of a musician who grew up on punk music and skate videos, continuing to draw inspiration from those influences and experiences in their writing. Recorded between February and ...

[Photo Credit: VD Pictures] Edited by Anselm Anderson Popular Hamburg-based band Lord of the Lost are gearing up for the final chapter of their trilogy with the release of their latest single, " My Funeral ". The concluding part of their OPVS NOIR album series, OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 , is set to drop on April 10, 2026. The band has experienced a steady rise over the past couple of years, with nearly half a million listeners on Spotify, a standout appearance at the Eurovision final in 2023, a number-one album, and international tours with Iron Maiden . LORD OF THE LOST are proving themselves to be one of the most exciting and successful acts around today. OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 represents the creative peak of a band at the top. The year started with shows in the USA, Canada, and Australia, and now continues with the upcoming headline tour across Europe. The tour kicks off on Thursday, 12 March, in Oslo, Norway . Chris Harms  adds cheerfully on “My Funeral”: “The message of the song – ...

Today, Dead Daisies' Vocalist JOHN CORABI   unveils his new single " That Memory ," taken from his upcoming debut full-length solo album 'New Day,' set for release on April 24, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl . The new track arrived alongside an official music video, available to view below.  JOHN comments on the excitement behind the track: "'That Memory' is a great tune that my good pal Charlie Starr sent me a rough idea on. I played it for Marti Frederiksen (my producer) and he loved it. We changed the key to fit my voice and recorded it!! It’s a great tune, and without being too emasculated…It’s my wife’s favorite from the record!!!! Thank you Charlie Starr!!!!" Watch the Music Video for "That Memory" HERE ‘New Day’marks an exciting chapter in the singer's storied career. This is  JOHN CORABI’s first full-length solo album of original material. Recorded in Nashville during the summer of 2025 and produced by multi-platinum songwrit...

  Cover artwork by Ingo Spörl / OSM | Tomorrow, the German symphonic act Leaves' Eyes will release a new Viking saga . This time, they are launching a four-track EP through Reigning Phoenix Music Records . The band offers another dose of cinematic music , blending symphonic scores with metal to reach a new audience. Rambling Man has been following the band since the beginning of the decade, covering their previous two releases: 2021's The Last Viking and 2024's Myths of Fate . I have always been a sucker for symphonic metal , even though it does feel obsolete these days.  Leaves' Eyes brings a unique flair compared to bands like Within Temptation and Nightwish , focusing on tales of myths, magic, and Nordic stories of Vikings .  They achieve this through the rich, soprano voice of lead singer Elina Siirala , along with her accompanying band of classically trained musicians. The band was formed in 2023 by vocalist and producer Alexander Krull , along with origina...