The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

 British heavy metal giants Saxon have announced the first UK and Ireland leg of their Gods of Thunder World Tour .  The eleven date tour will feature the revival of their legendary 30-foot mechanised Eagle for all UK and Ireland shows, with the exception of Cardiff due to venue restrictions. Saxon will also be bringing the  Castles & Eagles stage production. Originally constructed in the early 1980s as Saxon prepared to tour their seminal album Denim and Leather , the iconic Eagle was built by Midlands-based company LSD using airport runway landing lights. It made its first appearance during a pre-tour rehearsal in London before becoming an enduring symbol of the band. Towering above audiences during Saxon’s massive arena tours, the emblematic Eagle quickly became Saxon’s mascot and inspired the title of their acclaimed 1982 UK Top 5 live album, The Eagle Has Landed , leading to fans requesting its presence ever since. “We wanted to make the Gods of Thunder UK ...

Words by Anselm Anderson S epultura is getting ready to close the chapter on their remarkable forty-year career with the release of their final four-track EP, The Cloud of Unknowing , arriving this Friday, April 24th, via Nuclear Blast Records . The Brazilian Quartet wraps things up on a high note with their most heartfelt and inventive work yet. Each track explores a different side of the band’s emotions, blending thunderous drums, sweeping orchestral arrangements, and their signature fierce vocals and riffs. The band brought in American drummer Greyson Nekrutman for their latest tour across North America, Europe, and Latin America. His prodigious talent adds a fresh layer to the band’s often wild and chaotic brand of tribal metal . Nekrutman’s precise yet powerful hits blend seamlessly as the rest of the band pour their energy into this final chapter of their career. The band chose the legendary Criteria Studios as the place to record The Cloud of Unknowing, produced by long...

📸: Sean Stiegeimeier Today, ATREYU have unveiled their new single, "Children Of Light," featuring the ex-Sepultura vocalist, Max Cavalera . The new track is taken from ATREYU's upcoming album, 'The End is Not the End,' set for release on April 24, 2026 via Spinefarm . ATREYU explains the reasons behind the track is inspired by a particular Classic metal act: "'Children of Light' was created with a primal spirit in mind. A 'festival' song. Heavily inspired by classic Sepultura, though it seemed like an untouchable ask, we wanted Max involved. We’re honored to share this song with a legend." Watch the Visualizer for "Children Of Light" HERE  below 'The End is Not the End' has been described as  " ATREYU’s heaviest album ever and their most adventurous", according to a press release. “ We realized what made ATREYU great in the beginning was that we didn’t sound like anyone else,” frontman Brandon Saller expl...

  Words written by Anselm Anderson This upcoming Friday, English Heavy Metal band DA are set to unleash their much-anticipated self titled- debut album . This ten-track album blends modern rock vibes with classic rock influences , clearly drawing inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest . It has a strong throwback feel to the NWOBHM era , mixing  fast riffs with a dark, moody atmosphere and powerful, soaring vocals. DA emerged from the NWOBHM band Desolation Angels , when former guitarist Robin Brancher formed the group in 2021 with vocalist Matt Oakman. They were soon joined by bassist Neil Craddock and drummer Dan Smith.  Photo courtesy of San PR The album’s use of atmospherics adds depth and sincerity to the storytelling in the music. The opening track, " Daisy Chains ," kicks off with ominous cracks of thunder, gradually building in a slow, rhythmic patterns before erupting into Oakman’s towering vocals, which play a significant role throughout th...

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 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 ...

[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 – ...

  Cover artwork courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records Words written by Anselm Anderson Rob Zombie has built a successful career as both a film director and musician. He initially gained fame with the band White Zombie and later found success as a solo artist. His films, such as " The House of 1000 Corpses " and the "Halloween" franchise, have also attracted a dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase. Mr Zombie now returns following a four-year hiatus with his eighth studio album,  The Great Satan ,  through Nuclear Blast Records . I have long been a fan of the macabre style of horror metal , as it combines heavy metal , Nu-Metal and Groove Metal with an industrial edge, and gore-infested lyrics. Zombie has produced some rather excellent records for his ilk, such as his 1998 release, The Hellbilly Deluxe , 2001's The Sinister Urge , and 2006's Educated Horses , which produced classics like ' Living Dead Girl ',  Dragula ' and 'Foxy Foxy' respect...

     [Photo Credit: Patric Ullaeus] Gothenburg ’s masterminds of melancholia, Prog Metal act   EVERGREY , hope to bring some cheer for their fans with the announcement of their fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave , which will be released on June 5, 2026 via Napalm Records , just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to  Iron Maiden , for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour . The band will soon follow up this news with a music video for their first single, but you will need to stay tuned for when. Personally, I am interested in discovering what music they will bring. Lead vocalist  Tom Englund   explains the story about Architects Of A New Weave: “We’ve literally never had this much trouble picking singles. And honestly? That’s the best problem we could possibly have. Every song on this record is fighting to be the one you hear first—because we poured everything into making an album we’re flat-out obsessed with...

Photo Artwork courtesy of Rogue PR  Words written by Anselm Anderson Before the Sirens is another exciting new discovery on British shores. They released their most recent EP in December of last year, a follow-up to their debut EP, Desolate Seas and Darkened Skies . The EP is ' As it is Above, 'So it is Below , and the five-track brings an intense new sound with soaring vocal melodies and heavy riffs. The band is described as metalcore , but I argue they lean more towards a modern, accessible metal route. The band are fronted by vocalist Alun Davies , guitarist Chris Tiday , bassist Adam Aldridge and drummer Alex Budge . On this latest outing, they write about struggles and mental health .  Promo Shoot courtesy of Rogue PR. These themes are evident in the way the music is presented. In the opening track, "As It Is Above," vocalist Davies’s soft vocal textures blend seamlessly with the fierce riffs and pounding drums. This combination conveys a sense of imploration, ...