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...

  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 – ...

[Photo by Jim Louvau] EXODUS prepare for a mammoth month in March with the release of the title track from their new album, Goliath , out March 20, 2026, via Napalm Records . With an accompanying music video, “Goliath” slows the tempo with winding, malevolent leads, powerful drums, and ominous string work by violinist Katie Jacoby , complemented by intricate guitar playing from the legendary Gary Holt . Even after 40 years since their debut, Exodus. continue to soldier on. The band's highly anticipated 12th studio album is their most dynamic release to date, featuring several collaborations and marking the return of Rob Dukes as lead vocalist.  EXODUS on “Goliath”: "'Goliath' may quite possibly be the heaviest thing we have ever done, and certainly the slowest song in our catalog, as close to doom metal as Exodus we get! Just pure evil, as sinister as it gets, featuring our friend Katie Jacoby, who laid down 18 tracks of strings in the middle harmony section, maki...

     [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...

L to R: Clint Lowery, Morgan Rose, Lajon Witherspoon , Vince Hornsby, John Connolly (Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann) GRAMMY® Award –nominated metal icons SEVENDUST r eturn with their  powerful new single “Is This The Real You.” The track showcases the unmistakable sound that has propelled the band to the top of rock radio throughout their career. The band announced their first taste of the new year, a week after the announcement of their upcoming 15th studio album, ONE . SEVENDUST once again delivers a driving, emotionally charged anthem that blends aggression, melody, and authenticity. “Is This The Real You” is available now on all digital streaming platforms. ,   SEVENDUST guitarist John Connolly explains.“It was as honest, natural, and pure as any song can be. If you really want to know what Sevendust sounds like in 2026, ‘Is This The Real You?’ gives you a good idea,”  The accompanying music video, directed by Paul Ribera , further highlights SEVENDUST's abil...

  Written by Anselm Anderson Today, Alter Bridge releases their eighth studio album . The self-titled release features twelve tracks of their most deeply personal and heaviest material since 2007's Blackbird album. "Alter Bridge" follows up 2022's critically Acclaimed Pawn and Kings , and is once again produced by Michael 'Elvis' Baskette  at his legendary 5150 studios in Los Angeles . He consistently brings out the best in the band with his keen ear for their nuances. This is true for Alter Bridge. Baskette emphasises the band's strengths as writers and musicians, with the group aiming for a harder rock sound. They express more meaning and emotion compared to their previous albums. The songs feel darker, featuring a dark sound with more emphasis on solos and memorable riffs. In this release, guitarist Mark Tremonti takes centre stage with dual vocals on two tracks: ' Trust in Me ' and ' Tested and Able .' His quiet, melodic vocals ble...

Alter Bridge L to R: Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Brian Marshall, Mark Tremonti Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann Edited by Anselm Anderson ALTER BRIDGE unveils the final single ahead of their forthcoming self-titled eighth studio album, set for global release this Friday. “ Scales Are Falling ” delivers the band’s signature rock sound, brought to life by Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums). The track delves into the pivotal moment of realising deception, capturing the profound emotional weight that accompanies the revelation of truth. Lead vocalist Myles Kennedy comments on the meaning behind the track, “It’s when you realise the reality of a situation where you’ve been deceived. You see the truth and how harsh it is.” “Scales Are Falling” is available now across all digital service providers. The accompanying visualizer is created by Marcin Pospiech ( Nine Inch Nails , Tool – @reinfected.me), which is...

  Photo: Altankhuyag Erdenebat Words by Anselm Anderson There are times when a band comes along and becomes an instant success, the music industry takes note and churns out its successor. Mongolian Folk band UUhai follow the success and signature sound of fellow countrymen The Hu . The band's use of traditional elements, such as horsehair and throat singing , aligns with the previously mentioned hu. However, the band's sound is more melodic and easier to listen to, in contrast to the commercially accessible features of the former. This Friday (5th January), UUhai will finally explode onto the international stage with their debut Human Herds , set for release via Napalm Records .  The seven-piece first gained notoriety after their first songs gained millions of views on YouTube . They have created an album inspired by folklore and societal themes in the Mongolian language . The band blends traditional Mongolian music with heavy metal.  Formed in 2020, the band were ...