The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

Art Coverwork courtesy of REIGN Phoenix Music Melodic death metal act Bloodhunter are set to release their fourth album, Sons of the Abandoned , this Friday via ROAR (A division of Reigning Phoenix Music. The music is fresh, brutal and melodic, set against the backdrop of crushing riffs and hellacious grooves that stick in the memory long after. I am new to the band, but have covered them recently because I hear comparisons with bands like Lamb of God and Arch Enemy . Formed in Galicia, Spain , in 2008, the band have been a rising force in Europe, developing their sound and appearing at Festivals, alongside notable names like Rainbow and Megadeth . Fronted by Female vocalist Diva Satanica , they have released the diverse and personal "Sons of the Abandoned". The ten-track release explores themes of toxicity, identity, and inner demons in a disillusioned world. My first thoughts on the album are how varied the music is. The long, melodic sections are full of emotion, w...

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Records Last week, Australian Symphonic metal band ANA returned with their debut LP "Motivated by Death" via Eclipse Records . The album follows the success of 2023's critically acclaimed first EP The Art of Letting Go , . The eight songs look at the human experience, combining strong pop sensibilities, heavy guitars, and haunting sounds. Formed in 2023, the band calls themselves a "Couture rock" group. Their members include lead vocalist Anna Khristenko, guitarist Josh Mak, bassist Cody Lamb, drummer Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio, and keyboardist Mark Shi. They present themselves as masked "Super humans" as part of a comic series they created, published through Cynation Comics. Their performances and songs are inspired by the comics, a style reminiscent of prog rock band   Coheed and Cambria . Now, let's focus on their album Motivated by Death . This album was produced by Mak and Khristenko, wi...

Photo Courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson Following an eight-year break, the Norwegian metal band  Dimmu Borgir  returns with "Grand Serpent Rising." This album is an important milestone for the band, celebrating their return after more than thirty years in the music scene. The title symbolises the Year of the Snake , marking the album's completion last February. The serpent represents change and growth, showing the band evolving with confidence. While the band is known for taking time on albums, eight years is taking the biscuit. Since their last release, 2018's Eonian , guitarist Galder rejoined his previous band. And since then, they have focused on "Grand Serpent Rising," an hour of intense Black Metal with orchestral elements. Co-founders "Silenoz " and "Shagrath" collaborated to create a masterpiece, featuring dynamic choir and string arrangements alongside their signature snarls. A Return to...

Photo Courtesy of NPRM Publishing Words by Anselm Anderson These days, it's rare to find a Southern rock band like Oklahoma's Hillbilly Vegas , which blends American blues and country traditions without sounding plain, reminiscent of Seventies bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd , Blackfoot, and Molly Hatchet. Led by vocalist Steve Harris since their formation in 2011. Last Friday, the band released their new album " A La Mode " through independent label Quarto Valley Records , which focuses on Blues, Americana, Roots, and Jazz music. This release has many influences from Blues and Americana, as it explodes into memorable songs, slick riffs, and ol'school southern rock. The band has steadily grown their fervent fanbase through raucous live shows and relatable lyrics. They have even toured with some of the genre's Renowned names such as s Blackberry Smoke, The Kentucky Headhunters, and Ted Nugent. Photo Credit: Joe Ward The album begins w...

Words by Anselm Anderson On the back of last week's solo release, John Corabi returns with The Dead Daisies ' first live album, "Live Plus Five". The album captures the band's set at "Live at Stonedead" from 2025, plus additional tracks from various outings across Europe and America in 2024/25. The album covers tracks from the quintet's previous two releases: 2024's Light Em' Up and last year's Blues covers release Lookin' for Trouble,  plus tracks from earlier in their career, which includes covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" and "Midnight Moses" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. I don't usually cover live albums because it always feels like it is better to watch a band live so you experience the live feeling. However, I don't get many opportunities to see The Dead Daisies live in the UK; I was eager to cover this one. I feel this is a strong release, which covers all...

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 longtim...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Release Date: May 1st, 2026                                                Label: Eclipse Records Munich-based alternative metal band Antirope is set to drop their second album, "Bring Me to Zero," next month through Eclipse Records . The quartet delivers a melancholic and unsettling set of tracks, recorded live at Patrick Fleischer 's home studio, LungFull Studios . The music feels brooding yet comforting, with crushing riffs merging into monotonous vocals, sludge-like instrumentals, and lyrics brimming with emotion. There are obvious influences from Black Sabbath , A Perfect Circle and Tool , which are conveyed through each outpouring of emotion throughout this release. Formed in Munich, Germany in 2015,  Antirope features Slaven Stokic on vocals and guitar, Patrick Fleischer on guitar and backing vocals, Julie Fleischer on bass,...