#epic-heavy-metal — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #epic-heavy-metal, aggregated by home.social.
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Dragon Skull – Chaos Fire Vengeance [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]
By Baguette of Bodom
Greece is a surprising hotbed for power metal-adjacent sounds, providing recent gems such as Sunburst last year and Sacred Outcry’s 2023 masterpiece.1 Dragon Skull is a newcomer to these fields of glory, introducing their burly heavy/power style on their promising self-titled EP as recently as 2022. Now, three years later, they were finally ready to unleash their debut Chaos Fire Vengeance on the world. And oh my, what an entrance it is.
Dragon Skull know how to riff like hell and craft anthemic, cataclysmically heavy tunes. In addition to the fist-pumping Manowar feel the band is going for (“Brethren,” “Skull Crusher”), the songwriting is further guided by the spirit of German power metal, something like Brainstorm further reinforced with later Blind Guardian bombast (“Nampat,” “Blood and Souls”). But what makes the instrumentation incendiary is how guitarists Panos Wallach and Chris Brintzikis take influence from several directions at once. This guarantees plenty of variety through the album’s eight tracks, ranging from the dual-harmonized NWoBHM of “Brethren” to the melodeath/meloblack-informed tremolos on “Shield Maiden.” To top it all off, the pummeling war drums of Teo Stamatiadis and gargantuan vocals of Aris Labos lend maximum grit to an already muscular record.
Chaos Fire Vengeance offers a refreshing mixture of ’80s heavy metal and ’00s power metal. Slower, anthemic annihilation is counterpointed by thunderous fury, often during the same song (“Dragon Riders,” Shield Maiden”). The extra melodic death metal DNA brings with it a welcome burst of harsh vocals as well (“War Drums,” “Skeleton Hand”), and the way it all gels effortlessly is impressive. Despite the amount of various elements and influences in the album, the end result is deceivingly simple and effective. It makes Dragon Skull’s style stand out in a similar way Triumpher’s shtick does, but the increased mass and grit of Chaos Fire Vengeance improves the formula from good to face-melting. Though the first half of the album is already potent, the second half is where the band’s ambitions are fully realized. The hooks in “Nampat” and “Skeleton Hand” are immense, and the gargantuan epic “Blood and Souls” is a serious Song o’ the Year contender. I mean, how can you not love a song with Elric and Tanelorn-themed lyrical homages to Cirith Ungol and Blind Guardian?2
Dragon Skull is single-handedly carrying the power metal torch this year. Sure, it might be more heavy/power, but who’s counting? The songwriting is superbly anthemic, and the band knocked it out of the park on their first try in 42 brief minutes. I’ve had some trouble getting all my writing done late in the year for countless reasons, and this album in particular felt difficult to write deeper analysis for. But maybe it’s not necessary. After all, what is a TYMHM but a long-winded way to say “this album rocks, go check it out?” Sometimes it’s just better to keep things short and simple, and all Chaos Fire Vengeance needs is a damn strong barrage of eight massive tunes. Better yet, it’s a brilliant blueprint Dragon Skull can use to further refine their songcraft.
Tracks to Check Out: “Nampat,” “Skeleton Hand,” and “Blood and Souls.”
#2025 #BlindGuardian #Brainstorm #ChaosFireVengeance #CirithUngol #DragonSkull #EpicHeavyMetal #GreekMetal #HeavyMetal #Manowar #PowerMetal #SacredOutcry #SelfReleased #Sunburst #ThingsYouMightHaveMissed2025 #Triumpher #TYMHM
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Dolmen Gate – Echoes of Ancient Tales [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]
By Baguette of Bodom
You can never have too many swords. This has always been the truth, and Portugal’s Ravensire was well aware of it, following in the triumphant heavy metal footsteps of fellow countrymen Ironsword for three albums. Even when fate would strike down Ravensire in 2020, drummer Alex and guitarist Nuno1 remained undeterred. They formed a new lineup under the Dolmen Gate banner and got to work immediately. Debut EP Finis Imperii released in 2023, debut album Gateways of Eternity followed last year, and now they are already up to second album Echoes of Ancient Tales merely another year later. While this could seem like rushing things to some, it’s clear to me Dolmen Gate is striking while the iron is hot, and they’re just getting warmed up.
Echoes of Ancient Tales is a direct upgrade over an already strong debut. The core of their sound still channels the epic, riff-forward demeanor of Manilla Road and early Manowar. If you’re familiar with other swordy revival acts like Gatekeeper and the aforementioned Ironsword, you’ll have a good idea of what you’re in for. NWoBHM gallops (“The Maze,” “The Prophecy”) in the vein of Satan further refine the album, increasing its variety and olde cred. Alex furiously pounds the drums while Kiko and Artur duel out riffs for days, utilizing both speedy (“Carthage Eternal”) and stompy (“A Tale of Time’s End”) songwriting philosophies in Cirith Ungol fashion. Ana’s vocals deliver the same smoky, subdued tone that enhances the music and gives the band even more of a standout personality. Better yet, Echoes of Ancient Tales fixes the only real problem I had with the debut: buried vocals. Not only does Ana sing with more confidence and power, her role is also more central and upfront—justifiably so.
Dolmen Gate’s songwriting is growing in strength, and the band is only getting heavier. The early one-two punch of “Souls to Sea” transitioning into “The Maze” alone makes their direction loud and clear, and it shows the band isn’t satisfied just sitting in one corner musically. As always, authenticity is the key factor in revival-style music, and Dolmen Gate passes the test with flying colors. They sound like they have the same influences as their favorite bands but are also aware of their musical surroundings in less olde times. The almighty riff is the most important building block here, and the band knows this well. Guitar and drum patterns from many varieties of heavy metal—and some of its heavier offshoots too—help to craft both catchy anthems (“The Maze,” “Carthage Eternal”) and epic long-form tunes (“Souls to Sea,” “Afore the Storm” into “We Are the Storm”) without missing a beat.
Echoes of Ancient Tales is, without questio,n the best pure heavy metal record of the year. A lot of newer epic heavy metal bands have popped up during the past decade, and many of them have the right idea. But it feels like the change of bands and lineups was the kick the ex-Ravensire folk needed to take that next step. Dolmen Gate is one of the best and most authentic so far, both songwriting and production-wise, while also doing something that’s uniquely theirs. Raise your swords and enter the gate!
Tracks to Check Out: “The Maze,” “A Tale of Time’s End,” and “We Are the Storm.”
#2025 #CirithUngol #DolmenGate #EchoesOfAncientTales #EpicHeavyMetal #Gatekeeper #HeavyMetal #Ironsword #ManillaRoad #Manowar #NoRemorseRecords #PortugueseMetal #Ravensire #Satan #ThingsYouMightHaveMissed2025
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FATE'S HAND (Austràlia) presenta nou àlbum: "Steel, Fire & Ice" #FateSHand #EpicHeavyMetal #Novembre2025 #Austràlia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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Review: Tabernacle “The Iron Tabernacle”
Release date: Out Now
Label: Stormspell Records
6 minutesThe Nwothm
Epic power doom with mystical progressive vibes. Formed in 2019, Tabernacle channels the spirit of Manilla Road, Omen, and Viking era Bathory into a sound that is hauntingly melodic and crushingly epic. Emerging from early Judas Priest–inspired roots, the trio of Rayner (guitars and vocals), Jasper (bass), and Shawn (drums) forged a darker path with their 2021 demo Terror in Thrace. Their debut full-length, The Iron Tabernacle, expands that vision with progressive flourishes reminiscent of Fates Warning (The Spectre Within) and Adramelch (Irae Melanox), weaving tales of ancient bloodshed, fallen empires, and spectral tragedy. For fans of Scald, Vendel, and the arcane edge of epic metal.
Release features:
- Jewel Case release with multi-page booklet featuring info, credits, lyrics, band photos
- Debut album by the Middle Eastern epic power doom combo with historical themes and progressive influences
- CD pressing limited to 300 copies worldwide
Review
Treasure Voyages is the intro song on the album and straight away there is an instance of calm. Acoustic guitars come in playing gentle, soft melodies against an airy backdrop and toms and eventually a weird synth which felt a bit out of place. But I love how easy going this intro feels. It almost feels emotions in passing. Great little start
Hannibal’s Crossing comes in like a neanderthal or troll with a club hunting down an enemy. The guitar tones are gritty and the whole low tone of the music gives it this edge, this sinister feel. Imagine riffs that feel meaty, something that you can really sink your teeth into and chew on. This style of heavy metal feels like a reflection of a cave dweller, or something dark that you would not want to cross paths with. In terms of pace the song remains steady throughout keeping everything tight and locked in. It is when the solo hits that the pace drops down to slow swagger helping listeners really get into the riffs. There is am interesting part of the song where the riffs start to break up and bits begin to dissolve where we the bass comes through.
On the Bloodied Fields of Westphalia opens with a flash of drums before dragging us into the riffs. Just like Hannibal’s Crossing everything feels very organic and at the same time slightly eerie. There was a moment where some of the riffs reminded of megadeth’s Five Magics but more earthy which was pretty cool. One vibe I do get from the music is that it feels very casual, a looseness to things and I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Almost if you have woken up from sleepless night. The music so far leans into epic/heavy-doom territories giving the music some weight, which to be honest suits the vocal style. Either way the song remains in that mid tempo kind of spot with raw riffs and an authentic feel.
The Curse of Akkad comes in with gliding strings before the rhythms and bass drop in. The music has this hopping feel in terms of the riff delivery adding some character to the music. Sometimes I do get this feeling that things are being pushed or trying to be held together, just down to how loose and relaxed the music is played. I am not sure if that is down to musicianship or the attitude of the members but It feels odd and a bit strange.There just feels like there is a lack of punch and I got this feeling in the last two tracks. The one thing that this song does deliver on is the chorus. The layered vocals and the vocal melody itself sounds very exotic like it is from distant sands. This shows when the creativity spark ignites and shows off what can be achieved.
The Legacy of Malik Ambar starts of with guitar effects before transitioning into the main body of the song. The music itself at times just feels sleepy and mellow in ways yet the rhythms jolt emphasising drum hits. All of this is going on while the bass wonders along in thought projecting its mind out loud. There are some interesting riffs going on but I am waiting for something to jump out and excite me. Maybe I am bias as I am more into faster stuff but even the slow feel of things is not hitting very hard. This is a track of almost 9 minutes and when we approach the second half of the song it feels like it could have been a second song. There is slightly more play in the pacing but the length for me started to burn my interest admittedly. It did pick up towards the end which woke me up slightly but I wished that been more present in the song.
The Dawn Weeps makes me think of of some space bing talking with the subtle strings and organ esque gently playing in the background. The spoken passage definitely captures your attention and is a surprising change in the rhythm of the album. But I am curious how it fits into the whole narrative of the album.
These Crying Seas is the final track on the album and once again takes a mid tempo approach with cascading riffs and rumbling drum ideas. The verses step up with the vocals a little bit as they feel brighter and a bit more creative in direction. In general the music leans on more weighty hungry riffs to drive the song forward. The tempo does pick up and It is a refreshing change in an album which sits predominantly at mid tempo speeds. Either way the riffs still feel dark and creepy which has been the majority of the record. Another solid and straightforward song that takes the album out.
Conclusion
Taken as a whole, the album feels like a band still exploring and developing its sound. There are moments of atmosphere and flashes of creativity, particularly in the choruses and occasional shifts in pacing, but much of the record sits in a mid‑tempo zone that doesn’t always deliver the excitement or punch it seems to reach for. The looseness in performance adds a raw, organic quality, yet at times it drifts into casualness that undercuts the impact. What emerges is a body of work that shows promise and identity in formation, but also leaves the sense that the band’s most compelling statement is still ahead of them.
TheNwothm Score: 7/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://tabernacle-hm.bandcamp.com/album/terror-in-thrace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabernacle.metal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabernaclemetal?utm_source=qr
Label: https://stormspell.bigcartel.com/product/tabernacle-the-iron-tabernacle-cd-preorder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSKXgXvCp_M
Read More Reviews
#doom #epicHeavyMetal #heavyDoom #HeavyMetal #NewAlbum #NWOTHM #Review #stormspellRecords #Tabernacle #TheIronTabernacle
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Black Soul Horde – Symphony of Chaos Review
By Steel Druhm
Has it really been 4 years since Horrors from the Void dropped? The third full-length from Greek trve metal/power unit Black Soul Horde was a rollicking, rowdy mash-up of 80s traditional metal, power, and all things trve. Old-timey Manilla Road influences coexisted alongside Agent Steel and Jag Panzer idioms, and newer retro acts like Visigoth and Eternal Champion. This was more than an olde head like Yours Steely could resist, and the fun factor and broad sword quotient got it stamped with a fat 4.0. Now we get the follow-up, which has some mighty big war booties to fill. The Horde haven’t changed their approach for Symphony of Chaos, so all the same elements are in place and ready to rake for our hearts, minds, and black souls. Will the siege equipment be as stout and formidable this time? Let’s kick those wooden tires and see what we’re dealing with here.
Things kick off to a gloriously 80s start with “Lady of Shadows,” which at once reminds me of Crimson Glory and Trial (Sweden), with a spicy coating of Eternal Champion’s loincloth. It’s instantly catchy and enjoyable, fusing the best bits of classic 80s metal and Euro-power for a sound that’s tougher and sturdier than you’d expect. Jim Kotsis tops it all with his odd, high-register, nasal-as-fook vocals. “What the Night Invokes” keeps that good times rolling with hints of Sanctuary and a bigger dose of Eternal Champion. I’m not sure what Kotsis is singing about, but it sounds like he keeps hailing Mole Man or Moth Man, and either way, I support it. When “A Scream in the Snow” hits, things reach the next level. This is such a classic throwback metal tune that it shakes my primate brain into fatty mush and makes me want to throw ape cake at friends and foes alike. If you aren’t sharpening your raiding axe by the halfway point, I don’t want your weak ass on my Viking Cruise. The riffs have teeth, and Kotsis provides just the right blend of machismo and gloss as he takes the chorus to the house.
I’ll say this about Symphony of Chaos: the hits just keep on coming. “The Creatures of the Night” is another stellar slab of classic metal with a power metal infusion. The badass and bitey guitar work reminds me of Wolf, and there’s just the right punch and hook factor to sell it like cheese-coated bacon. “Wrath of the Pharaohs” is an absolute snobberknocker of trve metal wonder merging early Annihilator vibes with Steel Prophet dramatic bombast. “Death’s Parade” is another headbanger’s delight where Kotsis uncorks death vocals at key moments, and the chorus is grand and mighty. The album is pretty damn consistent, with only “Julian Graves” and closer “Dance of the Eternal Shadows” sinking below the high level of their peers slightly. At a tight 43-plus minutes and with all songs in the 3-5 minute window, things move and groove with urgency and pop.
Costas P. and John T. bring a lively and potent guitar magic to the material, tossing out beefy 80s riffs and seasoning them with power frills and trve grit as needed. There are plenty of inspired moments that greatly elevate songs, and they have a knack for bringing the right amount of heavy metal thunder at key junctures. Jim Kotsis continues to impress with his odd but versatile vocals. Sometimes a dead ringer for Lance King (ex-Pyramaze, ex-Balance of Power), other times quite like Jason Tarpey (Eternal Champion), with Warrel Dane-isms popping up too, he’s got the kind of voice that’s perfectly suited to what Black Soul Horde are doing. As with Horrors from the Void, it’s the slick songcraft that wins the day and takes this from a cute retro rocker to that next level of essential metal.
Symphony of Chaos is one of the most consistently entertaining “heavy metal” albums of 2025, and were it not for a few minor step-downs in writing, this would be another 4.0. Honestly, it almost got there anyway. There are great cuts here, and enough pure metal glory to fill the hearts of the faithful. Black Soul Horde have that “it” factor and know how to deliver the retro metal goods better than most, and Symphony of Chaos is another testament to their mastery of the olden ways. Get this shaggy altered beast in your ears and run with the pack.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Vinyl Store
Websites: blacksoulhorde.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/blacksoulhorde | instagram.com/blacksoulhorde
Releases Worldwide: October 31st, 2025#35 #BlackSoulHorde #CrimsonGlory #EpicHeavyMetal #EternalChampion #GreekMetal #HeavyMetal #HorrorsFromTheVoid #Oct25 #PowerMetal #Review #Reviews #SymphonyOfChaos #Trial #VinylStore
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DOLMEN GATE (Portugal) presenta nou àlbum: "Echoes of Ancient Tales" #DolmenGate #EpicHeavyMetal #Octubre2025 #Portugal #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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TABERNACLE (Emirats Àrabs Units) presenta nou àlbum: "The Iron Tabernacle" #Tabernacle #EpicHeavyMetal #Setembre2025 #EmiratsÀrabsUnits #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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REFLECTION (Grècia) presenta nou àlbum: "The Battles I Have Won" #Reflection #EpicHeavyMetal #Juny2025 #Grècia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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WYRM BURDEN (Estats Units) presenta nou EP: "Strange & Sorcerous" #WyrmBurden #EpicHeavyMetal #Maig2025 #EstatsUnits #NouEp #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK (Grècia) presenta nou àlbum: "Black Sword Thunder Attack" #BlackSwordThunderAttack #EpicHeavyMetal #Abril2025 #Grècia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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BRAVERIDE (Grècia) presenta nou àlbum: "The Great Awakening" #Braveride #EpicHeavyMetal #Abril2025 #Grècia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
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Megaton Sword - Blood Hails Steel - Steel Hails Fire
#MegatonSword #BloodHailsSteelSteelHailsFire #EpicHeavyMetal #DyingVictimsProduction
