#melodicmetal — Public Fediverse posts

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愛してエデン？ - Mellows

https://youtu.be/CsMNcU0523c

#metal #KawaiiMetal #MelodicMetal #japan #music #np #NowPlaying #MastoMusic

There was a time in my youth when bands like California’s Atreyu, Killswitch Engage and their ilk were all I wanted to listen to. Whether this was due to the novelty of the sound in its era, coinciding with my novice experience with metal as a whole, or perhaps the reflection of my own earnest angst resonating from the common themes of the scene, records like As Daylight Dies or Lead Sails Paper Anchor marked core albums in my metallic upbringing. However, with only two exceptions, I never kept up with any of these bands as time passed. My tastes shifted and evolved. For a time, I forgot entirely about Atreyu, until the itch to sing a few of their songs in the car became too much to bear. And so, when I saw Atreyu were not only still active, but about to release a new record aptly entitled The End is Not the End, I had to know how almost 20 years of time away changed my appreciation for Atreyu.

One thing that 20 years did not change was Atreyu’s style. Since my introduction to them with Lead Sails Paper Anchor, an album I still hold in high regard for better or for worse, they firmly entrenched their metalcore base with poppy beats, addicting choruses, and earnest, if ham-fisted, lyrics. Thankfully, they also boasted one of the better vocalists in a style hell-bent on employing whiny tenors with unrefined technique, both in harsh and clean styles. If anything, Brandon Saller has only gotten better with time and practice. The rest of the lineup shifted and swirled until settling into its current form in 2020,1 but other than a marked uptick in pop-centric songwriting, Atreyu preserved the core of their 2007 sound remarkably well.

This both works in their favor and leaves me cold. On one hand, killer hit-makers that are impossible to resist (“Break Me,” “All for You”) recall the shockingly effective simplicity of post-grunge-pop acts like Daughtry or Shinedown at their peak. On the other hand, a distinct lack of unique ideas or distinct identity for the vast majority of its 45-ish minute runtime (with the exception of “Ego Death” and “Children of the Light”) leaves me starving for something of substance. At times, as in the generic “Death Rattle,” small songwriting choices (the crowd-core “MOTHERFUCKER” shout being one) cause a minor recoil in my spine as it recalls the more embarrassing moments of my teen years. However, album standouts “Children of Light” and “In the Dark” evoke a legitimate callback to classic In Flames-style melodic death metal, rippling with energetic gallops and even a cool tandem guitar/saxophone solo. These songs don’t go so far as to abandon Atreyu’s pop sensibilities or cheesy lyrics, but they are big fun nonetheless and are sure to please crowds mightily.

Yet I struggle to recall anything from The End is Not the End once it… well… ends. As happy as I am pulling my favorite songs like “All for You” or “In the Dark” for playlist duties—which would eventually allow them to find purchase in my memory—I can’t help but stew in disappointment that nothing here sticks with the immediacy of past bangers like “Doomsday,” “When Two Are One” or “Falling Down.” I can appreciate that The End is Not the End is an altogether more hopeful and uplifting record compared to that angsty, bitter predecessor of my youth, but the shift in tone hasn’t helped the songwriting. On that front, The End is Not the End sounds like Atreyu going through the motions, spinning their wheels, and making very little forward momentum. In turn, I found very little here to grab onto and even less that grabbed me first.

I still want to go to bat for these guys. As many times as I’ve heard my comrades and co-conspirators belittle Atreyu, I can’t help but protect the soft spot I have for them. At the same time, The End is Not the End is not going to convince any of the naysayers, and hasn’t won me over either. There are great songs here with choruses that I would have a blast belting out at a drop of a hat. A couple of small sparks of unexpected heft remind me that Atreyu are, indeed, part of the metal landscape, albeit on the poppiest fringe of the core region. All in all, though, I’m not going to think at all about The End is Not the End 20 years from now. Alas.

Rating: Disappointing.
DR: Use Your Imagination | Format Reviewed: Streamfarm
Label: Spinefarm Records
Websites: atreyuofficial.com | facebook.com/Atreyu
Releases Worldwide: April 24th, 2026

This Abyss - Official music video/Visualiser. Video by Phoenix Lake.
#music #musicvideo #phoenixlake #hardrock #melodicmetal
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ec-cj9PqEDE

Re:O – Reverie

Some music outlets release full-length albums, while others are bound to share singles, which is perfectly fine if those tracks are catchy, memorable, and engaging. If you compare those two formats, you can notice that it’s far more difficult to release standalone singles than albums, mainly because there is no room for mistakes. The separate track acts as a showcase where each element needs to shine in order for a song to stand out, while in the case of full-length albums, you can always add those filler numbers to fill the gaps in between. With the tenth single recently released via all streaming platforms, Re:O proves that you do not need to have a comprehensive collection of songs stacked together to demonstrate your tremendous songwriting, composing, arranging, and producing abilities. Quite the contrary, you just need a track like “Reverie,” a perfect showcase where fascinating skills, talent, creativity, experience, and knowledge collide harmoniously. What makes this composition so catchy, memorable, and irresistible is that collision between several different yet complementary subgenres of rock and metal music. Re:O merges together only the finest properties of melodic metal, alternative rock, synth rock, and hard rock, crafting a soundscape that leaves you speechless even after the song comes to an end. But as usual, many other factors also play a significant role in this sonic equation, making it a perfect melodic metal composition worth spinning over and over again.

On their tenth standalone single, Re:O play with tension and release, that push and pull technique where you stumble upon calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal, otherworldly soundscapes, and then, all of a sudden, you’ve been transported directly into a completely different universe with the appearance of heavy, powerful, aggressive instrumentations. Still, even during those heavier moments, you’ll notice a layer of melody and harmony floating above. During those segments, Re:O demonstrates impressive songwriting and composing abilities, as “Reverie” arrives with a perfect structure, decorated with all those cleverly constructed segments, brilliant ideas, and outstanding orchestrations. Of course, the first thing you’ll notice when you press play is how Rio Suyama’s magnificent voice shines in the limelight. She skillfully elevates every sonic and rhythmic maneuver, commanding attention and guiding listeners through every section of the song by flawlessly balancing low, mid, and high notes. Besides decorating and emphasizing all those segments and orchestrations, she contributes more than necessary emotional depth and complexity to an already intricate song structure. In the meantime, the collision between lush synths and heavy guitars shapes a perfect backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. On one side, you’ll hear how all those clean, jangly, ethereal, luxuriant synth leads, themes, melodies, and pads bring the otherworldly vibes, while the generously distorted, aggressive, heavy guitar riffs resonate on the other side. You’ll also notice the subtle addition of a chorus effect on guitars, spicing up all those riffs without removing that heaviness from them. Everything is so carefully, thoughtfully, flawlessly assembled that you’ll get the feel as if you stepped into a completely different dimension.

You’ll also notice how the bass guitar is perfectly blended with the electric guitar during those heavy moments and is more audible during calmer segments. Those equally impressive low-ends lurk beneath synths and guitars, offering more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while simultaneously serving as a binding element that connects the mentioned instrumentations and rhythmic patterns. This particular instrument brings all the warmth, depth, density, groove, and detail without overwhelming other instruments. Of course, this composition wouldn’t sound complete without an exceptional drumming performance. You’ll hear how all those wisely assembled, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics emphasize each theme, melody, harmony, and bassline with precision and finesse. Every kick of the snare, hit of the bass drum, accentuation of the hi-hat, and splash of the cymbal plays a significant role in bringing more dynamics, power, and groove to this impressive track. With their tenth standalone single, Re:O not only showcase their tremendous songwriting and composing abilities but also demonstrate how brilliant ideas and impressive musicianship can bring even more innovation into melodic metal and rock music. They prove that these particular genres, when done right, can still sound fresh, unique, and exciting, like they were the first time you’ve heard them on the radio. “Reverie” is not only one of the finest tracks you’ll hear this year, but a rock-solid proof that Re:O are torchbearers of the modern melodic rock sound. You should immediately place this masterpiece on your music radar.

https://youtu.be/I3Zf02NiwKg?si=0aEkRMeHPrKJMoXQ

https://open.spotify.com/track/7L1X4VJb7qJuNPWxbToP7G?si=56c1ddd69795459a

#ALTERNATIVE #melodicMetal #MELODICROCK #METAL #MUSIC #REO #REVIEWS #ROCK

Serpent God – Denial Review

By ClarkKent

The digital era, where a band can release singles or EPs at a whim, seems to have tossed aside the concept of a B-sides compilation record. These albums consist of tunes that, for whatever reason, just didn’t make the cut on the main LP. This isn’t necessarily because those songs are bad. System of a Down’s Steal this Album! is, in my mind, just as much fun as their regular studio releases, and The Masterplan by Oasis is widely considered one of their best. Denial, the debut from Finland’s Serpent God, owes its existence to such B-side material, albeit from a different band: Se, Josta Ei Puhuta. While Se, Josta Ei Puhuta skews melodic death and thrash,1 after completing their 2022 record, Gehenna, they found themselves with leftover tracks that were too slow and mournful for what that group wanted to accomplish. The songs were too good to just toss away, though. As a result, three members from Se, Josta Ei Puhuta formed Serpent God and decided to unleash nine tracks of melancholic doom upon the sadboi lovers of the world.

While many complain about instrumental openers, “Denial” does a good job of prepping listeners emotionally and musically for what’s to come, with doleful keyboards and guitar licks. However, Serpent God truly establish their ability to pen infectious leads with the two gut-wrenching pieces of melodic doom that follow. “Beneath” evokes My Dying Bride with its combo of sorrowful melodies, slow and thunderous drumming, and vocalist Samu Mänikkö’s low, deep growl (something that becomes more of a rasp on later songs). Just when they’ve gotten you all buttered up, Serpent God then drive a stake through your heart with the lovely melodic lead on follow-up “Repent,” a killer tune that’ll go down as one of the best pieces of doom this year. Both tracks are on the long side, averaging seven minutes, but their progressive structures and shifts in tempo ensure that they remain compelling throughout. With such a great start, you understand why these guys didn’t want to leave these songs in the trash bin.

Serpent God harness all of their tools to try to squeeze tears from their listeners. Along with the evocative melodic leads described above, Mänikkö, who is also the guitarist, creates plaintive refrains using tremolos similar to those played by To Escape and Winds of Tragedy (“Alive,” “Sermon”). Mänikkö’s gently plucked arpeggios provide a reprieve from the heavier material during the bridge (“Repent,” “Revelation”), or as a way to pluck heartstrings from the start (“Beneath,” “Alive,” “Oblivion”). Vocally, Mänikkö shows less variety, largely sticking with his blackened rasps, but occasionally he surprises with cleans that accent the woeful guitar tones. Lush production values help the instruments evoke their melancholic tones, though there are a few questionable choices. The drums and bass lack the oomph of the guitars, but even worse is that nearly every time the keyboards play alone, there’s a distinct and annoying hum in the background.

At 50 minutes, and with most songs in the six-minute range, Denial does start to grow wearying as it approaches its end. While Serpent God do make use of tempo shifts, particularly on the energetic and effective “Sermon,” to break up the dourness of the surrounding material, the final three songs do not live up to the quality of what comes before. They feel like B-sides the band should have cut. These tracks feature awkward riffs, whispers, and spoken word portions—something that plagues other songs as well—that, combined with a lack of strong hooks, leaves the final fifteen minutes underwhelming. The three-minute conclusion, “Void,” ends the album with a series of tinkling, crystalline synths that feel anticlimactic compared to some of the big emotions evoked on prior tracks.

Clearly, the extra stuff leftover from Se, Josta Ei Puhuta’s Gehenna provided plenty of material to record a solid album. With Denial, Serpent God’s three members have proven they can write potent melodies, and they know how to hit you right in the feels. There’s enough quality music on Denial to have written a very good album, if only its arteries weren’t clogged with too much doomy fat and B-side material. It’s a shame, because there are some great songs, and for that, I do think this is worth a listen, even if I don’t recommend Denial as a whole. If anything, they have proven themselves to be a group to keep on your radar.

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Inverse Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: October 10th, 2025

#25 #2025 #DeathDoom #Denial #DoomMetal #FinnishMetal #InverseRecords #MelodicMetal #MyDyingBride #Oct25 #Review #Reviews #SerpentGod #ToEscape #WindsOfTragedy

Heathen’s Eye – Port Inspiro Review

By Angry Metal Guy

Written by: Nameless_n00b_607

The past is a vast well of knowledge and inspiration, but dwelling in it too much has its perils. Not enough of your spin on things can make your album sound generic and stale, while too much can alienate your target audience. Genres with accessible melodic songwriting are a precarious balancing act in this regard, and standing out becomes even more of a trial by fire. Swedish band Heathen’s Eye is boldly trying to make their mark in these well-traveled lands with their debut Port Inspiro, the Esperanto title meaning ‘inspired by the past.’ Can this freshly formed team of experienced musicians sail through time without getting lost along the way?

The heart of Heathen’s Eye beats comfortably within the late-’80s/early-‘90s borderlands between melodic rock and metal. On the metal side of things, the songwriting channels the anthemic nature of Accept’s Metal Heart. Electrifying guitars by axe wielder Göran Hamrin, accompanied by the soaring baritone vocals of Robb Lindh, are Port Inspiro’s driving force, bringing a welcome Jornian attitude to the record. While Lindh is not Lord Jørn—and occasionally trades away his strengths for versatility—his voice fits the genre like a glove, being often reminiscent of a more rock-oriented Johan Längqvist (Candlemass). In between the heavier bits are traces of Magnum and Journey piercing through, with Mikael Andersson’s wide synth arsenal drifting from bright and nostalgic to dark and mystical between songs. Despite leaning towards the softer end of the metalverse, Heathen’s Eye shows they can still riff, with some unexpectedly hefty guitar and drum work (“Mirrorman,” “Blind”) adding appropriate counterweight to the album.

Confident veteran musicianship makes Port Inspiro turn out to be more varied and ambitious than it seems at first glance. “Ghosts of Yesterday” and “Monsters” both recall the subtly progressive melodic side of acts such as ‘90s Fates Warning or earlier Queensrÿche. This side of the record makes it a good companion piece to something like the recent A-Z album, albeit leaning less towards prog and more towards AOR. When Heathen’s Eye ups the speed and energy, a hint of power metal influence is noticeable too. The record reaches a particular apex when all these separate elements get to coalesce and transcend (“Firepriest”). While I wish the album had more bursts of glory in this vein and spent less time in its mid-paced comfort zone, the material’s catchiness mostly makes up for the lack of speed. The band’s influences coming from more than one place significantly increase the album’s replay value, and a smooth blend crafted by experienced hands keeps the ship well afloat.

Port Inspiro is an enjoyable experience overall, but it suffers from some pacing issues. At 63 minutes, the album quite convincingly sprints past LP length. Its plentiful hooks and variety offer a convincing illusion of brevity, but most songs here fall in the 5–6-minute range, and some do overstay their welcome (“Monsters,” “Time to Deliver”). The pacing also becomes apparent in the album’s clunky middle, where several songs in a row feature lengthy intros, suggesting a mild case of Steve Harris-itis. Another place where the pacing is problematic is that Heathen’s Eye places two ballads almost next to each other. Cutting the somber, stylistic pariah “Lost in the Wind” would result in a more cohesive album. Ultimately, none of these are huge issues, and the album is still a pleasant journey with all 12 tracks ranging from solid to very good. The warm and vibrant production job at a surprising DR10 helps to make Port Inspiro cozy listening from start to finish.1

If Heathen’s Eye can further zero in on their songwriting, their good formula here could very well turn into a resounding triumph. Port Inspiro celebrates the past while also combining the band’s influences in interesting ways. It might not be innovative—it doesn’t intend to be—but it does succeed in its main goal: it’s fun. And while some extra trimming and urgency would have further improved the record’s pacing, it still manages to feel shorter than it is. Even with occasional missteps, Port Inspiro is a comfortable listen that has plenty of tunes combining anthemic and creative, inspired by but not stuck in the past. I’ll be curious to see if they can take what they’ve learned and follow up with an even stronger package; momentum is on their side.

Rating: Good!
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: V3 MP32
Label: Pride & Joy Music
Websites Facebook
Releases Worldwide: June 27th, 2025

#2025 #30 #Accept #AOR #Candlemass #FatesWarning #HeathenSEye #Jorn #Journey #Jun25 #Magnum #MelodicMetal #MetalHeart #PortInspiro #Queensryche #Review #Reviews #SwedishMetal

[Concert] Swallow the Sun, Before the Dawn et Stam1na au Backstage by the Mill à Paris
https://urlr.me/YxVWKT

#shiningovereurope #SwallowtheSun #Stam1na #beforethedawn #stormbringers #finnishmetal #nordicmetal #melodicdeathmetal #melodicmetal #metalmusic #doom #doommetal #gothic #gothicmetal #atmosphericdoom #Melancholy #SwallowTheSun2025Tour

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CATEGORY 7 Feat. OVERKILL, EXODUS, ARMORED SAINT And Ex-MACHINE HEAD Members: Debut Album Details Revealed

https://blabbermouth.net/news/category-7-feat-overkill-exodus-armored-saint-and-ex-machine-head-members-debut-album-details-revealed

#supergroup #machinehead #exodus #armoredsaint #overkill #jasonbittner #jackgibson #mikeorlando #philademmel #johnbush #shadowsfall #thrashmetal #heavymetal #punkmetal #melodicmetal