REVIEWS AUGUST 2026
«July | Index | September»RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE: Nevermore
Rise From Your Grave - Digital SinglePittsburgh, Pennsylvania horror punks RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE deliver the second single from their upcoming 7th album, "Choose Your Scare", set for release on September 18. It's as usual fueled by a love of horror, heavy metal, and old-school punk attitude. So what we get is a energetic anthem packed with sinister storytelling, crushing riffs, and a wicked sense of humor. The vocals is melodic, and it's a very good song that they have made, so this is absolutely worth listening to.
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/risefrom.... | risefromyourgrave.bandcamp.com
PlusMinusZero: Touch
Downfall Records - Digital SingleFinnish melodic hard rock/metal band PlusMinusZero gives us another single. Their first single, "Wasted", was released in June, and with this latest single they continues to introduce us to their melodic sound, which is built on classic metal influences, memorable songwriting, and decades of musical experience. It sounds modern, and the verse is pretty laidback and melodic, while the chorus is of the big kind. A not so bad song that could be worth a try.
downfallrecords.bandcamp.com/album/touch | downfallrecords.com | instagram.com/plusminuszeromusic
FROLIC: Legacies Of Cybernetica
Hectic Records - LP, CD, MC, DigitalOn their sophomore album, Bay Area thrash metallers FROLIC blend razor-sharp musicianship with futuristic themes that redefine the Bay Area sound. Fans of bands like KREATOR, EXODUS, REVOCATION and The BLACK DAHLIA MURDER should be very interested in what this band are doing. It's explosive and impressive with blistering riffs, soaring twin guitar leads, intricate rhythm changes, and high-energy performances.
These guys mix the intensity of German thrash with the technical precision and sci-fi atmosphere of the Bay Area scene. It sounds both old school and modern at the same time, and they have made a damn good album that every fan of thrash must check out.
facebook.com/FrolicxThrash | hectic.com
BUZZED & LOADED: Mediaction Nation
Bootstrap Records on Aug. 12 - Album"Medication Nation" is the third album from this rock n roll band. And what they deliver is classic arena rock mixed with unfiltered rock n roll. They describe it as rock riffs and big choruses mixed with their signature blend of humor and attitude. The energy is said to be high and the guitars loud, still nothing sticks. I don't really know what's missing here, but it's probably just as simple as that their songs are not interesting enough for me, and therfor too weak. It just goes in and out without any deeper meaning.
buzzedandloaded.com
MEGASCAVENGER: Toxic Noxious Undeath
Xtreem Music on Aug. 13 - CD, LP, MC, DigitalMEGASCAVENGER return with the first album in 6 years. It's one of Rogga Johansson's hundred bands, so I guess it's not so hard to figure out what you're going to get. Yes exactly, old and rotten death metal the way it was meant to be from the beginning.
The album features an incredible array of guest vocalists, a different one for every track, gathered together from MASSACRE, CREMATORY, VOMITORY, MERCYLESS, BENEDICTION, THORIUM, MACERATION, FONDLECORPSE, AVULSED, and VOID MOON. This gives each song its individual character and atmosphere, but without sounding like a mix tape or an old compilation album. Everything here is of top class, and it doesn't really sound like a thousand other old school bands. But then it's hardly any young kids but veterans that we have here, so they should know how to do it. This is simply an album that you just have to get if you like your death metal the good old way.
facebook.com/megascavenger | xtreemmusic.com
MY MINDS MINE: Between Soothing Consolation And Uncontrollable Madness (reissue) / Scene Of The Complete Annihilation Of This Planet (reissue)
Selfmadegod Records on Aug 14. - CD / CDThis band really seems to like long titles of their albums.
MY MINDS MINE is a grindcore band from The Netherlands. "Between Soothing Consolation And Uncontrollable Madness" is their first full-length album, which was originally released in 1998. It features 15 fast and intense tracks, that are from 5 seconds to 2 minutes. To me it sounds like there's influences of both crust punk and metal here. It might sound chaotic to some, but for those who know this stuff, it should be of interest, becuase it's actually not so bad at all. Some songs are even really good.
"Scene Of The Complete Annihilation Of This Planet" is their second full-length album, and it was originally released in 2002. Here we get as much as 24 tracks, and the songs are from 26 seconds to 4:39 minutes (but that 4:39-track is mainly silence before a last attack). This album is a natural follow-up to the first album, so there's not much to add. But o.k., the first album might have been just a little bit better.
facebook.com/mymindsmine | selfmadegod.com
F.A.M.: Pleasure Of Torture
Selfmadegod Records on Aug. 7 - CDPolish band F.A.M. introduces a new lineup with this album. And what they deliver is a mix of brutal death metal and grindcore. There's a uncompromising aggression and a brutal intensity of devastating riffs, relentless blast beats, and a morbid atmosphere. I would not recomend this for people with a weak heart. But those who are strong enough will probably have a good time.
It goes really fast, and I would say that the vocals is typical grind vocals (think a pig house). They seems to be very skilled musicians, so it's tight and powerful.
The band formed in 2005.
facebook.com/FAMdeathgrind | selfmadegod.com
DEFENDER: Follow The Flame
Metalapolis Records - Digital SingleEvery time I see the name of this German band, I think of the MANOWAR song "Defender".
Anyway.. This German "new wave of traditional heavy metal" band gives us the first taste of their second album, "Titans Of Fire", which will be released on November 6. And what we get is simply an old school heavy metal anthem built on driving riffs, twin-guitar pyrotechnics, and drums that hit like a hammer to the chest. And the chorus is made for raised fists and packed floors.
If you don't check this out, then you're probably stupid.
youtu.be/q0XBAq0Xp3Q?si=-V-C0cRDnGLEEp-F | defender-metal.de | metalapolis.eu
DIAMOND RAIN: I Need Love
Pride & Joy Music - Digital SingleWhile the first single was a melodic hard rock anthem, this second single sounds more like a pop song from the 80s. I'm actually a little dissapointed, as I really liked the last single. Not that this is total crap, it's a pretty o.k. song anyway, but I want more of that melodic hard rock instead.
This song and the first single are both taken from the band's upcoming debut album, "Chapter One", which will be released on October 23.
youtu.be/UjzdhDQqhIY | prideandjoy.de
EDGELAND: The Rat King
King2Music Records - Digital SingleEDGELAND is a melodic hard rock band from Sweden. They are said to blend classic riffs, nordic melancholy, and powerful energy, and are influenced by bands like METALLICA, MEGADETH, IRON MAIDEN, and many others. Strong melodies, heavy guitars, and storytelling lyrics is the main ingredients.
It seems like this trio has played together for decades, and that can be heard. Their music is actually on the border to heavy metal, so to just call it melodic hard rock might not be correct. It sounds pretty good anyway, so maybe you should give them a try? Yeah, do that, because I don't have much else to say (or write).
king2music.com
LEGACY OF SOULS: Heaven In My Eyes
King2Music Records - Digital SingleI guess you could call LEAGCY OF SOULS a supergroup, as we can find people like guitarist David Shankle (MANOWAR) and bassist Magnus Rosén (HAMMERFALL) in the lineup, as well as vocalist Anton Darusso. Anyway, what we have here is their debut single, where we get some classic heavy metal with a contemporary sound, you could say. This is a heavy song with harsh verses and a melodic chorus. It sounds pretty good, but not much else actually.
king2music.com
ISSA: The Call Of Love
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - Digital SingleThis song was actually much better than I expected, which was a nice surprise. Instead of kind AOR, we get a melodic hard rock song in the 80s tradition. It's said to be the heaviest track on the upcoming album, "Fire And Ice" (out on August 28), so maybe I should not be too hopeful that there will be more songs like this. But that doesn't really mean that the new album will suck, it can still be good anyway. Well, that remains to be heard..
ISSA is led by Norwegian vocalist Isabell Øversveen.
youtube.com/watch?v=kI7yHCuptXw | frontiers.it
TRIOSPHERE: Shorelines
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - Digital SingleTRIOSPHERE is a Norwegian heavy metal band, and this song is taken from the upcoming studio album "Oceans Above, Stars Below", which will arrive on August 28. While they were working on the new album, this song had the working title "The Happy Song", simply because they saw it as a happy, feel good song.
Even if they are said to be a heavy metal band, their music actually moves in-between hard rock, power prog and thrash metal. This song on the other hand is probably best described as melodic heavy metal. It's a very strong song, and it sounds very promising for the new album. You should definitely give this a try.
The band released their debut album 20 years ago.
youtube.com/watch?v=cCpNTQ4_dEc | frontiers.it
TESLA: Homage
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - 2LP, CD, DigitalAmerican veterans TESLA have made a covers album. But there is actually 1 new original song as well, "Never Alone".
With this album they return to their roots with a collection of covers honoring some of rock's most timeless hits, they say (fact is that they began as a cover band more than 40 years ago). But I don't think that every song here have been a big hit song, as there's some that I can't even remember that I have heard before. Most of these songs sounds good though, and that's the most important thing. And with a wide range of different artists that they cover - everything from Elvis Presley, James Brown, Sam Cooke and Bob Seger to QUEEN, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, SUPERTRAMP and LYNYRD SKYNYRD - the album also provides an opportunity to showcase lead singer Jeff Keith's vocal diversity. This was made to pay homage to some of the greatest vocalists of all time, but it's also a selection of songs the band grew up hearing on the radio and on their turntables.
Well, this is good stuff, so it's absolutely worth listening to.
youtu.be/WxYuG9Yr6oQ | ffm.bio/tesla-homage | teslatheband.com | frontiers.it
ZAN/CODY: Beautiful 'N Damned
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - CD, LP, DigitalThat former SHOTGUN MESSIAH members Zinny Zan (ex-EASY ACTION) and Harry Cody has reunited for a new album together might be big news for some people. But it might actually sound more exiting than it really is, because what do we really get? Sure, they have some good songs here, but there's also some boring tracks, which is not so good. I would not say that anything is useless though (but it took a few listenings to figure that out).
Among the better songs are "I Am The Shit" and "Ride Or Die". After that comes a couple of weaker tracks. But with "Damn" they are on the right track again. Unfortunately there's another couple of weaker songs after that, before they end the whole album with "Tear It All Down", which is a not so bad track.
On this album they try to revives the classic SHOTGUN MESSIAH sleaze vibe, but with new energy, attitude and a modern punch. But it's a diverse album with many ups and downs.
youtu.be/q07DkosDZNU | ffm.bio/zancody-beautifulndamned | facebook.com/profile.php?id=615.... | frontiers.it
v/a - A Tribute To METALLICA
Antichrist Magazine on Aug. 7 - Digital Album17 bands from 14 different countries around the world deliver songs from METALLICA's whole career. It might not always be the best versions, but they are at least doing their own thing with these songs, and it's never really bad anyway. Covering METALLICA might not be the easiest thing you can do, as many of their songs are pretty technical and progressive. But these bands have no problem with that, as they seems to be skilled enough to play the song that they have choosen. They add their own sound and production, and sometimes they also put their own twist on the song.
I'm among the people who like the early material best, so I prefer those songs of course. Interesting to hear 1 or 2 times.
This compilation will be available on Bandcamp and YouTube.
antichrist-magazine.bandcamp.com
Marc Amacher: Overdrive
Hoboville Records on Aug. 7 - CD, LP, DigitalIt's often a bluesy kind of rock that we get here, sometimes somewhere between CINDERELLA and AEROSMITH I would say. In 1 song we suddenly get a nice MOTÖRHEAD drive that I like, while another track sounds more funky. So it's absolutely a varied material. The vocals is raw and unpolished, which is cool.
This is not supposed to be a retro blues album, but you could say that it's a mix of earthly blues and modern rock. The sound is dirty and the music is full of energy, but there's softer moments too. Good stuff.
Marc Amacher is a Swizz blues musician. He has been on the road for over 2 decades, and has shared the stage with legends like Eric Clapton, Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ TOP), Robbie Williams, and The HossBoss. His last album, "Load" (2025), reached number 1 in the Swizz album charts.
hoboville.de
TEMPLE OF DREAD: Dreadspawn Dominion
Testimony Records on Aug. 7 - CD, LP, DigitalWhen you hear the first track, a intro, you can easily start to think "What kind of shit is this going to be?". But don't let that fool you, because when they put the pedal to the metal in the second track, then they are suddenly on the right way.
Old school death metal is what we get from this band, and how could that go wrong? Especially when it's done this good. But o.k., they also add some cinematic and more dark and heavy elements here. It still works damn good though, so don't be afraid, because these guys show us all how it's supposed to be done, and it sounds very experienced.
TEMPLE OF DREAD were founded on the island of Spiekeroog in 2017. Since the last album, "God Of The Godless" (2024), they have added the second guitarist Daniel Maurer and bass player Andi Bauer to the lineup.
spkr.store/collections/temple-of-dread | facebook.com/testimonyrecords | facebook.com/TempleofDread
WORMWOOD: Å
Black Lodge Records on Aug. 7 - MCD, 12" EP, DigitalSwedish metal band WORMWOOD return with a new 2-track EP. They have since 2014 developed a sound that is as unmistakable as it is atmospheric, with a characteristic fusion of extreme metal, Scandinavian melancholy, folk influences, and cinematic storytelling. Their music effortlessly shifts between grand, epic scope and brutally grounded intensity. They have previously released 4 full-length albums, 1 EP and a live release.
With this EP they continue their development, and we get all the ingredients that we can expect. But I would say that it's mainly a mix of black metal, atmospheric moments and elements of folk music that we get here. The first track, "Yra Extas", is 8:44 minutes long, while the second song, "Purposeless Geometry", is 7:12 minutes long. And a lot happens during that time, so it never gets monotonous and boring. It's a little like a extreme metal adventure.
orcd.co/blod197 | blacklodge.se/ar3tists/wormwood
SMOKING SNAKES: All Lights On
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - LP, CD, DigitalThis is smoking hot. This band really rocks! It's catchy and energetic, like a mix of Swedish bands like HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, GLORIOUS BANKROBBERS, and possibly CRAZY LIXX. So we talk about sleaze metal with attitude and lots of energy.
SMOKING SNAKES hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, which might be more well-known for melodic death metal. But there's so much more from that city. They are inspired by the arena rock bands of the 1980s, but through the years their sound has evolved beyond those roots. They have now found their own sound, which is a mix of attitude, melody and raw energy.
On this album we get a confident and mature band with full control over what they do. This is of course a must for every fan of sleaze metal, but I also think that some action rockers could like this.
ffm.bio/smokingsnakes-alllightson | facebook.com/smokingsnakesofsweden | frontiers.it
PRIDE OF LIONS: Unbridled
Frontiers Music s.r.l. - CD, DigitalPRIDE OF LIONS is led by vocalists Jim Peterik (also keyboards and second guitar) and Toby Hitchcock, and this is their 8th studio album. The music that we get is AOR, so it's very melodic and kind music. Maybe a little too kind actually? The sound is both classic and contemporary at the same time, you could say. So I guess that fans of stuff like TOTO, CHICAGO etc. will like this a lot.
They are not really doing anything wrong, experienced as they are, so it's probably just me who think it's too soft.
ffm.bio/prideoflions-unbridled | facebook.com/PrideOfLionsBand | frontiers.it
D-A-D at Liseberg
Concert at Liseberg in Göteborg, Sweden on July 31, 2026Almost a month after watching SAXON at the amusement park Liseberg, I went back to see Danish rock veterans D-A-D on the same stage. It was almost 10 years since I saw them last time, on the same stage actually. And to my surprise there seemed to be even more people than it was at SAXON.
For some reason they entered the stage 9 minutes too late, but they really delivered a good show with some entertainment - including fire, a drum set that was lift up once in a while, and all the bassist's different bass guitars that he has built (I didn't take photos of them all). A very good live act with many really good songs. I don't really know what else I should say..
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