REVIEWS JUNE 2026

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SOULBURN: Quantifying Cosmic Doom

Testimony Records on June 12 - CD, LP, MC, Digital
This is the fifth album from these Dutch death metallers, where they blend in melancholy elements and doom darkness, as well as some black metal. It sounds experienced and unique, but then it's veterans that we have here.
SOULBURN was formed by former members of ASPHYX, who had just split up, in 1996. The debut album, "Feeding On Angels", came out in 1998. There have been some lineup changes through the years, and the next album, "The Suffocating Darkness", wasn't released until 2014. But after that it took just 2 years before the third album, "Earthless Pagan Spirit", was released in 2016. It was followed by the 2-track EP "Carpe Noctem" in 2018. And their latest full-length album, "Noa's D'ark", was released in 2020.
The mix of death, black and doom metal almost makes this sound progressive actually. Sometimes it goes fast with harsh vocals, and sometimes it goes slower with clean vocals. It's an interesting mixture that really works as the songs are good and varied, which makes it an adventure to listen to this.
spkr.store/collections/soulburn | facebook.com/testimonyrecords | soulburn666.bandcamp.com/album/quantifying-cosmic-doom

LOCKHART: City Pulse

High Roller Records on June 12 - CD, LP, Digital
LOCKHART is a melodic rock/AOR trio from Canada, fusing synthesizer-fueled 80s arena rock with classic hard rock. The members comes from bands like CAULDRON, AXXION, BONFIRE, ENFORCER, ANNIHILATOR etc., so it's experienced guys we have here. Their debut EP, "No Chance", was released in 2022, and followed by the single "City Pulse" in 2025. Now they has signed with High Roller Records, and the band's first full-length album will soon be released.
It's not so easy to describe LOCKHART's music in detail, as "the influences are endless", as the vocalist/guitarist/keyboard player Devon Kerr says. You will of course hear some of the legends of melodic rock/AOR, but at the same time they have a sound of its own they say. I hear classic melodic rock and AOR most of all though, and it's not bad at all, so if you like that, then you should really check this out.
The album features guest appearances from MUNICIPAL WASTE's Nick and CAULDRON's Ian.
hrrecords.de | facebook.com/Listentolockhart

Joseph Tholl: It Might Be Art

High Roller Records on June 12 - CD, LP
Joseph Tholl is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He has been a member of ENFORCER, and is currently in VOJD (formed as BLACK TRIP) and TRIBULATION. His first solo album, "Devil's Drum", was released in 2019. Now he returns with his second solo album, where Joseph play guitar and most of the bass, and he also handles piano and synthesizer parts. Robert Eriksson (The HELLACOPTERS) and Jakob Ljungberg (SECOND SUN) share drum duties on this album. Besides that, there's a few guest appearances by musicians such as Johannes Andersson (TRIBULATION), Tobias Lindkvist (TYRANN), Pia Stjärnvind (SERPENT OMEGA), Adam Zaars (TRIBULATION) and Robert Pehrsson (DUNDERTÅGET, Robert Pehrsson's HUMBUCKER).
What we get this time is a broad variety of hard rock and rock - straight and softer tracks, light and darkness. He is not afraid to blend different sub-genres, and no matter what he does it sounds good. It's mainly easy to listen to anyway, and most of the songs here are of a high quality. You should really give this a try.
8 of these 10 tracks are in English, but 1 is in Swedish and 1 is instrumental.
hrrecords.de | facebook.com/joseph.tholl.5

FLESHCRAWL: Epitome Of Carnage

Distortion Music Group on June 12 - CD, LP, Digital
FLESHCRAWL was founded in the spring of 1987 in Illertissen, Germany. Initially operating under the name MORGÖTH, the band adopted a markedly more extreme musical direction in 1990, and briefly performed as SUFFOCATION. However, with the emergence of the American band of the same name and their impending vinyl debut, another name change became necessary. And FLESHCRAWL was born. There have been many changes in the lineup through the years, but that has not stopped them. The mission is still to deliver uncompromising, traditional death metal with authenticity, power, and unwavering conviction.
And that's exactly what they are doing on this new album. They gives us old school death metal like it would still be the early 90s, and it sounds just like it should. There's absolutely nothing to complain about when it comes to this album. So if you don't check this out, then you must be really stupid.
fleshcrawl.net

BLOODHUNTER: Sons Of The Abandoned

ROAR on June 12 - LP, CD, Digital
From Galacia, Spain comes this melodic death metal band. They blend extreme metal aggression with melodic depth, groove and narrative ambition, forging a sound that is both ferocious and emotionally charged. They balance brutality with atmosphere. Crushing riffs coexist with elegant grooves and striking melodic passages. Yeah, you probably already know what melodic death metal sounds like..
This sounds very good, and I would not say that there's any weak moments here. And another good thing is that they don't waste any time, as the songs are of a good length, 3:14 to 5 minutes. So in other words, definitely worth checking out.
The album also features a guest appearance by Laura Guldemond (BURNING WITCHES) on "The Path That Never Ends".
bloodhunter.net | reigningphoenixmusic.com/all-artists/roar-artists

SWEET: Live At The Capitol - Hannover 1991 (reissue)

Metalville Records on June 12 - CD, LP
This is a live recording from 1991, and it seems like it's a re-release. Alongside founding member Andy Scott, SWEET at that time consisted of Mal McNulty (SLADE), Bodo Schopf (ELOY, MSG), Jeff Brown (WILDFIRE) and Steve Mann (MSG, LIONHEART). They take us on a energetic ride through old classics as well as less known album tracks. And the audience seems to enjoy it a lot, and so do I. This was obviously another great lineup of the band (not really sure how many lineups there have been through the years, but it seems to be many anyway). So this is definitely worth checking out, and there's not much else to say.
metalville-shop.com | facebook.com/TheSweetOfficial

HEAVENWOOD: The Tarot Of The Bohemians - Part II

Mighty Music on June 12 - LP, CD, Digital
A decade after their last album, Portuguese gothic/dark metal band HEAVENWOOD return with a new album. Their classic sound is still there, but they also push it into a more cinematic, intense and contemporary sonic realm this time. This is the second and final chapter of the conceptual work inspired by the hermetic writings of Gérard Encausse (Papus). And this time they dive even deeper into the esoteric and emotional dimensions of the Tarot.
This is heavy with both harsh and clean vocals, but they also have their melodic moments. There's many good songs here, so this could of course be worth a try if you're into darker and gothic stuff.
facebook.com/HeavenwoodOfficial | mightymusic.dk

GOREWORM: Miasmic Solitude

Transcending Obscurity Records on June 12 - CD, Digital
Canadian death metallers GOREWORM mix elements of technical, melodic, and brutal death metal to something that could sound challenging or chaotic to some. It's very fast and intense, but they slow down once in a while too. Somehow these maniacs succeed to make something called music though, so this is not just hopeless noise, but actually something much more advanced. And if you like it fast and technical, then you will probably love this band.
goreworm-label.bandcamp.com/album/miasmic-solitude | transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com

CRIPPLE BASTARDS: La Tua Foto Sul Marmo

F.O.A.D. Records on June 12 - EP
Italian grindcore veterans CRIPPLE BASTARDS return with a new EP, where we get 6 tracks full of hate and speed. But there's also frequent tempo shifts and dynamic structures, so I would say that this is more than just noise. It actually sounds like music, and it's not so bad at all. The songs are short outbursts, mainly around 1 to 2 and a half minutes. Just 2 songs are longer, 2:53 and 3:23 minutes. A grind band worth listening to.
CRIPPLE BASTARDS was formed in March 1988 in Asti, northern Italy. They are one of the longest-running and most respected names in extreme underground music. It all began as a project rooted in the legacy of Italian hardcore acts like NEGAZIONE, RAW POWER and WRETCHED, but pushed to new extremes through the emerging language of grindcore and noisecore. They have through the years secured a legendary status, not just in Italy, but around the world.
cripple-bastards.com | foadrecords.com

THORIUM: Suburban Rot

Emanzipation Productions on June 6 - LP, CD, Digital
THORIUM have been lurking in the Scandinavian underground for 30 years now. And with "Suburban Rot" they deliver what is said to be their darkest and most personal work to date. And they prove to us all that they are still driven by the same anger, nerve and authenticity as 30 years ago.
This is the 7th full-length album from this Danish death metal band, and there's no doubt that the fire still burns. So yes, the ingredients mentioned above are all there, and they can still deliver some really good songs that will make you bang your head all night long.
They have somehow created their own sound, which at times can be perceived as almost a bit jerky. They simply like to vary the pace every now and then.
emanzipation.dk | facebook.com/thoriumdeathmetal

KÄPPRÄTT: En Hel Jävla Platta

GrönPeppar Records - MLP, Digital
This is a hardcore/punk band from Västerås, Sweden. They begin heavy, but after a while they play a little faster and the singer finally open his mouth as well. These 9 tracks are raw and energetic, but the variation is perhaps not the greatest. Not such a big problem though as it sounds good and very punk, but I would still call this more charming than magnificent. And that's why it's so punk. The songs are mainly very straight and simple.
I don't have much else to say about this, but give it a try.
gronpepparrecords.bandcamp.com/album/en-hel-j-vla-platta

MYLLAN: Tomma Löften

GrönPeppar Records - Digital EP
MYLLAN formed in Vetlanda, Sweden in 2014 with the ambition to combine reggae with political lyrics in Swedish and influences from punk and Swedish 70s progg (which is not the same as progressive rock). This hybrid gave them their own sound. They released a EP, and in 2018 they entered the studio to record 6 new tracks. But unfortunately the band went into hibernation, so the songs were left lying around and forgotten. Until last winter.. Now those tracks have been mixed and mastered, and they are finally available (digitally at least, which is better than nothing).
Now reggae is not something that I use to write about here, but I like the genre, so why not? And this band is absolutely not bad, so they could be worth a try if you also like reggae. But what else I should say about this is unknown..
gronpepparrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tomma-l-ften

64 FUNNYCARS: Happy Go Lucky (reissue)

604 Records - Digital Album
The debut album from Victoria college rockers 64 FUNNYCARS have been out of print for decades, but have now been re-released.
The band formed in 1987 through UVic campus radio circles, bonded by a shared love of groups like FRESH FELLOWS, HOODOO GURUS, BUZZCOCKS, and The REPLACEMENTS - Bands where hooks and personality mattered just as much as volume. These guys created their own sound in the local scene, blending power pop, melodic punk and jangly college rock into something energetic, playful and unpretentious. They also had 3 vocalists, which is unusual.
These songs are very melodic, but not bad because of that, because they have many good songs here. And there is truly a varied material they offer. So if you're into more melodic punk rock and power pop, then you should really give this a try.
The band is still alive, and will play live at The Fox in Vancouver on July 25.
64funnycars.bandcamp.com/album/happy-go-lucky | 604decades.com

FRUSEN SORG: Smärtpunkter

Widsith Records on June 5 - Digital Album
FRUSEN SORG is a Swedish blackened crust/d-beat/hardcore punk band. This is their first album, which was never planned to exist, they say. It started as a side project by 2 old friends, and most of the songs were written and recorded in 1 single evening. They has previously released a EP, "Jag Springer Med Avbrutna Ben", and the follow up to "Smärtpunkter" is already in the works, so this is not the last you will hear from this band.
On this album they let out all their frustration and anger. It's raw, brutal and noisey stuff, and the singer is screaming like a maniac. But if that sounds like something that you would like to hear, then you should give this a try, because it's not bad at all.
frusensorg.bandcamp.com/album/sm-rtpunkter

PRETEXT: Riot Of The Ruined

Darkside Records on June 5 - LP, Digital
This is the debut album from this Copenhagen-based metal band. PRETEXT brings together musicians from several countries, with members originating from Iraq, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, and Denmark. They were drawn together by a shared ambition to create heavy music with narrative depth and political urgency, and formed in 2016. They has previously released a couple of independent EPs.
Their different backgrounds gives the music a broader cultural and thematic horizon. Each member brings a different musical background, but together they have built a sound centered on powerful grooves, atmospheric tension, and a distinctive vocal interplay that moves between confrontation and reflection. We get both male and female vocals.
I would say that there's much metalcore and groove metal in this band's music. But sometimes there's also thrash metal in the mix. At the same time it almost sounds a little progressive as well. So they have found their own sound, and can probably attract many different kinds of metal fans. I guess this is not a band for everyone though.
bit.ly/4sUnjvD | facebook.com/pretextofficial

SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY: Good Ones

Icons Creating Evil Art - Digital Single
I don't have a clue who Charli XCX might be, but Swedish rock trio SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY have done a cover of one of the artist's songs anyway. They turn the song from a modern pop song to a indie rock song with a punk edge, they say. But in the end it sounds like disco rock to me. If you call this raw and explosive, then you must be a pop fan and probably half deaf. Pretty o.k. though, so it's not total crap anyway. The song has energy, which is a good ingredient.
This is another taste of their "Covering Our Tracks" project, which will end up as an album that will be released on September 18. Expect a couple of more singles before that.
found.ee/stah-goodones | satantakesaholiday.com | icea.se

XENOSIS: Hermetic Transmutation

Transcending Obscurity Records on June 5 - CD, Digital
This U.S. progressive/technical death metal band are hardly amateurs who have just started playing. This is their fifth full-length album, and there's so much going on in this band's music, and so many different influences, that it's hard to explain exactly what's going on here. So yes, this is another band that could easily be seen as chaos. But they seems to know what they are doing, so it's not. But as you might have guessed already, it's complicated stuff.
If you're familiar with this kind of stuff, then you probably understand what this sounds like. And if you don't, well then this might not be for you. But no matter what, it's far away from the worst that I have heard. I prefer small doses though, because a whole album is a little too much.
xenosis-label.bandcamp.com/album/hermetic-transmutation | transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com

CYHRA: Requiem Of A Pipe Dream

Reigning Phoenix Music on June 5 - LP, CD, Digital
Swedish band CYHRA have been around for 10 years now, and features former and current members of bands like AMARANTHE, IN FLAMES, The HALO EFFECT, KAMELOT, The CROWN etc. "Requiem Of A Pipe Dream" is their 4th album.
This band blend melodic metal and modern pop. And that might not be something that I'm into. But in this case I would say that it works. Sometimes it's actually good, and sometimes not so good. It's a very melodic album, but with powerful vocals and heavy guitars. I would guess that this fits best for fans of modern and melodic metal, and obviously not the old school metal fans.
cyhra.com | reigningphoenixmusic.com

REVOLTING: Supernatural Anthems

Xtreem Music on June 4 - CD, Digital
Swedish veterans REVOLTING are hardly here to reinvent the wheel of death. It's classic meat and potato death metal all the way and nothing else. Straight and without hassle. In other words just the way I like it. The sound is sharp and focused, while the riffs are filthy and rooted in the Swedish tradition. So if you like that, then you're going to love this album.
This is the 10th full-length album from this band, which was formed in 2007 by the legendary Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER, RIBSPREADER, MASSACRE, FURNACE etc etc) together with Billy from Razorback Records.
And if you want more of Rogga, one of his other bands, FURNACE, has just released a new album via Emanzipation Records. They play melodic death metal.
youtu.be/MBp8QTyj6QY?si=Kgqj6rqJGdJMVvRT | facebook.com/revoltingdeathmetal | xtreemmusic.com

IRONWILL: Reforged Within

Art Gates Records - Digital Album
Italian band IRONWILL is described as "a psychological heavy metal rock project that blends powerful music, storytelling, and visual art into an emotional journey through the human soul". The group formed in 2018, and has developed across several conceptual chapters. Each release combines music with visual storytelling, comics, and photography under the ongoing initiative Rock Against Bullying. They want to be seen as something unique in the modern metal scene.
But are they so unique? Well, I would say that they have found their own modern sound anyway, where they blend in elements of both symphonic and melodic metal. Every song might not work for me, but there's lots of good stuff too. It works best when they concentrate on pure metal. But no matter what I think about it, they are obviously very good at what they are doing.
artgatesrecords.com/artists/ironwill

BLOODY FALLS: IV

Art Gates Records on June 5 - CD, Digital
BLOODY FALLS is a melodic death metal band from Finland, formed in 2017. They has previously released 3 full-length albums and a EP.
With this new record, the band is said to deliver their most aggressive and focused work to date. It's a relentless blend of melodic death metal, groove and intensity that never lets up. Inspired by apocalyptic imagery and the concept of "The Four Horsemen", "IV" channels a dark and powerful atmosphere from start to finish.
Well, this is hard and intense with a heavy sound. They might not always be the fastest band, but they are hardly slow either, and they have more energetic songs too. This is not a boring mid-tempo band anyway, so it could be worth a try.
artgatesrecords.com/artists/bloody-falls

PARTY DOZEN: Special Unit

City Slang - Digital Single
Sydney rock duo PARTY DOZEN has signed with City Slang, and celebrate it with this new single. The track is said to pack a lot into its 2 minutes and 39 seconds - less is more, more volume, more energy they think. It sounds alternative, in lack of a better description, but also punky. And that saxophone makes me think of UK punk from the late 70s. It has a lot of energy, so good luck if you want to dance to this, because you will get sweaty.
PARTY DOZEN are Kirsty Tickle (saxophone) and Jonathan Boulet (percussion and sampler). They are described as "a semi-improvised psych noise band", but there's also lots of punk in their music. The band's fifth album will be released later this year, and this song is a taste of that.
(no link)

SHUFFLE KNIGHTS: Yellow

Wild Kingdom Records - Digital Album?
O.k., this was different from what I use to get for review, and might not really fit in here. Some kind of soul/rythm n blues of the old kind, which they describe as big band rock. But they got so much swing that it rocks. Unfortunately they also have these slow songs, which are not so interesting to hear. Yes, this might not be a rock album, and this website might not be the right place for this, but they actually have some good songs here. They vary their material, and we get both female and male vocals.
The group formed in 2022, and seems to consist of as much as 18 musicians from the international jazz, philharmonic, and rock scene. These artists have been working with all kinds of different artists around the world.
orcd.co/king139 | wildkingdom.se/artists/shuffle-knights

SUN DON'T SHINE: From Birth To Death

Back On Black - LP, CD
SUN DONT SHINE (formerly known as EYE AM) could be seen as a supergroup. The band consist of Kenny Hickey (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SILVERTOMB), Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR, DOWN), Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SILVERTOMB) and Todd Strange (CROWBAR, DOWN). On this album they channels decades of experience of heavy music into something fresh. It's supposed to be modern, but sounds timeless to me. They have cut the crap and let the music speak for itself instead. Although this is doomy heavy rock, they want to combine dark and light. It's dynamic and unpredictable. But what impress me most is that they succeed to make such strong songs, because this is a really great album.
backonblack.com

INTERNAL BLEEDING: Settle All Scores

Back On Black - CD
This album was released in October 2025 in North America, but it has now also been released on CD here in Europe.
Slam death metal veterans INTERNAL BLEEDING formed in 1991, and are famous for combining brutal heaviness with groove-driven hooks. Despite setbacks, lineup changes, and industry struggles, the band has remained a constant force. And this new album is of course proof of that.
This could be something for those of you who don't care that much about nice melodies, but just want it to be hard and heavy instead. But thanks to the groove-driven hooks, they almost sounds a little technical as well, but nothing too complicated. They get away with what they are doing, as they are doing it really good, but I have heard better.
plastichead.com/artist/internal-bleeding

VON GROOVE: Born To Rock

Frontiers Music s.r.l. - LP, CD, Digital
After more than 2 decades of silence, VON GROOVE return with a new album. They formed in 1990, and released their self-titled debut album back in 1992. Their last album was released in 2001. This album reunites the classic original lineup: Mladen on guitars, Michael Shotton on drums and vocals, and Matthew Gerrard on bass.
Well, if you like good old melodic hard rock from the 70s and 80s, then this band could be something for you. They have many good songs in the old tradition here, so I really like what I hear. The production is punchy and alive, and even though it's melodic, it's rocking. A must to check out.
ffm.bio/borntorock | facebook.com/vongrooveband | frontiers.it

Robin Beck: Living Proof

Frontiers Music s.r.l. - CD, Digital
Rock vocalist Robin Beck have made a confident and vibrant album full of great songs. There's power in her voice, no doubt about that. She mix classic melodic rock with a modern production, which makes it sound like a timeless album. It's emotional and passionate, soulful and sharp. Yes, this is the kind of stuff that could have been played on the radio in the 80s, and her videos would probably have been shown on MTV. But it's other times now..
Anyway, this is as you probably have figured out already, a damn good album that you really should check out.
The album features contributions from James Christian (HOUSE OF LORDS), Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE), Peppy Castro (BALANCE), Steve Bondy, Emil Theilhelm, and Johan Kullberg. It's Robin's 11th studio album.
ffm.bio/livingproofalbum | instagram.com/romeolovesrobin | frontiers.it

FRONTLINE: Rebirth

Frontiers Music s.r.l. - CD, LP, Digital
This German melodic rock band was founded in Nuremberg in 1989. After more than 20 years of silence, they have now returned with a new studio album.
Strong melodies and big hooks seems to be the main ingredients for these veteran's sound. They blend soaring vocals, melodic guitar work and a polished production, inspired by the golden era of late 80s and early 90s hard rock, with a distinct European character.
Following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Robby Böbel in 2022, "Rebirth" represents both a tribute to the band's legacy and a step forward into new creative territory. We get as much as 14 tracks here, but luckily it sounds really good, so there's not much to complain about. Their music is not extremely soft, but often on the border to melodic hard rock actually, which I like. So I would guess that both fans of melodic rock and melodic hard rock could like this (but you often like both).
ffm.bio/rebirth | frontlineaor.com | frontiers.it

CONFESS: Metalmorphosis

Frontiers Music s.r.l. - LP, CD, Digital
Swedish sleaze metal band CONFESS gives us their 4th album, which is said to be their most ambitious to date, marking a bold evolution in their sound. It's filled with heavy riffing, big choruses and a hard rock energy that you usually just have on your first 2 albums. The sound is both polished and explosive, which means that at the same time as it's catchy and melodic, it also has attitude. They might get some new fans, but will probably also keep the old fans as well.
This is a very strong album, and I really recomend you to check it out, because this is just as good as other Swedish bands, like HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, CRAZY LIXX and CRASHDÏET.
ffm.bio/confess_metalmorphosis | confess.se | frontiers.it

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