Weekly Release Roundup: Monday 7th April 2025 – Friday 11th April 2025
From symphonic metal, to tech death, metalcore, progressive metal, alternative and hard rock, it’s a big week for releases and we’ve got a list for you to check out. All these releases are out now!
Epica – Aspiral (Nuclear Blast)
Reinvention, yes. Especially from a song-wring perspective, but rest assured this is the Epica we all know and love. The Epica that brings us bombastic blasts of symphonic metal, powerful storytelling, and an overall enviable cinematic feel. They are one of the icons of this scene, and constantly lead the way, which is where this album comes in.
As lavish as ever, but refined to a sharp point, and with unnecessary layers removed, Aspiral is an addictive listen.
Read the full review here.
Cytotoxin – Biographyte (Self Released)
Featuring elven mean meltdown encouraging metal efforts, Biographyte, at its core, is exceptionally noisy and emphatically destructive. Be under no false impressions, even though the detail within each track can move the listener in more emotive ways, the delivery is done in unforgivingly savage fashion. It just so happens that Cytotoxin’s song-writing skills, progressive imagination, and ability to fully realise a vision is on point, so extreme or not, Biographyte appeals.
Read the full review here.
Lumens – Lumens (Wild Thing Records)
Lumens are part of the new wave of metalcore bands taking the best elements of the past (heavy and melodic – balanced perfectly) and giving it a more modern bite. Not only does this result in something meaner and more chaotic sounding, but often, it results in something so much more anthemic.
Read the full review here.
Storm Orchestra – Get Better (Mascot Records)
Clearly in a very inspired and creative place when it came to writing this album, Storm Orchestra have crafted a hefty record filled with accessible dance floor filling alt-anthems, passionate rock head bangers, thought-provoking melody-driven listens, and so much more here. It’s not hyperbole to call this album the sound of a band fully finding what makes them distinct.
Read the full review here.
Those Damn Crows – God Shaped Hole (Earache Records)
This feels like an important turning point for Those Damn Crows. They’ve already got a sizeable fanbase, many that adore their rocking ways, and seem to grow in size each and every release, but this feels bigger. An album that has more potential than ever to capture the imagination of the mainstream, especially as the inherent relatability of the band is even more effective here.
Read the full review here.
Within Destruction – Animetal (Sumerian Records)
The deathcore is still there, at times, but it now sits in the shadow of electronic experimentation, a stronger focus on pop melodies, and anime-inspired embellishments. Baffling at times, but always interesting and undeniably creative. This is Within Destruction and they’re moving in a new and exciting direction. One that has a more unified approach than ever before and sees them embrace new ideas.
Read the full review here.
Halflives – How Much a Heart Can Take Before It Breaks (Still Standing Group)
Halflives, aka Linda Battilani, has grown since the last time we checked in and with this development comes refinement. A more focused alternative rock and metal sound that delivers a mighty powerful experience across its five tracks, especially as each has something to say.
Read the full review here.
High Council – Cruel and Unusual (Self Released)
High Council deserve praise for Cruel and Unusual. An album that thrills and excites consistently throughout. The band showcase a diverse range of talents, ability and ideas and deliver an album that is “unusual” but in the best possible way. An album that you will go back to, time and time again, uncovering more and more as you do.
Read the full review here.
Benthos – From Nothing (InsideOutMusic)
Benthos have poured years of experience, years of growth as individuals, and years of evolving as artists, into this new album, and it is incredible. A statement of intent, they’re coming for the world.
Read the full review here.
