Weekly Release Roundup: Monday 30th June 2025 – Friday 4th July 2025
From powerful post and progressive rock, to epic power metal, addictive hard rock, sumptuous psych, pounding heavy metal, and more, it’s a big week for releases and we’ve got a list for you to check out. All these releases are out now!
We Lost the Sea – A Single Flower (Bird’s Robe / Dunk / Translation Loss / New Noise)
Six tracks long, but six behemoth tracks, A Single Flower is We Lost the Sea at their most textured, not only experimenting with post as a genre, but experimenting with their definition of it. While there is much here that feels post rock, it shimmers and shines in unexpected ways, especially when the contrast between dramatic, miserable melody meets energised, vibrant rock speed and intensity. The word that comes to mind is fascinating.
Read the full review here.
Thumos – The Trial of Socrates (Snow Wolf Records / Fiadh Productions)
Is The Trail of Socrates the best thing Thumos has done? It’s certainly the grandest, and certainly one of the most immersive, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. I promise you this though, it’s an unforgettable experience. Give it the time it needs and deserves.
Read the full review here.
Warkings – Armageddon (Napalm Records)
Guess what? Warkings have created a bombastic and epic power metal record. No surprise, right? It’s what they do, and they do it so damn well. Yet that doesn’t mean they don’t have some tricks up their sleeves.
Read the full review here.
Wytch Hazel – V: Lamentations (Bad Omen Records)
A band with presence, a band with poise, and a band with power, Wytch Hazel has proven time and time again that their brand of hard rock and metal is mightily addictive, and this brand-new album doesn’t change that. Filled to the brim with addictive rhythms and catchy groove, there’s a real sense that Wytch Hazel want listeners to have a good time with them, while also experiencing layers of exciting eccentricities.
Read the full review here.
Oceanica – Try Not to Dwell on It (Prog On! Recordings)
It is such a personal piece that it isn’t always the easiest to connect to, except everyone has or will suffer loss at some point in their life. We can all only dream of being able to pay tribute to a loved one in the way that Oceanica does here. It is a very special track.
Read the full review here.
Visions of Atlantis – Armada Live Over Europe (Napalm Records)
Music like this takes on a whole new form when played live. Especially when it comes from a creative force like Visions of Atlantis. Coming From a sumptuous, cinematic and symphonic place, infused with power and anthemic through and through.
Read the full review here.
Gaupa – FYR (Nuclear Blast)
Don’t let the mini-album aspect throw you off, this record comes with some heft, in particular two tracks that have a substantial amount of depth. A great showcase of psych rock and stoner metal with tons of atmosphere and exciting twists and turns. It is a release filled with drama, and so much that comes from the vocals, which are incredible.
Read the full review here.
Leonov – Shape of Ash (Pelagic Records)
Shape of Ash is a 4-track EP that challenges perceptions of doom and metal through the use of powerful melody and memorable layers of atmosphere.
Read the full review here.
Rites to Ruin – Daughter of Hatred (Self Released)
Filled with heavy metal flair, and not just because of vocalist Krissie’s signature soaring vocals, Rites to Ruin bring NWOBHM kicking and screaming into the modern era. Stylishly combining retro head banging vibes with progressive creative thinking across ten mighty bangers. Putting it simply, it’s an album with depth, but it’s also an album that encourages head banging.
Read the full review here.
