Weekly Review Roundup: Monday 25th August 2025 – Friday 29th August 2025
From bombastic power metal to anthemic alternative rock, to genre-bending noise and heaviness, to glorious Satanic doom, progressive rock, and low-fi horror-infused punk rock. We’ve reviewed some great releases this week, and here’s our weekly reminder of what has been covered. All these releases are out now!
Helloween – Giants & Monsters (Reigning Phoenix Music)
I’d tell you that this is a bombastic, high-energy, anthemic record, but who am I kidding!? You already know this! After all, it’s Helloween, a legendary name in the metal scene, but one that continues to be as relevant as ever releasing some of their best stuff in recent years. Which now includes Giants & Monsters, a heady and heavy banger of a record.
Check out the full review here.
Black Satellite – Aftermath (Self Released)
You can really tell that the years of playing live, and with so many varied bands and artists, have helped refine Black Satellite’s sound and given them a stronger focus on their anthemic qualities, while not losing the sultry, haunting, and industrial edge that gives their alternative music such a ‘vibe’.
Check out the full review here.
lowheaven – Ritual Decay (MNRK Heavy)
Take a f**king bow, lowheaven. I expected this album to be good, after all, the clues were there with brilliant single after brilliant single, but even then, this has turned out to be something quite special. The culmination of all their hard work, and the defiant statement that they are here and ready to dominate. Likely to draw in fans from all across the rock and metal spectrum, and challenge those who aren’t quite on board to relisten and rethink. It’s a very special record, and all because lowheaven’s genre-bending feels so natural.
Check out the full review here.
Death Goals – Survival Is An Act Of Defiance (Self Released)
It’s such a creative listen, and each track offers up something different, but equally important. Death Goals are a band you can rely on for great music and once again, they deliver.
Check out the full review here.
Tumanduumband – Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits (Self Released)
Methodical and morose, harsh and heavy, sinful and salacious, this is Tumanduumband and they conjure up so much unholy noise here that there is no way (should he exist) that Satan isn’t nodding his horned head in approval at the sound of this three-track album.
Check out the full review here.
Trudger – Void Quest (Floodlit Recordings)
You may not remember the Trudger of eleven years ago, but I can assure that the Trudger that sits here now is one well worth paying attention to.
Check out the full review here.
Asymmetric Universe – A Memory And What Came After (InsideOutMusic)
Progressive music should not be this accessible and this listenable, but that’s Asymmetric Universe for you.
Check out the full review here.
Torso – Annihilation Day (APF Records)
Take everything great about the past two albums, turn the fuzz dial up, throw in even more punky spirit, a liberal amount of experimentation, and then drench it in blood. Not only is it delightfully wicked, but it is fun, exciting, and interesting.
Check out the full review here.
