Rage caught me by surprise when I first came across them a few years ago. As one of the contemporaries of Helloween and one of the progenitors of what is now called Power Metal, Rage have an extensive and impressive discography, yet over here in the UK they remain relatively unknown.
This is a shame, because everything of theirs that has crossed my platter has impressed me by sounding fresh and energetic, and definitely not the product of a forty-year-old band on the eve of their twenty-seventh studio release. That said with only bassist/vocalist Peavy Wagner still standing, it’s a lot easier to refresh your sound when the rest of the lineup has revolving doored themselves as much as Rage have experienced.
Regardless of who else is in this year, once again Rage are delivering a refreshing blast of traditional yet slightly heavier Euro Power Metal with far more zest and originality than many of the numerous peers on the circuit, although I would argue that as one of the original five bands in the genre that the real tough competition remains the likes of Running Wild, Helloween, Blind Guardian and Grave Digger – all of who are still going in one form or another. Rage however still retain that Thrashy edge that led to them being one of the original bands on Noise’s roster way back when.
This album picks plenty from currently global and political events and the threats around the corner, following on from its dystopian predecessor, but this isn’t an overwrought conceptual piece. The songs on here all stand up well on their own, with a higher than average number of anthemic bangers, which seems to be something Rage are increasingly adept at. The material is all super speedy in the most part, which really helps with the energetic feel of the piece, which considering its less than two years since we last had a new album is impressive as ever.
The Thrashier side is toned down a lot throughout, and the songs add a little more melodic anthemic chorus lines that add a little depth, but when needed this packs a heavier punch as well, with some really solid production values that really add a finishing touch. After fifty minutes, I find myself wanting to listen again, because there is zero filler in here. It’s hard to be this prolific and not sound tired, but Rage are still bang on the money after forty-one years. 9/10
Cosmic Reaper - Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned (Heavy Psych Sounds) [Rich Piva]
The North Carolina scene is really killing it these days. All of the major cities in the state seem to have a flourishing heavy underground scene. Cosmic Reaper is one of those bands, from the biggest city in the state, Charlotte, and they are back with their brand of fuzzy doom on album number two, Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned, brought to us from Heavy Psych Sounds.
Regardless of who else is in this year, once again Rage are delivering a refreshing blast of traditional yet slightly heavier Euro Power Metal with far more zest and originality than many of the numerous peers on the circuit, although I would argue that as one of the original five bands in the genre that the real tough competition remains the likes of Running Wild, Helloween, Blind Guardian and Grave Digger – all of who are still going in one form or another. Rage however still retain that Thrashy edge that led to them being one of the original bands on Noise’s roster way back when.
This album picks plenty from currently global and political events and the threats around the corner, following on from its dystopian predecessor, but this isn’t an overwrought conceptual piece. The songs on here all stand up well on their own, with a higher than average number of anthemic bangers, which seems to be something Rage are increasingly adept at. The material is all super speedy in the most part, which really helps with the energetic feel of the piece, which considering its less than two years since we last had a new album is impressive as ever.
The Thrashier side is toned down a lot throughout, and the songs add a little more melodic anthemic chorus lines that add a little depth, but when needed this packs a heavier punch as well, with some really solid production values that really add a finishing touch. After fifty minutes, I find myself wanting to listen again, because there is zero filler in here. It’s hard to be this prolific and not sound tired, but Rage are still bang on the money after forty-one years. 9/10
Cosmic Reaper - Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned (Heavy Psych Sounds) [Rich Piva]
The North Carolina scene is really killing it these days. All of the major cities in the state seem to have a flourishing heavy underground scene. Cosmic Reaper is one of those bands, from the biggest city in the state, Charlotte, and they are back with their brand of fuzzy doom on album number two, Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned, brought to us from Heavy Psych Sounds.
Record two starts where their self-titled debut ended, but Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned has the band has taking their songs and writing up a notch, invoking some of the heavier bands from the 90s grunge scene even more and incorporating it into their more traditional doom sound, with outstanding results.
I am always here for a band who opens a record with what reminds me of an early Trouble riff, and that is what you get from Hammer. This is plodding, big riff doom at its finest. We do get a bit of a tempo change, which is where I hear a sort of Goya thing going on, specifically from their record from this year, which is top ten of the year for me. Great stuff. More big riffs and Trouble vibes come at you with Bloodfeather, which has a sound right out of Metal Blade circa 1985.
I am always here for a band who opens a record with what reminds me of an early Trouble riff, and that is what you get from Hammer. This is plodding, big riff doom at its finest. We do get a bit of a tempo change, which is where I hear a sort of Goya thing going on, specifically from their record from this year, which is top ten of the year for me. Great stuff. More big riffs and Trouble vibes come at you with Bloodfeather, which has a sound right out of Metal Blade circa 1985.
Pot Of Gold is really where the 90s vibe kick in. In their bio, the band states that they wanted to bring “a touch of 90s angst” to this record. Mission accomplished, as I get The Melvins and Tad, at least musically, with this one. The juxtaposition vocally is what makes Cosmic Reaper stand out. Lead singer Thad Collis has higher vocal register, putting the low and heavy music with the killer higher vocals, and it works perfectly.
Cosmic Reaper brings the proto on Parasites, a riff filled old school masterpiece, while the three-minute Dwelling is a sort of a psych doom trip that acts as a bridge to the tail end of the record. That tail end includes Perfect Organism, the most despair-ridden track on the record and is some heavy doom goodness with traces of the slower Alice In Chains songs in the mix.
Bones, which is the most 90s track on Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned and invokes the fuzzier side of Seattle circa that era. As well as the closer, Waiting By The Gallows, where Cosmic Reaper waited until the end to bring the slowest and heaviest track to the gathering.
Someone made a comment to me that there are not enough good new doom records out there is 2025. I disagree, but if I need to throw evidence someone’s way Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned could be exhibit A. North Carolina is the Portland of the East Coast right now, as there are so many good bands in the region. Cosmic Reaper is right up there with the top bands representing NC, and Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is a great next step. 8/10
Terra Atlantica - Oceans (Scarlet Records) [Matt Bladen]
It feels like it's been a long time since I took to the high seas with Terra Atlantica. In reality it was 2022 that Beyond The Borders was released and we had the last chapter of this German band's nautical concept metal. Richly filled with pirate fantasy, swashbuckling adventure and Steampunk imagery Terra Atlantica have been a favourite of mine since I heard their debut in 2017. It's the guitars, the drums the vocals all playing a role to previously deliver three stellar albums and now look set to again impress with a fourth.
This is symphonically driven power metal which reminds me of Serenity, Twilight Force, Majestica, Dragony and of course they will always be compared to German power metal legends Running Wild, due to both their lyrical content and their style, I mean opener Back To The Sea is just pure Rockin' Rolf! The galloping power metal riffs, full of energy and passion, boosted by the strings and orchestrations and huge choruses that beg to be sung along to. It's all very cinematic, brimming with tales of lost civilizations and pitched battles on the ocean.
They look to their predecessors in the German heavy metal scene too by bringing in Piet Sielck of Iron Savior on Through The Water And The Waves but they are a band creating their own legacy with their music, from the accordion driven jig of Hoist The Sail, the epic battle scenes of Turn Of The Tide, the full speed Land Of Submarines. There's some classical influence on Oceans Of Eternity as the opening strong piece comes from Handel : Suite No 4 in D Minor, HWV 437, Sarabande.
Terra Atlantica also seem to diversifying a bit with album number four as there are a few more slower or mid-pace tracks which brings a bit more theatricality and emotion to their songwriting, similar to what Sabaton have done in recent years. Still for my money they're one of the best new cinematic, power metal bands out there today. Hoist the mizzenmast and set sail once again on these Oceans. 9/10
War Grave – Free Will (Independent) [Martin Brown]
War Grave’s Free Will wears its influences plainly. It’s heavy metal built on classic power shapes, but with a thrash streak running through most of the riffs. Songs don’t drag — three to five minutes, a riff or two to hang on, and always a solo. Free Will and Night Hunter push hard and fast, Break These Chains is written like a live set-piece, and Light ’Em Up slows down enough to breathe.
As Far As You Can Go shows where the band think a bit wider. Around the two-minute mark there’s a guitar break that opens the floor, the drums shifting pattern to carry it into the next section. It’s a simple move, but it stops the track from being just riff after riff. You hear the same approach again in Rise Of The Titans and even the closer Forever With Me — little changes that make the songs move rather than just repeat.
Roman Kantoch’s voice is right up front. It cuts sharp, bright, and often reminds me of Joey Belladonna on Spreading The Disease. That mix of clean power and a touch of theatre glues the thrash-leaning guitars to the more melodic passages.
The production is clean enough. Drums are locked in, guitars have space, vocals sit on top. It’s polished, but not so much that it gets in the way of what the songs are doing. The brightness in the mix lets the leads stick out and keeps the drive consistent across the album.
War Grave aren’t hiding what they are. Power, melody, grit — familiar ingredients, but put together in a way that works. As a debut, it shows a band who already know their lane and how to make it count. 7/10
Someone made a comment to me that there are not enough good new doom records out there is 2025. I disagree, but if I need to throw evidence someone’s way Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned could be exhibit A. North Carolina is the Portland of the East Coast right now, as there are so many good bands in the region. Cosmic Reaper is right up there with the top bands representing NC, and Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is a great next step. 8/10
Terra Atlantica - Oceans (Scarlet Records) [Matt Bladen]
It feels like it's been a long time since I took to the high seas with Terra Atlantica. In reality it was 2022 that Beyond The Borders was released and we had the last chapter of this German band's nautical concept metal. Richly filled with pirate fantasy, swashbuckling adventure and Steampunk imagery Terra Atlantica have been a favourite of mine since I heard their debut in 2017. It's the guitars, the drums the vocals all playing a role to previously deliver three stellar albums and now look set to again impress with a fourth.
This is symphonically driven power metal which reminds me of Serenity, Twilight Force, Majestica, Dragony and of course they will always be compared to German power metal legends Running Wild, due to both their lyrical content and their style, I mean opener Back To The Sea is just pure Rockin' Rolf! The galloping power metal riffs, full of energy and passion, boosted by the strings and orchestrations and huge choruses that beg to be sung along to. It's all very cinematic, brimming with tales of lost civilizations and pitched battles on the ocean.
They look to their predecessors in the German heavy metal scene too by bringing in Piet Sielck of Iron Savior on Through The Water And The Waves but they are a band creating their own legacy with their music, from the accordion driven jig of Hoist The Sail, the epic battle scenes of Turn Of The Tide, the full speed Land Of Submarines. There's some classical influence on Oceans Of Eternity as the opening strong piece comes from Handel : Suite No 4 in D Minor, HWV 437, Sarabande.
Terra Atlantica also seem to diversifying a bit with album number four as there are a few more slower or mid-pace tracks which brings a bit more theatricality and emotion to their songwriting, similar to what Sabaton have done in recent years. Still for my money they're one of the best new cinematic, power metal bands out there today. Hoist the mizzenmast and set sail once again on these Oceans. 9/10
War Grave – Free Will (Independent) [Martin Brown]
War Grave’s Free Will wears its influences plainly. It’s heavy metal built on classic power shapes, but with a thrash streak running through most of the riffs. Songs don’t drag — three to five minutes, a riff or two to hang on, and always a solo. Free Will and Night Hunter push hard and fast, Break These Chains is written like a live set-piece, and Light ’Em Up slows down enough to breathe.
As Far As You Can Go shows where the band think a bit wider. Around the two-minute mark there’s a guitar break that opens the floor, the drums shifting pattern to carry it into the next section. It’s a simple move, but it stops the track from being just riff after riff. You hear the same approach again in Rise Of The Titans and even the closer Forever With Me — little changes that make the songs move rather than just repeat.
Roman Kantoch’s voice is right up front. It cuts sharp, bright, and often reminds me of Joey Belladonna on Spreading The Disease. That mix of clean power and a touch of theatre glues the thrash-leaning guitars to the more melodic passages.
The production is clean enough. Drums are locked in, guitars have space, vocals sit on top. It’s polished, but not so much that it gets in the way of what the songs are doing. The brightness in the mix lets the leads stick out and keeps the drive consistent across the album.
War Grave aren’t hiding what they are. Power, melody, grit — familiar ingredients, but put together in a way that works. As a debut, it shows a band who already know their lane and how to make it count. 7/10
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