The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Words written by Anselm Anderson Latst Week, Eclipe Records latest signings,  Gothic Rock act Outshine released their first studio album . Truthsayer , their fifth release overall, is  packed with haunting keys, dark vocals, and backbeats that perfectly capture the   dark, atmospheric metal  of the band. Outshine hail form  Gothenburg, Sweden , They have been round for over thirty years, touring  across the States and Europe. They’ve supported such acts like Paradise Lost  , performing to  over three hundred shows. Since joining Eclipse Records, the band consists of  founding vocalist Jimmy Boman , drummer Robert Petersson ,bassist Niklas Ingvarsson , and  guitarist and backing vocalist Par Arvidsson . "Truthsayer" was produced and recorded by Kenny Boufadene and Jimmy Boman at Studio Meltdown , Kungsbacka, Sweden, The duo capture the melancholy  of the band's nature through nine dark, eerie songs. Photo courtesy of ...

Art Coverwork courtesy of REIGN Phoenix Music Melodic death metal act Bloodhunter are set to release their fourth album Sons of the Abandoned this Friday via ROAR (A division of Reigning Phoenix Music. The music is fresh, brutal and melodic set against the backdrop of crushing riffs and indelible grooves that will keep the music going long in the memory. I am new to the band, but have covered them recently because i hear comparisons with bands like Lamb of God and Arch Enemy . Formed in Galicia, Spain in 2008, The band have been a rising force in Europe, developing their sound, and appearing at Festivals, alongside notable names like Rainbow and Megadeth. Fronted by Female vocalist Diva Satanica , they release the diverse and personal "Sons of the Abandoned". The ten track release explores themes of Toxicity, identity, and their inner demons in a Disillusioned world. My first thoughts on the album are about its variety of music. The long, melodic sections are full of em...

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Records Australian Symphonic metal band ANA returned last week with the release of their first LP "Motivated by Death" via Eclipse Records . The release comes after the success of 2023's first EP The Art of Letting Go , which was critically acclaimed. The eight songs look at the human experience through strong pop sensibilities, heavy guitars, and haunting sounds. Formed in 2023, the band calls themselves a "Couture rock" group. Their members include lead vocalist Anna Khristenko, guitarist Josh Mak, bassist Cody Lamb, drummer Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio, and keyboardist Mark Shi. They present themselves as masked "Super humans" as part of a comic series they created, published through Cynation Comics. Their performances and songs are inspired by this series, similar to Coheed and Cambria . Now, let's focus on their album Motivated by Death . This album was produced by Mak and Khri...

Photo Courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson Following an eight-year break, the Norwegian metal band is Dimmu Borgir back with their new album, "Grand Serpent Rising." This album is an important milestone for the band, marking their return after more than thirty years in the music scene. The title symbolizes the Year of the Snake , marking the album's completion last February. The serpent represents change and growth, showing the band evolving with confidence. While the band is known for taking time on albums, eight years is taking the biscuit. Since their last release, 2018's Eonian they have lost guitarist Galder in 2024 to his previous band. And since then, They have concentrated on "Grand Serpent Rising," an hour of intense Black Metal with orchestral elements. Co-founders "Silenoz " and "Shagrath" collaborated to create a masterpiece, featuring dynamic choir and string arrangements alongside their sig...

Photo Courtesy of NPRM Publishing Words by Anselm Anderson These days, it's rare to find a Southern rock band like Oklahoma's Hillbilly Vegas, who blend American blues and country traditions without sounding plain, reminiscent of Seventies bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, and Molly Hatchet. Led by vocalist Steve Harris since their formation in 2011. Last Friday, the band released their new album "A La Mode" through independent label Quarto Valley Records , which focuses on Blues, Americana, Roots, and Jazz music. This release has many influences from Blues and Americana, as it explodes into memorable songs, slick riffs, and ol'school southern rock. The band have steadily grown their fervent fanbase through raucous live shows and relatable lyrics. They have even toured with some of the genre's Renowned names such as s Blackberry Smoke, The Kentucky Headhunters, and Ted Nugent. Photo Credit:Joe Ward The album begins with...

Words by Anselm Anderson On the back of last week's solo release, John Corabi returns with The Dead Daisies' first live album "Live Plus Five". The album captures the band's set at "Live at Stonedead" from 2025, plus additional tracks from various outings across Europe and America in 2024/25. The album covers tracks from the quintet's previous two releases: 2024's Light Em' Up and last year's Blues covers release Lookin' for Trouble, plus tracks from earlier in their career, which includes covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" and "Midnight Moses" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. I don't usually cover live albums because it always feels like it would be better to watch a band live so you experience the live feeling. However, i don't get much of an opportunity to see The Dead Daisies live in the UK, so was eager to cover this one. I feel this is a strong release, ...

Words by Anselm Anderson S epultura is getting ready to close the chapter on their remarkable forty-year career with the release of their final four-track EP, The Cloud of Unknowing , arriving this Friday, April 24th, via Nuclear Blast Records . The Brazilian Quartet wraps things up on a high note with their most heartfelt and inventive work yet. Each track explores a different side of the band’s emotions, blending thunderous drums, sweeping orchestral arrangements, and their signature fierce vocals and riffs. The band brought in American drummer Greyson Nekrutman for their latest tour across North America, Europe, and Latin America. His prodigious talent adds a fresh layer to the band’s often wild and chaotic brand of tribal metal . Nekrutman’s precise yet powerful hits blend seamlessly as the rest of the band pour their energy into this final chapter of their career. The band chose the legendary Criteria Studios as the place to record The Cloud of Unknowing, produced by long...