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Signs has this current running through it where they pull the technical approach in but base it over what you might say is a simple progression. And that is the key in this song being an absolute belter. Because it has that simplicity at its core, it allows them to embellish the song around it with some quality touches that mean more than just a flurry of notes without meaning. It lives up to their bio declaration with an outro solo that is fleet of finger but still has an emotional heft to it. 

Further confirmation of their approach as being basics first is Devise. Its how they knit the different pieces together so we end up a with a song with no frayed edges. It gets the riffs in and done then decides to play around with you. Its exceptional stuff really and while I’m assuming that there could be more ‘technical’ acts out there I don’t think that there are many who can build a song they do. Even the vocal melodies and the overall delivery is in step, its just a complete package which makes me review it so easy. 

Where they extend their songs out, such as on Forgiveness, that additional time is not wasted in meaningless noodling. Its used to further flesh their sound out, moving with a cosmic grace to it. I’m happy to say that they also bring in some fiendish low end riffing on this one and in the course of three songs they have casually dropped in one of the albums of the year. Absolutely no doubt in my mind.

Is there such a thing as a technical-progressive swagger? There is now and its running through this on every song. We look to describe music in lazy ways and I’m certainly guilty of that and if you asked me, I’d say fluid. Which is probably not the best term but there you go. There is no reduction in the intent or execution from them, the later tracks are as immediate as that initial kick off – Ignite being an example of bringing you death metal with a sunny edge. Honest, once it starts you will get it straightaway. 

Remains brings the whole thing to an end, and bookends a strong collection of technical, progressive music, one that doesn’t seek to overwhelm the listener with super crazy rhythms or by playing more notes than anyone else. They have a very simple approach, which to write good songs that define a base from which to leap off from but never forget that they have to return to that base at some point. They treat every song as a new trip, something for us to enjoy and you will enjoy it from start to finish. 9/10

Mob Rules – Stories From The Verdant Vale (ROAR) [Matt Bladen]

This one is all about the vinyl as Stories From The Verdant Vale continues the narrative established on 2025’s Rise Of The Ruler, these are songs from those sessions, originally released as part of the special edition of that album, on CD.

They are now getting a second lease of life as a standalone piece, on vinyl as a full length record that features these five “new” tracks as the Side A and as and extra treat on the Side B a few re-recorded versions of older tracks featuring a few guests.

Because Stories From The Verdant Vale links to early Mob Rules records these bonus tracks are ones from that era, re-recorded in 2014 with Udo Dirkschneider, Amanda Somerville, City Somapala and Bernhard Weiß as guest vocalists to make them a bit more than just a standard re-record.

It’s the originals that do the legwork here though from the orchestral overture of Savage Land Reprise, through the bouncy Euro Power metal of Master Of The Black Crow. Then from the theatricality of Masquerade Ball, the ballad Above The Maelstrom and the hard hitting Balance Of Power, Stories From The Verdant Vale is Mob Rules taking you back to the beginnings of their career through songs given a new chance to impress. 7/10

Noveria – Becoming After (Scarlet Records) [Matt Bladen]

The cinematic prog metal experience that is Noveria return with a new record of prog/power. There’s something about Italy when it comes to progressive power metal as a lot of the biggest names in this hybrid genre such as DGM and Labyrinth hail from the Mediterranean.

However Noveria have been building their own legacy with a sound that draws from the heavier, moodier US style favoured by Symphony X, Dream Theater and Swedes Evergrey. They get darker again with Becoming After, with Middle Eastern tones beginning The Only Way, it bursts to life with downtuned riffs, orchestral swathes and keys/synths that bring depth.

This is the fifth album and features the talents of pianist and composer Mike Moran on the cinematic Through Your Light, keyboardist Mistheria (Bruce Dickinson) on Cold Flames and string arrangement/performance from violinist Abigail Stahlschmidt and cellist Luca Basile. Though the band themselves shouldn’t be discounted as they are all virtuosos in their own right.

All of the guests add more layers to these already dense compositions from a group who can bring melodic wonder, sprawling soundtracks, industrial electronics and the heavier side of metal as well through occasional harsh vocals, Noveria stepping confidently into a new era after major line up changes on Becoming After. 8/10

Cutthroat – The Purge (M-Theory Audio) [Mark Young]

Hard Times takes little time in announcing exactly what you can expect from The Purge, a 5 track EP from LA hardcore outfit Cutthroat. If there was band that completely matched their bio description, its these. The opener is as straight as you could find, its built on a foundation of tightly driven riffs and a traditional hardcore vocal delivery, in as much it reminds me of Biohazard from their Urban Discipline days. Its aggressive, its focus is on battering the listener with what could only be described as a massive sound. 

Sick One comes in, again its perfectly acceptable as an example of what hardcore should sound like. Unfortunately herein lies the problem. Historically, I’ve never been a massive fan of this genre on record. I’ve always felt that the live shows are where this music lives and breathes because that crowd energy feeds back to the band and together, the songs dynamically change. I feel that this is the case here; these tracks will take on new life on stage.

Feeling Disconnected continues on that ferocious path laid down, but stays within the lanes already set out, and by this point they have effectively settled down into what feels like the same song, partially rebuilt to suit. I feel that I’m sounding unimpressed by the material on here, that’s not the case. As I’ve said its incredibly tight, and its all about stomping you with some pummelling riffing. 

If you take the title track, Purge, its heavy, and will tick all the necessary boxes required for metal. It’s just that it’s too similar to everything else on here. They close out with Bullet Proof Mind, and it shows that they have no intention of slowing down or backing off in terms of intent. It maintains that aggressive nature that has been in place since track one, without departing from their core sound.

There’s couple of ways of looking at this in terms of reviewing it; If you consider this purely on the strengths/weaknesses shown, then I would say that for fans of the scene hey will lap it up. They do everything that you want from hardcore, massive riffs, insistent approach delivered with an authentic focus on what works for them. You know that live, these will cause the crowd to go off, there is no doubt in my mind. My issue is that I’m not a fan, and it’s not done anything to change my mind. 6/10