Blog
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Abrams – Loon (Review)
Abrams are a rock band from the US and this is their sixth album. Loon offers up a tight 37 minutes of infectious rock music, although this is not completely the same Abrams that we’ve encountered previously. Loon showcases a different facet of the Abrams sound, and it does this exceedingly well. So, prior to Loon, … Continue reading “Abrams – Loon (Review)” -
Finnish Heavy Metallers DEMONESSA Announce Debut Album "Wild ‘N’ Loud"
DEMONESSA announce their long-awaited debut album, entitled “Wild ‘N’ Loud”, coming out May 1st.
“Wild ‘N’ Loud” is a love letter to all the greatest hits from the ‘80s heavy metal scene with big, arena-shaking choruses, thundering drum beats and hard rocking guitar riffs that will inspire the next generation of rock ’n’ roll stars. The sound of the album is overall very reminiscent of that old school tone, but with a modern twist to it, so it doesn’t sound like it actually came out 40 years ago.
The band stated on the album:
“A few standout tracks for the members themselves have to be the opener “Till Death Do Us Part”, because it brings together everything we’ve learned to love about heavy metal music, “High Voltage Renegade”, the follow-up song with its fast-paced, hard-rocking energy that perfectly kicks off the rest of the album, “I Stand Alone” which will surely top the charts in 20 years, like any good old power ballad did back in the days and “We Rule the Night” simply for how much fun it is to play live.”
“The album was a long time coming, as we wanted to make sure everything was on point and everyone was fully behind the final result that would be the band’s first real introduction to the listeners. The music for the album was written by the guitarist John Creweholm, but every band member had a chance to add their own twists and turns for each song as they saw fit, while the vast majority of lyrics and vocal melodies were the singer, Senja’s, territory. The songs were recorded mainly in the band’s rehearsal room and mixed and mastered by the great Aleksis Pelli at Mix Studio 1101. One of our biggest challenges was getting the drums to sound just right, but with his magic touch they sound like cannons from hell with every beat, as they do live.”
A couple of ‘must-listen’ songs that define the album:
– “Till Death Do Us Part” – The opening track, the bread and butter of the album, the song meant to hook listeners immediately. The song’s message can be interpreted as either a love story gone horribly wrong the toxic way or an addiction that will take you to your grave.
– “I Stand Alone” – The token ballad of the album. A story about losing the people you love as time goes on and everyone starts going their own way, but you still have to stay strong, true to yourself and move on.
– “A Knife to a Gunfight” – An explosive ending for the album that takes the listener on the ride of a lifetime with the amazing vocals, cool riffs, and crazy solos. It’s about falling in love with someone, when you’re not ready yet, and it feels unfair.
More on Demonessa:
Demonessa is a heavy metal band from Tampere, Finland, carving its path with pure power and attitude. Formed in 2019, the band combines the explosive force of 80’s heavy metal with the spectacle of glam metal creating an experience that must be witnessed live.
Photo by Nadja Tonkoshkur
Line-up:
Senja – Vocals
John Creweholm – Guitars
Hugo M. Raze – Guitars
Peet von Rowanskerry – Bass
Jones “Pugnax Vehemens” Tervas – Drums
More information:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Demonessa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demonessaofficial
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1VE0mtJfuhaipbhSp71OVt
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/demonessa/1752566908
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9M-icwvJgadP22iKvgvuRQ
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@demonessaofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587941337019
Bandcamp: https://demonessa.bandcamp.com/ -
Finnish Heavy Metallers DEMONESSA Announce Debut Album "Wild ‘N’ Loud"
DEMONESSA announce their long-awaited debut album, entitled “Wild ‘N’ Loud”, coming out May 1st.
“Wild ‘N’ Loud” is a love letter to all the greatest hits from the ‘80s heavy metal scene with big, arena-shaking choruses, thundering drum beats and hard rocking guitar riffs that will inspire the next generation of rock ’n’ roll stars. The sound of the album is overall very reminiscent of that old school tone, but with a modern twist to it, so it doesn’t sound like it actually came out 40 years ago.
The band stated on the album:
“A few standout tracks for the members themselves have to be the opener “Till Death Do Us Part”, because it brings together everything we’ve learned to love about heavy metal music, “High Voltage Renegade”, the follow-up song with its fast-paced, hard-rocking energy that perfectly kicks off the rest of the album, “I Stand Alone” which will surely top the charts in 20 years, like any good old power ballad did back in the days and “We Rule the Night” simply for how much fun it is to play live.”
“The album was a long time coming, as we wanted to make sure everything was on point and everyone was fully behind the final result that would be the band’s first real introduction to the listeners. The music for the album was written by the guitarist John Creweholm, but every band member had a chance to add their own twists and turns for each song as they saw fit, while the vast majority of lyrics and vocal melodies were the singer, Senja’s, territory. The songs were recorded mainly in the band’s rehearsal room and mixed and mastered by the great Aleksis Pelli at Mix Studio 1101. One of our biggest challenges was getting the drums to sound just right, but with his magic touch they sound like cannons from hell with every beat, as they do live.”
A couple of ‘must-listen’ songs that define the album:
– “Till Death Do Us Part” – The opening track, the bread and butter of the album, the song meant to hook listeners immediately. The song’s message can be interpreted as either a love story gone horribly wrong the toxic way or an addiction that will take you to your grave.
– “I Stand Alone” – The token ballad of the album. A story about losing the people you love as time goes on and everyone starts going their own way, but you still have to stay strong, true to yourself and move on.
– “A Knife to a Gunfight” – An explosive ending for the album that takes the listener on the ride of a lifetime with the amazing vocals, cool riffs, and crazy solos. It’s about falling in love with someone, when you’re not ready yet, and it feels unfair.
More on Demonessa:
Demonessa is a heavy metal band from Tampere, Finland, carving its path with pure power and attitude. Formed in 2019, the band combines the explosive force of 80’s heavy metal with the spectacle of glam metal creating an experience that must be witnessed live.
Photo by Nadja Tonkoshkur
Line-up:
Senja – Vocals
John Creweholm – Guitars
Hugo M. Raze – Guitars
Peet von Rowanskerry – Bass
Jones “Pugnax Vehemens” Tervas – Drums
More information:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Demonessa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demonessaofficial
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1VE0mtJfuhaipbhSp71OVt
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/demonessa/1752566908
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9M-icwvJgadP22iKvgvuRQ
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@demonessaofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587941337019
Bandcamp: https://demonessa.bandcamp.com/ -
EP Review: Catalysis – Serpentine
EP Review: Catalysis – Serpentine
Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez
Catalysis. Born in Dundee almost ten years ago, the groove-thrash metal crossover band have forged a soldi reputation north of the border, with an electrifying stage show that’s earned them slots of festivals like Bloodstock Open Air and Call Of The Wild, as well as headline shows up and down the UK.
It’s no secret for the band’s admiration for Chimaira and the influence the legendary band have had on their sound. Catalysis capture that early 00s metal sound to a tee, but doesn’t feel like a cheap rip off or imitation of their ideals sound too. Throughout “Serpentine”, you’ll be introduced to a potent cocktail of tightly-packed dense riffs ranging from slow and bludgeoning to those that are all an all out balls-to-the-wall frenzy!
There’s an undeniable primitive hardcore edge to the music which is underlined by Andrew Downie’s fierce vocal delivery that’s dripping in primitive angst, perhaps best illustrated in ‘Deathblow’. The similarity to Mark Hunter is uncanny, but again definitely not a poor imitation. He’s backed up admirably by his band mates, especially during the chorus for ‘Futile’. This song also represents a throwback to the early 00s metalcore days, much in the style of All That Remains and Unearth. Especially with the tight chugging staccato rhythms, and gloriously piercing aesthetic guitar leads (see ‘Damocles’ for an absolute guitar masterclass). That sense of melody bursting through the dense layers of sheer punishing heaviness is a defining feature of Catalysis and a strength they showcase throughout “Serpentine”.
Catalysis are a group of musicians in which the whole is much greater that the sum of its parts. No instrument tries to outdo each other and gets their own chance to shine in the mix and showcase their contribution to this powerhouse of a record.
The production feels honest, raw. It feels as though they’ve gone for a rough and ready approach that’s needed to provide that aggressive hardcore edge. As opposed to something more polished and sterile that would almost certainly kill that edge. 5 tracks feels like the sweet spot really; enough time to arrive and slap you right in the face and make an impact then leaves without outstaying its welcome.
The post EP Review: Catalysis – Serpentine appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
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Listening Now : Cardinal Six – Everywhere
Cardinal Six’s Everywhere is a gritty slice of alt-rock that balances raw energy with melodic sensitivity. Built on rough-edged guitars and a steady, driving rhythm, the track carries a sense of urgency without losing its emotional core. Eden’s vocals stand out immediately—warm, expressive, and effortlessly cutting through the distortion with a subtle charm. There’s a youthful, unpolished authenticity here that works in its favor, giving the song a live, immediate feel. As a debut, Everywhere feels confident and promising, hinting at a band already finding its voice.
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Listening Now : TRACE – Midnight Underwater
TRACE’s Midnight Underwater unfolds as a deeply immersive ambient piece, designed less as a song and more as a space to inhabit. With no percussion to anchor it, the track drifts freely, guided by slow-moving textures that ripple like dark water. There’s a quiet, almost weightless quality to its progression, allowing each layer to emerge and dissolve with patience. It captures that fragile late-night state where thoughts blur and time softens.
Subtle yet evocative, Midnight Underwater offers a gentle escape, an introspective, fluid soundscape that lingers long after it fades.
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Peter Hook Reacts to Joy Division’s Hall of Fame Induction
See the band co-founder's heartfelt video. Continue reading… -
“I opened the curtains a bit and said, ‘Look at all these people who’ve paid to see us!’ I didn’t realise that was the worst thing I could have done”: Carl Palmer on Keith Emerson, and how his death wasn’t the worst part of losing him
They met when Palmer stood in with Fleetwood Mac for a show with The Nice. Half a century of amazing music and friendship followed. The drummer reveals what they’d be doing today if Emerson was still alive -
Listening Now : Gaisma – Ca$hback
Gaisma’s Ca$hback opens with a sleek, confident pulse, setting the tone for a stylish blend of pop sensibility, smooth hip-hop and modern electronic edge. Built on crisp production and a steady groove, the track balances attitude with accessibility, letting its hook-driven structure shine without overcomplicating things. Her vocal delivery carries a cool, controlled energy, adding a subtle bite that complements the track’s theme and rhythm. There’s a polished, forward-moving feel throughout, making it instantly engaging.
As an opener, Ca$hback feels sharp and self-assured—clean, catchy, and built to linger.
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Listening Now : Rzekomo – which can
Rzekomo’s which can is a subtle, cerebral instrumental that unfolds with quiet precision and conceptual depth. Blending processed guitar textures with classical nuances, the track moves within a restrained framework, yet feels gently unsettled—thanks in part to its deliberately detuned bass. There’s a sense of tension beneath the calm, as if meaning is constantly shifting just out of reach. Rather than offering resolution, it invites reflection, leaning into ambiguity and atmosphere.
Thoughtful and finely detailed, which can exists in that elusive space between structure and intuition, where sound becomes suggestion rather than statement.
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