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  • Album Review | Alexandra Căpitănescu – “Choke Me”

    General Information

    Personnel:
    Alexandra Căpitănescu – vocals
    Bogdan Stoican – guitars
    Matei Cohal – bass
    Luca Șofron – drums
    Thomas Cîrcotă – keyboards

    Production: Bogdan Stoican, Nathan Smart
    Release Date: October 16, 2026
    Record Label: Universal Music Romania

    Setting the Scene

    After a historic third-place finish at Eurovision, Alexandra Căpitănescu has now released her debut full-length album, Choke Me, cementing her place in the metal scene and showing how far she has come since her early television appearances. Named after the hit single that took her to the top of the charts, the album has some high expectations to meet, with its mix of heavy rock riffs, emotional songwriting, and powerful vocals.

    First Impression

    Choke Me makes a great first impression, opening with the title track and massive hit, which is a very smart production move to start the album on a high note while also getting the major hit out of the way to give the rest of the album attention. The momentum never drops, thanks to the way the album perfectly shifts between aggressive, heavy riffs and soft, emotional melodies. The unique song intros and unpredictable pacing keep the whole record feeling fresh, while the majestic vocals easily hook you from the very first minute to the last.

    Similar Sounds

    If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.

    EvanesceneceHalestormSpiritbox

    The Artwork

    The striking cover shows a dark and artistic distorted portrait that reflects the intense emotions running through the album. Its gritty, high-contrast look sets the tone for the aggressive, heavy alternative rock waiting inside.

    Track on Repeat

    “RESTRAIN”

    “RESTRAIN” stands out because of its amazing contrasts, starting as one of the softest melodies on the album before growing into one of its heaviest hooks and angriest outros. The atmospheric elements add even more to the song, while the great chorus and deeply emotional lyrics make it even stronger. Both the raw growls and the emotions underneath them come through clearly.

    In-depth Notes

    Musical Shape 🎸

    The album keeps moving between soft, calm melodies and heavy, hard-hitting parts, with the songs taking some unexpected turns in the way they open and close. Some intros and calmer sections use acoustic guitars before gradually building into heavy hooks, as heard on tracks like “CMYM” and “HEAL.” Fast, energetic rhythms keep the momentum going, while atmospheric elements add more layers to the heavier parts. The guitar work also stands out throughout the record, with powerful, driving riffs and excellent solos that fit perfectly with the emotional side of the music.

    Vocal Performance 🎤

    What makes Alexandra’s vocals stand out is not only her distinct timbre, but also the passion and feeling she puts into every performance. She has been known for this intense delivery since her first appearance on The Voice Romania, and that talent has grown more refined and elaborate at this stage. Her performance is majestic across both the softest and heaviest parts of the record. She shifts effortlessly from soft, emotional melodic tones and breathtaking high notes to powerful, harsher heavy rock singing. The vocals on “HEAL” are siren-level (the mythical creature, not the modern warning device), while the vocalizing on tracks like “HEAT” and “Choke Me” brings emotions out as clear as daylight.

    Themes and Concepts 💭

    Choke Me explores internal struggles and emotions, alongside the urge to rebel and fight back. “Hollow Heart” deals with the fear of failure, chasing other people’s approval, and what comes after, while “RESTRAIN” tackles societal expectations and control. “HEAL” expresses a strong desire for liberation, and “UTOPIA” offers an intelligent critique of society. The contrasts in the music bring out the different sides of these topics.

    Final Verdict

    ★★★★★★★★★☆

    A grand collision of talent, emotions and hard work, heavy in its foundation and its core. Alexandra Căpitănescu’s deeply passionate vocals along with the majestic guitars provide the base for another success story in her young but glorious career.

    Mood Meter

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    Intensity

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    Melancholy

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    Darkness

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    Emotional

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    Serenity

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    Energy

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    Romance

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    Joyfulness

    Perfect For…

    Stairing at the roof – great music for when you’re thinking your life choices
    Gaming – can be a soundtrack for any action game
    Working – listen to while working to focus your energy, or cover the sound of your annoying co-working
    Driving –unless there’s a traffic jam

    Get the Album

    Cover photo credit: Alma Bengtson/EBU

    The post Album Review | Alexandra Căpitănescu – “Choke Me” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

  • Politician calls for Marilyn Manson’s removal from Slipknot show over sexual misconduct allegations

    A local politician has called for Marilyn Manson to be removed from the lineup at Slipknot‘s London show next July.

    Manson is due to appear on a bill that also includes rising deathcore heavyweights Lorna Shore and metalcore veterans Hatebreed at Wembley Stadium on July 3, the opening night of Slipknot’s 2027 (sic)est stadium tour.

    However, Councillor Anton Georgiou – leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Brent Council, where the stadium is located – has called for the venue to reconsider Manson’s booking as the singer faces allegations from multiple women accusing him of sexual misconduct (he denies any wrongdoing).

    “We cannot keep saying that tackling violence against women and girls is everyone’s business and then fail to ask difficult questions when it really matters,” says Cllr Georgiou. “It’s disappointing that the council has not spoken out publicly about this.

    “The allegations against Marilyn Manson are serious, and while he denies wrongdoing, Wembley Stadium needs to explain what consideration was given to them before this booking was confirmed. It also needs to consider the message this sends to survivors of abuse.”

    In response, a spokesman for Brent Council said, “Decisions about who performs at Wembley Stadium are ultimately a matter for the venue and event organisers, rather than Brent Council, which has no direct control over commercial bookings.

    “That does not diminish our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, which has no place in Brent. We are crystal clear about our values, and that is why we devote significant time, resources and effort to preventing abuse, supporting survivors and making our borough safer.”

    For their part, Wembley Stadium have explained that support acts are chosen by the promoter and headliner, and are in talks with the promoter (Live Nation) regarding the performance.

    In the wake of the controversy surrounding Manson’s booking, Spilknot guitarist Jim Root took to social media to claim that the decision had nothing to do with him.

    “I concentrate on writing and being a guitarist, so forgive my ignorance about who we do shows with,” he wrote. “There are other people with much bigger brains than I that coordinate all that, and I honestly don’t keep up with new bands or new music.”

    Manson’s appearances on Slipknot’s 2027 tour (he is also scheduled to perform at four South American shows) will be some of his most high-profile performances since several sexual assault and abuse allegations were made against him in 2020.

    Manson is currently scheduled to stand trial in November 2027 as part of a sexual assault and battery lawsuit involving his former assistant, Ashley Walters. Manson has categorically denied any wrongdoing in relation to all allegations.

  • Vale Suzanne Slaughter

    Adelaide promoter and record label owner Suzanne Britcher has died.

    Known professionally as Suzanne Slaughter, she was a long-time advocate and supporter of cult and underground music scenes in Australia.

    Suzanne was known to us here at LOUD from the late 90s and made occasional contributions to the zine and our sister project, The Australian Metal Guide (that went on to become The Encyclopaedia of Australian Heavy Metal). 

    In the early 00s she moved to Sydney from Adelaide and established a music and esoteric arts shop, Le Cabient des Curiosities, on Enmore Road. She remained active in her home town’s scene through her involvement in Armageddon Adelaide, an annual metal event from the early part of the century that hosted the likes of Nunslaughter, Misery, Portal and others. 

    Suzanne and her partner Adrian Henderson started the Seance Records label in 2010, releasing albums from a wealth of underground extreme metal artists including Pestilential Shadows, Nazxul, Tyrannic, Nocturnes Mist and more. She was also involved in the Goth and darkwave nightclub culture in Adelaide. 

    Suzanne died on October 18 from an undisclosed medical issue. She had suffered from chronic illness for most of her life. We send our condolences to her family and friends. As friends and part of the scene she helped nurture, we know Suzanne will be deeply missed.

  • i Helvete – Halla

    https://www.metalourgio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Halla_Album-Cover-1-768×768.jpg
  • SHADES OF BLACK: INQUINAMENTUM, OBSCVRE SER, BOARHAMMER, LES BÂTARDES DU ROI

    (written by Islander) I’m beginning today’s collection with the same explanation I used in yesterday’s roundup, except I slept even longer and later last night than I did on Friday night. I may have done too good a job in convincing my restless mind to turn itself off overnight, because a big chunk of this […]

    The post SHADES OF BLACK: INQUINAMENTUM, OBSCVRE SER, BOARHAMMER, LES BÂTARDES DU ROI appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

  • Shy, Low – Purity Spiral (Review)

    This is the fourth album from US post-rock band Shy, Low. Existing somewhere between post-rock and post-metal, Shy, Low’s music is a thoroughly immersive affair. Purity Spiral spends 47 minutes engaged in comprehensive instrumental worldbuilding, to remarkable effect. Purity Spiral is emotive and richly atmospheric. Shy, Low clearly understand how to use build and release … Continue reading “Shy, Low – Purity Spiral (Review)”