Montreal indie rockers knitting were a Stereogum Band To Watch in 2024, and now they’re getting ready to follow their debut Some Kind Of Heaven with a new album called Souvenir. We already posted the blurry, grungy lead single “I Want To Remember Everything,” and now they follow it with “Here Comes,” another song that…
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There’s a certain kind of music that sits at the crossroads of 70s rock, Goth, and classic heavy metal. Where once I would have dubbed it retro or throwback metal, since 2010, it’s been easier to tag it Ghost-core for obvious reasons. Canada’s Spell fall into that rotpit, with a sound that has come close to what that Swedish supernatural entity did on their early albums. I liked 2020s Opulent Decay, but felt it was missing a certain x-factor needed to take it to the next level of stickiness. For whatever reason, I slept on their 2022 release Tragic Magic, but I’m here for 5th full-length Wretched Heart. Mostly because the lead single “Lilac” has been stuck deep in my brainpan for the last 2 months, compelling me to grab the promo and get reacquainted with these occult-loving Canucks. Their style still floats between 70s rock and Goth metal, with hooks at a premium, and when they nail their template, you get super-catchy chestnuts of pure rock glory. So, how much nailing can you expect from Wretched Heart?
More than I expected, actually. Since the last time I spent time with Spell, they’ve become much more consistent songsmiths, and over the course of Wretched Heart, you get a fun, hard-charging collection of tunes with enough raw charm to make you believe in magic. Of course, there’s “Lilac” which punches way above its weight with an irrestible blend of Ghost and Unto Others. It’s easily my favorite song so far in 2026, and I’ve been walking around singing the flower-powered chorus constantly, much to the chagrin of Madam X, who thinks I’m turning into a morbid florist. Play this song twice, and it will move into your brain and raise 3 generations of earworms. “Take My Life” is another entertainer with an interestingly weird blend of Goth, hard rock, and edgy emo. The chorus sticks on first exposure, and Cam Mayhem’s vocals at chorus-time pack just the right amount of emo angst to sell things. “Unquiet Graves” is a winning little gem, loaded with an intriguing blend of Goth and punk that checks all the right boxes. You’re treated to a winning chorus again, and the mood recalls the best of early Ghost.
Elsewhere, you’re introduced to “Oubliette,” which carries a strong Dawnbringer vibe and sounds like Chris Black dropped by to do guest vocals. It dials up the darkness and heaviness and really zaps the mind. Another highlight is “Exquisite Corpse.” It’s like Idle Hands / Unto Others had a love child with H.I.M., and that shouldn’t be a good thing, but fuck it all, this song is awesome. The chorus is G-money, and though I suspect it’s about necrophilia, I don’t even care and won’t stop spinning it and singing it in public. No song on Wretched Heart is filler, though opener “Dark Inertia” doesn’t put the band’s best foot forward, and the short, funeral home-appropriate interlude “In Duress” seems tacked on for no good reason. Other than that, it’s an elevator ride to the penthouse with one killer cut after another. At a trim, tidy 41 minutes and with most songs in the 4-minute window, this is an easy-breezy spin, and the good songs are made even better because Spell never step on their own meat by dragging things out needlessly.
I was on the fence with Cam Mayhem’s vocals when last I reviewed them, but I’m sold now. He’s like a cross between Papa Emeritus I-V, Chris Black, and Gabriel Franco (Untoothers). His offbeat delivery suits the songs and provides an identity to what Spell are doing. Everyone in the band is credited with guitar work, and the guitars are a huge part of the Spell experience. They run through 70s prog, hard rock, Goth, and metal, borrowing acorns from each genre and assembling sounds to suit moods adroitly. Some of the stuff here is surprisingly dark and heavy without losing the rocked-out vibe, and that’s a nifty feat. There’s even a healthy bass presence that adds some oomph to the sound. The big ticket is the improved songcraft, which is, at times, nigh impossible to resist.
Wretched Heart is a sizeable step up from what I heard back on Opulent Decay, and it seems Spell have come into their own. With Ghost gone to mainstream success and sleepy radio rock antics and Unto Others dropping the tooth jar last time, Spell are here to fill the gaps in your metal listening needs. If you want semi-dark music loaded with earworms and a cheery, tongue-in-cheek vibe, and you can look past that dayglow abortion of a band photo,1 plant this in your topsoil. Pairs well with summer gardening and corpse defiling.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Bad Omen
Websites: spellofficial.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/spellspell | instagram.com/spellofficial
Releases Worldwide: May 1st, 2026
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Europe have announced their return with Come This Madness, their 12th studio album, set for release on September 25 via Silver Lining Music and Hell & Back Recordings.
After nine years, the Swedish rock legends deliver what is described as their most powerful and uncompromising record to date. Across tracks including new single One On One, The Cult of Ignorance and the title track, the band channel tension, truth and raw energy into a deeply personal yet globally resonant album.
“‘One On One is definitely one of my favourite tracks from the album,” says Europe’s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “The power and feel are fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began.
“Lyrically, it’s perhaps not filled with as much escapism as early Europe. These lyrics automatically ended up being more of a reflection of the times we live in today. Ever since One On One was just a demo, we’ve stayed with it…never gave up on it, and elevated it to a place where it belongs: a high-flying, classic hard rock track.”
One On One is built around a driving bass riff and soaring melodies. The track blends Europe’s classic sound with a fresh, modern edge. Opening with an orchestral intro before shifting into a riff-driven core, it builds into an arena-ready Hard Rock moment. The single arrives with a striking video featuring actor Peter Stormare, known for roles in Fargo and The Big Lebowski. The visual presents a stark and cinematic narrative, focusing on a single character in an emotionally intense performance.
“We always knew Peter loved rock music,” Tempest said, “and when his name came up, it just felt right. We wanted to approach this from a different angle, something more stripped back and unexpected.”
Come This Madness was recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm and produced by Tom Dalgety, known for his work with Ghost, Rammstein and Opeth. The album also features guest appearances from Tobias Forge and Michael Åkerfeldt, with mixing handled by Mike Fraser, whose credits include AC/DC, Metallica and Van Halen.
To support the release, Europe will embark on The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour, beginning in Glasgow on September 30 and running across Europe, alongside major festival appearances including Wacken Open Air. For tickets and full dates, visit europetheband.com.
Come This Madness will be available on vinyl, CD and digital formats. Pre-orders are available from lnk.to/EuropeComeThisMadnessAlbum.
After months of saying that she’s going all-in on acting, big-deal pop star Ariana Grande just went ahead and announced a new album. For a few weeks, Grande has been teasing a follow-up to 2024’s Eternal Sunshine, and now she makes it official. Grande studio album number eight is called petal, and it’s coming in July.
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