I first found Uppsala, Sweden’s Sarcasm when I had the chance to review their previous album, Mourninghoul. Even though the band had their humble beginnings […]
(written by Islander) On April 23rd the Armenian black metal band Rahvira will have their latest album in a 20+ year career jointly released by Holy Mountains Music (Yerevan, Armenia), Underworld Echoes Records (Greece), and More Hate Productions (Russia), with official distribution by Satanath Records (Georgia). The album’s title is In the Darkness of Silence […]
Dutch-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kristoffer Gildenlöw returns with a new solo record, Humanised, due May 29 via New Joke Music on LP, CD, and all major streaming platforms.
To mark the announcement, the video for the first single “The Almosts” has been released.
The track is presented as a focused, stripped-down rock piece, both musically and visually. The video features Lilo on bass, Dirk Bruinenberg on drums, and Kristoffer Gildenlöw on guitar and vocals. On the studio recording, drums are handled by Leo Margarit, while Gildenlöw performs all other instruments.
A straight-forward rock track built on only two chords, “The Almosts” relies on gradual dynamics and layered arrangements rather than complexity for its impact. The lyrical theme centers on people who exist outside conventional systems and expectations.
“The lyrics empower outcasts, minorities, and others who tend to fall slightly outside the strict structures of the modern system; people who don’t fit through the square hole. People who are looked down on, frowned upon, or simply ignored and left to the waves. But in the darkness below the surface, beneath the concrete, roots are growing, and an undertow is becoming a rip current of change.”
The song closes with a direct dedication: “The Almosts – Dedicated to everyone who failed or succeeded in being themselves,” framing it as a statement about identity and acceptance rather than distance or separation.
Best known as the original bassist in Pain Of Salvation, Kristoffer Gildenlöw has also collaborated with Neal Morse, Damian Wilson, and Lana Lane, among others, building a career that moves between progressive rock and heavier solo material.
Since his 2012 debut Rust, followed by The Rain (2016), Homebound (2020), Let Me Be A Ghost (2021), and Empty (2024), he has kept a consistent approach to songwriting that blends personal themes with a recognizable production style and vocal tone.
With Humanised, Gildenlöw shifts into heavier territory again: “Everything has its time and place and now was the time to write a heavier album. Some of the songs have been with me for many years, just waiting to be recorded and released… and now I was ready for it.” – Kristoffer Gildenlöw
The album brings back elements tied to his progressive metal background, including seven-string guitar work, heavier riffing, and shifting time signatures. Alongside that, it pulls in influences from sleaze rock, art rock, prog, and doom, built into a cohesive flow rather than separated styles.
Instead of following a strict narrative concept, Gildenlöw structures his albums around broader themes. Each track captures a different angle on human behavior, forming a collection of snapshots rather than a linear story.
Humanised is described as a reflection of modern behavior and culture, examining excess, consumption, and contradiction in contemporary life.
Fans can access exclusive LP and CD editions ahead of release through US Webshophere and World Wide Webshop here.
From the very first seconds, “So Over You” by Project Rod Williams establishes an epic and nostalgic atmosphere. The theatrical vibes enhance the experience, making this song deeply emotional. It gradually evolves into a heartrending ballad that touches the soul. The narrative captures that moment of betrayal and navigating through darkness, ultimately discovering a glimmer of light.
Many listeners can connect with this theme as it delves into human relationships effectively. It conveys hope, suggesting that no matter what happens, moving forward is essential. The production quality is impressive. Despite its use of technological elements, it feels grounded and authentic. The emotions conveyed are genuine and resonate deeply.
A standout moment occurs at 3:10, where an atmospheric guitar solo enhances the overall experience. This section allows listeners to transcend their surroundings and immerse themselves fully in the song. It’s this combination of heartfelt lyrics and profound instrumentation that makes the single remarkable.
So Over You – Sound and Lyrics
The lyrics encapsulate feelings of heartbreak but evolve into a message of resilience. This duality is expertly conveyed through Williams’s vocal performance. His voice carries a sense of vulnerability, which adds to the emotional weight of the song.
The arrangement is masterful, balancing instrumental and vocal elements seamlessly. Each note is carefully placed, enhancing the song’s progression from darkness to light. The transitions maintain momentum while inviting listeners to engage with the story fully.
This single serves as an anthem for those overcoming personal struggles. It encourages listeners to embrace their emotions and push forward. As the lyrics unfold, one can sense the evolution from despair to empowerment. This journey is relatable for anyone who has faced challenges in their own life.
Project Rod Williams captures the essence of raw human experience, reflecting on the trials of relationships. The exploration of these themes fosters a connection with listeners, drawing them into a shared emotional landscape. The combination of lyrical depth and musicality results in a powerful listening experience.
In this single, the hopefulness shines brightly. The message resonates well beyond the framework of heartbreak. It serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and brighter days lie ahead. This uplifting takeaway elevates the song, transforming it from merely a portrayal of sadness into a motivational piece.
So Over You – Performance and Production
The production choices are modern and sincere. The incorporation of contemporary elements complements the timeless themes explored in the lyrics. This blend creates an atmosphere that feels both relevant and true.
As the song nears its conclusion, the instrumental layers build to a climactic finish. The gradual intensity maintains listener engagement, ensuring that the journey is felt until the final note. Each element works in harmony to deliver a satisfying and uplifting experience.
Project Rod Williams has successfully created a single that encourages introspection and growth. “So Over You” is not only relatable but also a powerful anthem that emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. This track is a must-listen for anyone seeking comfort in music during tough times.
The brilliance of this piece lies in its balance of emotion and artistry. This tune has the potential to be a meaningful addition to any playlist, encouraging listeners to support each other through life’s ups and downs.
I don’t know exactly what it is, but the Canadian prairies seem to just do something to its metal practitioners. Occasionally, we talk about metal in terms of its geography—”Scandinavian black metal,” “European power metal,” and so on—but I don’t think I’ve heard much about Canadian metal. Canada is huge, of course, but I’ve yet to find a band from its rural corners that hasn’t really resonated. Northern Graves, formed in 2023 by Damian Smith of Altars ofGrief, continue this trend with their take on blackened doom metal. Originally a solo project, the now fully-expanded lineup, relocated to the United States, is releasing its debut, Derelict Heart, inspired “by the seemingly endless Canadian prairies and the countless ghost towns that dot its landscape.” How could I possibly refuse?
Having started as a solo project for Smith, it should come as no surprise that there are several Altars of Grief-isms at play here, but the “blackened” label is serious. Alike in their prairie ways, I would suggest Derelict Heart could be the result of a union between Arctos and Altars of Grief—there is a desolate, bleak darkness at the heart of the music befitting of Smith’s doom metal outfit, but the presentation is impassioned and fierce. Branson Heinz and Roman Chester kill it on drums and bass, respectively, each running marathons with bite throughout Derelict Heart. Andrew Caruana joins Smith on guitars and plays aggressively without quite the speed of Heinz’s drumming, give or take a tremolo here and there. Their vocals are similarly harsh and biting; the duo snarl, roar, and rasp in strange harmony. Smith also sings, and Caruana plays keys, both adding new dimensions to an already mighty sound.
The result is metal that is more blackened than doom, and very strong for it. “Endless” gets off to a rocking start; Smith and Caruana play an upbeat riff, rasping their way through a strong intro. The doom elements persist through an acoustic guitar, a mournful solo, and a strong atmosphere of darkness. Northern Graves do a fantastic job of evoking the vast, empty plains of their native Saskatchewan. “Derelict Heart” is the best example, a grand, slow burn that starts in doom waters before treading its way to a beautiful, blackened climax. Smith and Caruana’s vocals are huge, and Heinz’s drumming reaches manic heights. The guitars surround you and carry you to ghost towns. During quieter moments, the singing, distant and orchestrations, are subtle, chill, and inspiring. It’s a staggeringly beautiful song and best demonstrates the union of black metal, doom metal, and unique inspiration that defines Derelict Heartand Northern Graves. Even the non-metal track, “Keeper of the Plains,” serves an important function in providing a highly specific atmosphere. Derelict Heart thrives in atmosphere, making it feel like more than the sum of two sub-genres and more like its own unique entity.
From a production standpoint, Derelict Heart sounds amazingly clear and energized, with only two minor flaws. The first is that the drumming is curiously loud. As mentioned, Heinz is a fantastic drummer and a significant contributor to Derelict Heart’s energy. He gives it power and presence. But his own presence is often too loud, especially on “Lanterns.” “Lanterns” is a gorgeous song, falling more on the doom metal side of the equation with slower, more mournful passages dotted with orchestral melodies, clean/harsh vocal duos, and beautiful riffs—but the blast beat drumming is so high in the mix as to be distracting. The second is the album closer, “Hazard,” a Richard Marx cover that, while appropriately blackened to fit Northern Graves, is not effective as a closer for Derelict Heart. Especially following the phenomenal title track, it sticks out; it has less doom, quieter atmosphere, and much more clean singing than the rest of Derelict Heart, and, while it is a fascinating cover, it feels like an odd way to close the album. Tonally, it’s just a bit strange, though I can’t bring myself to actually dislike it—the skill and passion from Northern Graves is hard to dislike.
There are a lot of ways to blacken doom metal, but Northern Graves has found an amazing sound on Derelict Heart. It’s not particularly mournful or even especially bleak, but it effectively evokes the enormity of a desolate wild. It is a powerful, memorable experience that I found resonant and affecting. I already cannot wait for more.
After back-to-back weekends at Coachella, California hardcore punk outfit Ceremony have dropped a new track titled “Other Hells”, marking their first new material in more than five years.
Running just over two minutes, “Other Hells” moves fast and hits hard. The track leans into the band’s hardcore roots, with driving drums and chaotic guitars pushing the pace from start to finish.
Frontman Ross Farrar explained the ideas behind the song: “‘Other Hells’ started as a meditation on the dualistic arts and the interplay of opposing forces in our lives: awake/asleep, physical/ spiritual, inhale/ exhale,” says vocalist Ross Farrar.
He continued: “This is a constant theme in the work of Ceremony; beauty juxtaposed with the intensity of aggressive music, seeking to create a single, cohesive work through audible, visual, and structural elements. Amid the ongoing rise in politics that lean on tribalism and polarizing rhetoric in an attempt to divide, the song responds by aiming to unify, using punk’s great liberatory force: the slam.”
Earlier this year, Ceremony also released their first live album, Live At The Hollywood Palladium, through Relapse Records. The record arrived two years after their 2024 performance celebrating Rohnert Park, one of the band’s defining releases.
Live At The Hollywood Palladium captures a full set along with an encore, pulling from across the band’s catalog and reflecting their evolution within hardcore and punk. The album was mixed by Taylor Young and mastered by Brad Boatright, keeping the focus on the band’s raw live sound.
With “Other Hells”, Ceremony tap back into their aggressive side while continuing to build on the themes that have shaped their music from the start.