Nuclear Blast

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    Behemoth - XXX Years ov Blasphemy (2024)

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    If there is something that Nergal and company know how to do is to put out an intense live show. Now preserved for eternity, the band unleashes “XXX Years ov Blasphemy” an audio/video release capturing their 30th anniversary celebratory livestream. Covering all of the band’s large and illustrious career is tricky, but the band managed to capture most of their iconic tracks in this devastating package. This is definitely the best live release of 2024, so do not miss out.

    Split into three different acts, the band nicely sets up a nearly chronological approach to playing songs from their back catalog. Opening with “The Scorched Forest” act, the band delivers more refined and updated renditions of tracks like “Chant of the Eastern Lands”, which was on their debut release “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)”. It is quite interesting to hear songs like “Pure Evil and Hate”, which have a more old-school Punk-infused Black Metal sound, showing how far the band has come over the years.

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    Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja (2024)

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    There is ‘normal’ experimental/weird music, and there is Oranssi Pazuzu weird, which is 100x more intense than the latter. Unleashing their sixth full-length release with “Muuntautuja”, the band goes down into the depths of hell and delivers seven unnerving tracks that are both intense and insane. Anybody familiar with the band would not expect anything less, and for nearly 45 minutes, they manage to push the boundaries of aural assaults with their music, creating one truly chaotic and ravaging release.

    In no time, the band immediately grabs the listener with their hypnotic opener “Bioalkemisti”, a track that slowly lures them into the band’s madness. The hellish vocals and crafty samples work wonders until the deranged guitar work unleashes its magic. With the album title track we get an interesting ‘drum and bass’ core aligned with crazy samples and electronics to create a very bleak soundscape. If the listener is not smitten already, “Voitelu” and its creepy subtle keyboards allows the band to further expand the atmospheric madness of this release.

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    Wintersun - Time II (2024)

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    Unleashing one of the most cinematic Metal releases of 2024, today we have Finland’s Wintersun and their opus “Time II”. Filled with the band’s signature Melodic Metal approach mixed with lush symphonic elements, this release delivers six dramatic tracks that cover nearly 50-minutes of superbly engaging and elegant music. The band continues to improve and enrich their sound and this release elevates it to a whole new level.

    Opening with the instrumental “Fields of Snow”, we get a continuation of the Asian elements that the first “Time” release had, creating a very lively and engaging atmosphere. The epicness starts with the ravaging “The Way of The Fire”, featuring some insane lead guitars by none other than Teemu Mäntysaari, alongside dramatic symphonic arrangements and very well crafted tempo changes. This song gives vibes of a mixture of Children of Bodom meets Warmen meets Ensiferum, so you know it is beyond awesome.

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    Simone Simons - Vermillion (2024)

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    Finally getting around to unleashing her ‘solo’ music, Simone Simons of Epica fame delivers one of the most bombastic and explosive Symphonic/Progressive Metal releases of 2024. Featuring ten tracks and over forty six minutes of music, this album shows the versatility of Simone’s vocals and creativity. With tracks reminding us from everything between Epic and Ayreon, this release will certainly be a hit with her fans and fans of the genre.

    Opening with the mysterious “Aeterna”, we get a very bombastic and engaging first taste into this excellent release. More than just more of the same, the tracks in this release add electronic and progressive elements to clearly delineate that this is Simone’s own project and not just an extension of Epica. Tracks like, our personal favorite, “In Love We Rust”, really showcase her vocals in a different light, with more of an Ayreon-esque edge.

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    Fleshgod Apocalypse - Opera (2024)

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    As one of the most anticipated releases of 2024, today we have Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse marking their return with the impressive “Opera”. As their first full length release in five years, this album delivers ten tracks and nearly 45 minutes of high-octane Orchestral arrangements paired with crafty Technical Death Metal and lush vocals. With a very lively pace and masterful arrangements, this release is definitely one of the best that the band has ever released.

    Setting the mood with a very operatic opener, “I Can Never Die” opens this release with pummeling drumming alongside dramatic orchestrations and the super vocals of Veronica Bordacchini. Francesco Paoli handles the growls quite well, providing masterful contrast between the female counterparts. Aside from being explosive and crafty, the band’s music perfectly exploits catchy and cinematic elements to keep this release rolling with excellent songs like “Pendulum”, “Bloodclock”, and the Omen-esque “At War With My Soul”.

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    HammerFall - Avenge the Fallen (2024)

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    Unleashing their signature electrifying Power/Heavy Metal, today we have legendary HammerFall and their latest opus “Avenge the Fallen”. Featuring ten superbly catchy tracks and nearly 50 minutes of music, this release reinstates the fact that the band shows no signs of slowing down and they can still put out some killer songs and create epic headbanging moments.

    Coming out of the gates with guns blazing, the album title track creates a very Epic vibe with crafty vocal arrangements perfectly supporting Pontus Norgren’s classic guitars and Joacim Cans signature vocals. With a very stripped down and ‘old-school’ sound, the band continues to deliver hits like “Freedom” and “Hail to the King”. We love that they don’t rely on synths or gimmicks to create their engaging and timeless music.

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    Alcest - Les chants de l'aurore (2024)

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    As one of the most awaited releases of 2024, “Les chants de l'aurore” sees Alcest reaching new heights with their seventh full-length release. With a five year gap since their last release, Neige and Winterhalter are back with seven highly dreamy and engaging songs, clocking in at nearly 45 minutes of music. The band’s sound continues to be refined, keeping their core ‘ethereal’ dreaminess, but it also explores new textures and elements, creating an even more immersive and surreal experience.

    Opening with “Komorebi” sets a very magical and ethereal stage with lush guitars alongside crafty atmospherics and masterful drumming. Neige’s clean vocals quickly set the mood and this track has very nice tempo changes with some excellent melodic passages and crescendos, creating a very traditional Alcest-like vibe. This brilliantly continues on pieces like “L'envol” and “Améthyste”, where the Blackgaze atmosphere nicely blends with more Post-Rock-style moments.

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    My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding (2024)

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    The legendary My Dying Bride is back with another mournful release filled with their magical Gothic/Doom Metal exploits. With nearly 55 minutes spread around in seven tracks that showcase the band’s signature powerful style. Never disappointing, the band always delivers very engaging and diverse releases and “A Mortal Binding” is no exception.

    Opening with “Her Dominion”, we instantly get the signature Andrew Craighan riffs alongside the band’s crafty tempo changes, with the drumming handled by Dan Mullins since his return to the band last year. The perfect balance between the fragility of the atmospheric elements like the subtle keyboards and violins is nicely outflanked by the staple combination of growls and dramatic clean vocals of Aaron Stainthorpe, and tracks like “Thornwyck Hymn” and “The 2nd of Three Bells” really exploit these elements.

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    Korpiklaani - Rankarumpu (2024)

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    The always lovely and enjoyable music of Korpiklaani is usually on our drinking party rotation. With the band releasing an album almost every three years, “Rankarumpu” arrives just in time when we need some new party songs. The band’s style has been well refined over the years and they are completely dialed in producing some superbly catchy and lively music, over 43 minutes in this release. If you are a fan of the genre or the band, this album does not disappoint.

    Led by the charismatic and talented vocals of Jonne Järvelä, the band’s Finnish folk tunes onslaught starts strong with the perkiness of “Kotomaa” and “Tapa sen kun kerkeet”. The band’s instrumentation is always quite diverse and engaging, with cool intricate details and a very epic folky vibe on songs like “Aita”, “Saunaan”, and “Mettään”. With the band always keepings things catchy and engaging, each song has its own unique soul and magic.

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    Aborted - Vault of Horrors (2024)

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    With almost 30 years of existence, Sven de Caluwé’s Aborted is one of those quintessential Death Metal bands that while it has kept their sound fresh, it also delivers chugging tracks that will leave your neck sore from all the headbanging. With “Vault of Horrors” the band plays homage to horror movie classics in a well crafted manner. Clocking in at 40-minutes, this release delivers ten tracks of sheer brutality that any fan of the genre will enjoy.

    Opening strong with the intricate drumming/riffs combo of “Dreadbringer”, the album sets a very high-octane tone and never really lets go. The band enlisted one guest vocalist per track, giving Sven’s vocals that extra kick and allowing their sound to have a more diverse range, as tracks like “Condemned to Rot”, “Brotherhood of Sleep”, “Hellbound”, and “Death Cult”.

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