I think most of us can agree that 2025 is going to be a heavy year — and probably the first of many. So there’s probably no better way to start it off than with some heavyweight fare from here, there and everywhere. Engage your core and get into the crash position:
SweetBeast | Illusion
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kelowna’s SweetBeast will make their debut full-length Illusions a reality in February. They offer a taste of their pressurized, psychedelic stoner rock sludge with the video for Illusion, which features vocal harmonies from Vancouver trio Space Queen. The album’s closing track, Illusion captures the essence of awakening and self-discovery, with fuzzed-out guitars and emotional solos that drive the message home. “We laid down this entire album, live off the floor, in just two days,” the band say. “Of course there were a few overdubs that we plugged in during that weekend but by the end of the two days, all that was left was the mixing and mastering… When we told the studio what we had planned to accomplish that weekend they thought we were crazy, and said it’s usually at least a week of studio time to get all those songs laid out. But we got it done and couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Kingsphere | Archetype
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Polish modern-metal outfit Kingsphere share the video for their latest single Archetype, delivering a memorable metalcore experience that is both aggressive and emotionally vulnerable. The band add: “It is an intense and dynamic track that captures the essence of our sound. It combines heavy, hard-hitting verses with melodic and emotionally charged choruses, creating a powerful contrast. The energy is elevated by intricate guitar solos that add an electrifying edge and depth to the song. The track also features a mystical bridge, offering a moment of atmosphere and intrigue before diving back into its relentless energy.” Over the course of two albums — 2012’s self-titled effort and 2022’s Enigmatic — Kingsphere’s sound has evolved naturally as they’ve grown as musicians and as a band. In the beginning, they focused on raw energy and heavy riffs. Since then, they’ve started experimenting with more dynamic elements — adding catchier melodies, atmospheric layers, and intricate rhythms — to create a more diverse and unique sound.”
Shores Of Null | The Last Flower (Live)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Italian melancholic dark metal outfit Shores Of Null will unveil the live album Beauty Over Europe in May. Its 10 tracks were recorded during their monumental 2023 European tour, which featured 35 shows across 18 countries, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the U.K., Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Hungary. Featuring songs from their critically acclaimed album The Loss Of Beauty, the live recordings — captured in Leipzig, Munich, Aschaffenburg, Budapest, and Belfast — preserve the raw and emotive energy of their performances. Each track reflects the band’s ability to blend melancholic melodies with crushing heaviness, offering fans a visceral live experience.”
Sin Of God | No Return
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hungarian extreme metal masters Sin Of God will release their fourth album Blood Bound in February. The band have come a long way since 2019, overcoming lineup changes and COVID to finally make their way to the studio in 2022 and ’23, with mixing and mastering completed last year. Boasting influences from thrash, ODM, and blackened and progressive death metal, Sin of God’s next sacrificial offering will please both old and new-school death metal fans. This full-length presents a collection of variations that exhibit brutality and softness. It is something fans have heard in the past from the band — but never like this. “We all think fans will love it,” adds guitarist Tamás Kis. “It’s somewhat different from its predecessors. It’s more complex and based on modern death metal. We built Blood Bound musically on contrasts. There are amazingly fast parts (260 BPM,) but really slow parts as well.”
Serpentyne | Prophetess Of Dreams
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Serpentyne enchant with Prophetess of Dreams, the first single from their upcoming album Tales From The Dark. This hard-hitting, fast-paced track is the album’s powerful introduction, showcasing the darker and fiercer side of the band’s evolving sound. Opening with a “barrage of bullet-like guitar riffs,” Prophetess of Dreams sets an intense tone. Lee Willmer utilizes an eight-string guitar to create unprecedented depth and heaviness, while the dual vocals of Maggiebeth Sand and Nigel Middleton add dramatic intensity. Lyrically, the track delves into humanity’s timeless desire to uncover destiny. The prophetess, a central figure in the song, unveils what lies ahead with lines like, “Tell my fortune today, oracle of answers, will my luck fade away, or is it here to stay?” This thematic depth, coupled with the band’s dynamic instrumentation, delivers a cinematic and immersive experience.”
Rod Rogrigues | Mom’s Lullaby
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Coming off his recently released, deeply emotional album Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2, Brazilian-Canadian guitarist and songwriter Rod Rodrigues returns with the video for Mom’s Lullaby. This poignant single fuses blues and progressive rock together in an accessible and heartfelt instrumental that the listener can sink into. Rodrigues explains: “This is the most emotional song I’ve ever written. It’s a heartfelt ballad dedicated to my mom, who has always been my biggest musical influence and supporter. When I was little, she would sing lullabies to help me fall asleep, and this song is my lullaby for her.”
Lunar | Spring In My Step
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sacramento progressive metal outfit Lunar’s lyric video for Spring In My Step offers listeners another captivating glimpse into their upcoming concept album Tempora Mutantur, due at the end of January. It continues the band’s exploration of seasonal metaphors and personal transformation, promising a musical journey that blends intricate metal with introspective storytelling. Drummer Alex Bosson comments: “This song is more upbeat and about the good times we feel revitalized. When you’ve made it through a rough patch in your life and realize you’ve come out the other side. This song has some really fun moments musically and, I think, is one of the more proggy songs on this record.” One of the more upbeat songs on the album, Spring In My Step, the track embodies the band’s approach to songwriting — creating music that is both technically complex and emotionally accessible, inviting listeners to find their own meanings within the layers of sound and lyrical metaphor.”
Marble Ghosts | Distance Between
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Marble Ghosts, the Canadian boundary-pushing ensemble known for their distinctive blend of metal, grunge, and punk influences, will release their EP The Greatest Divide in April. Here’s the explosive first single Distance Between. “From the opening lyric of the EP, ‘Here we are in the greatest divide,’ the songs explore the ever-growing rift between almost every part of modern-day society,” they say. “From the rich and the shrinking middle class to widening gaps in political and religious ideologies, the EP was inspired by our reality.” Musically, the single shows off its punk-metal roots, never relenting from beginning to end. The biting rapid-fire verses meet the band’s characteristic soaring choruses. The band shows off their guitar chops with a blistering solo that perfectly matches the song’s energy. The song crescendos with another feverish solo over top desperate screams.”
Slug Comparison | March Through The Forest
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rising from the creative depths of Fen vocalist and guitarist Doug Harrison, Slug Comparison launch the fuzzy and upbeat March Through the Forest. Emerging from an unconventional creative process, the track marks a bold departure from previous acoustic-driven sounds into a more aggressive, electric-driven aesthetic. Harrison explains: “This song came after a hike with a friend in the North Shore mountains of Vancouver. The day started off damp and cold. As we climbed, it began to snow, a dusting at first, but it cast this beautiful veil over the ground wherever the trees opened up into a clearing. We kept going, and it was a whiteout by the time we finally reached the summit. Then we stood there at the edge of these sheer granite cliffs that we couldn’t see below us, and ravens wove in and out of the clouds, disappearing and reappearing. March Through the Forest is an account of that day, which was a good one.”
Marko Bojkovic | From Within
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Set to unleash his latest and eighth studio album Powercore at the end of January, prog guitarist Marko Bojkovic has one more treat for fans with this final preview single. Featuring guest vocals from Gabe Vermund, From Within is an empowering composition of progressive, power, and metalcore. Bojkovic states: “We all have a power within us, and we already have that power! We didn’t get it from training or experience; we just have it! All you have to do to realize you have it is to believe in yourself! This song also has the best guitar solo that I’ve written by far because it’s the perfect showcase for my current style!”
Aitheer | The Serpent
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Finnish progressive metal band Aitheer’s debut album The Serpent is due Feb. 21. Building on the introspective vibes of their 2020 Sleeper EP, The Serpent represents a bold evolution. Formed in 2017, Aitheer have transitioned from a cover and jam project to a pioneering force in the music scene, now ready to take you on a dynamic 32-minute musical voyage. This album explores new sonic territories, blending progressive metal with rock, jazz, classical, and ambient influences, creating a theatrical and cinematic experience. The meticulously crafted arrangements feature talented musicians, including session drummer Toni Paananen. The title track is an experimental piece combining groovy basslines with psychedelic and cinematic elements, embodying the album’s spirit of pushing musical boundaries. This is the first Aitheer song with Finnish lyrics, adding an exotic twist to their hypnotic and dynamic nature.”
