Canadian heavy metallers Traveler have at last unleashed their debut self-titled album! I have been looking forward to their release since their hard-hitting demo in 2018. Like the demo, this album opens with “Starbreaker,” a melodic and deliciously riffy traditional metal-sounding track with a driving bass sound and a catchy chorus. Traveler does not joke around with double guitar melodies. Even their instrumental cover of “Konamized” turns old-school video game music into p

If you’re confused about which Rhapsody and/or Rhapsody variation released The Eighth Mountain, it’s the one with Alex Staropoli as lead composer and Giacomo Voli as lead vocalist. I don’t know much about the new saga that Staropoli is embarking on, but the first (real) track “Seven Heroic Deeds” is a decent opener for your classic epic symphonic metal journey. Voli has quite an aggressive delivery and a brighter voice, as opposed to Fabio Lione’s warm, operatic style. Backin

As a long time fan of German metal opera supergroup Avantasia since their albums were actually called Metal Opera, it took me a long time to gather my thoughts about their latest release Moonglow. I wholeheartedly welcome mastermind Tobias Sammet’s departure from classic 90’s Euro-power sound. Even with my expectations of a Meatloaf-inspired glam-theatrical extravaganza, Moonglow was all sorts of surprises. Since the early years, Avantasia is known for writing long, dramatic,

Italian 5-piece band Frozen Crown stood out to me among new European power metal acts because of their speed, skillful balance of lead guitar, clean vocals, and harsh vocals. In their sophomore album Crowned in Frost, lead composer Federico Mondelli seems to be experimenting with longer tracks, atmospheric riffing, more vocal harmonies, more blast beats, and an overall heavier sound. If we’re going to make comparisons to winter-themed bands, think less Sonata Arctica and more