ANOMALY is Live on Amazon!

Greetings dear readers! My sci-fi short story “Anomaly” is now available on Kindle at all Amazon stores and priced $0.99 US ($1.36 CAD). It’s 45 pages long and, while it’s a self-contained story, it’s also the first part of what I call The Orion Trilogy. The second and third stories will also feature self-contained tales of the further adventures of the recon ship The Orion. Here’s the official synopsis for “Anomaly”:

“The Orion, a recon ship with a crew of six, is sent to rescue the members of an expedition whose ship has crashed on an uncharted ice planet called Glacia. Before too long, this quick grab-and-go mission turns to tragedy. They encounter a malevolent being that is both merciless and enigmatic. In the vastness of space, it’s a mysterious journey filled with danger and cosmic wonder. Will the two ships’ combined crews make it out alive?”

Here are the links to purchase it in the US, Canada, and the UK:

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon UK

Until next time, have a great rest of summer and happy reading! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – July 2025

Summer’s in full swing and July is soon coming to an end. The Harbinger took the month of June off, but he’s back! It’s the last Saturday of the month, so it’s time for the Harbinger’s Killer Picks. Here are my top five picks of the month, in chronological release order.

First, Reflection, the much-loved Greek epic metal band, unleashed their latest LP, The Battles I Have Won, via Pitch Black Records on June 20^th. This was a band I’d never heard of and, man, what a great discovery this was when this LP landed in my inbox! For the uninitiated, Reflection has been around since 1992 and this is their fifth album. Their sound is a cross between Iron Maiden and Manowar, but more epic, more mythical. This is their first record with vocalist Kostas Tokas and it makes a world of difference for me. I sampled their previous LP, 2017’s Bleed Babylon Bleed with their former singer and it did nothing for me. On this present record, the band fires on all cylinders. From the kick-ass opener, “Only the Swords Survive”, to the three catchy singles “The Battles I Have Won”, “Lord of the Wind”, and my personal favourite, “Siren’s Song”, there isn’t a dull moment on the entire LP. Kostas Tokas’ soaring vocals remind me a bit of Scorpions’ Klaus Meine at times—he’s that talented. Other highlights include “Celestial War”, which embodies the definition of an epic tune; “March of the Argonauts”, a memorable galloping song with a fitting title; and “Lady in the Water”, a fine example of old school metal at its best. The Battles I Have Won is pretty much the perfect metal record in my opinion. From its gorgeous cover artwork to its songs of grand scope set to a landscape of powerful, melodic metal music, it’s my favourite album of the summer. Whether you’re familiar with Reflection or not, if you like metal music, you owe it to yourself to pick up The Battles I Have Won. It’s a shoo-in for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list.

Pitch Black Records’ Bandcamp Page for Reflection

Second, Dominic Harrison aka YUNGBLUD, released his much-anticipated fourth LP on June 20^th, a love letter to his musical influences titled Idols. A couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of the phenomenon that is YUNGBLUD. It took his much-lauded performance of “Changes” at the Black Sabbath/Ozzy Back to the Beginning tribute concert to get me curious to see/hear what the fuss was all about. And I’m here to tell you, believe the hype, this dude is legit! He reminds me of the revelation that was Lady Gaga for pop music about fifteen years ago; YUNGBLUD is just that, but for rock music. At times, the lavish production reminded me of Meat Loaf’s 1977 masterpiece Bat out of Hell. Some of the highlights for me include the emotional opener and first single, “Hello Heaven, Hello"; the insanely catchy second single “Lovesick Lullaby"; the phenomenal third single and my personal favourite song of the album, “Zombie”, an homage to healthcare workers; the awesome The Cure-inspired "Monday Murder"; "Ghosts", a powerful song with U2 vibes; the memorable "War", and the superb closer, "Supermoon", channeling David Bowie and Elton John. YUNGBLUD wears his influences on his sleeves on Idols and you can clearly hear shades of Bowie, Queen, U2, The Cure, Oasis and many other Britpop staples throughout. The only fault I would give this album is that due to the orchestrations, at times it sounds a little too bombastic for my taste, but overall, it’s a polished record from the opening riffs to the closing verses. A gifted singer and songwriter, YUNGBLUD has crafted in Idols a record that will be cherished by his generation for years to come.

YUNGBLUD’s Official Site

Third, Sunderland, UK Goth/Punk trio Black Rain released their self-titled debut album on July 14^th. The band describes itself as too goth for punk and too punk for goth; it’s the best of both worlds, in my opinion. A band and an album that showed up out of nowhere for me and turned out to be one of the nicest surprises of the summer. First off, the guitar tone on this album is ten shades of awesome. Black Rain’s edgy energy cuts through the darkness to give us an outstanding collection of songs. The first five tracks are traditional studio cuts while the following four were recorded raw live, I would assume in a studio as they don’t sound like they were performed in front of an audience or in a club. In any case, it’s a seamless listening experience and this record packs a hell of a wallop. The first single and opener, “Inside”, sets the tone for the entire album, a rain of nostalgia pouring down with ‘80s vibes galore. “Save Me” has echoes of The Cure and Sisters of Mercy; “Shotgun” is a bass-driven gem. “Shadows Cry” invokes a smoky, nighttime atmosphere while the second single, “Broken Words”, has a vintage sound to it that harkens back to the glory days of Punk and Goth. Another highlight for me was the penultimate track, “I Suffer Alone”, an introspective, half instrumental tune that gains momentum as it goes along to reach its sonic climax. Black Rain delivers a record chock-full of intensity with catchy melodies, splendid licks, pulsing rhythms, and riffs for days. Josh Cowey’s haunting vocals shine throughout the album. Black Rain is a short and sweet affair, running a brisk 31 minutes, but it’s a record that you’ll want to spin over and over again deep into the night.

Black Rain on Bandcamp

Fourth, alt-rock ‘90s legends Bush returned with their tenth album on July 18^th, titled I Beat Loneliness. I haven’t listened to a Bush LP since the ‘90s, back when they went under the name Bush X! I used to own their first album, Sixteen Stone, on CD and enjoyed it a lot back in the day. I bailed out after that, but have heard their follow-up, Razorblade Suitcase, many times at various friends’ places over the years. The last song I’d heard from them was the awesome “Bullet Holes” back in 2019, a track featured in the film John Wick 3. When I heard the first two singles for this new album, they sounded great, so I figured I’d give it a spin or two. It sounds like a logical evolution of Bush’s ‘90s sound. Gavin Rossdale pretty much sounds the same as he did back in his prime. This is a very personal album for him and the care he put into it can be heard throughout. While not reinventing the wheel, Rossdale and company still manage to deliver catchy hooks and melodic choruses for the vast majority of the album’s runtime. The highlights for me are definitely the two singles, "60 Ways to Forget People" and “The Land of Milk and Honey" (my personal favourite on this record), as well as the opening track, “Scars”, which sets the tone for what follows; the title song, the excellent “I Beat Loneliness”; "Love Me till the Pain Fades", and “Footsteps in the Sand". The London quartet delivers a collection of solid tunes with I Beat Loneliness. I think long-time Bush fans will really dig this new record. If you used to listen to Bush during the glory days of grunge and lost track of them over time, then maybe the nostalgia factor will pull you in and you might just have a blast.

earMusic’s Page for Bush

Fifth, Reigning Phoenix Music partnered with Hasbro to release the G.I. Joe-inspired band Cold Slither’s first eponymous album yesterday. If you were a boy who grew up in the ‘80s, then you most likely watched the G.I. Joe cartoon after school. I watched it religiously, collected the Marvel comics, and had over 50 action figures that provided me with literally thousand of hours of fun as a kid. This band is based on the cult-classic G.I. Joe episode Cold Slither from 1985 where Cobra Commander comes up with the idea of having Zartan and his Dreadnoks (Ripper, Torch, and Buzzer) form a metal band to play music with subliminal messages to brainwash the masses. The song they perform in the episode, “Cold Slither”, is wonderfully covered by the band here and was the LP’s first single. We get various audio samples from G.I. Joe episodes throughout the record which help immerse the listener in a nostalgia-filled experience. Some of the highlights for me include “Knock ‘Em Dread”, the catchy second single; “Torched”, a high-energy tune that would’ve felt right at home in the G.I. Joe episode; “Under the Dreadnok’s Spell” with its terrific rhythm and guitar licks; “Master of Disguise”, an earworm that’s the most melodic tune on the LP and which should absolutely be the next single; and “The Ballad of Buzzer”, a bona fide ballad and a pretty effective one at that. Reigning Phoenix Music strikes gold again with this project. Cold Slither, the album (and the band) is a total blast from top to bottom. It’s a light-hearted, super fun hard rock/metal album that is sure to please G.I. Joe aficionados as well as non-fans. I, for one, hope that this isn’t a one-off and that we’ll hear more music from this band in the years to come.

RPM’s Page for Cold Slither

And that’s all, folks! I hope you got a kick out of the July issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks. HKP will return on August 30^th to wrap up the summer season. Until then, stay safe, enjoy the summer breeze, and crank up the tunes! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – May 2025

The lovely month of May is soon coming to a close and summer’s just around the corner! It’s the last Saturday of the month, so it’s time for the Harbinger’s Killer Picks. Here are my top five picks of the month, in chronological release order.

First, Austrian trad metal quintet Venator released their sophomore LP, Psychodrome, on April 25^th via German boutique label Dying Victims Productions. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the spring/summer and I’m here to tell you that it delivers in spades! It's already been three years since the release of their phenomenal debut LP, Echoes from the Gutter. After an atmospheric synthwave instrumental intro, “Steal the Night” opens the LP, a banger of a track with a cool retro ‘80s vibe. “Children of the Beast” follows, a head-bobbing tune with a catchy chorus. The Maidenesque “The Final Call” features some bad-ass bass courtesy of bassist Stefan Glasner that leads into the trio of singles: “Radar” is a highlight of the LP and an instant classic; “Race to Glory” is solid as steel; and “Dynamite” is infectious and actually more of a driving tune than the previous song. “Fear the Light” showcases frontman Hans Huemer’s wide vocal range with a higher-pitched song, while every band member shines on the stellar “Astral Seduction”, a gem of a song to close out the set. Venator is a force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy metal music. Had they been around circa 1985, they would’ve fit right in alongside legends like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Chock-full of vintage metal, soaring vocals, and fiery guitar solos, Psychodrome is a definite contender for the Top 10 Albums of the Year list and a fantastic album to spin all summer long and beyond!

Dying Victims Productions’ Bandcamp Page for Venator 

Second, Romania’s purveyors of ice metal, Persekutor, returned with a new EP titled Vlad But True on May 9^th. This is a band that I’ve come to love over the last two years since the release of their breakthrough album, Snow Business, in 2023. It’s a fun and catchy LP that I find myself going back to regularly. This new EP continues in the same direction, featuring snow-themed tunes, giving us four tracks for a runtime of about fifteen minutes. The title track gets the ball rolling, hearkening back to the glory days of ‘80s metal. “Cold Blooded” is a slower song than usual for the band, with cleaner vocals. The first single, “Eternal Snowstorm”, is pretty good but personally, I’d have gone with the closing track, “Cold Sweat”, instead; a hard rocking number that stays with you long after the EP’s stopped spinning. Vlad But True is a decent EP, but on the whole, it doesn’t quite reach the level of enthusiasm and old school metal fun that its predecessor did. Still, lead singer Vlad and his Persekutor crew deliver a cool pack of songs if you’re looking for a quick listen. Here’s hoping we get a full-length soon from this talented band as I’m sure they still have lots of icy metal in store for us.

Persekutor on Bandcamp

Third, French old school metal quartet Animalize made their triumphant return last week with a new LP, Verminateur, entirely sung in French via the Dying Victims Productions label and I’m here for it. How time flies; it’s already been three years since Animalize’s kick-ass debut album, Meat We’re Made Of! This time we’re treated to ten tracks—nine songs and an instrumental—all sung in French as opposed to three songs out of nine sung in French on the previous record. I, for one, find that to be a great decision; maybe I’m biased because French is my first language, but I find the band sounds more comfortable singing in their native tongue. On top of that, Verminateur is an all-around more polished LP than its predecessor, and just as fun but more mature. Less thrashy and more melodic, from the opener and first single, “Armées de la nuit” coupled with the second single, “Damnée”, they’re off to a killer start with plenty of ‘80s-inspired guitar solos—and a tremendous videoclip for the second single. “Cheval astral” is a scorcher of a tune that gallops 100 miles/hour; the title track gives off a cool Motley Crüe vibe; “Au jugement de soi”, the latest single—with yet another fantastic videoclip—is a catchy, melodic, radio-friendly track; then the dark synth “Invasion” instrumental interlude serves as prelude to “Envahisseurs”, a banger of a track with exciting guitar dualling; the atmospheric melancholy of the piano-driven “Prière de remords” showcases a different aspect of Animalize and is a highlight of the record; “Bons baisers d’outre-tombe” is the perfect soundtrack for a horror movie in your mind with its pulsating synths and riffs for days—a standout track for sure; “Reviens-moi” with its driving rhythm brings the curtain down—what we used to call a ballad with teeth in the old glory days of metal. No sophomore slump here, folks. It’s hard to pick a favourite tune on an album of favourites; Verminateur is an exhilarating LP from beginning to end. Animalize have a winner on their hands and it’s sure to please old school metal fans all over the world, especially francophiles.    

Dying Victims Productions’ Bandcamp Page for Animalize

Fourth, doom and sludge trio Goya out of Phoenix, Arizona will unleash their fourth LP, In the Dawn of November, on June 13^th via Blues Funeral Recordings. It’s been eight years since their last LP, Harvester of Bongloads, and I’d heard many great things about this band but had yet to experience their music. I’m glad I finally got around to hearing Goya because if you dig crushing riffs and sludgy doom, then this band and album is for you. From the get-go, the first single, “In the Dawn of November”, is a fantastic heavy doom gem that sets the tone for the entire record. “Cemetary Blues” follows, a graveyard love song full of gloomy imagery; “Depressive Episode”, the second single, is an exercise in self-loathing that might very well be the catchiest tune of the album; “Sick of Your Shit” continues along the same vein as the previous song but this time the anger is aimed at the outside world; the epic, 12-minute opus “I Wanna Be Dead” is thick with atmosphere and represents doom at its finest while “Comes with the Fall” is a fuzzy, almost cosmic instrumental to bring this dark ceremony to a close. In the Dawn of November is a bleaker than bleak affair with a palpable sense of hopelessness throughout, and sometimes, that’s just what the doctor ordered. At times reminiscent of the angst-ridden industrial albums of the ‘90s, In the Dawn of November is a well-crafted, outstanding LP from beginning to end. Goya have a winner on their hands and a sure contender for the Top 10 Albums of the Year list.   

Goya on Bandcamp

Fifth, Cincinnati, Ohio’s Electric Citizen are finally making a comeback on June 27^th after a seven-year absence with their fourth album simply titled EC4 via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. A follow-up to their excellent 2018 album, Helltown, honestly, I was beginning to wonder if we’d ever get another release from this terrific heavy psych/classic rock/doom quartet. From the get-go, “Mire” cracks it open, a vintage blend of rock showcasing Laura Dolan’s siren vocals along with dreamy organ. The two singles follow, “Static Vision” and “Smokey”, where catchy riffs and a flurry of guitars and organ abound. “Traveler’s Moon”, the lengthiest track, is a solid rocker while “Tuning Tree” and “Moss” put the band’s gentler side on display—they’re absolute beauties that are highlights of this record for me. The bass-driven “Lizard Brain” is fuzzy and hypnotic with its infectious chorus. The percussion-heavy “Other Planets” has an epic feel to it and “Flower of Salt” with its dreamlike quality is the perfect closer for this outstanding LP. EC4—which sounds like the name of a drug—is actually a sonic drug; once you listen to it, you’ll crave it again and again. We should all be thankful that Electric Citizen are back and still making awesome music—maybe their best LP yet—and the clear album of the month for me. Let’s just hope that they don’t vanish for so long next time and that they stick around for many years to come.

Heavy Psych sounds Records’ Bandcamp Page for Electric Citizen

And there you have it, folks! That’s the May issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks. I’ll be taking some time off next month so there won’t be an issue of HKP in June. If all goes well, however, I’ll have a sci-fi short story out sometime in July on Kindle as my alter ego Alan Draven. And the Harbinger’s Killer Picks will return for the July issue on July 26^th. Until then, stay safe, enjoy summer, and crank up the tunes! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – April 2025

April showers, make way for the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! It’s the last Saturday of the month, so here are my top five biggest albums of the month, in chronological release order. I wanted to include Venator’s Psychodrome which dropped yesterday, but I’ve only had time to give it one spin so I’ll save it to review it for the May issue of HKP.

First, Swedish hard rockers H.e.a.t released their latest opus, Welcome to the Future, yesterday via earMUSIC. My real introduction to this awesome band came in the form of 2023’s Extra Force, which was a compilation album of sorts, released hot on the heels of 2022’s Force Majeure, marking the return of original singer Kenny Leckremo. I’ve become a big fan of H.e.a.t since and Welcome to the Future was one of my most anticipated albums of the spring. They’re back with their trademark arena rock, synth-laced sound and it’ll be an album I’ll be listening to all summer long and beyond. The first four tracks of the LP happen to be the four singles released thus far. From the earworm opener, the dynamic “Disaster”, to the melodic old school ballad, “Bad Time for Love”, the high-energy “Running to You”, to a strong highlight of the LP, the very definition of a memorable ballad with “Call My Name”, H.e.a.t are off to the races and keep coming with the hits. Other highlights for me include “Rock Bottom”, which isn’t a cover of the famous KISS song but rather a cool sing-along anthem; the electrifying “Children of the Storm”, truly one of the best tracks on here; and the bass-heavy “Tear It Down (R.N.R.R.)” which is my absolute favourite song of the LP. Welcome to the Future is a solid collection of 12 songs that, while covering familiar territory, H.e.a.t proves to be ever reliable, continuing to deliver rock gems after being at it for 17 years. The band is as relevant as ever as a top-tier rock/metal band. I’ve said it before; if H.e.a.t had been around in the ‘80s, they would’ve been just as big as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. If you like hard rock/hair metal from the ‘80s with pop sensibilities, then you’re bound to love Welcome to the Future. It certainly is a worthy contender for the Album of the Year list.

earMUSIC’s Page for H.e.a.t

Second, Olympia, Washington’s power metal quartet, Hangfire, are set to release their debut LP, Burn, on May 2^nd via Rottweiler Records. Led by ubertalented vocalist Jenea Fiore, Hangfire is a force to be reckoned with in today’s metal landscape. From the opening one-two punch combo of “Hunger” and “Thunder”, to the catchy melodic, single-worthy “Warhawk” featuring a standout guitar solo; the energetic earworm first single “Headspin”; the gorgeous ballad “Falling Awake”; the headbanging “SOS”; the killer tune that is “The Hunter”; the fantastic old school rocker “Outlaw”; the banger title track “Burn”; the gentle gem “The Cold”, to the closing track and second single, “Fire in the Night”, Burn fires on all cylinders. A generous collection of a dozen truly memorable songs fully showcasing Fiore’s vocal prowess, guitarist Sean Searls’ shredding ability, bassist Steven Tolbeck’s thumping basslines, and Shannon Laird’s rapid-fire drumming. Burn is an Album of the Year candidate of the highest degree, providing the listeners with an exciting blend of melodic heavy metal honouring the glory days of metal legends from the ‘80s. It’s an incredibly impressive debut from a gifted bunch of musicians and every metal music aficionado owes it to themselves to take Burn for a fiery spin. 

Rottweiler Records’ Bandcamp Page for Hangfire

Third, Barrie, Ontario heavy psych quartet AAWKS will return with their sophomore LP, On Through the Sky Maze, on May 2^nd via Black Throne Productions. I love this band. I’ve been covering them since their early days. Their first LP, Heavy on the Cosmic, cracked the top five of my Top 20 Albums of 2022. Sometimes bands veer in unexpected musical directions and it polarizes fans. A good example was Metallica’s Load back in 1996, which lost them a lot of fans (and probably gained them some new ones as well). Sadly, On Through the Sky Maze, is such an album for me. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in the minority, but this is a record that after a handful of listens over the course of the past six weeks, has left me with the same sour taste as upon my first spin of it. Let me explain. When the first single “Celestial Magick” dropped, I was both intrigued and slightly worried. I loved the heavier and doomier sound, but I was wondering why they chose to add screaming/growling to what would’ve been a perfect song in my opinion. When the album landed in my inbox, I braced myself for a first listen and my suspicions were confirmed: the vast majority of the tracks feature screaming/growling courtesy of bassist Ryan “Grime Pup” Mailman. My initial reaction was why would you scream/growl as if you were singing in a black metal band? To be fair, it does somewhat fit the heavier/doomier vibe they have going on this record, but it certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It sure as hell isn’t mine. To me, the screaming ruins in large part what would otherwise be a phenomenal album.

The aesthetic AAWKS shoot for on On Through the Sky Maze is fully realized. From the LP’s cover art featuring their mascot, the mysterious hooded figure, to the more polished doom sound, lyrical progression, and musical evolution they have on their follow-up to their beloved debut album. The inclusion of samples of sound clips from old horror movies throughout the songs is brilliant and fits the theme and tone of the album to perfection. Some of the highlights of the LP for me (minus the bloody screaming) include the majestic first single, “Celestial Magick”; the Sabbath-worship of the third single, “Lost Dwellers”; the previously released mysterious “The Figure” (although I much prefer the version found on their Luna EP); “Wandering Supergiants” with its eerie violin; and “Drifting Upward” with its spacey keyboards has almost a meditative quality to it. On Through the Sky Maze is bound to divide AAWKS fans who fell in love with the heavy psych aspect of their music. For me, the sporadic demonic-sounding screaming/growling grates on my ears and makes me want to skip songs entirely at times. It makes for a very frustrating audio experience. That kind of screaming is prevalent in today’s metal music though, and my understanding is that it’s quite popular, so I know I’ll be in the minority feeling this way about its inclusion. Regardless, one can’t deny that this sophomore effort from AAWKS shows maturity on all levels and, as I’ve stated, would even surpass their debut LP if it weren’t for the damn screaming. In any case, I still wholeheartedly recommend listening to it if you’re an AAWKS devotee or a fan of heavy music in general. Just don’t expect the same kind of trip you had on Heavy on the Cosmic. Here’s hoping the band tones down the screaming on their next release. 

AAWKS on Bandcamp

Fourth, reinvigorated shoguns of UK Thrash Metal Toranaga U.K. will release a four-song, 23-minute EP on May 19^th aptly titled A New Order. Featuring two brand-new songs and two re-recorded classics from their second LP, God's Gift from 1990. I wasn’t familiar with Toranaga but, man, this band can hang with the best of them! I also gave God’s Gift a full spin to get a better feel for Toranaga’s origins and it’s a terrific vintage metal record. They label themselves as a thrash metal band but I’d put them more into the traditional metal category based on this EP. From the opener, the new track and current single “Desecration”, a catchy tune with galloping riffs; the slower tempo of the title track, “A New Order”, a fist-in-the-air, head-bobbing kind of tune; to the re-recorded classics “The Shrine” with its almost doomy vibe and the fantastic, dark “Sword of Damocles”, the older songs have a fuller sound here and the band plays them tight. A New Order channels the spirit of the heyday of ‘80s metal and finetunes it for the modern metalhead. Toranaga is a band that goes down easy like a cold brew on a hot summer day. I’m eager to hear more new material from them and I recommend picking up A New Order, especially for fans of Megadeth, Overkill, Iron Maiden, and Metallica.    

Toranaga U.K. Online

Fifth, another legendary U.K. Thrash band returns, this one hailing from Bristol, England, Onslaught will release a double album on May 23^rd titled Origins of Aggression as the first record of a new long-term contract with metal giants Reigning Phoenix Music. I’d heard of Onslaught over the years but had yet to hear one of their songs. After listening to this blistering double CD set, I am wondering why I’d never listened to their music before! If you’re not familiar with them, the best comparison I can make is that they’re like the UK’s answer to Slayer. Origins of Aggression celebrates the 40^th anniversary of their first album, Power from Hell. The first CD features a crop of ten re-recorded tunes from the band’s early days (1982-1989), while the second CD gives us some badass covers of punk and metal songs which contributed to define the Onslaught sound.

Disc 1 consists of ten tracks from Onslaught’s first three LPs, re-recorded with current frontman David Garnett on vocals: Power from Hell (1985), The Force (1986), and In Search of Sanity (1989). Some of my favourites include the punky, lean and mean “Black Horse of Famine”; the catchy “Angels of Death”; the anthemic “Power from Hell”; the instant classic “Metal Forces”; the epicness of “Let There Be Death”; the neck-breaker “Thrash ‘Till the Death”, and the rallying cry that channels vintage ‘Tallica, “Shellshock”. This CD is better than a Greatest Hits package, folks. The songs sound vintage and fresh all at once. It gives these tunes a second lease on life and is a perfect introduction for newcomers to this tremendous, underrated thrash metal band.

Disc 2 consists of twelve ferocious covers paying tribute to some of the best punk and metal bands from the ‘70s and ‘80s which have highly influenced Onslaught. They cover Motorhead, the Dead Kennedys, Discharge, The Exploited, Judas Priest, Killing Joke, the Sex Pistols, the UK Subs, and Black Sabbath. Some of the highlights for me include their scorching cover of Lemmy & Co., “Iron Fist”; the awesome Dead Kennedys classic “Holiday in Cambodia”; an impressive vintage Priest rendition, “Freewheel Burning”; a kick-ass delivery of the Sex Pistols’ “Holidays in the Sun”, and a crushing interpretation of Sabbath’s perennial classic, “War Pigs”. This set of covers is spectacular from top to bottom and showcases Onslaught really putting their spin on each track. Just one of these two CDs would’ve been a homerun of a release, but combined, it’s nothing short of astonishing and shoots its way deep into my Top Ten Albums of the Year candidates. Whether you’ve experienced the brutality of Onslaught before or you’re an Onslaught virgin, Origins of Aggression belongs in every metalhead’s collection.

Reigning Phoenix Music’s Page for Onslaught

And that’s all she wrote, folks! The May issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks will land on May 31^st. Until then, stay safe and crank up the tunes! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – March 2025

Last Saturday of March, winter’s almost over, and it’s time for the Harbinger’s Killer Picks! Another month stacked with awesome albums and I’ve got my top five picks for the LPs I enjoyed the most, in chronological release order.

First, Seattle, Washington doom metal duo Year of the Cobra returned after a six-year absence with their phenomenal self-titled album via the Prophecy Productions label on February 28^th. I first discovered this band in 2019 with the release of their second LP, Ash and Dust. I then proceeded to buy their other LP, ...In the Shadows Below (2016), and their two EPs, Burn Your Dead (2017) and The Black Sun EP (2015). I was blown away and couldn’t believe that this band only consisted of drum and bass. What? No guitars? Nope. Bassist/vocalist Amy Tung Barrysmith and partner, drummer Jon Barrysmith, have proven since their inception in 2015 that they are a powerhouse and do totally fine without a guitar in the mix. They’ve been one of my favourite bands of the last ten years and I was eagerly anticipating this new album. They hadn’t been completely quiet in the past six years, popping up on compilation albums from time to time. Amy also fronted the two Slower albums last year and I knew it was just a question of time until the dynamic duo returned with a proper collection of songs worthy of their crushing doom metal brand of music.

Year of the Cobra, the album, is nothing short of breathtaking. From the thick and heavy opener, the second single “Full Sails”; the riffs galore of the first single “War Drop”; the absolute earworm that is “Daemonium”; the infectious drumming rhythm of “Alone” paired with Amy’s formidable vocals; the vintage YOTC sound found on “7 Years”; the melodic, more mainstream-sounding “The Darkness”; “Sleep” which will make you nod your head and pump your fist; to the perfect coda, the aptly titled “Prayer”, a gorgeous, contemplative and gentle gem of a song featuring Amy on keyboards. If you like your doom metal low and slow, then you’ll love Year of the Cobra’s latest masterpiece. It’s got a grungy vibe at times that I really dig and showcases a different side of the duo that we hadn’t seen before on their previous offerings. Year of the Cobra is a feast for the ears. Whether you’re a long-time fan or this is your first time perusing their music—and I envy you for the delights you are about to unearth—this LP is stunning from top to bottom. Only time will tell, but this may very well be their finest record to date. It certainly is my album of the month and a definite contender for the coveted Album of the Year spot.

Year of the Cobra on Bandcamp

Prophecy Productions’ Bandcamp Page for YOTC

Second, post rock/heavy psych instrumental Italian trio Ikitan are back with their first full-length album, Shaping the Chaos, which was released on March 7^th. I first found out about this band in 2020 when they released their fantastic 20 minute and 20 seconds one-track EP titled Twenty-Twenty. I also conducted an interview with them back in August 2021. They followed up that release with a double single in December 2021, Darvaza y Brinicle, which was released as an EP on cassette and included “Twenty-Twenty” on Side B with the two singles “Darvaza” and “Brinicle” on side A. Their music has a unique quality to it that stands out from your everyday instrumental tracks thrown on an album as filler tracks. Shaping the Chaos is no different. The album includes those two catchy instrumentals as well as seven new pieces. Recorded over the last four years, the finished product showcases the band’s evolution and dedication to their craft. It features terrific guitar licks, heavy bass lines, and a thunderous drum sound. Apart from the afore-mentioned tunes, some of the highlights for me include the bass-driven, proggy opener “Chicxulub”; the album’s lead single, a riff-fuelled jam titled “Sailing Stones”—in relation to the name of the band, Ikitan, who is the alleged god of the sound of the stones; the majestic “Natron”, grand in scope, featuring a violin that beautifully complements the track; and “Bung Fai Phaya Nak”, a superb, gentler piece that is at times whimsical. Ikitan has gone to great lengths to deliver a memorable instrumental album in which each piece shapes its own identity. Fans of stoner, heavy psych, prog, and metal will find a lot to love on Shaping the Chaos.

Ikitan on Bandcamp

Third, veteran Greek stoner and heavy psych quartet Nightstalker made their triumphant return on March 14^th via Heavy Psych Sounds Records with their seventh album, Return from the Point of No Return. I wasn’t familiar with this band, even though they’ve been around since 1994, and upon receiving the promo e-mail, at first, I mistook them for the great French metal band Nightreaper. Anyhow, it rapidly proved to be a great find as I got hooked right away from the first few bars of the heavy opener, the kick-ass “Dust” which is desert rock at its finest. “Heavy Trippin”, the first single, is more laid-back while the second single, “Uncut” is an absolute banger and my favourite song on the album by a mile. Next up, the title track and third single, is a distorted, pounding tune while “Shipwrecked Powder Monkey” is a cool, slow jam. Lead singer Argy Galiatsatos’ vocals are highly reminiscent of Ozzy’s on the two last songs, the head-bobbing “Falling Inside” and the longest track of the record, the wandering “Flying Mode.” If you’re looking for a record that seriously rocks, Return from the Point of No Return delivers the goods aplenty. It’s an album filled with contrasting songs, from crushing desert rock to more languid bluesy riffs with Sabbathian undertones. Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d enjoy this record and it keeps getting better with every new listen. Return from the Point of No Return is quite the achievement for Nightstalker.

Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ Bandcamp Page for Nightstalker

Fourth, San Francisco thrash metal legends Heathen returned with a killer live album titled Bleed the World: Live on March 14^th via Nuclear Blast Records. I’d lost track of this band since the ‘90s and was happy to hear that they were still alive and kicking. They might have released only four albums in the span of 35 years, but they are simply fantastic performers live. The album features performances recorded in several cities across the United States during their 2023 tour. Bleed the World is not a full concert though; the band wanted the LP to fit on a single vinyl, hence this 40-minute, 9-track album. It’s the only gripe I have with it: It’s too damn short! I would’ve loved a full show from them, or at least a double live album. As it stands, Bleed the World is a splendid sampler of their four LPs and a great introduction to the band for newcomers. We get four excellent tracks (including a short instrumental) from their 2020 record, Empire of the Blind: “This Rotting Sphere”, “The Blight”, “Empire of the Blind”, and “Sun in My Hand.” The latter song is the live album’s lead-off single and has now become my favourite Heathen song ever. It’s catchy, melodic, and showcases the band’s old school roots with a modern edge. There’s a terrific song from 2010’s The Evolution of Chaos, “Dying Season”; the dazzling “Hypnotized” from 1991’s Victims of Deception; and two songs from their awesome debut LP, 1987’s Breaking the Silence, with the memorable “Goblin’s Blade” as well as their exceptional cover of Sweet’s 1974 avant-garde metal number, “Set Me Free.” I’m a huge fan of live albums. Given the choice between a band’s Greatest Hits album or a live record, I’ll pick the live LP any day of the week. Heathen’s Bleed the World: Live is a first-rate live record that deserves a spot in your Heathen LP collection or any metalhead’s audio library. It’s definitely one of the best metal releases of 2025 thus far. My interest in Heathen has now been renewed and I can’t wait to hear their next studio album.       

Heathen on Bandcamp

Nuclear Blast Records’ Bandcamp Page for Heathen

Fifth, Lady Beast unleashed their fifth LP and ninth release overall yesterday titled The Inner Alchemist via German boutique metal label Dying Victims Productions. This old school metal band from Pittsburgh has been unleashing awesome metal since 2009. They’re a cross between Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Motorhead. It’s been five years since their excellent previous LP, The Vulture’s Amulet, and four years since their last EP, the stellar Omens. Deborah Levine’s imposing vocals lead this band like a general commanding an army. The three singles (“Oracle's Omen”, “Inner Alchemist”, and “Off with Her Head”) are a top-notch representation of the nine-song collection that is The Inner Alchemist: killer tunes with brilliant guitar solos and catchy riffs with an unforgiving rhythm section. The highlights of the LP for me, however, are the gentle tune “Starborn” that turns ferocious with galloping guitars, and the menacing mystical metal of “Crone's Crossroads”, which gets my vote for best track of the album. “Feed Your Fire” is fast and melodic; “Witch Light” is a marvellous instrumental with its guitar frenzy; and “The Wild Hunt” is a solid meat-and-potatoes metal track. The Inner Alchemist is yet another outstanding release from this beloved traditional metal quintet. If you’re familiar with Lady Beast, then you know what to expect and they always deliver. If you’re not acquainted with this powerful metal beast, then you’re in for a hell of a good time. Long live Lady Beast!

Lady Beast on Bandcamp

Dying Victims Productions’ Bandcamp Page for Lady Beast

And another issue of the HKP has come and gone, folks! The April issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks will drop on April 26^th. Until then, stay safe and crank up the tunes!

Celebrate MLB’s Opening Day with a Baseball Short Story!

Greetings! Today is the day baseball fans have been waiting for: Opening Day! As a huge baseball fan, I’m stoked to watch my Cubbies get back in action (sure, we had the two games in Japan last week, but now baseball will be back for good). To celebrate the occasion, I’m publishing a Redux version of my 2018 baseball tale, “Scapegoat”, initially penned under the pseudonym Neal Vandar. It was only available as a free PDF in the past, but as of today, it’s now available on all Amazon markets on Kindle at the low price of $0.99 US / $1.42 CAD. I hadn’t read it since I first wrote it in 2018. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m just as proud of it now as when I wrote it. In fact, I’d say “Scapegoat” is one of my Top 3 best short stories. I polished it a bit and gave it a brand-new cover from a photo taken by yours truly at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. And it’s not just for baseball fans; I can promise you that even if you don’t know anything/or don’t care about baseball, if you like suspenseful time travel tales, then you’ll get a kick out of it. Here’s the official synopsis:

SCAPEGOAT is a short fantasy tale about baseball, the curse of the Cubs, time travel, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Sam Burke is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He has a special gift—or curse—depending on how one looks at it. If he concentrates hard enough and if the circumstances are just right, he can time-shift to transport himself to a different time and location for a few brief moments. More often than not, he fails and nothing happens. One afternoon at Wrigley Field, he attempts to time-shift to a fateful Cubs game in October 2003. To his surprise, he succeeds, but something goes wrong and he seems to be stuck there. He’ll soon realize that he’s in way over his head after he tries to change History. Will Sam be able to fix things and return to his own timeline?

You can purchase it through this link on Amazon.com for folks in the U.S.

Or you can pick it up via this link on Amazon.ca for my fellow Canuck readers.

Enjoy “Scapegoat” and the 2025 baseball season! I’ll keep you posted in the weeks to come on more updates about my sci-fi short story, “Anomaly”, including some artwork reveal. Until next time, happy reading! 

Harbinger’s Killer Picks – February 2025

The Harbinger’s Killer Picks is back in your life! Issue number 2 is here. This month was filled with an overload of great albums and I couldn’t narrow it down to only five, so I have a whopping nine picks for the LPs I listened to and enjoyed the most for February and March releases, in chronological release order.

Before I get started though, I’d just like to take a moment to say that I’ve left Twitter about three weeks ago, and that goes for both of my accounts (Harbinger of Doom and my Alan Draven author account). I refuse to continue to contribute anything to a platform that is owned by the dangerous, evil, megalomaniac Elon Musk. I don’t usually mix serious issues/politics with my work/art, but this is where I draw the line. The two accounts are still live and I won’t delete them (you never know if one day he doesn’t decide to sell the platform), but don’t look for me there anymore as I’ve logged out. Instead, you can find me on Bluesky (where I’ve been for the past three months) under my author name Alan Draven. This is my only Bluesky account and it will serve for both my author and Harbinger of Doom needs. Feel free to follow me there: @alandraven.bsky.social

Now that that’s out of the way, on to the albums. First, long-time readers of this blog are well aware by now that KISS is my favourite band of all-time. So, when a new project or release that’s KISS-related surfaces, you can bet it’ll get my attention. Such is the case when Kenn Nardi, of the outstanding KISS-centric franKENstein Creations YouTube channel, released on February 7^th an expanded musical theater version of KISS’s Music from The Elder, retitling it A World Without Heroes. The Elder has always been one of my Top 5 favourite KISS LPs and Kenn just made it even better! This, ladies and gents, is a work of art! Expanded to 26 songs, adding Elder-era tracks like “Nowhere to Run”, “Take Me Away (Together As One)”, and “I’m a Legend Tonight”, as well as Psycho Circus’ “Journey of 1,000 Years”—trust me, those songs all fit perfectly within this new narrative Kenn has spun—this 1hr45mins double LP deserves to be heard by every KISS fan, even those who hate The Elder (and Lord knows there’re a lot of you!). This is the true KISS concept album we’ve always wanted.

Kenn is like a mad scientist; as he did with KISS’s Hotter Than Hell a few months ago, he took very specific existing guitar/drum/bass parts from original KISS tunes and reconstructed the songs to some extent. He tweaked and rearranged some tracks, sometimes altering the lyrics slightly with Gene/Paul’s actual vocals to make them fit this new storyline. You can read about Kenn’s process in the video description on his YouTube channel and even listen to him talk about it at length with Mike Brandvold and Mark Cicchini on this week’s episode of the awesome KISS Podcast Three Sides of the Coin (links below). Kenn also made a gorgeous 30-page program to follow along as you’re playing the album. It really immerses the listener into a full-blown musical in two acts. It allows you to experience the story in great depth with details on the setting of each scene, who the characters are, the song lyrics, and more. The best part of all this is that it’s absolutely FREE!! I encourage you all to follow Kenn’s YouTube channel and share your thoughts on his work. He’s a super passionate KISS fanatic who puts a lot of time and effort into his reworkings of KISS songs and albums. His channel truly is a treasure trove of cool KISS remixes. While A World Without Heroes may be geared toward the more hardcore KISS fans, the rest of his channel’s content is bound to please even casual KISS and hard rock music enthusiasts.

franKENstein Creations’ YouTube Page for A World Without Heroes (MP3 download link in the video’s description) 

Three Sides of the Coin’s Interview with Kenn

Second, iconic prog metal giants Dream Theater returned with their 16^th album, Parasomnia, on February 7^th. I must admit that I’m a casual Dream Theater fan, so I really can’t tell how this new LP stacks up against the rest of their catalogue. I was introduced to them back in 1997 by a buddy of mine. I proceeded to pick up their Images & Words and A Change of Seasons albums on CD. I love both dearly but for whatever reason, I never followed their career after that and have only heard a handful of their songs since. Fast forward to Parasomnia for which I’d heard the first three singles and enjoyed at least two of them. For me, “Midnight Messiah”, while a straightforward tune, is the catchiest song on here and is my favourite track of the LP, followed closely by “Night Terror”, the first single. Clocking in at 71 minutes, which isn’t out of the norm for DT, the album flows harmoniously like a river with intermittent waves and rocky undercurrents. From the opening cut, “In the Arms of Morpheus”, an eclectic roller coaster instrumental which serves as a good sampler for what follows leading up to the epic nearly 20-minute closer, “The Shadow Man Incident”, which could be construed as the flipside to the opener, it’s a solid and diverse record. Another track worthy of mention is the almost poppy, at times Pink Floydesque “Bend the Clock”, a terrific song showcasing LaBrie’s vocals and the band’s musicianship in all its glory. I have a feeling Parasomnia will end up on many Dream Theater and prog metal fans’ Top Albums of the Year list at the end of 2025. Will it be on mine? Probably not, but I do believe it’s a strong release that is every bit worthy of the quality associated with the Dream Theater brand that fans have come to expect.

Inside Out Music’s Bandcamp Page for Dream Theater

Third, Houston's occult rock quartet Warlung released their fifth album, The Poison Touch, on February 14^th via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. A follow-up to their excellent 2022 outing, Vulture’s Paradise, this latest record is their most accomplished yet. It’s got a cool ‘70s vibe throughout and that always scores brownie points with me. It feels like a concept album of sorts. The highlights for me are the second single, “White Light Seeker”, which is probably the catchiest track on here; the ambitious centerpiece, the epic nine-minute long “Spell Speaker” featuring a splendid guitar solo; the slower-paced “The Sleeping Prophet”; and the first single, “29th Scroll, 6th Verse”, which ebbs and flows like a tidal wave with its slick retro sound. Warlung fans rejoice! The boys are back and better than ever. The Poison Touch is stacked with great tunes from beginning to end. If you’re new to the band, The Poison Touch is a great way to get acquainted with them.

Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ Bandcamp Page for Warlung

Fourth, Blackie Lawless and his winged assassins, W.A.S.P., put out a surprise digital release of their Bonus Tracks and B-Sides CD on Valentine’s Day. Taken from their gorgeous 7 Savage: 1984-1992 CD Boxset that came out in January, the release contains 15 tracks culled mostly from the bonus tracks featured on the deluxe editions of their first four LPs. For some reason, W.A.S.P. always flew under my radar and I wasn’t exposed to their music growing up in the ‘80s. Aside from their big hits “I Wanna Be Somebody” and “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)”, and their reputation for shocking live shows back in the day, I wasn’t that familiar with their music. That all changed last summer when I stumbled upon clips of their Album One Alive Tour. I liked what I heard so I proceeded to purchase their 1984 debut LP, their 1992 masterpiece The Crimson Idol, and their most recent album of new material, 2015’s Golgotha. Blackie Lawless is such an underrated singer and songwriter; he truly is one of the best in the business and I find he’s gotten even better with age. I instantly fell in love with the band and Golgotha, particularly, shot straight to my Top 30 favourite metal albums of all-time. If you haven’t heard it, I urge you to give it a spin, it’s absolutely phenomenal and very moving at times. The 7 Savage Boxset was a little too pricey for my budget so I skipped it, but I’m thrilled that this bonus tracks CD has now been released digitally. I picked it up without hesitating and I also purchased their 1987 Live…In the Raw album on the same occasion. That’s another must-have release, by the way.

Anyhow, back to this Bonus Tracks and B-Sides release. It features the afore-mentioned anthem, “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)”, a dazzling cover of the Stones’ perennial hit “Paint It Black”, a thunderous rendition of Led Zep’s “When the Levee Breaks”, and a stunning take on Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” which surpasses the original, in my humble opinion. Other tunes like “Savage”, “Lake of Fools”, and “War Cry” showcase the band’s diversity and Blackie’s ability to sing a wide range of musical styles. Bonus Tracks and B-Sides is a great companion to your W.A.S.P. album collection and a terrific old school metal LP from top to bottom. W.A.S.P. and non-W.A.S.P. fans will find something to cheer about in this eclectic collection of songs spanning their early years before the band sang less about partying and focused on more serious and mature issues. If anything, it’s a great way to get warmed up with Blackie & company before delving into their back catalogue. Do yourself a favour and pick this one up and grab one or two more of their LPs while you’re at it, you won’t regret it! MadfishMusic’s Bandcamp has a lot of their older albums while W.A.S.P.’s official Bandcamp has a handful of their more recent releases, including Golgotha.

MadfishMusic’s Bandcamp Page for Bonus Tracks and B-Sides

W.A.S.P. on Bandcamp

Fifth, Swedish heavy rock quartet Temple of Discord are set to release their debut LP, In the Ashes, via the mighty Ripple Music label on February 21^st. When I first heard that a new band fronted by Wytch guitarist Mattias Marklund was formed, I got instantly excited. Wytch’s 2021 Exordium LP is one of my favourite records of the last five years and, in my humble opinion, one of the best LPs ever released on the Ripple Music label. Marklund handles both guitar and vocal duties this time around and Temple of Discord’s music is more in the vein of heavy rock than the occult rock we were treated to with Wytch. The highlights for me are the second single, “Black Out the Sun”, which is also my favourite track and the catchiest tune of the LP; “Razor Me”, a song reminiscent of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds; the kick-ass, punky “All Their Lies”, and the closing track, the meditative “Rails”. While this LP isn’t on the same level as Wytch’s, it’s still a solid effort that will tide us over until Wytch release their sophomore album. Fans of that band owe it to themselves to check out In the Ashes and heavy rock aficionados are sure to find something they’ll like as well.

Ripple Music’s Bandcamp Page for Temple of Discord

Sixth, veteran German metal band Brainstorm will unleash their 14^th LP, Plague of Rats, via Reigning Phoenix Music on February 28^th. I hadn’t heard any of the quartet’s albums prior to Plague of Rats, but this was a great discovery for me. The second single, “Beyond Enemy Lines”, opens the album in classic metal fashion with a jolt of vigour. The first single, “Garuda (Eater of Snakes)”, follows and it’s one of the catchiest tunes on the LP. Other highlights for me include the ballady duet “Your Soul That Lingers in Me”; the high-energy “Masquerade Conspiracy”; the melodic earworm that is “The Dark of Night”, and the sing-along rock metal of “Crawling” which may very well be my fave track of the LP. Brainstorm delivers the metal goods aplenty. Plague of Rats is a fine album and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s consistent throughout and should satisfy Brainstorm fans as well as old school metal enthusiasts.

Reigning Phoenix Music’s Page for Brainstorm

Seventh, Dirkschneider, former Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider’s band, will unleash a reimagined version of Accept’s seminal 1983 LP titled Balls to the Wall RELOADED on February 28^th via powerhouse metal label Reigning Phoenix Music. I used to have the title cut on a metal compilation many moons ago on tape in the ‘80s during my teenage years. Apart from that, I have to confess that I’d never listened—to my knowledge, at least—to any other song from Accept until a few weeks ago. So, I went and sought out Accept’s original Balls to the Wall LP on YouTube to take it for a spin. I gotta say, it’s pretty good and it allowed me to appreciate a little more what Dirkschneider and friends did with this reloaded iteration. To be fair, I much prefer Accept’s original version of the songs, but that’s not to say these new renditions don’t stand on their own for modern audiences or even for fans of Accept or Udo Dirkschneider. For one thing, this is a duets album, meaning each of the ten tracks features Udo and a well-known metal legend collaborating together on the songs. The title track features Joakim Brodén of Sabaton; “London Leatherboys" has Saxon’s Biff Byford singing along, and we also get a star-studded cast of singers on subsequent tracks such as Mille Petrozza of Kreator, Nils Molin of Amaranthe, Michael Kiske of Helloween, Ylva Eriksson of Brothers of Metal, Danko Jones, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Tim “Ripper” Owens of Judas Priest & KK’s Priest, and the lovely Doro Pesch on “Winter Dreams”, which is one of the highlights of the album for me. Balls to the Wall RELOADED is chock-full of catchy metal riffs, arena anthems, fiery guitar solos, and reinvigorated rock ‘n’ roll classics. While I’m sure this LP won’t become the go-to release to listen to this vintage set of Accept tunes, Balls to the Wall RELOADED does reignite a spark to some old classic songs with a fresh approach. Old school metal fans everywhere should give this energetic new take to Balls to the Wall a listen; it’s a record that is as relevant as ever that’s been given a new lease on life.

Reigning Phoenix Music’s Page for Dirkschneider

Eighth, Swedish prog rock quartet Nebula Nine are getting ready for takeoff with their debut EP, The Last Sky Piercer, to be released on February 28^th. This four-track EP is a thing of beauty! From the gentle, melodic opener “Sky Piercer”; the superb traditional prog number “Terminal” with its nod to classic ‘70s prog with a modern edge; the hypnotic and heavy first single, “Blood Red Eyes”; to the meditative, drifting-in-space mood of “Maroons” as a closing track. The Last Sky Piercer is a multi-layered, highly-textured sonic experience that fully puts the musicianship of its band members on display. It’s a short, sci-fi concept album with a theme of a hopeful future for mankind. Fans of Yes, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd will find a lot to like here. Nebula Nine has a promising future in our universe and I, for one, am looking forward to hearing more from them.

Nebula Nine on Spotify

Ninth, Lordi, the legendary Finnish rock/metal band will return with their 19^th studio album, Limited Deadition, on March 21^st via Reigning Phoenix Music. This record is a ton of fun, folks. Lordi first came to my attention in 2006 with their now classic song “Hard Rock Hallelujah” when they won the Eurovision Song Contest that year. I bought their The Arockalypse (2006) album back then, but I sort of lost track of them in the years that followed, only hearing/seeing some of their songs pop up on YouTube over the course of the last fifteen years. And then Limited Deadition landed in my inbox about a month and a half ago and I gave it a spin. It instantly rekindled my interest for this wild and crazy band. This album is ten shades of awesome and features some of the best songs I’ve ever heard from Lordi. With a theme of ‘80s toys and the usual tongue-in-cheek horror references, it’s jam-packed with energetic, synth-driven hard rock earworms.

Some of the highlights for me include the catchy “Legends Are Made of Clichés”; the excellent 1^st single, “Syntax Terror”; the proggy “Killharmonic Orchestra”; the ode to horror flicks and horror magazine “Fangoria”; the 3^rd single, the clever “Hellizabeth”; and the super fun closing track, “You Might Be Deceased”. Limited Deadition contains sixteen tracks, including five cool humoristic adverts, and clocks in at 45 minutes. It’s hard to tell if long-time fans will dig this LP as much as I did since I haven’t kept in touch with the monster band’s output over the course of the last decade. I can at least promise that you’ll have a good time listening to this record. It’s infectious and it is proof that Lordi are still relevant today, well over thirty years since their inception. Newcomers to the band who’ve never had a chance to sample the band’s weird brand of rock/metal will most likely get a big kick out of Limited Deadition as it’s a very accessible record and one that goes down easy like a cold beer on a hot summer day. In any case, I declare Limited Deadition my album of the month and certainly a worthy contender for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list.

Reigning Phoenix Music’s Page for Lordi

And that’s all she wrote for the year's second, massive issue of HKP, folks! The March issue of the Harbinger’s Killer Picks will drop on March 29^th. Until then, stay safe and crank up the tunes!