Spring is officially here and
it’s the last Saturday of March, so it’s time for the Harbinger’s Killer Picks!
So, here we go as I shine the light on my most listened to releases this month.
First, longtime friends of the blog know that I don’t
typically shine the spotlight on singles as I’d rather focus on EPs and LPs,
but as the landscape of music releases evolves over time, singles are often
released that don’t end up on any EP or LP later down the road. So, every now
and then, a single (or two) comes my way and I just have to talk about it. Such
is the case with this double bill of singles that couldn’t be more different—a
thrash metal track and a goth rock tune—but they do share one thing in common:
they’re from UK bands. Released March 1st, Durham, UK thrash metal legends
Toranaga UK’s latest single, “Crash and Burn”, a melodic and punishing song
that will make you raise your fist and shout. It ranks among the band’s best
tunes, a catchy, solid riff-fest from beginning to end. I’m very eager to hear
the band’s next full-length release after last year’s awesome A New Order EP. Next up, Birmingham, UK
goth rock duo Black Rose Moves returned on March 20th with an
earworm of a single, the cinematic “If I Was Here”, hot on the heels of last
year’s stellar EP, Death Dance, and marvelous
single, “Club of Sin”. Grant Leon’s vocals are reminiscent of Jim Morrison and The
Sisters of Mercy’s Andrew Eldritch and are sure to be a delight to the ears of
gothic rock and darkwave fans everywhere.
Toranaga UK on Bandcamp
Black Rose Moves on
Bandcamp
Second, a proto metal/heavy psych band from my hometown
of Montreal, Quebec, Canada by the name of Fangus released their debut LP, Emerald Dream, through From the Urn
Records on March 13th. Formed in 2022, the quintet has garnered quite
the rabid following locally over the past couple of years, having released a
five-song EP titled Meet the Reaper
in the summer of 2024. Emerald Dream is
like taking an occult trip to the ‘70s and it’s a hell of a fun ride. Some
highlights for me include the incendiary second single, “Pyre of Love”, which
might just be my fave track on this record, with singer Jim Laflamme sounding
at times like a more raucous version of the Lizard King himself, Jim Morrison;
the organ-driven “Psychoid Telepath” with its prog leanings coming straight out
of a nightmare; the endless riffs of “Quest for Fire”; the psychedelic
instrumental title track; the first single, “Shapeshifter”, which is a perfect
snapshot of the LP with its heavy prog vibes; and the phenomenal closer, the
menacing “Stardust Regulator”, short, sweet, and incredibly catchy. Emerald Dream will haunt you in your
sleep; it’s a record that leaves a lasting impression from the first to the
last note. Fangus features a bunch of uber-talented musicians that have crafted
a unique-sounding album that borrows from decades past to fuse with a surreal
atmosphere and give listeners a bewitching musical experience. Fans of Led
Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and stoner rock will find a lot to love
with this record. Give Emerald Dream a
spin at your earliest convenience, you’ll be spellbound.
Fangus on
Bandcamp
Third, Iceland’s power metal sextet
Power Paladin returned yesterday with their sophomore effort, Beyond the Reach of Enchantment, via
ROAR, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Hot on the heels of their
successful 2022 debut, With the Magic of
Windfyre Steel, the band’s passion for fantasy and heavy metal soars once
more. I was under the impression Power Paladin had been around longer. I
remember hearing a couple of singles from their previous LP and enjoying them.
This is the perfect type of music for D&D fans of all ages and, of course,
power metal aficionados. As I’ve stated before, I’m not the biggest fan of
power metal but it has grown a lot on me in recent years. Still, I have to be
in the right kind of mood to truly enjoy a power metal offering from the likes
of Helloween, Primal Fear, and Orden Ogan. I can listen to traditional heavy
metal or thrash metal anytime, but power metal is at times a little too … energetic
for my taste, especially with its characteristic machine gun double bass
drumming. For me, the highlights of this sweeping saga include the first single
and vigorous—pardon the pun—opener, “Sword Vigor”, which I’d single out as the
best song of the LP; “The Royal Road”, a high-octane melodic tune that’ll have
you singing along the chorus with your fist in the air; the anthemic,
guitar-driven “Camelot Rock City”; and the ambitious epic closer,
“Valediction”, with its galloping guitars and guest female vocals (I have no
idea who she is) duetting with singer Atli Guðlaugsson. Overall, Beyond the Reach of Enchantment is a
solid album that’s missing a little something for me to elevate it to the state
of marvelous. I’m pretty sure it’s because power metal isn’t fully my thing. Power
Paladin enthusiasts will surely get a huge kick of this excellent follow-up and
fans of Helloween and Blind Guardian will no doubt dig this record as well, and
maybe discover a new power metal band all at once.
Power Paladin’s Official Website
Fourth, Aussie rock outfit The Neptune Power
Federation will return with their 7th album, Mondo Tomorrow, via Cruz Del Sur Music on April 10th. Frontwoman
Screaming Loz Such and her four cohorts focus on the perils of technology this
time around and go back to their punk rock roots in the process. The Imperial
Priestess and her band continue their adventures along the retro rock route,
making music that sounds like it belongs in the ‘70s. I first became aware of
this wonderful band only two short years ago—although they’ve been around since
2012—with the release of their previous record, Goodnight My Children, and really dug their music and overall
aesthetic. Mondo Tomorrow is another
concept album that’s just as enjoyable as its predecessor, if not more. What I
love about this band is that they sing about gloomy themes while making upbeat
music, much like classic New Wave tunes (think Tears for Fears’ “Mad World”). Some
of the highlights for me include the first single and title track, a catchy,
high-energy anthem that’s almost poppy; the second single, “And the Bones Decay”,
is an absolute delight that follows in the same vein; “Living in the Gutter” is
a great sing-along tune; “Mind Controller” might just be my favourite of the
bunch, an earworm with pop sensibilities; and “Rhapsody in Blue”, a hook-filled
rocker that’s got nothing to do with the Gershwin musical composition of the
same name. Screaming Loz Such and the whole band in general, really, remind me
at times of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts or even Jett’s first band, The
Runaways, with their vibrant brand of music. With Mondo Tomorrow, The Neptune Power Federation delivers a high-octane
album chock-full of infectious choruses that’s sure to be played on repeat by
long-time fans as well as newcomers.
The Neptune Power Federation on Bandcamp
Fifth, Turin, Italy’s
crossover/thrash metal quintet Ural will return on April 23rd with their fourth LP—and sixth
release overall as they also have two EPs—titled Anthropic Genetic Involution via boutique label Xtreem Music. This
is a blistering record from top to bottom, folks. From the opening fury of the
first single, “Extreme Paranoia”, to bangers like “Break the Fall”, the
powerful “Wrong Children”, the killer riffs of “God of Lies” or the catchy
sing-along chorus of “Wasteland”, Anthropic
Genetic Involution is relentless and filled to the brim with anthemic group
chants, scorching guitar solos, and crushing rhythm for days. They also put
their own spin and stamp on Jazz legend J.J. Johnson Quartet’s “Flat Black”
with superb results. Singer Andrea Calviello’s vocals are reminiscent of Rage
Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha at times and really fit the band’s style.
Ural is one of the best discoveries I’ve made this year. They’ve been around
for 15 years and already have a fervent fanbase in Italy and Europe; Anthropic Genetic Involution is the
album that could push them to a broader, worldwide awareness. Simply put, it
features a murderer’s row of hits. They do old school thrash metal just the way
I like it and I’m sure fans of the genre will find themselves listening to this
LP with a big old grin on their face. So, to all the thrash/crossover metal
fans out there, do yourself a favour and grab Ural’s brilliant new album ASAP.
It’s definitely a record that will make its way to my Top Ten Albums of the
Year in nine months.
Ural on Bandcamp
And there you have it, folks! First quarter of the year is in the books! Tune back here on April 25th to see what the Harbinger’s Killer Picks will be. Until then, stay safe and crank up the tunes!
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