An absolutely MASSIVE week for NMM for you today, with a whopping 20 albums for us all to check out. Let’s dive in!
Ghost: Skeletá
Potentially the most anticipated rock album of the year, up alongside Sleep Token, this release has an insane amount of hype to live up to. They have morphed into one of the biggest bands on the planet in recent years, and this album may finally finish making them a household name. The singles have been utterly incredible, and as a.big fan of the band, I’m just hoping the rest of the album lives up to them.
I think, for the most part, it very much does. However, right out of the gate, I do want to say that the arrangement of this album is horrible. Having your three biggest and best songs open the album and then launch into a slower, power ballad after that is certainly an interesting choice. It would have been nice to have spread out the singles just a little. Having said that, songs like ‘Missilia Amori’ or ‘Marks of the Evil One’ would also be strong contenders for singles, so there is certainly quality throughout. Heck, I have almost all of this album on my playlist and have listened to it throughout the weekend, so it’s clearly good. The band have really carved out their own niche, not just in their style but their sound; no one sounds like this, or does the 70s/80s revival-modernised stuff quite so masterfully. The band are all insanely talented, and some of the riffs again are fantastic. Tobias’ vocals are arguably the best I’ve heard them, too, and he’s written some infectiously catchy, massive choruses that are going to be stuck in the back of the worlds collective brains for the rest of the year.
It’s wild to say, but I feel like, as much as I enjoyed the album at first, it is still a grower, too. It’s been a while since I’ve loved a Ghost album front-to-back, but this one definitely has that feel to it for me. Even the closing ballad is pretty great. Just in the three of four times I’ve had it on already, I feel like it’s gotten better. They prove here why they are such a massive name here, and very much claim their throne was this release. I’m obsessed already, and I can’t give it any less than 10/10, despite it’s minor flaws. It’s going to be very high on our top albums list in December, that’s for sure!
Machine Head: UNATØNED
One of my favourite bands of my teens, the legendary metallers dropped off big time for a bit for me, before exploding back in a major way with 2022’s ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN (I don’t know why Robb’s obsessed with the crossed O’s either, sorry!). I’m hoping beyond hope that they can keep that momentum going with this release, as they’ve had some incredible runs of albums in the past. I haven’t actually checked out any of the singles yet, but after seeing the complaints and some middling reviews, I am a touch sceptical…
I do understand the average reviews now. It’s aait. Like, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but it certainly doesn’t live up to the last album, let alone their best releases. It feels more like Catharsis than I hoped it would; Robb’s attempt to try and blend together their weird late-90s sound with the thrashier 2000s output. However, when they do go full Locust, like the latter half of single ‘UNBØUND’ or even the Bloodstone-meets-Parkway-style ‘BØNESCRAPER’, it’s pretty great! Heck, I didn’t even mind the slower, dark-ballad ‘BLEEDING ME DRY’, it being another big Bloodstone-vibe. I know it’s not what a lot of their fans listen to the band for, but being a huge fan of that album, hearing more like it is awesome. However, having said that, I do feel like Robb sings maybe a little too much on this. I never thought he had the strongest cleans to begin with, so stuff like ‘SCØRN’ or, more egregiously, ‘NØT LØNG FØR THIS WØRLD’, aren’t for me. It’s a shame too, as the lyrics and composition of the former are beautiful.
I’m hoping this grows on me. It’s not bad my any stretch. I think it’s more a product of the fact that Machine Head one of the best back catalogues of any band, in my opinion, so when a release doesn’t quite live up to the best, it’s hard not to be a little disappointed. It’s still better than a good lot of other stuff out there, let’s be honest. I love a solid half of this album, and will certainly be listening more over the coming weeks and months, that’s for sure. So, for now, I’m going to give it a tentative 8/10, though it may very well get higher with more listens!
Willie Nelson: Oh What a Beautiful World
Considering Willie’s incredibly steady output still, some six plus decades into his career, this album is releasing with a surprising amount of hype surrounding it. Heck, we’ve reviewed at the very least his last couple from last year here at Overtone. However, after listening to this release, I can see what all the hype was about. I made no secrets that I wasn’t a big fan of Last Leaf on the Tree. However, this release is miles ahead of that one, in this writers humble opinion. ‘What Kind of Love’ is a fantastic opener and feels like classic Willie. Then you have songs like ‘The Fly Boy & the Kid’ and the Rodney Crowell featuring title track that are also firm highlights. Yes, it’s slower and a very traditional country sound. But it’s exactly what you’d expect from Willie; the perfect, well-written, chilled-out country album. It won’t be for everyone, but if you are a fan of the man or his particular, legendary brand of country music, give this a listen. It’s a fantastic addition to Willie’s extensive (an understatement at this point) discography, and gets a solid 7.5/10 from us. Just a damn good-time listen!
Wednesday 13: Mid Death Crisis
We’ve already checked out this awesome release! Check it out here.
Stereophonics: Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait
The Welsh rockers are back with album number 13. I’ve been a fan of the band since I was a kid, and we even checked out their previous output, Oochya!, which I remember enjoying more than I clearly did! Either way, I found myself really enjoying this album! It’s incredibly easy to listen to, fun and catchy throughout. Whether it’s slower stuff like the opener or rockier numbers like ‘Eyes Too Big for my Belly’, there’s plenty to love. It also certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome, being just eight tracks at not even half an hour. Kelly’s vocals sound just as good as ever, and the lyrics and delivery throughout are fantastic. If you’re into the softer stuff, this is definitely the album for you! It may be my favourite release from them since Pull the Pin. It’s a solid 7.5/10 from us!
Billy Idol: Dream Into It
The rock legend himself is back with his first studio album in 11 years. It’s… it’s something, that’s for sure. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting the near-70 year old to have much energy and umph left (though we do have Willie Nelson just above), but some of this isn’t great, honestly. The soft-rock opener was a bad choice to kick the thing off with, especially when the punkier ‘Too Much Fun’ is right there not long after. I think my issue more lies with the fact that the three guest tracks sound more like the guests than Billy songs, and I wanted just a fully new Idol album. Hell, the Joan Jett song arguably sounds like Coldplay than anything else! Arguably, the songs that he’s on his own, well at least some of them, are better. It was just very soft-rock, and for some reason unexpected. ‘Gimme the Weight’ is probably my other favourite song on it, and the rest may grow on me. However, it doesn’t quite measure up with the classics, or even his last album. It just feels like it’s missing something, though I can’t quite place my finger on it, aside for it having a bit more rock to it. If you’re a fan of Billy, you may still get some enjoyment out of it, but sadly for me it’s a solid 6/10. Not bad, but not too much of my sort of thing.
Deerhoof: Noble and Godlike in Ruin
The experimental indie pop-rock band are back with their first release since 2023s Miracle-Level. It’s certainly experimental, that’s for sure! And while it took a little getting into, I do think I started to enjoy the heavier, math-rockier parts of the release by the end. Though it’s weird for sure, it’s hard to deny the sheer talent, especially in the riffing and instrumentation in songs like ‘Sparrow Sparrow’ or ‘Who Do You Root For?’. Sadly, it is nearly impossible for me to get past the vocals. They aren’t my thing at all, being grating as anything and honestly being a little tough to listen to at times. I hate to say it, but they ruin what could have been at very least an interesting listen for me. I know it’s certainly going to have fans, and for those people I’m sure this is a good album. But for me, it was a hard listen, and not something I’ll be revisiting. I’m very sorry, but it’s a 2.5/10
Kyle McKearney: To the River
The Canadian alt-country artist released his third album, another two years after his last. It’s been highly anticipated by us since January when we spoke to Kyle about it when we interviewed him. However, I don’t think I quite expected the sheet quality of this thing. It’s an Americana, blues, soft rock tinged country masterpiece, honestly. It’s another release I’ve had on at least twice through this weekend and can’t get enough of. And, while every song is incredible, I do have a few that I favour slightly over the rest. From the opener to ‘Broken Hearts Hide’ to ‘These Drugs’ and ‘Wedding Day’ to ‘The Man From Beaverlodge’ and ‘Hold On Goodbye’, there is some truly special music on this thing. However, as I said, every song on this thing is amazing and well worth a listen.
I know he’s technically already been mentioned this week, but this gives slight Elive Shane vibes. However, this time it’s less about the actual sound, and more about how Kyle so interestingly and authentically blends so many different styles together, forming something truly unique. And because he came out of nowhere this year for me and I’ve very quickly become obsessed! And some of the lyrics… DAMN.
So, in case you couldn’t tell, I VERY MUCH recommend this album. Don’t get me wrong, I know it won’t be for everyone, but I’d recommend anyone reading this check it out; it’s more than worth it! I’ve spun it a lot over the weekend and will continue to do so in varying capacity through the rest of the year, I’m sure. I can’t give this any less than 9.5/10, but after another listen or two it may even go up to perfect!
Employed to Serve: Fallen Star
One of the leading lights of UK modern metal, Employed to Serve returned last Friday with their highly anticipated new album. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about it, too? It’s fucking awesome, as we all knew it would be! Blending together the very best bits of the likes of Spiritbox, Poppy and even Lorna Shore, while leaving out some of the less heavy parts, the album goes hard throughout and is filled with incredible riffing and brutal screams. And, while the songs featuring Will Ramos, Jesse Leach and Serena Cherry are definite highlights, they also have plenty of awesome tracks on their own. Single ‘Breaks Me Down’ is incredible and builds perfectly, while ‘Brother, Stand Beside Me’ is one of my favourite tracks the band have ever released. The band deserve every incredible accolade they are gaining recently, and this album really speaks to why that is. If you are a fan of the heavy stuff, you NEED to hear this, they are the future of metal music. 8.5/10
H.E.A.T: Welcome to the Future
One of the leaders of the modern-day AOR revival are back with their second new album since Kenny’s return. We’ve been extremely hyped for this release here at Overtone since seeing them play a couple of tracks from it at Winters End a couple of months back. Opener/lead single ‘Disaster’ has been firmly rooted in my rotation since then, and shows no signs of leaving any time soon! It’s my favourite track of the album, but it is by no means the only standout. Honestly there isn’t a bad track on the release, but stuff like the Bon Jovi-like ‘Running to You’, ‘Rock Bottom’ and ‘Tear it Down’ are all big personal highlights. I’m so glad Kenny’s back in the bad, and this honestly may be the best album he’s been a part of with H.E.A.T. The band are criminally underrated, at very least in the UK, and this album is a true testament to their sheer insane talent and songwriting ability. They do their sound better than few else, and arguably better than most bands in the 80s who inspired them! I cannot recommend this album enough, and I’m going to be listening to it a lot in the coming weeks and months. 9/10
Viagra Boys: viagr aboys
The Swedish art-punk band’s fourth album is maybe their best yet. The band very much feel like the modern day incarnation of Dead Kennedys, in their lyrics and style and attitude, but certainly have more of a lighter/popper edge to their instrumentation. It’s not going to be for everyone (heck, I had this on in the car and the Mrs was giving me some funny looks) but I found myself really enjoying it! The opener, ‘Pyramid of Hope’ and ‘You N33d Me’ are all personal highlight tracks, but if you’re into the genre it’s a solid album from front-to-back. Check this out if you’re interested, it’s a lot of fun and it’s some of the best lyrics I’ve heard this year. It’s a solid 7.5/10 from us!
The Storyteller: The Final Stand
The Swedish power metal band are back with album number seven. At this point I don’t even think epic is the word. They have fully mastered the European power metal sound, easily rivalling the likes of Avantasia and Hammerfall. From massive riffing to the insane drumming to the soaring, catchy vocals and harmonies, it’s all excellent. Songs like ‘That Eyes Cannot See’, ‘This Time Tomorrow’, the beautiful ballad ‘Sweet Lullaby’ and the heavy, epic closing track are all personal highlights. So too was the quirky, almost tribal, folky ‘They Will Fear our Battlecry’, but in a totally different way. However, there isn’t a bad song on the album, really. My only point I would make is that it’s odd having a power metal band where all their tracks are pretty standard length. The album is a touch long but doesn’t feel it as there is almost nothing over six minutes. I like it when power metal is able to breath a little. Having said that, it is a very minor gripe, and doesn’t ruin the album in any way, just my personal preference.
If you’re into power metal in any capacity, I’d absolutely recommend checking this album out. It’s well worth a listen and is a lot of fun! It’s a solid 8.5/10 from us, and is up there alongside the likes of Hammerfall, Sabaton and Beast in Black’s latest releases. They deserve to be so much bigger than they are currently!
James and the Cold Gun: Face in the Mirror
A band that are gaining a lot of traction in the UK underground rock scene, the South Wales quartet are back with their sophomore album. Their vague blend of indie, blues, and punk with a traditional hard rock sound is fantastic, and the bands energy throughout is infectious. From the big riffing to the catchy vocals and awesome lead lines, every track is so meticulously well crafted, and all feels massive and like it begs for mass radio airplay. Songs like single ‘Guessing Games’, ‘Twist the Knife’ and ‘A Way Out’ are highlights for me, for sure. It gives off slight Kasabian, early Arctic Monkeys, and even a bit of Royal Blood alongside their contemporaries in the likes of Those Damn Crows and Virginmarys. It’s very easy to see how the band have been so successful this early into their careers, and this album will surely push them to even greater heights! It’s a very easy just-over-30-minutes of rock music to listen to, and if you’re a fan of any of the bands or genres I’ve mentioned above, I’d certainly recommend this release! It’s a very solid 8/10!
Trick or Treat: Ghosted
Time for more power metal, but this time with a spooky, halloween-like tinge. Honestly, it’s a really interesting, fun twist on the formula that I don’t think I’ve really heard before. It made for a pretty fascinating, unexpected listen, and one I enjoyed a lot. Heck, any long-term readers here know that I love it when things get a bit spoopy! Oh, and did I mention the band are all ridiculously talented, too? From the insane drumming to the fantastic riffing to the powerful, soaring vocals singing some incredibly catchy melodies and the almost Synyster Gates-like a times lead guitars, it’s all phenomenal musicianship. And the quality of the writing more than lives up to their playing talents, too. It’s almost impossible to pick highlights as every song is so good.
It’s hard not to compare it to the other European horror-inspired power metal band, Dominum, but they have a bit more traditional edge to their sound, and arguably a little more Maiden to it as well. They also remind me a lot of Fellowship, which is certainly not a bad thing! We even get an Alestorm-like song in ‘Return to Monkey Island’ feat Chris himself!
I cannot recommend this enough! It’s an absolutely incredible metal album, no matter the subgenre, and if you’re into the heavier stuff at all, give this a try, you certainly won’t be disappointed. My only slight complaint would be that it’s a touch long, but honestly it’s all so good I honestly couldn’t pick a song or two to cut, so it’s hardly an issue. The band have a huge new fan in me, and I’mma have to go back and check out the rest of their back catalogue! It’s an easy 9/10 from us!
Void King: The Hidden Hymnal – Chapter II
The US stoner-doomers are back with a sequel to their 2023 release. It’s somehow even more stoner-doom than the band name would have you believe, too. And, pardon my French, but it’s fucking awesome. Long, plodding tracks filled with incredible riffing, dark lyrics, solid drumming and surprisingly fantastic vocals; what’s not to love! It’s another album that’s so hard to pick out highlights for too, as it all feels like it should be listened to in one full listen. Just sit in a dark room with your headphones on and get lost in the epicness. It also draws together other elements that I really wasn’t expecting; like some Alice in Chains-style stuff when it drops back in the opener or Iron Maiden with some of the soring, vibrato notes. Of course, alongside everything from Candlemass to High on fire, too. Heck, they even channel some Tool energy at times, which I LOVE. And the occasional scream… DAMN. Honestly, as good as the instrumentation is, the vocals really set this apart from their peers.
The band are insanely talented musicians and songwriters, and how they aren’t a bigger name by their fourth album at this point is beyond me. If you are into not just stoner-doom, but metal in general, do yourselves a favour and check this out! It may be long, but it is so worth it! It gets a solid 9/10 from me, and I’mma have to check out Chapter I now to see how it compares!
John Morgan: Carolina Blue
We’ve also reviewed this release! Check it out here.
Bad Milk Blood Robot: A EYE
The psychedelic grunge rockers follow up their debut from last year with this second slab of interesting, experimental rock music. Heck, the first wild thing to me was that we got a full 4 minutes into the opening track before we got any vocals. However, said track, ‘Humanity’, built up the bands and albums sound perfectly, setting the tone for what is to come. It’s followed by the awesome ‘Anxiety’ and ‘Man V Machine’. The latter especially reminds me of some of the weirder side of Faith No More, not that that is at all an issue! The whole album is pretty Patton-coded, with ‘Svenlana’ being pretty darn Bungle.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very odd album, and it’ll certainly be for a niche audience, but the band do what it is they do incredible well. The lyrics and vocal delivery are of course high points, but so too is the riffing and drumming. It’s a fun listen that I’d certainly recommend checking out if you’re curious! 7.5/10
Echos of the Extinct: Era of Darkness
More epicness, this time from the extreme metal Finnish. It’s heavy, that’s for sure, and is pretty fantastic. It’s easy to compare to Cradle of Filth, but it feels like there is more to it than that; also having elements of melodeath and black metal added in for good measure. I was hearing bits of everything from In Flames to Rotting Christ. I mean heck, you just have to listen to opener ‘Remedy’ to get the perfect representation of what the band are about, and there’s still another five other tracks after it! From the incredible riffing to some truly amazing breakdowns and some of the best screams in the business, the bands talent is truly underrated. And the production on the album, from a smaller band, is honestly phenomenal! The dynamics and the panning… *chefs kiss*. It’s only six tracks long but every single one is a highlight in its own right. And it doesn’t feel like it goes on too long, or is too short, really being the perfect length for the style. If anything, it just left me wanting more! It won’t be for everyone, but if you like the brutaller side of metal, check this out; you’ll surely love it as much as I do! The band have a huge new fan in me, and this is a solid 9/10 from us!
Matthew K. Heafy: True Believers
A bit out there as it’s the soundtrack to a slasher comic series of the same name; and an instrumental, more electronic sound than we usually cover. However, I never miss a chance to cover Me Heafy, and somehow we went a full year last year without any coverage of the man or his many projects, so I was definitely checking this out. It’s still pretty heavy-sounding and industrial in a cyberpunk kinda way. I’m not gonna lie, I had it on while I was cooking and had a blast listening to it! Matthew is an exceptionally talented individual and has made something that feels like a fantastic soundtrack. It’s certainly hyped me up and made me want to check out the comic, especially when it has some other incredible names attached to it! ‘Killr Theme’ was probably my favourite as it got pretty heavy and the riff was great. And of course, when he gets to include his incredible screams and cleans (and another killer riff) ‘Too Far Gone’, it’s another big highlight. It won’t be for many readers, but if you are at all curious, or a fan of more retro-style videogames, check this out, it’s well worth a listen! 7/10
Game Over: Face the End
The sixth album from the thrash titans is the start of a new chapter for the band. Going up to a five-piece with the addition of Danny on vocals and Leo on bass, it seems to have breathed new life into the band! This is a damn awesome thrash album, and metal album all round! From the expectedly awesome riffing, blistering solos and great drumming to the fantastically powerful and catchy vocals, as well as the amazing songwriting throughout, it’s a masterclass of thrash metal. The band don’t take it too seriously as well, single and highlight track ‘Neck Breaking Dance’ being a true testament to what the genre can do when slightly sillier. Still, it can get serious, and songs like ‘Grip of Time’, ‘Gateway to Infinity’ and the slower, epic, Metallica-like ‘Crimson Waves’ are all massive highlights on an album honestly packed full of them.
I was vaguely familiar with the band before this, but only a track or two. Well, this album has won me round in a massive way, and is honestly up there with some of my favourite modern thrash releases. If you’re a fan of the genre or metal in general, I can’t recommend this album enough. They very much feel like a band renewed, and I’ll be spinning this a LOT in the coming weeks and months. It gets a very solid 9.5/10!