NTTR - No Time to Review

Epica's ninth studio album, Aspiral , released on April 11, 2025, marks a significant evolution in their symphonic metal sound. The album introduces modern elements, including industrial and electronic influences, while maintaining their signature orchestral arrangements. Tracks like "Cross the Divide" and "T.I.M.E." showcase this blend, offering both accessibility and depth. Thematically, the album explores concepts of renewal and self-discovery, drawing inspiration from the sculpture "Aspiral" by Stanisław Szukalski. Critics have praised the band's ability to innovate without losing their core identity, though some note a shift towards more streamlined compositions. ​ Sources: Epica Official Website Angry Metal Guy Wikipedia - Aspiral (album) Reddit - r/epica Wikipedia - Aspiral (de) Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Netherlands Final Verdic t: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 110th / 286 Highlight : The Grand Saga of Existence - A New...

Mechina's latest album, Bellum Interruptum , released on March 23, 2025, marks a significant evolution in their sound. The introduction of new harsh vocalist Dave Lowmiller brings a renewed intensity, reminiscent of their earlier works. Tracks like "Cruelty is the Point" and the title track showcase a seamless blend of symphonic elements and industrial death metal, delivering a cinematic auditory experience. Collaborations with returning guest vocalists Anna Hel and "Treasur'" Necole Wright, as well as guitar soloist Dean Paul Arnold, add depth and diversity to the album. Overall, Bellum Interruptum has received positive feedback for its dynamic compositions and revitalized energy, reaffirming Mechina's position in the metal scene. ​ Sources: Mechina (band) - Wikipedia Mechina - Bellum Interruptum - Reviews - Album of The Year Mechina - Bellum Interruptum - User Reviews - Album of The Year Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : US Final Verdict: 67%...

"Armada Live Over Europe" showcases Visions of Atlantis' exceptional ability to deliver captivating live performances. The album features powerful renditions of tracks like "To Those Who Choose to Fight" and "The Land of the Free," recorded during their performance in Lyon, France. The band's synergy, particularly between vocalists Clémentine Delauney and Michele Guaitoli, is evident throughout the album, offering listeners an immersive experience that mirrors the energy of their concerts. This live series not only highlights the band's musical prowess but also their connection with audiences across Europe. ​ Visions of Atlantis Bandcamp ​ Tuonela Magazine ​ bravewords.com BraveWords ​ tuonelamagazine.com Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Austria Final Verdict: 72% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 7th / 205 Highlight : ⁠ Heroes of the Dawn (LIVE at Paris) Made me think of: Delain Sirenia Within Temptation #newalbum #newalbum2024 #a...

 Delain's Dance with the Devil EP, released on November 8, 2024, showcases the band's evolution with a blend of new material and live performances. The title track introduces a synth-driven sound, highlighting Diana Leah's commanding vocals. "The Reaping" follows suit, delivering a whirlwind of emotions through catchy electronic melodies and modern heaviness. A reimagined version of "Sleepwalkers Dream" from their 2006 debut album Lucidity offers a fresh take, aligning with Delain's current sonic direction. The EP also features nine live tracks, including fan favorites like "April Rain" and "Burning Bridges," capturing the band's dynamic stage presence. Instrumental versions of the new songs and an alternate ending of "Underland" provide additional depth for listeners. Overall, Dance with the Devil serves as a testament to Delain's adaptability and continued relevance in the symphonic metal scene. Devolution M...

Ad Infinitum’s Abyss marks a bold step into a new era for the band, blending symphonic metal roots with modern metal and electronic influences. Fronted by Melissa Bonny's versatile vocals, the album strikes a balance between heavy, riff-driven tracks like “Follow Me Down” and melodic, pop-inflected anthems such as “Euphoria.” The band experiments with industrial sounds on tracks like "Surrender," while maintaining their cinematic flair on songs like "Outer Space." This album shifts away from their earlier symphonic-heavy sound, embracing more modern tones and even elements of pop metal, resulting in a more accessible yet powerful sound ​ Metal Insider | Get Inside the Industry   Dead Rhetoric   Acta Infernalis . Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Germany/Switzerland Final Verdict: 69% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 58th / 741 Highlight : Outer Space (added to my 2024 best of) Made me think of: Xandria Delain Amaranthe #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newm...

Yesterwynde , Nightwish’s 10th studio album, is a powerful and cinematic journey that blends symphonic metal with elements of history, mythology, and humanism. Thematically centered around time and existence, the album features expansive orchestral arrangements and Floor Jansen’s commanding vocals. Tracks like "An Ocean of Strange Islands" and "The Antikythera Mechanism" showcase epic soundscapes, while "The Children of 'Ata" experiments with 80s influences and unexpected rhythms. The blend of complex orchestration, driving guitars, and emotive vocals makes Yesterwynde a quintessential Nightwish release, maintaining their legacy as one of the genre's pioneers​ ( Kerrang! ) ​ ( Distorted Sound Magazine ) ​ ( When The Horn Blows ) ​ ( HeadBangers Lifestyle ) . Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Finland Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 30th / 683 Highlight : The Children Of 'Ata Made me think of: Epica Within Temptation Delain ...

In Vermillion , Simone Simons ventures beyond the symphonic metal foundation laid with Epica, blending it with progressive metal and electronic elements. The album showcases her powerful vocals amidst lush orchestrations and complex arrangements. Collaborations with artists like Arjen Lucassen add depth, while Simons’ lyrics explore themes of love, loss, and existentialism. The production is rich, balancing grandeur with intimacy, making Vermillion a compelling listen for fans of symphonic and progressive metal alike. Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Netherlands Final Verdict : 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 116th / 620 Highlight : Cradle To The Grave Made me think of: Ayreon Tarja Turunen Epica #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #SimoneSimons #Netherlands #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Austria Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 175th / 517 Highlight : Monsters Made me think of: Delain Epica Nightwish #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #VisionsofAtlantis #Austria #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Netherlands Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 67th / 480 Highlight : Our Solemn Hour (Live in Amsterdam) Made me think of: Evanescence Nightwish Delain #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #WithinTemptation #Netherlands #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : US Final Verdict : 68% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 50th / 479 Highlight : Portrait of Us Made me think of: Epica Jinjer Amaranthe #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #SevenSpires #US #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Finland Final Verdict: 54% (Pleasant Album) Yearly Ranking: 419th / 436 Highlight : Ride the Lightning Made me think of: Metallica Epica Therion #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #Apocalyptica #Finland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Germany Final Verdict: 75% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 10th / 383 Highlight : A Vagabond's Heart (added to my 2024 best of) Made me think of: Delain Amberian Dawn Xandria #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #Elvellon #Germany #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Sweden Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 155th / 376 Highlight : Greedy World Made me think of: Within Temptation Amberian Dawn Delain #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #AnetteOlzon #Sweden #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Finland Final Verdict: 70% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 14th / 272 Highlight : The Bottomless Pit Made me think of: Ayreon Ad Infinitum Illuminata #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #LostinGrey #Finland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Germany / Norway Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 114th / 207 Highlight : Realm of Dark Waves Made me think of: Within Temptation Sirenia Xandria #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #Leaves'Eyes #Germany/Norway #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Switzerland Final Verdict: 69% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 11th / 102 Highlight : Hymn Made me think of: The Gathering Nightwish  Delain #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #Illumishade #Switzerland #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : International Final Verdict: 75% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 1st / 13 Highlight : Run! (feat. Marko Hietala) Made me think of: Epica Within Temptation Delain #newalbum #newalbum2023 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #ExitEden #International #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Sweden Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 399th / 1012 Highlight : Ruler Of Tamag Made me think of: Nightwish Kamelot Sirenia #newalbum #newalbum2023 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #SymphonicMetal #Therion #Sweden #LP #Album #release  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Netherlands Final Verdict : 71% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 65th / 839 Highlight : Wireless (added to my 2023 best of) Made me think of: Evanescence Nightwish Delain  

Genre : Symphonic Metal Country : Netherlands Final Verdict: 72% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 48th / 765 Highlight : Thumbelina Made me think of: Delain The Gathering Sirenia