Tag: 2025

With fists raised and amps cranked, MERIDIAN return in 2025 with their fifth studio album, a self-titled statement of intent and rebirth. “Meridian” is a no-frills celebration of classic heavy metal spirit, reconnecting with the raw energy, melodic power, and rebellious attitude of the genre’s golden era. From the first riff to the final scream, this is heavy metal the way it was meant to be: direct, honest, and electrifying.

Formed in Denmark and active since 2013, Meridian have long stood at the crossroads of melodic metal, with flashes of AOR and progressive influences shaping their early records. But now, with a new frontman and a renewed sense of direction, the band strips everything back to essentials, delivering a hard-hitting, hook-filled album that proudly wears its ‘80s metal influences on its sleeve.

The shift in sound comes from two key moments: a conscious decision to sharpen their sonic identity, and the arrival of Søren Adamsen (ex-Artillery) as lead vocalist. His commanding presence and raw vocal style bring a harder edge to the band, perfectly suited to the record’s return-to-roots approach. The result is a collection of tightly crafted songs with thunderous riffs, melodic choruses, and blazing guitar solos, echoing the best of classic Maiden, Dio, and Saxon.

Produced, mixed and mastered by guitarist Marco Angioni (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Steel Inferno) at Angioni Studios, “Meridian” was recorded with a live-first mindset and a stripped-down production ethos. Minimal studio tricks. Maximum impact. The album captures the tight interplay and raw stage energy that have long defined the band’s live shows.

This is not just another record – this is MERIDIAN. A bold restart. A love letter to heavy metal. And a reminder that the old school still rules.

“Meridian” is out now on LP (black vinyl, limited to 150 copies), CD and digital, via From The Vaults. 

Lineup:
Søren Adamsen – vocals
Martin Jepsen Andersen – lead & rhythm guitars
Marco Angioni – lead & rhythm guitars
Klaus Agerbo – drums
Peter Bruun – bass

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https://bit.ly/mrd-tgt

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With blazing precision and fearless ambition, Danish Power Thrash outfit EXELERATE return with their sophomore full-length, “Hell for the Helpless”. Following the success of their 2023 self-titled debut and a relentless tour schedule across Denmark and Europe, the Copenhagen-based quartet now present their most mature and musically ambitious work to date  –  a concept album delving deep into the shadows of the human psyche.

Forging a powerful hybrid of fast-paced thrash and melodic, anthemic power metal, “Hell for the Helpless” delivers ten explosive tracks packed with soaring high-pitched vocals, whirlwind guitar solos, pounding drums, and sharp, propulsive bass lines. Whether it’s furious pit-inducing energy or triumphant sing-along moments, Exelerate continue to show they are masters of both the stage and the studio.

“The biggest challenge was writing a worthy successor to an album we had played live so many times”, frontman Stefan Jensen says. “But all that experience gave us clarity. We learned what to lean into, and what our audience really responds to”.

“Hell for the Helpless” is a concept album exploring various damaging and unhealthy mental states, from anxiety and depression to nihilism and obsessive fear. “We live in a time where mental health is a growing issue”, declares guitarist Mads Sørensen. “This album is our way of shining a light on the struggle, the chaos, and also the potential for healing and understanding”. The songs are more ambitious and atmospheric than ever before, with sweeping arrangements and bold lyrical storytelling to match the emotional weight of the themes.

Recorded and produced by the band themselves, with producer Io Klarstrup leading the sessions, “Hell for the Helpless” captures the raw passion and precision of a band firing on all cylinders. Final mixing and mastering were once again handled by Marco Angioni (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Steel Inferno, Meridian), who brings massive sonic weight and clarity to the record’s rich, dynamic sound.

Visually, the album continues Exelerate’s collaboration with airbrush artist Steen Jensen, who delivers a trippy, vivid cover artwork inspired by the inner workings of the troubled mind. It’s a perfect visual complement to the album’s introspective concept – where darkness can easily take root if left unchecked.

Alongside the digital edition, “Hell for the Helpless” will be released on CD and limited edition vinyl, with a tracklist curated specifically for front-to-back listening. The band will support the release with an extensive Danish tour in fall 2025.

“Hell for the Helpless” is out now on LP (purple vinyl limited to 150 copies), CD and digital, via From The Vaults. 

Lineup:
Mads Sørensen – guitars 
Stefan Jensen – vocals, guitars 
Io Brix Klarstrup – bass 
Stig Eilsøe-Madsen – drums 

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https://bit.ly/exe-tgt

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https://bit.ly/exe-tgt

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Emerging from the underground with blazing speed and ferocious intent, Danish speed metal warriors CRUCIBLE present their thunderous debut album, “Hail To The Force”. Across 37 relentless minutes, the band blends savage aggression with strong melodies and an epic heavy metal spirit, distilling a wide range of inspirations into a record that demands attention. Featuring the four original tracks from their first demo alongside six brand-new songs written during 2024, “Hail To The Force” captures a young band operating at maximum intensity.

Crucible’s current lineup took shape during 2024, with Ole Iversen joining on drums in the spring and Kenneth Frandsen stepping in on bass duties for the recording sessions and the band’s first live appearances in the fall. Without a fixed concept to start with, the goal was simple: write great songs. Guitarists Jon Brogård and Thomas Carnell (Impalers) each contributed roughly half of the material, drawing inspiration from the likes of Riot City, Racer X, Hellripper, Vampire, and even movie soundtracks like Blade Runner. The result is an album rich in variety, featuring sword-and-sorcery-infused speed metal anthems alongside raw, Motörhead-style bangers dealing with war and nuclear devastation.

Recording began in December 2024 with DI tracking for rhythm guitars and bass at Thomas’ apartment, before Crucible entered Angioni Studios on Mors in early January 2025 – just before a massive snowstorm hit. With only one week to bring the album to life, guitars and bass were re-amped, Ole hammered down drums over three whirlwind days (with no samples used), and vocals (by Phillip Butler, from Pectora) and lead guitars were captured at a furious pace. Produced by Marco Angioni (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Steel Inferno, Meridian), “Hail To The Force” delivers a sound that is real, raw, and exhilarating: blazing riffs, epic and evil vocals, and thunderous, organic drums.

Among the album’s standout tracks are “Deathdealer,” a blistering high-speed assault inspired by Frank Frazetta’s iconic artwork; “Redwing,” a heavy-hitting riff monster named after Cold War thermonuclear tests; and “Far Beyond The Grave,” an atmospheric, US power metal-tinged journey that builds from a brooding tempo to soaring, harmonized lead guitar glory.

“Hail To The Force” is more than a debut – it’s a battle cry. Fast, loud, and true.

Are you ready to Hail the Force?

“Hail To The Force” is out now on LP (black vinyl and purple vinyl, each limited to 150 copies), digipack CD and digital, via From The Vaults. 

Lineup:
Thomas Carnell – guitar 
Jon Brogård – guitar 
Phillip Butler – vocals 
Ole Iversen – drums
Kenneth Frandsen – bass

Webshop:
https://bit.ly/cru-tgt

Digital:
https://bfan.link/cruc-hail

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