CD Review: The Light - The Light (Metal, 2025)

I cannot believe that this release didn't found my attention much sooner. What's so special about this band?

The Light's first album is a intensive listening experience.

It's the way the music is build up. I know many bands say that the output they just released is standing out of the many other one's available. But this particular band really proves it. 

Ten songs can be found upon this self-titled album. It's obvious that they belong to the Metal sector - but each and every song offers something that gives it it's own note. Sometimes it's the slow rhythm pattern (Swinging) that hangs on my mind. Other times it's the riff that runs so hammering through the song that I recall the song "War" for a long time. 

The intensity of "Toxic dependence" seems to be structured the way it is to give the listener a idea of how hard and stressful something like this can be. Happily there are also lighter songs like "Fall" that aren't packed so much. Here the focus is set on the extremely heavy use of drums. Vocals are held in a more flat way. The other songs on the album are of a similar quality like the one's mentioned before.

If you're after a album filled with intensive heavy music this one by The Light is for you. It's not a easy album at all so it takes some time to get inside. If you take the time to discover it song by song I think you'll be rewarded with Metal music as you love it. The album is available as a CD as well as a limited 12 inch vinyl album at the Bandcamp shop of the record company Fastball Music.  

EP Review: Silver Nightmares - Roxy Passion (Progressive Rock, 2025)

The newest EP by Italian progressive band Silver Nightmares shines in many colors through my speakers. To tell it instantly it comes with very different songs.

Roxy Passion comes with a cover sleeve not to be expected by Silver Nightmares.

Having discovered the band with the EP "The Wandering Angel" they stayed in my mind as a typical progressive but powerful Rock band. You could easily hear that they had not found it's full expression yet and was on the search on how to sound in the end. You can hear that they are skilled at the instruments and have ideas anyway.

The latest output speaks of a different language. Four songs are present on "Roxy Passion" and to make it short they are all very different in how they sound like. The name-giving title-track is a fully rocking song the classic way. It's not too heavy and rough but a solid number. It's easily imagineable that it could be performed live at the scene that's been illustrated on the front cover sleeve at a show while people enjoy life all over the place.

But already track two "Cats on the run" is a very different thing. It's a compact yet very melodic instrumental with a solid basis. It comes in a finer sound package than the previous Rock number. It's filled with many fine notes that invite to dream and relax while listening to it. This also goes for song number three "The Blue Light". 

Once again this is a song written with a finelined stencil. A dreamlike song sung in a emotional tone with many heart-touching moments. Surely something for the silent moments of life when you look out the window wondering what happened in recent days.

The instrumental version of "The Blue Light" is very different. It's not just the same song without vocals but a overworked version pointing out the many melodies and fine keyboard notes flying through the whole song. 

There's also some percussion present which cannot be heard at all at the vocal version. It's a good feeling that comes to my mind. This particular one feels a bit more uplifiting and makes me curious on how the band may move further on in the future. 

You can follow Silver Nightmares on Facebook and listen to the EP on all streaming services. There's also a vinyl pressing available from Bandcamp.

Wax Mekanix returns with special vocal performance on new single

This artist has put a lasting impression on me. Having heard him first with his "Mobocracy" EP some time ago made it all clear to me. His mixture of straight rocking tunes along with those leaving you with your thoughts of the world behind were enough to yearn for more.

Wax Mekanix at the set for the video shoot of 420. 

Wax Mekanix released already more music in the meantime but I rarely found the time to write about it. Now he is back with new song material called "420". It's one of the more direct rocking tunes but along with all the groove and guitars comes something special - the vocals of Wax. They are of the kind that wants you to rock out, too. 

It's going easy like surfing a wave but at the same time you think of how to perform it properly since it doesn't seem to be too easy to get into that mood along with how to put the tonality the way he does. Listen closely - I think you can find out more with each round of turning your ears towards "420".

Just try out the music video for a quick check or stream and purchase it at this selection tree of various sources.  There's also a Instagram account available if you want to stick to all the further moves of Wax Mekanix.

Seven Kingdoms talk about dangers on the road

Sometimes it may seem like touring is just fun all the time. In reality it is dangerous for musicians to travel that much. Just think of situations you all have been experiencing in day-to-day transportation.

Seven Kingdoms have recently travelled the road a lot, Photo credit Camden Cruz.

While this year has been a successful one for power metallers Seven Kingdoms with completing a North American tour and the release of a EP on the new label Reigning Phoenix Music they still put the mark on the dangers mentioned above.

The band comments the cover they did of a Mr. Misters song: "Kyrie translates to “Lord have Mercy” which when driving all around the world at all hours of the day and night, amongst responsible and non responsible people, we put our lives on the line every second we are on the road. I often refer to highways as “The river of idiots” which can be anyone at any given moment."

It's a wonderful slower track with high pitched vocals. The balance is set in a proper way and it feels like a piece of music written in thought without finally losing the faith.

Seven Kingdoms are going to hit the road again in February in Europe as support of Unleash The Archers.  

12.02 - Substage - Karlsruhe, DE
13.02 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, DE
14.02 - Live Music Hall - Cologne, DE
15.02 - De Kreun - Kortrijk, BE
16.02 - The Underworld - London, GB
17.02 - La Machine - Paris, FR
19.02 - Dynamo - Zurich, CH
20.02 - Legend Club - Milan, IT
21.02 - Backstage - Munich, DE
22.02 - Masters Of Rock Cafe - Zlin, CZ
23.02 - Barba Negra - Budapest, HU
25.02 - Szene - Vienna, AT
26.02 - Kwadrat - Cracow, PL
27.02 - Hellraiser - Leipzig, DE
28.02 - Rockhal - Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU
01.03 - Kronensaal - Hamburg, DE
02.03 - Patronaat - Haarlem, NL