The fanbase of Epica has not stopped growing. Since Tarja Turunen was fired from Nightwish in 2005 Epica has become the focal point of operatic metal, gaining an exponential following over the past 9 years. With that rising following each release becomes more and more anticipated, and given that the previous effort ‘Requiem for the Indifferent’ was considered one of the weaker efforts, ‘The Quantum Enigma’ was a highly anticipated album.

Falconer have become somewhat of a cult power metal band throughout their 15 years of existence. They have gained a massive following with their raw, traditional and well produced power metal style, yet still managed to stay wrapped in the underground given the band have hardly played live. Evidently this is one band whose pure focus is the recorded music.

Ever since their inception in the year 2000 Mastodon have been constantly pushing the boundaries in their music, flirting with progressive elements in their first couple of albums but mostly sticking to heavy riffs. Each album has seen a great progression in the band. From Leviathan’s titanic sound, Blood Mountain’s mad storyline and their arguable jewel in the crown Crack the Skye. Then came The Hunter, an album which, I believe polarised many fans thinking that Mastodon had sold out for a more radio friendly vibe. They seemingly could never quite get the right level of both demolishingly heavy and musically progressive.

Being one of the most talented guitarists in metal and not only having been in absolutely exceptional bands but improving said bands, from the shredtastic Cacophony to the absolute classic Megadeth albums, Rust In Peace and Countdown to Extinction. Friedmans influence is undeniable and now after having moved to Japan and adopted it as his second home we’re put back into the foray with his latest output “Inferno”.

Beginning as a generic deathcore band, Whitechapel have proven themselves time and time again. With their last album being a drastic change, yet at the same time only showing the tip of the iceberg, we’re treated to the full glacier in Our Endless War. Opening with “Rise” a slow, slightly melancholic acoustic guitar intro, we’re then teased into the albums title track, although on the surface sounding like the usual chugging, once the chorus bursts open and Bozeman’s anthemic lyrics are uttered its clear that Whitechapel are here to stay. Although sometimes juvenile, the lyrics are undeniably very well written. Creating choruses that stick in your head for days and easy to learn lines ,even if most of them are incredibly nihilistic.

After slowly declining album after album Arch Enemy, although in the past was a force to be reckoned with, were now content with putting out mediocre album after mediocre album to the point that they seemed to be fading out. Then we learnt the news that Gossow had decided to leave and suddenly the entire metal community were interested in Arch Enemy again. Now that its been announced that Gossows successor is , of previous Agonist fame Alyssa White-Gluz.