The Reticent – please (2025) – Review

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The Reticent - please - Album Cover

The Reticent is known to wallow deeply in the rough seas of mental disturbances. Already, On The Eve of a Goodbye got us a taste of suicidal urges brought to fruition and the aftermath experienced by those left with the living. The Oubliette broke the news about Alzheimer’s in intricate detail. And I could relate to that, given that I have been relentlessly exposed to both issues. Not first hand, mind you. I wouldn’t be writing reviews, else. But close enough to get a real taste of the inner workings of them.

The difficulty with both aforementioned records was always … [...] Click to raid more!

Iron Maiden – The X Factor (1995) – Review

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Iron Maiden - The X Factor - Album Cover

Let’s blame it on Iron Maiden‘s Dickinson, shall we? Some time back in 2025, the man himself commented on the happy birthday of The X Factor and asked the wide audience for their favorite tracks.1 And my point was, truthfully, that there weren’t any. And there still aren’t. Or are there?

Olde is our memory after all these decades. And – perhaps – now is a good moment to revisit an ancient and possibly misunderstood record. This time, with the weight of 10 years of reviews behind us. Viewpoints overturned and ancient observations brutally squashed? Dusty pergament … [...] Click to raid more!

Terra Atlantica – Oceans (2025) – Review

Terra Atlantica - Oceans - Album Cover

The album cover talked to us first. Poseidon, are you calling again? Late in 2024, we had you on a banger of a record. Full trident power on stark display. So, here the Olympian Gawd ov The Sea (and other mischief) reemerges from the North Sea. Or something.

Terra Atlantica are on the prowl again. To our chagrin, steampunk seems to be out the door, and Oceans are their theme with a penchant for pirate lore. A fact we kinda guessed when looking at the cover.

But with moving things into the Pirate Metal realm comes big responsibility. Legion … [...] Click to raid more!

Trick or Treat – Ghosted (2025) – Review

Trick or Treat - Ghosted - Review

Ghosted, huh. I wish it not to ye, fans and friends. It usually means someone – and I quote the mighty Merriam Webster – “…abruptly cutting off all contact with someone usually without explanation.”1 Damn. No doubt the creatures on Trick or Treat‘s newest album cover look kinda worried and mighty lost.

Or, perhaps, it’s some sort of omen of what’s to come here. Because the RMR crew did a lot of headscratching on where these Italians are taking their newest concoction. After all, the band’s last record, Creepy Symphonies, kinda landed on our better side … [...] Click to raid more!