Katatonia – Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State (2025) – Review

Katatonia - Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State - Album Cover

Katatonia graced our zine in 2023 only as part of an effort to acknowledge the metal mainstream a bit better. Thus, Sky Void of Stars fell victim to our first lamestream n00b listing, and the RMR crew wasn’t quite impressed. Meaning, if you’re not a fan, you’re looking at things differently. Not that our cold, hard gaze at one of metal’s most established bands changed any diehard fans’ pre-established convictions. But given the hype and roar surrounding the act, one would expect bigger and better sounds to hit our turntables.

So, expectations aren’t sky-high for Nightmares as Extensions of the [...] Click to raid more!

Newsflash: Nebula Nine and The Last Sky Piercer!

Nebula Nine - The Last Sky Piercer - Album Cover

I found a new genre. Sublime Progressive Rock is its name and Nebula Nine adorned themselves with it. Already the word ‘sublime’ should melt on your tongue like that Café de Paris served on a perfect steak in a French 5-star eatery. Dreams of otherworldly rock delights that will surely dethrone the long-defunct Genesis of times long gone. Or others, such as Yes, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, the list goes on and on. So, have we just found funny bones with egos larger than the Indian subcontinent? Or is Nebula Nine‘s The Last Sky Piercer worth every … [...] Click to raid more!

Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep (2025) – Review

Marko Hietala - Roses From the Deep - Album Cover

Marko Hietala, one of the only artists out there holding the RMR crew’s unwavering respect. He – of course – will remain forever famous as one of Nightwish‘s main pillars. Until he chose to retire from the band back in early 2021, that is, done with a statement that made for somewhat grim reading.

Now, in the meantime, Hietala popped up here and there in a variety of venues and roles. Raskasta Joulua’s 2022 x-mas piece was – surprisingly – the first time he reappeared on our radar already. And this told us that he definitely would stay … [...] Click to raid more!