Aktor – Professori (Season Two) (High Roller Records)

 

Aktor is an international project combining the talents of Jussi Lehtisalo and Tomi Leppanen of Finland and Chris Black of the United States.  In the ten years since its inception, Aktor managed to release three records.  All excellent, but also very different from each other.  The band keeps their hand on the pulse and continues to move forward.  Their music can be described as heavy rock/hard rock.  If you like either genre, Aktor will get under your skin in no time.

“Professori (Season Two)” appears to be a concept album, where one theme flows from song to song.  In this case, it’s the mysterious disappearance of Professori and the struggle that follows.  Not only is the concept realizing itself lyrically, but the band also applies sounds and musical passages that create a feeling of mystery and suspense.

There are sounds on this album that could easily exist within the world of Rush, Saga, or Blue Oyster Cult, yet it is Aktor that brings it to you with sincerity and conviction.  Aktor is extremely original in its approach and execution; they give each song exactly what it needs.

“Professori (Season Two)” is a very ambitious record presented by a band that perfected their writing and delivery.  While concept albums sometimes leave you guessing, it’s mission accomplished for Aktor!  It’s quite amusing that musicians from different parts of the world can put their minds together and create such magic without regular interaction.  As Chris Black points out in one of the songs, “You won’t regret this.”

Mark Kadzielawa

Professor Emeritus – A Land Long Gone (No Remorse)

 

Professor Emeritus re-emerges with a new lineup and a brand-new album. It’s definitely the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this band. While their debut (“Take Me to the Gallows”) was very impressive, this is a band with a slightly different dynamic and sound. Both albums stand tall on their own, and it’s not fair to compare them.

“A Land Long Gone” is a solid dose of epic metal backed up by excellent musicianship. The songs are catchy, well balanced, and adventurous. There are many unexpected right and left turns that take the listener by surprise. The band challenges itself by incorporating variety of influences that a lot of texture to the song structures. All of this combined makes this record want to be played on a repeated basis.

Vocalist Esteban Julian Pena is a great addition to Professor Emeritus. His vocals soar all over this record, and the color of his voice adds certain electricity to the music. What’s also very impressive is the incredible rhythm section consisting of Jose Salazar on bass and Chris Avgerin on drums. Those two players are working overtime here, and they need to be heard! Guitarists Tyler Antram and Lee Smith are extremely proficient, and they complement each other extremely well.

“A Land Long Gone” is an excellent record; it captures a very special feel and shows a lot of potential for the years to come. Professor Emeritus is definitely on the right track. This is a great collection of songs; you play them, and as soon as the album is over, you simply want to hear it again. Professor Emeritus certainly adds another flavor to the already rich Chicago metal scene.

Mark Kadzielawa

MIP – Passing By (Analog Twins Records)

 

The first impression when you hold this album in your hands is that   something very dark and provocative is hidden within it. The cover photo—remarkably bold, by the way—brings to mind the imagery of the first season of True Detective. Even before hearing a single note, you can sense an atmosphere of darkness and uncertainty.

MIP stands for Make Impossible Possible—the new band formed by Artur Hajdasz, a longtime member of Made in Poland. That band was a legend of the Polish cold wave. For some reason, the name could no longer be used, but the abbreviation—and above all, the music—leave no doubt. "Passing By" is a clear continuation of that group’s legacy.

The “new” band consists of former members of Made in Poland, Agressiva 69, and Jesus Chrysler Suicide. Their musical résumés are impressive, but ultimately it all comes down to a simple question: is it good? The answer is a definite yes. Once you start listening to this album, it’s hard to stop.

Most of the material was created in England, where a key member of the group now lives. That’s probably why most of the songs are sung in English—it reflects the environment in which they were written.  Although London serves as a point of reference, the music still carries that distinct “Manchester” vibe that Made in Poland perfected years ago.

“Passing By” contains nine tracks, each different from the next. What binds them together is the overall mood of the album. This music immediately seeps into you; even the most subtle sounds penetrate deeply into your consciousness. You journey from track to track with MIP—it’s an incredibly pleasant, though dark, trip. Songs like “Look Left Look Right” and “Black Winter from the Sun” have a unique atmosphere, as do “Angel” and the title track.

You can hear immense precision in this music—everything feels mathematically coordinated, even when it sounds seemingly chaotic or unstructured. This makes listening to it an intellectual adventure.  Glimpses of dark intelligence are clearly present here, and it’s easy to fall under their spell for the duration of the album. Though this record will continue to challenge listeners for many months to come, there’s no doubt that MIP has created a truly outstanding album that proudly stands on its own.

Mark Kadzielawa

Paradise Lost – Ascension (Nuclear Blast)

Paradise Lost delivers a very powerful album! It’s diverse, complex, but above all extremely heavy. “Ascension” is a grown-up record by a veteran band. Paradise Lost remembers their roots, but they also realize it’s 2025. The record reflects that as well.

Throughout their career, Paradise Lost took few turns and experimented with their music. Not everyone was on board, but the band followed their vision and eventually found their mojo back. As a result of that, the group has a lot to draw from at their disposal. It is also what makes the current albums so unique.

“Ascension” is a heavy album, but it’s also a very artistic one. The group includes many melodic components in their song structures.  The listening journey is a very pleasant one. The tracks are spiced with layers of darkness, and vocalist Nick Holmes plays around with variety of voices. All of these elements are selected for one simple reason; to give every song exactly what it needs.

Paradise Lost keeps the music interesting and follows a certain mood that is present throughout their records. “Ascension” shines with its undivided focus and flawless delivery. There is beauty in complete ugliness, and Paradise Lost has a way of highlighting that in their music. Heavy but intelligently rational in their approach!

Mark Kadzielawa

 

Coroner – Dissonance Theory (Century Media)

 

“Dissonance Theory” marks Coroner’s return as a recording artist. While the band reformed back in 2010, they haven’t released an album since 1993. It is a massive return from Coroner, as the new record is perfect in every way possible!

As the band came back on stage, they had no problem reproducing their previous works. What they struggled with is trying to remember how to be Coroner in the studio setting. It took many years for the band members to rediscover the essence of Coroner. It is also documented quite nicely in the notes that accompany the record. Coroner clearly aimed for perfection and would not dare release anything that would be substandard and not worthy of the name. They had themselves to compete against, and that bar was raised very high.

“Dissonance Theory” was born in pain that over the years and months turned to joy. Now that it’s out and turning quite a few heads, it’s time to celebrate! Knowing Coroner, they will not rest easily; it’s not in their nature. The artistic integrity is quite dear and important to them. There isn’t a note that would compromise Coroner in any way. Also, the band added shades of very advanced musicianship that developed while they were away from the band. It’s not up front or overly obvious, but it shows its face quite clearly. They were probably not even aware of that fact as they wrote and recorded the album, but it’s a very clever move to allow the progress of their musical nature to be expressive.

There is no doubt “Dissonance Theory” was hard work, and a number of outside talents were brought in to help the band come up with the best album possible. This incredible effort more than paid off. “Dissonance Theory” is the answer every Coroner fan asked for! It’s also one of the darkest albums of 2025 and is best served as a whole. Expect heaviness that will lacerate your brain on a repeated basis, cryptic rhythms, and creativity that will keep you guessing for years to come. Reborn through pain, but more hateful than ever!

Mark Kadzielawa

Ambush - Evil in All Dimensions (Napalm Records)

 

Ambush continues to fly the heavy metal flag high with pride! “Evil in All Dimensions” has all the traditional trademarks of the genre. Great catchy songs, impressive delivery, and sharp production. In other words, this album puts a smile on your face each time it is played.

For a number of years now, Sweden has been producing very impressive bands ranging from death metal to traditional. Acts like Ambush, Enforcer, or Teaser Sweet certainly add a lot of freshness to the genre. All incredible and definitely worthy of your attention.

“Evil in All Dimensions” is a great blend of tracks; there are very fast-paced rockers as well as ballad-like slower tunes. It all adds to the overall balance of the record and makes a very pleasant listen. What’s really impressive here are the songs’ structures and the band’s ability to add color to every single track. While you're at it, check out the guitar harmonies; these boys are having fun!

While Ambush is still trying to get acknowledged internationally, this is already their fourth album. The band is superb, and every single one of those records rocks in their own way. Ambush continues to polish their craft as they anticipate that special break that will put them over the top.

“Evil in All Dimensions” echoes the finest traditional years of heavy metal sailing back from the 1980s. In fact, Ambush does it so well that you have to check the release year to clear any unwanted confusion. The album has the feel, the attitude, and the unconventional approach to rock hard, and it does!

Mark Kadzielawa

Novembers Doom – Major Arcana (Prophecy)

 

Novembers Doom went through years of experimenting with styles and sounds. While they were always identifiable, there were consistent variations present in their style. “Major Arcana” is a very mature album and, in some ways, a perfect arrival after years of searching. The record presents a very intelligent equilibrium of sounds, and after several listens, you still want to dig deeper into this music. 

“Major Arcana” is also a very reflective album. The connection between the words and the music is very powerful. Paul Kuhr certainly picks his words in such a way that they match the music in heaviness and delicacy. He and the band make it look easy, but the task accomplished here is anything but easy. It’s a very clever record that is full of emotional moments. It does get personal, and you feel the bleeding of its creators.

The album also comes out at the beginning of fall of 2025, when the mood of the surroundings is changing drastically. The music on “Major Arcana” reflects that shift as well. The band invokes the ultimate darkness in their music but also leaves that small crack in everything, and that’s how the light gets in.

“Major Arcana” is a superb album; each spin of this record is eventful and makes the listener ask existential questions. In some ways it feels like therapy. While the music soars and grinds, the lyrics attempt to balance your mental state and perhaps may direct you to discover your own secret.  This album delivers the goods on variety of levels.

Mark Kadzielawa

Wretch – Visitors (Arkeyn Steel)

 

Wretch is a long-running heavy metal band from Ohio.  While the band is more known and successful in Europe, there is no doubt they make great records and are certainly worthy of your attention.  Their new album, “Visitors,” is truly an exceptional record.  It’s a quiet classic that captures small parts of your heart with each listen.

The band’s mastermind, guitarist Nick Giannakos, is a main writer, and his music has a definite style to it.  His riffs are deeply rooted in the classic way of American heavy metal, with a fair amount of European influence.  The man definitely understands Ritchie Blackmore’s approach, and his music reflects it.  Also, there is a very gentle classical music influence, and it truly enriches the songs.  The texture is very rich here, and there is a lot to explore.

Let’s not forget an excellent vocal delivery from Juan Ricardo.  It is a third record for Ricardo and Wretch, and by far it appears to be the most perfect one.  Ricardo’s vocal abilities complement the music and give it that special edge.  The unifying sense of melody between the music and vocal lines is perhaps the most appealing aspect of “Visitors.”  Also, the incredible guitar dialogue from Giannakos and Mike Stephenson speaks volumes here. At the end of the day it comes down to a song, and each track is equipped with all the ingredients that it needs.

The album consists of 8 tracks and one instrumental written and performed by Kevin Mazey.  All the songs are great, but there are few that stand out.  “In My Time of Reckoning,” “The Voice,” and “Trapped in a Lucid Dream” are definitely championed at the moment by this writer.  Although the sequence created by the instrumental “The Arrival” and “Visitors” is definitely a breathtaking combination.  The album flows very naturally and is best enjoyed when played as a whole.

“Visitors” is a great record, and it has a way of getting into your system in a very unsuspecting way.  As each listen plays out, you find yourself becoming addicted to the songs and the overall feel of the album.  The experience itself reminds you why you fell in love with the music in the first place.  Wretch definitely has that charm about them.

Mark Kadzielawa

Fer De Lance - Fires on the Mountainside (Cruz Del Sur Music)

 

“Fire on the Mountainside” can easily be described as one of the most adventurous albums of 2025. The music on this record is deeply rooted in the 1970s hard rock, yet it is executed with the force of the 1980s heavy metal. Not only that, but the album also contains a lot of folky and tribal influences. All of it mixed up adds to one great musical escapade. And above it all, it is a very dark-sounding offering.

Fer De Lance’s music has a lot of space, and the band takes their time to develop each concept. Nothing commercial here, just pure art for the sake of art! The songs flow, stand, and then tower over the listener. As you experience the music, you feel like you participate in the ritual it creates. Each play is a rewarding experience, and even after several spins, there are still particles that come out at you announced.

All seven tracks on “Fires on the Mountainside” are great and can be individualized separately, but this album is meant to be enjoyed as a whole. Everything fits here; the textures, progressions, and passages are all controlled by one common denominator. Also, there is a recurrent mood that unites the tracks as well. Adding a bonus song down the line would completely ruin the original flow. The album is perfect as is.

“Fires on the Mountainside” is like a soundtrack to a most wicked fairy tale, or perhaps a crusade. Each song is an adventure and an invitation into the unknown. Much has to be said about the great instrumental and vocal performance from the band. “Fires on the Mountainside” delivers on every level possible and certainly is one of the best releases of 2025! While the group claims to be following Children of the Sea, this writer unquestionably follows Fer De Lance!

Mark Kadzielawa

UFO – (The Misdemeanor Tour) Live at Oxford Apollo 1985 (HNE Recording Ltd.)

 

When UFO came back in 1985 with “Misdemeanor” they were in no man’s land.  The album went mainly unnoticed.  It wasn’t even released in the United States, but was available as an import.  The radio completely ignored, yet the band managed to do a tour, playing small venues, and not attracting much attention.  The glory days seemed to be pretty much behind them at that point.

This set combines a live CD and a DVD from one of those stops in Oxford, England.  As a unit, the band was functioning, the new songs were catchy, and their new guitarist, Atomik Tommy M, did a great job with the tracks.  The live set actually concentrates on majority of the tracks from “Misdemeanor,” and it’s something that would hardly be imaginable today. 

While not making a big splash back in 1985, “Misdemeanor” is actually quite good, and in a way a connector between two big UFO phases.  Now the band is no more, but they music lives on, and such releases definitely keep it breathing.  While not in its prime, this line up managed to get themselves on the Knebworth bill in 1985, supporting the reunited Deep Purple. 

This set was available before as a DVD, now it is a combined release.  You can listen, or you can view and listen.  For collector’s this is great, and certainly check off another mark on the long UFO live history.  The quality of this release is amazing, and definitely done with love and the appreciation for the music and UFO’s extensive history. 

Mark Kadzielawa

Striker - The Forge, Joliet, Illinois 9/18/25 (visual review - all images by Mark Kadzielawa)

 

Necrot - Reggie's, Chicago, Illinois 9/17/25 (visual review- all images by Mark Kadzielawa)