Episode Thirty Four of MMM features diverse mix of – in my opinion, natch – some of the most interesting choonery we’ve come across in a while. Have a listen and see if you agree!
KERBEROS
Kerberos is a symphonic death metal band from Switzerland, founded by guitar player and vocalist Félicien Burkard in 2013. In 2014, the band was joined by drummer Nicolas Käser. With the addition of vocalist Ai-lan Metzger in 2018, the band began recording their demo, The Awakening of the Hellhound, released in 2020. In early 2021, the band started tracking their first album, Of Mayhem and Dismay, at Iguana Studios in Germany. Released in September 2022, the album blends the epic, progressive and extreme into a unique package. Intricate choir and orchestral arrangements meet crushing prog death parts, complemented by an exciting interplay of clean and harsh lead vocals, challenging genre conventions and musical boundaries
After the release of the album, Diego Lanzendörfer joined Kerberos as second guitar player, which allowed the band to start their live chapter. By playing their first gig in Werkk Baden in June 2023, Kerberos proved that they deliver an energetic live performance that is no less convincing than the studio record.
The band’s upcoming studio outing, Apostle to the Malevolent, is both more ambitious and more cohesive than the band’s previous records. Each track is inspired by the baroque era and its composers. The tracks do not only preserve baroque sound aesthetic but also focus on virtuosic melody lines and complex contrapuntal (and there’s a word I bet you never thought you’d see cropping up in Metal Morsels!) writing. Amidst the EP’s overarching darkness, the track Alpine Sea embodies a whirlwind of emotions with a dreamlike atmosphere.
Recorded and produced by the experienced Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios in Germany (known for his work with Necrophagist, Unlight, and Finsterforst), the production quality meets the high standards expected of modern extreme and epic metal. This time around, Kerberos has also raised the bar by enlisting classical musicians and a choir to create an authentic, organic listening experience. The result is a powerful record that will appeal to fans of traditional symphonic death metal as well as progressive and avant-garde music.
DARK DRIVEN
Sweden’s Dark Driven emerge next month with a chilling debut of grandeur and grit in the form of From the Unbeliever, a collection of dark, gothic metal that fuses melancholy with menace. This album is an exploration into the shadows, a soundscape where heartbreak wields a hammer and riffs are forged in fire.
Dark Driven’s debut doesn’t merely flirt with the umbre of sorrow; it inhabits it. There’s a rawness here that feels simultaneously classic and refreshingly new, blending gothic melancholy with a relentless drive. You can expect music that is as uncompromising as it is evocative, bleak yet beautiful, with a depth that demands multiple listens to fully unravel. The band has just released a new track, To Death, Too Soon, which perfectly represents their blackened ethos and heartwrending, desperate melodicism in one easy-to-digest nugget. I’ve thoughtfully provided the video clip below so you don’t even have to go on a wild hunt to find out more – simply wallow, and enjoy!
From the Unbeliever isn’t here to bow to trends or polish up for radio play; this is metal for those who prefer their music with shadows intact.
THE RATTLEBACKS
Brit hard rock crew, The Rattlebacks, seemingly cannot be stopped. After just completing a mammoth jaunt around the UK in support of their critically acclaimed debut album, Sidewinder, which is out now, the high-flying quintet have also released their captivating new single and video, How Calm The Silence – have a listen below!
Formed in 2021, and hailing from Brighton, England, The Rattlebacks’ arrival on the UK music scene was heralded when the electrifying rock merchants dropped their debut EP, Kink. Garnering the support of music fans and industry tastemakers, the record threw down a real marker. A series of sold-out headline performances soon followed, as well as a glut of highly successful live shows with Tailgunner. With the band’s stock on the rise,the band headed to Lightship 95 Studios to complete work on their debut album, Sidewinder. The record arrived at the end of last year, and fans both new and old have been blown away by the album’s sheer brilliance. It’s a monolithic piece of work that incorporates several rock sub-genres. To date, the album has racked up extensive support with Kerrang! Radio, Classic Rock Magazine, Hard Rock Hell, Powerplay Magazine, Fireworks, and Black Velvet Magazine, all championing the band and the record.
The Band’s ascension is now poised for new levels. With another run of UK shows confirmed for the Spring, further releases planned for the coming months, and a series of festivals lined up throughout the Summer, 2025 could well be the year of The Rattlebacks.
DOMINATION INC.
Domination Inc. brings their signature thrash energy to the forefront with Farewell Song, a raw and relentless track that embraces the essence of heavy music—unfiltered, aggressive, and packed with attitude. Paired with a stripped-down performance video capturing the band in its purest form, this release strips away excess, leaving nothing but the unshakable intensity of Domination Inc. in full force.
Farewell Song embodies the uncompromising nature of thrash metal, delivering riff-heavy aggression and a message of impending fate. Written by Ares Karatzas, Alpha Karatzas, and Theo Papadopoulos, the song hammers home a sense of urgency through relentless drumming, sharp-edged guitar work, and vocals that carry both anger and finality. The track was meticulously produced by Fotis Benardo, with co-production from Alpha & Ares, recorded at Devasoundz Studios, and given its final form through mixing by Fotis Benardo and mastering by Jacob Hansen. The result? A sonic battering ram designed to hit hard and stay with listeners long after the last note fades.
Unlike conceptual or narrative-driven visuals, the performance video, directed by John Nikolopoulos, keeps things simple yet powerful—a raw and intimate setting where Domination Inc. does what they do best: play loud, play fast, and let the music speak for itself. Filmed in a tight, dimly lit room, the video captures the sweat, the grit, and the undeniable chemistry of a band at full throttle, bringing fans as close to the action as possible.
This no-frills, all-thrills release will be available worldwide, allowing fans to experience Farewell Song in both audio and visual form as Domination Inc. continues to define modern thrash on their own terms.
Hope you enjoyed that little lot – see you very soon for some more of the same!
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