February 28, 2025
New & Noteworthy is Metal Insider’s weekly column highlighting some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. This final New Music Friday of February finds new albums from the likes of Architects, Dark Chapel, The Men, The Residents, Vacuous and Perfect Plan amongst the many outstanding works hitting shelves this week. Don’t forget to check out our weekly playlist below. Enjoy!
February 28, 2025 Release Highlights:
Architects, The Sky, The Earth & All Between (Epitaph):
Said drummer Dan Searle to Kerrang! of the metalcore band’s 11th studio album, “It felt like we could bring all the best bits from various eras of the band into one place, and that was going to make a pretty diverse record. But we felt like we really needed to take those qualities and push them as far as we can, and improve upon what we’ve done in the past.”
Dark Chapel, Spirit in The Glass (MNRK Heavy):
The Black Label Society guitarist releases the debut full-length from his new side project, which combines “groovy, sludgy riffs with soaring melodies for a classic, fuzz-heavy sound.”
The Men, Buyer Beware (Fuzz Club):
According to their bandcamp, the New York punk band’s latest album tackles “questions both personal and political, imploring themselves and listeners to take a long hard look in the mirror and at their surroundings.”
The Residents, Doctor Dark (Cherry Red):
The mysterious rock band releases it’s 47th studio effort, which Consequence Of Sound described as a three-part opera that “blends heavy metal, avant-garde experimentalism, and symphonic flourishes, ultimately entangling the songs in an unpredictable, nightmarish web of sound.”
Vacuous, In His Blood (Relapse):
The death metal band pushes the boundaries of the genre on their first record for Relapse, displaying “surprising influences” one wouldn’t expect.
Perfect Plan, Heart Of A Lion (Frontiers):
Returning to their 80’s AOR influences, the Swedish band’s fourth studio effort is described by singer Kent Hill as “once again showcasing that we have developed and matured as a band in terms of songwriting and production. The melodies, riffs, and hooks that we have created on this album are overall the best we’ve done so far.”
February 28, 2025 Releases:
Venamoris, To Cross Or To Burn (Ipecac)
Year Of The Cobra, Year Of The Cobra (Prophecy)
You, Infinite, You, Infinite (Pelagic)
Deep Sea Diver, Billboard Heart (Sub Pop)
Doves, Constellations For The Lonely (EMI North)
Godswounds, Cheer Up Sunshine (Sonichimaera)
Andy Bell (of Ride), pinball wanderer (Sonic Cathedral)
Bdrmm, Microtonic (Rock Action)
Bonnie Trash, Mourning You (Hand Drawn Dracula)
Cloakroom, Last Leg of the Human Table (Closed Casket Activities)
Arion, Like The Phoenix I Will Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
Avantasia, Here Be Dragons (Napalm)
Brainstorm, Plague Of Rats (Reigning Phoenix)
Caleb Hyles, The Darkness Before Dawn (Judge & Jury)
Chemicide, Violence Prevails (Listenable)
Enemy Inside, Venom (Reigning Phoenix)
Grima, Nightside (Napalm)
Havukruunu, Tavastland (Svart)
Oversize, Vital Signs (SharpTone)
Robin McAuley, Soulbound (Frontiers)
