Lost In the Riffstorm 2025: Part 3

Metalcatto

There were several old and new acts we missed this year, so it’s time to give you our two cents. You can get mad sure, or you could just think, well, “I almost forgot that came out, maybe I should check how wrong Catto is.” That’s a great way to find out I’m right. Anyway. Let’s get to it.

Amorphis – Borderland: Let’s say something straight, we can probably count quickly the bands that have such an impressive and complete catalogue as Amorphis. Probably the only band with not one but two awesome album trilogies. That’s why Borderland in comparison feels safe. It shows a band that can still make pretty and compelling MeloDeath/Folk Metal, but it’s not pushing itself to new worlds. It’s fun, beautiful, and bombastic, just like any good Amorphis album should be, but don’t expect it to beat classics like Silent Waters or Skyforger — that’s probably never going to happen. Yet, if you’re a fan, there’s nothing to waste here.

Sodom – The Arsonist: I’m going to be honest with you, the last time Sodom made something I thought was awesome there was still a Soviet Union. So, where should we put The Arsonist? Well, it’s OK — it’s solid and reliable Thrash with good production and potent riffs. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a Thrash band that has been doing this for so long. The craft is wonderful, but the creativity takes a back seat. There just aren’t enough new ideas here to get me super excited, but if you just want bashing war riffs that don’t get too depressing (as most modern War Metal does these days), then I guess this is as good as it gets this year.

Calva Louise – Edge of the Abyss: Now we can talk about creativity. Calva Louise almost got lost in my mailbox, but that would’ve been tragic. The band blends Metalcore, Prog, and Groove Metal in a weirdly accessible album that knows how to innovate but also how to be fun. Every track is a surprise and you can never be sure where things are going to go. If Pupil Slicer weren’t so brutal and heavy, they’d probably feel like Edge of the Abyss. If you haven’t noticed, I liked this album — I shouldn’t, due to all the “electronic” stuff going on, but I did anyway. Maybe the same will happen to you. There’s always room to be surprised, right?

That’s it kids! See you tomorrow!