Heavy Metal Resource Reviews-Testament. Dank Jones, Orbit Culture, The Switch, & Biohazard

Index

'Para Bellum' is the fourteenth release by the veteran thashers. Been five years and judging by the quality of this new alum, there has been some time spent on this one. The album opens in a rage with 'For The Love OF Pain' and weaves it's way through a heavy musical journey. What is interesting to me is the fact that the band incorporate many different phases or eras in this new album. Some of the stuff sounds very up to date like the opener mentioned. Other stuff kind of goes for a more vintage Testament sound. 'Room 177' sounds fairly classic to me. You also get a very cool track in 'Meant To Be' which is like the 'Return to Serenity' of this album. Overall, everything intensity-wise is somewhere between the opener and that track. Lots of great riffing and the band sounds exceptionally tight. This is a very good batch of songs that will please any fan of the genre!

Release Date: October 10, 2025

There have been many great trio's in the music business when it comes to a band unit. Danko Jones is no exception to that and always bring consistency and plenty of attitude. Once again, the music on 'Leo Rising' is raw and in your face with a catchy nature to it. This is exactly what drew me into this band. Been listening for a few albums now and that feel is evident in everything I have heard to this point. Songs like 'Everyday Is Saturday Night' is one of the best examples on the new record of that instantly memorable sing along type of stuff that also gives you a punch in the face. This release is being handled by Perception which is part of the Reigning Phoenix music family that has been so busy in the last year or two. Other songs from the release that made my list of favorites include 'I'm Going Blind', 'Hot Fox'. and 'Pretty Stuff'. Very cool and gritty record!

Release Date: November 21, 2025

Had not heard Orbit Culture before this album and the lead single 'Tales Of War'. I was floored. Good epic feel that gets intense. Orbit Culture is definitely on the heavier side of my taste, but I dig this album a lot. As each single was released, the high quality was evident, but what was also obvious is how each song was different from each other. Also, while this band is heavy in the growl vocals, there are also different vocals used, some within the same song. The cleaner vocals remind me a lot of a younger James Hetfield from Metallica. By the time the album closes, you get an even more melodic vocal sound. Songs overall are pretty intense throughout and will appeal most to fans of more extreme metal. I personally like this album a lot. The epic feel of some tracks and the depth for this type of music is very impressive. Easily on of my favorites of the year!

Release Date: October 3, 2025

The concept of this debut album by The Switch is an interesting one. What you have here is the soundtrack to a blockbuster movie from 80's in a parallel universe. Definitely sounds fun. The music itself is very good. There is no doubt it is inspired by the 80's era and at times I thought vocals sounded a bit like Chris Daughtry. You can make the case for other influences as well. I've played it for people who mentioned Def Leppard as well. Maybe some Degreed to a point as well. The music has a cool upbeat feel to it and tends to be very melodic throughout. This doesn't mean it's all ballads and the such. It tends to be very infectious and memorable due to these elements. Songs are definitely vintage sounding yet have a very fresh feel to them. I really like what the band have done here overall. Cool and interesting themes mixed with solid songwriting and delivery!

Release Date: September 12, 2025

I have been in a phase recently. Listening to a lot of really heavy stuff. Biohazard fit very nicely into that recent phase with their new record 'Divided We Fall'. It has been some time since the band recorded. Approximately 13 years or so and this lineup is basically the original lineup that fans will remember from the earlier days. For those unaware, the band is a fusion of hardcore, metal with touches of hip hop. It's definitely heavy attitude filled metal music and this record exemplifies that. It's pretty consistent in terms of intensity and sound. A very good uniform listen that will make your ears bleed. It's very cool to see bands such as Biohazard make these comebacks in such a strong fashion. The fans clamor for this very thing as the music scene has changed quite a bit though the years. The is another solid outing for the band. Easy recommend to fans of heavy stuff!

Release Date: October 17, 2025