BraveWords

1 week ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

(Rata Mutante)Been three years since leader Esteban and his clan of speed metal Colombians have graced us with new music. Album #10 offers eight ripping additions to the Revenge canon. Looks like an upgrade in production and cover art, dispensing with the frequent cartoon characters in favor of a more Victorian horror vibe (Headless Horseman, apparently drawn by the same artist that did the Harder Than Steel artwork).

2 weeks ago | bravewords.com | Nick Balazs

(Pophouse / UMG)“I say fuck em’ because we’re not going away”Truer words have never been spoken. Even 1985 Paul Stanley knew his band would be this unkillable monster. Our rock ‘n’ roll preacher riles up the Texas crowd early on in the show from the newest Off The Soundboard release. Live In San Antonio, Texas – December 3, 1985 at the HemisFair Arena catches KISS on the fourth show of the Asylum Tour.

2 weeks ago | bravewords.com | Aaron Small

“You do these things and the only real barometer you have is how you feel about it as the songwriter. Then it gets to the point where you feel like you’re well represented, and you put it out into the world,” states vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Richie Kotzen, talking about Black Light / White Noise, the new album from Smith/Kotzen – his collaboration with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, available now via BMG.

2 weeks ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

(Doomentia)Fresh on the back of last year’s full-length, comes a new, limited edition (300 pieces) 12″ vinyl, four-song EP from the rough, speed metal Spaniards. All are exclusive to this release. “Heavy Metal Rush” comes tearing out of speakers, with a bit of simple, staccato, punk aggression (“Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Only the guitar break identifies it as a true metal construct. By contrast, the 4:04 mostly instrumental “The Catapult” is fleet fingered, repeated runs up/down the fretboard.

2 weeks ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

Most years, the vast majority of the Decibel lineup is a mystery to me, yet invariably, I discover a couple of acts that warrant future investigation and support. However, in 2025, nearly half the bands I’d not only seen, prior to the fest, but deemed most of them enjoyable. Saturday seemed a far cry from the fare. Somebody’s tastes are changing!Speaking of tastes, on Day 2 some breweries rotate their line-up, giving people something different than Day 1.