For more than thirty years, fans of symphonic melodic metal act Rhapsody Of Fire have been able to rely on one thing: there’s nothing half-hearted about this band. Rhapsody Of Fire mastermind and founder Alex Staropoli looks back at an impressive record of 14 studio albums, three EPs and two live recordings to date, all marked by lots of heart and soul, passion and a virtually inexhaustible wealth of ideas. Since 1993, the Italian keyboardist has been hailed as the creator of the film score metal genre and his band as one of the most charismatic acts worldwide. In addition, Staropoli has enlisted a highly creative first-rate guitarist in Roby De Micheli, who joined the fold in 2011, contributing lots of gritty metal riffs and virtuoso solos to contrast the band’s symphonic orchestral style. Their latest studio album ‘Challenge The Wind’ is marked by Staropoli and De Micheli’s zest and energy, but also by a number of surprises. The most obvious one: “Compared to all previous Rhapsody Of Fire releases, the current album consists exclusively of up-tempo numbers, not a single ballad in sight,” reveals the composer and keyboardist. “None of our other records have featured as much pure, unadulterated metal as ‘Challenge The Wind’!”

Trouble is an American metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s. A critically acclaimed group, their first two albums, Psalm 9 and The Skull are cited as landmarks of doom metal. To date, Trouble has released nine studio albums including their latest release,”The Distortion Field” (July 2013 on FRW Music) featuring new singer Kyle Thomas. “The Distortion Field” was listed in CMJ’s Top 50 Rock Albums of the Year and came in at #125 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart, and #25 on the Top New Artist Albums Chart (Heatseekers).

Formed in the summer of 2021, WANTED is a band with the distinct goal of resurrecting traditional loud, and melodic styles of heavy metal that ruled the airwaves in the mid to late 1980s. The band’s main influences consist of Dokken, Ratt, and Van Halen. WANTED was put together in the VERY small town of Leonard, MI (a mile east of Oxford, MI).

Initially consisting of Jon Rochefski (Vocals), Jameson Clark (Drums), Alan Mares (Lead Guitar), Christian Shonts (2nd Guitar) and Nathan Reschak (Bass guitar), the band played local restaurants and organized backyard parties throughout late 2021. After a few months of doing so, the band went to the studio to record their single “Let Me”, released in February of 2022

Paul Slezak was picked to take on the spot as bassist in March of 2022

Nate Peck was recruited as lead vocals in May of 2022 in order to better fit the sound the band was aiming for. After some cool success with American Idol, Nate had to leave and work on a different project in Nashville , granting Sterling Primeau the spot as lead vocals

The band put out their album “Cutting Edge” on June 27th, 2025, and it has been their most recent effort since.

(Current Lineup) Lead Vocals – Sterling Primeau Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals- Alan Mares Rhythm Guitar – Christian Shonts Bass Guitar – Paul Slezak Drums – Chris Rajt

When darkness engulfs the world, NITE sets the sky ablaze with white-hot, blackened heavy metal.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while looking to the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satan’s Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakis’ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era. Drummer Patrick Crawford (Older Sun, Mustard Gas & Roses) and bassist Avinash Mittur (Wretched Stench) make up a rhythm section that’s fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of heavy metal’s earliest days.

Having completed their journey through the stars and the skies on Voices of the Kronian Moon, NITE now faces the abyssal and shadowy mythology that has long laid dormant on their third album, Cult of the Serpent Sun. Fans who yearn for the days of molten guitar leads, chest-rattling bass and stadium-shaking drums flock to NITE’s circle, and stay for the snarling vocals that speak to metal’s esoteric underground.

On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE guards the altar of blackened heavy metal with sharpened blades and axes raised.

Wretched Warriors and Devout Defenders of the TrÜest of Faiths.
Tulsa, OK USA

Luminator is a fantasy power metal band based out of Seattle/Tacoma WA.