April 2025 "The Gateway" Playlist - Alternative Metal Authority

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aY7WjCGySb3Lb4x79Dk5T?si=d47356138be949e1

1. Amen – Slave (1994)

2. Any Given Sin – Rest for the Wicked (2025)

3. Demon Hunter – Freedom is Dead (2022)

4. Design19 – FFWD (2002)

5. Emil Bulls – Lava (2003)

6. Falling in Reverse – Prequel (2024)

7. Five Finger Death Punch – A Little Bit Off (2020)

8. Fudge Tunnel – Hot Salad (1993)

9. Godsmack – Good Day To Die (2010)

10. Hamlet – Antes y Después (2001)

11. In This Moments – Adrenalize (2012)

12. Jynx – G.O.A.T. (2018)

13. Lacuna Coil – I Wish You Were Dead (2025)

14. Life of Agony – River Runs Red (1993)

15. Living Colour – Out of Mind (2009)

16. Petit Brabancon – Miserable (2023)

17. Pop Evil – Silence & Scars (2013)

18. Shootyz Groove – In The Ocean (1994)

19. Spiritbox – Perfect Soul (2025)

20. Swallow the Sun – What Have I Become (2024)

21. Vision of Disorder – Heart of Darkness (2015)

Here are my thoughts on some tracks:

Amen – Slave (1994)

4/5. A great start to this playlist, in memory of Amen vocalist Casey Chaos. RIP

Any Given Sin – Rest for the Wicked (2025)

3.5/5. Good song, great vocals, nice bass! Although the more I listen to this, the more I find some overpowering Daughtry vibes. Still there's no rest for this high-octane tunes.

Demon Hunter – Freedom is Dead (2022)

3/5. This one has more of the metalcore energy and growled vocals from Ryan Clark, though it seems more like an appetizer compared to the rest of this main course.

Falling in Reverse – Prequel (2024)

5/5. This highlight introduces you to the dark world of Popular Monster with an ominous tribal march, as Ronnie takes on some poetic diary-like rapping that can actually outshine Eminem. As all this is happening, an epic buildup slowly grows, and Ronnie warns the haters to, if they have anything bad to say, let him know directly. Right at the very height, he pulls off some impressive falsetto singing, and the heaviness crashes down on you like a world-destroying missile. His girlfriend Saraya (who guest appears in a song later in the album) would definitely use that her entrance theme for wrestling tournaments. I understand if anyone wants to skip that track for something more upbeat, but for me, it's a glorious start to this monstrous yet understandably overhated offering.

Five Finger Death Punch – A Little Bit Off (2020)

4.5/5. A softer but excellent relatable track.

In This Moment – Adrenalize (2012)

5/5. Another awesome track to please the crowd!

Jynx – G.O.A.T. (2018)

4.5/5. "G.O.A.T" in this case stands for "God of All Things". Some bada** nu/rap metal right here!

Lacuna Coil – I Wish You Were Dead (2025)

4/5. This single is what got me pumped up for the new Lacuna Coil album, and it's a true highlight. Again it connects the bridge between Comalies and Karmacode, maybe even a more dramatic take on a song from Shallow Life. It's a little short, being under 3 minutes. Maybe a guitar solo before the final chorus would make it better, but I still enjoy it as-is.

Spiritbox – Perfect Soul (2025)

4.5/5. Love this amazing new work by Spiritbox!

Swallow the Sun – What Have I Become (2024)

5/5. While some people think this switch from gothic death-doom into mainstream alt-metal should burn in Hell, I disagree. This is one of the best songs I've heard from the new Swallow the Sun. The growls and cleans both work so well.

Vision of Disorder – Heart of Darkness (2015)

4.5/5. Vision of Disorder also went into more of a mainstream alt-metal direction. Fortunately, they still have their roots from the heart of 90s metalcore.