ShatterHeart – Infernal Symphony | Progressive Rock Central.com

Shatterheart is a new symphonic, power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. They are about to unleash their first major album, Infernal Symphony, on February 6, on the Art Gates Record label. They did release an EP, titled Ground Turns to Dust in 2025, and that was greeted with critical acclaim.

They are a group of creative individuals with different backgrounds when it comes to music. They have spent a lot of years playing different subgenres within rock and metal, everything from heavy metal to 70s rock and sleaze/glam metal. All of the band members have been playing in metal and similar bands for years, gaining experience. Their music “focuses a lot on the psychological state of a character or a scene that has been a part of a personal experience before. They point to Within Temptation for inspiration, as many metal bands with female lead singer do. The band says, “Infernal Symphony is the result of many years of practice, many years of experimenting in different musical paths and we are beyond excited to share it with the world!”

Shatterheart is a band, made up of members: Johan Bergman, on guitars; Aliki Kostopoulou, on lead vocals; Olle Bengtsson, on drums; Jonathan Strand, on bass; and Daniel Lyngsaa Larsson, on keyboards.

So what does the album sound like?

Well, “Afterlife,” opens with brilliant keys and then the metal soundscape descends around you. Power drums, kicking loud, while beautiful Journey-like keyboards soar. Metal guitars and bass begin to fill the air. Then, the first vocals from Aliki Kostopoulou. And she sounds magnificent. Very similar to Ambre Vourvahis of Xandria. In fact, both ladies are from Greece and maybe that is the foundation of their similarities in vocal sound. Anyway, we’ll have more on Ambre soon. But this amazing over 11-minute epic is just under way. Aliki sings, “It is my time. In all my dreams. When the shadows have faded. This is my own dream. My afterlife is haunting me.” The blistering electric lead guitar roars forward as the drums propel further around you. The keyboards are a very welcomed addition to this pallet. Yes, Daniel Lyngsaa Larsson’s keyboards separate this band from the last two, Epinikion and Edenbridge that I just reviewed. The keyboards are so overwhelming and perfect. And I, a lover of the sound of the keyboards, must appreciate the fact that I now have three major bands racing to the early lead of my metal favorite albums of 2026. Aliki Kostopoulou lifts her voice up to join the great Greek female singers of the Metal Pantheon, Ambre Vourvahis, of Xandria; Marialena Trikoglou, of Mystfall; and now Vicky Kapetanopoulou, of Part of the Theory. So much talent in one place. (If only we could get these ladies together to write and sing a single together, huh?).

“Nightchild,” opens with regal lead electric guitars and ‘80s metal drums. Aliki Kostopoulou sounds like one of those female lead singers from the 1980s, like Pat Benatar or Anne Wilson. Aliki sings, “I want that power. Night child, I want to be your master!” It is one of the best songs on the album. It was an early single and has an excellent music video supporting it. The keyboards in the middle of the song send this track over the top, in my like category.

“No Rest,” is another of the many best songs on this album of greatest hits. This track warms up slowly with brilliant keyboards and then soft drums, before heavier drums, bass, and lead electric guitar, join the wonderful keyboard symphony already under way. Aliki Kostopoulou sings soft and welcoming as the song starts. Then, she takes on a pop or more of that ‘80s metal vocal sound. An over 9 – minute track, which seems to be the standard for this band. They do write long songs, which only makes me want to hear more of their music. The soft pauses they have on this track make it one of the best. But then, Johan Bergman unleashes a magnificent lead guitar solo. It is followed by a stunning Daniel Lyngsaa Larsson keyboard solo. Perfection!

Don’t you just love it when bands write a song for their name? I do and “A Shattered Heart,” is just the way you want to help summarize the band’s sound. The song opens with thunder drums and those wonderful keyboards, before the lead electric guitars, bass, and drums go on the prowl. Aliki sings, “We fall asleep in warm embrace. But we won’t dream of love or bliss. Our song is coming to an end. Under disgrace I close my eyes to shelter from the truth. Left in the fire, I couldn’t see the end. But there’s a place where we can fly. Where no one sees and no one cries. A shattered heart will make you. Go to war against the world. As the flames are rising higher. In a shattered heart!” Over seven minutes of metal rock, filled with electric guitar buzz, bass, and those constantly thundering drums.

“Betrayal,” opens slowly with brilliant keyboards and orchestration. The metal components grind together to fill the soundscape with metal sound. Aliki sings, “I can’t forget your howling screams. A winter night it was. It seems. I cannot bear to be alone. How can you have a heart of stone? Now would you save us? I see the truth, it’s crystal clear, but in the end it feels unreal. And in this silence, all I hear is betrayal, ’cause you left me out of fear.” Over 8 minutes of juggernaut level metal power.

Then, the song we’ve all been waiting for “The Ghosts Remain, (with Ambre Vourvahis).” Together these two queens of metal will rock your ears. The song opens with cool keyboards and more of that 80s level guitar and keyboard combos. Just imagine Aliki Kostopoulou and Ambre Vourvahis’s voices matched together and giving you a double dose of vocal magic. Over eight minutes of great lyrics and female vocals matched with that dynamic metal soundscape supporting. Electric guitar riffing and shredding like you remember from the 1970s. A song with everything you want to hear. Thank you, ladies, for teaming up to give us this magic.

“Raging Storm,” opens with bold piano keys and turns into a short piano interlude, until the metal guitars, bass, and drums return. Aliki Kostopoulou delivers softer, straight ahead rock vocals. A nice break from the avalanche of metal preceding it. Over seven minutes of great music. The soft piano makes another wonderful entrance, and Aliki Kostopoulou seems happy. I know I am.

“Forever Will Last,” is the best song on the album, other than the epic final title track. It opens with what almost sounds like harp playing but is probably just intricate acoustic guitar or programmed keyboards. Aliki Kostopoulou’s voice is soft and wonderous. The album’s ballad. Aliki sings, “I still remember the days when we were young. The stars that hold the past. Those memories forever will last.” The drums keep a still but ever-present beat to this mystical song. Over ten minutes of refined escape. Then, a great lead electric guitar solo to help cap off the talent of this band. The harp – like sounds and Aliki’s vocalizations are so calming and effervescent.

“Ground Turns to Dust,” opens with distant choir-like sounds and soft keyboards. Then, the hammer lands full force, lifting the metal soundscape. Over nine minutes of fire. Aliki Kostopoulou’s dynamic vocals sound expert, leading the metal march on. The keyboard symphony surrounding the soundscape is a perfect compliment to the metal lead guitar, bass, and drum sound.

Then, they unleash the final, epic, title track, “Infernal Symphony.” Over 22 minutes of epic metal visions and sounds. First, we hear the orchestration and keyboards. It sounds like a sandstorm in the desert. The drums and keyboards begin a royal salute, like a Roman Legion marching to war. The soundscape builds as trumpet like keys sound. A fierce some fighting force moving forward towards war. Aliki Kostopoulou helps lead this massive brigade forward. She sings, “The planets have aligned. The truth will shine!” I can almost hear what I hope was a pipe organ within the sounds of the keys. Then, the soundscape takes off as the pace picks up. The band describes the front cover art as, “The main character was inspired by a Greek sculpture and Gothic/Victorian architecture. It gives a haunting but peaceful essence. It represents the timeless beauty of things. It is up to the listener to let the artwork create feelings within.” This song will move you to feelings for sure. A symphony and a march towards a better life and world. In the end Aliki Kostopoulou welcomes us to the infernal symphony!

Wow! What more can you say about ShatterHeart’s Infernal Symphony? All of the songs are over 7 minutes, giving the listener their “money’s worth,” and more. Elite level keyboards combined with non-stop electric lead metal guitar, and drums, with bass supporting the perfect soundscape. One of the best new female vocalists, from the land of great vocals. (And that goes all the way back to Ancient Greece). Yep, everything you could possibly want in a metal band. Now if they could mix Ancient Greek legends with the legends of Norse mythology! Now that would be something. The epic title track took me back to ELP’s “Mars, the Bringer of War,” for a little bit. Yes, I can definitely recommend ShatterHeart’s Infernal Symphony. Give this album your time and I know you will come to appreciate it. A symphony celebrating the perfect blending of heavy metal guitar and broadsword – like keyboards!