Brainmaze’s WHEN YOUR DEMONS COME is a raw, cathartic gut-punch of a debut that took over a decade to fully materialize—and it shows in the best way. This Bulgarian one-man metal machine, spearheaded by multi-talented musician/photographer Ivan Shishkov (with contributions from global session players), unleashes a concept album that’s equal parts personal exorcism and sonic assault. Dropped in early 2025 (January 11 via Bandcamp and independent channels), the 10-track full-length dives headfirst into themes of fear, spite, despair, hatred, uncertainty, disillusion, insanity, envy, anger, and more—each song a chapter in confronting inner darkness.Classified as groove/thrash metal with progressive edges, the sound is aggressive, riff-driven, and unrelenting: heavy grooves that lock in like mid-era Pantera or Machine Head, thrashy speed bursts reminiscent of Slayer or Testament, and progressive flourishes that add depth without losing the punch. Shishkov’s vision shines through—he handled concept, lyrics, music, photography, and design—creating a cohesive, narrative-driven beast. Tracks like “Fear,” “Anger” (with its official lyric video out there), and “Insanity” deliver that defiant clarity amid the chaos: crushing riffs, pounding rhythms, and vocals that snarl with genuine emotional weight. The international collaborators bring polished performances and inventive arrangements, elevating the production to something tight, modern, and vicious.It’s not just music; it’s therapy turned outward—late-night isolation transformed into global catharsis. The album doesn’t shy from darkness; it stares it down and fights back with intensity and perseverance. For a debut (after years as a project formed around 2013), it’s impressively focused and mature, avoiding filler while packing emotional and sonic hooks.If you’re into groove-laden thrash with conceptual bite—think Lamb of God meets Gojira’s heaviness, or the raw spite of acts like Power Trip—this will resonate hard. Bulgarian metal continues to prove it’s got fire, and Brainmaze is a fresh voice worth amplifying.A fierce, soul-baring standout from the underground. Crank it loud when your own demons show up.Overall rating: 8/10
Powerful grooves, emotional depth, killer concept execution—a hell of a debut that hits where it hurts. Bulgaria’s bringing the heat. #WhenYourDemonsCome #Brainmaze #GrooveThrash #BulgarianMetal #ThrashMetal #NewRelease #MetalDebut #ConceptAlbum