Shatterheart – Infernal Symphony

Shatterheart
Infernal Symphony
Label: Art Gates Records
Out: 6^th February 2026
Playing time: 51:18

Infernal Symphony moves comfortably between symphonic grandeur, power metal drive and darker gothic shades

OK, those are big words. Shatterheart have already shown that there is something to it with their EP ‘Ground Turns To Dust’. The Swedish Symphonic/Power Metal band with a Greek singer hails from Gothenburg, the Metal capital of the Scandinavian country. The band was founded in 2023. However, it took until autumn 2024 to complete the line-up. In May 2025, the aforementioned EP was released, featuring three songs. These can be heard alongside seven new songs on the debut album ‘Infernal Symphony’, which has now been released. While the EP was released independently, the album is being released on the Spanish label Art Gates Records.

With ‘Afterlife’, the Swedes pick up exactly where they left off on the EP. Explosive Power Metal with Symphonic influences. Alicke Kostopoulou’s vocals exude a pleasant Rock flair, while the riffs pound in the background. Johan Bergman celebrates his first guitar solo, alternating with keyboardist Daniel Lyngsaa Larsson. On ‘Nightchild’, the guitars fry even more intensely. Drummer Olle Bengtsson provides the rhythmic foundation. We already know the next two songs, ‘No Rest’ and ‘A Shattered Heart’, from the EP ‘Ground Turns To Dust’. Shatterheart already released a video for ‘Betrayal’ last October. The mid-tempo anthem is introduced by keyboard sounds. But don’t worry, the guitar riffs soon kick in here too. Synth effects introduce ‘The Ghosts Remain’ before the guitar, bass and drums take over loudly. Alicke sings along in a pleasantly deeper voice. At times, she also switches to a slightly rougher spoken chant. To top it all off, another powerful guitar solo follows. Anyone expecting a hard, fast song in ‘Raging Storm’ will be disappointed. Instead, we hear a mid-tempo metal anthem. With clear and catchy vocals. ‘Forever Will Last’ is a contemplative ballad that invites you to dream, with lots of keyboard layers, acoustic guitars and elfin vocals. Shortly before the end comes the title track ‘Ground Turns To Dust’ from the debut EP. Shortly before the end comes the title track ‘Ground Turns To Dust’ from the debut EP. The album concludes with the eleven-and-a-half-minute monumental work ‘Infernal Symphony’. First, wind noises and keyboards can be heard. Drumbeats kick in. Then follows a storm of riffs. The keyboards and choruses create a very epic atmosphere. Alicke Kostopoulou starts with calm vocals, which later become more powerful. Fast, hard passages alternate with contemplative sections. The singer’s vocal range is impressive, from low notes to soprano, she masters everything. Later, a high-speed guitar solo follows. This is the crowning finale of the album.

What Shatterheart had already hinted at on ‘Ground Turns To Dust’ is fully confirmed on ‘Infernal Symphony’. The band is a serious force in Symphonic Power Metal. And even if I repeat myself, the ‘Power’ is written in capital letters. The synths and keyboards are always present, but they don’t overload the sound. However, the figurehead is clearly singer Alicke Kostopoulou. We can certainly look forward to seeing how Shatterheart will develop in the future.

Shatterheart – Betrayal: https://youtu.be/GnfJ1H0PL_4?si=fAvWcrPRBDk3mcC8

Lineup:

Johan Bergman – Guitars
Alicke Kostopoulou – Vocals
Olle Bengtsson – Drums
Jonathan Strand – Bass
Daniel Lyngsaa Larsson – Keyboards

Track list:

• Afterlife
• Nightchild
• No Rest
• A Shattered Heart
• Betrayal
• The Ghost Remains
• Raging Storm
• Forever Will Last
• Ground Turns To Dust
• Infernal Symphony