SHATTERHEART were formed in 2024 and they are from Gothenburg, Sweden. They are a symphonic Metal band. After their debut EP, the band now releases their first full-length album. "Infernal Symphony" was produced by guitarist Johan Bergman, produced, mixed, and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (ARCH ENEMY; AT THE GATES; DARK TRANQUILITY) at Studio Fredman Sweden. The album has a length of about 51 minutes, and it was released via Spanish Metal label Art Gates Records. The album has a fast and heavy start with the opening track "Afterlife". The guitar riffing is powerful and is accompanied by notable orchestral arrangements. The tempo is fast during the verse and chorus parts. The arrangements are mainly led by the strings and the brass. The vocals vary around the medium end of the vocal range with a few tonal shifts. The melodies are catchy, especially during the chorus parts. At the heart of the track is an extended break, which starts with a contributing lead guitar solo, followed by a keyboard solo. After the solos, there is a tempo switch, where the vocals get backing vocal support. "Afterlife" is a very strong opening track of the album. "Nightchild" is a track with plenty of traditional Heavy Metal vibes, especially in the guitar riffing. It is a mid-tempo track with catchy melodies and anthemic choruses. The guitar riffs are powerful and tight. The break offers a mixture of keyboard and lead guitar solos. No orchestral arrangements are notable. After the journey into classical Heavy Metal territory,

"No Rest" goes back to symphonic Metal. The track is played at a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffs, strings, and brass driving the track forward. The melodies are a bit darker compared to the previous tracks and include some traces of melancholy during the choruses, while the vocals utilize a greater vocal range. The break is introduced by the piano, transitioning into a contributing lead guitar solo, followed by a shot keyboard solo. "A Shattered Heart" offers more heaviness than the previous track at mid-tempo. The guitar riffing is tight and thunderous and accompanied by a few double-bass attacks. The vocals are very versatile with many tonal shifts during the verse parts and highly pitched notes during the choruses. The orchestral arrangements are notable, but more in the background with the strings being the main contributor. The break delivers another fine lead guitar solo. "A Shattered Heart" is one of the album highlights. "Betrayal" is introduced by the keyboards leading into powerful guitar riffs at a measured tempo. It is a heavy but also quiet track, in particular during the verse parts and the bridges. The melodies are catchy but dark and a bit melancholic during the choruses. The orchestral arrangements are mostly absent, only with a bit of string contribution during the middle of the track. The break offers once again an alternation of keyboard and lead guitar solos. "Betrayal" was the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below.

"The Ghost Remains" is one of the fast songs on the album. Orchestral arrangements are prominent featuring mainly the strings. The guitar riffing is tight and heavy. The vocals have guest support by XANDRIA's Ambre Vourvahis and both ladies share the vocal duties equally during the choruses, while alternating during the verse parts. The break delivers another very contributing lead guitar solo. "Raging Storm" slows a bit down. Starting with a piano intro, the verse and chorus parts are played at mid-tempo. The guitar riffing is thunderous and tight at times during the verse parts, while the basslines are crunching. The melodies are once again on the darker side, in particular during the choruses. The vocals utilize almost the whole vocal range. The orchestral arrangements are more prominent as the track goes on. Highlight of the track is the lead guitar solo. "Forever Will Last" offers a change in sound as the track is introduced by the acoustic guitars and the strings. I had a little "And Nothing Else Matters" flashback during the opening sequences, however, as the vocals join in, the track develops into the album ballad. It is the well-tried concept of starting the track very quietly and as time goes by, more instruments join in with the guitars and drums. As the track is at full swing, the guitars deliver thunderous riffs with the strings in the background. All is kept together excellently by vocalist Alicke Kostopoulou, who grabs the opportunity to shine.

"Ground Turns To Dust" starts with heavy and thunderous guitar riffs at a measured tempo. The Heavy Metal vibes return in the riffing, however, the orchestral arrangements with the strings are very prominent, in particular during the choruses. The vocals are versatile and they utilize also some deeper notes. The melodies are catchy and a bit anthemic during the choruses. "Ground Turns To Dust" is another album highlight. The final song is the title track, and this one is the longest track by far with the playing time of about 12 minutes. Introduced by orchestral arrangements, the track leads into a mid-tempo verse part, driven by the guitar riffing, the strings, the brass, and the vocals. The melodies are catchy and the chorus lines are almost sing-alongs. At the center of the track is the break, which includes twists and turns in tempo and rhythm, prominent orchestral contributions, a flesh-ripping lead guitar solo with plenty of Power Metal vibes, and in-between the track circles back to the chorus part. The vocals are very essential during that phase of the track as Alicke Kostopoulou keeps all these different parts together. "Infernal Symphony" is meant to be the album highlight and it is surely one of them. SHATTERHEART deliver a good and promising debut album. Most debut albums leave room for improvement; but my impression is that "Infernal Symphony" is already very mature in many aspects. The album offers a very good balance between the Metal sound and the symphonic elements. The orchestral arrangements are very well thought through and fit often perfectly to the tracks. The guitar riffs include different vibes, while the lead guitar solos belong to the highlights. The vocals are very versatile and give the songs an additional layer. The album is well produced. SHATTERHEART is a symphonic Metal band to watch out, and they will make their way in a very crowded symphonic Metal market.