Too Late for Heaven, Right on Time for Heavy Metal: A Look at Villain’s Rise

We’re moving up from Mexico to Canada, shifting gears with the heavy metal trio Villain — a fresh force in metal with a lineup that includes some well-known Canadian scene icons. The band features Jake Greasy (aka Jake Gracie from Riot City and Manacle) on drums, Caleb Beal (formerly of Skull Fist and Midnight Malice) on guitars and vocals, and Dan Stewart on bass. They’re still relatively new but have already teased us with a 2018 EP and a recently dropped single, both independently released. Their debut full-length, Don't Be a Hero, is slated for 2025, engineered by John Dinsmore, who’s known for working with heavyweights like Cauldron (In Ruin, New Gods) and Smoulder (Time of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring).

Their 2018 EP only features Caleb and Jake, but it’s a wild, gritty ride that hits hard. The guitars have that sleazy, dirty 80s edge, locking in seamlessly with the punchy drums. The vibe here swings from fast-paced hard rock to vintage heavy metal, and the line between the two genres blurs in a way that feels true to the 80s spirit. Although only 16 minutes long, the EP packs plenty of variety across its six tracks. Tracks one and three share some similarities, but the others range from mid-tempo sleaze to straight-ahead metal, even dipping into ballad territory with "The Ride." Caleb and Jake both take on vocal duties, and their styles complement each other perfectly, merging without overshadowing one another.

Now let’s dive into their latest single, Too Late for Heaven, which brings a noticeable leap in production quality and energy. This track’s sharper sound is thanks to Dinsmore’s skilled production—you can really hear it, especially in the drum mix, reminiscent of the punchy style on Cruel Force’s Dawn of the Axe. The guitars cut through the mix with slick, sleazy riffs, the bass presence is finally palpable, and the vocals come to the forefront with an infectious, harmony-heavy chorus. Too Late for Heaven also pulls off that classic 80s move with a key shift into the final chorus—a lost art in many ways, but here it feels effortless and authentic. Given the evolution we’re hearing in Too Late for Heaven, this full album is shaping up to be one to watch for next year!

Villain - Villain (EP)