TOO LATE FOR HEAVEN, RIGHT ON TIME FOR HEAVY METAL – AGAIN!

Villain is back, and this time, they’ve gone all-in with their debut full-length album, Don’t Be A Hero! Back in 2024, I first took a deep dive into their self-titled EP and the scorching single Too Late for Heaven—a track that still rips through speakers like a white-hot blade. If you need a refresher on that, check out the original breakdown here. But now, it's time for the real deal, the full package, the no-holds-barred heavy metal experience!

WHO IS VILLAIN?

Villain is the next generation of Canadian steel, forged from the fires of the underground! The lineup packs serious pedigree, featuring Jake Greasy (aka Jake Gracie from Riot City and Manacle) on drums, Caleb Beal (formerly of Skull Fist and Midnight Malice) on guitar and vocals, and Dan Stewart on bass. While they’re still fresh in the scene, their 2018 EP and 2024 single were enough to turn heads. And now, with Don’t Be A Hero, they’re ready to kick down the doors of the heavy metal world with a self-released album that refuses to be ignored!

THE ART OF METAL – ALBUM COVER MADNESS!

Alright, let’s talk album cover confusion. When Don’t Be A Hero first dropped, it had a different cover—a simple skull with an eyepatch behind a pitch-black brick wall. Honestly? Not the most eye-catching. But now, a new and far superior artwork has taken its place! The updated cover features a battle-armored skeletal warrior, sword in hand, pointing directly at the decayed remains of another skeleton sprawled across an altar, flanked by candles. A visual warning? A message to all would-be heroes? Step up, and you’ll end up like the bones on that altar. Metal as hell.

THE SOUND – PURE 80s REBELLION!

Remember the mantra: Too Late for Heaven, Right on Time for Heavy Metal. That still holds true! Villain isn’t chasing the usual early 80s underground sound that so many new bands are gunning for. Instead, they dive headfirst into the mid-80s sleazy-yet-sharp hybrid of heavy metal and hard rock, injecting serious glam-infused attitude while keeping it razor-sharp and undeniably metal.

Caleb Beal delivers the goods on both vocals and guitar, effortlessly shifting from gritty aggression to melodic finesse when the moment calls for it. And when those massive singalong choruses hit, Jake Greasy’s backing vocals push them over the top. The production is crisp, punchy, and a step up from their previous releases—shoutout to John Dinsmore, who once again proves his engineering wizardry (you know his work with Cauldron and Smoulder!). The drum mix packs a wallop, the basslines give it that solid backbone, and every track just hits harder than before.

A perfect example? Compare the single version of Too Late for Heaven with the album version—it’s a different beast altogether. Tighter, bigger, meaner. Villain has leveled up.

HIGHLIGHTS – THE BEST OF THE BEST!

While the entire album rips, here are my absolute standouts: 🔥 Too Late for Heaven – The anthem that still defines the Villain sound! 🔥 Razing Hell (Tokyo) – Speed, attitude, and pure headbanging energy! 🔥 Womaneater – Sleazy, sinister, and soaked in 80s badassery! 🔥 (Honestly? Just spin the whole damn record!)

If you crave 80s-style infectious choruses, a lot of attitude, headbanging-fun and that lost art of key-shifted final choruses, this album is for you.

FINAL VERDICT – HEAVY METAL GLORY!

Don’t Be A Hero is an absolute banger from start to finish. It’s got everything: attitude, melody, slick riffing, and an energy that screams mid-80s rebellion. Villain is doing something different, blending the melodic precision of heavy metal with the grit and swagger of hard rock.

Europe doesn’t get enough bands like this, and I’d love to see them hit our shores for a tour. Until then, I highly recommend you support the band—buy their album, grab their merch, and most importantly, GO SEE THEM LIVE!

You can snag the digital album on Bandcamp here - click me!

Villain - Don't Be A Hero

What are you waiting for? Give this a spin - now!