Originally Published on September 9th, 2026

I think I’ve developed a pattern of the typical styles of music I review, and I don’t like that. It’s time to step out of my comfort zone and take a stab at some more metal.

Maidenhead are a heavy/thrash/death metal band out of the New England (Rhode Island and Massachusetts) area. Formed in 2013, they released their debut in 2022, with the release of their single, Cabin in the Woods. In 2023, they released their first multi-track work with the album, Death of a Maiden. They have two upcoming shows in November: Backstage in Munich, November 20th and The Woodshop in Brooklyn, November 22nd.

Maidenhead are Andre Forero, Lawrence Lee, Zack Roberts, Vance Simmons, and Bella Song.

Maximum Clonage

Maximum Clonage is the second album of New England-based independent recording artist, Maidenhead. It features 8 songs and runs at 30 minutes. In addition to Maidenhead, it features guest appearances by former Megadeth members, Chris Poland and Glen Drover on guitar, and Rich Gray on bass guitar. Additionally, tracks 2-7 on Maximum Clonage were mixed by Randy Burns, who has produced legendary acts like Megadeth, Possessed, Kreator, and Nuclear Assault. Prior to the album release, Maidenhead released two singles featured on Maximum Clonage: Death March and Magia Obscura.

My first impressions of Maximum Clonage is that I like the continuity of the album. It is very fluid in that I can play it on repeat and it ties together through the last song right back into the first. It starts and ends with intro/outro pieces that are both instrumental, so that helps, but very fluid nonetheless.

Instrumentally, this album is incredibly impressive. If I hadn’t confirmed this with my own eyes, I would say drummer Andre Forero could have possibly been born with an extra arm and a leg, but he’s got two of each like everybody else. He puts his limbs to work throughout the album, as he both manages to stay in pocket and hit some incredibly impressive fills all throughout.

The bass plays a pivotal transitional role between percussion and melody throughout the album. The bass is locked into bringing both elements out, performing in the pocket with the percussion as well as achieving some anchoring progressive performances melodically.

The mix on the guitars is amazing. I love the panned rhythms to each side of my ears with the more present and centered leads. The 360° listening experience is immersive. Props to Zack Roberts, Vance Simmons, as well as the featured performances by Poland and Drover.

The vocal performance by Bella Song is just impressive. She has a deep, guttural style and maintains that energy throughout every song on the album. I particularly like her work in Kill or Be Killed. There is a transition where the guitars build up to this instrumental break and she rolls right through the transition with them. It almost had an element of old Blood Brothers in her performance though still very much metal and not screamo. The dissonance in the harmonizations has a very dark, gothic vibe and it is awesome.

Final Thoughts

Every time I review a metal band, I’m kicking myself because I don’t listen to a lot of metal these days and I always feel like I should start. This is no exception as I feel absolutely amped listening to this album.

Maximum Clonage is a very good album featuring some excellent performances vocally, instrumentally, and is supported by extraordinary production. With its featured performances from artists who are connected to some legendary acts, Maidenhead have taken their latest album to a new level and have received positive reviews from media outlets such as Dead Rhetoric, MangoWave Magazine, Female Fronted Power and more.

Well, they can add Fifteen Minutes of Fame to the list of impressed music critics. I love it. Im going to continue to play it. And I’m going to tell my readers to GO PRESS PLAY!