DARK. VIRTUOSITY. INTEGRITY.

Well I am always excited when I come across new TOBY KNAPP music. Needless to say that I have been a fan for years, first came across with the mighty ONWARD and later on with WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS and of course NECRYTIS. Both his playing and his sound are original, should you hear something he has recorded you can definitely tell it is his guitar and of course I respect the fact that he is almost always active, with one band after another in power metal and beyond.

TOBY KNAPP’S EVERMOVING is Toby Knapp’s latest venture, arriving one year after the last WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS album and four years after the most recent ONWARD release, both of which were quite enjoyable. This time Toby dwells deep into the eighties (an era that I believe is always in his mind) in order to approach the speed metal (early thrash) sound of this time. And before you start whining “what are the differences with his two previous albums” well I have to say that there are not many since TOBY KNAPP has the composing mentality and playing of this era and it is obvious through out his work. Therefore “Power Metal Prophecy” continues where the last WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS album stopped but with a twist.

Compositions tend to be more aggressive in an early SLAYER/AGENT STEEL/OVERKILL way, which means high velocity “no holds barred” metal. However the lead work swifts towards a more melodic side, reminiscent of Akira Takasaki and George Lynch (I should add my all time favorite Warren DeMartini) style. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a “melodic metal” album, this is heavy metal with attitude, fast and raw sprinkled with adorable virtuoso guitar that Toby Knapp is known for.

This time, Toby Knapp decided to handle the vocals as well as everything else in the studio. I be really honest, I’d rather he recorded his albums with full band (as well as every other “one man project out there”), for me this way he could unleash his true potential but anyway. His voice is actually quite nice, and fits perfectly in the material, something like early Mustaine, Tom Gattis or Coburn Pharr. Though the vocals are somewhere behind the other instruments (like the latest ONWARD album) this somehow creates a “live in the studio” feeling that catches the vibe of the mid 80’s. As for his guitar work, there is little to say that hasn’t been already said: he is stunning both as a player and his approach to guitar sound: raw, unforgiving and vibrating.

To sum up, I’d say that I enjoyed this one and it is future purchase for me. If you are into this style of heavy metal, stop looking for your next well polished retro kids and check this out. You will not regret it.

- THE FORGOTTEN SCROLL (GREECE)

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I’ve been a fan of Toby Knapp since his days in the USPM band Onward. What I did not know then, but know now, is that Toby got his start as one of Mike Varney’s Shrapnel Records virtuosos that include people like early Yngwie Malmsteen (Steeler), Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, etc. Then about a year and a half ago, Toby shocked us all with his announcement that he was retiring from music. Thankfully that lasted about as long as Judas Priest‘s “retirement and he came to his senses. Why? Because Toby, through is guitar, still has a lot to say. So that brings me to the point of all this, Toby has a new album out and he not messing around. His motto is “If you want something done right you do it yourself!” That’s right, Toby went full on Yngwie where he does it all, drums vocals and all. And you know what? It actually rules!

The first thing that struck me is how little like Toby’s other work this sounds. Some of the riffing sounds familiar as well as his solos but there’s something about the riffing that hits different. I definitely do not get the overt Akira Takasaki vibes that permeates his riffs. This was definitely closer to his Onward approach but with a bit more aggression. The title track kicks it off and I’m instantly drawn to it. His vocals are actually quite perfect for the music and it hits a lot differently than Yngwie’s DIY approach. “Night of the Rager” follows and reminds me even more of Onward. Toby’s vocals on the chorus remind me of Fenriz from Darkthrone. But it’s those solos….OMG those solos. And it’s not just that the solos are godly, it’s that guitar tone. “Malefic Machines” rounds out the opening trio with some cool opening riffs. The only issue here is there’s one spot where he repeats a riff and it actually becomes a bit annoying. It’s brief and I still did not skip the track.

As we move through the album we get treated to five more tracks of blistering shred metal. Again, the riffs are much more power metal and they drive the songs. With that heavier approach, Toby’s vocals fit the songs perfectly. That gruff, gritty vocal sound on “Retaliation” actually makes the track feel heavier before the solo comes in the for money shot. As I said, the approach here is more on the heavier side and what says heavy more than a track called “Battalions of Hades.” There’s this heavy riff during the verse than the solos kick in and just take over the song all the way out. “The Tempest” is another stand out track as well as the closer. This reminds me of some epic metal mixed with some things that remind me of his Onward days. There’s a lot of layers to this track and definitely qualifies for a good closer. There’s even some prog riffing floating around. As always, the solos…gawddamn I love these solos!! I’m sorry but when it comes to power metal, the solos need to shred. It’s mandatory!

I think that Toby is in a really good place right now with this project. I am definitely glad he came out of his “retirement” to grace us with more music. I’ve been a huge fan of his shredding for a long time and this was just the album needed to shake the genre up a bit. He’s quite possibly my favorite shredder going right now and this album is one big reason why.

- REVIEWED BY THE ELITIST METALHEAD FOR METAL-RULES. COM (CANADA)

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I have expressed my weakness for Toby Knapp many times . A multidimensional and talented guitarist, a shredder in the sense that we know and love who has participated in countless projects and through them, has played everything. Heavy, prog, speed, death, black, power… everything! His guitar work, for a seminar. And yet, in 2024 Knapp announced his retirement from the music industry, a decision that, fortunately, he quickly reversed.

In 2025, he released the seventh album of his black metal project, WAXEN, entitled “High plains bloodlust” as well as the second album of speed metallers WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS, “Ruination revelation”. And while he is already working on the new album of the godly heavy/power metallers ONWARD, the literally unstoppable Knapp is releasing his new, tenth solo album, entitled “ Power metal prophecy ” .

The most attentive fans would certainly have noticed the word “Evermoving” added next to Knapp’s name, and somewhere here we should remind ourselves that “Evermoving” was the title of ONWARD’s awesome debut, while even the cover of “Power metal prophecy” refers directly to it. Elements that obviously predispose positively although, between us, I didn’t need the motivation of “Easter eggs” to deal with Toby’s new work.

“Power metal prophecy” initially has the following peculiarity: It is Knapp’s first solo album that does not have any instrumental tracks. Clearly a bold move for a shredder guitarist, but which also shows a self-confidence on his part, as he attempts to present an album with vocals and consequently more complete compositions. Obviously, Knapp’s vocals do not claim quality laurels, but that is not the point here. Our issue is the compositions themselves. And here “Power metal prophecy” offers exactly what the title says, and perhaps something more.

Sound-wise, the album gave me a strong ANNIHILATOR feel, mainly from the “King of the Kill” era, which personally didn’t bother me at all. Aggressive tracks that skillfully acrobatically move between power and speed, with sharp riffs and melodic solos. It is obvious that Knapp has not only not run out of inspiration but still has a lot in store. Special mention should be made of the last two tracks of the album, “Cowards” and “The Tempest”, with the first being clearly the most aggressive song on the album and the second claiming the title of the best song on this album.

“Power metal prophecy” is another excellent work from Toby Knapp, with dynamic compositions and, as always, incredible solos that will leave you speechless. An ideal appetizer for the new ONWARD album, whenever it is released, unless Toby surprises us again with another project, which, judging by his restless spirit, I don’t think is at all, but not at all unlikely!

(8,5 / 10)

-Thodoris Klonis 

REVIEWED FOR ROCK HARD (GREECE)

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Toby Knapp has been releasing albums since the early 1990’s when he started as part of the Shrapnel Records roster of shredders, and lately he sure has tapped into a ton of inspiration because he’s released over 10 albums with several projects in just the past 4 years or so. 

 I just got a copy of his latest solo album titled Toby Knapp’s Evermoving “Power Metal Prophecy”.  Toby is calling this style “New Wave Of Old School Speed Metal”, which is accurately descriptive, and pretty much the same style he’s been playing his entire career.  I’d add that this has elements of thrash, power, and shred metal too, all with modern production values.  

Driving power metal music that harkens back to the golden era of heavy metal when shredding guitars ruled the MTV airwaves, but even heavier then the commercially acceptable metal that did make it into the MTV rotation.  I’m betting Toby doesn’t care much about commercial popularity, and his music definitely benefits from that.  

Toby handles all the instruments and vocals on this album, and all the songs on this release do have vocals, but there’s no lack of killer shredding guitar fills and solos here.  Even though I prefer instrumental music, my love for it grew out of shredding metal guitar solos and Toby offers up plenty of that throughout this disc as he always does, and his singing is solid on these tunes.  

- Mark Huettman Album Review      

Style / Genre:  Old School Speed / Power / Thrash / Shred Metal

Similar to:  Exodus, Marty Friedman, Testament, Impellitteri

Speed:  7¾ 

Production:  8

Instrumental%:  0%

Year:  2026

Overall Rating:  6½   

Label:  Stormspell Records

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