Review: On the Loose

On The Loose – Path to Serenity

From Portugal’s heavy underground comes On The Loose, delivering their latest opus Path to Serenity - an album that defines what Lusitanian Epic Doom Metal should sound like in 2025. This is doom not just as a genre, but as an emotional experience - sprawling, cinematic and deeply human. Across seven tracks, the band balance despair and beauty, weight and atmosphere, until every note feels like a sermon from the shadows.

Opening track “The Serpent Within” sets the tone perfectly - a slow, hypnotic journey that intertwines traditional doom sensibilities with a modern melodic edge. The layered guitars shimmer with restrained menace while the soaring lead vocal, tinged with 80s metal grandeur, lifts the song from the depths. There’s a sense of control here - everything is deliberate, precise and powerful. Hints of Monster Magnet creep through the soundscape, but the soul is pure On The Loose. The solo? Perfectly judged - expressive without ego, elevating the track to something timeless.

The title track, “Path to Serenity,” takes that foundation and builds an empire on it. The guitars climb toward the heavens, creating an almost spiritual tone, while the rhythm section anchors it in earth-shaking power. The operatic vocal performance is spellbinding — a voice that commands both sorrow and hope. The drumming deserves particular praise; it gives the track its pulse, its restraint and its tension. When the breakdown arrives, it threatens to implode under its own weight before rebuilding into a controlled explosion that defines the band’s mystique.

“The Call of My Devils” shifts gears, charging forward with purpose. It’s heavy and melodic, but with emotional intelligence at its core. The crisp guitars and passionate vocals push this track beyond genre - this isn’t doom-by-numbers; it’s songwriting with soul. The interplay between instruments is masterful, every element in harmony. The gothic chant midway through is unexpected brilliance, adding White Zombie-style drama before the closing guitar and vocal duel - a breathtaking moment that would convert even the casual listener. A true highlight and the perfect gateway into On The Loose’s sound.

Then comes “Soulless Destruction,” a grinding, anthemic masterclass. The vocals and guitar once again share centre stage, creating a double impact of melody and might. The slow build toward the outro feels almost Zeppelin-esque, rising from gloom into grandeur. It’s doom, but laced with light - despair tempered by hope.

“Sadness Is My Past” brings swagger and confidence. The vocals soar like Bruce Dickinson at his finest, yet with a modern edge that keeps things sharp. The chorus is huge - a sky-filling, defiant moment that sticks with you long after. The solo here is a thing of beauty, daring the rest of the band to keep up as it leads the charge forward. It’s theatrical, bold and utterly captivating.

“1977 Simple Man” is another revelation. The bass steps into the spotlight, providing a groove-driven backbone beneath a more soulful, blues-inflected vocal. It’s brave, diverse and completely unexpected - a moment of vulnerability and experimentation that works flawlessly. The guitar solo here once again proves On The Loose aren’t afraid to colour outside the lines - it’s melodic, soaring and dripping with feeling.

Closing track “Echoes of Glory” is the final piece of this epic journey. The hypnotic guitar line sets a trance-like tone before drums and vocals cascade in. The spoken word delivery adds gravitas and a sense of storytelling, which then bursts into a towering, soaring finale. The track constantly morphs - calm one moment, bombastic the next - holding the listener captive until the final note. The ending, with its mix of roaring guitars and ethereal vocals, feels like the heavens themselves opening.

Path to Serenity is more than a doom metal album — it’s a work of emotion, craftsmanship and atmosphere, walking the fine line between agony and beauty. On The Loose don’t just play heavy music — they make it transcendent.

If this is the Path to Serenity, then we’re more than happy to lose ourselves along the way.