Dead Rhetoric.com Week in Review November 9 – November 15, 2014
Saturday, 15th November 2014
In case you’ve been living in a cave, Machine Head released a new album this week in the form of Bloodstone and Diamonds. If we’re looking at the entire picture of big-league metal bands in America, Machine Head are clearly in the tier below the country’s biggest bands – Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, etc., a feat accomplished in no small part because of their 2007 The Blackening album. Strange how people forget of the band’s blatant flirtation with nu metal circa 1999, but apparently the charisma of Robb Flynn and subsequent strength of their recent album has made all of that a distant memory. Can the band remain in the middle tier, or, make the jump? Guess we’ll find out… – David E. Gehlke
General houskeeping
Our Torn the Fuck Apart giveaway is winding down. Enter before it’s too late!
Features
Get to know Michigan power thrashers Blackgate.
Finland’s Jess and the Ancient Ones received the tour offer of a lifetime opening for King Diamond. Get the scoop from guitarist Thomas Fiend.
The always-productive Devin Townsend checked in with Kyle McGinn to discuss his daunting Z2 double-album, and what the future holds.
Reviews
Australia’s Pestilential Shadows turn in a haunting, creepy body of work with Ephemeral.
Reactivated Swedish rockers Transport League see their 2013 album Boogie from Hell getting the proper release treatment via Metalville.
Leftovers are just that: Leftovers, something we learn with Carcass’s Surgical Remission/Surplus Steel EP.
Promising Norwegian black metallers Posthum level off with The Black Northern Ritual.
Finnish post-metal troupe Ghost Brigade appear to be on the verge of some really momentous things with IV: One with the Storm.
Quasi metal supergroup Pitch Black Forecast gives Mushroomhead throat J. Mann a chance to lay down some extreme metal…with Gene Hoglan on drums, too.
British crossover fiends SSS (Short. Sharp. Shock.) stay on the attack with Limp. Gasp. Collapse.
Lots of kudos for PA’s Mindmaze, who turn in a rather commendable outing of progressive/power metal with Back from the Edge.
Anthrax’s Scott Ian pens one of the more enjoyable autobiographies of late with I’m the Man.
Perhaps the fall’s biggest release, Machine Head keep their momentum going with Bloodstone and Diamonds.
The news in ten
1. Bloodbath releases first video from excellent new album.
2. Crucified Barbara get their own beer.
3. Suicide Silence releases video for “Inherit the Crown.”
4. The aforementioned Scott Ian to make guest appearance on The Walking Dead.
5. Opeth to play 25th anniversary show next year in London.
6. Cannibal Corpse and Behemoth team up for winter 2015 North American tour.
7. Fear Factory gets to work on new album.
8. Machine Head announces solo North American tour dates.
9. Cradle of Filth re-signs with Nuclear Blast.
10. Sabaton to join Nightwish on their North American tour next year.
