The first full week of the calendar year brought forth little in terms of big news and/or surprises. The industry is still coming out of its holiday hibernation, after all. But, the gears in motion for another year release-filled year, one that should be littered with big names (Maiden, Slayer), and a slew of upstarts who are crucial to metal’s long-term viability. If last year, or even the previous few years have been any indication, then we should be in good shape… – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Last but certainly not least, Bridget Erickson wraps up our best-of 2014 lists with her black metal-dominated picks.
Features
Who was our Album of the Year? Click here to find out.
Journeyman Swedish vocalist Urban Breed has yet another new project on his hands with Serious Black. Matt Coe caught up with the always-chatty Breed in this must-read interview.
Reviews
The next great German metal hope, Alpha Tiger, give the melodic metal scene a “wake-up call” with their excellent third album, iDENTITY.
Swedish death metal supergroup Bloodbath are joined by a Brit – Paradise Lost’s Nick Holmes. The results on Grand Morbid Funeral are as expected, dastardly.
Long-running and supremely underrated Swedish death/thrash brigade are at the top of their game with Death is Not Dead.
One-man black metal act Vardan plays it too close to the chain-mail vest with Verses from Ancient Times.
Ten years since their last release, avant-garde champs Subterranean Masquerade return with The Great Bazaar.
Lots of hype surrounding Finnish female-fronted metallers Battle Beast. Do they come through on Unholy Savior?
Former Arch Enemy axe-slinger Chris Amott has reactivated his Armageddon project. The results on Captivity and Devourment are superlative.
Soen avoid the sophomore slump with their excellent 2014 album Tellurian.
The news in ten
1. Dark Funeral to release digital single next month.
2. Metallica’s Kirk Hammett announces details of second “Fear FestEvil.”
3. Powerwolf checks in from the studio.
4. Iron Maiden launches “Maiden Audio.”
5. Alpha Tiger releases “We Won’t Take it Anymore” video.
6. Watch Kai Hansen’s discuss Gamma Ray’s best-of collection.
7. Barren Earth signs with Century Media.
8. Mike Portnoy reportedly launches a new metal band.
9. Kataklysm reveals new album title.
10. Enforcer to release From Beyond in February.