Two polar opposites, but in the same boat, Motley Crue and Brutal Truth/Nuclear Assault bassist Danny Lilker have both laid out plans this week to retire from the live scene. Actually, the announcement from the Crue is going to be official on January 28, but it’s rather obvious what’s going to come of it. Lilker, though, pointed to years of touring and the need for stability as reason for him ending regular touring activities. One can’t blame the guy: Years of traveling via not-so-cushy vans have taken their toll. Credit Lilker for this: He never did it for the money. – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Denver, CO modern death metallers Ploy for Extinction chimed in with their ten most anticipated albums of 2014.
Our vintage video of the week: Anthrax’s “Only.” Don’t sleep on Sound of White Noise, either.
Features
U.K. progressive black metallers Code have weathered some stingy lineup changes to emerge with their best album to date, Augur Nox.
Mick Moss of British dark/alternative leaders Antimatter checked in with DR to discuss the band’s gradual development, and plans for the future.
Neige of Alcest phoned to wax on the band’s very non-metal new album, Shelter, and much more, including his obvious distaste for being a frontman.
Reviews
An early top album of 2014 contender emerges via Avichi’s Catharsis Absolute.
Massachusetts post-rockers Junius return with the eight-song Days of the Fallen Sun EP.
A band to keep an eye on: Warforged, who create an atmospheric death metal maelstrom with Essence of the Land.
Long-running German power metallers Primal Fear return, doing what they do best on Delivering the Black.
Finland’s Graveborne keep it primitive and partially kvlt on Through the Window of the Night.
More oppressive/grim black metal, this time in the form of Depicting Abysm’s Immersion.
The Kennedy Veil match the hype with their excellent Trinity of Falsehood album.
Dutch symphonic rock/metal outfit Within Temptation load Hydra with all sorts of guest appearances…and get away with it.
Hexis embodies the bleak of world of blackened grindcore on Abalam.
Folk and black metal meet up on Waldgefluster’s Meine Fesseln.
The news in ten
1. Malevolent Creation completes recording new album.
2. Brutal Truth bassist Dan Lilker to retire from touring in 2014.
3. Settlement talks regarding Queensryche’s name begin.
4. Shores of Null ink deal with Candlelight Records.
5. Sonata Arctica’s Pariah’s Child due in March.
6. Slough Feg to release Digital Resistance in February.
7. Sabaton set a May release date for Heroes.
8. Behemoth releases the first trailer for The Satanist.
9. Lamb of God lead guitarist Mark Morton absent from the band’s European tour.
10. Judas Priest: Clips from appearance on “The Simpsons” available