Burzum’s Varg Vikernes was arrested this week – again. As opposed to actually murdering someone like he did in 1993, he was found to be “plotting a massacre” in France. Vikernes was eventually released later in the week, but it brought up all sorts of old feelings regarding the man, who is far and away the most polarizing figure in black metal. Sure, his Det som engang var and Hvis lyset tar oss albums are musically, black metal gold, but the devil in the details has been Vikernes’ views (he’s racist) and previous actions. At what point does one draw the line? Guess it’s up for you to decide… – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Take part in our poll to determine which post Pantera band involving Phil Anselmo is the best. (Tip: If you vote for Superjoint Ritual, there is something wrong with you.)
Shots of Machine Head tearing up on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival are available for viewing.
Features
Emerging Australian power metal outfit Lord check in with DR to wax on their excellent new album, Digital Lies.
Canadian thrashers Fatality also check in with their third North American tour diary.
Currently on this summer’s Rockstar Energy Drink Festival, Michigan’s Battlecross talked with Matt Coe about the band’s rapid progress.
Reviews
Four ex-members of Sabaton strike back in Civil War. Their new album The Killer Angels is impressive.
Massachusetts doom crew Morne push all the right buttons with their new album, Shadows.
The curiously-named Lesbian are the latest to release a one-song album, this time in the form of Forestelevision.
Spirits of the Dead get Ken Gallant all riled up with Rumors of a Presence.
Our man Dio gets his 2000 Magica album reissued with a bonus disc.
Texas metallers Venomous Maximus create some waves on their Beg Upon the Light effort.
Swedish epic metal troupe Ereb Altor make considerable strides on Fire Meets Ice. Bathory in the house!
Vastly underrated Danish melodic metal group Mercenary continue to impress, this time with Through Our Darkest Days.
More epic/Viking metal: Mangegarm’s Legions of the North plays it too close to the vest. Or body armor.
Mouth of the Architect return with Dawning and unfortunately, it’s a bummer.
The news in ten
1. Iron Maiden posts footage of “The Trooper” from Download Festival.
2. Sepultura unveil The Mediator Between the Head and the Hands Must Be the Heart as their new album title. Wordy enough?
3. Kataklysm frontman Maurizo Iacono chimes in with his thoughts on Rolling Stone magazine’s decision to post a photo of the Boston Marathon bomber on the cover.
4. A few days after his arrest, Varg Vikernes gets his release.
5. Voivod debut video for “Target Earth.”
6. Watain streams new song, “The Child Must Die.”
7. Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, and Testament team up for fall North American tour.
8. Saxon asks fans to pick the setlist for their upcoming North American tour.
9. Dream Theater post second studio diary for their self-titled album.
10. Carcass post new song, “Captive Bolt Pistol.”