Last year, it was the passing of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman that was both shocking and a considerable blow onto itself. This year, the passing of GWAR mainman Dave Brockie figures to do the same thing. The cause of death has yet to be determined, although drug use has been suspected, which certainly would be a shame. Aside from being over-the-top and rather gifted, Brockie was articulate and one of the scene’s more enduring characters. His perspective on GWAR’s career (which has had several peaks and valleys) always made him appear down-to-earth, even when his band was supposed to be from outer space. May he rest in peace. – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
We have a launched a giveaway for British melodic thrashers Savage Messiah, which can be accessed here.
Brooklyn’s Yellow Eyes are a band you may have missed.
Features
Austrian death/black combo Triumphant have an excellent new album on on their hands, Herald the Unsung, are were more than willing to talk about it.
Top practitioners of the twin-guitar harmony, England’s Dark Forest chatted it up with DR via email.
A current favorite of the staff, Italy’s Shores of Null are the near perfect combination of melodic death metal, Katatonia…and Alice in Chains. Read what they had to say here.
Reviews
Australian progressive metal upstarts Teramaze left an indelible impression on Daniel Keating with their Esoteric Symbolism album.
Fluffy female-fronted symphonic metal in the house via Delain’s fourth album, The Human Contradiction.
Finnish thrashers Lost Society have a long way to go before reaching the top, but they’re passable on their sophomore Terror Hungry.
Don’t be fooled by the name: King Parrot are legitimate grind, as evidenced by Bite Your Head Off.
‘Ole Zakk Wylde is up to his usual tricks on the new Black Label Society album, Catacombs of the Black Vatican.
Trollfest has comedy and folk metal in the bag on Kaptein Kaos.
Currently receiving a lot of love from other sectors of the metal press, The Oath’s self-titled debut is much ado about nothing.
“Colossal, bruising, and a hell of a time” is the proper description for Hark’s new Crystalline effort.
Former God Dethroned mainman Henri Sattler has re-emerged in Winter of Sin, whose Violence Reigns Supreme album is a winner.
According to Kyle McGinn, Tellusion’s Collision is progressive death metal of the highest order.
The news in ten
1. Earache sues Century Media Records over unpaid licensing fees.
2. Arch Enemy reveal cover art and track listing for War Eternal.
3. Exodus issue a studio update for the long-overdue follow-up to 2010’s The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit B.
4. Dave Mustaine releases his own brand of wine. Not “whine,” but wine.
5. Cavalera Conspiracy are still hard at work on their new album.
6. Autopsy streams a new song, “The Howling Dead.”
7. Devil You Know releases video for “Seven Years Alone.”
8. The Agonist release lyric video for “Disconnect Me.”
9. Helloween resigns with Nuclear Blast.
10. GWAR frontman Dave Brockie dead at 50.