The prospect of a new Metallica song – for better or worse – is still an enticing prospect, no matter how uneven the band’s recent (if you want to call it “recent”) output has been. Perhaps no band’s new material holds as much sway, which is why there is some serious interest in the proposition of the band performing a new song this weekend in South America. Because there is a 100% chance someone will be recording the show on their phone, the song will be leaked almost instantly for the metal community to hear. Reactions will probably be mixed, complaints will be aired, excitement will brew, and pleas for the band to return to the sound of 1986 will be rampant. Only Metallica. – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Two giveaways launched this week, one for California thrash extremists Exmortus; the other for guitar harmony-happy British metallers Dark Forest. Check ’em out!
Find what out Mike Abominator from Gravehill is listening to.
Features
From the mountainous terrain of the New England mountains comes progsters Barishi. Learn more about them here.
Presently riding the wave of their excellent Sweven album, Robert Andersson of Swedish death metal brigade Morbus Chron caught up with DR to discuss the new album, and much more.
Get to know Netherlands-based forest black metallers Fluisteraars.
Perennial DR favorites Omnium Gatherum just wrapped up their first-ever North American tour. Mainman Markus Vanhala sat down with us over lunch to discuss.
Reviews
Their name might not be very creative, but Sweden’s Vampire have old-school death metal down pat on their self-titled album.
High praise for Triumphant’s Herald the Unsung, which is described by Bridget Erickson as “diabolical and fantastic.”
Former The 3rd and the Mortal vocalist Kari Rueslattan has returned with her fifth solo album, Time to Tell. Not metal, but very rewarding.
Long-running Finnish melodic metal masters Sonata Arctica head back to their days of yore with Pariah’s Child.
The aforementioned Omnium Gatherum received the reissue treatment for their excellent 2008 album, The Redshift. Read what Kyle McGinn had to say about it here.
Germany’s Vandan Plas return with the concept-heavy Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld Part I.
Coffinworm’s IV.I.VIII: “Complete and utter filth.” That about says it all.
Flotsam and Jestsam decided to re-record their supposedly seminal 1986 album, No Place for Disgrace, to mixed results.
Ozzy/Firewind guitarist Gus G.’s first solo album, I am the Fire, is an all-star affair, but make no mistake: G. is the star of the show.
Polar’s Shadowed by Vultures is the “feel-good” album of the summer…in March.
The news in ten
1. Soulfly-Dillinger-Mastodon mashup Killer be Killed streams two new songs.
2. Edguy posts lyric video for “Sabre and Torch.”
3. Metallica to debut a new song this weekend in South America.
4. Vallenfyre releases the cover art for their forthcoming new album, Splinters.
5. Decapitated adds a drummer.
6. Massacre releases the video for “Back from Beyond.”
7. Eyehategod reveals more new album details, their first in 14 years.
8. Motorhead’s cruise to feature Anthrax, Megadeth, Zakk Wylde, and more.
9. Producer Erik Rutan has some very nice things to say about Goatwhore.
10. Supergroup Killer be Killed issues cover art for debut album.