The recent admission by Tony Iommi that Black Sabbath’s July 4 show at Hyde Park in London could be their last shouldn’t come as a surprise. Throughout the touring cycle for the band’s 13 album, the members of Sabbath dropped not-so-subtle hints that touring no longer seemed enjoyable. Iommi is still fighting cancer, Geezer Butler has a slew of health issues, and Ozzy is…Ozzy. Whether seeing Sabbath live is worth it anymore is up for debate anyway – they pale in comparison to Maiden on the live front, and trail Judas Priest as well. There’s still a significant amount of goodwill directed toward the band, so, they should bring Bill Ward up for a few jams, and call it a day. Will that happen? Probably not. – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Our vintage video pick of the week: Armored Saint’s “Reign of Fire.”
Up for grabs: Two albums from Comatose Music, and Insomnium’s Shadows of the Dying Sun.
Caught in the act: Down in Toronto.
Features
Elusive U.K. black metallers Abyssal are garnering some serious attention for their unconventional ways. Read what they had to say about it here.
Matt Coe caught up with fresh-faced Massachusetts metallers Thunderforge. Learn more about the band here.
Holding court in the oh-so-happening musical hotbed that is Austin, TX, Dead Earth Politics are another band you need to know.
The supergroup that is Killer Be Killed has proven good on the assembled talent. Its most visible face, Max Cavelera, was too kind to chat it up.
Reviews
Epica remain ever the enigma on The Quantum Enigma.
Obdurated play a standard, but worthy brand of melodic death metal on I Feel Nothing.
Currently hyped American “pure” metal/rockers Anti-Mortem come up short on New Southern.
Guitar master Marty Friedman should make a nice dent on North American shores with Inferno.
Impetuous Ritual continue their ascent with Unholy Congregation of Hypothetical Ambivalence.
Swedish camouflage dudes Sabaton could be the next bonafide Euro headliner. Heroes sees the band stay the course.
Pact uphold the virtues of satanic USBM on The Infernal Hierarchies, Penetrating the Threshold of Night.
Greek extreme metal gods Septicflesh have outdone themselves with the excellent Titan.
Italian power metallers Elvenking put on an impressive display of folk-inspired metal with The Pagan Manifesto.
The overrated Floor show just why they’re so overrated with Oblation.
The news in ten
1. As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis sentenced to six years in jail.
2. Dream Theater to release career-spanning box set. Almost.
3. Rivers of Nihil has some of their belongings stolen in St. Louis.
4. Judas Priest reveals the cover art for Redeemer of Souls.
5. Devin Towsend working on a book.
6. Same goes for Phil Anselmo.
7. Could Black Sabbath play their last show in July?
8. Origin streams a new song, “Manifest Desolate.”
9. Tom G. Warrior pays tribute to HR Giger.
10. Warbringer are in a state of flux.