A recent conversation with our own Matt Coe revealed just how little time in the year we have left in 2014, and, how the 2015 release schedule is already being formulated. Granted, we still have to get through November and December, but for all intents and purposes, the year is all but a wrap in terms of new releases. Labels generally don’t put out new albums in December, an old practice designed to not compete with the majors, while giving everyone else a chance to catch up on another year with a deluge of releases to plow through. One thing is for sure: Compiling our respective best-of’s (which are coming soon) is going to be a tall task for some… – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
We are currently running a giveaway for “slamming” death metal masters Torn the Fuck Apart. Click here to enter!
Our October Album of the Month isn’t very surprising: At the Gates’ At War with Reality takes home the prize.
Features
Get to know mournful melodic death/doom upstarts Woccon.
Also get to know long-running American melodic metallers Ion Vein.
Currently on tour across North America, British thrashers Onslaught caught up with Matt for this two-part chat here, and here.
Reviews
Devin Townsend’s double Z2 is everything it was expected to be…and more. Plus, who can resist Ziltoid?
Aversions Crown fail to impress on their Nuclear Blast debut, Tyrant.
One of the more exciting bands to break in recent memory, Ne Obliviscaris will be a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of lately. Their new album Citadel is a triumph.
One-man ensemble The Howling Void recall Bathory and Thyrfing in one fell swoop on their Runa EP.
Max and his brother Iggor say “fuck the groove” on the inspired Pandemonium.
A sudden shift in direction on Sun Eater could prolong the career of Job for a Cowboy.
Saille’s Eldritch has its heart in the right place, but lacks a clear black metal metal direction.
Sonata Arctica revive their sterling Eclipitica debut.
The venerable Chris Black continues his stay of excellence via Dawnbringer’s Night of the Hammer.
The news in ten
1. Blind Guardian to release new album in January.
2. Paradise Lost gets to work on death metal-flavored new album.
3. Kataklysm joins forces with Andy Sneap to record new album in January.
4. The Agonist to release their first post-Allisa White-Gluz album Eye of Providence in February.
5. Job for a Cowboy streams their new Sun Eater album in full.
6. Napalm Death’s Mitch Harris to sit out the band’s upcoming shows.
7. Queensyrche offering a profit-share deal in the band’s next endeavors.
8. Megadeth auctioning off a lot of gear.
9. Underrated Norwegian black metallers Posthum reveal deals for The Black Northern Ritual.
10. Black Fast sign with eOne Music.