Matthew Bowling’s review of the new Trivium album, Vengeance Falls, got DR to thinking of the point in time when Matt Heafy and pals went a publicity spree claiming they were destined to be “the next Metallica.” One has to think VERY highly of themselves to say such a thing, and while there is no fault in having confidence in your band, claiming you are rightful heirs to Metallica’s throne (which really belongs to Iron Maiden) was a misstep of immense proportions, one the band has yet to live down. And while the band’s 2011 In Waves was sturdy and relatively enjoyable, it appears that with Vengeance Falls and ensuing releases, the band’s stated goal may forever be out of reach. Lesson learned: Don’t write checks your butt can’t cash. – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
We recently launched a giveaway for Carnal Records, where one (1) individual can win CD’s from Cursed 13 and Wan. Click here to enter!
Live shots from the week include Between the Buried and Me and The Faceless in Philadelphia; Testament, Killswitch Engage, and Lamb of God in Toronto.
Features
The first in what should be a really cool column, Shaded Enmity mainman Joe Nurre gives unsigned bands some very helpful tips and a dose of reality.
Canadian death metal veterans Kataklysm are back with a new album, The End of All Things to Come, and here to talk to DR about it was guitarist J-F Dagenais.
Enshine’s Jari Lindholm checked in to talk about his band’s simply awe-inspiring Origin debut.
Danny Cavanagh of atmospheric/post-rock favorites Anathema phoned DR to wax on the band’s U.S. tour, and what would have happened if they had undergone a name change.
Reviews
Motorhead keeps on trucking with Aftershock.
Trivium still can’t realize their full potential on Vengeance Falls.
Underrated 80’s metallers Heretic got the boxset treatment with From the Vault…Tortured and Broken.
Sepultura manages to impress on their new The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart. (Holy long title, Batman!)
Dutch war metal veterans Hail of Bullets get rolling again with III: The Rommel Chronicles.
A combination of black metal and The Smith’s? According to our own Matthew Bowling, that’s the ticket on Vaura’s The Missing debut.
Finnish atmospheric/death stalwarts Hanging Garden do their thing on the 3-song I Was a Soldier EP.
Testament’s Dark Roots of Thrash DVD catches the band in top form.
‘Ole Dave Wyndorf and Monster Magnet head back to the garage on Last Patrol.
Australian death metal entity Altars are brutally morbid on their new Paramnesia.
The news in ten
1. Slayer to play all “old-school” set on North American tour.
2. Grand Magus releases some studio footage.
3. French black metal crew Glorior Belli stream their new Gators Rumble, Chaos Unfurls album in full.
4. Forget doing a new album, Metallica: Go to Antarctica.
5. The Howard Jones-fronted Devil You Know signs with Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
6. Broken Hope kicked off Deicide tour for not letting Glen Benton use a bass amp.
7. Crossover champs SSS sign with Prosthetic Records.
8. Triptykon set an April release for their sophomore Melana Chasmata album.
9. Evile begins search for new lead guitarist.
10. Killswitch Engage releases video for “Always.”