They have every other nook and cranny of the metal world, so why not come out with another movie? That appears to be Metallica’s approach upon the theatrical release of their Through the Never feature film presentation, a concert film with accompanying narrative. To sound like an old-timer: If this were 20 years ago, the thought of Metallica having their tunes played alongside an action script would be pretty cool, poor time-keeping skills from Ulrich notwithstanding. Metallica live circa 2013 is not quite up snuff nowadays, so one could understand the lukewarm responses its getting from the regular metallers. But hey, at least it’s not Some Kind of Monster Part II… – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
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Features
Canadian thrash gang Fatality have produced yet another comedic tour diary, their 12th (!) overall.
Get to know Luxembourg modern metallers Scarred.
German dark metal/rockers Autumnblaze were kind enough to wax with DR about their new album, Every Sun Is Fragile.
Ray Alder of legendary progressive metallers Fates Warning chatted it up about the band’s new album, the 80’s, the 90’s, and getting his then-girlfriend riled-up.
Reviews
Sweden’s In Solitude cast aside their Maiden/Mercyful Fate leanings on their excellent third album, Sister.
New Zealand technical death metal gang Ulcerate lay down the heavy on Vermis.
Norwegian grind fiends Beaten to Death continue to be one of the style’s most unique bands on their Dodsfest! effort.
Quirky, Faith No More metal is in the house via Vulture Industries’ The Tower.
Extreme metal supergroup Twilight of the Gods turn in one of the year’s best albums via Fire on the Mountain.
Pirate metal? Look no further than the creators of the style, Running Wild, who return with Resilient.
Time to hang it up, Al: Ministry’s From Beer to Eternity is dud-city.
Soulfly’s Max Cavalera (and son Zyon) go brutal on Savages.
Mysterious death metal rules the day on Grave Miasma’s Odori Sepulcrorum Gods.
More grind to get down to: Squash Bowels’ aptly-titled Grindcoholism.
The news in ten
1. Saxon posts the covert art for Unplugged and Strung Up.
2. The Ocean releases an excerpt from their The Pelagial DVD.
3. Sylosis were in a horrific RV accident. Photos of the band’s damaged vehicle are online.
4. Satyricon posts the lyric video for “The Infinity of Time and Space.”
5. Iced Earth reveal the track listing and cover art for Plagues of Babylon.
6. GWAR playing the Super Bowl halftime show? Plenty of folks want to see it happen.
7. The Gates of Slumber hang it up.
8. Megadeth announces some fall tour dates in support of Super Collider.
9. Mastodon to enter the studio in November.
10. Tad Morose releases the video for “Beneath a Veil of Crying Souls.”