The week(s) surrounding the holidays are generally considered dead time for metal, but lo and behold, Nightwish and Anette Olzon finally air their “dirty laundry,” former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz gets arrested for domestic violence, and thankfully, no one embarrassed themselves with an unnecessary Christmas song and/or album. Does anyone remember Halford’s Winter Songs? Yeah, thought so… – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
Two giveaways were launched this one week: One for Chicago greasy death metallers Bones; the other for British doom/death stalwarts Eye of Solitude.
We compiled the respective year-end lists of all the staff into one tidy article.
Features
Man of many projects (which are all worthy, mind you) Tim Yatras touched base with DR on his black metal outfit, Germ.
Paul Speckmann of long-running death metal outfit Master checked in, and had some interesting things to say about the death metal scene.
Our pre-requisite, token non-metal entry, LowCityRain mainman Markus Siegenhorst waxed on his musical tastes, the 80’s, and his other band, Lantlos.
Reviews
A Cave-In/Converge combination becomes reality via Mutoid Man’s Helium Head debut.
Matthew Bowling was enraptured by Kauan’s unique blend of black metal and folk on Pirut.
The aforementioned Bones get down and dirty on Sons of Sleaze.
Former The Devil’s Blood leader Selim Lemouchi goes solo and hits his stride with Earth Air Spirit Water Fire.
Danish sludge mongers Rising resonated with Josh Overbey on Abominor.
Former members of Savage Grace return in Masters of Disguise, and with an appropriately-titled album in the form of Back with a Vengeance.
Lucifericon need some seasoning on The Occult Waters.
A mandatory read: Martin Popoff’s 2 Minutes to Midnight: An Iron Maiden Day-By-Day.
Australian black/death crew Thrall show their rather able-bodied wares on Aokigahara Jukai.
Portuguese extremists Malevolence go for broke on their new album, Antithetical.
The news in ten
1. Nile’s Dallas Toler-Wade launches new band, Narcotic Wasteland.
2. Former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
3. The war of words begins between Nightwish and former singer Anette Olzon.
4. Iron Savior to release Rise of the Hero in February.
5. “Out of the Black” black metal documentary is now streaming.
6. Blood Eagle’s debut EP is now available for download.
7. Noctem reveal artwork and track listing for Exilium.
8. Exodus is confirmed for Kirk Hammett’s Fear FestEvil.
9. Caliban releases lyric video for “King.”
10. Metallica issues HD footage of Antarctica show.