Proficiency at one’s instrument usually receives unlimited accolades plus influential presence in specific quarters of certain music scenes. When it comes to elevating the game of guitar play for the hard rock / metal...

Born out of the desire to pay homage to heavy rock / metal like artists in the 70s and 80s, Swiss act Amethyst started in 2020, taking a couple of years to gather together...

The landscape of melodic hard rock / heavy metal is a wide-open playing field in the modern scene. We seem to have certain legacy bands holding onto their following, while newcomer acts strive to...

Another Steel City act that aims to make its mark, Vicious Blade started in 2019 and has had members in their ranks past or present with ties to Eviction and Castrator among others. Releasing...

Consistent in releasing product on a biennial basis since Common Destiny in 2012, Jaded Heart remains a steady presence for reliable melodic heavy metal / hard rock material. Michael Bormann elevated the early years...

There's no way to discuss The Black Dahlia Murder at this point without some reference to former frontman Trevor Strnad and his passing in 2022. Many were not sure the band would go on,...

Many musicians didn’t get just acclaim in previous eras due to lack of exposure or just the tough ceiling present to gain a record deal. Second chances come to them, thankfully due to modern...

It's no secret that Eclipse is a great band. They write kickass tunes and Erik Mårtensson is a great singer. That's simply the facts as they're presented to these ears. I've been on the...

Back in 2020, Charlotte Wessels began a rigorous release schedule of writing and releasing one song a month as a solo artist. She's since released two Tales from Six Feet Under releases as a...

Consisting of two members from Khemmis, Glacial Tomb showcases more of the extreme blackened/death side of things for guitarist / vocalist Ben Hutcherson and bassist David Small. Drummer Michael Salazar fills out the three-piece...