Tom G. Warrior would be the first to admit that the early (and lone) works of Hellhammer were basically beginner-level metal. Hellhammer and halcyon years Celtic Frost lucked out because they were ahead Read more […]
The fact Testament didn’t follow up 2008’s Formation of Damnationright away has served them well, for by all indications, demand for the Bay Area thrashers hasn’t been this high since Practice Read more […]
Home to koala bears, kangaroos, and vegemite sandwiches (thank you Men At Work for that reference), Australia also maintains a very healthy metal scene, especially in the power/progressive and extreme Read more […]
It’s only fitting that now with summer in full swing with its warmth and light and other makings that something this hopeless, suffocating, and absolutely would be released. No says Eye of Solitude, you Read more […]
The obvious thing to do would be to imagine this as a Fall Out Boy-meets-Trap Them composite, which frankly, could be one of their weirdest combos one’s infantile brain could think of. Reason being, former Read more […]
I’m not sure I understand the logic behind the reformation of this band, given the glut of power metal bands already in existence, but Holy Knights has returned after 10-year absence. Their new full Read more […]
“Alucard” is “Dracula” spelled backwards. Blistering knows this thanks the legendary 8-bit Nintendo game Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse, of which a character by the name of Alucard appears to Read more […]
No matter the form it takes, post-metal is often times a tough sale and very polarizing in how it’s received. If for no other reason, this is because of the frankly staggering variations in quality that Read more […]
A few years ago, you couldn’t walk outside to fetch the newspaper without stepping on a Pagan/epic metal band. The style seemingly got worse – and more outlandish – by the minute, which actually Read more […]
Going down like a jagged little pill (Alanis Morisette references rule), Jar’d Looses’s Goes to Purgatory is as rough and tumble as they come. Positioning themselves as a modern-day Jesus Lizard without Read more […]
There are way too many bands out there. Seriously, though. One could sit online playing single tracks from different groups for hours on end, and still not make even make a dent in the sheer number of Read more […]
There’s been a good deal of buzz surrounding the new record from The Howling Wind, and rightly so. For those unfamiliar with this particular group, the black metal duo features guitarist/vocalist Ryan Read more […]
According to Terror Empire’s bio, their name represents “an omnipresent reality that has been exposed worldwide since the 9/11 attacks.” Interesting. Could modern-day thrash actually pack more of Read more […]
A common pitfall with individuals or groups within an artistic medium in looking to do something ‘different’ is that they wind up shoehorning into their creations so many disparate and often incompatible Read more […]
An artist being a self-indulgent artist can be at once the most rewarding thing for an audience or on the contrary, the most infuriating. For the fickle and dogmatic fan-bases (especially black metal), Read more […]
As the industry standard goes, live albums are usually created in order for a band to complete their recording obligations to their record company. Since a live album carries the same contractual weight Read more […]
Can anyone explain to me the appeal of re-releasing older material again? I can understand a band releasing a landmark album, or its entire back catalogue to help bolster sales and perhaps commemorate Read more […]
Stopgap EPs are almost always a mixed bag and this inescapable issue is usually exacerbated when it’s a digital only release. Often times a throwaway b-side from the previous album is pressed together Read more […]
Black metal’s inability to work with industrial elements is one of metal’s worst-kept secrets. Well, it’s actually not that much of a secret given the bands that gave it the ‘ole college try Read more […]
Aside from being a rather quality band, Between the Buried and Me should be credited with the creation of the formula for modern technical/progressive metal bands. And since we all like a good formula Read more […]
It’s no coincidence that 80’s hard rock/metal figures have better stories to tell than your average extreme metal jockey. Considering the free-for-all nature of those times (we’ll let you fill in Read more […]
Fantastic black metal is creeping out of all kinds of unexpected corners of the US this year. From New Jersey hail Windfaerer, their sound harnessing all the usual black metal staples and hybridizing them Read more […]
Since everyone in Sweden is either tall or good-looking (which also aptly describes yours truly…according to my stepmom), Crucified Barbara easily pass the eye test. And since it doesn’t take a whole Read more […]
Originally hailing form Portland, Oregon, Malice began life in 1985 playing balls-out speed metal. In a blazing vengeance of rock n’ roll fury, this traditional metal act carved out a legacy on In the Read more […]
Take a seat by the campfire and look out around you. Awash in the orange glow an open and endless night beckoning, isolating but comforting. A bit abstract but that’s the mood throughout Light the Fires!, Read more […]
Taking into account how large the Swedish metal scene is, a band like Evocation has to do double the work just to get noticed. Further complicating matters is that they don’t play death metal of the Read more […]
Recording demos since 1996, Japanese thrash act Fastkill do not subscribe to the commercial side of things on this third album Bestial Thrashing Bulldozer. Ten songs in a quick 30-minute outpouring that Read more […]
Growing up Canadian and listening to thrash metal in the 80’s afforded me some truly blissful listening experiences. Bands like Sacrifice, Overthrow and Entropy were all home-grown talents that literally Read more […]
An entire scene holds its collective breath, present and future fortunes hinging upon the aspirations of and the public response to this sophomore release by ‘djent’ progenitors Periphery. Two years Read more […]
The thrash revolution of the 1980’s appears to be going through a third generation upswing in terms of label signings. After forming in 2006 and releasing the Chaos Possession EP in 2010, Germany’s Read more […]
