Recently, I had the great opportunity to interview Noor, the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and co-founding member of LA-based, black metal band, NorthWind Wolves. After reviewing NWW’s latest album, ‘Dark… Cold… Grim…‘ and being impressed by their music, I was honored to be able to speak directly to the man himself. He graciously opened up about everything including his own personal musical journey and influences, the origins of the band, and even helped clear up some misconceptions and rumors floating around the internet.
Noor’s story is definitely an enthralling one, and one that really speaks to the drive of a musician’s passion to pursue his art. With a deep look into the mind of a true black metaller, and without any further hesitation, please enjoy this riveting interview with Noor of NorthWind Wolves: Continue reading
Originally released in 1990 and out-of-print for almost two decades, The Obsessed’s now-legendary self-titled debut comes completely remastered with previously unreleased bonus tracks, including the highly-sought after four-track Concrete Cancer demo (1984), expanded artwork, never-before-seen photos, and extended liner notes from frontman Scott “Wino” Weinrich. The Obsessed is a true piece of doom rock history! The deluxe 2xCD version of the record includes a bonus disc containing the Concrete Cancer demo as well as a full live set from 1985 in Washington, D.C.. The Concrete Cancer demo is also available separately as a limited-edition LP. Continue reading
White Wizzard is:
Wyatt “Screamin’ Demon” Anderson – vocals
Jon Leon – bass/guitars
James J LaRue – lead guitars and keyboards/orchestration
Dylan Marks – drums
As an answer to the angsty, low tuned, screamo music that has taken over since the early 2000’s, Los Angeles, CA’s White Wizzard was formed by bass/guitar player and songwriter Jon Leon in mid-2007. Stressing the importance of superior songwriting, melody and appropriate harmonies, Jon set out to add all of the fun and good times back to Hard Rock and Metal that had been all but abandoned since the late 80’s and early 90’s when Metal was in its infancy and heyday. Since their inception, White Wizzard has released a couple of EPs, a number of singles and four, full-length CDs entitled Over the Top (2010), Flying Tigers (2011, and one of my favorites!), The Devil’s Cut (2013) and, released Friday, January 12th, 2018 on the M-Theory Audio label (a first for the band), Infernal Overdrive.
Today we bring to you Indian Experimental Metal act Dymbur, their album is on the way as well as a recently released track. Get right in to check it all out!
Metal and beer share an intimate bond, just like your customary combo dose of nachos and cheese, popcorn and movies and many other inseparable flings. It rather shares such a level of belonging to each other that German thrashers TANKARD are credited for inventing the term “Beer Metal”, thanks to their love for the fermented magic potion. If you’re at a metal fest and you’re not cracking open a cold one with your lads you’re not really doing it right!
So keeping in mind IRON MAIDEN‘s Trooper beer success and attempting to recreate the craze of another heavy metal beer, the metal legends have teamed up again with Robinsons who were also responsible for Trooper’s feat. This time it’s a light version with alcohol content much less than the Trooper, a unique golden English ale with a 4.1% ABV. Hence, “light”, and is named after the story of Charge Of The Light Brigade in the Crimean War. Continue reading
Ape Cave are a talented band from the musically rich city of Portland, Oregon. The band’s debut release was on May 31, 2015 in the form of an EP titled ‘Primordium’. It was engineered by Ryan Grunest and The Human and mixed/mastered by The Human at Human Studios. ‘Primordium’ has been described as an eighteen minute long embarkment spanning over bountiful sonic landscapes – listeners will find themselves immersed in formidable singing, kaleidoscopic guitar solos and rigid rhythms. I have become addicted to their unique sound since hearing their 2016 release ‘Pillars of Evolution’ which also made my best of album list for that year. It was engineered/mixed by Fester at Haywire Studios and mastered by Stephan Hawkes at Interlace Audio. The band describes the album “Prepare to undertake a momentous odyssey through Kashmir’s bluffs, devastating Egyptian plains and volcanic panorama in Ape Cave’s LP ‘Pillars of Evolution.’ The psychedelic guitar work, roaring bass lines, thunderous percussion and dark vocals soaring to pyramidal heights are just a fraction of the elements that will leave listeners captivated. The tale of a wanderer experiencing an intensely hallucinogenic, trans-continental journey is yet to be unraveled.” The band has now released their follow up to that album with ‘Language of the Earth’ which like the last album released on January 1st. Ape Cave continues to bring amazing gifts on January 1st with their album releases and though it’s the first day of the year when December rolls around it will still be in your album rotation. This was true with ‘Pillars of Evolution’ and I’m sure the same will be true with ‘Language of the Earth’. This album was Engineered/mixed/produced by Billy Anderson who has worked with notable acts like The Melvins, Neurosis, Swans, Brutal Truth and many more. Continue reading
Philip H. Anselmo is a name synonymous with metal. He has been at the helm of several iconic bands that have broken barriers in the music world. One of the hardest working musicians of the generation Phil is a member of several bands each one just as amazing as the next. Pantera got everything started for the singer back in 1986 when he replaced previous singer Terry Glaze and joined forces with brothers Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell Abbott along with Rex Brown. The band blazed new trails in American Heavy Metal and raised the bar of what was expected in regards to modern bands. Phil also went on to form the illustrious supergroup Down which has featured well known members like Jimmy Bower (Eye Hate God), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow), Rex Brown (Pantera), Pepper Keenan (Corrosion Of Conformity), and Pat Bruders (Goatwhore). As if that wasn’t enough of a workload Phil also has Superjoint (Formerly Superjoint Ritual) in which Jimmy Bower is also a member. In the past few years he has also brought two new bands into the realm with Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, and his black metal project Scour. His work history doesn’t end there as he has also been a part of the bands Arson Anthem, Christ Inversion, Southern Isolation, Viking Crown, Eibon and En Minor as well. Around a year ago Phil also stepped in and took over vocal duties for Mike IX Williams of Eye Hate God when he was ill recuperating from a liver transplant. (Mike is now back with the band and is as healthy as ever). In addition to his various bands Phil also runs and owns the label Housecore Records which has an amazing lineup of bands including Author & Punisher, The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight, Child Bite, King Parrot, Crowbar, Warbeast and various others including some of his own projects. Continue reading
Maryland based doom metal band IRON MAN guitarist Alfred Morris III is unfortunately no longer with us. He passed away this morning at the age of 60. Their Facebook page confirms the same news and the cause of death is unclear at this time. Alfred being one of the founding members, carved out some of the most ghastly doom riffs during his time in the band. He managed guitar duties on most of the band’s studio recordings. He has also showcased his abilities on the keyboard on the band’s 1993 debut, ‘Black Night‘ and the subsequent year’s sophomore effort,’The Passage‘.
Alfred Morris III was also involved in a different band called FORCE with whom he recorded just their debut EP and their eponymous debut full length in 1981 and 1991, respectively.
