Author Archives: Rattlehead

About Rattlehead

Hi, Rattlehead here. I'm from India, and I'm obsessed with metal of all sub-genres but mostly into thrash and death. I also love other genres, like jazz, funk, rock, some punk, a bit of blues, some country, but well, metal is where I feel at home. I'm always on the run discovering new music. Fanboying Megadeth since I was 13. Love to talk about metal, sports and a little bit of everything here and there. I also love dissing your god, I love food, seeing metal gigs, traveling and also a metal merch and record collector. I hope you like what I write and the music I suggest you. Please do share if you like. Cheers and stay heavy \m/

An Interview With Kathir Aryaputra Of RUDRA

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Kathir Aryaputra – Vocals and Bass(RUDRA)

Hailing from the island country of Singapore, RUDRA is one of the top titans in the Asian metal scene. Formed way back in 1992 RUDRA play an exquisite variety of extreme metal where they infuse Indian mythology and classical instruments to their songs, also being one of the first ever bands to do so, which have earned them the fame of being the creators of the ‘Vedic Metal‘ genre. Following suit, many other bands like fellow Asian counterparts DYING OUT FLAME of Nepal, and even in the western country of Czech Republic CULT OF FIRE has taken up this new genre, whose lyrics and theme revolve around ancient Hindu philosophical scriptures(Vedas) and the whole aesthetic of it. Blending indigenous cultural music and theme in the nerve of black and death metal has brought them to a significant global attention, with their albums sold in Europe and the US as well, much of which has been welcomed in a positive approach. RUDRA has successfully been a dominant force in this part of the world with a mass underground cult following. The band has released eight full length studio albums as of now, with their latest being ‘Enemy Of Duality‘ released back last winter in the month of December, 2016 out via Indian record label Transcending Obscurity. The album has seen a lot of positive reviews and has been an instant hit in the Asian metal circuit. You definitely need to check them out if you haven’t already, and maybe get yourself a copy of ‘Enemy of Duality‘ here. Recently I have had the honour to chat with Kathir Aryaputra, the band’s frontman, who’s also the lead singer and bassist. It was a very cool opportunity to have this interview going because RUDRA is one of my favourite bands out there and definitely kicks ass. Here is how things went down with Kathir Aryaputra of RUDRA. Continue reading →

Review: MUNICIPAL WASTE – ‘Slime And Punishment’ [Official Music Videos]

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Storming in back to business and stirring up the broth yet again, MUNICIPAL WASTE is back and ready to crush your skull against their wall of sound with full force like a German tank missile. Richmond, Virginia crossover thrash young bloods MUNICIPAL WASTE hits back after a five year gap with their latest and brand new record, ‘Slime And Punishment‘. It’s been well over a decade now and it won’t be wrong to bestow the moniker of ‘crossover kings’ to MUNICIPAL WASTE, as it’s what evidently time and again they’ve proved so far down their short and marvellous career so far. Perfectly matured and well executed punk and thrash metal riffs, combining hardcore elements, they have really upped the ante in their own genre, which is a laudable thing. Clocking in just shy of 30 minutes, and loaded with a blitkrieg of 14 tracks, MUNICIPAL WASTE takes no shit and proves yet again that this isn’t for the weak hearted. If you’re looking for anything short of fast, gritty and uncompromising thrash violence then you better look away. ‘Slime and Punishment‘ was recorded by the band themselves and sent to Bill Metoyer (known for his work with SLAYER, W.A.S.P., LIZZY BORDEN and DARK ANGEL) in Hollywood, CA to be professionally mixed. The album is not so far away from it’s release date and the flood gates would open on June 23rd, 2017, out via Nuclear Blast Records. Continue reading →

Ex-Pantera REX BROWN Debuts New Single ‘Train Song’ Off Forthcoming Album[Official Music Video]

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One of the most noted and famous heavy metal bassist of all time Rex Brown who is known to one and all as former Pantera member has chosen to go solo like many others in the business. The multi platinum selling artist has debuted a new single titled, ‘Train Song‘, exclusively via Loudwire, from his all new upcoming studio album, ‘Smoke On This…‘, which also happens to be his first as a solo artist. Directed by Justin Reich (Zakk Wylde, Ace Frehley), this is the first music video being released from Brown’s debut. ‘Train Song‘ is preceded by ‘Crossing Lines’, which dropped sometime around late April. Rex Brown will release ‘Smoke On This…‘ on July 28th, 2017 via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music).
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MARTY FRIEDMAN’s New Song “Self Pollution” Is A Shred Fest

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Grammy nominated guitar god and ex-Megadeth member Marty Friedman is back with a new song, “Self Pollution” from his forthcoming studio album, ‘Wall Of Sound‘ that awaits it’s release on August 4, 2017. Prosthetic Records will be helping Marty Friedman release his latest installment of a record. ‘Wall Of Sound‘ happens to be his much awaited release after his 2014 Billboard charting record, ‘Inferno‘. The guitar virtuoso who now lives in Japan and takes part in their culture will see him dish forth 11 brand new tracks in the record, that also features a wide range of diverse artists as guests : Jinxx (Black Veil Brides), Shiv Mehra (Deafheaven) and Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). Marty Friedman has time and again pushed the envelope when it comes to instrumental music, especially his guitar playing abilities, and I am sure ‘Wall Of Sound‘ will breathe the same music of epic proportions, creating the best what he is always known for.  Continue reading →

METAL CHURCH Release New Music Video And Begin Summer Tour This Week

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American heavy metal veterans METAL CHURCH who formed back in the 1980s and considered a vital influence on the genesis of thrash metal have been going strong with the occasional hiccups down the years in between. They released their latest album titled rightly as, ‘XI‘ in 2016. The five piece outfit has released a new music video of the song called ‘Reset‘, from their ‘XI‘ album. This album is also the first recording where you can treat your ears to Mike Howe’s epic high screeching vocals, as he makes a return to the group after a long time since 1995, 20 years after leaving the same band. You can watch the official music video attached below, directed by Jamie Brown. Continue reading →

METAL MAYA: All-Inclusive Heavy Metal Dest-Fest Vacation

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In recent years, metal festival brainchilds and promoters have taken a different but very appealing and exciting approach to treat metal fans the best indulgence they could ever sink their teeth in.  Festivals and unique endeavours such as Full Metal Mountain, Full Metal Cruise, 70000 Tonnes Of Metal have left no stone un-turned in trying to break away from the typical monotony of a festival set in large grounds, with camping etc. No doubt that the stereotypical festival is fun, but festivals like 70000 Tonnes Of Metal have set the bar high up when it comes to live performance and the overall thrill and fun it comes along with. Another one such festival that will debut this year is METAL MAYA, an all inclusive heavy metal destination-festival vacation, that promises to be the ideal holiday vacation for metalheads all across the globe. Including live performances from some of the best metal bands out there, it also has a plethora of other lucrative offers and activities, METAL MAYA will begin on October 29 up until November 2. Can this get any better!?  Continue reading →

VENOM INC, GOATWHORE & TOXIC HOLOCAUST Set For A North American Fall Tour

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Get ready to be battered and bruised this coming fall. Cause VENOM INC, consisting of ex-Venom members, guitarist Jeff “Mantas” Dunn, drummer Anthony “Abaddon” Bray, and vocalist and bassist Anthony “Demolition Man” Dolan, american extreme death metal band GOATWHORE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST and Ohio deathcore brutality THE CONVALESCENCE, will be pulverizing masses across North America as they tour together this coming fall, with the tour being named as, ‘Blood Stained Earth Tour 2017‘. Slated to commence on September 1st in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the ‘Blood Stained Earth Tour‘ will ravage a total of twenty-eight cities, coming to a close on October 2nd in Baltimore, Maryland. Continue reading →

BLIND GUARDIAN Announce The Release Of Live Record [Official Live Video]

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German power metal pioneers BLIND GUARDIAN have been the poster band and has been considered a seminal bands in their own heavy metal sub genre for the past 30 years. BLIND GUARDIAN recently announced that they are going to release a live album entitled, ‘Live Beyond The Spheres‘ after just two years of releasing their last studio album, ‘Beyond The Red Mirror’ in 2015. The live album will actually be a compilation of their best tracks into one show taken from 40 different concerts recorded during their European Tour in 2015, which surprisingly also happens to be the first BLIND GUARDIAN live album in almost 15 years. It promises to be an exhilarating indulgence in what could possibly turn out to be one of the best power metal live albums. The live album will contain 22 tracks, encompassing timeless hits like ‘The Bard’s Song (In The Forest)‘, ‘Valhalla‘ and ‘Mirror Mirror‘, to rather rarely performed songs like ‘And Then There Was Silence’. The record will be purchasable as a 3CD-digipak as well as a 4LP-box-set. Continue reading →

REVIEW: STEVE GRIMMETT – ‘Personal Crisis’ [Live Performance Video]

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If there is anyone who could ever get close to the moniker of ‘The Human Siren’ like Bruce Dickinson, then it is the legendary singer of NWOBHM heavy weights GRIM REAPER, STEVE GRIMMET, who also sang for LIONSHEART and also sang for a brief period for one of my favourites, ONSLAUGHT. All classic british heavy metal bands. Despite being 57 years old and over 30 years of musical prowess and experience under his belt he still manages to defy his age and hit those high notes and octaves like as if it were his heydays. He is surely like a fine old wine, he can’t help but only keep getting flawless with every passing year. It’s interesting to see so many British vocalists have this thing in common, like Bruce, Rob Halford whose voice remains undeterred. Is there some kind of secret secluded only to British singers? I guess so. STEVE GRIMMET recently hurdled across a major event that rendered all his fans to feel sorry for him, ‘taking away’ considerably a significant part of him. Continue reading →

RAGE Release New Music Video From Forthcoming Album [Official Music Video]

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German heavy weights RAGE have come a long way from their inception. They ushered in the early to mid-1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild, Blind Guardian and Grave Digger. That’s a long long time and it really reflects on their discography, which is a massive 23 album one taking in the new to be released album as well. For a band that has been doing music for more than 30 years, it is a commendable effort to put out a humongous discography of 23 odd records, that is just mental. Surviving some notable line up changes RAGE has been a constant dominance in not only the German Heavy/Power Metal scene but also all around the globe, playing a blend of heavy and power metal with a lot of classical influence RAGE has announced their forthcoming album to be released this summer. Can this summer get any more exciting!?

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