REVIEW: WEDNESDAY 13 – “Condolences” [Select Tracks Streaming]

Wednesday 13 first stepped onto the scene in 1992 and created a whirlwind of grotesque, shocking horror punk that still has a firm hold on the throats of those who dare to listen.  He first began his career with a collaboration with guitarist Abby Normal, drummer Jeff Washam, bassist Michael Patrick, and lead vocalist Todd Cage, known as Psycho OperaWednesday 13 departed the band, along with guitarist Abby Normal, and bassist Michael Patrick and picked up drummer Sicko Zero to form the band Maniac Spider Trash.  The band released one EP, ‘Dumpster Mummies’ and one album, ‘Murder Happy Fairytales’.  However, their run came to an end in 1996 when Wednesday 13, Abby Normal, and Sicko Zero went on to form the band Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13 until 2002 when he was contacted by (then) Slipknot drummer, Joey Jordison, to form Murderdolls. Continue reading

Review: DANZIG – ‘Black Laden Crown’ [Select Tracks Streaming]

What is there to say about Danzig? For most hard rock/heavy metal fans, they have become synonymous with Misfits in a sense, and for obvious reason. Danzig came about after singer Glenn Danzig departed the Misfits to form the band Samhain, which later became known as Danzig. The band was formed in Lodi, New Jersey in 1983 and grew to be known for their unique mixture of bluesy doom metal and hard rock. This eventually led to the band becoming a staple in the heavy metal scene with hits like “Am I Demon”, “She Rides”, and the very well-known “Mother”. Continue reading

SUFFOCATION Set To Release New Album In June [New Track Streaming]

Artwork by Colin Marks

Brutal death metal pioneers Suffocation have announced they will be releasing their 10th studio album on June 9th. ‘…Of The Dark Light’ will be released via Nuclear Blast Records and it is the band’s first full length record since ‘Pinnacle of Bedlam’ in 2013.  You can check out a 360 video of the new single “Your Last Breaths” below. You can also view the track list and see what founding guitarist Terrance Hobbs has to say about the record. Suffocation begins a North American tour next month with Morbid Angel, Revocation, and Withered. Pre-order ‘…Of The Dark Light’ here. Continue reading

Review: DIMMU BORGIR – ‘Forces Of The Northern Night’ [DVD]

Almost thought about clubbing Dimmu Borgir along the likes of Tool ? You know what I did there, don’t you ? But fret not anymore. After seven long years, Norwegian flag bearers of symphonic black metal are ready to thwack your ass with a double DVD, titled, ‘Forces Of The Northern Night’, releasing on 28th of April via Nuclear Blast. Yes that is damn right, a double DVD that features their live rituals from Oslo and Wacken Open Air accompanied by an orchestra and a choir. Sounds colossal doesn’t it ?

Now, Dimmu Borgir has been around for a very long time, 24 whopping years to be precise and has been performing their rituals all over the globe, each time robing in more fans to their ever increasing infantry. It’s remarkable to witness them as a dynamic band who’s sound has changed a lot since their inception. Although, that very fact has been the hotbed of criticism and have made Dimmu Borgir receive some flak from the black metal purists, nonetheless, it still holds true that they have carved a rightful niche in the hearts of many metalheads. This DVD release is a testimony of this very fact and of their musicianship despite many hurdles. Continue reading

Review: AVERSIONS CROWN – ‘Xenocide’ [Official Video]

Aversions Crown is a death metal band from Brisbane, Australia. The 4 piece consists of vocalist Mark Poida, bassist Steve, drummer Jayden Mason, guitarists Chris Cougan and Kevin Butler. They first started out really strong with their debut album called ‘Servitude’ back in 2011. 3 years later they released their second album ‘Tyrant’. From this point on their releases come via Nuclear Blast. This has been a really big deal for the band because this is one of the top labels out there. It really stepped up their game big time. Beginning this year they released their third album ‘Xenocide’. This album features a new vocalist and he fits the band perfectly, the album theme is really important for the band so that has to show in the vocal style and I can assure you that he is doing a great job on it.

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Review: MEMORIAM – ‘For The Fallen’

Following the death of drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns, old school death metal band Bolt Thrower came to its end in 2016. A few weeks later, Frank Healy’s (Benediction) father passed away. Since then, Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willets and Healy have joined forces to create a new project featuring members of Benediction, Life Denied, and Bolt Thrower. Memoriam is in a similar vein to Bolt Thrower boasting their brutal death metal sound and super heavy guitar tone. Their main focuses in their songs are on themes like death, loss, and war. The UK band formed in 2016 and has since released two demos. The first full length album, ‘For the Fallen’ is set to be released via Nuclear Blast Records on March 24th. The album was recorded in about two weeks at Hellfire Studios but took four weeks to get the mix finished exactly as they wanted it done. ‘For the Fallen’ was produced by Ajeet Gill (Hellbastard, Dark Forest, Element) and artwork was created by Dan Seagrave (Benediction, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Suffocation). You can pre-order the album here.    Continue reading

Review: GHOST BATH – ‘Starmourner’ [Single Track Stream]

The name Ghost Bath refers to the act of committing suicide by being submerged in a tub of water, and given the music this band has brought forth on their previous EP and full length releases, it’s an appropriate one.  Ghost Bath, hailing from the state of North Dakota, play an interesting brand of depressing black metal, chock full of rough, howling vocalizations accompanied by razor sharp instrumental passages that send the listener on a trip through the throes of a depressive mind.  The forthcoming  album, Starmourner’ releases April 21st, 2017, via Nuclear Blast, finds Ghost Bath stretching their wings, much like the angelic theme that threads the album, and exploring old and new territory alike.  Continue reading

Album Review: Battle Beast – ‘Bringer Of Pain’

Battle Beast is a band from Helsinki, Finland. Their sound is often described as Heavy or Power metal and they have been a band since 2008. Their new album entitled ‘Bringer Of Pain’ will be released via Nuclear Blast Records on February 17th 2017. On with the review….

This entire album is like an epic journey. From start to finish you feel like you’re conquering foes or slaying dragons or just in a crowd of people chanting about your victories. It’s an interesting album through and through. Extremely high energy and songs that have you belting out at the top of your lungs singing along. This is easily the bands most outstanding accomplishment up until this point. The only issue now being, the bar they have set is incredibly high and with with this bands track record I don’t think they will have an issue next time around.

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SEPULTURA Unveil Music Video For “Phantom Self”!

Brazilian heavy metal icons, SEPULTURA, will unleash their upcoming studio album, ‘Machine Messiah’, on January 13th through Nuclear Blast. With their new music video “Phantom Self” they provide another thrilling look into their 14th studio release and deliver haunting images and sociocultural criticism in this clip directed by Mauricio Eca. A few weeks ago, the band has already released the lyric video of their first digital single, “I Am The Enemy”. Check it out here. The album was produced by the band and Jens Borgen (Soilwork, Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth) of Fascination Street Studios in Orebro, Sweden. The stunning cover artwork for ‘Machine Messiah’ was created by Filipino artist Camille Della Rosa.  Continue reading

Review Of Opeth’s Epic New Release: “Sorceress”

Opeth is:

Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals/Guitars

Martin MendezBass

Martin AxenrotDrums

Fredrik ÅkessonGuitars

Joakim SvalbergKeys

opeth_sorceress_promocover_revised

We are approached by promoters to review new albums all the time. When we were asked if we were interested in reviewing Opeth’s Sorceress that is due out Friday, September 30th, 2016, what were we supposed to say? Is it even legal to tell Opeth “no”? Of course we are interested in the new Opeth album! Please send it along, thank you very much! Couldn’t wait to hear what one of my favorite bands had in store this time around and I have to tell you, it is nothing short of breathtaking! My only hope is that I give Sorceress its due, so let’s move forward with the review

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