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Articles
Interviews, editorials, and concert coverage from the Metalheads crew.
September 7, 2026
Albums of the Month: August 2026
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August 2026.
George
George
George
George
George
March 1, 2026
Albums of the Month: February 2026
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February 2026.
George
March 1, 2026
Albums of the Month: January 2026
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January 2026.
George
January 5, 2026
Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Albums of 2025 - The Lists
The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 lists are officially unleashed , meaning you can now admire our impeccable taste, question our judgment, and yell at your phone in real time.
George
January 5, 2026
Albums of the Month: December 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for December 2025.
George
January 5, 2026
Albums of the Month: November 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for November 2025.
George
January 5, 2026
Albums of the Month: October 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for October 2025.
George
October 1, 2025
Albums of the Month: September 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for September 2025.
George
October 1, 2025
Albums of the Month: August 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August 2025.
George
George
George
George
George
George
May 27, 2025
Metal Thunderdome: My Dying Bride's The Angel and the Dark River vs Skepticism's Stormcrowfleet
My Dying Bride's The Angel and the Dark River vs Skepticism's Stormcrowfleet
George
March 17, 2025
Albums of the Month: February 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February 2025.
George
March 17, 2025
Albums of the Month: January 2025
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January 2025.
George
February 11, 2025
Metal Thunderdome: Judas Priest's Turbo vs Metallica's "Black Album"
Metal Thunderdome: Judas Priest's Turbo vs Metallica's "Black Album"
George
January 10, 2025
Albums of the Month: December 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for December 2024.
George
December 2, 2024
Albums of the Month: November 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for November 2024.
George
November 3, 2024
Albums of the Month: October 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for October 2024.
George
November 3, 2024
Albums of the Month: September 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for September 2024.
George
November 3, 2024
Albums of the Month: August 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August 2024.
George
George
George
George
George
George
April 2, 2024
Albums of the Month: February 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February 2024.
George
March 17, 2024
Metal Thunderdome: Anthrax's Among the Living vs Overkill's Taking Over
Metal Thunderdome: Anthrax's Among the Living vs Overkill's Taking Over
George
February 9, 2024
Albums of the Month: January 2024
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January 2024.
George
January 1, 2024
Albums of the Month: December 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for December 2023.
George
December 6, 2023
Albums of the Month: November 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for November 2023.
George
November 6, 2023
Albums of the Month: October 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for October 2023.
George
November 6, 2023
Metal Thunderdome: Metallica's Master of Puppets vs Slayer's Reign in Blood
Metal Thunderdome: Metallica's Master of Puppets vs Slayer's Reign in Blood
George
October 19, 2023
Albums of the Month: September 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for September 2023.
George
September 9, 2023
Albums of the Month: August 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August 2023.
George
September 9, 2023
Metal Thunderdome: Emperor's In the Nightside Eclipse vs Enslaved's Frost
John chose to put Emperor's In the Nightside Eclipse in the thunderdome with Enslaved's Frost. Choose.
George
George
George
George
June 10, 2023
Metal Thunderdome: Carcass' Swan Song vs Celtic Frost's Cold Lake
Matt chose to pit Carcass’ Swan Song against Celtic Frost’s’ Cold Lake
George
George
George
March 28, 2023
Metal Thunderdome: Bruce Dickinson's The Chemical Wedding vs Halford's Resurrection
Markisan chooses Bruce Dickinson's The Chemical Wedding vs Halford's Resurrection.
George
March 8, 2023
Albums of the Month: February 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February 2023.
George
February 1, 2023
Albums of the Month: January 2023
Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January 2023.
George
George
December 20, 2022
Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Albums of 2022
Yippee-ki-yay! It's here! The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2022! Featuring James Lewis of Decibel Magazine! We got together, had a few laughs, drank some beers and counted down our favorite...
George
December 5, 2022
Albums of the Month: November 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for November 2022.
George
November 7, 2022
Metal Thunderdome: Black Sabbath's Born Again vs Motorhead's Another Perfect Day
Jay chooses to place Black Sabbath’s Born Again into the thunderdome with Motorhead’s Another Perfect Day.
George
November 7, 2022
Albums of the Month: October 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for October 2022.
George
October 2, 2022
Albums of the Month: September 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for September 2022.
George
September 11, 2022
Albums of the Month: August 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for August 2022.
George
August 15, 2022
Metal Thunderdome: Neurosis' Through Silver in Blood vs ISIS' Panopticon
John chooses Neurosis' Through Silver in Blood vs ISIS' Panopticon.
George
August 4, 2022
Albums of the Month: July 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for July 2022.
George
July 12, 2022
Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Albums 2022 Midyear
It’s a midyear miracle! This episode we reveal our Top 25 metal albums released between January and June IN UNDER 5 HOURS! Pour a beer and prepare your ears for this aerodynamic countdown of the best metal...
George
June 30, 2022
Albums of the Month: June 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for June, 2022.
George
June 2, 2022
Albums of the Month: May 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for May, 2022.
George
May 1, 2022
Albums of the Month: April 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for April, 2022.
George
April 29, 2022
Metal Thunderdome: Sadus' Swallowed in Black vs Autopsy's Severed Survival
Matt chooses Sadus' Swallowed in Black vs Autopsy's Severed Survival
George
April 1, 2022
Albums of the Month: March 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for March, 2022.
George
March 2, 2022
Albums of the Month: February 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for February, 2022.
George
February 1, 2022
Albums of the Month: January 2022
Here are the Metalheads Podcast albums of the month for January, 2022.
George
January 4, 2022
Albums of the Month: December 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for December 2021.
George
December 1, 2021
Albums of the Month: November 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for November 2021.
George
November 3, 2021
Albums of the Month: October 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for October 2021.
George
October 2, 2021
Albums of the Month: September 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for September 2021.
George
September 3, 2021
Albums of the Month: August 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for August 2021.
George
August 3, 2021
Albums of the Month: July 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for July.
George
August 3, 2021
Albums of the Month: June 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for June.
George
August 3, 2021
Albums of the Month: May 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for May. It was another tough month to select just one favorite album, but we did our best.
George
May 1, 2021
Albums of the Month: April 2021
Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for April. There were several good albums released, so it was tough making our choices.
George
April 1, 2021
Albums of the Month: March 2021
Today might be April Fool's Day, but this is not a prank. Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for March. Let us know what you think of our selections.
George
March 28, 2021
Metal Thunderdome: Candlemass' Epicus Doomicus Metallicus vs Trouble's Psalm 9
This time on Metal Thunderdome John chose to set Candlemass' Epicus Doomicus Metallicus against Trouble's Psalm 9.
George
March 1, 2021
Albums of the Month: February 2021
March has arrived, so it is time to reveal the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for February. There were a lot of good releases this past month, so let us know your favorite album.
George
February 1, 2021
Albums of the Month: January 2021
The year is off and running with new metal releases, so here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for January. What do you think of our picks?
George
January 4, 2021
Albums of the Month: December 2020
Happy New Year metalheads! We hope everyone is doing well. Before we venture into 2021, let us close the books on 2020 with the "Albums of the Month" for December.
George
December 6, 2020
Albums of the Month: November 2020
We've entered the final month of 2020, so It is time for the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for November.
George
November 1, 2020
Albums of the Month: October 2020
Halloween is over and November has arrived, so it is time to present the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for October. Let us know what your favorite album is from this past month.
George
October 1, 2020
Albums of the Month: September 2020
October is upon us and the fall season has begun, so this can only mean one thing. Here are the Metalheads Podcast "Albums of the Month" for September. Let us know what you think of our selections along with...
George
September 1, 2020
Albums of the Month: August 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
August 10, 2020
Albums of the Month: July 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for July, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
July 8, 2020
Albums of the Month: June 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for June, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
June 3, 2020
Albums of the Month: May 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for May, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
May 5, 2020
Albums of the Month: April 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for April, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
May 5, 2020
Albums of the Month: March 2020
Albums of the Month: February 2020 The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for March, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
March 1, 2020
Albums of the Month: February 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
February 1, 2020
Albums of the Month: January 2020
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January, 2020. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
December 30, 2019
Albums of the Month: December 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for December, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
November 30, 2019
Albums of the Month: November 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for November, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
November 16, 2019
Albums of the Month: October 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for October, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
September 30, 2019
Albums of the Month: September 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for September, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
September 9, 2019
LONELY IS THE WORD: A Deep Dive into the Myths, Meanings and Metaphors of Ronnie James Dio
“If Dio goes, we all go.” I posted that statement on my Facebook page a few days before Ronnie James Dio passed away. I remember hearing that Heaven and Hell, the reformed and renamed Dio-fronted version of...
Jay
September 9, 2019
Albums of the Month: August 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for August, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
August 9, 2019
Album of the Month: July 2019
The planets have aligned and the impossible has happened, we all agreed on one thing:
George
July 7, 2019
Albums of the Month: June 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for June, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
June 1, 2019
Albums of the Month: May 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for May, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
May 5, 2019
Albums of the Month: April 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for April, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums on Bandcamp.
George
April 3, 2019
Albums of the Month: March 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for March, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums on Bandcamp.
George
March 1, 2019
Albums of the Month: February 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for February, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
February 1, 2019
Albums of the Month: January 2019
The Metalheads Podcast Albums of the Month for January, 2019. Follow the links to listen to the albums.
George
July 13, 2018
Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2018 Mid-Year
For those that don't have the patience to listen to over four hours of podcast, here are our lists for your perusal. Lots of good stuff in there. Enjoy.
George
March 1, 2018
BREWHEADS: Wake Up Dead
Yeah, I’ve been there. If you’re reading this, you probably have been there too. You wake up feeling like death slightly warmed over after a long night of drinking imperial stouts because for some reason it...
Will
September 11, 2017
FEATURES: Why I Love Alice Cooper
When Alice Cooper was a young boy, a relative took him to see the movie, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein . He recalls it as his first encounter with that part of existence that might be thought of as...
Jay
July 28, 2017
REVIEWS: Alice Cooper - Paranormal
Look who is back! It’s the man behind the mask! Not only is Alice Cooper back with his first album in six years, but I am also getting back in the saddle after a break from reviews of over a year. Alice’s new...
George
July 24, 2017
LIVE EVIL: Wacken Open Air Festival 2017
Welcome to METALHEADS brand new section, Live Evil! What better way to break in this new section than to cover the massive Wacken festival in Wacken, Germany! Check back to this post throughout the duration of...
George
July 21, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2017 Midyear - George
“The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age..."
George
July 21, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2017 Midyear - Jay
I've heard some grousing about 2017 being not such a good year in metal, but when I look at my list I have to disagree. There's nothing on it that I wouldn't recommend, and if you haven't heard...
Jay
July 21, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2017 Midyear - Will
I like what I like. I'm an authority on what I like. However, I do not claim to be an authority on every sub-genre of metal that everyone else likes. So here is my list of top 11 heavy metal albums for the...
Will
July 21, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2017 Midyear - John
Hi, this is John and here are my "Top 11 metal albums for 2017" - midyear edition. Traditionally, I'm the prog guy, but I have enjoyed more than a few doom, death and black metal releases to go along with some...
John
July 21, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2017 Midyear - Mark
11) Tombs - The Grand Annihilation Need to spend some more time with it, but first few times through, another solid effort 10) Replacire - Do Not Deviate Insane tech death. 9) Goatwhore - Vengeful Ascension...
Mark Franceski
June 20, 2017
BREWHEADS: South of Eleven
No shit. There I was—surrounded by two of my passions in life: beer and heavy metal. It almost was overwhelming. But for decades, I’ve been preparing my liver and ear drums for this moment.
Will
February 2, 2017
Best Metal Albums of 2016, even more...
Hey there. I’m Sergiy Trushel, the bassist in Catatonic Society, the band that Jay from the podcast is in. I was listening to the METALHEADS Top 25 and cannot get rid of one thought: this is very subjective...
Sergiy Trushel
January 29, 2017
BREWHEADS: Hopped in Half
1990 was a phenomenal year for heavy metal—especially death metal. Older metal heads like me bore witness to releases by Cannibal Corpse, Demolition Hammer, Death, Deicide, Entombed, Morgoth, and...
Will
December 29, 2016
Best Metal Albums of 2016, continued...
If you haven't gotten your fill of 2016 lists, then read on. Below are assembled lists of varying lengths and sizes which were provided to us by friends and listeners.
George
December 29, 2016
Best Metal Albums of 2016
This seething black cauldron of suck that is 2016 is almost over. A lot of bad things happened this year, and we lost a seemingly staggering amount of people this year. But lots of good things happened as...
George
November 22, 2016
BREWHEADS: Trooper Red ‘N’ Black Porter
Who knew a tweet could send you on your personal mission in life? My friend Metal Chris retweeted a photo from Grill ‘Em All — a Los Angeles-based heavy metal-themed burger and beer bar...
Will
November 16, 2016
BREWHEADS: Brew and Destroy
I don't believe in fate, destiny, or any other hippy dippy baloney. I do, however, feel the infinite power of heavy metal combined with devilish intervention created a brewery on the very site...
Will
October 20, 2016
BREWHEADS: Permanent Funeral
GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, drinking Permanent Funeral will annihilate your taste buds and leave lesser beers to be poured down the sewer where the roaches listen to Kanye West...
Will
September 5, 2016
BREWHEADS: Master of Pumpkins and Blizzard of Hops
I went on vacation in the mountains of Pennsylvania during the 4th of July and brought along a bunch of metal beers to review while reading Choosing Death and watching black bears and...
Will
July 1, 2016
Best of 2016 Mid-Year Lists
In Episode 51 of the podcast we did a Top 11 Albums of 2016 Mid-Year. Here are everyone's lists, as well as a combined list John put together based on which albums showed up the most on all of our lists.
George
July 1, 2016
Feind’s Best of 2016 So Far…
Hello Metalheads and my friends THE MetalHeads! I’m Feind Gottes author and writer/editor for Thy Demons Be Scribblin. We’re about at the mid-way point of the year so a short time ago Buke (my new internet...
George
April 22, 2016
Amon Amarth @ The Fillmore, Silver Spring 4/21/2016
Last night the mighty Amon Amarth returned to our shores and laid waste to the Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland. Allow me to recount our tale of high adventure.
George
April 11, 2016
BREWHEADS: Bloody Roots – Bourbon Barrel Aged
Roots Bloody Roots! “You like beer? You like Bloody Marys?? You’ll love this beer!” claims the label and I could not agree more. Bloody Roots is an intense and unique 8.8% ABV imperial brown ale...
Will
February 22, 2016
Rotting Christ - Rituals
otting Christ is one of those bands that's been around for a good long while (their full-length debut came out in 1991), but that I've just never gotten around to checking out. The truth is...
Jay
February 1, 2016
BREWHEADS: Sleigh’r Dark Double Alt Ale
“LET ME SEE YOUR HORNS!” cried Santa as he guided his reindeer toward the Slayer concert. Well, at least, that’s how I interpret the label for Ninkasi Brewing Company’s Sleigh’r Dark Double Alt Ale.
Will
January 31, 2016
Top 10 Albums of the Last 15 Years (or so)
In Episode 41 of the podcast we did a Top 10 Albums of the Last 15 Years list. In case you missed it, or couldn't be bothered, here are our lists from that episode, as well as a combined list John put together...
George
January 26, 2016
Thrillkiller - Time
In the latter half of 2014, I took my wife to see the Landless Theatre Company's prog metal production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Not only was the show fantastic...
George
January 23, 2016
BREWHEADS: Snow Blind Doppelbock Lager
It's late January here in the Washington D.C. metro area, and we finally got snow. Holy hell we got a lot—at least two feet and counting! Good thing I bought some Snow Blind Doppelbock Lager by Starr Hill...
Will
January 20, 2016
BREWHEADS: Madness Old Stock Ale
Can I brew with Madness? This installment of BREWHEADS marked my first real field research in my quest to conquer all heavy metal beers in the galaxy. Yeah, twist my arm to go to a brewery...
Will
January 18, 2016
Top 5 Albums of 2015 - Joel Violette of Thrawsunblat
Top lists are hard. So are intros to them. So I think I’ll skip that bit. Here are my top 5 albums of 2015, in no particular order.
Joel Violette
January 11, 2016
Amestigon - Thier
I love this fucking album. It gets so many things right, and I'm perplexed by how little attention it received in 2015. Hailing from Austria, Amestigon have been active since 1995, making it all the more...
Neutrino
January 4, 2016
King Diamond & Exodus - Warfield Theater - San Francisco, CA - November 2, 2015
Okay, so…confession: This show was the first time I've seen King Diamond live. That fact seems a little strange to me since I've been a fan since the release of Mercyful Fate's Melissa in 1983 – 32 years...
Jay
December 31, 2015
Top 10 Metal Albums of 2015 - Combined
The following list was compiled by John based on the lists from George, Buke, Jay, Will and John. He assigned points to each album based on where they showed up on each person's list and then added up all the...
George
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - George
I have heard some people say that 2015 wasn’t as good a year for metal as last year. I find myself unable to agree with that assessment. For the better part of 2015, I felt like I was spinning around in...
George
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - Jay
Wow, pretty great year...up until Lemmy died. Amorphis and Cattle Decapitation released utterly addictive albums, the Vanden Plas release might be their best yet (Goddammit, more people need to listen to...
Jay
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - Will
I don’t claim to be a professional album reviewer. I just like what I like. I’ve been a metal head for about 33 years now, so that is my claim of legitimacy to provide a year-end album list (and the guys asked...
Will
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - John
Every year I look forward to compiling my year-end, top metal albums list. It gives me a chance to reflect on my past-year acquisitions, as well as compare favorites with friends. So, I was psyched when the...
John
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - Tom from Allfather
Having been listening to heavy music for over 20 years now, I still get excited by new and exciting music by bands both new and old. The year started a bit slow by by the end of it there was, as ever, a ton of...
George
December 31, 2015
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2015 - Dan
I’m a craft beer worshiper and a black coffee drinker who is still holding out for a new Soilent Green album. I occasionally write about beer at Manifest Fermentation and can be found on Twitter too. My list...
Dan Klajncar
December 31, 2015
Best Metal Albums of 2015: More Lists
There's always room for more Best Of lists, right? Of course there is. Below are some of the lists we received from friends. There is a lot of good stuff in there not featured on any of our other lists, so...
George
December 28, 2015
BREWHEADS: Fade to Black
Merry Brew-mas! Drink and celebrate beer instead of worshiping the birth of a Royal Jewish Hippie Zombie Astronaut that just so happens to coincide with the Pagan winter solstice. Obey, cheers and amen!
Will
December 21, 2015
Odetosun - The Dark Dunes Of Titan
Anyone who knows me is probably familiar with the fact that I'm a progressive rock fan as much as I am a metal head. I have been a prog fan since my early days of music exploration. On any given day during...
John
December 16, 2015
BREWHEADS: Amber Smashed Face
If you are reading this, you probably like heavy metal, craft beer, or both. If not, what you're about to read—and hopefully drink—may crush your skull and liquefy your brain!
Will
December 14, 2015
Black Breath - Slaves Beyond Death
Hi, everyone. Before I start this review, I should introduce myself – my name is Mark, and I'm the "Spotify playlist guy" for the METALHEADS Podcast, for whatever that's worth. I am very grateful to George...
Mark Franceski
November 24, 2015
Maïeutiste - S/T
French black metal rarely disappoints, and Maïeutiste's self-titled debut is no exception. This is a massive record both in terms of length as well as musical scope. Clocking in at over 1 hour and 16 minutes...
Neutrino
November 6, 2015
Roundtable - Dread Marches Under Bloodied Regalia
A few days ago I found myself, as I so often do, scouring the landscape of Bandcamp in search of quality music that had not yet graced my ears. On the METALHEADS Podcast, we frequently make reference to...
George
November 5, 2015
Wilderun – Sleep at the Edge of the Earth
If you are a person like me, you spend countless hours scouring through a multitude of music sites and reviews looking for something new and exciting. On occasion, you find some decent music that fell through...
John
November 4, 2015
Monster Magnet – Cobras and Fire (Mastermind Redux)
Late last year Monster Magnet released Milking the Stars: A Reimagining of Last Patrol, a serious reworking of their fine 2013 album. Apparently Dave was on a tangent because he's rolled right on into the...
Jay
October 15, 2015
Cretus - Dux Mea Lux
We dig through a lot of promos on the METALHEADS Podcast, and while thankfully gems do appear there, it’s awfully nice to stumble across a good record out in the wide world that you know nothing about, and...
Jay
October 15, 2015
Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls
I cannot think of any artist or band that upon entering the later years of their career have not had to suffer complaints from critics or fans suggesting they may not be able to live up to the expectations set...
George
October 12, 2015
Myrkur - M
Love it, hate it or indifferent, one metal album you have probably heard discussed this year is the full-length debut, _M_, from Myrkur. What started as a murmur with last year's self-titled EP has slowly...
George
October 12, 2015
Bell Witch - Four Phantoms
One of my pet peeves is the need that some people have to try to legitimize heavy metal as an art form by comparing it to other styles of music. I’ve read more than a few articles over the years that point out...
Jay
May 4, 2015
M3 Festival 2015 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
I suspect that anyone reading this or listening to the Metal Heads Podcast would not get the notion that hair metal is a big priority for me. They would be correct in that assessment. My tastes these days run...
George
April 17, 2015
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #25
In this episode George and Buke are once again joined by Jay. He just sort of showed up, and we didn't know what to do, so we gave him a mic and decided to keep him. We are super proud and excited to bring you...
George
March 28, 2015
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #24
In this episode George and Buke have a guest on the show. Jay Dickinson of Catatonic Society sits in for an interview as well as participating in all the usual talk about new, new releases, the Top 3 Holy...
George
March 11, 2015
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #23
In this episode George and Buke spend more time discussing high-definition music files, Dave Grohl, Record Store Day 2015, the latest heavy metal news and new releases, what they are listening to, a pair of...
George
February 12, 2015
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #22
In this episode the guys are both under the weather but pushing through it. They discuss the usual news and new releases, their top 3 Manowar albums, what they are listening to and classic album picks for this...
George
February 5, 2015
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #21
In the first episode of 2015 George and Buke discuss the latest musical trends to hold their attention, some suggestions from Will, the latest news and new releases, their 3 favorite bands they've never seen...
George
December 29, 2014
The 100 Best Metal Albums of 2014
I know I titled this “The 100 Best Metal Albums of 2014”, but I did that mostly so the search engines might pick up on it more and then more people may see this list. What this list really is, though, are my...
George
December 25, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #20
In this year-end episode George and Buke have Will on as a guest, talk the usual news and releases and their top 3 Cannibal Corpse albums. This extra-long episode also features the top 20 albums of the year...
George
December 12, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #19
In this holiday-themed episode Buke interviews Cam Pipes from 3 Inches of Blood. They also play two songs from Australia's Goathanger, cover news stories and new releases, their top 3 Morbid Angel albums, what...
George
November 30, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #18
In this episode George and Buke interview Ben Hiteman and Emad Dajani from Catapult the Dead, and play two songs from their debut album "All is Sorrow." They also cover news stories and new releases, their top...
George
November 13, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #17
In this episode George and Buke interview Early Man's Mike Conte and play two songs from the new Early Man album, "Thank God You've Got the Answers For Us All." They also read a couple of listener letters...
George
October 30, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #16
In this episode George and Buke interview Metal Blade's Brian Slagel about hockey and metal. They also discuss poor album sales, Buke's other gig, gateway metal bands, news stories, new releases, their top 3...
George
October 17, 2014
ARIES - RISE
Several months ago I was drawn to Washington, D.C. by the promise of a prog metal version of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd being staged by The Landless Theatre Company.
George
October 16, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #15
In this episode George and Buke discuss King Diamond's tour, the short documentary about sound quality called The Distortion of Sound, some of the latest news stories, new releases, their top 3 King Diamond...
George
October 11, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #14
In this episode George and Buke discuss a case of mistaken religious identity, Metallica's care of their catalog, the Jasta podcast, the news, new releases, their top In Flames album choices, what they are...
George
October 2, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #13
In this episode George and Buke discuss the point of cover songs, ordering vinyl from Amazon, some more topics provided by Will, the news, new releases, their top Opeth album choices, what they are listening...
George
September 30, 2014
ORPHANS OF DUSK – REVENANT
I do not normally bother myself with EPs. Not because there is anything inherently wrong with them; they can certainly tide you over during a long stretch between albums. For example, one of my favorite EPs...
George
September 25, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #12
In this episode the guys return after a hiatus and discuss an album release show, a proposed big 10 of thrash, the Dream Decievers documentary, the Eddie Trunk podcast, the MetalSucks podcast, news, new...
George
September 15, 2014
A SOUND OF THUNDER – THE LESSER KEY OF SOLOMON
Living in the Maryland/Virginia/D.C. area I feel lucky to have a steady stream of the world’s best metal bands frequently visiting the region. While it is wonderful to have this unprecedented access...
George
September 10, 2014
NACHTMYSTIUM - THE WORLD WE LEFT BEHIND
If you’ve listened to our Metalheads podcast recently you may be aware that there have been some bands over the years that I used to really dump on, but that in more recent times I have come to better...
George
August 27, 2014
Sweeney Todd: Prog Metal Version
I first heard about the Landless Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. last year when one of my wife’s college friends, Terry, was one of the Landless board members. Terry heard I was running Metal Disciple and...
George
August 22, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #11
In this episode George and Buke record an episode from their hotel in Richmond, Virginia after a day on the road to attend the Dave Brockie/Oderus Urungus Memorial the night before the 2014 GWAR-BQ. All the...
George
August 22, 2014
ARCTIC SLEEP – PASSAGE OF GAIA
Last year during my 365 Days of Metal video project, I covered Milwaukee, Wisconsin band Arctic Sleep and their fourth album, “Arbors.” I came across the band on Bandcamp...
George
August 15, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #10
In this episode the guys talk about the new Opeth, some reunion's they'd like to see, the documentary Downloaded, sniping on eBay, this weeks killer band - King Giant, and of course the usual news, new...
George
July 26, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #9
In this episode the guys do a Power Metal-themed show with twice as much of everything! This episode features two songs from A Sound of Thunder AND two songs from Unleash the Archers, twice the classic albums...
George
July 19, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #8
In this episode we welcome Buke back from his brief paternity leave, discuss the George Retrospective episodes, go through a mountain of new both new and not-quite-so-new, cover some new releases, discuss what...
George
July 17, 2014
WOLVHAMMER – CLAWING INTO BLACK SUN
Last week saw the release of “Clawing into Black Sun” the third album from Minneapolis/Chicago band Wolvhammer. I wasn’t exactly waiting with baited breath for a new Wolvhammer album, but it was in the back of...
George
July 15, 2014
NOVEMBERS DOOM – BLED WHITE
This week marks the release of the ninth album from Chicago’s Novembers Doom, “Bled White.” I have to admit I have been waiting for this album with much anticipation. I first came across Novembers Doom...
George
July 10, 2014
IFING – AGAINST THIS WEALD
I was on vacation last week so I didn’t get any reviews written, but one of my favorite things to do while passing time at the beach is to stare out over the ocean and listen to bands I haven’t heard before.
George
June 27, 2014
The Week in Reviews for June 27th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for June 27th, 2014 Reviews for: Bloody Hammers - Under Satan's Sun Tombs - Savage Gold Septicflesh - Titan
George
June 21, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #7
In this episode the guys discuss GWARBQ, imminent babies, news and new releases, bands they've been listening to, evolving musical tastes, their top live albums and shows, and some classic albums. A pair of...
George
June 21, 2014
SEPTICFLESH – TITAN
The Greek symphonic death metal band Septicflesh first came to my attention three years ago with the release of their eighth album, “The Great Mass.” I know; where was I for those first...
George
June 19, 2014
TOMBS – SAVAGE GOLD
As one who constantly sifts through seemingly endless piles of new metal releases from bands all around the world, I often feel like I am hearing the same things over and over and over again.
George
June 18, 2014
BLOODY HAMMERS – UNDER SATAN’S SUN
Bloody Hammers from Charlotte, North Carolina have returned with their third album, “Under Satan’s Sun.” In case you are wondering, this is a big deal. Bloody Hammers is turning out to be quite...
George
June 12, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #6
In this episode the guys discuss World Domination, the imminent arrival of the next generation of metal, the latest news and new releases, what they are listening to this week, their top 3 Slayer albums, and...
George
June 8, 2014
The Week in Reviews - June 8th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for June 8th, 2014 Reviews for: Crowbar - Symmetry in Black Darkest Era - Severance Maelstrom - Sunlight
George
June 4, 2014
MAELSTROM – SUNLIGHT
If one searches for the name Maelstrom on the Metal Archives website, one gets a list of twenty seven bands all bearing the name; I guess it is a rather popular nom de plume.
George
June 2, 2014
DARKEST ERA – SEVERANCE
Of all the new metal releases this week, the only one that really stood out to me was Darkest Era and their second album, “Severance.” Darkest Era hail from Ireland and play metal infused with a Celtic flavor.
George
May 30, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #5
In this episode recent news and a selection of new releases are discussed, the guys talk about what they are listening to as well as their top 3 Sentenced albums. Two songs are featured from unsigned UK band...
George
May 21, 2014
Crowbar – Symmetry in Black
Kirk Windstein. The man. The legend. You may only know him for his epic beard, but believe it or not he is also a talented musician. Do you like sludge metal? You can thank Kirk for that...
George
May 19, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #4
releases are discussed, the guys talk about what they are listening to as well as their top 3 Dio albums. A new segment called Unsigned Bands is introduced and Norwegian band Tonic Breed is featured. Two songs...
George
May 18, 2014
The Week in Reviews - May 17th, 2014
This time we had reviews of albums by Twilght's Embrace, Human Collapse and Tonic Breed.
George
May 17, 2014
The Week in Reviews - May 17th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for May 17th, 2014 Reviews for: Twilight's Embrace - By Darkness Undone Human Collapse - Darkness to Fall Tonic Breed - Outsold
George
May 11, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #3
In this episode the guys discuss new listeners, a surprise concert, the week's new releases, their top 3 Judas Priest albums, the Big Four, a pair of classic albums, and the band Men Without Armies. Two songs...
George
May 9, 2014
Tonic Breed – Outsold
Today I bring you the third review in a row featuring an unsigned band. Perhaps this is the result of my obsessive compulsion to constantly seek out new bands and music, driving me to hunt...
George
May 5, 2014
Human Collapse – Darkness to Fall
I think the theme for this week is going to be unsigned bands. First I covered the great unsigned UK band Twilight’s Embrace, now I give you Human Collapse from Saint Petersburg, Russia, and their first album...
George
May 3, 2014
Twilight’s Embrace – By Darkness Undone
I am a fan of both doom metal and more extreme styles such as black and death metal, and as such the wicked procreation that is death doom holds great appeal. I love the monster riffs and melancholy...
George
May 3, 2014
The Week in Reviews - May 2nd, 2014
This week we had reviews of albums by Men Without Armies and Dawn.
George
May 3, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #2
In this episode George and Buke discuss new releases, what they've been listening to, Buke's first week with a turntable, their top 3 Iron Maiden albums, the upcoming Opeth album and a pair of classic metal...
George
May 2, 2014
The Week in Reviews - May 2nd, 2014
The Week in Reviews for May 2nd, 2014 Reviews for: Men Without Armies - S/T Dawn - The Eternal Forest - Demo Years '91-'93
George
April 27, 2014
Dawn - The Eternal Forest – Demo Years ’91-‘93
Unless we are talking about one of my favorite bands, I don’t usually tend to bother with albums that repackage demos from early in a band’s career. However, I have been listening...
George
April 27, 2014
Metal Heads Podcast - Episode #1
In this episode George and Buke introduce themselves, discuss Record Store Day 2014, some classic metal albums, a curious metal release from overseas, and even a book!
George
April 24, 2014
Men Without Armies - Men Without Armies
Brennan Dylan is one of the more energetic and likeable people I have encountered while reviewing music. A lot of the material I receive for review, that doesn’t come from a label or my own obsessive...
George
April 20, 2014
The Week in Reviews - April 19th, 2014
This week we have reviews for Below and Triptykon.
George
April 19, 2014
The Week in Reviews - April 19th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for April 19th, 2014 Reviews for: Below - Across the Dark River Triptykon - Melana Chasmata
George
April 14, 2014
Below – Across the Dark River
Fans of traditional doom metal rejoice, for Sweden, the land of Candlemass, has put forth a new doom metal band worthy of note. I speak of the band Below and their full-length debut, “Across the Dark River.”
George
April 14, 2014
Triptykon – Melana Chasmata
Today the dark lords of metal bestow their unholy gifts upon us, for this day marks the birth of a new Triptykon album, and we, the unworthy masses, may now bask in its uncompromising greatness.
George
April 6, 2014
The Week in Reviews - April 5th, 2014
This week we have reviews of a new Dio tribute album, Shores of Null and Harry Big Button.
George
April 5, 2014
The Week in Reviews - April 5th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for April 5th, 2014 Reviews for: Ronnie James Dio - This is Your Life (Tribute album) Shores of Null - Quiescence Harry Big Button - Perfect Storm
George
April 4, 2014
Crypt of Silence – Beyond Shades
Last week I was poring over a list of new releases and saw the band name Crypt of Silence. I thought that was pretty cool sounding, so I looked the band up on YouTube to try to hear them.
George
April 2, 2014
Harry Big Button – Perfect Storm
A little over a year after the release of their last album, South Korea’s Harry Big Button is back with a new EP called “Perfect Storm.” I have had the pleasure of reviewing...
George
March 28, 2014
Ronnie James Dio – This is Your Life
As we close in on four years of living in a world no longer blessed by the presence of one of metal’s greatest voices, we wake today to the release of a new tribute album in honor of the late, great Ronnie...
George
March 23, 2014
The Week in Reviews - March 22nd, 2014
This week there's albums by Crypt of Silence, Frozen Dawn and Suffer Yourself.
George
March 22, 2014
R.I.P. Dave Brockie/Oderus Urungus
Fuck! Today has really sucked. Even as the day comes to a close I am still having a hard time accepting the news that Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, the mighty frontman of GWAR, is dead.
George
March 22, 2014
The Week in Reviews - March 22nd, 2014
The Week in Reviews for March 22nd, 2014 Reviews for: Crypt of Silence - Beyond Shades Frozen Dawn - Those of the Cursed Light Suffer Yourself - Inner Sanctum
George
March 18, 2014
Suffer Yourself – Inner Sanctum
Today I complete this week’s Bandcamp hat trick with a third album purchased from the site. This is the funeral doom band Suffer Yourself and their debut album, “Inner Sanctum.”
George
March 16, 2014
The Week in Reviews - March 15th, 2014
My first video of 2014. I cover this weeks reviews of Psalm Zero, Subliritum and Ancient Ascendant.
George
March 15, 2014
The Week in Reviews - March 15th, 2014
The Week in Reviews for March 15th, 2014 Reviews for: Psalm Zero - The Drain Subliritum - Downfall Ancient Ascendant - Echoes in Cinder
George
March 15, 2014
Shores of Null – Quiescence
Have you ever wondered what it might sound like if Alice in Chains played doom metal with a splash of progressive black metal? Me neither, but then I came across Italian band Shores of Null and their first...
George
March 14, 2014
Frozen Dawn – Those of the Cursed Light
This week I seem to be on a roll with the Bandcamp artists. A few days ago I came across the Spanish black metal band Frozen Dawn and their second album, “Those of the Cursed Light.”
George
March 12, 2014
Ancient Ascendant – Echoes and Cinder
I don’t usually find myself listening to much in the way of new death metal these days. Far too many death metal bands have been putting out far too many albums lately that all sound the same.
George
March 8, 2014
Psalm Zero - The Drain
Psalm Zero is an avant-garde duo from New York and “The Drain” is their first album. I came across these guys while looking over a list of new releases and gave them a listen on iTunes...
George
March 8, 2014
Subliritum – Downfall
Today I bring you the recently released third album from Norwegian melodic black metal band, Subliritum; this is “Downfall.” I’m curious what the band name means.
George
March 4, 2014
ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL (2008)
How many Anvil fans we got out there? The correct answer is: not enough. Anvil has been around forever, yet for whatever reason, they’ve never received the success and accolades that they really deserved.
George
March 2, 2014
TRICK OR TREAT (1986)
The last few years have brought us a number of cool heavy metal documentary films, but few and far between are the actual fiction movies with an overt metal theme.
George
February 25, 2014
Godhunter - City of Dust
Godhunter is a doom/sludge/hardcore style band from Tucson, Arizona and “City of Dust” is their debut album. I mention doom because some of the riffage on the album seems like it qualifies...
George
February 24, 2014
Ashen Horde - Sanguinum Vindicta
So far this year there have only been a few albums that really excited me and made me eager to put fingers to keyboard. I know for a fact that there are a number of albums on the horizon that I am greatly...
George
February 14, 2014
The Defilement and Ruination of Metal Classics
“I sure wish all my favorite bands would go back and re-record their early albums,” said no metal fan ever. I was driving home yesterday evening listening to the 80s thrash metal classic “Bonded by Blood” from...
George
February 3, 2014
Behemoth - The Satanist
Much to my most unholy delight, Behemoth has this week graced us with their tenth and latest album, “The Satanist.” Sure, the release of a new Behemoth album is reason enough...
George
January 31, 2014
Grand Magus – Triumph and Power
Well, hello there! Long time, no see! I know; I have been neglecting my writing duties here for the last six months or so. Last year was a tough year. Trying to write regular reviews...
George
George
George
September 25, 2013
Day 267: MetalDisciple.com's 365 Days of Metal - Nailed to Obscurity
George
George
July 11, 2013
Reviews for July 11th, 2013
Kröwnn is an Italian doom metal band and “Hyborean Age” appears to be their first demo/album. When I think of Italian metal, mostly I think of power metal and symphonic metal because there is a lot of great...
George
July 10, 2013
Reviews for July 10th, 2013
Chthonic is a Taiwanese black metal band with Eastern folk influences and “Bú-Tik” is their seventh album. Back in 2011 I reviewed Chthonic’s last album, “Takasago Army” and thought that was brilliant, so it...
George
June 20, 2013
Reviews for June 20th, 2013
Sound the horns and grab your steel! The mighty Amon Amarth have been sighted on the horizon; they come bearing their ninth album, “Deceiver of the Gods.”Man, have I got a lot to say about this album. First...
George
June 18, 2013
Reviews for June 18th, 2013
Alexi and the lads, aka Children of Bodom, have returned with their eighth and latest album, “Halo of Blood.” I’ve been a fan of Children of Bodom since the band’s first album was released in 1997, but I have...
George
June 10, 2013
Black Sabbath - 13
Happy New Black Sabbath Day! The day we thought would never come has finally arrived: the release of a new Black Sabbath album featuring Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. Granted, only three of the four original...
George
June 5, 2013
Reviews for June 5th, 2013
My first review of 2013 was of Tengger Cavalry’s “Sunesu Cavalry.” I loved what I heard, and so I was very excited to recently receive the promo for their latest material. Tennger Cavalry is a Chinese...
George
May 28, 2013
Reviews for May 28th, 2013
A Sound of Thunder is a metal band from Northern Virgnia (NoVa!) and “Time’s Arrow” is their third album. Last year I came across A Sound of Thunder when they released their second album, “Out of the...
George
May 17, 2013
Reviews for May 17th, 2013
Satan is a UK metal band from the NWOBHM era and “Life Sentence” is their third overall album and their first since 1987. With a name like Satan, these guys were bound to catch my attention as a young kid in...
George
May 7, 2013
Reviews for May 7th, 2013
Atrocity is a…well, they were…yeah, but then they became…only now they are…well, let’s just say nailing down a particular style for Atrocity is like hitting a moving target.
George
May 6, 2013
Reviews for May 6th, 2013
Cathedral, the legendary UK doom metal band, has returned with their tenth and final album, “The Last Spire.”I covered Cathedral not too long ago in a 365 Days of Metal video when I talked about their 1995...
George
March 29, 2013
Reviews for March 29th, 2013
Finnish folk metal band Finntroll have returned with sixth album, “Blodsvept.” Back in the day I never listened to much Finntroll because they didn’t sing in English. I can enjoy albums that are not in...
George
March 22, 2013
Reviews for March 22nd, 2013
Chosen is an Irish melodic death metal band and “Resolution” is their full-length debut. The band also has a number of well-received EPs dating back to 2005. Well this was certainly a nice surprise.
George
March 19, 2013
Reviews for March 19th, 2013
In 2011 Anthrax released “Worship Music” which heralded the return of singer Joey Belladonna after a 20 year absence. I only ever really liked the Belladonna years, so that was great news for this metal fan.
George
March 12, 2013
Lowbau - A Darker Shade of Blues
Lowbau is a band from Vienna, Austria and "A Darker Shade of Blues" is their debut full-length album. They describe the music on the album by referring to the album title. What exactly does that mean?
George
March 7, 2013
Reviews for March 7th, 2013
Progressive Norwegian black metal band Vreid has just released their sixth album, “Welcome Farewell.” I have been waiting for this album for months and now that I finally have my copy I am well pleased.
George
March 5, 2013
Reviews for March 5th, 2013
Black Crucifixion is a Finnish black metal band and “Coronation of King Darkness” is their third album. I hadn’t heard of these guys before receiving the promo from Spinefarm Records, but the album art...
George
March 3, 2013
The Week in Reviews - March 2nd, 2013
The Week in Reviews: Feared, Mourning Beloveth, At Night I Fly and Darkthrone
George
March 2, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 3/2/2013
Reviews for the week of 3/2/2013 include: Feared - Furor Incarnatus Mourning Beloveth - Formless At Night I Fly - September Kills Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance
George
George
George
February 23, 2013
The Week in Reviews - February 22nd, 2013
The Week in Reviews: Heavatar, Cancer Bats and Hanging Garden
George
February 22, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 2/22/2013
Reviews for the week of 2/22/2013 include: Heavatar - Opus I - All My Kingdoms Cancer Bats - Bat Sabbath, Bastards of Reality Hanging Garden - At Every Door
George
George
George
George
George
George
George
George
George
George
February 2, 2013
The Week in Reviews - February 1st, 2013
The Week in Reviews - Sons of Aeon, Gormathon, Gloria Morti and The Crescent
George
February 1, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 2/1/2013
Reviews for the week of 2/1/2013 include: Sons of Aeon - Sons of Aeon Gormathon - Land of the Lost/Celestial Warrior/Lens of Guardian Gloria Morti - Lateral Constraint The Crescent - Risti
George
January 30, 2013
Reviews for January 30th, 2013
Gormathon is a Swedish melodic death metal band and “Lens of the Guardian” is their 2010 debut album. I am also including the single “Land of the Lost” and the three-song EP “Celestial Warrior”, both of which...
George
January 26, 2013
The Week in Reviews - January 25th, 2013
The Week in Reviews: Voivod, Attic, Lightning Swords of Death and Nightfall.
George
January 25, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 1/25/2013
Reviews for the week of 1/25/2013 include: Voivod - Target Earth Attic - The Invocation Lightning Swords of Death - Baphometic Chaosium Nightfall - Cassiopeia
George
January 21, 2013
The Week in Reviews - January 20th, 2013
This week: Sonic Reign, Aether Realm and Audrey Horne.
George
January 20, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 1/20/2013
Reviews for the week of 1/20/2013 include: Sonic Reign - Monument in Black Aether Realm - One Chosen By The Gods Audrey Horne - Youngblood
George
January 13, 2013
The Week in Reviews - January 12, 2013
This week: Newsted, Apocalypse Warhead, Norska and Harry Big Button.
George
January 12, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 1/12/2013
Reviews for the week of 1/12/2013 include: Newsted - Metal Apocalypse Warhead - Opening the Silos Norska - Norska Harry Big Button - King's Life
George
January 6, 2013
The Week in Reviews - January 5th, 2013
This week features reviews and songs from Tengger Cavalry, Noise Pollution, Mage and Malnàtt.
George
January 5, 2013
The Week in Reviews - 1/5/2013
Reviews for the week of 1/5/2013 include: Tengger Cavlary - Sunesu Cavalry Noise Pollution - S/T Mage - Black Sands Malnàtt -- Principia Discordia
George
January 3, 2013
Reviews for January 3rd, 2013
Mage is a Stoner/Doom metal band from the UK and “Black Sands” is their first album. Lately I have been cruising Bandcamp for interesting new releases from bands that I haven’t heard before. There is a nice...
George
December 16, 2012
The Week in Reviews - December 15th, 2012
Check out this week's Reviews playlist. This week we have reviews and songs for Ascariasis, The Engineered, Foreboding Ether and Ovid's Withering.
George
December 15, 2012
The Week in Reviews - 12/15/2012
Reviews for the week of 12/15/2012 include: Ascariasis - Ocean of Colour The Engineered - Identities Foreboding Ether - Beyond Conjecture Ovid's Withering - The Cloud Gatherer
George
December 9, 2012
The Week in Reviews - December 8th, 2012
Here is this weeks video for the The Week in Reviews. This week I'm embedding a playlist rather than just the video. So you can watch the reviews and then move right into songs from the bands in the review...
George
December 9, 2012
The Week in Reviews - 12/8/2012
Reviews for the week of 12/8/2012 include: All Hail the Yeti - S/T The Wandering Midget - From the Meadows of Opium Dreams Adorned Brood - Kuningaz Agony Lords - A Tomb for the Haunted
George
December 2, 2012
The Week in Reviews - December 1st, 2012
Here is this week's video for The Week in Reviews. This week is Incantation, Funeral and Ashes You Leave. Check it out and let me know what you think.
George
December 2, 2012
The Week in Reviews - 12/1/2012
Reviews for the week of 12/1/2012 include: Incantation - Vanquish in Vengeance Funeral - Oratorium Ashes You Leave - The Cure for Happiness
George
November 28, 2012
Reviews for November 28th, 2012
Funeral, a doom metal band from Norway, has recently released their sixth full-length, “Oratorium.” I must admit that despite such a simple sounding name and a history dating back over twenty years
George
November 27, 2012
Reviews for November 27th, 2012
Incantation is an American death metal band that has been around for over twenty years, and today they are releasing their ninth album, “Vanquish in Vengeance.”
George
November 21, 2012
Reviews for November 21st, 2012
Sterbhaus is a Swedish thrash/death band from Stockholm and “Angels for Breakfast and God for Lunch” is their second album.I have to start by saying I love the album title, “Angels for Breakfast and God for...
George
November 20, 2012
Reviews for November 20th, 2012
Aeon is a death metal band from Sweden and “Aeons Black” is their fourth album. When I think of Swedish death metal, I think of melodic death metal. Bands like...
George
November 19, 2012
The Week in Reviews - November 18th, 2012
Well what do you know. I managed to put together another video this week. This week features Machine Head and Graveyard.
George
November 19, 2012
The Week in Reviews - 11/18/2012
Reviews for the week of 11/18/2012 include: Machine Head - Machine F**king Head Live Graveyard - Lights Out
George
November 15, 2012
Reviews for November 15th, 2012
Graveyard is a Swedish retro hard rock band, and “Lights Out” is their third album. Their second album, “Hisingen Blues” was released early in 2011 and made big waves with their 70s styled blues rock.
George
November 14, 2012
Reviews for November 14th, 2012
I am not generally a fan of live albums, but there are some bands, and some tours, which truly make for a great live album, and Machine Head just happens to be one of those bands, and any tour with Machine...
George
November 11, 2012
The Week in Reviews - November 10th, 2012
Greetings Metal Heads! I am trying something new today. It seems some people prefer to get their reviews in video format rather than the written word, so I am going to try out a new video format that will...
George
November 11, 2012
The Week in Reviews - 11/10/2012
Reviews for the week of 11/10/2012 include: Doro - Raise Your Fist Wintersun - Time I Anaal Nathrakh - Vanitas Hooded Menace - Effigies of Evil Dethklok - Dethalbum III
George
November 8, 2012
Dethklok – Dethalbum III
I was thrilled, as I am sure many metal fans were, to learn there was an animated TV series that revolves around a death metal band. Metal has perpetually received second-class treatment from the rest of the...
George
November 8, 2012
Reviews for November 8th, 2012
“Effigies of Evil” is the third album from Finnish death-doom band Hooded Menace. I have been waiting since September to slip this into the rotation somewhere, and the time has finally arrived.
George
November 7, 2012
Reviews for November 7th, 2012
Anaal Nathrakh, from the UK, is back with their seventh album of extreme metal, “Vanitas.” This duo has been on my radar for years, yet I have never given them much attention. Despite the band receiving praise...
George
November 6, 2012
Reviews for November 6th, 2012
There was apparently a lot of anticipation for “Time I”, Wintersun’s second album; fans had to wait eight years for this second installment. I may have a copy of the first album somewhere, but I was oblivious...
George
November 1, 2012
R.I.P. Mitch Lucker
I am blown away by the news I just received that Mitch Lucker, singer for Suicide Silence, was killed in a motorcycle accident last night. METALHEADS send our condolences to all his friends, family, and fans...
George
November 1, 2012
Reviews for November 1st, 2012
Bison B.C. from Vancouver, British Columbia (the B.C. in the band’s name) have returned with their third album of stoner sludge metal, “Lovelessness.”
George
October 31, 2012
Reviews for October 31st, 2012
Greetings! Hurricane Sandy has passed and I have awoken from my slumber to find that today is the best holiday of the year, Halloween! What better to review on Halloween than...
George
October 23, 2012
Reviews for October 23rd, 2012
Stoner metal band The Sword has returned with their fourth album, “Apocryphon.” I have been eagerly waiting to hear this album for several months. I am not disappointed.
George
October 21, 2012
I Hate: The Best Albums for the Truly Pissed Off
Test Today is one of those days where I wish I had just stayed in bed. The gods have apparently conspired to piss me off mightily and the shit just continues to roll down hill to yours truly sitting at the...
George
October 18, 2012
Reviews for October 18th, 2012
Montreal’s Cryptopsy have returned with their seventh album of brutal/technical death metal (or is it their sixth? Wink, wink.) I joke about it being their sixth because...
George
October 16, 2012
Reviews for October 16th, 2012
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of the first My Dying Bride album, “As the Flower Withers.” I cannot believe it has been 20 years already...
George
October 12, 2012
Reviews for October 12th, 2012
Frost Giant is from Boyertown, Pennsylvania and “When Myth and History Merged into Mystery” is their first EP. They play a mix of folk metal and death/hardcore.
George
October 11, 2012
Reviews for October 11th, 2012
British melo-death band Sylosis have returned a year and a half after their last album to give us their third album, “Monolith.” It takes something really special to get me excited about...
George
October 10, 2012
Reviews for October 10th, 2012
For years I have been mostly ignoring Between the Buried and Me because I thought they were some crappy, cookie-cutter metalcore band. I must have been confusing them with some other band...
George
October 9, 2012
Reviews for October 9th, 2012
I have been eagerly waiting for the new Daylight Dies, and today it finally dropped. I was unable to track down an advance copy, so like the rest of the world I had to wait for it to hit iTunes...
George
October 3, 2012
Reviews for October 3rd, 2012
Enslaved is a band that should need no introduction. This Norwegian band has been around since the beginning of the Scandinavian black metal scene and was one of the early bands to hoist the Viking metal...
George
October 1, 2012
Reviews for October 1st, 2012
Satan’s Wrath is the new band featuring Tas Danazoglou, formerly of Electric Wizard. “Galloping Blasphemy is the band’s first album and it sounds just a wee bit different than Electric Wizard.
George
September 28, 2012
Reviews for September 28th, 2012
I did not receive a bio with this album, other than a little blurb on the download page, so I did a little looking around online. Information about Abstracter was pretty sparse. Here is what I found...
George
September 25, 2012
Reviews for September 25th, 2012
Witchcraft, a psychedelic/doom rock band from Sweden, has been one of my favorite bands in the style since the release of 2007’s “The Alchemist.” Now they are back...
George
September 18, 2012
Down – Down IV Part I – The Purple EP
You will probably think I am crazy, but I have never been much of a fan of Down. My friend Buke has never understood this. I do not know what to say, I used to think it was the production sound...
George
September 16, 2012
Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith
You know you are in for a rough day when your sub-conscious sets off its own internal alarm clock and wakes you up with the words to “The Sentinel” ringing in your head...
George
September 7, 2012
Reviews for September 7th, 2012
If one is a fan of death metal, Grave probably needs little introduction. This Swedish band has been active since the late 80s and “Endless Procession of Souls” is their tenth album.
George
September 6, 2012
Reviews for September 6, 2012
Ex Deo are a symphonic death metal band from Montreal, Quebec and “Caligvla” is their second album of Roman-inspired metal. I remember hearing 2009’s “Romulus” but apparently it did not...
George
September 3, 2012
Reviews for September 4th, 2012
I have returned! Just because I was on vacation, wiling away my time on the beach, does not mean I was able to completely detach myself from the music. Nay, my friends, while soaking up the rays I had my...
George
August 13, 2012
Tales From the Stage by Michael Toney
Way back on June 29th I posted about the new release of the book “Tales from the Stage” by Michael Toney. Due to time away and the down-time from redesigning and rebranding the site, it took me a little while...
George
August 8, 2012
Blood Red Skies
What is the essence of heavy metal? What is it about this music that makes all of the fans around the world defend its honor with such religious zeal? I am sure there are many reasons that are particular to...
George
July 31, 2012
Reviews for July 31st, 2012
Why are you reading this? You should be busying yourself with picking up the brand new Testament album, “Dark Roots of Earth.” Seriously, stop reading my paltry words and pick that shit up now! I’ll wait.
George
July 16, 2012
Reviews for July 16th, 2012
Eye of Solitude is a London-based doom/death band and “Sui Caedere” is their second album. This album plays right to my current infatuation with funeral and death/doom metal bands...
George
July 16, 2012
Free Randy Blythe
In metal circles, there has been a lot of talk these last few weeks about the arrest of (and subsequent denial of bail) of Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe in the Czech Republic.
George
July 13, 2012
Reviews for July 13th, 2012
Today I am happy to bring you Vancouver thrashers Titan’s Eve and their second album, “Life Apocalypse.” I liked “Life Apocalypse” so much that I went back and picked up their first album, “The Divine Equal.”
George
July 11, 2012
Reviews for July 11th, 2012
Chaosweaver hail from Finland and “Enter the Realm of the Doppelgänger” is their second album of self-described Cinematic Extreme Metal. These guys are new to me, so I had no idea...
George
June 29, 2012
Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry
When I was a wee lad, one of my early and favorite metal bands was Twisted Sister. They may not seem as “metal” when compared to all the death and black metal bands of today, but back then...
George
June 25, 2012
Reviews for June 25th, 2012
When I was a wee lad, one of my early and favorite metal bands was Twisted Sister. They may not seem as “metal” when compared to all the death and black metal bands of today, but back then...
George
June 19, 2012
Reviews for June 19th, 2012
The end of Emperor was a real bummer. You know what the silver lining was though? Now we get twice the amount of music from these guys; Ihsahn is doing his thing and Samoth is doing his own things, as well.
George
June 18, 2012
Trouble - The Skull
Yesterday my friend Buke sent me a text telling me that he had just heard “The Tempter”, from Trouble’s 1984 debut album “Psalm 9”, for the very first time.
George
June 5, 2012
Ahab - The Giant
I had never been a fan of German funeral doom band Ahab, but when I received a copy of their third album, “The Giant”, I wanted to give them a fair shake. So I decided I would listen to...
George
June 4, 2012
June 4th, 2012 Reviews
I am sorry to say this is one that fell between the cracks. I do not know much about them, but American Sharks are from Austin, Texas and they play some stoner doom rock...
George
June 4, 2012
Candlemass – Psalms for the Dead
I have been a Candlemass fan for about 25 years, though I have only ever paid much attention to the Messiah Marcolin albums. Messiah’s voice truly made Candlemass for me.
George
May 28, 2012
Joey Ramone – …Ya Know?
When I was younger, there were two people that I idolized so much that I wanted to be just like them. One was James Hetfield of Metallica. The other was Joey Ramone from The Ramones.
George
May 24, 2012
Arjen Lucassen – Lost in the New Real
Arjen Lucassen is, as you may or may not know, the Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist behind progressive metal band Ayreon, and several other projects including Stream of Passion and Star One.
George
May 22, 2012
Tuesday Reviews
“Error” is the third album from Belgian black/death metal band Emptiness. The band prominently features two members of the band Enthroned (I guess they like ‘E’ band names.)
George
May 22, 2012
Oddland – The Treachery of Senses
Finnish progressive metal band Oddland sound like they have had quite the wild ride these last few years. They won the Suomi Metal Star contest and ended up signing with...
George
May 21, 2012
Sabaton – Carolus Rex
Tomorrow, Swedish metal band, Sabaton, will be releasing their seventh album, “Carolus Rex.” It sounds like grim things went down in their camp as everyone but singer Joakim Brodén recently left...
George
May 16, 2012
OVERKILL, GOD FORBID AND SUIDAKRA @ EMPIRE 5/11/2012
Well I must say, it is about time. I have been a big fan of Overkill since the release of their 1987 “Taking Over” album and through all these years I have never managed to catch them live.
George
May 14, 2012
I Saw the Deep – Astronavigation
I Saw the Deep and the album “Astronavigation” are the products of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Darrell Laclé. Born and raised in Aruba, but currently based in the Netherlands...
George
May 10, 2012
OPETH, MASTODON AND GHOST @ FILLMORE SILVER SPRING 5/9/2012
I am getting too old for this shit. Sorry, I just had to quote one of Danny Glover’s “Lethal Weapon” lines after waking up to pain this morning. Not too old for metal of course, just too old...
George
May 7, 2012
Cattle Decapitation – Monolith Of Inhumanity
Here we have one of those bands that people seem to either love or hate. San Diego’s Cattle Decapitation is back with their seventh album, “Monolith Of Inhumanity.”
George
May 7, 2012
Huntress – Spell Eater
Damn! What a way to start a Monday. “Spell Eater” is the first album from California’s Huntress. The first thing that you cannot help but notice about Huntress is the stunning blonde singer, Jill Janus.
George
May 3, 2012
Exumer – Fire & Damnation
Exumer is a German thrash band who released two albums back in the 80s (“Possessed by Fire” in ’86 and “Rising from the Sea” in ’87) and then shortly after broke up. “Fire & Damnation” is their...
George
May 2, 2012
Litrosis – I Am Death
Litrosis are a symphonic black metal band from Greece, and “I Am Death” is their debut album. Even after all these years I am still a sucker for awesome cover art, and the cover for...
George
April 30, 2012
The Suicider – Death Surround
Hailing from Moscow, Russia is The Suicider with their first album, “Death Surround.” I cannot hear a name like The Suicider without thinking of the now defunct Finnish metal band Sentenced.
George
April 25, 2012
Dreaming Dead – Midnightmares
Dreaming Dead are a metal band from Los Angeles, California, and “Midnightmares” is their second album. Their Facebook page lists them as metal, which is rather vague...
George
April 25, 2012
Running Wild – Shadowmaker
Last week I wrote a post about Running Wild’s first album, “Gates to Purgatory”, in anticipation of this week’s release of “Shadowmaker.” Like so many bands lately, Running Wild opted...
George
April 25, 2012
Unleashed – Odalheim
Unleashed has been around forever, well, for a death metal band anyway. “Odalheim” is their eleventh album. Their first album was released 21 years ago, and I first heard Unleashed...
George
April 23, 2012
Paradise Lost – Tragic Idol
Last month I wrote up Paradise Lost and “Draconian Times” in anticipation of the release of their thirteenth album, “Tragic Idol.” As any fan of Paradise Lost knows, the band has...
George
April 23, 2012
Woods of Ypres – Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light
I have been putting off this review. I got my copy of this album over a month ago, and I just have not been able to bring myself to start writing the review. There are several reasons for my procrastination.
George
April 23, 2012
In Mourning – The Weight of Oceans
In Mourning is a Swedish progressive death/doom band and “The Weight of Oceans” is their third album; their first for Spinefarm Records. When I first received this album I mistakenly thought...
George
April 18, 2012
A Sound of Thunder – Out of the Darkness
Here is an album I have been wanting to write about for a few weeks, but have not been able to squeeze into the schedule. They are another local (to me) band that I have...
George
April 18, 2012
Running Wild – Gates to Purgatory
I have been a Running Wild fan for about 28 years, which means I was 12 when I discovered their first album, “Gates to Purgatory.” Released in 1984, “Gates to Purgatory” was part of the vanguard...
George
April 16, 2012
Gory Blister – Earth-Sick
Gory Blister is a technical death metal band from Milan, Italy and “Earth-Sick” is their fourth album. I admit that when I saw the name Gory Blister I was not expecting very much...
George
April 16, 2012
Creative Waste – Slaves to Conformity
The week begins anew and here we are again. Today I have something interesting for you. Creative Waste is a death metal/grindcore band from Saudi Arabia and “Slaves to Conformity” is their...
George
April 14, 2012
Remember Peter Steele
Two years ago today we lost Peter Steele of Type O Negative and Carnivore. The shock and despair I felt at learning of the passing of such a talented musician, at such a young age, hits me fresh in the face...
George
April 11, 2012
Tribune – Elder Lore/The Dark Arts
Today I am pleased to present you with “Elder Lore/The Dark Arts”, the second full length album from British Columbia’s Tribune. Their goal is to make challenging, yet accessible, metal music.
George
April 11, 2012
Derelict – Perpetuation
Today must be Canada Day at Rock Music Critic, because next on the agenda we have Derelict, who hails from Montreal. I was surprised and pleased to learn that the singer for Derelict is...
George
April 10, 2012
Job for a Cowboy – Demonocracy
I have been waiting for this album for MONTHS. “Demonocracy” is the third album from Arizona death metal purveyors Job for a Cowboy. Their second album, “Ruination”...
George
April 10, 2012
Countess – On Wings of Defiance
Today’s winner of the Never Say Die award for most persistent underground musician goes to Orlok and Countess. I have never heard of this dude before, but Countess, hailing from...
George
April 9, 2012
Charm City Devils – Sins
Gather round children, and let me tell you a tale of a not-so-far-away place called Charm City and the benevolent rock and roll overlords who hold court there. I speak of course of...
George
April 9, 2012
LIMA – Rediscoveries
“Rediscoveries” is an album full of cover songs that “some kid recorded in his bedroom.” That “kid” is Andrew Lima. I cannot tell you much about him, other than that he recorded the album by himself...
George
April 9, 2012
Vigilance – Steeds of Time
Welcome to a new week here at Rock Music Critic. Today I have Vigilance, a NWOBHM influenced speed metal band from Slovenia. The band formed in 2010 and started recording in 2011.
George
April 9, 2012
Municipal Waste – The Fatal Feast
April 10th marks the return of Richmond, Virginia’s metal masters, Municipal Waste with their fifth album, “The Fatal Feast.” As usual, when I listen to Municipal Waste I think...
George
April 5, 2012
Powerwolf – Blood of the Saints
Sigh. Look what I went and missed the first time around. Last year power metal band Powerwolf released their fourth album, “Blood of the Saints” and somehow I entirely missed out.
George
April 5, 2012
Valkiria – Here the Day Comes
I feel a little introspective today due to several things taking place in my little world right now. I did not think I would feel up to writing any reviews today, but when I am upset I listen to music...
George
April 2, 2012
Outcast – Awaken the Reason
Next up we have French thrash/death band Outcast and their third album, “Awaken the Reason.” They are similar to my last review in that they play a mix of thrash and death metal.
George
April 2, 2012
Cultura Tres - El Mal del Bien
Today’s second South American band is Cultura Tres, who hail from Venezuela. Their second album is “El Mal del Bien.” The album opens with “Propiedad de Dios” which immediately brings...
George
March 30, 2012
Paradise Lost – Draconian Times
March is nearly over and soon April will bring “Tragic Idol” the 13th release from Paradise Lost. In anticipation of the new album, I’ve been listening to some of my favorite music from Paradise Lost.
George
March 28, 2012
Am I Blood – Existence of Trauma
Last night, as I was shuffling through the new music available on iTunes, I was surprised to come across “Existence of Trauma” the new album from Finnish metal band Am I Blood.
George
March 27, 2012
Overkill – The Electric Age
Overkill are like heavy metal cockroaches. They’ve been around forever; nothing seems to kill them, and it seems like they will be around long after everyone else is gone.
George
March 26, 2012
3 Inches of Blood - Long Live Heavy Metal
All hail the return of 3 Inches of Blood! For months now, I have been looking forward to “Long Live Heavy Metal”, the fifth album from these BC metal gods.
George
March 26, 2012
Aura Noir – Out to Die
So I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have been mixing up bands. Somehow I have been thinking Aura Noir was Blut Aus Nord. I do not know how I got thinking that, but every time I...
George
March 26, 2012
Borknagar – Urd
I’ve been a fan of Borknagar for a number of years. I first heard them back in 1997 when I picked up their second album, “The Olden Domain”, which featured Garm (Ulver) on vocals.
George
March 23, 2012
Bejelit – Emerge
Next up, we have Bejelit, an Italian metal band that according to Encyclopaedia Metallum plays power metal. They do have many attributes of power metal, but I think...
George
March 21, 2012
Deadend in Venice – See You on the Ground
Deadend in Venice is a melodic death metal band hailing from Germany. “See You on the Ground” is the band's first album. I’ve been writing up a number of metal bands recently that feature...
George
March 20, 2012
Your Tomorrow Alone – Ordinary Lives
Today we have Italian progressive gothic doom band Your Tomorrow Alone and their debut record for My Kingdom Music, “Ordinary Lives.” Their bio sheet lists influences such as Paradise Lost...
George
March 19, 2012
Chainfist – Black Out Sunday
Today I fired up the iPhone, looked at the schedule, and queued up Chainfist. I popped in my earphones and started playing their debut album, “Black Out Sunday”...
George
March 19, 2012
Deals Death – Elite
Surprise of the week comes from Swedish melodic death metal band Deals Death. Their second album, “Elite”, was the only new metal release I could find on iTunes today...
George
March 13, 2012
Pharaoh – Bury the Light
Today we have another release that I have been eagerly awaiting these last few months – the fourth Pharaoh album, “Bury the Light.” I first heard these guys after the release of their last album...
George
March 12, 2012
Drakkar – When Lightning Strikes
Fans of Rhapsody take heed! Italian symphonic power metal band Drakkar have returned with their fourth album, “When Lightning Strikes.” Italy is well known for operas, so their quality symphonic metal...
George
March 12, 2012
Tormenter – Pulse of Terror
Tormenter is an L.A. thrash band who happens to be EBM Records re-release label mates with Prophecy and Armor Column, two bands I reviewed last week.
George
March 12, 2012
Cannibal Corpse – Torture
Today marks the U.S. release of the twelfth Cannibal Corpse album, “Torture.” I’ve been looking forward to this album for several months. I started listening to Cannibal Corpse...
George
March 6, 2012
Prophecy – Legions of Violence
Listen up children, today’s lesson is in persistence. Nothing good in life comes quickly or easy and Brazilian thrash band Prophecy are a perfect example. Formed in 1985 under the name...
George
March 6, 2012
Unbodied – Unbodied
Here we have Unbodied an unsigned band from Ohio and their self-titled five song EP. Their brief bio states that they incorporate elements of death metal, sludge, thrash, stoner metal and progressive...
George
March 5, 2012
Armor Column – Maximum Collateral Damage
(In the voice of a movie trailer narrator guy): In a world where heavy metal has fractured and become segmented into countless sub-genres that all stick rigidly to the rulebook of their particular style...
George
March 5, 2012
Heidevolk – Batavi
Heidevolk, which translates to “people of the moorland” in English, is a Dutch folk/Viking metal band. “Batavi” is their fourth album and is sung entirely in their native Dutch.
George
February 28, 2012
Corrosion of Conformity - Corrosion of Conformity
Yesterday I covered Napalm Death and Asphyx; today I’m starting with Corrosion of Conformity (sans Pepper). Time allowing I’ve also got albums on deck by Drudkh and Eluveitie. And don’t get me started on the...
George
February 27, 2012
Asphyx – Deathhammer
Next up we have another veteran extreme metal band, the Dutch death-doom metal band Asphyx. These guys have had quite the rotating lineup over the years and have broken up several times...
George
February 27, 2012
Napalm Death – Utilitarian
Today is full of new releases and I’m hard pressed to decide where to begin. I guess I’ll just jump in and see how far I can get. First up we have Napalm Death with their fifteenth album...
George
February 22, 2012
Emerald Sun – Regeneration
Today we have another band from Greece - power metal band Emerald Sun. “Regeneration” is their third album and first with vocalist Theo Tsakirides. These guys are another...
George
February 21, 2012
Sorrow’s Path – The Rough Path of Nihilism
Sorrow’s Path is a Greek doom metal band that is more qualified than most to speak upon matters of doom and gloom. This band has struggled through the tragic death of one member and the debilitating motorcycle...
George
February 20, 2012
Monoscream – Redemption
Today we have Monoscream from Stockholm, Sweden and their full-length debut “Redemption" “Redemption” is the follow up to their EP, “Reborn.” I haven’t heard the EP to know how it compares, but “Redemption”...
George
February 17, 2012
Eluveitie – Helvetios
Well this isn’t the first time I’ve been late to the party. People have been clamoring praise for Eluveitie for a few years now but I never really climbed on the bandwagon.
George
February 14, 2012
Hymnosis – Unmasking Faces
On the schedule for today we’ve got Hymnosis, an unsigned band from Montreal. “Unmasking Faces” is their five-song EP of thrashy hardcore groove metal.
George
February 13, 2012
Goatwhore – Blood for the Master
The day has finally arrived. “Blood for the Master” has been on my radar for several months now and was one of my most anticipated upcoming releases.
George
February 9, 2012
King Giant – Dismal Hollow
King Giant is another of my impulse purchases this week, and I have to say I’m rather embarrassed to find that I could almost spit and hit these guys, yet I’ve never heard of them.
George
February 8, 2012
Vinterblot – Nether Collapse
Yesterday I found myself in the familiar position of wanting to discover some new metal, but not having anything in mind to try out. Part of my “discovery process”...
George
February 7, 2012
Psycroptic – The Inherited Repression
Psycroptic are a technical death metal band from Australia. “The Inherited Repression” is their much anticipated fifth album (second for Nuclear Blast).
George
February 6, 2012
Iron Fire – Voyage of the Damned
It’s Tuesday, and I don’t know about you, but I could use a little pick me up to help get this week moving in the right direction. My week seems ready to derail again if things don’t improve...
George
February 3, 2012
Machine Head, Suicide Silence, Darkest Hour @ Rams Head Live 2/2/2012
Ever since “Unto the Locust” came out last year I’ve been waiting for Machine Head to come to town. I’d seen them three times previously, but never as a headliner.
George
February 1, 2012
Zavod – Industrial City
I went through an industrial phase back in the mid to late 90s. It probably started with Ministry and Nine Inch Nails but eventually I was listening to bands like...
George
January 31, 2012
Desecravity – Implicit Obedience
When the need for new music strikes me I’m like a junky sick for a fix. I start frantically looking around online for something I haven’t heard before that will satisfy my need...
George
January 30, 2012
Lamb of God – Resolution
Today is one of those Mondays that must have it in for me. Nothing major has happened yet (though I did almost drive off the road minutes after leaving the house) but every little thing...
George
January 26, 2012
Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline
Today we have a band that needs no introduction, Lacuna Coil. “Dark Adrenaline” is the Italian gothic metal band’s sixth album. It should come as no surprise...
George
January 24, 2012
Aborted - Global Flatline
“Global Flatline” is the seventh album from Belgium-based death metal band Aborted. This album is the first with two new members, one on drums (Ken Bedene) and the other on guitar (Mike Wilson).
George
January 11, 2012
Benighted – Asylum Cave
Yesterday just kind of sucked. Except for the fact that the Capitals beat the Penguins, but even that was a bit of a snoozer at 1-0. By the end of the day I was eyebrow-deep...
George
January 9, 2012
Black Sabbath – Master of Reality
Earlier I posted a get well to Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi based on yesterday’s news that he is battling lymphoma. That got me feeling a little introspective about how much Black Sabbath...
George
January 3, 2012
Dischordia – Creator, Destroyer
I’m starting to see the other side of this bug that’s had me down. I still feel like crap but each day is a little better than the last. That being the case, it’s time...
George
December 26, 2011
By The Time You Read This (He Will Already Be Dead) - R.I.P. David Gold
I woke this morning to a text from Buke asking me whether I had heard that David Gold had been killed in a traffic accident. With bleary eyes I read the text and my heart dropped.
George
December 20, 2011
Machete Justice – Reversion
I’m starting to see the other side of this bug that’s had me down. I still feel like crap but each day is a little better than the last. That being the case, it’s time...
George
December 19, 2011
Shredhead – Human Nature
I’m starting to see the other side of this bug that’s had me down. I still feel like crap but each day is a little better than the last. That being the case, it’s time...
George
December 14, 2011
Metalian – Rock Solid
I’m starting to see the other side of this bug that’s had me down. I still feel like crap but each day is a little better than the last. That being the case, it’s time...
George
December 12, 2011
Venomous Maximus – The Mission
I received a package recently from Houston’s Venomous Maximus, and to my surprise they sent not just a CD, but a large, flat CD like object as well. Only it was black and wouldn’t fit in my CD player.
George
December 8, 2011
"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott 8/20/1966-12/8/2004
Seven years ago today the fucking crazy bastard known as Nathan Gale snuck into the Damageplan show at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio and killed four people, including Damageplan and Pantera guitar legend...
George
December 8, 2011
Humanity's Last Breath – Structures Collapse
“Structures Collapse” is the second EP from Swedish death metal band Humanity’s Last Breath. Apparently their first EP was deathcore in style, but lately they have moved on to a death metal...
George
December 6, 2011
Venom – Welcome to Hell
Welcome to the beginning of something big. If you were to trace back the lineage of all heavy metal bands you would eventually find yourself staring at Black Sabbath.
George
December 5, 2011
Testimony – Transcending Reality
Testimony is an unsigned progressive thrash band from the Chicago area in Illinois and they recently sent me a copy of their six-song EP called “Transcending Reality.”
George
December 3, 2011
Dio - Sacred Heart
I wanted to write this up on Thanksgiving during some down-time I had in the morning, but my laptop battery died so the time was put to other use. The plan was to give thanks...
George
November 29, 2011
Gregorian – Dark Side of the Chant
Gregorian is not normally the type of artist I would review, but because some of the songs they cover are metal in origin, and because I actually really like them, I’m going to do it anyway.
George
November 29, 2011
Lou Reed & Metallica – Lulu
I’ve been meaning to weigh in on this album and right now I’ve got some time while watching the Caps try to lose their first game with their new coach, so what the hell, I’ll squeeze it in.
George
November 28, 2011
Footprints in the Custard – Every Hole is a Goal
Footprints in the Custard is an unsigned UK band from Manchester. Formed by a group of bored college students in 2006 they play an interesting blend of punk and metal that is truly an abomination.
George
November 28, 2011
Vildhjarta - Måsstaden
Vildhjarta are a Swedish band who, according to Wikipedia, play “an aggressive Meshuggah-influenced djent style, characterised by harmonic minor progressions, dissonant staccato riffs...
George
November 28, 2011
Midnight Chaser – Rough and Tough
Conceived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and brought to fruition in San Francisco, California, Midnight Chaser rather surprised me by playing some really old school pre-thrash era metal...
George
November 22, 2011
Vektor – Outer Isolation
In 2009 I picked up Vektor’s “Black Future” from the iTunes store on a whim. It was one of those new music Tuesdays where I was itching to pull the trigger on something new but...
George
November 17, 2011
Leather Nun America – Kult Occult
When I first saw the band name and album cover I figured Leather Nun America was going to be some lo-fi death grind band that wouldn’t interest me much. Well I’m glad I took...
George
November 16, 2011
HarryBigButton – Hard ’N’ Loud
Just when you think you’ve heard the most unusual band names around, along comes HarryBigButton from Seoul, Korea. I’d like to hear the story behind how they came up with...
George
November 16, 2011
Anthrax, Testament, Death Angel @ The Fillmore Silver Spring 11/6/2011
I was very excited by the return of Joey Belladonna to Anthrax and the release of “Worship Music” a few months ago. So when I heard that Anthrax, Testament and Death Angel were coming...
George
November 10, 2011
Sentenced - Down
Sentenced, aka “The Northernmost Killers”, are one of my all time favorite heavy metal bands. Their fourth album, “Down”, is George’s Classic for this week.
George
November 7, 2011
Seven Thorns – Return to the Past
Seven Thorns is a Danish power metal band whose album “Return to the Past” is out now on Nightmare Records. I usually like the albums Lance King releases on Nightmare Records so...
George
November 7, 2011
Opeth & Katatonia @ Rams Head Live 11-1-2011
I’ve seen Opeth live several times, and each time it has been completely different. The first time was at Jaxx, and it was a technical death metal set with a mix of clean and harsh vocals.
George
November 3, 2011
Junius – Reports from the Threshold of Death
Back in September Buke and I had tickets to see Enslaved at Jaxx. We bought the tickets because Ghost was supposed to be on the bill. Then Ghost had to drop off because they...
George
November 2, 2011
Krisiun – The Great Execution
Back in the 70s it wasn’t so uncommon to find power rock trio bands like Rush or Triumph, but I can’t say I’ve come across many death metal trios...
George
November 1, 2011
Vallenfyre – A Fragile King
I’m sorry to say I was not really aware of Vallenfyre and their debut “A Fragile King” until shortly before I received the promo. Normally a death metal super-group would generate enough buzz...
George
November 1, 2011
Halloween – Don't Metal with Evil
Since today is Halloween I thought I would write up my "classic" today and talk about “Don’t Metal With Evil” by the old Detroit band Halloween. Billed as “Detroit’s Heavy Metal Horror Show”...
George
October 31, 2011
Megadeth – Th1rt3en
As one of the Big Four I’d say Megadeth is a metal band that needs no introduction. Over the last 25+ years Dave Mustaine and a rotating cast of band mates have created some of the greatest metal songs...
George
October 28, 2011
Candlemass – Nightfall
Last week on a whim I wrote about “Climbin’ the Walls” by Wrathchild America, an old album that was partly responsible for shaping my heavy metal tastes. I enjoyed writing about it so much...
George
October 24, 2011
Sacred Gate – Creators of the Downfall
“Creators of the Downfall” is the debut EP by unsigned German heavy-power metal band Sacred Gate. What’s that you say? German metal? You have my interest.
George
October 24, 2011
Isole – Born from Shadows
Dooooooooooooooom! Swedish purveyors of doom, Isole, have just released their fifth album, “Born from Shadows” and it might just be their best album yet.
George
October 20, 2011
Warbringer @ Cafe 611 10/15/2011
I feel pretty lucky living in the D.C./Baltimore area because we get a lot of metal bands that come through town. Many parts of the country (or even the world) have to travel...
George
October 18, 2011
Insomnium – One For Sorrow
I have a real soft spot (or maybe it should be a cold hard spot) for Finnish metal. One of my favorite bands of all time is the dearly departed...
George
October 18, 2011
Wrathchild America – Climbin' the Walls
Well I hope you all had a great weekend, I know I did. Saturday Buke and I had a great time at the Warbringer show, but you’ll hear about that more later this week...
George
October 17, 2011
Iced Earth – Dystopia
Where does one begin with Iced Earth? Jon Schaffer and Iced Earth first came to my attention probably around 1993 or so; it was after the release of “Night of the Stormrider”...
George
October 11, 2011
Skeletonwitch – Forever Abomination
Today marks the release of the fourth Skeletonwitch album, “Forever Abomination.” I’ve had my eye on Skeletonwitch since I first learned of them after the release of their...
George
October 11, 2011
Cipher System – Communicate the Storms
Sweden is known for its melodic death metal exports. Swedish death metal isn’t so much a label that defines origin as it is its own category and style.
George
October 6, 2011
Steve Jobs: 1955 - 2011
I wanted to write a review for today. But I just haven’t been able to focus on music. The passing of Steve Jobs hit me harder than I ever thought it would.
George
October 4, 2011
Thulcandra – Under a Frozen Sun
In the early to mid 90s one of the early great black metal bands was Dissection. “The Somberlain” and “Storm of the Lights Bane” are true classics of the genre.
George
September 29, 2011
Evile – Five Serpent’s Teeth
Two years after the tragic passing of their bass player, Mike Alexander, Evile have returned with their third album “Five Serpent’s Teeth.” Since their first album...
George
September 28, 2011
Black Pyramid – Stormbringer
So I was just doing some online research trying to find out more about Black Pyramid for this review when I learned several things...
George
September 27, 2011
Warbringer – Worlds Torn Asunder
Thrash metal is probably my favorite style of metal. I was but a wee lad when thrash surfaced in the 80s. I have a special fondness for it because it felt like...
George
September 27, 2011
Machine Head – Unto the Locust
Can I just say it is about damn time? Machine Head have been around for years, but they took the metal world by storm in 2007 with the masterpiece “The Blackening.”
George
September 26, 2011
Landmine Marathon – Gallows
Landmine Marathon, from Phoenix, Arizona is getting ready to release their fourth album “Gallows” tomorrow. Despite seeing a slew of reviews praising them in...
George
September 26, 2011
Van Canto – Break the Silence
Van Canto is easily the most unique metal band you will have the pleasure of hearing. You see, they don’t have any guitars. No bass either.
George
September 20, 2011
Opeth - Heritage
Did you ever see one of those movies or shows where the premise is a group of people are offered a large sum of money, or something else of value...
George
September 20, 2011
Century – Red Giant
Century – a period of 100 years. A pretty unassuming and average sized word, yet at the same time massively heavy. After all, it contains more years than the average person...
George
September 16, 2011
Laugh At The Fakes – One Night Only
Laugh At The Fakes is an unsigned band from Toronto and right from the first few seconds I am digging “One Night Only” really hard. You guys need to get signed and distributed like right now.
George
September 15, 2011
Einherjer – Norrøn
It’s been awhile since the last Einherjer album, probably due to the fact that they were supposedly retired. Retired in the music industry doesn’t mean the same thing...
George
September 15, 2011
Angel of Damnation – Carnal Philosophy
I love to discover an obscure side band by someone from another band I really like. Angel of Damnation is a product of Gerrit Mutz who is the singer for Sacred Steel and Dawn of Winter.
George
September 15, 2011
Arch/Matheos – Sympathetic Resonance
I cannot begin to express how excited I was when I heard the news that Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos and former Fates Warning singer John Arch were working on a new album together.
George
September 14, 2011
Wolves Like Us – Late Love
Well this was not what I was expecting at all. A band from Norway named Wolves Like Us had me thinking this would be black metal or at least some form of death metal...
George
September 13, 2011
Anthrax – Worship Music
I never thought this day would come, I really didn’t. But today we have a new Anthrax album featuring Joey Belladonna on vocals once more after a 20 year absence.
George
September 9, 2011
Flotsam & Jetsam – The Cold
This is a review I should have written awhile ago and for whatever reason I never did. I’ve got some extra time and inspiration today so let’s do this. Flotsam & Jetsam and I go way back. Way back.
George
September 9, 2011
Chthonic – Takasago Army
I like to think of metal as a universal language that cuts through all the crap that makes different people at odds with each other and brings them together for a cathartic sweaty good time.
George
September 8, 2011
Suicide Silence – The Black Crown
Hello? Yes, you, standing over there. Would you be so kind as to hand me that face lying on the ground there by your feet…thank you. *Unnnggghhh* There, that’s better.
George
September 1, 2011
Vulvagun – Cold Moon Over Babylon
Hmmmmmm. What do we have here? Looks to me like an Aussie metal band with a curious name based partly on girly naughty bits. I’m not sure where they came up with that name, but the album title...
George
August 31, 2011
Edguy – Age of the Joker
When the grunge era came along in the early 90s a lot of metal bands disappeared, converted or just went dormant. There was better money being made playing heavy...
George
August 30, 2011
Cholera – Prophecies of Annihilation
Today we’ve got another unsigned band, Cholera from Ottawa, Canada, a progressive death metal band. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Raphael Weinroth and Matthew Buller.
George
August 29, 2011
Birch Hill Dam – Colossus
Birch Hill Dam is a stoner/doom/southern metal band from the north (North Billerica, MA) and apparently they are currently unsigned. After giving a listen to “Colossus”...
George
August 25, 2011
Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
Ghost Brigade is quite possibly a progressive death metal band from Finland. I say quite possibly because I’m not real sure about the progressive death metal part.
George
August 24, 2011
Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber
Normally I review albums that are at least fairly recent, but today I am doing something different and reviewing an album that came out six years ago.
George
August 22, 2011
Blatant Disarray – Everyone Dies Alone
Blatant Disarray is the other band on Tribunal Records that I picked up on iTunes the other day. They are also from North Carolina, which leads me to believe that must be where Tribunal is located.
George
August 18, 2011
Cardinals Folly – Such Power Is Dangerous!
Cardinals Folly is a fairly traditional doom metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They used to be called The Coven before changing their name a few years ago.
George
August 18, 2011
Colossus – Drunk on Blood
Colossus is another band I found while looking through the iTunes new Metal releases. “Drunk on Blood” is only a five song EP but their decidedly old-school metal sound...
George
August 16, 2011
Trivium – In Waves
I first discovered Trivium somewhere between their first and second album. I saw them open a show at the Recher Theater in Towson, MD (I want to say it was with Iced Earth and Beyond the Embrace...
George
August 16, 2011
Vader – Welcome to the Morbid Reich
Hail the return of Polish death metal purveyors Vader! (Being a life-long Star Wars fan the name Vader wins bonus points in my book.) This band has been around forever...
George
August 2, 2011
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Agony
The wait is nearly over. “Agony” will be hitting the streets next week and what a welcome arrival it will be. Described as Italian technical death metal, I have to wonder...
George
July 29, 2011
Diamond Plate – Generation Why?
If I’m doing my math correctly, the average age of the three founding members of Diamond Plate is 18. They released their first EP in 2008 at 15 years old.
George
July 28, 2011
Mayan – Quarterpast
What happens when you take some people from power metal bands and throw them together with some people from death metal bands? Well in this case you get Mayan.
George
July 27, 2011
Woods of Ypres – Woods IV: The Green Album
Rare are those moments when you come across music that really connects with you and you just know that you’ve found a new favorite band. Some people have a new favorite band every week which dilutes the...
George
July 20, 2011
Toxic Holocaust – Conjure and Command
Some people will never admit they are wrong and will fight to uphold a mistake long after it makes any sense to do so. Not me though, I can admit when I’m wrong.
George
July 19, 2011
Sinister Realm – The Crystal Eye
Poking around in the new releases on iTunes this morning I noticed that Sinister Realm just released a new album, “The Crystal Eye”. I liked their first album...
George
July 18, 2011
Children of Bodom @ Jaxx 7/15/2011
Here we are again: Another show at Jaxx, and another complaint about how they never open on time. I checked their website before leaving work and it said the doors were at 6PM.
George
July 15, 2011
Soundgarden @ The Patriot Center – July 12th, 2011
Grunge. I remember well how it came along like an avalanche from nowhere and killed off the pop music and hair metal of the 80s. Most of the remaining metal went...
George
July 14, 2011
All Shall Perish – This Is Where It Ends
Wikipedia lists All Shall Perish as a deathcore band from Oakland, CA. I’m not a real fan of the term deathcore or the bands that are generally associated with it.
George
July 13, 2011
Falkenbach – Tiurida
I seem to be on a Viking/Folk metal kick lately, because today we have Falkenbach, a Viking metal band from Germany. It is funny how time gets away from us...
George
July 12, 2011
Svartsot - Maledictus Eris
How many people actually listen to music which is sung in a language they do not speak? I’m just curious. I wonder how successful bands are that sing only in...
George
July 8, 2011
Skálmöld – Baldur
“Baldur” is the debut album from Icelandic metal band Skálmöld. The only other music I know from Iceland is Björk, and this is a wee bit heavier.
George
July 7, 2011
Artas – Riotology
I’m willing to bet most people have never heard of Artas; I know I hadn’t before receiving this album to review. And I know a lot of metal bands. So I must say I was...
George
July 6, 2011
Decapitated – Carnival Is Forever
In late 2007, with four albums already under their belt, Decapitated’s career suddenly came into question after a tour bus accident which took the life of drummer Witold "Vitek" Kie?tyka...
George
July 5, 2011
Draconian - A Rose for the Apocalypse
Epic. That is the word that first springs to mind during the first track from “A Rose for the Apocalypse” the latest from Draconian. Vast, sprawling textures…Epic.
George
June 23, 2011
Cerebral Bore – Maniacal Miscreation
I don’t know about you, but to me Cerebral Bore sound like a bunch of pissed off Scots. What’s that you say…they are a bunch of pissed off Scotts? Well there you go.
George
June 22, 2011
In Solitude – The World, the Flesh, the Devil
In my last review I talked about Ghost and how they do an awesome job channeling the early Mercyful fate sound. I have to admit that it was all part of my evil master plan to...
George
June 21, 2011
Ghost – Opus Eponymous
There are a lot of new bands forming these days that are forsaking the current trends in metal and creating music that sounds like it could have been released in the 80s.
George
June 20, 2011
Orchid – Capricorn
Once upon a time, in the far away land of England (far away for me anyway) there lived a band. This band’s name was Black Sabbath. And one day Black Sabbath invented heavy metal.
George
June 20, 2011
Voivod – Warriors of Ice
I wouldn’t normally buy a live album, let alone review one. The be-all, end-all of live albums for me is Iron Maiden’s “Live After Death”. It just doesn’t get better than that in my opinion...
George
June 17, 2011
Scar of the Sun – A Series of Unfortunate Concurrencies
What do you get when Paradise Lost mates with Katatonia? Today the answer to that question is Scar of the Sun. The surprises just keep rolling in this past week...
George
June 15, 2011
Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult – I Declare: Treason
I gave this a listen based on the interesting name (yes, I was one of those people who used to buy albums in the store by picking the coolest looking cover).
George
June 15, 2011
Revoker – Revenge for the Ruthless
I’m pretty excited by Revoker’s debut album “Revenge for the Ruthless”. How often do you hear a debut album that sounds this damn good? Personally, I cannot think of many.
George
June 14, 2011
In Legend – Ballads ‘n’ Bullets
The title “Ballads ‘n’ Bullets” immediately brings to mind some kind of cheesy hair metal compilation album that advertises on late night television.
George
June 13, 2011
Desert - Star of Delusive Hopes
I have to admit that I did not hold much hope that a band called Desert was going to be any good. I’d never heard of them before and with such a bland and non-metal name...
George
June 10, 2011
Amon Amarth - Return of the Thundergods @ Jaxx
Some things never change. An example would be the inability of Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, Virginia to open their doors on time. Or even remotely on time.
George
June 9, 2011
In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading
So I've just slipped on the headphones and hit play on the new In Flames album while firing up Microsoft Word. What can I expect from this latest release "Sounds of a Playground Fading"?
George
June 9, 2011
Anvil - Juggernaut of Justice
I remember the first time I heard Anvil on the Metal Shop radio show back in the 80s, I believe it was after "Pound for Pound" was released. I was still young enough to be...
George
March 28, 2011
Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising
As I mentioned in my post earlier today, i've been waiting months in high anticipation of Amon Amarth's new album "Surtur Rising". I got my hands on a promo copy a few weeks ago and...
George
March 28, 2011
Havok - Time Is Up
I was impressed with Havok's last album "Burn" but now their latest "Time Is Up" just blows me away. This is some old-school inspired thrash that doesn't sound like...
George
October 4, 2010
Count Raven – Mammon’s War
I’ve been a fan of Sweden’s Count Raven for a number of years, but until “Mammon’s War” I was never hardcore about them. I liked their older material, but...
George
September 6, 2010
White Wizzard - Over the Top
In the early 1980s there was a sound that for the most part passed on once the Big Four introduced thrash and speed metal. This isn’t to say no one played that way anymore...
George
