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The Ruins of Beverast has won nearly universal acclaim since Alexander von Meilenwald (formerly of Nagelfar) started the project in 2003. The solo outfit’s previous two releases, Unlock the Shrine and Rain Upon the Impure, were hailed for their musical innovation and conceptual density. Innovation, however, should not read in the boilerplate way it has […]

Image by red5standingby King Diamond has had a big year. Mercyful Fate and King Diamond placed songs in Guitar Hero and Brütal Legend, respectively. A picture disc single emerged from the former. C1rca made shoes of both bands. DVD’s from both bands are in the works. Finally, Metal Blade reissued four albums from King Diamond’s […]

The Chasm have made superlative Metal of Death for almost two decades, yet they remain obscure. This isn’t for a lack of hard work. In this interview with Anthony Eastman at Metal Nightmare, guitarist/vocalist Daniel Corchado is down-to-earth and thorough. His answer to the last question: “If you don’t feel what you play, retire, motherfucker. […]

Fundamentally, the U.S. band Helcaraxë sound like Swedish death metal with melodic elements. If this were all they were, they would still be excellent. They phenomenally execute everything I want in melodic death metal. Guitar crunch is prioritized, melodies are catchy but never saccharine, and vocals are grotesque and expressive. Even though Helcaraxë are one […]

In the liner notes for “Death Dealer” on Hymns of Blood and Thunder (Rise Above, 2009), Karl Simon, The Gates of Slumber‘s singer/guitarist, tells off critics who accused his last album of having fluff lyrics. “Not everything in life is deep,” he says. “In fact, if you look at it closely, life is chronically full […]

Witchmaster have always incorporated punk and hardcore into their black metal. In the past, their approach has been rawer, occupying a middle ground between grindcore, d-beat, and thrash. On Trücizna (Ibex Moon, 2009), their first album in five years, they’ve opted for cleaner production and brought rock ‘n’ roll elements to the front. Total AnnihilationTwo-Point […]

After a spoken word lament of the death of nobility, Loss (Bindrune, 2009) proposes, “Each of us must face the question, are we man or are we beast?” Wodensthrone suggest that our humanity comes from a religion rooted in memory. Humanity is a fossilized drawing on a cave wall, the knowledge that our ancestors are […]

Until the end of the year, Hells Headbangers is offering a three-pack of EP CD’s by Victimizer, Cerekloth, and Hunters Moon for $15. You can also buy them individually for $7 each. Hells Headbangers favors black and death metal with punk leanings: think Venom, Slaughter (Can), Blasphemy, early Death and Autopsy. It’s all very old-school, […]

Crucifist is Dan Lilker’s black thrash band, but in spirit — a kind of urban stoner goofiness — it reminds me of retro beard metal like Saviours or Bison B.C. more than Black Metal. That Crucifist might sound beardy shouldn’t surprise anyone. Lilker always had a lot of beard metal in his approach — even […]