My World of Music – est. 2013
Heavy metal has enjoyed a long and successful history in Japan. While the country's passionate fans have helped sustain the scene for decades, bands such as Loudness and Anthem have stood among the leading names in Japanese heavy metal since the mid-1980s. Now, a younger generation is carrying that tradition forward. Formed in 2016, Coven... Continue Reading →
Jim Matheos' creative drive shows no signs of slowing down. Beyond his main band, Fates Warning, Matheos has been involved in a wide range of projects over the years. Alongside O.S.I. and with Tuesday the Sky, he has also collaborated with singers he knows exceptionally well. His work with former Fates Warning vocalist John Arch... Continue Reading →
Madball are among the pioneers of New York City hardcore. With roots dating back to 1988, the band has become one of the defining names of East Coast hardcore. Originally formed as a side project connected to Agnostic Front in the late '80s, Madball has grown into a true institution within the scene. Now the... Continue Reading →
When The Transformers: The Movie premiered in theaters in 1986, it did not become the box-office success many had hoped for. The soundtrack also fell short of commercial expectations, despite featuring several memorable songs that would later develop a loyal following. Now, nearly 40 years later, Reigning Phoenix Music and Hasbro revisit the classic with The Transformers: The... Continue Reading →
Ohio-based instrumental post-rock outfit If These Trees Could Talk return with their fourth studio album, The Hidden Hand. Formed in Akron in 2005, the band has built a reputation for crafting thoughtful instrumental records that, in a broad sense, will appeal to fans of bands like Long Distance Calling. The new album features nine tracks and once again... Continue Reading →
For more than two decades, Tasmania’s Psycroptic have been a respected force in technical death metal. Formed in West Hobart in 1999, the band released its debut, The Isle of Disenchantment, in 2001. Now, with The Pulse of Annihilation, Psycroptic deliver their ninth studio album and their first release through Metal Blade Records. Across nine tracks, the... Continue Reading →
The collective is back. With Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen leading the charge, Hollywood Vampires return in great fashion. Recorded at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in 2018, Hollywood Vampires – Live at Montreux Jazz Festival captures the band at the height of its powers and stands as an impressive live document celebrating... Continue Reading →
After releasing Shock in 2019, Tesla took their time before returning with a new studio album. Seven years after their last collection of original material, the band is back with Homage - an album that lives up to its name in every possible way. The title couldn't be more fitting. Homage is a tribute to the songs and artists that... Continue Reading →
Mongolian artists delivering heavy metal—that was the unexpected and exotic moment when The Hu burst onto the scene in 2016. Formed in Ulaanbaatar, the band quickly became one of metal's most talked-about newcomers, and their debut album The Gereg left audiences stunned with its unique blend of traditional Mongolian music and modern metal. Ten years later, The... Continue Reading →
Unbridled marks the eighth studio album from Pride Of Lions. Led by Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock, the band made its debut in 2003 with its self-titled album and has since become one of the most consistent names in the AOR scene. The album opens with the thunderous guitar-driven title track. "Unbridled" is an energetic and... Continue Reading →
If a band has been around for more than three decades, they're clearly doing something right. It also speaks volumes about their dedication to heavy metal. Stormhammer, hailing from Bavaria, Germany, are one of those bands. Founded in 1993, Stormhammer have gone through several lineup changes over the years, with bassist Horst Tessmann remaining the... Continue Reading →
Left To Die pays tribute to one of the most influential bands in death metal history. Founded by Chuck Schuldiner in 1984, Death changed extreme music forever with the groundbreaking Scream Bloody Gore, followed by the equally legendary Leprosy. Left To Die features former Death members Rick Rozz and Terry Butler alongside Matt Harvey and Gus Rios.... Continue Reading →
It was the golden age of heavy metal when a band called Ruthless released Discipline of Steel. The album earned a respectable amount of attention in the underground scene, but with so many legendary acts dominating the metal landscape at the time, Ruthless never quite managed to break into the top tier. The band called it... Continue Reading →
Twenty years ago, Motörhead released Kiss of Death, their 18th studio album—another landmark in the band's legendary career. Packed with everything that made Motörhead one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time, the album kicks off with the blistering opener "Sucker" and features timeless classics such as "God Was Never on Your Side"... Continue Reading →
Renowned guitarist Snowy White has built an impressive career through both his acclaimed solo work and his time with Thin Lizzy and Roger Waters. Although health issues forced him to retire from live performances in 2019, White continues to captivate fans of sophisticated blues rock with outstanding studio releases. This June, he returns with The Finishing... Continue Reading →
Markus' Heavy Music Blog 