The book has been closed but the story continues: Paradise Lost sharpen their pens and add another chapter to their dark, gloomy history of death, doom and gothic metal. In difficult times, the British legends from Halifax, Yorkshire are the drug that numbs the pain , the lover that takes away the sorrows, the story that... Continue Reading →
CD review HEXVESSEL ‘Kindred’
Hexvessel sketches pictures with their songs. Bigger soundscapes like in 'Phaedra' are musical storytelling that demands focus an attention from the listener. 'Kindred' isn't an album that supplies easy-listening music. It's an enormous depth and songwriting skills that demand focus and attention. If you want to take a break from reality, it's 'Kindred' and earphones that allows you to go on a trip through musical magic forest with songs being the trees and notes being the leaves.
Hamburg’s rock & metal scene in times of corona – PLATTENKISTE
Covid-19 and the taken measures have a big impact on everybody individually, but have also an impact on the music business. Enough of a reason to reach out to club, bands,… in the greater Hamburg area to see what the situation is and how everybody can stand together to go though this. Today we continue with Plattenkiste and Christian Kind, describing the situation there.
BPMD unveil a first song
BPMD is a new name in Metal although the protagonists are very well-known. BPMD – simply the abbreviation for Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs Sons Of Apollo), Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) and Phil Demmel (Violence, ex-Machine Head). These four guys unveil today a first song, a cover version. They re-did Aerosmith's 'Toys in the Attic' and... Continue Reading →
CD review HELLHAMMER ‘Apocalyptic Raids’ – reissue
The range of music, penned by Tom G. Warrior, couldn't be summed up better that with two releases in 2020. In May this year Triptykon, with the Metropole Orkest Reqiuem, will release a live recording, done at Roadburn 2019. A few weeks prior to this release it is another great album, that will take Metal... Continue Reading →
Hamburg’s rock & metal scene in times of corona – HAFENKLANG
Covid-19 and the taken measures have a big impact on everybody individually, but have also an impact on the music business. Enough of a reason to reach out to clubs, bands,... in the greater Hamburg area to see what the situation is and how everybody can stand together to go though this. Today we start... Continue Reading →
CD review BRANT BJORK ‘Brant Bjork’
A bit of an ease in strange and uncertain times can't be a bad thing and former Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork delivers the soundtrack. With 'Brant Bjork' the multi-instrumentalist unveils an album that combines desert- and heavy rock in a really good fashion. Not the harsh riffs and pounding beats are what makes this album... Continue Reading →
CD review THE SPIRIT CABINET ‘ Bloodlines’
Already the bandname is unusal and also the sound of 'Bloodlines' isn't mainstream either. Dutch metallers The Spirit Cabinet combine traditional Heavy Metal with Doom Metal, not to forget an underlaying psychedelic vibe that resonates with each of the six songs on the new album 'Bloodlines'. Snake McRuffkin, Johnny Hällström, Erich Vilsmeier and Cromwell Fleedwood... Continue Reading →
CD review KING WITCH ‘Body of Light’
King Witch, that's Laura Donnelly (v), Jamie Gilchrist (g), Rory Lee (b) and Lyle Brown. The four musicians from Scotland formed the band in 2015, premiered in 2018 and have now their sophomore album 'Body of Light' ready for shipping. 'Body of Light' features nine songs, some of the with epical length. The masterpiece on... Continue Reading →
Kurdt Vanderhoof shares details and background of the new METAL CHURCH release
A couple of days ago Metal Church released with 'From the Vault' an interesting longplayer that features new songs as well as cover versions, live songs and other stuff from the archive. Metal Church main man Kurdt Vanderhoof made some time for Markus' Heavy Music Blog to give some insights into the background of the... Continue Reading →
CD review THOSE DAMN CROWS ‘Point of No Return’
There is good news for Alter Bridge fans that can't wait until the band's next release. Those Damn Crows can easily fill the gap with their second longplayer. The band from Wales doesn't leave a doubt of where their main inspiration comes from. Mark Tremonti, Myles Kennedy and Co. are for sure no strangers for... Continue Reading →
Pitch Black Records donates 100% to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
In response to the COVID-19 situation, Pitch Black Records has issued a statement encouraging fans to instead of buying from the label to consider buying from bands and underground festival organisers who have been affected by COVID-19. For those that do purchase from the label, 100% of all sales between April 5 and 15 on... Continue Reading →
CD review CHRONUS ‘Idols’
'Idols' is an album of a band that could firm under a logo saying 'Youth Gone Wild'. Talent, passion and savvy, that's what the four guys express via songs that are impressive. Hard Rock and Metal fuses on this album to an irresistible mix that you shouldn't miss. I guess this is just the beginning and we will hear more of Chronus in the near future. These guys came to stay.
DVD review MYRATH 'Live in Carthage'
Tunisian Metal band Myrath is a rising star when it comes to Progressive and Melodic Metal. 2019 was an important year for the band with shows at e.g. the Sweden Rock festival as well as at the legendary Wacken Open Air. Next to the live shows a new studio album has been unleashed in 2019.... Continue Reading →
CD review NIGHTWISH ‘HUMAN. :II: NATURE.’
Nightwish add with 'HUMAN. :II: NATURE.' their most mature album to their long list of musical achievements. Supported by an excellent production the Symphonic Metal spearhead brings songs to the plate, wowing from start to end. Although things seem to be planned to detail, there is still ease embedded that makes the album to a stellar listening experience. Bombast Symphonic Metal can't sound much better than what 'HUMAN. :II: NATURE.' offers. This album lifts the bar to a level that will not be reached that easily, maybe not even by Nightwish anymore.









