(*/10) Steelheart will get all the credit for being a successful rock outfit in the early '90s. The guys released with 'Steelherat' and 'Tangled in Rain' to formidable hardrock albums that scored good success in the era of an upcoming grunge hype. Unfortunately, a drastic line-up change led to a new situation and the band... Continue Reading →
CD review SOILWORK ‘Verkligheten’
(9/10) 'Verkligheten' is not only the title of Soilwork's newest delivery, it's also the Swedish word for 'reality'. Now, why am I telling this? The thing is that if you have a hard time and went through changes, you have to face reality at a certain moment. In such a context Swedish Soilwork couldn't have... Continue Reading →
CD review DUST BOLT ‘Trapped in Chaos’
(8/10) 'Trapped in Chaos is the fourth strike of German metallers Dust Bolt and it's the most mature release of the quartet to date. Dust Bolt, that means thrash metal from Bavaria and the new longplayer doesn't deviate from this general direction. Nine songs made it on the tracking list of 'Trapped in Chaos', standing... Continue Reading →
Classics: VICTORY ‘Don’t Get Mad – Get Even’
Victory's rise began in 1984 when former Fargo musicians united under the new moniker. One year later the debut hit the shelves and it was the sophomore release 'Don't Get Mad - Get Even' which was like a trey for the Hannover-based band. The album was recorded by a great line-up, including Peter Knorn (b),... Continue Reading →
DORO announced ‘Backstage to Heaven’
Doro has now announced to release the 4-track vinyl EP 'Backstage To Heaven' on March 8th - on the same day the second leg of her worldtour kicks off! The EP will feature two album tracks, as well as two unreleased, new live tracks. "I wish you all a happy new year, it will surely become a rocking... Continue Reading →
NAILED TO OBSCURITY talks about ‘Black Frost’ and the upcoming European tour
Markus’ Heavy Music Blog: Hello guys. First of all thank you for taking some time for MHMB. The new year starts extremely exciting for you and with 'Black Frost' you have your 4th longplayer ready to be released. Can you tell us a little about the new album. What can the fans expect? Volker Dieken:... Continue Reading →
CD review THE THREE TREMORS ‘The Three Tremors’
(8/10) The Three Tremors, that's a wowing collaboration of three of the best singers in traditional metal. It's a cooperation of no less than Cage's frontman Sean 'The Hell Destroyer' Peck, Tim 'Ripper' Ownes and Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin with Peck being the initiator. Already the fact that these three guys worked together on an... Continue Reading →
GAMMA RAY confirmed for ROCK HARD FESTIVAL
Two additional bands are confirmed for this years Rock Hard Festival. After having toured the world with Helloween on their 'Pumpkins United' tour, Kai Hansen will put more focus again on Gamma Ray in 2019. Gamma Ray will play at this year's Rock Hard Festival. Furthermore Carnivore A.D. is confirmed for the festival too. Rock... Continue Reading →
CD review DIAMORTE ‘The Red Opera’
(7/10) DiAmorte is the brainchild of Canadian singer and songwriter Drake Mefestta. After having revealed a first EP in 2015 the guy debut sharp before Christmas with 'The Red Opera'. The album is a ten chapter featuring longplayer that units symphonic arrangements, rock and metal. It's a dramatic storyline about time and betrayal that frames... Continue Reading →
CD review NAILED TO OBSCURITY ‘Black Frost’
(8/10) 'Black Frost' with all its blackness fits perfectly into the dark month of January. Nailed To Obscurity's debut for Nuclear Blast is a seven-track trip into melancholy and greyness,a journey you should joi. The quintet from Northern Germany adds with 'Black Frost' an album to their discography that shows the band on a next... Continue Reading →
CD review METAL INQUISITOR ‘Panopticon”
(8/10) Koblenz-basedMetal Inquisitor might not be the band with a high-frequent release pattern, but every album so far for sure provided quality. It takes between 4-5 years for the band to come with a next longplayer, beginning with the debut ‘The Apparition’ from 2002. Good things come to those who wait, seems to be the... Continue Reading →
Classics: ATROPHY ‘Socialized Hate’
And here comes another chapter of my little Classics-series and it features a band hailing from Tuscan, Arizona. It was in 1986 when a new quintet got into a work mode, a band that delivered a first demo in 1987. A second demo tape followed a bit later and last but not least it was... Continue Reading →
CD review DEVOUROR ‘Slay For Satan’ (EP)
(8/10) This EP comes from a band, based in Asia. Singapore, that's where Devouror has their home base and it's Malaysian Metal Zone Records that releases a first EP of this exotic powerhouse. Devouror plays blackened death metal that finds its roots in bands like Possessed, Death and partially Sodom. 'Slay For Satan' is a raw... Continue Reading →
Classics: LIEGE LORD ‘Master Control’
If you're a regular reader of Markus' Heavy Music Blog you probably read sometimes about a band called Liege Lord being a reference when it comes to power metal. This quintet started in 1982 (as Deceiver) and belongs to the pioneers of US Metal. The powerhouse, hailing from Stamford, CT, premiered in 1985 with an... Continue Reading →









