In progressive metal circles, the names of guitarist Jim Matheos and vocalist John Arch are spoken with due reverence. With the former having been a driving force in Fates Warning for thirty-five years, and the latter the original front-man of that band, they also have a single seminal work under the Arch / Matheos banner,... Continue Reading →
CD review WHITECHAPEL ‘The Valley’
(9/10) US-based powerhouse Whitechapel premiered in 2007 with ‘The Somatic Defilement’. 12 years later the band is ready to release their newest album ‘The Valley’. As with the previous records also album number seven isn’t a happy one and doesn't include sing-a-long songs. It’s a dark and melancholic longplayer that contains a lyrical approach that’s... Continue Reading →
SACRED REICH announced summer shows
In addition to the recently announced shows in December this year thrash metal pioneers Sacred Reich also unveiled some summer dates.
DVD review KING DIAMOND ‘Songs From the Dead Live’
(9/10) Introducing King Diamond feels like carrying sand to the beach. The frontman of legendary Mercyful Fate started a solo career in 1985 and premiered with ‘Fatal Portrait’ a year later. My entry point to the music of the ‘Danish King’ was in 1987 when he release with “Abigail’ a classic that is timeless. Songs... 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 →
CD review THE NEAL MORSE BAND ‘The Great Adventure’
(9/10) The announcement of a next The Neal Morse Band album is always an exciting moment. The combination of musical savvy and a sense for great melodies led to great records in the past and the new longplayer ‘The Great Adventure’ doesn’t take a different route. The 22 songs comprising album is an exquisite release... Continue Reading →
WHITECHAPEL will release ‘The Valley’ in March
On March 29th, Whitechapel will release their 7th full-length, 'The Valley', via Metal Blade Records. Mixed by David Castillo, mastered by Ted Jensen, and produced once again by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder), 'The Valley' is a reference to the part of Hardin Valley (west of Knoxville, Tennessee) where vocalist Phil Bozeman grew up.... Continue Reading →
CD review ARTILLERY ‘The Face of Fear’
(8/10) Danish metal pioneers Artillery is a bit of an on-off-band. The guys started in the early 80's and release with 'By Inheritance' and 'Terror Squad' two records that were very well-received by metalheads. After a hiatus, the band returned in 1999 with 'B.A.C.K.', which was a short intermezzo leading to another split. After a... Continue Reading →
CD review SKULL PIT ‘Skull Pit’
(8/10) Skull Pit is a great example of what can be achieved with a global approach. In this specific case, it's a collaboration of two musicians that identified a common passion for bands like Motörhead. The two guys we're talking about is Mem V. Stein (Exumer) and Tatsu Mikami (Church Of Misery). The two guys... Continue Reading →
Metal Blade to release Picture Discs of CANNIBAL CORPSE and VISIGOTH records
On November 23rd Metal Blade Records will release two limited Picture Discs of recent Metal Blade classics! Cannibal Corpse' 'Red Before Black' and Visigoth's 'Conqueror's Oath' will come in this special format, being more than just a decoration for your record player.
WHITECHAPEL reveals details for new album
On March 29th, WHITECHAPEL will release their 7th full-length, 'The Valley', via Metal Blade Records. Produced once again by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder) and featuring artwork by Branca Studio, 'The Valley' is a reference to the part of Hardin Valley (west of Knoxville, Tennessee) where vocalist Phil Bozeman grew up. Set... Continue Reading →
AMON AMARTH documentary premiers in cinema
Swedish Amon Amarth will release a documentary DVD / live album entitled 'The Pursuit Of Vikings: 25 Years In The Eye Of The Storm' on November 16th. Prior to the release date, the band announced two cinema premiers of the documentary. The band will be present, with a Q&A- and signing session included at the... Continue Reading →
Live report ENTRAILS/GRACELESS/BLOODMOON, Musicon, Den Haag – 02.09.2018
The Musicon in Den Haag provided a more unusual Sunday afternoon activity. Instead of coffee and cake it was beer and death metal that stood in focus. So what should be more obvious than going there and enjoying good music and a drink. Let’s break the pattern I would say. The bands, which played that... Continue Reading →
CD review MONSTROSITY ‘The Passage of Existence’
(8/10) If people think about US death metal it’s often bands like Obituary that come to their minds. The quintet for sure belongs to most popular representatives of Tampa-based death metal, but they aren’t the only ones. Another band that hails from Florida is Monstrosity and the guys can also build on a long track... Continue Reading →

