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 →
Classics: QUEENSRŸCHE ‘Queensrÿche’
In my review for the new Flotsam And Jetsam album, I referred to Swiss radio station DRS 3 and their metal show that took place in the eighties. Next to Flotsam And Jetsam's debut the guys also played, next to a lot of good stuff, two Queensryche song from the first EP the Seattle-based band... Continue Reading →
CD review JON SCHAFFER’S PURGATORY ‘Purgatory’
(9/10) Jon Schaffers Purgatory is releasing a new EP which isn’t that new either. Purgatory, the US metal band, was the founded in 1985 and was the predecessor of Iced Earth. Jon Schaffer was part of Purgatory, as well as singer Gene Adam and bassist Bill Owen. The guys published three demos and it's this... Continue Reading →
METAL CHURCH’s ‘Damned if You Do’ available as vinyl
Red is the new black. Metal Church's newest delivery 'Damned if You Do' is also available as vinyl. The format comes with two LP's and a gatefold album sleeve. The red vinyl version is limited to 500 pieces and songs are the same as on the other formats. What's missing are the lyrics, but besides... Continue Reading →
METAL CHURCH’s Mike Howe talks about ‘Damned if You Do’
The mighty Metal Church releases the new album 'Damned if You Do' on December 7th - a good reason to contact frontman Mike Howe for getting some more insights and information about the new longplayer. As with all the previous Metal Church records with Mike Howe on vocal duties also this time it was the... Continue Reading →
CD review REVERENCE ‘Vengeance is … Live’
(8/10) Detroit-based powerhouse Reverence comprises of musicians, known from bands like Savatage, Tokyo Blade and others. Reverence, that's Scott Oliva (v), Bryan Holland (g), Steve Wacholz (d), Paul Kleff (g) and Russ Pzutto. The quintet began in 2010 and released a first EP named 'Gatekeeper' in 2011. Furthermore the band published two longplayers and 2018... Continue Reading →
CD review METAL CHURCH ‘Damned if You Do’
(8/10) Seattle is known as the city of grunge, no doubt. What is often forgotten in this context is the fact that the city also has a vital metal scene. Bands like Queensryche started their impressive career in Seattle and also Sanctuary had the first headquarter in the northwestern metropolis. Next to these two pioneers,... Continue Reading →
CD review VIRGIN STEELE ‘Seven Devils Moonshine’
(5/10) Virgin Steele is around since 35 years and to celebrate this anniversary David De Feis releases with his band a 5 discs comprising box that includes three new albums, plus the re-release of 'Hymns of Victory' and 'The Book of Burning'. Considering the pure amount of songs on this release makes an impression. Unfortunately... Continue Reading →
THE THREE TREMORS reveal ‘Invaders of the Sky’
The Three Tremors is no less than Tim 'Ripper' Owens, metal siren Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin and Sean 'The Hell Destroyer' Peck. Each of them is known as an excellent singer and frontman.The three guys teamed-up under the moniker The ThreeTremors and unveiled with 'Invaders of the Sky' a first appetizer of the upcoming album.... Continue Reading →
CD review WITHERFALL ‘A Prelude to Sorrow’
(9/10) It was in 2017 when Witherfall debuted with 'Nocturnes and Requiems', an album that created a big wow amongst metalheads. Looking at the background of the musicians involved explains the quality of the debut. Iced Earth, Ross the Boss, Fortress and Sanctuary are just some of the bands Witherfall members have been or are still... Continue Reading →
CD review WARREL DANE ‘Shadow Work’
(9/10) One of the most talented singers in metal, Warrel Dane, passed away on December 13th, 2017. The news hit the metal community hard. Grief and sadness were recognized everywhere. With his rather unique voice, Dane enriched albums of bands like Sanctuary and Nevermore and all of a sudden this voice became silent. Therefore you... Continue Reading →
CD review FIFTH ANGEL ‘The Third Secret’
(9/10) 2018 is the year of two glorious comebacks of Seattle-based bands that released milestone records in metal during the 80’s. Prog masters Heir Apparent is one of them and Fifth Angel is the other one. The latter released a terrific debut in 1986. Songs like ‘In the Fallout’ and ‘Fifth Angel’ belong to the... Continue Reading →
CD review SHELTON/CHASTAIN ‘Edge of Sanity – ’88 Demo Session’
(10/10) There are releases that are beyond any score or rating. The value of these kinds of releases is far more than what can be summed up to a rate. ‘Edge of Sanity – 88’ Demo Session’ is such an album. The true value of ‘Edge of Sanity – ’88 Demo Session’ is the fact... Continue Reading →
HEIR APPARENT’s Terry Gorle & Will Shaw talk about ‘The View From Below’
October 15th is the day when prog metal veterans Heir Apparent will release their highly anticipated third studio album, 'The View from Below'. Fans of excellent US metal and acclaimed progressive metal were hungry for this release and what was a dream for decades became real. MHMB contacted Terry Gorle and Will Shaw to get... Continue Reading →









