The Zeitgeist of Dirges: A Review of Black Sabbath’s 13

Failure is often expected when a band attempts to rekindle past glory. You almost laugh when you hear news of a once highly respected and relevant band getting back together in attempt to get the creative juices flowing. This is usually because the band’s true intentions are financial. The members need more money to help… Continue reading The Zeitgeist of Dirges: A Review of Black Sabbath’s 13

It’s About Damn Time: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 1-6

  Teachers have a lot of drinking to catch up on over summer vacation… But at long last, here are free downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, tracks 1-6.  Betcha never heard of Crawling Chaos… 1. 1942 by Black Table This New York/New Jersey metal band has been a favorite of Alternative Control for some… Continue reading It’s About Damn Time: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 1-6

Okay, We’re Not Hungover Anymore: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 7-12

  Here’s a diverse batch of tunes from Quality Control Volume 1 — download away! 7. The Human Burden by Replacire “…From the very beginning of their set, all I could see was hair. Seriously, pretty much all of the members must have had ten pounds of hair between them. Their synchronized head banging made… Continue reading Okay, We’re Not Hungover Anymore: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 7-12

Album Review: Shallow Ground’s The End of Everything

If you wait long enough everything comes back in style.  For those metalheads who worship the bastard child of punk and Motörhead called thrash, this theory is a welcome revelation.  Over the past decade bands like Bonded By Blood, Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, Havok, and Merciless Death have reanimated the mosh-friendly aesthetic laid down by… Continue reading Album Review: Shallow Ground’s The End of Everything

Album Review: Dyed in Grey’s The Abandoned Part

  Dyed in Grey’s recently released album The Abandoned Part is a catchy and well-produced debut that will appeal to serious progressive metal fans and casual listeners alike.  Songs like “DeadHead” and “Filth” show the Brooklyn band’s penchant for alternating heavy, intricate prog-death parts with calmer singing and lyrical guitar lines.  Their riffs are pulled… Continue reading Album Review: Dyed in Grey’s The Abandoned Part

The Grand Conjuration: A Review of Black Mass’s The Second Coming

I had the pleasure of listening to the new EP The Second Coming by Boston’s thrash metal enthusiasts Black Mass. They made a pretty clear indication of what I was going to expect, I just didn’t know it was going to be such high-quality. For one, the EP sounds great. The production is clear, loud… Continue reading The Grand Conjuration: A Review of Black Mass’s The Second Coming

Summer Metal Update 2013

Another summer is upon us, and with it more great local and national shows.  On the first day of June, Cherry Street Station in Wallingford kicks things off with Drunk Dan’s Summer Shit Show.  The Decibel Magazine Tour is rolling into Toad’s Place on 6/4, featuring Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Immolation, and Magrudergrind.  Your favorite… Continue reading Summer Metal Update 2013