thrash metal

Concert Review: Slayer, Lamb of God, Behemoth, 7.25.2017

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slayer-lamb-god-behemoth

When it was announced that Slayer was headlining a run of shows this summer with support from Lamb of God and Behemoth, I made the claim that it was going to be the premier metal tour of the summer. I understand that there are other notable tours kicking around this time of year (Summer’s Laughter, for one). But how often does a tour feature the three-headed monster that this one does? (Pardon the lame reference to the tour poster). Each band is quintessential to the metal world in their own way. We have Slayer, the legends of death metal that they are. The hugely popular thrash groove intensity of Lamb of God. And Behemoth, who I would consider the very pinnacle (in terms of success) of present day extreme metal. Undoubtedly, this a tour that every metal fan was at the very least aware of. And I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to cover it. Continue reading →

Concert Review: Maryland Deathfest XV, Part Three

Dan4 Comments

maryland deathfest xv

[click here for part one]  [click here for part two]  [click here for part four]

Let’s forget about the frustration that was the lead-up-to / early-departure-from Autopsy and pretend instead that Friday simply went out with a bang. (With Vader, duh.) We were a full day and change into a festival that — judging by the nuanced reactions of THE INTERNET — was supposed to be a total disaster, and yet things were…not just going off as planned, but also actively thriving? Well, spoiler alert, Day 3 at MDF would only prove to be a continuation of that. Let’s get into it.  Continue reading →

Concert Review: Maryland Deathfest XV, Part Two

Dan3 Comments

maryland deathfest xv

[click here for part one]  [click here for part three]  [click here for part four]

To me, Friday felt like the first real day of this year’s Maryland Deathfest. (No disrespect to Thursday’s performers at all; I just only saw three of them, so for my personal experience, it felt more like a prologue of sorts.) For the first time — absent the opportunity for parking lot hangs, crushed beer-can BBQing and other outdoor shenanigans — it’d be all metal straight through, from the late afternoon to the earliest part of the morning. Let’s get to it! Continue reading →

Album Review: Craven Idol – “The Shackles of Mammon”

Vincent1 Comment

Craven Idol - The Shackles of Mammon

I’ve had an awfully fun time covering Craven Idol‘s The Shackles of Mammon. From the first minute I got my hands on this album, it sunk its teeth into me and refused to let go, and now that its release date is around the corner, I’m honored to give a more detailed account of this ferocious offering. If you want an inside look into the making of The Shackles of Mammon, check out my interview with the band, where they were kind enough to discuss everything from their new members to the inspiration behind the incredible cover art pictured above. Otherwise, read on to get my thoughts on this ripper of an album. Continue reading →

Interview: Craven Idol on New Members, Writing Without Agenda, and Vokills

Vincent2 Comments
JL_CravenIdol_2ndDrafts-3
Craven Idol

UK vanguards of classic extreme metal Craven Idol are back and standing stronger than ever. With two new members added to their ranks and a batch of razor sharp new songs under their belt, the band has upped their game significantly since 2013’s Toward Eschaton. Their particular blend of thrashing black metal has gotten only more wild and frenzied in the interim, with tighter instrumentation and some of my favorite vocals I’ve heard on any album in recent memory. Ahead of the release of The Shackles of Mammon, Immolator of Sadistik Wrath took some time to answer some questions we had for the band, and offers a glimpse into the band’s songwriting process and influences. See what he had to say after the jump.

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