Intricate, orchestral and heavy: fabulous cinematic symphonic death metal from Italy! I have always been a believer that symphonic music is a perfect match for metal when executed well. The gravitas and cinematic qualities it brings has the ability to make the compositions so much grander. Symphonic metal can take a variety of forms, though […]
Nesfastis – Shadows at the Light of Dawn – Album Review Read More »
A terrific metal festival in Chicago! I attended my first Legions of Metal at Reggies in Chicago, Illinois, the weekend of May 1 & 2, 2026. In general, I tend to bias more toward smaller indoor festivals, and I had been curious about this one for a few years. The focus tends to be on
Legions of Metal 2026 in Chicago, IL, May 1 – 2, 2026 – Festival Review Read More »
Ludicrous speed and heavy brutality! Vancouver, BC, ludicrously speedy technical death metal band Archspire recently released their new full length, “Too Fast To Die” and have been headlining the Long Roads Big Loads Tour across North America. They live in my PNW zone, and normally I would have seen them in either Seattle or Vancouver.
Technical and melodic, this is the fastest most insane death metal around! Who is the world’s fastest band? It something I have never really thought about, but I would have to believe it rests somewhere in the death/black/grind world. There are clearly plenty of people who love fast and furious given the sheer number of
Archspire – Too Fast To Die – Album Review Read More »
A terrific festival goes on indefinite, but hopefully not permanant, hiatus, with a killer lineup for the seventh edition! Hyperspace Metal Festival has been a great power/prog/symphonic/melodeath festival in the Pacific Northwest since 2018, based in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada. I went for the first time last year and discovered so many new bands that
Hyperspace Metal Festival VII in Vancouver, BC, April 16 – 18, 2026 – Festival Review Read More »
Epic folksy melodic death metal that is catchy, fast, and furious! Vancouver, BC, Canada, melodic death metal band Atavistia has been quite active lately. Their last full length, “Cosmic Warfare,” was released in 2023, but in December of last year, the band decided to release a “reforged” version of their 2020 release, “The Winter Way.” With
Atavistia – Old Gods Awaken – Album Review Read More »
Five albums from February 2026 that deserve your listening attention! I am a little late posting this (yeah, I know I said this for the January listing too, but I did also launch my YouTube channel recently), but here are my top 5 releases from February 2026. February featured a lot of great albums, and
My Top 5 Albums for February 2026 Read More »
Killer symphonic power metal that is mighty and melodic! I have been excited about the prospect of a new album from Finnish metal band Gladenfold since their 2022 release “Nemesis.” Taking cues from symphonic metal, power metal, and melodeath, it combined a grandiose cinematic feel with speedy playing, killer melodies, soaring vocals, and plenty of
Gladenfold – Soulbound – Album Review Read More »
Origin stories, getting deep on song writing, supreme confidence, and more! A fun deep dive with Adrienne Cowan of Seven Spires, with plenty of laughs and cool tidbits along the way! Mad with Power 9 is fast approaching, taking place June 5 & 6, 2026, in Madison, WI. As part of the lead up to
Mad with Power 9: An interview with Adrienne Cowan of Seven Spires, May 13, 2026 Read More »
Thrashy grooves & traditional metal collide with a haunting and unique vocal approach! I love supporting my local Pacific Northwest metal scene. My home base is the greater Seattle area, but my coverage extends north to Vancouver, BC, and south to Portland, OR, and I do my best to make it out to as many
Telomyras – Duskfall – Album Review Read More »
