Amazing power metal invades British Columbia! Alestorm just finished a headlining tour across Canada with support from Sweden’s Twilight Force and Seattle’s Greyhawk. The last stop of the tour was this past Sunday, May 31, in Vancouver, BC, and my son and I drove up for the occasion! The show was at the Commodore Ballroom, […]
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 »
Nerding out over video games and Mad with Power Fest, as well as origin stories and getting deeper into albums: A fun conversation with Jonas Heidgert of Dragonland! Mad with Power 9 is fast approaching, taking place June 5 & 6, 2026, in Madison, WI. As part of the lead up to the Fest, Jonas
Mad with Power 9: An interview with Jonas Heidgert of Dragonland, May 23, 2026 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 »
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 »
Hanging out with the distinguished professors of epic power doom! When I was in the process of deciding whether to attend Legions of Metal in Chicago this year, I went through the lineup, and there were a number of great bands that piqued my interest. However, one band I was unfamiliar with particularly caught my
Interview with Professor Emeritus at Legions of Metal, May 2, 2026 Read More »
Lords of the Trident Unite, dorm room origins, and more: a deep cuts dive with Lords of the Trident. Plus Fang does the macarena, and The Baron has all the dance moves! Mad with Power 9 is fast approaching, taking place June 5 & 6, 2026, in Madison, WI. As part of the lead up
Mad with Power 9: An interview with Lords of the Trident, May 2, 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 »
Cheese Curds, Arcade Games & Community: What makes Mad with Power the coolest metal fest in North America (and yes, Ty and David are both goofballs!) Mad with Power 9 is fast approaching, taking place June 5 & 6, 2026, in Madison, WI. Ty Christian took the time to talk to me about the origins
Mad with Power 9: An interview with Ty Christian, May 1, 2026 Read More »
