A bitesize speedy power metal appetizer that is fun and will leave you hankering for more! If you have followed the North American power metal scene for any period of time, you are likely already familiar with Utah-based progressive power metallers Judicator (and if not, what rock have you been hiding under?). Started by guitarist […]
Judicator- The Elector – EP Review Read More »
Seattle’s newest metal festival is on fire in its second year: A review of Soldiers of Steel 2026 Soldiers of Steel, Seattle’s newest metal festival, just held its second edition at Substation in Seattle, WA, August 13 – 16, 2026. I sadly missed the inaugural edition last year and was quite excited to attend this
Soldiers of Steel in Seattle, WA, August 13 – 16, 2026 – Festival Review Read More »
Community, camping, Yeti games, and a metric ton of metal: A review of Armstrong Metal Fest 2026 Armstrong Metal Fest, which takes place in Armstrong, BC, Canada, has legendary status. An hour north/northeast of Kelowna, Armstrong is a small town that feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. And yet it has bred
Armstrong Metal Fest in Armstrong, BC, Canada, July 17 – 18, 2026 – Festival Review Read More »
Friends, family, community, video games, and of course lots of incredible metal: A review of Mad with Power Fest 9 Mad with Power Fest takes place each year in Madison, Wisconsin, at an amazing venue called The Sylvee. It is run by Ty Christian, lead vocalist of Lords of the Trident, and he does an
Mad with Power 9 in Madison, WI, June 5 – 6, 2026 – Festival 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 »
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 »
Various flavors of heavy metal collide in Uster, Switzerland, for a fantastic early year Festival! Elements of Rock Festival took place March 13 – 15 at Stadthofsaal in Uster, Switzerland. It started in 2004 and has run annually since, with exception of a few years during COVID. I have only been once before, in 2007,
Tribunal headlines a night of myriad doom flavors! Vancouver orchestral death doom masters Tribunal are a band I absolutely love, having traveled to Vancouver from Seattle multiple times in 2025 to see them perform, including what ended up being my last show of 2025 in mid December. They just played a handful of shows in
The Warriors of Powerful Heavy Metal! Seattle melodic power / heavy metal Greyhawk released their latest album, “Warriors of Greyhawk” on February 13 (read my review!), and to celebrate they held an album release show on February 21 at Substation in Seattle, WA. Two other Seattle area bands supported them, Telomyras and Rope. As many
Progressive thrash + speedy technical thrash = an amazing show full of energy and fun! Coroner released their first album in 32 years this past October, and North America was blessed to get a follow-up tour in early 2026, with direct support from thrash legends Heathen. The tour stopped at El Corazon in Seattle, WA,
