When it came to the original thrash scene from the 1980s, it was not all about the so-called 'Big Four'. While debate will continue to rage as to whether it should have been four or five or ten bands that set the scene alight, it's a perennial discussion that is best left until the pubs..

Interview with Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning)
Joey Vera is an old school legend – nothing less. Pulling the fat strings in Armored Saint since 1982, and also being a central figure in prog veterans Fates Warning for the last 23 years is an impressive CV, to say the least. We have new albums coming out from both his main bands (Armored..

Cirith Ungol – Forever Black (Metal Blade Records)
The truest of the true and one of the most cult and appreciated bands from the 80s is back with its first new studio album in 29 years. Yes, it is Californians Cirith Ungol we are talking about. Forever Black is out since April 24th through Metal Blade (who else?) and it’s like the last..

God Dethroned – Illuminati (Metal Blade Records)
God Dethroned have had 29 years already to refine their sound and I can tell you they’ve been doing that well. Eleventh album Illuminati, which is coming out in just a week, proves the band is still staying true to its roots but at the same time once again expands and builds upon the foundation..

Melodic Death Metallers Neaera return with a new studio album
After announcing their farewell tour in 2015, the German melodic death metal band Neaera now returns with a brand new, self-titled, studio album. It will be released via Metal Blade Records on February 28th. Neaera's fire was first rekindled when the band played two exclusive shows in 2018. "We have been overwhelmed by the reactions," comments singer Benjamin Hilleke. "None..

Listen to the brand new King Diamond song Masquerade Of Madness
As it was recently announced, King Diamond will return with a new album, The Institute, in early 2020. This Metal Blade Records release will be his first new music since 2007’s Give Me Your Soul... Please. The long pause was caused by health issues and a heart surgery intervention on King, which are now happily..

Angel Witch – Angel Of Light (Metal Blade Records)
Albums like this warm my heart. Bands like Angel Witch are the living justification of why I am a heavy metal fan in the first place. These two sentences could just as well end this review, but why not as well start it. There surely are lots of young readers here, who haven’t even heard..

Ram – The Throne Within (Metal Blade Records)
Swedish old-school metallers Ram have not only been carrying the torch of trad metal for two decades, but can be safely pointed as one of the several young bands that initiated the so-called New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal at the start of the new millennium, with their 2003 EP Sudden Impact. The Throne Within..

NWOBHM LEGENDS ANGEL WITCH ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM “ANGEL OF LIGHT”
British veterans Angel Witch are preparing the release their first new album since 2012’s “As Above, So Below”. The new album, called “Angel of Light” is expected on November 1st, via Metal Blade Records. Angel Witch‘s 1980 eponymous debut on Bronze Records is with cult status still and now, nearly four decades later, the band..