ALBUM REVIEW: Ghost Riding – RNDM

WORDS: David Aston

PEARL JAM’s Jeff Ament has re-joined forces with vocalist Joseph Arthur and drummer Richard Struverud to produce RNDM’s sophomore album Ghost Riding.

A follow up to their 2013 release Acts; Ament admitted in a Rolling Stone Interview that this was the longest time he has ever spent on a record. “I think it was because we didn’t know what it was. We kept throwing paint on the canvas and paint on the canvas and at some point, we had to start actually taking some paint off the canvas or just start over.” The question is, did RNDM paint a masterpiece?

INTERVIEW: Pär Sundström – Sabaton

Photo Credit: Ryan Garrison

WORDS: Dean Martin & Jessica Howkins

The rise of Sweden’s SABATON has been extraordinary to say the least. Recent years has seen the band explode in popularity and on the back of a headline run with ALESTORM the band are enjoying their most fruitful period in their heavy metal campaign. We caught up with bassist Pär Sundström to talk about the band’s rise in popularity, the research behind their war influenced records, the controversy that comes with that and looking ahead!

ALBUM REVIEW: Two – Kaross

WORDS: Laura McCarthy

KAROSS’ second album Two, (in case the title wasn’t obvious), released in 2013, has been re-released, and for those looking for something groovy with lots of hard and heavy moments, this is something to look at.

ALBUM REVIEW: Everlasting – Charm Designer

WORDS: Jim Forsyth

Columbia doesn’t necessarily pop up a whole lot when it comes to metal, at least over here in the UK anyway. This said a gem pops up every so often and in this case Everlasting by Bogotán Gothic-doom 3 piece CHARM DESIGNER shows us what can come out of a country with seemingly little exposure.

ALBUM REVIEW: S.U.T.U.R.E. – War Inside

WORDS: Jessica Howkins

Hailing from Nantes – France, WAR INSIDE have been climbing up the ladder for one of the best new brutal death metal bands after having only formed in 2008 and already getting the chance to play Hellfest Open Air in 2013, just a year before their debut album, Welcoming The Crow, and playing alongside bands such as BELPHEGOR and SEVERE TORTURE. Now with their latest record, S.U.T.U.R.E., they are ready to really deliver some of the finest death metal.

ALBUM REVIEW: Lunaria – Danimal Cannon

WORDS: James Weaver

Sometimes, an artist will appear that completely changes the formula of heavy music. Whilst djent, technical death metal and progressive metal pushed the benchmark for technicality and well-structured musical adventures, bands have found their niche and through a barrage of similar sounding bands, alternative music is waiting for the next big thing. Along comes DANIMAL CANNON, a solo artist that boasts technical and complicated musicianship. The twist, it’s all processed through Gameboy, resulting in a sound that is both unique and bizarre. Now, he is ready to unleash his next opus, Lunaria. Is this record a game changer or does it suffer to it’s own innovations?

ALBUM REVIEW: Only For The Blinded Eyes – Among The Prey

WORDS: Robert Bieganski

Among The Prey is a melodic death metal band from Finland that was formed in 2013. Now they are ready and releasing their debut Album Only For The Blinded Eyes.

ALBUM REVIEW: Hot Coffin – Hot Coffin

WORDS: Kei Pullar

With the addiction of ex DISGUSISED BY BIRDS singer Chris Chuzles providing his unique raspy vocals to HOT COFFIN’s no nonsense rock sound, the release of their self-titled second album is the band’s return with a heavier sound perfectly combining with their traditional punk rock style.

INTERVIEW: Steve Souza – Exodus

Photo Credit: Bruce Getty

WORDS: Dean Martin

EXODUS have been one of thrash metal’s biggest bands for decades now. Despite numerous lineup changes the band have always been consistent with their releases, upholding their solid reputation as one of the pioneers of the genre. As the band kick off a UK run in support of 2014’s Blood In, Blood Out we spoke to vocalist Steve Souza about the tour, the revival of thrash metal and the loyalty of metal fans.

ALBUM REVIEW: Repeat Until Death – Bombus

WORDS: David Aston

Gothenburg’s Heavy Rock maestros BOMBUS are back with a follow up to their 2013 release, The Poet and the Parrot with Repeat Until Death.
Although, the album should be remaned Repeat until Deaf, which sounds like pretty good instructions to me.