Rating: 4/5

Barren Earth is an impressive new Finnish sextet supergroup that first intrigued the world with their 2009 debut EP “Our Twilight”. The band took a couple of years to fully form, and have now solidified into a progressive death metal juggernaut.

Check out the great live pix of both TOMBS and PHANTOM GLUE!

Christian “Chrigel” Glanzmann is the leader of Eluveitie, one of the most unique and interesting bands to play what many are calling “folk metal”, due to their inclusion of traditional melodies in metallic arrangements. However, as you will read, Chrigel does not necessarily identify with these bands, nor does Eluveitie conform to other commonalities in The Metalverse, such as guitar solos. After years of inundation, the true luminaries are starting to shine through, and I am proud to have spoken with one of these stars.

Rating : 4 / 5

Throughout their thirteen year existence, The Dillinger Escape Plan has challenged heavy music audiences with their archetypal avant-garde execution. On their fourth full-length, the New Jersey quintet continues their divisive evolution, which now finds the band giant steps beyond their origins. While many detractors have abandoned modern DEP in favor of their 90s output, I feel more compelled to follow them than ever before.

Rating : 2.5 / 5

This review will give you something few others can: a fresh look at Helloween from a lifelong listener of Metal. It is true that I have scarcely heard the band, but that gives me unique perspective on a commemorative album of not only greatest hits, but reinterpretations of said songs. My nostalgia factor is nil.

Yes, it was April Fools Day. But I kid you not, this is one of the best interviews I’ve ever conducted! Killswitch is rarely invoked, there was a very natural flow to the conversation, and I think we both genuinely enjoyed our discussion. I hope you do as well.

I’ll admit it, I was wrong. Because of half-researched information, I have been incorrectly stating for years than former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach had blown his throat out. Though he had focused less on harsh vocals for the two Seemless albums, there were still occasional hints. One thing is for sure: Awaken is better than the last two releases from either of those bands.

These guys just got a raw deal. The day before their debut album dropped in the Americas, they were denied work visas to play with fellow countrymen Finntroll, Moonsorrow, and Swallow The Sun on the Finnish Metal Tour. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. After all, Survivors Zero actually bears closer resemblance to their Swedish cousins like Amon Amarth and Arch Enemy.

These relatively unsung heroes of the progressive metal movement return to the forefront of the genre with an expanded reissue of their sixth album, ‘Parallels’ – their landmark 1991 crossover hit.

Last year, the German legends Kreator set the thrash standard for 2009. In 2010, we’re getting schooled by those Jersey devils, Overkill. But not only is ‘Ironbound’ a more consistent album than ‘Hordes of Chaos’, it’s one of their best yet. Credit is certainly due in part to producer Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy/Pain), and they’re thankfully backed by stronger labels now. Overkill now enters a dominant new phase of their storied career.