I’m not above writing one or two (or three) inflammatory articles aimed at this bizarre subgenre. Bizarre because it even exists, but also because it has the audacity to cultivate and maintain a reputation in the peripheral vision of many music fans well beyond its borders. Yet I keep returning to it. Like a Christian... Continue Reading →

The further listening series There are very few artists that could claim to have truly transcended genre. Even fewer that can boast the vast, eclectic appeal of an artist like Dead Can Dance. It’s not an exaggeration to say that their fanbase is its own distinct subculture, counting members from the worlds of goth, metal,... Continue Reading →

#45 – On Death and its Influence on Metal: We chat about the cessation of mortal existence and its influence on metal for an hour. Shelley from http://www.hatemeditations.com and Metalegion Magazine returns with guests John Smith (Beithioch) and Joseph Aprill (metal writer and podcaster). Many aspects of death and its relationship to metal are discussed,... Continue Reading →

Abbath: Dread ReaverOut 25th March on Season of Mist Many treasures were lost upon Demonaz’s untimely tendonitis induced departure from Immortal. Gone were the intricate layers of high speed guitar work found on ‘Pure Holocaust’, out was the reckless abrasion of ‘Battles in the North’. All spoke of music too heady and self-involved for a... Continue Reading →

Father Befouled: Crowned in VeneficumOut 25th March on Everlasting Spew Records I wanted to set myself a challenge when reviewing ‘Crowned in Veneficum’, the fifth LP from American death metallers Father Befouled. How long can you go without mentioned the “I” word? Turns out not very long. Much like Emyn Muil or Caladan Brood are... Continue Reading →

It’s fair to say that those of a metal persuasion are sometimes a little blinkered when it comes to the history of post war musical evolution, a little prone to selective thinking as to those gold standard releases and musicians. It’s often forgotten that a parallel evolution took place just over the border in People’s... Continue Reading →

#44 Paul Ledney pt. III - Paul Ledney returns for more conversation. We chat about why Profanatica dropped from Steel Fest in Finland, his views on Satanism, compositional aspects of Profanatica's sound, his view on Morbid Angel, etc. Shelley returns after recovering from the 'rona.

Mortify: Fragments at the Edge of SorrowOut 25th March on Chaos Records Death metal is a genre stretched to breaking point. OSDM may finally be showing signs of decline now that even the likes of Blood Incantation are looking to other cultural archetypes to strip and sell for parts. But recent counter measures tailored toward... Continue Reading →

Saqraruna: Under the Light of MountainsOut 18th March on Super Sargasso For anyone paying attention, South America is playing an increasingly important role in the future of extreme metal. Despite the continent's history with metal extending back many decades, only a handful of household names have experienced reputational cut through on a level comparable with... Continue Reading →

#43 The Psychology of Metal - Much conjecture but more informed than the running sparse opinions on this subject. Shelley from Hate Meditations and Metalegion Magazine joins with Raphael from Hessian Firm, who is a current student of psychology. We delve beyond the catharsis of metal, which is what most outsiders of metal think the... Continue Reading →