In Flames, Soilwork, At the Gates, Arch Enemy—the list of Swedish metal bands achieving global acclaim and popularity is long indeed. Could the next one to join their esteemed ranks be Eyes Wide Open? Ten years into its career, the band clearly is hitting its stride creatively. Its latest release, “Through Life and Death” (Arising... Continue Reading →
Many bands have chosen to sit on the sidelines throughout the pandemic, unwilling to take the risk of releasing new music in the midst of so much uncertainty. Symphonic metal band Ad Infinitum has done exactly the opposite, releasing its debut album, “Chapter I: Monarchy” (review) in April 2020; an acoustic version of the record,... Continue Reading →
For a musician who’s constantly creating, the COVID-19 pandemic has offered the silver lining of time. Jordan Rudess, best known as the keyboardist of Dream Theater, the world’s leading progressive metal band, has taken full advantage of it, as Dream Theater’s upcoming 15th studio album, “A View from the Top of the World” (Oct. 22,... Continue Reading →
After releasing its third album, “Lucifer III” (review), in March 2020 near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swedish/German heavy rock band Lucifer, like all musical acts around the world, found itself unable to tour. With nothing else to do, work began on the next record, which is due just in time for Halloween, on... Continue Reading →
John Corabi has seen and done quite a bit during more than three decades in the music business. His band The Scream caught the attention of Mötley Crüe in the early ‘90s, leading to him fronting that legendary act from 1992 to 1996. He then formed Union with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, later played... Continue Reading →
While conditions still are a long way from normal, bands finally are back on the road. And with the means to promote them available again, that means a flood of new releases are hitting the market. One of the best of these is “Marching in Time” (read Live Metal’s review; buy/stream here), the fifth album... Continue Reading →
Born and raised amid the rich musical history of Seattle, Washington, Ayron Jones has been one of rock music’s biggest success stories of 2021. His debut solo album, “Child of the State” (he previously issued two independent releases with his band Ayron Jones and the Way), spawned the hit single “Mercy,” which spent a month... Continue Reading →
Even with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is quite the year for Danko Jones the band, marking 25 years in action and seeing the release of its 10th studio album, the superbly rocking and appropriately titled “Power Trio” (Aug. 27, 2021, Sonic Unyon; read Live Metal’s review). Live Metal’s Greg Maki recently caught up with... Continue Reading →
Former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing could stay away only so long before heavy metal called him back. After leaving the band in 2011, he re-emerged in early 2020 with a new outfit, appropriately named KK’s Priest. He recruited a couple old friends for the band, vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, who fronted Judas Priest from... Continue Reading →
After a year and a half, touring—the lifeblood of most metal bands—is back. For Butcher Babies, the return to some form of normalcy begins Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, at the Metal in the Mountains festival in Pipestem, West Virginia. From there, the band will launch its “Butcher Babies vs. Goliath” tour, on which it will... Continue Reading →
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