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A new Iced Earth album is just around the corner. This indicates that a high octane heavy metal attack will be hoarding through your speakers shortly, and it will be relentless. Having a loyal fan base and such quality releases over their long career, we ask mainman Jon Schaffer about how the band have managed to stay so consistent, and whether the upcoming opus ‘Incorruptible‘ maintains that same philosophy.
In February last year, the ever popular Polish prog outfit were shocked with the sudden death of long-time guitarist Piotr Grudzinski. The tragedy ground band activities to a halt, with no future in sight. A year later, the band is finding it’s feet again by returning to the live stage. Before their London performance, we spoke to mainman Mariusz Duda on the return of Riverside to the live stage after coping with a difficult loss.
Aside from the truly horrific tragedy that has befallen Manchester last night, people all over the country are, quite rightly, talking about the importance of the upcoming snap election. Known for their socio-political commentary it’s no secret that Napalm Death are somewhat opposed to any type of ruling.
You’ve probably heard of Dragonforce. They are that really fast band with that song that was near impossible to conquer on Guitar Hero. While that was arguably the point that shot the band on to the mainstream, the band in the current day are seemingly wanting to do more to leave their mark in metal as the band that wrote those great songs, not just the video game band. We spoke to guitarist Herman Li and vocalist Marc Hudson about how Dragonforce have evolved on their upcoming album, ‘Reaching Into Infinity‘.
As infamous saying goes, “Expect the unexpected”. Sharing this sentiment throughout their time as a band, The Haunted, a Swedish export of the highest calibre, have always had a a hint of turning things on their head. Now in the cold light of day that is 2017 their situation is very much different to their mid 00’s status. The reality of being in a band in 2017 is often perhaps not quite as glamorous as one might think. However, it does teach you a helpful life lesson to understand the sheer amount of work the hallowed “Roadie” goes through night after night. On the final night of their tour with Swedish demigods Meshuggah, The Haunted’s Marco Aro was able to spare a little bit of time to answer some questions about the band and their brand new album.
As if 2016 didn’t spawn enough completely erratic political and social events, it also spawned Oni, an chaotically organised progressive metal outfit that churned out a hell of an addictive debut album. We spoke to the band to learn just how this crazy, razor-sharp sound came about.
The hardships of being a band are all too familiar a story in the world of Metal. Almost expected to bare the brunt of it, young bands find it incredibly hard not only to to tour but to actually be able to make a living in the modern day. Making the idea of “breaking through” an ideal that can sometimes not even be a possibility. Thinking laterally, one Tim Charles of Ne Obliviscaris may have the answer all bands are searching for. Hailing from Australia and on the indie label Season of Mist the band were suffering the financial woes of being a band in 2016 / 2017. Launching the idea of Patreon, Charles thought up the idea of a true engagement with fans. Understanding their needs and the band’s both parties work together in ensuring both coexist peacefully. However before that the band have returned from their most recent of travels.
Releasing their brand new album Atonement back in February, Immolation have taken even more steps to becoming one of the most volatile Death Metal forces in the world.