Friday, March 13, 2026
Overruled - Solitude (Official Track) [thrash from Holland]
THUNDEROR (Canada) - Get 'Em Counted (Official Video)
Western Washington University metal music club
This is the metal music club at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, USA, on Instagram the @wwudraugrs!
EVERGREY - OXYGEN! (Official Video) | Napalm Records
Video produced and hand-painted by Bellamy Reibeiro @bellamyribeiro
Music produced by Tom S. Englund & Vikram Shankar (e.g. Within Temptation & Silent Skies)
Music mixed by Adam ”Nolly” Getgood (e.g. Periphery, Sleep Token, Architects)
EVERGREY quotes:
“We’re thrilled to unleash our new single, ‘Oxygen’! This is EVERGREY at our most explosive – almost certainly our heaviest track yet, packed with crushing riffs, vibrant key changes, and soaring melodies that’ll awaken your soul.
Lyrically, it embodies the raw, suffocating weight of an inner darkness, yet symbolizes the relentless never-ending war to break free and grasp that fleeting breath of hope. We’ve bled for this one and can’t wait for you to live in its intensity. Because this is us, like you’ve never heard before!”
EVERGREY - OXYGEN! (Official Video) | Napalm Records
EVERGREY - Architects Of The New Weave (Animation Video) | Napalm Records
Evergrey comments on their new song:
"New Album via Napalm Records – Architects of the New Weave Releases June 5, 2026!
Architects of the New Weave – It’s a blistering first single from our 15th studio album, Architects of a New Weave (or the second ferocious strike if you're counting our standalone powerhouse Oxygen! as its own beast)!
I am not afraid to claim this is a no-brainer, sing along friendly straight up great metal song!
It came ignited from Rikard Zander's killer keyboard riff, which we hammered into a short, but massive headbanger!
When crafting that chorus keyboard line, Rainbow in the Dark was blasting in my head—pure epic inspiration, giving it that timeless, fist-pumping edge.
The dual guitar solos, trading fire in classic old-school style, melodic and memorable, we can't wait to let this rip live!
I'm torn on music videos sometimes—I adore them as an art form, but too often the visuals steal focus from the music itself.
So we went bold: a stunning, immersive introduction to Mattias Norén's absolute magnum opus of album artwork. Every tiny, intricate detail comes alive on screen, with the track thundering as the perfect dark soundtrack.
It's hypnotic, lets the art breathe, and pulls you deeper into our world -
We could've chosen any track from the album as the lead, but this one's the perfect explosive opener to our new era of beautiful darkness.
I've never been more fired up. Crank it loud, join the weave, and let's build something unstoppable together!"
EVERGREY - Architects Of The New Weave (Animation Video) | Napalm Records
BERZAN'S NEVERMORE AUDITIONS - SEA OF POSSIBILITIES
Nevermore continues the videos of the new singer: Berzan Önen.
"Sea of Possibilities is the third of five NEVERMORE audition videos from our new vocalist Berzan Önen. This was recorded and submitted in January of 2025 a couple of weeks after the first two. All vocals are done by Berzan (including backing melodies). Subscribe to our channel to ensure you get notified when we release the next one!"
BERZAN'S NEVERMORE AUDITIONS - SEA OF POSSIBILITIES
TESTAMENT - Envy Life 2026 Remastered (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
"Official remastered track 'Envy Life' from Iconic Bay Area thrash band @Testament. The remastered reissue of the band's coveted 1989 album, Practice What You Preach, is out on May 8, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The Practice What You Preach (2026 Remaster) reissue was remastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound. It will be available digitally and 180G vinyl on Yellow and Orange Swirl with Black Splatter (limited to 1250 worldwide) and is packaged with brand new artwork from Bill Benson (who also designed the original cover art), a 20pg booklet showcasing old photos and documents provided by Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson of the band and newly provided liner notes."
TESTAMENT - Envy Life 2026 Remastered (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
ARMSTRONG METALFEST - British Columbia, Canada - July 17 and 18, 2026
ARMSTRONG METALFEST - British Columbia, Canada - July 17 and 18, 2026
ARMSTRONG METALFEST is proud to announce their most devastating lineup to date for 2026 with co-headliners RIVERS OF NIHIL and DYING FETUS, along with CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA, LYCANTHRO, IRON KINGDOM, ODINFIST, ART OF ATTRITION and many more!
The loudest and most extreme music festival returns for its 16th year of delivering British Columbia, Canada’s ultimate mountain mosh pit on July 17 and 18, 2026, at the Hassen Arena in the Okanagan town of Armstrong. Fans can look forward to two full days of moshing, headbanging, thrash wrestling, and camping.
Early bird tickets have already sold out, with advance pre-sale tickets now available until midnight (PST) on July 9th.
Festival passes are available at: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets/
All prices apply to full weekend passes and are subject to applicable taxes. Each weekend pass grants general admission and access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 17, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 18, 2026. Free camping is included.
Armstrong MetalFest 2026 Lineup:
Friday, July 17th
Rivers of Nihil (Reading, PA)
Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA)
Fervence (Austin, TX)
Nott (Seattle, WA)
Iron Kingdom (Vancouver, BC)
Lycanthro (Ottawa, ON)
W.M.D. (Vancouver, BC)
Syryn (Calgary, AB)
Nameless King (Vancouver, BC
Frosthymn (Calgary, AB)
Die Another Day (Calgary, AB)
Pharm (Kelowna, BC)
Storm the Empire (Kelowna, BC)
Shotgun Divine (Nelson, BC)
Skeksis (Vernon, BC)
Saturday, July 18th
Dying Fetus (Baltimore, MD)
Into Eternity (Regina, SK)
Vintersea (Portland, OR)
Odinfist (Okanagan, BC)
Wych (Calgary, AB)
Art of Attrition (Red Deer, AB)
Fallen Sun (Prince George, BC)
The Judge The Juror (Edmonton, AB)
Brain Stem (Edmonton, AB)
Gregorious (Kamloops, BC)
Empalement (Victoria, BC)
Broken Crow (Kamloops, BC)
Daniel Martin & The Infamous (Edmonton, AB)
The Collapse (Kelowna, BC)
In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest will have the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.
Please Note: Camping – RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, a vehicle pass is not required.
About:
Since its inception in 2009 (with a brief hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong MetalFest have championed hundreds of local bands while welcoming renowned international acts to the quiet town of Armstrong, British Columbia.
Every year, metalheads from across Canada and the U.S. converge on the scenic Okanagan Valley for three days of camping and two days packed with heavy metal mayhem. Under the blazing summer sun, fans revel in live performances, wrestling spectacles, scavenger hunts, and reconnecting with their extended metal family.
Armstrong MetalFest has hosted legendary headliners such as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Warbringer, Fallujah, Striker, Beyond Creation, Born of Osiris, Havok, The Browning, Virvum, and rising stars from across North America and Europe. And when the final riff fades, the festival vanishes without a trace, leaving the landscape as untouched as it was before.
West Metal Entertainment, a non-profit society, not only produces Armstrong MetalFest annually but also supports the regional music scene by organizing performances at various venues, including all-ages shows, to inspire musical passion in both youth and adults.
Monstrosity - Screams from Beneath the Surface (classic-style death album released today)
Monstrosity
Screams from Beneath the Surface
Metal Blade Records
13 March 2026
If you’re into that classic, old-school Florida death metal sound, in my opinion, Monstrosity is a people’s champ! To me, ever since their awesome 1992 debut album, Monstrosity has been everything that genre fans expect from death metal—the kind of death metal that needs no additional adjectives.
The vocals carry a strength of brutality with no weaknesses; it's a strong, muscular growl that makes fans of old-school death metal drive faster, run faster, mosh harder, or injure themselves at the gym thinking they can bench press 300 pounds.
This is album number seven, and they deliver nothing but straight-up quality. It’s riff after riff of headbanging energy, supported by a rhythm section that works flawlessly. The drumming in Monstrosity has always been a thing that keeps me interested; every album is a clinic in death metal drumming. Wow.
Lastly, even though this is not melodic death metal at all—it’s classic-style, foundational American death metal—there are great guitar solos all over the album. They aren't show-off or self-indulgent; rather, they are fitting solos that complement the songs perfectly. A job well done! I am pleased.
Screams from Beneath the Surface
by Monstrosity
Monstrosity - Screams from Beneath the Surface (FULL ALBUM)
Happy birthday to DISTURBED singer David Draiman, born March 13, 1973!
Happy anniversary to Damn Yankees — Damn Yankees (1990)!
Thursday, March 12, 2026
in memory of metal music author Garry Sharpe-Young (1964–2010)
Garry Sharpe-Young (1964 - Mar 12, 2010)
Garry Sharpe-Young (1964–2010) was an English music journalist and author. He was an expert on heavy metal and hard rock. He founded Rockdetector, which became a massive database for metal bands. He spent decades documenting metal history. At age 14, he created album art, including the cover for Grim Reaper’s See You in Hell. Later, he wrote for magazines like Metal Forces and Aardschok. He launched Rockdetector in 2001. The site eventually listed over 60,000 bands. He wrote detailed biographies based on thousands of interviews. He wanted to document every metal band, including obscure ones.
He wrote more than 20 books. These are now essential guides for fans. Metal: The Definitive Guide (2007) is a 500-page encyclopedia with a foreword by Rob Halford. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (2006) is a detailed biography of Black Sabbath. His A-Z Series covered subgenres like Death Metal, Thrash Metal, and Black Metal. New Wave of American Heavy Metal (2005) chronicled the rise of bands like Lamb of God.
He moved to New Zealand in the early 2000s. He worked as an events manager for the New Plymouth District Council. He helped bring acts like Motörhead and Fleetwood Mac to the area. He died unexpectedly on March 12, 2010, from an aneurysm. He was 45 years old. His death was a major loss to the metal community. He was respected for his accuracy and integrity.
Metal Archives biography: Sharpe-Young started out in the music industry at age 14, creating artwork for album covers, including Grim Reaper‘s See You In Hell and Queensryche‘s Rage For Order. He soon decided that writing about music was his true calling and began working for the fanzine Metal Mania, owned by famed San Francisco DJ Ron Quintana. He went on to write for Aardschok America, then spent seven years working for Metal Forces. He also worked with various records labels as an A&R man, signing new talent. During his lengthy career, he wrote over twenty books, including the 2007 reference manual Metal: The Definitive Guide which featured a foreword by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, the 2007 thrash encyclopedia Thrash Metal and the unauthorized biographies Sabbath Bloody Sabbath: The Battle For Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne: The Story of the Ozzy Osbourne Band.
In remembrance of Y&T rhythm guitarist Joey Alves (1954-2017)
In Memory of IRON DRUMMER Clive Burr (1957-2013)
Clive Ronald Burr (March 8, 1957 - March 12, 2013)
Clive Burr was the drummer for Iron Maiden during their early years, playing on their first three albums: Iron Maiden, Killers, and The Number of the Beast. He joined in 1979 and brought a unique style that mixed fast energy with heavy metal precision. His drumming on famous songs like "Run to the Hills" provided the fast, galloping rhythm that became a trademark of the band’s legendary sound. His is considered an important reason why Iron Maiden achieved their sound. He matched the band’s fast bass lines and added his own creative fills, and these are traits that fans and musicians have noticed after listening carefully to his drumming on those albums. In my opinion, there is a certail style, a personal touch, a specific way of playing that I hear in Clive's drumming that is unique to him for those songs. I am not a musician, so I cannot give music theory explanations, but if you listen to the way he plays, you'll notice the energy, the action of his hands and feet, and what he does, the small touches, and details like that is unique to Maiden with Clive on drums.
All the following information comes from Wikipedia: Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979. Auditioning and joining upon the recommendation of then-Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton, Burr played on their first three records: Iron Maiden, Killers and their breakthrough release The Number of the Beast, the last of which was the Maiden debut of Bruce Dickinson. Burr was fired from the band in 1982 during The Beast on the Road tour. He was replaced by the band's now retired drummer, Nicko McBrain. Burr co-wrote one song on The Number of the Beast, "Gangland", and another song, "Total Eclipse", that was cut from the album and showed up as the B-side of the "Run to the Hills" single, and later on the Number of the Beast remastered CD re-release, and again on the 2022 40th Anniversary record, where it replaced Gangland. Burr also appeared on "The Number of the Beast", "Run to the Hills" and "Women in Uniform" (a cover of the Australian band Skyhooks).
In an interview with Classic Rock in February 2011, Burr candidly discussed his split from Maiden. Describing much of what has been written about the split as "hogwash", Burr indicated that he was ousted from the band after taking a break to mourn the recent death of his father, rebutting claims that his departure was due to overindulgence. Bruce Dickinson's 2017 autobiography suggests Burr was ousted due to personality conflicts with Steve Harris which led to the two arguing and acting out during performances.
After "leaving" Iron Maiden, Burr briefly played in the French group Trust, thus switching places with McBrain, and briefly with the American band Alcatrazz. Burr was featured in the short-lived NWOBHM supergroup Gogmagog which also included ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno and future Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, ex Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray and ex Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis. He also had a band known as Clive Burr's Escape (later known as Stratus), featuring former Praying Mantis members and future Uriah Heep vocalist Bernie Shaw, which disbanded after releasing one album. Burr then joined Dee Snider in his post-Twisted Sister outfit Desperado, which was never fully realized due to a falling out with the band's record company. Burr performed with British bands Elixir and Praying Mantis in the 1990s and appears on the Praying Mantis 1996 live album "Captured Alive in Tokyo City", but did not become a full member of either.
Burr's signature white drum kit was donated to the Hard Rock Cafe in London in 2005.
Illness: Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the late 1990s, the treatment of which left him deeply in debt. Iron Maiden staged a series of charity concerts and were involved in the founding of the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. Burr used a wheelchair due to his condition. He was also the patron of Clive Aid, a charity formed in 2004. Clive Aid has continued to raise awareness and funds for various cancer and MS programs around the world through the staging of rock events. Burr attended many of these events. His partner Mimi was also diagnosed with MS.
Death: Burr died in his sleep on 12 March 2013 in London due to complications related to MS. In a statement released on the band's website Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris stated "This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time." Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson stated "Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence." A funeral service was held for Burr on 25 March 2013 at the City of London Crematorium.
Legacy: Burr's style was influential on many heavy metal drummers. Dave Lombardo, known for his work with bands such as Slayer, Grip Inc., Fantômas, Suicidal Tendencies and Testament stated that "his style was inspiring and the albums he recorded with Iron Maiden are touchstones of my music education". Charlie Benante of Anthrax said: "the drumming on 'Killers' inspired me to kick it up a notch and I did." According to Dave McClain, former drummer for Machine Head, who considers Burr a huge influence, he "brought punk rock drumming into heavy metal".
Other drummers like Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Paul Bostaph (Slayer, Exodus, Testament), Stefan Schwarzmann (Helloween, Krokus), Chris Reifert (Death, Autopsy), Steve Asheim (Deicide), Jan Axel Blomberg (Mayhem), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall) and Richard Christy (Iced Earth, Death, Charred Walls of the Damned) also cited Burr as an influence. Jeff Waters, guitarist and leader of Annihilator, regards his drumming as an inspiration on the drum parts he writes for his band.
Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson considered him to be "...the best drummer the band ever had. That's not taking anything away from [present drummer] Nicko. Technically, Nicko's probably a far more competent drummer than Clive. It's just that Clive had this incredible feel, and you can't learn that, and I regret that he wasn't given more time to try and sort himself out." Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith also praised his drumming ability. "Clive was a great drummer, an Ian Paice-type drummer, steady and solid with a nice feel to everything."
In a tribute article posted by Rolling Stone the day after Burr's passing, writer Greg Prato pointed out that "It was Burr's drumming that proved a major ingredient on such early Maiden classics as 1980's self-titled debut, 1981's Killers and 1982's The Number of the Beast, and such headbanging anthems as 'Running Free,' 'Wrathchild' and 'Run to the Hills'."
Genghis Khan - Iron Maiden (Maiden Japan - 1981)
Killers - Iron Maiden (Maiden Japan 1981)
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Happy birthday to GAMMA RAY/HELLOWEEN drummer Uli Kusch, born March 11, 1967
Happy anniversary to TED NUGENT's Live at Hammersmith '79!!
Ted Nugent
Live at Hammersmith '79
March 11, 1997
According to Wikipedia: "Live at Hammersmith '79 is a live album by American rock musician Ted Nugent, consisting of a performance originally broadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour, recorded during the second set of a sold-out night at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1979 and not released until 1997."
The energy on this live recording is totally insane! The music was recorded during a sold-out concert at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on May 9, 1979. The album is wild, with longer, loud versions of his biggest hits up until that time: "Stormtroopin'," "Just What the Doctor Ordered," "Free-for-All," "Dog Eat Dog," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Need You Bad," "Paralyzed," "It Don't Matter," an eight-minute version of "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang." It ends with two epic performances that last over ten minutes each, "Stranglehold" and "Motor City Madhouse," and then finishes with "Gonzo."
This recording was for the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio program. These types of recordings were for radio broadcasts, and they were typically recorded with very little room for the post-production magic used on major label "live" albums of the era. Ted Nugent and the band sound great: Cliff Davies on drums, Dave Kiswiney on bass, and Charlie Huhn on guitar and vocals. In my opinion, if you prefer the live aspect of in-concert recordings, then you may enjoy this raw, potty-mouth, raucous album for fans of no-holds-barred late 1970s American hard rock heavy metal music. Finally, for your information, there is cursing on this album, and it's a real Ted Nugent show from this great era. There is tons of potty-mouth humor banter between the songs. Super sensitive, politically-correct audiences may not enjoy this humor. Besides that little for-your-information warning, the album is guaranteed to please fans of late 70s hard-driving, uptempo, all-out rock and roll. I think Ted and the boys sound great on this recording.
Ted Nugent - Just What The Doctor Ordered (Live)
In Memory of MOLLY HATCHET Singer Danny Joe Brown (1951-2005)
Danny Joe Brown (August 24, 1951 – March 10, 2005)
Danny Joe Brown, the iconic lead singer of Molly Hatchet, died on March 10, 2005, at the age of 53.
He was the voice behind the band's biggest hits, including the classic anthem "Flirtin' with Disaster." He had been battling health issues for many years, specifically diabetes and later pneumonia, which led to his death. He was the singer on Molly Hatchet's biggest and best albums. He sang on the first album, Molly Hatchet, in 1978 and the very famous Flirtin' with Disaster in 1979. He left the band for a little while to make a solo album called Danny Joe Brown and the Danny Joe Brown Band in 1981, but he came back soon after. When he returned, he sang on No Guts... No Glory, The Deed Is Done, and a live album called Double Trouble Live. His last full studio album with the band was Lightning Strikes Twice in 1989. Even though he had to stop singing later because he was sick, these albums made him a legend in Southern rock and metal.
Wikipedia trivia: (Dave) Hlubek founded the band Molly Hatchet in 1971 on the heels of his first band ('Mind Garden') with longtime friend/bassist Tim Lindsey. Front man/vocalist Danny Joe Brown joined in 1974, plus guitarist Duane Roland, guitarist Steve Holland, bassist Banner Thomas also joined in 1974, and drummer Bruce Crump joined in 1976. Hlubek was also the original vocalist when they started, as well as becoming the band's most prolific songwriter; writing or co-writing the majority of the group's songs, including their most famous, "Flirtin' with Disaster". When they finally signed their recording contract with Epic Records, they received help and advice from Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, who was originally supposed to produce their first album but was killed in a plane crash in 1977. While most people tagged Molly Hatchet as "Southern rock", Hlubek admits it was only because of their location. He considered Molly Hatchet, along with Blackfoot, to actually be heavy metal bands from the South. In fact, he also said that, although hard to talk about, it was the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who were on top of the world at that time, that opened the door for Molly Hatchet.
Molly Hatchet - Flirtin' With Disaster (Live)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
In Memory of LIEGE LORD Guitarist Paul Nelson (1960-2024)
Paul Nelson (October 18, 1960 - March 10, 2024)
Metal Archives shows that Paul Nelson was a guitarist best known in the metal world for his work with power/speed/thrash metal band Liege Lord. He joined the band in 1987 and played guitar on their most famous albums, Burn to My Touch and the 1988 classic Master Control, a personal favorite of mine. Some people have observed that his fast and technical guitar solos helped define the band's aggressive and polished sound during the late 1980s. I cannot comment on the following information, but you may find it interesting that outside of heavy metal, he was a Grammy-winning musician who worked closely with blues legend Johnny Winter for many years. Metal Archives trivia: "Paul took guitar lessons from Steve Vai while they were both students at the Berklee College of Music. He paid Vai with a carton of cigarettes for each one hour lesson."
Liege Lord - Eye Of The Storm
Remembering PANTERA's Vinnie Paul born March 11, 1964
Vincent Paul Abbott born March 11, 1964
R.I.P.: June 22, 2018
Vinnie Paul, the drummer for the famous American groove metal band Pantera, was born on March 11, 1964, and he passed away on June 22, 2018. Pantera fans around the world remember both dates to honor his music and his life. Vinnie Paul started the band with his brother, the guitar player Dimebag Darrell (RIP Aug 20, 1966-Dec 8, 2004). Vinnie was known for playing the drums very heavy! His loud, hard-hitting drumming helped give Pantera's music that big groove. After Pantera, he played in other bands like Damageplan and Hellyeah. Blast some Pantera today!
PANTERA ( SHATTERED ) THE BACKSTAGE HOUSTON, TEXAS 1-20-90
Happy birthday to ICED EARTH/ASHES OF ARES singer Matt Barlow!
Matthew Barlow born March 10, 1970.
According to Metal Archives, the legendary singer was born on March 10, 1970. I know his work best from his singing with Iced Earth, from 1993 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2011. During his time with the band, he sang on classic albums like Burnt Offerings, The Dark Saga, and Something Wicked This Way Comes. He sang on Horror Show, Tribute to the Gods, and The Crucible of Man, and really, a whole bunch of other albums. According to Metal Archives, since 2012, he has been the singer for Ashes of Ares. They have several full-length, including their self-titled debut, Well of Souls, and Emperors and Fools. Most recently, in 2025, they have the new album New Messiahs.
According to Wikipedia, Matt Barlow joined Iced Earth as a replacement for John Greely following the Night of the Stormrider tour in Europe. His recording debut with the band was the 1995 album Burnt Offerings. Barlow eventually left the group in 2003 due to personal reflections following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He decided he wanted to contribute to the "real world" rather than living the life of a "rock star." Following his departure, Barlow became a police officer in Georgetown, Delaware. He also performed with the First State Force Band, a group of law enforcement members who played for schools to promote positive values. In 2007, he briefly returned to the metal scene with the Danish band Pyramaze because the project allowed him to keep his police career while recording music. By late 2007, Barlow officially rejoined Iced Earth and sang on the album The Crucible of Man. He stayed with the band until 2011, when he retired from the group a second time to focus on his family. His farewell performance took place at the Wacken Open Air festival. In 2012, he formed Ashes of Ares with former members of Iced Earth and Nevermore. He has since been involved in several other projects, including We Are Sentinels and the Schaffer/Barlow Project, the latter of which released a Christmas EP titled Winter Nights in 2020.
ASHES OF ARES - This Is My Hell (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Iced Earth - 3 Songs - Live at Wacken Open Air 2011
Monday, March 9, 2026
Tourniquet's Gary Lenaire shares a little-known about drummer Ted Kirkpatrick (RIP)
THE HALO EFFECT – Lest We Fall ft. Marcus Bischoff & Brian Eschbach (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
According to Metal Archives, The Halo Effect is a melodic death metal band from Sweden. The band started in 2019. All five members used to play in the famous band In Flames. The band members are Mikael Stanne, Jesper Strömblad, Niclas Engelin, Peter Iwers, and Daniel Svensson. The band released their second album, March of the Unheard, on January 10, 2025. It was released by Nuclear Blast Records. The album is about 44 minutes long and has 12 songs. The album features these 12 tracks: "Conspire to Deceive," "Detonate," "Our Channel to the Darkness," "Cruel Perception," "What We Become," "This Curse of Silence," "March of the Unheard," "Forever Astray," "Between Directions," "A Death That Becomes Us," "The Burning Point," and "Coda."
Official video for @thehaloeffectse's new single featuring vocals by Marcus Bischoff from @HeavenShallBurnOfficial and Brian Eschbach from @blackdahliamurdertv.
CREDITS
Lest We Fall
Written by Niclas Engelin, Mikael Stanne, Peter Iwers, Jesper Strömblad, Daniel Svensson
Featuring vocals by Marcus Bischoff from Heaven Shall Burn and Brian Eschbach from The Black Dahlia Murder
Produced by Niclas Engelin and Oscar Nilsson
Mixed by Oscar Nilsson at Studio Bohus
Mastered by Thomas „Plec“ Johansson
Music video by Linda Florin
Filmed during Heimat Over Europe Tour 2026
THE HALO EFFECT – Lest We Fall ft. Marcus Bischoff & Brian Eschbach (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
TED NUGENT - "Little Miss Dangerous"
SCARLET ANGER - H U N G E R (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
According to Metal Archives, the band Scarlet Anger released their third full-length album, Martyr, on January 20, 2024. The band comes from Luxembourg. This album was released as a CD in a digisleeve format. It is about 35 minutes long and has seven songs. The album includes the following tracks: "The Destroyer," "No Time," "Martyr," "Akrasia," "Hunger," "Divided," and "Behind the Mask." The current lineup features singer Joe Block, guitarists Fred Molitor and Jeff Buchette, bassist Vincent Niclou, and drummer Rod Sovilla.
SCARLET ANGER - H U N G E R (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
Hellslaught - new merch!
Ted Nugent - High Heels in Motion
Sanhedrin - heavy metal from New York, USA
Happy anniversary to DEMON HUNTER's The World Is a Thorn!
Demon Hunter
The World Is a Thorn
Solid State
March 9, 2010
Wikipedia shows March 9, 2010 as the release date. It is the fifth studio album by the American metal band Demon Hunter. Produced by Aaron Sprinkle and mixed by Jason Suecof, the album features a shift in the lineup, marking the only appearance of rhythm guitarist Ryan Helm. Musically, the band described the release as their most aggressive yet melodic work to date, blending their established metalcore sound with additional metal influences and guest vocal appearances from Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork), Christian Älvestam (Solution .45, Scar Symmetry, etc.), and Dave Peters (Throwdown). Some people see the record's lyrical themes, written by frontman Ryan Clark, focus largely on the defense of Christian convictions within a modern secular society, as reflected in the title track and the lead single "Collapsing." Visually, the album is notable for its intricate cover art created by Dan Seagrave, the legendary death metal album cover artist. The World Is a Thorn debuted at number 39 on the Billboard 200, representing the band's highest chart position at that point in their career.
If you are interested in the lyrics, to the understanding of some critics, the album, while not explicitly preaching, taken together with the band's own statements give a conceptual framework. "The World Is a Thorn" express non-conformity to the ideals of the world: "Won’t bow to man / Won’t bow to government / Won’t love a world where my God is mocked," refusing to align with secular or "modern" world. "Tie This Around Your Neck" tackles the idea that human beings are their own gods and that they do not need God, as a self-destructive lie, according to the band. Additionally, with the world as a thorn, the band puts the Christian faith as one of endurance and preservation of values in an environment made to choke out faith.
The album has a total running time of 41 minutes and 34 seconds. It opens with "Descending Upon Us," followed by the aggressive "LifeWar" and the lead single "Collapsing," (see the video below) which features Björn "Speed" Strid of Soilwork. The middle of the album is "This Is the Line," "Driving Nails," the fast-paced title track, and "Tie This Around Your Neck." The final portion features further guest appearances, including Christian Älvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry) on "Just Breathe" and Dave Peters of Throwdown on "Feel as Though You Could," and then the last two tracks are "Shallow Water" and the melodic closer "Blood in the Tears."
Musically, I see the album as the converging of American and European metal currents into that journey, that quest that is Demon Hunter. There is quite a bit of variety! If I had to label the album, I thik I would say that it is melodic death metal, more than anything.
Demon Hunter - Collapsing Official Music Video
Happy anniversary to a great, great demo: MEGADETH's Last Rites (1984)!
Megadeth
Last Rites
March 9, 1984
According to some internet sources, this amazing demo, came out on March 9, 1984. Metal Archives shows that it was recorded at Hitman Studios in Hollywood, California, This three-song (11 minutes and 26 seconds) demo was, at long last, the opening salvo by Megadeth, and what a salvo it is! Metal Archives shows that the lineup was Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitar, David Ellefson on bass, and Lee Rauch or Gar Samuelson on drums. The tracklist includes early versions of "Last Rites/Loved to Deth," "Mechanix," and "The Skull Beneath the Skin," all of which were later re-recorded for the band's 1985 debut studio album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!. While a fourth track, "Rattlehead," was also recorded during these sessions, it was not included on the official demo release.
I do not remember which Megadeth guitarist has said that these early Megadeth songs are not easy on the hands and fingers! It's a wild ride. The demo has a raw production and extreme tempo, and some people say that the version of "Mechanix" is performed at a higher speed than the later studio recording.
Wikipedia says, "Two months after being fired from Metallica, Mustaine met bassist David Ellefson and together they formed Megadeth in Los Angeles. Mustaine later recalled: 'After getting fired from Metallica, all I remember is that I wanted blood. Theirs. I wanted to be faster and heavier than them.' Fueled by the desire for revenge, Mustaine elevated the intensity of Megadeth's music in order to challenge his former band. He sped up existing songs such as 'Mechanix', which Metallica's new line-up adapted into the slower-paced 'The Four Horsemen.' Mustaine included his original version of the song on the album to 'straighten Metallica up', as Metallica referred to Mustaine as a drunk, and said that he could not play guitar. After going through multiple vocalists, including Lor Kane, Billy Bonds and John Cyriis, Mustaine decided to handle the vocal duties himself, while also serving as the band's primary lyricist, main songwriter, and co-lead and rhythm guitarist."
Megadeth - Last Rites / Loved to Deth (Demo) (Remastered)
Megadeth - The Skull Beneath the Skin (Demo) (Remastered)
Megadeth - Mechanix (Demo) (Remastered)
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