Rhuin - "Melodic Atmospheric Black Metal from Washington State, themes exploring the Tolkien universe"

Rhuin Olympia, Washington

Act I by Rhuin

https://rhuin.bandcamp.com/album/act-i

Invocation Ritual - death metal from Seattle

Invocation Ritual - death metal from Seattle - 2026 debut album

August 14, 2026: Invocation Ritual - Altered Reality 2026

https://invocationritualofficial.bandcamp.com/album/altered-reality

out now - new epic doom from cult band SCALD

Scald - Relics- Cruz Del Sur Music - 4 September 2026

ABOUT THE BAND: Scald is a heavy metal band formed in Yaroslavl, Russia, in 1993. They play a a midtempo, heavy, melodic style known as epic doom metal, mixing dark guitar riffs with stories from ancient Northern and Slavic mythology. In 1997, they released their first album, Will of Gods Is a Great Power, which became a classic in the underground metal scene. Shortly after it came out, their original singer, Maxim "Agyl" Akayev, died in an accident at age 24. Devastated by his death, the remaining members broke up the band. The original musicians got back together in 2019 with a new singer, Felipe Plaza Kutzbach, to keep the band's legacy alive. They released their second full-length album, Ancient Doom Metal, in 2024. Since 2025, their vocalist is Hrafn (Alexey Goryachev). The Metal Archives shows that the rest of the band is Velingor on bass, Ottar on drums, Harald on guitars and Kary on guitars, all of whom have been with the band since 1993 and 1994, and were the personnel of their cult 1997 album.

ABOUT THIS NEW RECORDING: Cruz Del Sur Music proudly presents, Relics, a new offering from Scald. Exhuming ancient songs from their past and giving them new life with Hrafn, their new vocalist, this is a must have for fans of the genre. This EP opens a new chapter in Scald’s history. They were joined by Hrafn – a magnificent singer famous for his work with Vendel (Russia). He can truly do justice to Agyl’s legacy, which we present to you in Relics.

Three of the five songs — “Master Of Tundra", “Ravens”, and “Flame” — were written after the recording of the legendary album Will Of The Gods Is Great Power (spring 1996 — fall 1997, the year Agyl died). At that point, the band chose to step away from traditional epic doom and, as an experiment, create songs with a more diverse style while still maintaining the original Scald atmosphere.

When writing these three songs, Scald were inspired by the work of the Norwegian Sami singer Mari Boine and in particular her album Leahkastin, progressive metal bands Fates Warning and Dream Theater, as well as Sanctuary’s album Into The Mirror Black and the magnificent singer Warrel Dane with his soulful vocals. These songs had never been recorded in a studio before, but they were occasionally performed at Scald concerts in the past. Fans from all over the world kept asking Scald when they would finally record and release these songs.

track list: Master of Tundra - Ravens - Flame - Falcon - Sokol

Scald - Relics- Cruz Del Sur Music - 4 September 2026

Scald - Sokol

MAD MAX - Silver (Official Lyric Video) [new album out now Stories of Destiny]

Mad Max - Stories of Destiny - (ROAR - A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music) - 4 September 2026

BIO- Founded in Münster, Germany in 1981 by guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Jürgen Breforth, MAD MAX have been a constant name in the European melodic hard rock and heavy metal scene for more than four decades. Known for their powerful guitar driven sound, strong melodies and classic hard rock attitude, the band have built a loyal international fanbase through numerous studio albums, tours and festival appearances.

In 2026, MAD MAX celebrate their 45th anniversary with the studio album Stories Of Destiny. The record reflects the band’s long history while opening a new chapter with UK singer Alan Clark, known to many fans from DARK HEART. At the same time, the album brings back original MAD MAX vocalist Andreas Baesler for the first time in 45 years, creating a direct link between the band’s earliest days and its present.

Stories Of Destiny is built around songs that Jürgen Breforth had the honor to co-write with respected names from the rock and metal world, including Sascha Gerstner of HELLOWEEN, David Readman of PINK CREAM 69, Andreas Broon of THE SISTERS OF MERCY and Michael Voss, known from his work with Michael Schenker. These songs have now been reimagined and recorded in the unmistakable MAD MAX style.

The album also includes two previously unreleased MAD MAX songs from 1991, “Til’ The End Of Time” and “Weapons Of Love”. Another highlight is the newly recorded version of “Piece Of Candy”, based on the very first guitar riff Jürgen Breforth ever wrote for MAD MAX in 1981, now performed as a duet between Alan Clark and Andreas Baesler. Its Spanish version, “Dulces Falsos”, is the first MAD MAX song ever recorded with Spanish lyrics and serves as a tribute to the band’s fans in Latin America.

The visual world of Stories Of Destiny also connects to the MAD MAX comic, created by Mexican comic artist Maestro Arturo Said. The comic tells the story of the band from its founding days in 1981 through the 1980s and up to MAD MAX’s first shows in Colombia in 2023, making the album both a musical and visual celebration of the band’s legacy.

MAD MAX Is:

Alan Clark - Vocals

Jürgen Breforth - Guitar

Wilfried Schneider - Guitar

Thomas Hoffmann - Bass

Uwe Starck - Drums

Andreas Baesler - Guest Vocals ("Piece of Candy", "Dulces Falsos")

Track List:

1. Silver

2. Weapons of Love

3. Keep You Alive

4. Far Behind

5. Piece of Candy

6. 'Til the End of Time

7. Bullet

8. Mad Gone Blind

9. She Was Mine

10. Wings of Freedom

11. Dulces Falsos

"'Silver' is the first single from the upcoming brandnew MAD MAX studio album "Stories of Destiny" and following the international success of the MAD MAX comic, which was the very first comic book of a German band in Latin America. The video features a comic full of mystery, adventures and emotion. The song was originally written 2001 for the debut album of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP singer GARY BARDEN. It was a huge honour for me to co-write the song with Andreas Broon. Andreas Broon was a member of the band THE SISTERS OF MERCY for a couple of years and received 2 golden records with the band. Besides that he’s a top class songwriter for many artists like for example DORO PESCH. When I co-wrote 'Silver' back in the days, I immediately thought that this would be a major hit single, but a great many obstacles stood in the album's way. Now I'm more than proud to present the MAD MAX version of 'Silver' with a slighter heavier guitar edge than the original but still keeping its 'British touch' with our new lead singer Alan Clark from the UK." - Jürgen Breforth (band founder & songwriter) MAD MAX - Silver (Official Lyric Video)

remembering singer Tim Aymar (Pharaoh/Control Denied) on his birthday

September 4, 1963: RIP Tim Aymar (Pharaoh/Control Denied) (September 4, 1963 - February 13, 2023) - birthday

According to Wikipedia: Timothy Lee Aymar (September 4, 1963 – February 13, 2023) was an American heavy metal singer. He was best known as the vocalist of progressive metal band Pharaoh and for his work with Chuck Schuldiner in Control Denied. His rise to fame began with his band, Triple-X. Aymar had been a vocalist since 1985 with the band 313. He later joined Triple X and released an album with them. He joined Psycho Scream, where his bandmate Jim Dofka introduced him to the music of Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death. Schuldiner had heard Psycho Scream and contacted Dofka, asking Aymar to join his band Control Denied. After a three-song audition, he joined Schuldiner's as the vocalist. He was known for his strong vocals in that band.

CONTROL DENIED - "Breaking The Broken" (Official Music Video)

Dreams of Gray - Chicago melodic death metal anniversary

September 4, 2025: Dreams of Gray - Across the Endless Sea - YouTube Premiere

According to Metal Temple: DREAMS OF GRAY is an Extreme Metal band from Chicago that combines Doom Metal with Thrash Metal. They were formed in 2022 ... All put together I can only conclude that DREAMS OF GRAY have delivered one cracking, beautiful and impressive EP with "A Beginning". And I certainly hope that the title is a prophecy, that this is just the start of a journey of discovery that we, the audience, will be allowed to take with DREAMS OF GRAY. Because as far as I'm concerned, I like "A Beginning" so much that I am booking a flight with these guys of Chicago to wherever they want to go, as long as they keep up making beautiful music. If they can achieve this level on a full length album, you can rest assured that my rating will go up at least one full point.

A Beginning by Dreams of Gray

remembering composer Joseph Anton Bruckner on his birthday

September 4, 1824: Joseph Anton Bruckner (September 4, 1824 – October 11, 1896)

"Joseph Anton Bruckner (4 September 1824 – 11 October 1896) was an Austrian composer and organist best known for his symphonies and sacred music, which includes Masses, Te Deum and motets. The symphonies are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, strongly polyphonic character, and considerable length. Bruckner's compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations, and roving harmonies." -Wikipedia

The German metal music multi-instrumentalist "Matt Carviero" (real name from The Metal Archives: Matthias Fritz) has with his project Bells and Ravens covered some Bruckner music. Below you will find the original Bruckner work and the Bells and Ravens reworking of the music. The Bells and Ravens song is from the 2020 album In Our Blood. There is also a second album titled What Death Cannot End (2022).

Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 8

Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, WAB. 108: IV. Finale (Feierlich, nicht schnell) · Berliner Philharmoniker · Wilhelm Furtwängler

Bells and Ravens (Germany) - In Our Blood (2020 album)

1896 (Bruckner Metal Medley: Symphonies 8.4 + 9.2) [Audio] | Bells and Ravens

in memory of RAGE guitarist Jochen Schröder

in memory of RAGE guitarist Jochen Schröder

September 3, 2021: RIP Jochen Schröder (Avenger/Rage/Mekong Delta)

(October 25, 1962 - September 3, 2021)

Jochen was a co-founder and guitarist for the heavy metal band Rage (Rage) from their formation in 1982 until 1987. It is believed that he left the music business entirely. He recorded three demos, an album called Prayers of Steel (1985) and an EP with Avenger before they changed the name to Rage. He played first two official albums, Reign of Fear (1986) and Execution Guaranteed (1987). The Metal Archives shows that also he played with the progressive-technical thrash heavy metal band Mekong Delta (Germany) from 1985 to 1987, starting from the beginning of the band when they used fictitious names.

His former band RAGE and RAGE leader Peter “Peavey” Wagner wrote at the time of Jochen's death:

“It is our deepest regret to inform you that Avenger/Rage co-founder and guitarist Jochen Schroeder has left this earth under rather tragic circumstances. From 1982 to 1987 Jochen was not only the guitar player for Avenger/Rage but also co-composed a lot of their early songs. In that he was an important driver of the band’s development and with his unique ideas paved the stylistic way of the band.

“Jochen hadn’t been a part of the music business for a long time and in recent years became more and more private. Unfortunately, the exact circumstances surrounding his cause of death are unknown to us at the time. We’re mourning the loss of a great bandmate who left this world far too soon.

“Peavy: the news about the passing of my old friend and bandmate Jochen saddens me deeply. In recent years we lost track of each other, but I’ll always remember the good and exciting times we had together. Jochen taught me a lot back then and I owe him for that. In life it is rare to meet someone who gives you the impulses that send you down the right path. Jochen was that person to me and I couldn’t have done it without him. Thank you, Jochen, I wish you all the best on your travels, wherever you may wander… Peavy”

Rage - Down by Law (OFFiCIAL VIDEO)

this date in history - World War II begins

After staging the Reichstag fire to pass the 1933 Enabling Act establishing absolute dictatorial powers, withdrawing Germany from the League of Nations, reclaiming the Saarland, openly defying Versailles by reintroducing military conscription, systematically destroying the labor unions, jailing or murdering political opponents, persecuting marginalized groups like Jehovah's Witnesses, gay people, and pacifists, stripping German Jews of their citizenship through the Nuremberg Laws, unleashing the nationwide Jew-hating violence of the Kristallnacht pogrom in 1938, intervening in support of fascist Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), formalizing the Rome-Berlin Axis and signing the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan, remilitarizing the Rhineland, annexing Austria, forcing the Western powers into the Munich Agreement to surrender the Sudetenland, dismantling the rest of Czechoslovakia, securing the backing of Fascist Italy through the Pact of Steel, and signing a non-aggression pact with the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler finally launched his invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939—shattering European peace, and forcing a reluctant England and France to fulfill their alliance pledges and trigger World War II.

Vendetta - War (from Vendetta's 1988 album Brain Damage)

in memory of Sanctuary guitarist Sean Blosl

in memory of Sanctuary guitarist Sean Blosl

August 26, 2024: RIP Sean Blosl (Sanctuary)

Sean Don Blos (May 26, 1966 - August 26, 2024)

BLABBERMOUTH article

Former SANCTUARY Guitarist SEAN BLOSL Dead At 58

January 1, 2025

Blosl formed SANCTUARY in 1985 with his cousin, fellow guitarist Lenny Rutledge. He played on the band's first two albums, 1988's Dave Mustaine-produced debut "Refuge Denied" and 1990's "Into The Mirror Black".

On Tuesday (December 31),Rutledge shared the following message via the SANCTUARY social media: "It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle.

"I have struggled with posting about this news. I am not a fan of the social media death announcements, but I realize that even though I think this is a private family matter, Sean was also a very important part of the Seattle music scene.

Sean was my cousin, but to us we were much more like my brothers. We had a musical dream when we were kids that became a reality. Without Sean by my side I don't know if I would have had the opportunity to make this musical journey.

"It is very difficult to sum up a lifetime of love, memories and experiences but I will always remember Sean as an inspiration and a teacher.

"RIP Brother. I will see you on the other side."

While touring in support of "Into The Mirror Black", Blosl left SANCTUARY and was replaced by Jeff Loomis.

Shortly after, pressure from Epic Records to fit in with the flourishing Seattle grunge scene caused disagreements between bandmembers regarding their musical direction. In 1992, SANCTUARY officially disbanded.

After SANCTUARY split up, singer Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard and Loomis formed NEVERMORE in 1992. NEVERMORE recorded seven studio albums before going on hiatus in April 2011.

In 2010, four of the founding SANCTUARY members — Dane, Sheppard, Rutledge and drummer Dave Budbill — came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that they decided to reunite permanently.

SANCTUARY's third studio album, "The Year The Sun Died", was released in October 2014, about three years before the passing of Dane. The singer had died in December 2017 of a heart attack in São Paulo, Brazil, where he was recording his second solo album.

SANCTUARY toured North America with ICED EARTH in February and March 2018 as a tribute to Dane, with WITHERFALL vocalist Joseph Michael filling in on vocals.

-

Sanctuary - December 31, 2024

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle. I have struggled with posting about this news. I am not a fan of the social media death announcements, but I realize that even though I think this is a private family matter, Sean was also a very important part of the Seattle music scene.

Sean was my cousin, but to us we were much more like my brothers. We had a musical dream when we were kids that became a reality. Without Sean by my side I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to make this musical journey. It is very difficult to sum up a lifetime of love, memories and experiences but I will always remember Sean as an inspiration and a teacher.

RIP Brother. I will see you on the other side.

SANCTUARY - Termination Force

OBSCURA technical death metal anniversary

August 17, 2011: Obscura: Cosmogenesis (2011), CD, Relapse Records (Repress) The original version was released on February 17, 2009.

OBSCURA - 'Cosmogenesis' (Full Album Stream)

DORO anniversary

August 17, 2018: Doro - Forever Warriors, Forever United - Nuclear Blast Records

DORO - All For Metal (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

remembering John III Sobieski on his birthday - King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania August 17, 1629: John III Sobieski

John III Sobieski (Polish: Jan III Sobieski; Lithuanian: Jonas III Sobieskis) (17 August 1629 – 17 June 1696)

Considered a national hero for Poland and respected in Lithuania, for some, he is a "Savior of Vienna and Western European civilisation" for his legendary and historic victory over the invading Islamic army of the Ottoman Empire of the Turks seeking to subjugate the European peoples in 1683: When the Islamic Ottoman army besieged Vienna, Sobieski personally led a combined relief force. On September 12, 18,000 heavy cavalry, including 3,000 Polish Winged Hussars, executed the largest cavalry charge in military history, smashing the Muslim Ottoman lines and permanently ending Muslim Ottoman expansion into Europe. The 1683 Battle of Vienna marked the absolute peak of Ottoman military expansion into Central Europe. After 1683, the Islamic Ottomans were still capable of launching localized offensives and reclaiming lost territories in Eastern Europe and the Balkans (like Belgrade and the Morea), but they never again posed a threat to deep Central Europe.

In addition, earlier in his career, he had crushing victory over the Muslim Turks at the Battle of Khotyn in 1673 and earned him such immense popularity that the Polish nobility unanimously elected him King.

Polish history celebrates him as Defensor Fidei, Defender of the Faith, and as a warrior king.

SABATON - Winged Hussars (Official Lyric Video) (from 2016's The Last Stand)

Happy birthday to singer Tarja Turunen!

August 17, 1977: Tarja Turunen

I know the singing of Tarja Turunen (born August 17, 1977) from her time with the band Nightwish, but she has gone on to have a long-lasting solo career, too. She is a Finnish classical soprano and singer-songwriter. She co-founded Nightwish in 1996 and her dramatic, operatic vocal style combined with heavy guitar riffs popularized the symphonic metal subgenre on classic albums like Oceanborn (1998) and Wishmaster (2000). Following her departure in 2005, she launched a successful solo career with a diverse series of symphonic metal, rock, and classical albums including My Winter Storm (2007) and In the Raw (2019).

Tarja Turunen - Still of the Night (Whitesnake cover) (from 2010's What Lies Beneath deluxe edition)

Happy birthday to singer Vibeke Stene!

August 17, 1978: Vibeke Stene

To me, I associate Vibeke Stene (born August 17, 1978) with her time with Tristania. She is a Norwegian soprano singer that joined group in 1996, and her classical opera-style vocals helped to make Tristania into one of the genre's premier acts across five studio albums, including classics like Widow's Weeds (1998) and Beyond the Veil (1999). After leaving the band in 2007 to teach singing and pursue her degree, she stepped away from the music industry for several years. She returned to music in 2013, and later on working with the doom metal project Veil of Secrets.

Tristania - Equilibrium (from 2005's Ashes)

in memory of the Armenian victims of genocide perpetrated by the Islamic Ottoman Turks

July and August 1916 - Deir ez-Zor Massacres: The second wave of mass murder of Armenians carried by the Islamic Ottoman Turks.

According to the Armenian National Institute, during August of 1916, and specifically on August 14, 1916, records indicate that around 200,000 Armenian deportees were systematically slaughtered in massacres across the Zor District, particularly along the Euphrates and Khabur rivers, such as at Suwar, Marrat, and Elbusayra).

During World World I the Islamic Turks -The Ottoman Empire- carried out the mass murder of Armenians, a Christian ethnic minority living as second-class citizens in the Ottoman Empire centered on Turkey. The genocide was the mass murder of around one million Armenians during death marches to the Syrian desert and the forced Islamization of others, primarily women and children.

Before World War I, large-scale massacres of Armenians had already occurred in the 1890s and 1909. Wikipedia notes that the Ottoman Empire suffered military defeats and territorial losses, especially during the 1912–1913 Balkan Wars. The Turks feared that the Armenians would seek greater rights and self-determination, and during World War I the Turks increased their campaigns to commit genocide against Armenians.

Wikipedia caption for the photo: "The corpses of Armenians beside a road, a common sight along deportation routes"

Wikipedia observes that on April 24, 1915, Ottoman officials rounded up and expelled hundreds of prominent Armenian leaders and intellectuals from Constantinople. Under the direction of Talaat Pasha, between 800,000 and 1.2 million Armenians were subsequently forced on brutal death marches toward the Syrian desert over the course of 1915 and 1916. Paramilitary guards marched the victims through harsh conditions while denying them food and water, leaving them exposed to rampant robbery, sexual violence, and mass executions. Those who survived were herded into desert concentration camps.

A second wave of targeted killings was launched in 1916, reducing the surviving deportee population to roughly 200,000 by year's end. Additionally, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Armenian women and children were forcibly converted to Islam and absorbed into Muslim families. The slaughter and systemic displacement of remaining Armenians persisted well after World War I, carried out by Turkish nationalist forces during the Turkish War of Independence.

Widely viewed prior to World War II as the ultimate human tragedy, the genocide effectively wiped out over two millennia of Armenian heritage and presence in eastern Anatolia. Executed in tandem with the destruction of the region's Assyrian and Greek Orthodox Christian populations, these atrocities paved the way for the establishment of an ethno-nationalist state, the Republic of Turkey. Today, the Turkish government continues to deny the genocide label, insisting the forced relocations were a justified military response. However, 36 nations alongside the vast majority of international historians officially recognize these events as a genocide.

The few Turkish public figures that acknowledge the genocide, like Orhan Pamuk, Taner Akçam, and Hrant Dink, are branded traitors, prosecuted by the Turkish government and face massive outrage and death threats in Turkey. The journalist Hrant Dink was murdered in 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey for his acknowledgement of the genocide.

Judas Priest - Genocide

RAVEN anniversary

August 1983: Raven - All for One - Neat Records

This is the third album by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band RAVEN.

A reviewer named Danthrax_Nasty, writing on August 16th, 2005, on The Metal Archives wrote this review. I think the review does a good of explaining this album, so I am going to give you the entire review below. This is what Danthrax_Nasty writes:

Recorded in London in 1983, and produced by Udo Dirkschneider of Accept, this was a major record for Raven. They had previously with their first two albums, and touring, solidified a strong fan base (doing tours with bands like Girlschool, and gigs with bands like (then) "young metal attack Metallica") which formatively uped the stakes so to say, or better put, it gave the band the ego boost they needed to move into the sound they were slowly growing into, and a hope of really cashing in one day as far as sales are concerned.

I'd argue that this is a turning point for Raven. The first two albums were total NWOBHM, with out a doubt, but this album really shows what the band was going to be turning into on future albums like Stay Hard, and Life's A Bitch, a more progressed sound with a more mainstreamed feel, but it still does have those NWOBHM leanings in its sound at points. Good or bad, this is a turning point, and this album gave Raven the opportunity for a major record label release (well their legendary live shows had a bit to do with that also).

Musically the bands really tight, and totally doing what only they did. Non-stop catchy rythms coated in high end vocal wails, shreding leads, and solos, and an attitude thats undeneibly metal. There are alot of total old school heavy metal riffs on here, but in alot of ways at the base of their music, Raven has always been a progressive hard rock band on speed, and playing at 11. Also, there is no lack for talent on this record. All the musicians are fully competent, overly energetic, and highly creative. These guys put alot into these songs, and its apparent. You wont find an album quite like this.

The production values are limitless, this is classic heavy metal with a sound unique to its time. Everything, from the vocals, to the drums, to the guitars has been masterly produced to hold a sound that is extinct. I highly recomend this album to anyone interested in classic 80's metal.

RAVEN - Take Control

VANILLA FUDGE heavy metal history anniversary

August 1967: Vanilla Fudge - Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge is the self-titled debut album by the American psychedelic rock band Vanilla Fudge. Released in the summer of 1967, the record is made up almost entirely of slowed-down, heavy covers, along with three short original instrumental tracks. It turned out to be the band's biggest album, hitting number 6 on the Billboard charts and number 8 in Finland. Interestingly, parts of the original stereo release were actually mixed in mono, including their famous cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On." An edited version of that track came out as a single and became a big hit, too.

Wikipedia observes:

AllMusic's Paul Collins retrospectively rated Vanilla Fudge four out of five stars some time in the 2000s. He stated that "nobody could accuse Vanilla Fudge of bad taste in their repertoire" and that most of the tracks "share a common structure of a disjointed warm-up jam, a Hammond-heavy dirge of harmonized vocals at the center, and a final flat-out jam." However, he also said that "each song still works as a time capsule of American psychedelia."

The staff of Classic Rock Magazine wrote in 2021: "Released a year before Led Zeppelin blasted into action, the Fudge are one of those crucial bands who mixed heavy blues, psychedelia and raucously progressive musicianship in a way that helped pioneer what we now regard as metal."

You Keep Me Hangin' On | Stereo Unedited Version | Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin' On (1967)

Vanilla Fudge "Keep Me Hangin' On" on The Ed Sullivan Show

BLUE CHEER heavy metal history anniversary

August 1968: Blue Cheer - Outsideinside

In January 1968 American heavy metal pioneers Blue Cheer announced themselves with the massive heavines of their influential debut album Vincebus Eruptum. That same year they returned with this album that is generally less heavy, but it is still Blue Cheer heavy, though!

Outsideinside is the second album by American rock power trio Blue Cheer. Philips Records put it out in August 1968, just seven months after their huge debut, Vincebus Eruptum. The band recorded parts of the album outdoors and parts indoors, which is how it got its name. Every member wrote songs for the record, and they also threw in two heavy covers: "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones and "The Hunter" by Albert King. The album hit number 90 on the Billboard charts. Their single "Just a Little Bit" also made the charts, peaking at number 92.

Leigh Stephens – guitar; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree"

Dickie Peterson – bass, lead vocals; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "The Hunter"

Paul Whaley – drums; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "The Hunter"

Wikipedia observes: In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Mark Deming commented:

[Outsideinside] captures the psychedelic side of their musical personality with greater clarity than the blunt approach of the debut; Outsideinside doesn't sound trippy so much as righteously buzzed, and the speedy roar of this the music is big enough that the legend that parts of this were so loud they had to be recorded outside seems not just plausible, but perfectly reasonable.

In a review of the two-for-one reissue of the album (coupled with Vincebus Eruptum), Pitchfork's Alexander Lloyd Linhardt noted, "Outsideinside converts their [Blue Cheer's] stylistic enthusiasm and leathery attitude into structured song. If it doesn't sound as influential as Vincebus's cataclysmic insanity, it's because it defines 'classic' rock."

Canadian journalist Martin Popoff praised the album where the band "pre-dispose of Purple, thwack the face of Hendrix, and generally pound psychedelia into the dirt" and concluded that "by most definitions this ain't heavy metal, but by most measures Blue Cheer stomp over Zep I and II".

1. "Feathers from Your Tree" 3:29

2. "Sun Cycle" 4:12

3. "Just a Little Bit" 3:24

4. "Gypsy Ball" 2:57

5. "Come and Get It" 3:13

6. "Satisfaction" Jagger/Richards 5:07

7. "The Hunter" 4:22

3. "Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger" 1:38

4. "Babylon" Peterson 4:22

Total length: 32:44

BLUE CHEER - Just A Little Bit

Dioghaltas black metal anniversary

August 13, 2020: Dioghaltas - Decomposition

Dioghaltas was active from 2019 until 2022, according to The Metal Archives. On Bandcamp it says: Washington State Black Metal formed 2019. Members: RW - Guitars; TS - Guitars; JK - Vocals; Et Vilia - Drums. On The Metal Archives there is only one release listed, and it is this EP. It sounded good in 2020, and it still sounds good to me.

Decomposition by Dioghaltas

IRON BUTTERFLY anniversary

August 13, 1970: Iron Butterfly - Metamorphosis album

Wikipedia observes: Metamorphosis is the fourth studio album by Iron Butterfly, released on August 13, 1970. It reached number 16 on the US charts and number 31 in Canada. Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt joined Iron Butterfly for this album in early 1970. It was the last studio album to feature original organist and vocalist Doug Ingle. The album was recorded at American Recording studio and produced by Richard Podolor, engineered by Bill Cooper. The single "Easy Rider" reached number 66 on the Billboard chart and number 48 in Canada, making it the band's biggest hit aside from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". The album is noted for having one of the earliest uses of the talk box on a rock album, which Pinera used on "Butterfly Bleu."

1. "Free Flight" 0:49

2. "New Day" 3:21

3. "Shady Lady" 3:58

4. "Best Years of Our Life" 4:00

5. "Slower Than Guns" 3:50

6. "Stone Believer" 4:26

7. "Soldier in Our Town" 3:22

8. "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" 3:07

9. "Butterfly Bleu" 13:57

Ron Bushy – drums

Lee Dorman – bass guitar

Doug Ingle – organ, vocals

Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals

Larry Reinhardt – guitar

After guitarist Erik Braunn left, the two new guitarists, Mike Pinera and Larry Reinhardt, gave the band the sound of psychedelic hard-rock grooves and bluesy jamming. Songs like "New Day" and "Easy Rider" show heavy riffs, while "Stone Believer" digs into deep, fuzzy blues-rock. The 14-minute closer "Butterfly Bleu" goes into psychedelic space-rock territory, and according to some people, it has some of the earliest, wildest uses of a talk box on a rock album. In my opinion, it's a diverse album that seems to have room for everyone in the band to shine. It's an adventurous work with various phases, from proto-metal to experimental, but overall it is not super chaotic or nonsensical. The band sounds great! I do not know the story behind the recording of the album, but looking back decades later, you can hear all the instruments clearly. You don't get the feeling that anyone is trying to drown anyone else out—like keeping the bass guitar silent or the keyboards hidden—and the drums sound great, too. Expect a bit of everything from late 1960s heavy rock, done with a big American flair.

Iron Butterfly - Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)

Elgibbor abrasive lo-fi black metal anniversary

The original release date was April 15th, 2016, and later on in the year these two other versions were made available. The band's leader "Fire," according to The Metal Archives, used to be a satanist, but then became a Christian. Elgibbor is from Poland or at least began there in 1999 and is still active, now, apparently in the USA. The Metal Archives says: "Elgibbor" means "The Almighty God" in Hebrew. It looks there are 14 studio albums and two EPs, amongst other recordings.

August 13, 2016: Elgibbor - Revenger of Blood (2016), CD, Vision of God Records (Limited edition, Remastered)

August 13, 2016: Elgibbor - Revenger of Blood (2016), Digital, Vision of God Records (Bandcamp, Remastered)

This album is NOT for casual metal music listeners nor even casual black metal audiences, either. This is strictly for the dedicated fans of grim, necro, lo-fi, raw black.

Lyrics to "The Armor" seem to be from the book of Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10 to 17, from looking at The Metal Archives: "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Lyrics to "Lord of Light," as found on The Metal Archives : Thrown to the earth for hate and rebellion against humanity is the beast. Accuser, Tormentor, Liar. That is his nature. He has built an army of cheated, broken and fallen. Like a snake injects his venom and paralyzes his victim. Are you in the dark? Are you in the bonds of slavery? You can't do it alone there is power. There is strength that can change your life. It is not man. It is not the devil. It is the Creator who gave you life. He is always beside you and hears you. His Army of Light will come to your rescue. Riding a White Horse Lord of light."

Revenger Of Blood (Remastered & Expanded) by Elgibbor

SEPULTURA anniversary

August 13, 2021: Sepultura - Sepulquarta - Nuclear Blast Records

The Metal Archives says that this is a "Collection of re-recorded songs, each song features a guest musician."

Paulo Xisto - Andreas Kisser - Derrick Green - Eloy Casagrande

1. Territory 04:50

2. Cut-Throat 02:44

3. Sepulnation 04:20

4. Inner Self 05:10

5. Hatred Aside 04:04

6. Mask 04:41

7. Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering 03:44

8. Vandals Nest 02:56

9. Slave New World 02:56

10. Ratamahatta 04:13

11. Apes of God 03:16

12. Phantom Self 05:27

13. Slaves of Pain 04:07

14. Kaiowas 04:14 instrumental

15. Orgasmatron (Motörhead cover) 04:18

total time 01:01:00

David Ellefson Bass (track 1)

Scott Ian Guitars (track 2)

Danko Jones Vocals (track 3)

Phil Rind Bass (track 4)

Angélica Burns Vocals (track 5)

Mayara Puertas Vocals (track 5)

Fernanda Lira Vocals (track 5)

Devin Townsend Vocals, Guitars (track 6)

Emmily Barreto Vocals (track 7)

Alex Skolnick Guitars (track 8)

Matthew K. Heafy Vocals, Guitars (track 9)

João Barone Drums (track 10)

Charles Gavin Percussion (track 10)

Rob Cavestany Guitars (track 11)

Mark Holcomb Guitars (track 12)

Fred Leclercq Guitars (track 13)

Marcello Pompeu Vocals (track 13)

Rafael Bittencourt Guitars (acoustic) (track 14)

Phil Campbell (R.I.P. 2026) Guitars (track 15)

Rafael Nascimento Horn (track 12)

Mauricio Martins Horn (track 12)

Marcos Tudeia Horn (track 12)

Douglas Costa Horn (track 12)

Agnaldo Gonçalves Horn (track 12)

Kévin Codfert Violin (track 12)

Bechir Gharbi Violin (track 12)

Hamza Obba Violin (track 12)

Mohamed Gharbi Violin (track 12)

Yussef Belheni Violin (track 12)

Sepultura - Mask (feat. Devin Townsend) | Official Audio

MESARTHIM astronomy atmospheric black metal anniversary

August 13, 2020: Mesarthim - Planet Nine EP

1. Planet Nine 15:29

2. Burial 10:24

total time 25:53

MESARTHIM is an anonymous duo from Australia, formed in 2015, with themes of astronomy, physics, and outer space. On The Metal Archives, the two members are listed simply as "." and ".". Their sound is a mix of atmospheric black metal and electronic music, featuring extreme vocals and soaring synth melodies. According to reports, they performed live for the first time in September 2024 at the Cosmic Void Festival in London, wearing futuristic clothing and LED masks. They frequently use NASA telescope imagery and star charts for their aesthetic.

"Atmospheric Black Metal from Australia. Mesarthim have a unique way of blending electronic tunes & melodies with perfect black metal. They do this in a way that is so natural it never ceases to amaze me! Plus they just keep getting better & better at it! Just when you thought they had reached perfection... :)" -bmurator, Bandcamp

"When Mesarthim sends its transmissions to Earth, we are facing a planetary-scale musical event. Planet Nine concentrates what Mesarthim does best and even goes much further: between the title track—full of variations and even venturing slightly into electronic music (almost psytrance)—and 'Burial,' which features exceptional guitar solos, we are witnessing the absolute finest in atmospheric and cosmic black metal. What more could you ask for? Favorite track: Planet Nine." (translation from the original French) -Nocturnal Egg (Jordan), Bandcamp

Planet Nine (E.P.) by Mesarthim

Anniversary - Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 - Day 2

August 13, 1989: Moscow Music Peace Festival

On August 12 and 13, 1989, the Moscow Music Peace Festival took place at Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, USSR. During the glasnost era, this was a huge deal for metal behind the Iron Curtain. After Uriah Heep played there in 1987, this festival brought six big Western rock and metal bands together with three Russian bands to play the capital city. The "Russian Woodstock," the two-day event was put together by Russian musician Stas Namin and American manager Doc McGhee. Over 100,000 fans showed up, and it was broadcast live to 59 countries, including MTV in the U.S. The festival aimed to build peace between the West and East during the Cold War, and it also raised money for drug and alcohol rehab. The weekend wrapped up with an all-star jam session with members from different bands, and it was put out on album and video. The whole vibe even inspired the Scorpions to write "Wind of Change," which went on to become one of the biggest selling singles ever.Bands performing: Nuance, Brigada S, Skid Row, Gorky Park, Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Bon Jovi.

At the beginning of this Scorpions show there is an acoustic song with what seems like a small, private crowd, but after that song, the real show begins! This is not an acoustic show. It is big-time stadium heavy metal music with Scorpions performing for a good time for everyone. Scorpions here to rock Moscow like a hurricane, baby! It's 1989 and the people were hoping for an end to the brutality and repression of Stalinism. Scorpions is doing their thing, and the crowd is so hungry to hear the music!

Scorpions - Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 - Full Broadcast (2nd Night)

Tormenta - Jungle Dead [single]

Jungle Dead" is the first single by Tormenta from Snoqualmie, which is some 30 miles to the east of Seattle, Washington, USA. This single is catchy, uptempo, brutal, breakdown-heavy, mosh-friendly groove metal with growled vocals. The band says that they have an album on the way. As of the time of this writing by Metal Bulletin Zine, the single is available on Bandcamp as a name-your-price release. That's very generous of the band, and it leaves you with no excuses not to jump into this mosh pit!

"Ask any racer, any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Tormenta's Tormenta." -Dominic Toretto

Jungle Dead by Tormenta

remembering IRON BUTTERFLY guitarist Erik Brann on his birthday

August 11: Erik Brann (August 11, 1950 – July 25, 2003)

Erik Keith Brann ([born Rick Davis]August 11, 1950 – July 25, 2003)

Erik worked with Iron Butterfly the following years: 1967–1969, 1974–1977, 1978–1979, 1979–1980, 1982, 1987, 1987–1989.

"Iron Butterfly is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1966. They are best known for the 1968 hit 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida', providing a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development of hard rock and heavy metal music. Although their heyday was the late 1960s, the band has been reformed with various members with varying levels of success with no new recordings since 1975. Their second album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), remains a best-seller, and Iron Butterfly was the first group to receive an in-house platinum album award from Atlantic Records." -Wikipedia

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the second studio album by the American rock band Iron Butterfly, released in June 1968. It is most known for its title track, a 17-minute composition that occupies the entirety of Side B. A massive commercial success, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida peaked at number 4 on the Billboard albums chart. It was officially certified a Gold album in 1968 in the United States, and on January 26, 1993, it was certified 4× Platinum. In Canada, it was on the charts for 91 weeks between October 14, 1968, and July 18, 1970." -Wikipedia

Iron Butterfly: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (2006 Remaster Full-Length)

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DAMN YANKEES anniversary!

August 11, 1992: Damn Yankees – Don't Tread - 1992

"Don't Tread is the second and final studio album by the American hard rock supergroup Damn Yankees, released by Warner Bros. Records on August 11, 1992. It features their second highest charting single, the power ballad 'Where You Goin Now' which peaked at number 20. The album itself reached number 22 on the Billboard 200 album chart."

"Damn Yankees were an American rock supergroup formed in New York City, in 1989. Consisting of singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw of Styx, singer/bassist Jack Blades of Night Ranger, guitarist Ted Nugent of the Amboy Dukes, and drummer Michael Cartellone (who would later join Lynyrd Skynyrd)." -Wikipedia

Damn Yankees - Don't Tread On Me (Video)

XOTH anniversary - technical progressive extreme metal mad science!

August 11, 2014: Xoth: Hostile Terraforming EP

The Metal Archives shows that this was the beginning of XOTH. XOTH is Seattle interdimensional, hyper-thrashing, shred-frenzied, alien-infested, polyrhythmic technical progressive extreme metal mad science made for headbanging!

Ben Bennett Bass, Vocals (backing)

Jeremy Salvo Drums, Vocals (backing)

Woody Adler Guitars, Vocals

Tyler Sturgill Guitars, Vocals

1. Cocoon Earth (Intro) 01:07

2. Terramorphosis 04:07

3. Ancient Sentient Ooze 03:00

4. The Rubicon of Humanity 05:09

5. Transcending the Energy Harvest 04:44

6. The Signal Decays (Outro) 01:20 total time 19:27

Hostile Terraforming by Xoth

Soldiers Of Steel Festival in Seattle is coming up! August 13-16