Orphaned Land album anniversary: El Norra Alila

Orphaned Land: El Norra Alila - July 18, 1996 - Holy Records

Find Your Self, Discover God - Like Fire to Water - The Truth Within - The Path Ahead - A Neverending Way - Takasim - Thee by the Father I Pray - Flawless Belief - Joy - Whisper My Name When You Dream - Shir Hama'alot - El Meod Na'ala - Of Temptation Born - The Evil Urge - Shir Hashirim. Total time 58:37.

I like this oldie but goodie! Released July 18, 1996 on Holy Records, El Norra Alila is the groundbreaking second studio album by Middle Eastern metal visionaries Orphaned Land. While undoubtedly their 1994 debut Sahara set them on their pioneering course, this album finds them clearly elevating their definitive aesthetic, which is to make metal that makes Middle Eastern music an integral part of their sound. Having said that, this band is always making changes to their sound in various ways, from their early death-doom sound, like on this particular classic, to their later, more progressive, less extreme metal sound, but through it all the music is creative, interesting, and it simply sounds like another, different chapter in the sounds of Orphaned Land.

Orphaned Land - El Meod Na'ala (remastered)

instrumental metal anniversary: Kuyashii - Train to Nagano

Kuyashii: Train to Nagano - July 17, 2020

Kuyashii is the "solo project of visual artist Jonny Warren (aka the Double Wolf)," in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, according to The Metal Archives. This music is in the field of melodic "post-metal/shoegaze." The music is pleasant and relaxing, and with no vocals to distract you from the music, just all instrumental guitar melodic music.

1.Firestarter 03:39 - 2.Warmth (Decay) 04:17 - 3.Pressure 03:17 - 4.Promise 04:25 - total time 15:38

About this recording: "In 2018 before the release of Waves, I spent a handful of months exploring a more indie/punk/shoegaze-influenced sound before going in a different direction. Having just returned from a dream trip to Japan, I wanted to capture the mental freedom I felt while being away from the US. My brief time in Japan offered me space to think about where I saw my creative endeavors going and how I envisioned my life to be. Now two years later, I've decided to release four tracks from that exploration as a window into the optimism I felt during that time. It is this optimism that I hope to capture again as I continue my journey through music and explore the sounds that inspire me to the fullest."

Train to Nagano by KUYASHII

out now: Eternal Drak - Colombian black thrash transplanted to Quebec, Canada

Eternal Drak: The Violence of Time - FirstWave Canada - 17 July 2026

1.We Force It to Speak - 2.The Unborn Paths Rot - 3.Me hice simultaneo - 4.The Blasphemy of Time - 5.Chaos Is the Law - 6.Where Cause Is Buried - 7.Across the Watching Veils - 8.Breathing Once Again - 9.The Cosmos Rejects You - 10.No Direction Total War - total time 38:24

Eternal Drak is long-running black thrash metal band originally formed in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1997 by brothers Eduardo (guitars/vocals) and Alejandro Martínez (drums), later moving to Quebec, Canada. They bled old-school thrash rhythms with melodic black metal. According to The Metal Archives, Eternal Drak has maintained a prolific release schedule over the last several years, consisting of four full-length albums, a compilation, two EPs, and a steady stream of singles. Their recent full-length discography includes Drak Metal (2021), Shadow Storm (2022), Imprisoned Souls (2024), and The Violence of Time (Heresies Against the Flow of Time) (2026). The band's smaller-format releases feature the 2020 compilation The Past Is Gone, a New One Is Coming, alongside the EPs Interdimensional War of Satan (2023) and The Warrior Order (2025). Furthermore, Eternal Drak has put out numerous singles throughout this period, including "The True Meaning of Life" (2020), "Lets Get Rude" (2020), "My God Is the Sun" (2021), "La Nueva Orden 2021" (2021), "The Eyeless Gleeth" (2022), "Soul of Hate" (2024), "Haunting Place" (2024), and "Eternal Drak" (2025).

The Violence Of Time

STORMHAMMER - Wrath Of The Hammer (Official Music Video)

StormHammer - Wrath Of The Hammer - ROAR A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music - 17 July 2026

M.Nox vocals and longswords - Phil Meyer guitar, backing vocals and lances - Christos Efstathiou guitar and poleaxes - Ashley Guest drums and falchions - Horst Tessmann bass, backing vocals and war hammers

1. Beware - 2. Wrath Of The Hammer - 3. Ashes Of The Throne - 4. Light In The Dark - 5. Wheels Of Eternity - 6. Guardians Of The Night - 7. Veil Of Fire - 8. Scars Of The Abyss - 9. Shattered Dominion 10. The Dune

This is the ninth full-length album from StormHammer, according to The Metal Archives. The band formed in 1099 during the mighty Crusades to reconquer and protect the Holy Land from the barbarian infidels. The templars of StormHammer originally formed in the thunder and lightning of the ancient burg of Bavaria in Powermetallandia. Given that I live in a land far, far away, roaming and hunting from cave to cave deep in the goat hills of Cascadia, the legends of StormHammer had eluded me until now. The infantry and the horse brigades of Powermetallandian traditions should hear all the weaponry they need here for their upcoming quests for glory. Arise, and join the quest of StormHammer.

STORMHAMMER - Wrath Of The Hammer (Official Music Video)

STORMHAMMER - Scars Of The Abyss (Official Music Video)

StormHammer - Wrath Of The Hammer - ROAR A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music - 17 July 2026

M.Nox vocals and longswords - Phil Meyer guitar, backing vocals and lances - Christos Efstathiou guitar and poleaxes - Ashley Guest drums and falchions - Horst Tessmann bass, backing vocals and war hammers

1. Beware - 2. Wrath Of The Hammer - 3. Ashes Of The Throne - 4. Light In The Dark - 5. Wheels Of Eternity - 6. Guardians Of The Night - 7. Veil Of Fire - 8. Scars Of The Abyss - 9. Shattered Dominion 10. The Dune

This is the ninth full-length album from StormHammer, according to The Metal Archives. The band formed in 1099 during the mighty Crusades to reconquer and protect the Holy Land from the barbarian infidels. The templars of StormHammer originally formed in the thunder and lightning of the ancient burg of Bavaria in Powermetallandia. Given that I live in a land far, far away, roaming and hunting from cave to cave deep in the goat hills of Cascadia, the legends of StormHammer had eluded me until now. The infantry and the horse brigades of Powermetallandian traditions should hear all the weaponry they need here for their upcoming quests for glory. Arise, and join the quest of StormHammer.

STORMHAMMER - Scars Of The Abyss (Official Music Video)

in memory of Communic bassist Erik Mortensen

Erik Mortensen (December 23, 1966 - July 14, 2026) was the bassist for long-running Norwegian prog power band Communic from 2003 to 2026. The Metal Archives shows that he worked with the following bands: Communic, Clairvoya, Ingermanland, Dimenzion: Psychosphere. Communic's statement in honor of Erik reads: ❤️ It is with profound sadness that we have to share the heartbreaking news that our longtime bassist, brother, and dear friend, Erik Mortensen, passed away last night (14.07.26) after a short time of illness. For more than two decades, Erik's musicianship, dedication, and friendship helped shape this band into what it is today, but above all, we have lost someone we loved deeply. Our thoughts are with Erik's family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Erik. You will never be forgotten!

❤️ Oddleif & Tor-Atle

Communic - Scavengers Await

Seattle metal anniversary: Skelator - Death to All Nations

Skelator: Death to All Nations - July 16, 2010 - Metal on Metal Records

Jason Conde-Houston vocals/Robbie Houston guitars/Rob Steinway guitars/Zach Palmer bass/Patrick Seick drums

Birth of Steel - The Truth - Victory (Henry V) - Circle of Bloodshed - Symphony of the Night - For Death and Glory - Stand Up (for Rock and Roll) - Death to All Nations.

Skelator is a long-running heavy metal band in the Seattle, Washington area. Formed in San Diego, California in 1998 by founding vocalist Jason Conde-Houston before moving to Seattle, the band is all traditional heavy metal. Their sound features high-octane, twin-guitar harmonies, galloping rhythms, and high-pitched vocals. This classic style is found on Give Me Metal or Give Me Death (2008), Death To All Nations (2010), Agents of Mischief (2012), Cyber Metal (2019), and their Blood Empire EP (2022). I don't remember where I read it years ago, but somebody had written that Skelator is a type of parent band for much of heavy metal in Seattle: quite a number of metal musicians in our Seattle area have gone on to play and form more heavy metal bands after a stint in Skelator.

Skelator - Death to All Nations

Vivalvi Metal anniversary: Vivaldi Metal Project - Vita - Part 2 Light 2021

Vivaldi Metal Project is a massive, international symphonic metal supergroup and studio project that reinterprets classical music—most famously the work of Antonio Vivaldi—using a heavy metal lineup combined with a full orchestra, choir, and guest vocalists. The project was conceived and launched in 2013 by Italian keyboardist, composer, and producer Mistheria (who has worked with Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock, and Roy Z), alongside co-producer and bassist Alberto Rigoni.

The band’s primary focus is adapting classical masterpieces into epic, modern symphonic power metal. Their debut album took Vivaldi's legendary violin concertos, The Four Seasons, and adapted them into a metal opera. The arrangements insert electric guitars, double-bass drumming, and metal vocals directly into the classical structures.

Vivaldi Metal Project acts as a collaborative hub. They have featured hundreds of legendary metal and classical musicians across their albums. The internet shows that notable contributors include: Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Edu Falaschi (ex-Angra), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), Rolf Pilve (Stratovarius), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Steve Di Giorgio (Testament, Death).

The Four Seasons (2016) took over two years to arrange and record, featuring more than 130 metal and classical artists. The Live Concert (2018) is a live release capturing the project's massive scale on stage. EpiClassica (2022) is double-album that expanded their scope beyond Vivaldi, incorporating metal adaptations of other legendary classical composers like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. If you love highly technical, neoclassical shredding, soaring operatic vocals, and bombastic symphonic power metal, it is a project well worth checking out!

Vivaldi Metal Project - VITA (pt.2 'Light') - Official Lyric Video

Happy Birthday to multi-instrumentalist Elisha Mullins! (The Burial, Fleshkiller, Miss May I, War of Ages, Extol, A Hill to Die Upon, Maugrim)

Elisha Mullins was born on July 16, 1991, according to The Metal Archives.

Based on his credits in the database, Elisha is a hardworking jack-of-all-trades. He currently plays guitars and performs vocals for Fleshkiller (2017–present), contributing to the 2017 album Awaken. He also handles vocals and guitars for The Burial (2011–present), performing on Lights and Perfections (2012) and In the Taking of Flesh (2013). On bass, he has had two stints with War of Ages (2012 and 2018–present), performing bass and backing vocals on Void (2019), the Rhema EP (2021), Dominion (2023), and the re-recorded 15th-anniversary version of Eternal (2025). Most recently, he joined Miss May I on guitars (2024–present), tracking guitars for the 15th-anniversary re-recorded edition of Apologies Are for the Weak (2024), as well as the singles "Pray for Silence" (2025) and "Die on the Vine" (2026). There is probably a whole bunch of other work he does and has done, but this is what I see on The Metal Archives.

Fleshkiller - "Warfare" OFFICIAL VIDEO

remembering Deep Purple's Jon Lord

John Douglas "Jon" Lord [Wikipedia]/Jonathan Douglas Lord [Metal Archives] (9 June 1941 – 16 July 2012)

Jon co-founded Deep Purple in 1968. He is known for his work with Deep Purple's most popular songs. Jon and drummer Ian Paice were the only continuous members during the band's legendary first run between 1968 and 1976, and also from its reunion in 1984 until his retirement in 2002. He also played for the bands Whitesnake, Paice Ashton Lord, the Artwoods, the Flower Pot Men and Santa Barbara Machine Head. Jon fused rock with classical and resulted in a recognizable sound. His sound with Deep Purple made them an important foundation in heavy metal music. Jon's discography is massive.

Below are some perspectives on Jon Lord, taken from Wikpedia:

Lars Ulrich, founding member and drummer in Metallica commented, "Ever since my father took me to see them in 1973 in Copenhagen, at the impressionable age of 9, Deep Purple has been the most constant, continuous and inspiring musical presence in my life. They have meant more to me than any other band in existence, and have had an enormous part in shaping who I am. We can all be guilty of lightly throwing adjectives like 'unique,' 'one-of-a-kind' and 'pioneering' around when we want to describe our heroes and the people who've moved us, but there are no more fitting words than those right now and there simply was no musician like Jon Lord in the history of hard rock. Nobody. Period. There was nobody that played like him. There was nobody that sounded like him. There was nobody that wrote like him. There was nobody that looked like him. There was nobody more articulate, gentlemanly, warm, or ******* cooler that ever played keyboards or got anywhere near a keyboard. What he did was all his own."

Interviewed in 2012 for Blabbermouth, Motörhead frontman Lemmy said: "It's just a shame, because Jon Lord was, to a large extent, responsible for me being in rock and roll. He was in a band called the Artwoods years ago, with Ronnie Wood's brother Arthur. They were sort of a jazz-blues band, I guess. They played at the place in Wales where I was living,[a] this dingy little boozer, and I was talking to Jon and, like an idiot, he gave me his address in London. So, of course, I went down there and he wasn't there, but he was living at Art's mother's house where Ronnie Wood who was in a band called The Birds was living and they let me crash on the couch.... I saw him late last year in a hotel in Germany in Cologne. He was over there doing some orchestral stuff, and we talked in the bar for awhile.... I'm glad I saw him, since he's since departed."

Also in 2012, music critic Terence Towles Canote wrote shortly after Lord's death: "While many of his contemporaries would turn to the Moog synthesiser, Jon Lord continued to rely primarily on the Hammond organ. Of course, it must be pointed out that Jon Lord could make a Hammond organ do things that other keyboardists could only dream about. Jon Lord's playing not only stood out from the pack, it also held up over time. As a youth in the Eighties I could listen to old Deep Purple songs and they would not sound dated at all. It is an incredible achievement for any artist to create works that are essentially timeless, and that is precisely what Jon Lord did."

Deep Purple - Speed King - Live (1970)

Happy birthday to Suffocation drummer Mike Smith!

For metal fans, Michael Smith (born July 16, 1971) is best known for his drumming with New York brutal technical death metal band Suffocation from 1990 until 1994 and from 2002 to 2012. He performed on their 1990 demo Reincremated, the 1991 EP, Human Waste, their 1991 debut album Effigy of the Forgotten, and their 1993 album Breeding the Spawn. Mike returned when Suffocation reformed in 2002 after a four-year hiatus and performed on their 2004 release, Souls to Deny, their 2006 self-titled album, and 2009's Blood Oath.

Besides Suffocation, Wikipedia shows that Mike is a drum instructor and studio musician that has worked on the projects Roadrunner United, in 2014 with Misanthrope Monarch (Germany), with rapper Necro for his album Death Rap and experimental metal act Psychometry. Mike has a horrorcore-influenced rap project called GRIMM REAL. Mike also works or has worked with Voracious Scourge U.S.A, Inverted Matter (Italy), and Synesis Absorption.

Suffocation - Infecting the Crypts

Mike Smith/Suffocation/Summer Slaughter 2009/Part 2

Happy birthday to Joe Satriani!

July 15, 1956, marks the birth of American rock guitar virtuoso, composer, and producer Joseph Satriani! The internet says that Satch's former students include Kirk Hammett, Alex Skolnick, Rick Hunolt, Steve Vai, and Larry LaLonde and who knows who else. Joe has sold ten million albums and racking up 15 Grammy nominations. He is the ultimate go-to guitarist. In 1988, Mick Jagger recruited him as lead guitarist for his first solo tour. Later, in 1993, he stepped up to tour with Deep Purple immediately following Ritchie Blackmore's second departure. From shredding like nobody's business with the G3 tours and rocking with the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar, and surfing with aliens and flying in blue dreams, man oh man, Joe is guitar player's player!

"Big Bad Moon" Joe Satriani (Official Music Video, 4K)

classic doom anniversary: Trouble - Run to the Light

Trouble: Run to the Light - July 15, 1987 - Metal Blade Records

Eric Wagner vocals - Rick Wartell guitars - Bruce Franklin guitars - Ron Holzner bass - Dennis Lesh drums

Rick Wartell started the band Trouble in Chicago in 1978 when he was in high school. At first, he sang and played guitar with bassist Mike DiPrima and drummer Mike Slopecki. They played their very first show that year at a local school. In 1981, Rick wanted to find new members. He put an ad in a local music paper and put together a great new lineup. This group featured guitarist Bruce Franklin, singer Eric Wagner, bassist Tim Ian Brown, and drummer Jeff Olson. In 1983, Sean McAllister became the new bassist. The band loved the heavy sound of Black Sabbath and psychedelic rock music from the 1960s. They tuned their guitars low to make a very heavy, gloomy sound. While most metal bands in the 1980s sang about evil things, singer Eric Wagner wrote lyrics about the Bible and spirituality because of his Catholic upbringing. Because of this, their record label, Metal Blade Records, called them "white metal" to contrast them with "black metal." The band did not like this label and thought it was silly.

In 1983, the band recorded a live show in Chicago. Drummer Jeff Olson mailed the tape to Metal Blade Records, and the label signed them to a contract. Trouble released their first album in 1984, which was later named Psalm 9. They released their second album, The Skull, in 1985. This album was much darker because Eric Wagner was struggling with drug addiction, and the band members were not getting along. Soon after, bassist Sean McAllister and drummer Jeff Olson left the band. People rumored that Olson left to become a preacher, but he actually went to study music college in Boston. With Ron Holzner on bass and Dennis Lesh on drums, the band released Run to the Light in 1987. This album had more melody and sounded more like classic heavy metal, but it still kept their heavy, gloomy doom sound.

Trouble - Run to the Light (RE-MASTERED)

Cross over, children, to the other side

lost little children, run to the light

look at all the lonely people

all I see is despair

and you`re lost in confusion

run to the light

why do you love the darkness

how can you see where you are going

look at all the lonely people

all I see is despair

and they`re lost in confusion

My soul is troubled

I`m afraid of the darkness,

afraid of myself

and sometimes, I don`t know where I`m going

but when I die, I know I will find my way

in the light, is our salvation

pain is just a memory

in the light, you will find the truth

all the answers, for those who want to know

we all know what it`s like

feeling like you can`t go on, I can`t go on

and sometimes, I don`t know where I`m going

but when I die, I know I will find my way

in the light, is our salvation

pain is just a memory

in the light, you will find the truth

all the answers, for those who want to know

I wanna know

Cross over, children, to the other side

lost little children, run to the light

look at all the lonely people

all I see is despair

and we`re lost in confusion

all are welcome, on the other side

run to the light!

Trouble - Run to the Light (RE-MASTERED)

remembering Girlschool guitarist singer Kelly Johnson

Bernadette Jean "Kelly" Johnson (20 June 1958 – 15 July 2007) was a guitarist and singer for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Girlschool [1975-1978 (as Painted Lady), 1978-present]. The Metal Archives shows Kelly's work with Girlschool: guitars (1978-1983, 1993-2000), vocals (1978-1982). During that time, her work on the most important releases is: 1980 Demolition (lead guitars and vocals), 1981 Hit and Run (lead guitars and vocals), 1982 Screaming Blue Murder (guitars and vocals), and 1983 Play Dirty (lead guitars). Personally, I enjoy all those albums with Kelly, in addition to all the other Girlschool albums. Play some Girlschool today!

Girlschool - Screaming Blue Murder

celebration back to the future: old Sepultura new again by Cavalera Conspiracy

Hot doggity, amigo, Max and Igor Cavalera answer their own question: What would those old Brazilian garage-bedroom thrash/death/black metal recordings sound like if the brothers re-recorded them in a proper studio with all the experience they have now?!

Cavalera Conspiracy - Bestial Devastation [EP - Re-recorded] (2023) - July 14, 2023 - Nuclear Blast Records

Cavalera Conspiracy - Morbid Visions [Re-recorded] (2023) - July 14, 2023 - Nuclear Blast Records

Personally, I still like the old recordings because that's how I hear them in my head, but I love the crazy idea of making the effort to give those old songs a better production. At least it piques one's curiosity. Anyway, the new recordings sound wonderful, and it's fun to hear that they can still get down and boogie in that raw thrash/death/black metal style. Now it's fancy. Come to think of it, maybe it's a bit too fancy, and I don't think I'm quite this fancy.

I'm more like that guy hanging out every day at the Burger King street corner in Everett, the one who always has dried-up ketchup on his shirt, eating his good old trusty Whopper and asking if you can spare a dollar for his next one—because really, that's pretty much all I think about: eating and when my next nap is. In other words, these fancy new recordings are great. I love it, top notch, good job, thumbs up, you guys, you hit it out of the park! But just so you know, I'm not going to stop listening to those original Sepultura recordings. The old ones sound just fine to me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those 1985–1986 sessions where the band tracked everything in a couple of days, got it done, got out, and the job was finished, but you crazy kids always looking for next fancy shiny thing to play with. Here you go. I might join you for a bit, but then I gotta go. My next Whopper awaits.

CAVALERA - Bestial Devastation (OFFICIAL FULL ALBUM STREAM)

CAVALERA - Morbid Visions (OFFICIAL FULL ALBUM STREAM)

celebrating the anniversary of Megadeth's Countdown to Extinction

July 14, 1992, marks the official street date for Megadeth’s massive fifth studio album, Countdown to Extinction, dropped via Capitol Records. This landmark release stands as the second studio effort to showcase the legendary line-up of Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, David Ellefson, and Nick Menza. The album delivered some of the band's most iconic, career-defining anthems, including "Symphony of Destruction," "Sweating Bullets," and "Skin o' My Teeth," all of which got significant airplay. I think fans to this day want to hear these hits!

Countdown to Extinction was met with widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its sharp, politically charged lyricism and a more streamlined, hard-hitting sonic direction compared to the hyper-technical thrash of Rust in Peace. The record made a massive commercial impact, debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200. It went on to achieve double-platinum status and earned a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 1993 Grammy Awards, while the title track itself took home the Humane Society's Genesis Award for spotlighting animal rights. Wikipedia points out that to honor the record's legacy, Megadeth launched a special 20th-anniversary tour in 2012 where they performed the masterpiece in its entirety, accompanied by a deluxe reissue later that November and a definitive live album chronicle in September 2013.

I like this album, it's Megadeth!

Megadeth - Architecture Of Aggression

remembering Megadeth drummer Gar Samuelson

Gary Charles Samuelson (February 18, 1958 - July 14, 1999) is most known as the 1980s drummer for Megadeth: 1984 Last Rites (demo); 1985 Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!; 1986 Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?. The Metal Archives shows that he worked with: Megadeth, Fatal Opera, Metalist, and The New Yorkers. Personally, I like Gar's work with Megadeth a lot. A reviewer on The Metal Archives named BlackMetal213 observes things to be this way: "He was a skilled drummer playing in jazz fusion bands before and the jazz influence in his drumming is completely obvious here. He was probably the most skilled drummer Megadeth ever employed, dare I say."

Megadeth - Mechanix [Original 1985 Studio Recording]

in memory of bassist Dave Z

David Zablidowsky (June 29, 1979 – July 14, 2017), known affectionately throughout the rock and metal community as Dave Z, had a diverse musical legacy. According to The Metal Archives, his extensive bass work spanned numerous prominent projects, including Adrenaline Mob, Legend, October Thorns, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Chris Caffery, Doctor Butcher, S.O.T.O., and ZO2. The database specifically tracks his 2017 contribution to Adrenaline Mob's final chapter, on the "King of the Ring" single, the "Chasing Dragons" single, and the full-length studio album We the People.

ADRENALINE MOB - King Of The Ring (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

in memory of Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar

In the world of rock and metal music, guitarist Jeffrey Philip LaBar (March 18, 1963 – July 14, 2021) is best known for his work with the long-running American blues-infused hard rock band Cinderella. His primary discography with the band spans four celebrated studio albums: Night Songs (1986), Long Cold Winter (1988), Heartbreak Station (1990), and Still Climbing (1994). Outside of Cinderella, LaBar released the solo effort One for the Road (2014), recorded with Naked Beggars (Naked Beggars in 2003 and Spit It Out in 2005), and played with Freakshow on their self-titled 2009 debut.

While their debut Night Songs broke into massive commercial success on rock radio and MTV, it is the sophomore record Long Cold Winter that really let the cat out of the bag. It showcased a serious love for the blues, and in a surprisingly cunning maneuver, wove those roots seamlessly with a classic 1980s heavy rock production. The result was the sound of a band reborn and renewed, standing out in a major way from the dominant, lightweight poodle rock of the era.

Cinderella - Gypsy Road

brutal death metal anniversary: Suffocation - Blood Oath

According to The Metal Archives, July 14, 2009, is the release date for this particular South American version of the album: Suffocation – Blood Oath (2009, CD, Mutilation Productions). The original first pressing listed on the database dropped earlier that month on July 3, 2009, via Nuclear Blast Records.

The factory settings recommend that Suffocation always sounds best when played loud. Furthermore, in controlled lab tests, there have been observed cases of spontaneous mosh pits breaking out among listeners reacting to the heavy slams. You may want to consult a physician before beginning a strenuous regimen of Suffocation mosh pit activity, especially if you are 35 years of age or older. Some pain medication may help with body aches.

Frank Mullen vocals - Terrance Hobbs guitars - Guy Marchais guitars - Derek Boyer bass - Mike Smith drums

Suffocation - Pray for Forgiveness

death metal vocalist-drummer Mike Browning

Pioneering death metal vocalist and drummer Michael George Browning (May 26, 1964 – July 13, 2026) has passed away. Best known as a co-founder of Morbid Angel and the mastermind behind the sci-fi technical death metal band Nocturnus, his work on releases like The Key (1990) was notable in the Florida death metal scene. While some early database updates noted July 12, official reports and label confirmations mark his passing on July 13, 2026. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Browning left an massive footprint across underground metal. His extensive musical legacy includes work with Nocturnus AD, After Death, Acheron, Incubus, Backlash, Lisa the Wolf, Devine Essence, Argus, Lethal Prayer, Voodoo Gods, Headshock, Heretic, Ice, and his solo project, Mike Browning's Inner Workings.

Nocturnus - Andromeda Strain (Official Audio)

in memory of producer Michael James Jackson

American record producer, engineer, and composer Michael James Jackson (June 20, 1945 – July 13, 2022) is best known in the rock and metal community for producing Kiss during landmark albums like Creatures of the Night (1982) and Lick It Up (1983). Throughout his career, Jackson’s studio work earned him eight gold and six platinum record awards. His diverse resume included engineering and production work for heavy metal and hard rock acts like Armored Saint's debut full-length March of the Saint (1984), in addition to L.A. Guns, and Hurricane, as well as Red Rider and Pablo Cruise. He also frequently collaborated with prominent songwriters and artists, including Paul Stanley, Paul Williams, Jesse Colin Young, Hoyt Axton, and Lauren Wood. Jackson passed away at age 77 on July 13, 2022, in Los Angeles due to complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia.

Kiss - Creatures Of The Night (Visualizer)

Harry Potter black metal anniversary: Slytherin - Has Only Just Begun

The themes of Harry Potter become the sound of atmospheric epic black metal. The Metal Archives says that this is a duo from Los Angeles, California, USA, and their names are Sirius and Paul. Let's go, it's Harry Potter and black metal! Expect midtempo melodic music, and in a few spots there is some melodic singing from what seems to be a guest who is not named nor mentioned.

Slytherin - Has Only Just Begun - July 13, 2024

1. Has Only Just Begun (Part I. Intro) 02:48

2. A Silver Light In the Darkness of Night 03:38

3. The Unforgivable Spells 05:25

4. Four 04:00

5. Forbidden Forest (Part II) 03:34

6. Quidditch (Medieval Folk Version) 02:42

7. We Are the Serpents 04:02

8. Winter Wind 04:04

9. Hoggy Warty Hogwarts 03:48

10. Has Only Just Begun (Part II. Outro) 04:21

total time 38:22

Has Only Just Begun by Slytherin

album anniversary: Dokken - Hell to Pay

I like this album, and a reviewer named hells_unicorn on The Metal Archives seems to agree, even if he is a bit too negative in the assessment. He says, in part:

All around, the collection of songs on here is pretty solid, though stylistically a tad bit inconsistent. When you listen to high octane speed songs like “Don’t Bring Me Down”, coated with brilliant lead guitar breaks and agitated riffs in the vain of “Tooth And Nail”, or catchy mid-tempo rock that hearkens back pretty heavily to classic “Back For The Attack” style ass kicking, you’re certain that this album is going for a retro sound. But then you throw in darker though still heavily catchy and fun songs like “Escape” and “Better Off Before” and you have a hard time believing that it’s the same album, though Don Dokken’s vocals act as a pretty effective anchor in this respect. If there is one song that really captures the duality at work here, it would be the opener “The Last Goodbye”, which somewhat loosely resembles the atmosphere of “Dysfunctional”, but presents a riff set that is more intricate and attention grabbing.

Dokken - Hell to Pay - July 13, 2004 - T&T Records

Don Dokken lead vocals - Jon Levin guitars - Barry Sparks bass, backing vocals - Mick Brown drums, backing vocals

1. The Last Goodbye 04:37

2. Don't Bring Me Down 03:24

3. Escape 04:37

4. Haunted 03:40

5. Prozac Nation 04:32

6. Care for You 04:11

7. Better Off Before 03:01

8. Still I'm Sad 04:37

9. I Surrender 03:03

10. Letter to Home 04:28

11. Can You See 04:09

12. Care for You (unplugged version) 03:59

total time 48:18

Dokken - Don't Bring Me Down

album anniversary: Wytch Hazel - II: Sojourn

Bandcamp shows that these visionaries of melodic classic rock heavy metal delivered their wonderful, excellent second album on July 13, 2018: "Our King He stands triumphant. No death shall not prevail. A reigning hero we call. King of all the land. A King that left His throne and, Gave us a sacrifice. That we may know Him and not. Sins enslaving vice (such a sacrifice). Victory is found in Thee. We were blind but now we see. Victory is found in Thee. We were blind but now we see. A gentle noble leader. The Lion and the Lamb. What royal gives His life all. For the sake of man. When He said 'It is finished'. A victory from the one.Eternal, final battle. That for us was won (that for us was won)."

Wytch Hazel - II: Sojourn - July 13, 2018 - Bad Omen Records

The Devil Is Here - Save My Life - Still We Fight - Wait on the Wind - See My Demons - Barrow Hill - Chorale - Slaves to Righteousness - Victory - Angel Take Me

II: Sojourn by Wytch Hazel

Happy birthday to Petra drummer Louie Weaver!

Born July 13, 1951, American drummer Adrian Louis Weaver III is best known as the long-time powerhouse behind the drum kit for the legendary foundational classic rock missionary band Petra (1972-present) from 1981 until 2001. Joining the lineup in time for their landmark 1982 album More Power to Ya, Weaver anchored the band's rhythm section through their most commercially successful and prolific eras. His steady precision and arena-ready drumming drove over twenty releases (according to Wikipedia), including More Power to Ya (1982), Not of this World (1983), This Means War! (1987), On Fire! (1988) and Beyond Belief (1990). That particular era, saw the band distinguish themselves with a hard rock and heavy metal sound! Across his core tenure lasting until 2001, Louie performed on standard studio records, live outputs, and acoustic projects spanning labels like StarSong and Word/Epic, later returning to record with the Classic Petra project in 2010.

Petra - Creed (Lyrics)

Happy birthday to Napalm Death vocalist Barney!

Born July 13, 1969, British extreme metal vocalist Mark Andrew "Barney" Greenway is best known as the longtime lead singer and primary lyricist for grindcore pioneers Napalm Death. He also notably served as a member of death metal band Benediction and crust punk/grindcore mainstays Extreme Noise Terror.

Napalm Death - Throwaway (Official Audio)

album anniversary: Sons of Liberty – Brush-Fires of the Mind (2010)

According to The Metal Archives, released on July 12, 2010, through Century Media Records, Brush-Fires of the Mind is the debut full-length studio album from Sons of Liberty—the politically charged solo project formed by Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer. The 45-minute, 9-track record heavily featured Schaffer handling the primary vocals, rhythm guitars, and drum programming. It was supported by studio guest contributions including bass by Ruben Drake, piano from Howard Helm, and guitar solos from Troy Seele and engineer/producer Jim Morris. The music is galloping heavy metal and it is rather catchy and thrashy, too.

Jon Schaffer's Sons Of Liberty - Don’t Tread On Me

black metal anniversary: Slechtvalk's album A Forlorn Throne

Released on July 12, 2010, via Whirlwind Records, A Forlorn Throne marks the fourth full-length studio album from Dutch symphonic black/death metal band Slechtvalk. Clocking in at just over 61 minutes, the 9-track release sees the band push deeper into a heavy, battle-driven melodic death/black metal direction. The album features standout epics like "Forsaken" and "Enthroned." The album remains highly regarded by fans, holding a strong 84% average score across reviews on The Metal Archives. I agree! I like this album, and I would give it a higher rating.

Slechtvalk - Forsaken

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remembering legendary KISS drummer Eric Carr on birthday

Eric Carr (born Paul Charles Caravello; July 12, 1950 – November 24, 1991) was an American musician best known as the drummer for Kiss during their heaviest era. Joining the band in 1980 following the departure of Peter Criss, he adopted the stage name Eric Carr and designed his signature "The Fox" persona. Carr anchored the drum throne for over a decade, playing through the band's transition into the 1980s heavy metal landscape on albums like Creatures of the Night (1982) and Lick It Up (1983). He remained an active member of Kiss until his death from heart cancer in November 1991. Personally, I like many, many KISS albums, including all those albums with Eric Carr starting in 1982 until his death.

KISS - Exciter