Happy anniversary BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE Celestial Completion!

According to The Metal Archives, March 29th is the release for the fourth album by Becoming the Archetype (Georgia, USA): 1999-2003 (as Nonexistent Failure), 2003-2004 (as The Remnant), 2004-2013, 2022-present. Check out their progressive death metal below with a song from this album!

Becoming the Archetype

Celestial Completion

Solid State Records

March 29th, 2011

1. The Resonant Frequency of Flesh 02:11, 2. The Magnetic Sky 04:25 3. Internal Illumination 05:10, 4. Path of the Beam 05:00, 5. Music of the Spheres: Requiem Aeternam Part I 01:33, 6. Elemental Wrath: Requiem Aeternam Part II 07:51, 7. Xenosynthesis: Requiem Aeternam Part III 03:16, 8. Invisible Creature 00:41, 9. Cardiac Rebellion 05:17, 10. Reflect/Refract 04:37, 11. Breathing Light 06:32. Total time 46:33.

One review on The Metal Archives gives the album a 92% score, and it says, in part:

Anyway, onto this album, I don't think it's as heavy on the whole as "Dichotomy" was but it sure isn't soft or lackluster either. The technicality of the guitar work is too astonishing to be called a metal core album and they break the metal core tag when they fuse in a piano and trumpets. Tracks 2 , 6, 7, 9, & 11 are all great tracks. Track 8 really didn't need to be a separate track at all even for an interlude or intro to track 9. It was pointless. The lyrics are intelligent and of course are full of religious context but it doesn't take away for those that are not Christian. The album features tempo changes and seamless transitions and even some lengthy tracks to keep the listener's attention. If you've not heard BTA, listen to this album, and then go on to "Dichotomy" and you'll be hooked.

Another review on The Metal Archives gives the album 84%, and it says, in part:

The rest of the album is kind of a free-for-all, but at the same time it has a flow. Each song could easily stand on its own as a single, but somehow they also work together in harmony. Like I said before, it isn't Dichotomy, but it's definitely the second best out of their catalog. Don't believe the bad reviews from metal purists. Listen for yourself and you won't be disappointed.

Becoming The Archetype - The Magnetic Sky (Official Music Video)

Happy anniversary CAVALERA CONSPIRACY Blunt Force Trauma!

Cavalera Conspiracy

Blunt Force Trauma

Roadrunner Records

March 29, 2011

Wikipedia shows that this is the release date for the second album by the Cavalera Conspiracy, from the two former member brothers from Sepultura. The groove thrash metal is all about this album. The songs are short and they get to the point quickly, almost like a reaction to the experimentation that they have done in other eras. This is basic, brutal, loud, aggressive, ugly Cavalera metal!

Max Cavalera (rhythm guitars, vocals, songwriting, lyrics) — Iggor Cavalera (drums, percussion) — Marc Rizzo (lead guitars, backing vocals on track 3) — Johny Chow (bass).

1. "Warlord" (3:05) — 2. "Torture" (1:51) — 3. "Lynch Mob" (2:31) — 4. "Killing Inside" (3:28) — 5. "Thrasher" (2:49) — 6. "I Speak Hate" (3:10) — 7. "Target" (2:36) — 8. "Genghis Khan" (4:23) — 9. "Burn Waco" (2:52) — 10. "Rasputin" (3:22) — 11. "Blunt Force Trauma" (3:58) — 12. "Psychosomatic" (3:07) — 13. "Jihad Joe" (3:28) — 14. "Electric Funeral" (5:39). Total length: 46:19.

Cavalera Conspiracy - Killing Inside

Happy anniversary to the LED ZEPPELIN album Houses of the Holy!

March 28th is the release date for the fifth album, according to both the official Led Zeppelin website and Wikipedia. As it often the case with Led Zeppelin, the critics were not happy because the band did not deliver an album similar to the previous one, but the American rock fans did not care and it was another success for the band. The album feels like an adventure, in a good way. Credit to that 1970s American generation of rock fans that was intelligent in recognizing and greatness when they heard it! By the way, on Houses of the Holy neither the band’s name nor the album title appears on the original front or back cover art. How's that for confidence?!

Led Zeppelin

Houses of the Holy

Atlantic Records

March 28, 1973 USA

March 30, 1973 UK

Robert Plant – Jimmy Page – John Paul Jones – John Bonham

The Song Remains the Same. The Rain Song. Over the Hills and Far Away. The Crunge. Dancing Days. D'yer Mak'er. No Quarter. The Ocean.

Led Zeppelin roars out of the gate with a throw-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink-at-them approach. Confident and adventurous, skilled and creative, Led Zeppelin—as Jimmy Page has explained in interviews—was meant to be a guitar tour de force. It was also intended to be free from the limitations and expectations that they should deliver the same album every time. Led Zeppelin does whatever Led Zeppelin feels like doing! The following assessment is from Wikipedia.

The album was a stylistic turning point for the band. The composition and production laid foundations for subsequent releases. According to the band's biographer Dave Lewis, "while the barnstorming effect of the early era was now levelling off, and though devoid of the electricity of Zeppelin I and II, the sheer diversity of the third album, and lacking the classic status of the fourth, Houses of the Holy nevertheless found its rightful niche." The album largely abandoned their previous music's weighty, dark blues rock distortion in favor of a clean, expansive rock sound—as evinced by Page's sharper, brighter guitar tone. It was also likely the most eclectic musically of their albums, in the opinion of Consequence of Sound writer Kristofer Lenz, who observed swing rhythms on "Dancing Days", and experiments with reggae and psychedelic music on "D'yer Mak'er" and "No Quarter", respectively. Pete Prown and HP Newquist have called it "a diverse collection of rockers, ballads, reggae, funk, and fifties-style rock 'n' roll."

Led Zeppelin - Over the Hills and Far Away (Live at Madison Square Garden 1973) [HD]

Led Zeppelin - Over the Hills and Far Away (Official Audio)

remembering IRON ANGEL vocalist Dirk Schröder (1967-2025)

Dirk Schröder (January 22, 1967 - March 28, 2025)

(Rock Hard Magazine [Germany]: On March 31, 2025, Rock Hard published an obituary stating that Dirk Schröder passed away on March 28.)

My favorite era of Iron Angel (Germany) is the two 1980s albums on Steamhammer. With Dirk on vocals, they came out with their 1985 debut album, Hellish Crossfire. The music is a type of fast melodic heavy metal and thrash with, in my opinion, a bit of an Accept-style singing, rough around the edges, not very sugary, but the man actually is singing and hitting high notes in his own way. Again, it is not super melodic singing, but it is not just wild screaming like a thrash band. Then, in 1986, they made a quick return with Winds of War, an album showcasing a cleaner and more melodic sound while keeping the speed elements. They were moving away from pure speed metal and were adding more melody and more melodic singing. I like both albums. Of course, the lyrics are typical 1980s themes: war, battles, malevolent characters and spirits, and songs about metal music.

While the albums sounded good, something was seriously wrong within the band. After that second album, after having worked hard since 1980 to get a record deal and recognition, which they got, they split up and became one of those good 1980s German bands that fans wondered what happened to. It was certainly unfortunate; they worked hard and were making progress, and they had the same lineup for both albums. If they had stayed together, their status today would certainly be more than a cult band.

Dirk began in the early 1980s with a band called Metal Gods in Hamburg, which eventually evolved into Iron Angel. His distinct, aggressive vocal style was first captured on the band's iconic demos, Power Metal Attack and Legions of Evil, which quickly earned them a contract with the SPV/Steamhammer label and solidified their place in metal history. Dirk brought back the name Iron Angel with different musicians (not the 1980s lineup)from 2014 until his passing on March 28, 2025. They did two albums, Hellbound in 2018 and Emerald Eyes in 2020. He was the only original member in the final lineup. That being said, it may be surprising but it is totally true: these last albums are a very serious attempt to make albums that can stand up well compared to the 1980s albums, and I think that they do. It is still speed metal, and in a way, these two albums are closer to Hellish Crossfire, making sure that it is headbanging metal music.

Iron Angel - The Metallian

Happy anniversary to the epoch-making LED ZEPPELIN debut Led Zeppelin!

Late March is the UK release date for the foundational Led Zeppelin debut. Coming after the success of the early British Invasion bands, Led Zeppelin set the standard for heavy rock. In particular, American audiences were very welcoming to Led Zeppelin and would soon propel them to stardom in the U.S. and then internationally.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

Atlantic Records

January 12, 1969 (USA)

March 28, 1969 UK (according to Godledblog)

March 31, 1969 UK (according to Wikipedia)

Robert Plant – Jimmy Page – John Paul Jones – John Bonham –

Good Times Bad Times. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. You Shook Me. Dazed And Confused. Your Time Is Gonna Come. Black Mountain Side. Communication Breakdown. I Can't Quit You Baby. How Many More Times.

Led Zeppelin vs. Rolling Stone (1969)

Rolling Stone magazine is notorious for having gotten it all so wrong. John Mendelsohn gave the album a very negative review:

"‘Led Zeppelin’: Blues Combo Dead on Arrival. Jimmy Page is, admittedly, an extraordinarily proficient blues guitarist and explorer of his instrument’s electronic capabilities. Unfortunately, he is also a very limited producer and a writer of weak, unimaginative songs. The most representative cut is “How Many More Times.” Here, a jazzy introduction gives way to a driving, guitar-dominated background for Robert Plant’s strained and unconvincing shouting. Zeppelin has produced an album sadly reminiscent of the Jeff Beck Group’s Truth. To fill the void created by the demise of Cream, they will have to find some material worthy of their collective attention."

American rock fans strongly disagreed with Rolling Stone. They voted with their money and their feet. The album was a massive success, and fans quickly began to fill the venues. The rest is history.

Led Zeppelin - Good Times Bad Times (Official Audio)

remembering RIOT guitarist Louie Kouvaris (1954-2020)

Louis Antonios Kouvaris (April 20, 1954 - March 28, 2020) (according to The Metal Archives)

The Metal Archives shows that Lou Kouvaris worked with Riot from 1975–1978. It says he played guitar on the 1977 "Warrior / Tokyo Rose" single, on the 1977 album Rock City (as "L.A. Kouvaris"), and on the 1978 "Rock City / Gypsy Queen" single. He also appears on the 2018 compilation Archives Volume One: 1976-1981, playing guitar on tracks CD-8, CD-10, and CD-15 as "Lou A. Kouvaris."

The Metal Archives lists several other projects he worked with, including: Diamond, Faded Blue, Harlequin, Prism, Riot Act, Satelite, Smoke, Special Forces, Sweetalk, and The Hots. However, the Metal Archives does not include pages for most of these artists; the only one listed with a full profile is Riot.

Riot is an American heavy metal band originally from New York, USA. They were active from 1975–1984, 1986–2012, and from 2013 to the present. They now go by the name Riot V following the death of the band's founder, guitarist, and sole constant member, Mark Reale, on January 25, 2012. After Mark died from complications of Crohn's disease, the surviving members—longtime bassist Don Van Stavern and guitarist Mike Flyntz—continued the musical legacy. The "V" in their name signifies that this is the fifth era of the band.

Riot - Warrior (from the 1977 album Rock City)

Happy anniversary to the KING'S X album Out of the Silent Planet!

According to Wikipedia, March 28th is the release date for this album. I like the melodic classic/heavy rock of King's X, and for a long time, I mistakenly thought that this was their debut album. Wikipedia says that they were called Sneak Preview before and even released an album under that name!Regardless of my error, I think this is a wonderful debut. To me, this is a pretty cool sound: it's prog, it's melodic, and it's classic rock. It has a nice conglomeration of sounds (like those vocal melodies and that specific guitar sound) that makes it the sound of King's X. Wikipedia has some interesting tidbits of history about the album, and it says:

Out of the Silent Planet is the second studio album by the American rock band King's X (and the first to be released under that name), released in 1988. The title of the album comes from that of a book by C. S. Lewis, an author favored by band members Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill. "Out of the Silent Planet" is also the title of the first track from the follow-up album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. The cover art features the skyline of Houston with the southern outline of the state of Texas. The album received widespread acclaim from music contemporaries. Pantera bassist Rex Brown commented of his and Dimebag Darrell's impressions, noting "Dime called me and said, 'Dude, have you heard this? Have you checked out King's X?'" He says. "We went on a long road trip, and we must have listened to that first record I don't know how many times, and we couldn't stop! This was the sound that Dime and I were always looking for." The Houston Chronicle noted that "the playing is ferocious, unencumbered with studio trickery, and the emerging vision elevates this music into its own sphere... If it 'has' to [be] considered heavy metal, it is the most original metal since Van Halen burst on the scene 10 years ago."

King's X

Out of the Silent Planet

Megaforce

March 28, 1988

Doug Pinnick – bass, lead vocals

Ty Tabor – guitars, backing vocals

Jerry Gaskill – drums, backing vocals

1. "In the New Age" 5:23, 2. "Goldilox" 4:41, 3. "Power of Love" 4:57, 4. "Wonder" 4:13, 5. "Sometimes" 3:40, 6. "King" 3:01, 7. "What Is This?" 3:48, 8. "Far, Far Away" 4:14, 9. "Shot of Love" 3:15, 10. "Visions" 5:11.

King's X - King

https://www.facebook.com/KingsXofficial

in memory of MANOWAR guitarist Ross the Boss (1954-2026)

Ross H. Friedman (January 3, 1954 - March 26, 2026)

I know the music of Ross the Boss (New York, USA) through Manowar and the band Ross the Boss. The Metal Archives shows that Ross the Boss was in Manowar from 1980 to 1988, but also in various other bands and projects: Brain Surgeons, Manitoba's Wild Kingdom, Ross the Boss, Death Dealer (California), Heyday, Manitoba, Shakin' Street, The Dictators, and Total Crudd. For fans of heavy metal, Ross "The Boss" Friedman is perhaps best known for his work with Manowar, but his career is a lot more storied than just his time in that band. He played many styles, including punk rock and heavy metal. He started his career in 1973 with a punk band called The Dictators. Later on, he worked with a hard rock band called Shakin' Street. While on tour with them in 1980, he met Joey DeMaio, and they started Manowar. Ross played on the first six albums, including classics like Battle Hymns and Kings of Metal. After Manowar, he went back to playing rock and punk. He played in several groups like Manitoba's Wild Kingdom, The Brain Surgeons, and reunions with The Dictators. In 2006, he started his own metal band called Ross the Boss. He also joined the band Death Dealer (California) in 2012. He released a new album with Death Dealer called Reign of Steel in early 2026. Sadly, he was diagnosed with ALS in February 2026 and passed away on March 26, 2026.

Manowar - Kings of Metal (1988 album Kings of Metal)

Ross the Boss - I Got the Right (2008 album New Metal Leader)

Happy anniversary to SLYTHERIN's album Has Only Just Begun!

Slytherin is Harry Potter-themed atmospheric, melodic midtempo extreme metal. The Metal Archives calls them atmospheric black metal, but on this album the music is midtempo melodic doom metal, with both extreme and melodic singing. Personally, I feel like the music on this album is closer to gothic doom than anything else, and not black metal, speaking simply about genres. The album is ten songs in a bit over 38 minutes of music. On Bandcamp it says the project is: "Sirius - vocal, keyboards and drum programing, and Paul - guitar and bass." I certainly recommend it to fans of doom and gothic doom, and if doom fans are also Harry Potter fans, then, man oh man oh man, is this the album for them! The perfect meeting of the worlds is here.

Slytherin

Has Only Just Begun

More Hate Productions

March 27th, 2025 (CD version)

July 13th, 2024 (digital version)

I hope this summary is correct: In the Harry Potter universe created by J.K. Rowling, Slytherin is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was founded by Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of the school. The House values ambition, cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness. Its students are often described as being achievement-oriented and with a strong sense of self-preservation. Animal: The Serpent (snake). Colors: Green and Silver. Element: Water.

Has Only Just Begun by Slytherin

Happy anniversary to GOD FORBID's album Equilibrium (2012)!

According to the information on The Metal Archives, this is the sixth full-length by God Forbid (New Jersey, USA), from New Wave of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM), which often includes names like Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, and Chimaira of the early to mid 2000s sound that, in my opinion, brought back metal to American rock, as a reaction to the rap rock of nu-metal. By the time of this album, the band keeps their thrash-heavy roots and rhythmic grooves with more prominent clean vocal hooks. The music is often more intricate and more technical, for a more focused, more melodic thrash/heavy metal feel, and less core.

God Forbid

Equilibrium

March 27th, 2012

Victory Records

The album is 13 songs for almost 54 minutes of music, according to The Metal Archives. This is the title and music video. I would say that in general the album is a bit more aggressive than this particuar song, but this songs shows the melodic aspects of the music.

God Forbid - Equilibrium

Jernlov - crowdfunding for third album Redemption

The Metal Archives shows that Jernlov (Norwegian for "Iron Law") is an extreme metal project from Norway. Other sources say that they are from western Norway, from Ålesund. Formed by Alf Petter Engeset (guitars, bass, and synths) and drummer Zuriel, the band emerged from a previous project called Heidre. Jernlov is high-intensity, melodic black metal with a spiritual lyrical focus. Since the band does not have a permanent vocalist, they do collaborations with vocalists from the unblack and extreme metal scenes.

Currently, they are doing a crowdfunding campaign to release their third album Redemption.

"JERNLOV is back again with their third album REDEMPTION - but we need your help to make it happen! 👇 🇳🇴 The western Norwegians have delivered a stellar extreme metal performance and we are really happy to share these news with you. But, as things stand now we don't have enough of a buffer to justify this release, so we are launching a crowdfunding where you can buy the exact same items as you normally would and support the release at the same time. If it doesn't go through, you get all your money back through Indiegogo - so it's a safe investment for you! Thank you for your support"

Jernlov - Redemption (Official Lyric Video)

https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/nordicmission/jernlov-redemption

Armored Saint - Close to the Bone (Official Video)

Armored Saint has a new album coming up! Armored Saint formed in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. They gained momentum with their self-titled EP and three studio albums under Chrysalis Records—March of the Saint (1984), Delirious Nomad (1985), and Raising Fear (1987). A defining moment was in 1990 with the death of original guitarist Dave Prichard, followed by the release of their critically acclaimed 1991 album Symbol of Salvation. Shortly after, the band entered a hiatus when lead vocalist John Bush joined the thrash metal band Anthrax. Since reuniting in 1999, the lineup has remained the same, releasing several well-received records including Revelation (2000) and Punching the Sky (2020). In 2026 the boys return with Emotion Factory Reset. I'm looking forward to it!

Armored Saint

Emotion Factory Reset

May 22nd, 2026

Metal Blade Records

1. Close to the Bone 04:10

2. Every Man-Any Man 04:21

3. Not on Your Life 03:37

4. Hit a Moonshoot 04:35

5. Buckeye 05:56

6. Compromise 03:18

7. It's a Buzzkill 04:01

8. Throwing Caution to the Wind

9. Ladders and Slides 04:21

10. Bottom Feeder 05:03

11. Epilogue 04:42

total time 48:01

Armored Saint - Close to the Bone (Official Video)

https://www.facebook.com/thearmoredsaint

Happy anniversary to BORKNAGAR's album Urd (2012)!

According to The Metal Archives today is the release date for this album. This album feels like a supergroup! The room is filled with talent and skill. Urd is the ninth studio album by the Norwegian progressive metal band Borknagar. It has the singing trifecta with Vintersorg, ICS Vortex, and Lars all sharing singing duties. It is also the full-time return of ICS Vortex to the lineup after a decade-long absence. Musically, the album is a balance of black metal with complex, avant-garde arrangements and also the folk melodies, and more. Really, just look at the lineup (according to The Metal Archives), and wow, just take your time with the album. It's not too easy to understand at once, but man, this is such a good album. It's also so nice, so very nice to hear ICS Vortex singing again with the band.

Borknagar

Urd

Century Media Records

March 26, 2012

Øystein G. Brun Guitars, Guitars (acoustic)

Jens F. Ryland Guitars (lead)

ICS Vortex Bass, Vocals (clean, choirs)

Lars A. Nedland Keyboards, Vocals (clean, choirs)

Vintersorg Vocals (harsh, clean, choirs)

David Kinkade Drums, Percussion

Epilogue (03:39), 2. The Earthling (05:51), 3. The Flaming Signals (05:36), 4. The World Heritage (03:32), 5. Mount Enduring (06:09), 6. In a World of My Own (05:22), 7. Omens (05:23), 8. The Winter Eclipse (08:44), 9. In Soulastis (03:38). Total Runtime: 47:54.

BORKNAGAR - The Earthling (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Happy anniversary to the SEVENDUST album Black Out the Sun (2013)!

According to Wikipedia, March 26 is the release date of this album. The music video for the song "Decay" on YouTube has more than 4 millions views! It is the ninth studio album by Sevendust. Critics have observed that the album is a return to the band's heavier roots. It debuted at #18 on the Billboard 200 and features the hit single "Decay." The title was inspired by a dream lead singer Lajon Witherspoon had about the sun disappearing!

Sevendust

Black Out the Sun

7Bros Records / Asylum Records

March 26, 2013

Memory (01:24), 2. Faithless (04:10), 3. Till Death (03:06), 4. Mountain (03:08), 5. Cold as War (04:03), 6. Black Out the Sun (03:27), 7. Nobody Wants It (03:10), 8. Dead Roses (03:01), 9. Decay (03:25), 10. Dark AM (03:28), 11. Picture Perfect (03:47), 12. Got a Feeling (04:32), 13. Murder Bar (03:42). Total Runtime: 44:23.

SEVENDUST - "DECAY" - Official Music Video

https://www.facebook.com/sevendustofficial

Happy birthday to DEMON HUNTER's Jeremiah Scott!

Jeremiah Scott is a Nashville-based producer, engineer, and guitarist. He joined Demon Hunter in 2011 and has produced, engineered, and played guitar on every major release since, including Extremist (2014) and the 2025 album There Was A Light Here. His engineering work is very extensive, including Judas Priest's Invincible Shield (2024), to name but one example, but there are so many more! Jeremiah is a longtime collaborator with Living Sacrifice, handling production and mixing for albums like The Infinite Order (2010) and Ghost Thief (2013). His early career includes being a songwriter and member of The Showdown and Destroy Destroy Destroy. He also produced bands like The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza and a bunch of other bands.

Demon Hunter "I'm Done" Official Music Video

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

Happy birthday to IMPENDING DOOM guitarist Manny Contreras!

Manuel Contreras (born Mar 26th, 1989) (according to The Metal Archives)

Today, March 26, is the birthday of Manny Contreras, guitarist for the American deathcore band Impending Doom. According to The Metal Archives, Contreras has been a central member of the lineup for two major periods: from 2005 to 2010 and from 2012 to the present. His recording history with the band begins with the 2005 demo The Sin and Doom of Godless Men and includes full-length albums such as Nailed. Dead. Risen. (2007), The Serpent Servant (2009), Death Will Reign (2013), and The Sin and Doom Vol. II (2018). His work with them is also featured on the EPs Hellbent (2021), Last Days (2023), and Towards the Light (2025), and the 2026 single "Holy Death."

Impending Doom - More Than Conquerors 8/22/25

https://www.facebook.com/impendingdoom

Happy anniversary to the SLECHTVALK album At the Dawn of War (2005)!

According to Amazon Music (and apparently also Apple Music) this album was released on March 26, 2005. The Metal Archives does not give a specific date, and says only February 2005.

Slechtvalk is known for their battle, war and biblical themes. The general consensus is that this is the Dutch symphonic black metal band's breakthrough album because this is where they achieve a grander sound, with a full band lineup and an epic, medieval war concept with high-speed blast beats with sweeping keyboards and operatic soprano vocals. This album has the song "Thunder of War" that their fans like. This is Slechtvalk's third album and it is ambitious, with a variety of moods from full-on, upfront traditional black metal speeds to slower segments where they let the melodies breathe a bit more. The album is a bit over 56 minutes long, so it is recommended for listeners interested in black metal or who are already fans of black metal.

Slechtvalk

At the Dawn of War

Fear Dark

March 24, 2005

Hydrith (keyboards) - Shamgar (vocals, guitars) - Ohtar (guitars, vocals) - Grimbold (drums) - Premnath (bass) - Fionnghuala (soprano vocals)

From Dark to Light (01:14), 2. At the Dawn of War (04:15), 3. On the Eve of Battle (06:17), 4. Loyalty (03:59), 5. My Last Call (05:22), 6. In Love and Death (03:41), 7. Desertion (05:25), 8. Under a Dark Sky (05:07), 9. Black Raven Sky (04:47), 10. Thunder of War (04:12), 11. A Plea for Help (06:05). Total Runtime: 56:36.

SLECHTVALK - Thunder of War

https://www.facebook.com/Slechtvalk.metal/

remembering OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Randy Castillo (1950-2002)

Randolph Frank Castillo (December 18, 1950 - March 26, 2002) (according to The Metal Archives)

The Metal Archives shows that Randy drummed for famous artists like Lita Ford and Motley Crue, and his most notable work was with Ozzy Osbourne, with whom with worked from 1985 until 1994, and then again in 1995, 1996, 1998. For me, the most notable albums that I associate with Randy are The Ultimate Sin (1986), No Rest for the Wicked (1988) and No More Tears (1991).

R.I.P - Randy Castillo - solo Ozzy Osbourne /band/

Ozzy Osbourne - Moscow Peace Festival 1989 (720p50)

Frostnatt - Putin attacks black metal in Russia

On March 23rd, 2026 the instrumental black metal project Frostnatt (Russia) posted an update on Facebook about the situation for black metal in Russia. It says:

I want to share my thoughts about what is happening on the Russian black metal scene today and talk about something you may not have heard about.

On March 14, a small black metal festival called "Funeral of the Winter" took place in Yaroslavl, Russia. It was interrupted by police officers during a live performance. Both attendees and musicians were forced face down onto the floor and kept in that position for about five hours. Some of them were taken away and tortured. I have seen photos taken immediately after the torture. There were clumps of hair torn out and blood on the floor. The police were looking for "extremist" (pagan) tattoos, interrogating people, and pressuring them to go to war with Ukraine as soldiers.

The reasons for this police action were: an inverted cross in the organizer's logo, the pagan aesthetics of the concert, and the alleged connection of the bands to a far-right scene. Among the affected bands, I would like to specifically mention the band Nebokray, whose vocalist runs the underground label Der Schwarze Tod, which released all the Frostnatt full-length albums on CD.

This situation sounds so absurd that it is hard to believe, but unfortunately, it is true. This is the reality of the black metal scene in Russia, especially for bands that use even a small amount of pagan, anti-Christian, or similar aesthetics. This is not the first and will not be the last case of abuse of power by the Russian regime. Earlier, in February, police officers stopped a concert by the band Nechist' and arrested the musicians.

I have not found any statements from other Russian black metal bands expressing support for the affected bands or condemning the Russian authorities regarding this situation. Apparently, fear of ending up in the same situation forces people into self-censorship and silence. This is a perfect example of atomization. In this regard, I want to remind you that the Russian regime is an enemy not only to the rest of the world, but also to Russians themselves. Do not equate the two. I want to thank everyone who, despite the global demonization of Russians, continues to listen to and support Russian bands.

Den Evige Vinters Rike by Frostnatt

https://www.facebook.com/frostnattofficial

MYSTFALL - Kings of Utopia (Official Video) (operatic metal)

Mystfall is a relatively new band in the world of symphonic metal music. They are from Greece, and they began in 2022. Their debut album is from 2023 and it is called Celestial Vision, released by Scarlet Records. They are characterized by operatic vocals and orchestral arrangements. The song "Kings of Utopia" comes from from Celestial Vision. The music video for the track captures the band's grand aesthetic: operatic metal music!

This video is from their previous album, but they have a new album released on March 20th, 2026 on Scarlet Records: Embers of a Dying World.

MYSTFALL - Kings of Utopia (Official Video)

https://www.facebook.com/mystfallofficial

Embers Of A Dying World by Mystfall

Scorpions - I'm Going Mad (Nordschau 1972)

Recently I saw this old Scorpions footage posted on their Facebook page. It's fun to see how things were in the 1970s for Scorpions!

Scorpions - I'm Going Mad (Nordschau 1972)

https://www.facebook.com/Scorpions

Happy anniversary to the ABBATH album Dread Reaver (2022)!

According to The Metal Archives, this is the date of release of the third Abbath album Dread Reaver. I like the way that this man Abbath approaches songwriting, whether it is the black metal of Immortal, the metal of the project I or the present-day albums of Abbath. This album is headbanging metal music. Many fans appreciate the music as much as I do. This album does not have a ton of reviews on The Metal Archives, but there are a couple of knowledgeable reviews that make, in my opinion, accurate observations. One reviewer says, "As for the songs itselves, each of them have some memorable and at least a bit interesting motives. We have faster tempos and blast beats (Acid Haze), catchy choruses and characteristic riffs (Dream Cull, Dread Reaver), slightly more unusual vocals and melodic solos hidden in the chaos (Scarred Core) and last but definitely not least, a more classic to black metal and very atmospheric song - Septentrion. There's also a cover of Metallica's Trapped Under Ice ... The overall structure of the record is, like the production, something that has to grow in you, but eventually turns out to be pretty well-thought." A second reviewer also agrees, "Dread Reaver is everything you could want from this record: slight improvements on the production, guitar work, and songwriting, but not enough stylistic variation to lose its landing. Abbath, for the most part, sticks to the guns that put him at the top of the black metal mountain."

Everything about it is good! The guitars, the vocals, the rhythm section and the songwriting, of course. Awesome album.

Abbath

Dread Reaver

Season of Mist

March 25th, 2022

Abbath - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Songwriting

Ukri Suvilehto - Drums

Mia Wallace - Bass (tracks 1, 2, 5, 9)

Ole André Farstad - Guitars (lead, acoustic)

1. Acid Haze - 2. Scarred Core - 3. Dream Cull - 4. Myrmidon - 5. The Deep Unbound - 6. Septentrion - 7. Trapped Under Ice (Metallica cover) - 8. The Book of Breath - 9. Dread Reaver. The total running time is 39:01.

ABBATH - Dread Reaver (2022) Full Album Stream

Happy anniversary to a classic of classics SEPULTURA's Arise (1991)!

The Metal Archives shows that this album was released on this date.

In my opinion, Sepultura broke onto the international metal scene with the 1989 masterful, classic of classics Beneath the Remains and touring like crazy and putting on at this time the best metal concerts that you ever saw in your life. This band played tight but intense and crazy and put out a tremendous amount energy that the crowds fed off of. The iron was hot! The struck again with Arise in 1991. In my opinion, these two albums and their extensive touring and great shows really built this band internationally into something that had to be seen.

Sepultura

Arise

Roadrunner Records

March 25, 1991

Max Cavalera – Andreas Kisser – Paulo Jr. – Igor Cavalera

Arise (03:18), 2. Dead Embryonic Cells (04:52), 3. Desperate Cry (06:40), 4. Murder (03:26), 5. Subtraction (04:46), 6. Altered State (06:34), 7. Under Siege (Regnum Irae) (04:53), 8. Meaningless Movements (04:40), 9. Infected Voice (03:18). Total Runtime: 42:27.

Sepultura - Intro & Arise [Under Siege Live In Barcelona 1991]