Watch Dirk Verbeuren of Megadeth Perform a Drum Playthrough for The Track “The Last Howl” by Savage Lands


Dirk Verbeuren has shared a new drum playthrough for the “The Last Howl” track from his new project Savage Lands. Savage Lands is a non-profit organization co-founded by Dirk, focused on the preservation and reforestation of threatened lands in Costa Rica. “The Last Howl” is their first single and features John Tardy (Obituary) on vocals and Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) on lead guitar. Watch Dirk’s playthrough with his new Meinl Cymbals, on their YouTube channel.  Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival 2023 – Part 2


 

SATURDAY

With the weather nothing like the crispy oven-cooked hellfire of last year’s Summerpocalypse, Bloodstock is a much happier place this year, and not even the first downpour of the weekend can dampen the spirits. Especially as today is Corpse-paint Day where everyone is invited to daub themselves in black and white make-up and become angry badgers for the next few hours.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Cavalera – Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions


 

Okay, so it was decided that Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions (Nuclear Blast) were to be plucked from the Sepultura catalog for re-recording by founding members Max and Igor Cavalera. Can we all agree on that? Great. Now legions of fans will pound and holler about “we already have those available on CD and on streaming.” Then the other side of the audience moans about the Cavalera siblings being greedy or some such shit.

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Roadrunner United Release Celebrating The Iconic Label to See a Rerelease in 2023


 

Roadrunner United was a project organized by iconic hard rock record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary, culminating in the U.S. Billboard Top 200, UK Albums, and Australian ARIA Albums-charting original The All Star Sessions. Four “team captains” (Slipknot’s Joey Jordison (RIP), Machine Head’s Robb Flynn, Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares, and Trivium’s Matthew K. Heafy) were chosen to lead 57 artists from 45 past and present Roadrunner bands. On December 15, 2005, a concert celebrating the project, album, and anniversary took place at the Nokia Theater in New York City. That star-studded event featured multiple musicians, both past and present, from Roadrunner bands — as well as musicians that did not originally perform on the All-Star Sessions album. Now that album is getting a release in 2023 on multiple formats. Watch the live performance video of “The End (Live)” featuring Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares, and Trivium’s Matthew K. Heafy – right now! 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Armed for Apocalypse – Ritual Violence


 

How to best describe what Armed for Apocalypse’s Ritual Violence (Candlelight Records) sounds like? While I’ve never had the pleasure, I imagine it’s much like jamming a knife into an electrical outlet. Not sure if that analogy will work for everyone. Well, it’s like witnessing the centerpiece car wreck from Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. Shit, barely anyone saw that movie. Just know that it’s abrasive and the average listener should approach with upmost caution. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sepultura – Sepulnation – The Studio Albums 1998-2009


When Brazilian thrash legends Sepultura parted ways with frontman Max Cavalera in 1996, many thought that would be the end of the road. An acrimonious divorce that seemed to favour neither party, the remaining members auditioned several well known musicians before eventually choosing Ohio born Derrick Green as the man to replace the outgoing Cavalera brother.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sepultura – Quadra


It’s been twenty-three years since Derrick Green joined Brazilian thrash legends Sepultura. Although proving to be a hit with many, not everyone took to the new frontman straight away (if at all). The main reason for this seeming to be a simple case of – “he’s not Max”. Well, Derrick has been a part of Sepultura for almost twice as long as his predecessor now. Of course, this doesn’t magically make his material better, but it should at least give him a little slack. And let’s face it if you’re reading this, then at the very least, you’ve got some interest in post-Max Seps. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Creeping Death – Wretched Illusions


Call me a Democrat candidate because I’m about to shamelessly pander to the youth; Creeping Death‘s Wretched Illusions (eOne) fucks. I think I typed that out correctly. That’s the saying, right, fellow kids? All that nonsense aside, know that Creeping Death is here and much like their Texan brethren in Power Trip, they’ve packed all the riffs and mosh parts that a growing boy needs from their metal. Continue reading


Metal Allegiance Live At The Van Buren


Metal and rock Supergroup Metal Allegiance kicked off their 5th-anniversary tour last month with a slamming show at The Van Buren, in Phoenix Arizona. Presented by the Murder In The Front Row movie and Loudwire featured the core members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (Testament), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head). Also returning to the MA live show ranks after a three-year hiatus, vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night of the mini-tour offered a unique experience as with any MA gig. Tonight they were joined by local legends Max Cavalera (Soulfly), as well as members of Sacred Reich and Flotsam and Jetsam. It was a dream come true for music fans, and hopefully a harbinger of more shows to come! Check out this video recap of the tour and our photo set!Continue reading


Metal Allegiance To Celebrate Their Fifth Anniversary with Four Shows Next Month


As we previously reported, Thrash Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance will celebrate five years as a band next month, and now will party up with fans at four west coast shows! Presented by Murder In The Front Row and Loudwire will feature the core four members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head) and returning to the MA live show ranks after a three year hiatus, Grammy Award-winning vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night will offer a unique experience as with any Metal Allegiance show, you never know who will drop by to join the festivities. For the April 17th show in Phoenix, the band will be joined by Max Cavalera (Soulfly), the April 20th show in San Francisco will include Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus) and Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus). Opening the four nights are Superfix and Weapons Of Anew.

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