CONCERT REVIEW: Rat King – Abhoria – Whythre Live at Southgate Roller Rink


One of the most beautiful things about music is that there is always more to explore. Having lived near Seattle for more than 10 years, I’ve had a lot of chances to catch some local talent. But occasionally, you miss a band for a while. However, having finally caught local Death Metal/Grindcore trio Rat King, I can say that sometimes you must follow the hype. Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Casey Hurd of Hinayana on “Shatter And Fall” – and The Origin of Their Band Name Death Metal


Last fall Keefy caught up with Cassy Hurd of Hinayana! They released their album “Shatter And Fall” via Napalmrecords and toured Europe with Wolfheart late in 2023! Cassey took us from his start as solo Death Metal artist to meeting and forming a band with his now best friends, and much more! Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Mutilation Barbecue – Amalgamations of Gore


Come on, you know what this is. A band shows up with a name like Mutilation Barbecue with an album titled Amalgamations of Gore (Maggot Stomp Records)and you know the Green Day crowd’s ears perked up. This will be the talk of the town on TikTok or wherever else annoying teenagers congregate and commiserate about missing out on Hawthorne Heights’ day in the sun. Hell, this one may even make the playlist at your local Starbucks. You just get a feeling, you know. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Coffins – Sinister Oath


Sinister Oath (Relapse Relapse), the sixth full-length from Tokyo-based Coffins, is a measuring stick for the Death/Doom scene, providing an undeniable starting point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the genre, performers and fans alike. Continue reading


The Summer Slaughter Tour to Finally Return This Summer After Four Years


According to a report from our friends at Lambgoat.com, The Summer Slaughter Tour will return after a four-year absence in 2024! Their official Instagram shared an image stating “We Are Back!” as well as Sumerian Records, a regular sponsor of the tour and provider of bands and support! The tour will be from July-August and will take place in US and Canada. The post also featured the track “Dynasty” from Brand of Sacrifice, hinting that they may be a part of the tour lineup. The band was on The Summer Slaughter tour in 2019. First taking place in 2007 in the USA and expanding to Canada, and Europe, the tour was responsible for the growth of popularity, especially in the USA of such bands as Necrophagist, The Black Dahlia Murder, Decapitated, Job For A Cowboy, Suicide Silence, Between The Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders, Cattle Decapitation, The Faceless, Periphery, and more. See the post below. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Hideous Divinity – Unextinct


When it comes to Italian Brutal Technical Death Metal heavyweights Hideous Divinity, you tend to know what you’re getting yourself into prior to sitting down to give a listen or two.

And that isn’t a bad thing.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Defect Designer – Chitin


If the striking artwork courtesy of Ian Miller of Ulthar was not a giveaway, Chitin (Transcending Obscurity Records) is far from a conventional affair. As previous output from Defect Designer proved, this Russian (by way of Norway) vehicle is one totally unafraid of formulas and usual genre structures even amongst a seemingly increasing amount of more esoteric death metal acts. Even previous experience however will not fully prepare listeners for proceedings here however with some equal parts innovation and outright absurdity- for better or worse.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Perpetua – Resurgence


Scotland: a country of rolling hills and glens; forests, moorlands, and mountains. A people surrounded and enriched by a proud cultural history.

Also Scotland: bad weather, heroic levels of alcohol consumption, and a widely held intolerance of English politics and sporting teams. Also, Metal. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: BRAT – Social Grace


Where to start with BRAT? The potential is on the wall as I don’t recall too many bands that get to release their debut LP – Social Grace, by the way – via Prosthetic Records. And bear in mind that this is an outfit that formed right before the golden days of the Coronavirus pandemic so it’s not like they’ve been toiling away in the dark for the better part of a decade. So, therefore, these kids must have the goods. Continue reading


Ulcerate Shares a New Single and Video “The Dawn Is Hollow” – New Album Incoming


Ulcerate, the New Zealand trio who Decibel Magazine hailed as “one of the most forward-thinking death metal bands around,” return with their highly-anticipated new album, Cutting the Throat of God, on June 14 via Debemur Morti Productions.
A preview of the seven-song album is available now with the release of “The Dawn Is Hollow” and its accompanying video at the link below:

Continue reading