EP REVIEW: Beltfed Weapon – Darkened Demise


 

Beltfed Weapon has often felt like a fun but sort of long-running vanity (but nonetheless valid) project for Seattle’s talented Frank Hetzel, many years between quite short releases featuring a who’s who of underground metal players guesting in support of a slightly odd discography. It is strange to me that there aren’t a series of full-lengths after so much time spent between releases, but every shorter thing Frank has released still has moments to enjoy for the casual thrash, death, and (at times) power metal fan.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Overkill – Scorched


 

Seems like we’re going to have to score another one for the bad guys. And by bad guys, I am referring to some of Thrash Metal’s pioneers who refuse to acknowledge the passage of time and are still melting amp heads like it was 1986.

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Maryland Deathfest to Return in 2024


Gorguts at MDF 2014, photo by Hillarie Jason Photography

In a statement posted on social media, Maryland Deathfest has announced they will return! After a hiatus for 2023 the fest will return from May 23rd to May 26th, 2024. In a message to fans the co-founders of MDF discussed the hiatus and the the return as well as new dates for 2024. MDF 2024 will be their 20th fest in Baltimore. They did announce that aftert the upcoming London Desertfest, they are discontinuing all other festivals they have put on, Netherlands Deathfest, California Deathfest, and more will be no more. You can read a statement from the co-founders Ryan and Evan, below. MDF has operated for almost 20 years, put on 19 fests, and expanded to a global footprint, all while giving a greater voice to Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Stoner Doom, and more genres, perhaps as much or more than any fest in the world. Continue reading


Maryland Deathfest and Their Related Metalfests to Go On Hiatus in 2023


Gorguts at MDF 2014, photo by Hillarie Jason Photography

In a statement posted on social media, Maryland Deathfest is going on hiatus after the next MDF event in May 2022. That means in 2023 all of their related festivals are going on hiatus, including MDF, Netherlands Deathfest, California Deathfest, and more. You can read a statement from the co-founders Ryan and Evan, below. MDF has operated for almost 20 years, put on 19 fests, and expanded to a global footprint, all while giving a greater voice to Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Stoner Doom, and more genres, perhaps as much or more than any fest in the world. Continue reading


CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Thirty Years of “Vulgar Display of Power” By Pantera


By 1992, Metal was all but on its knees. Traditional bands had become dinosaurs and previously popular scenes were burnt out. There were exceptions, of course. Slayer were playing arenas, Metallica had global domination in their sights, death metal was approaching its peak and across northern Europe, black metal was literally rising from the ashes of burned churches. But for the rest of the world, grunge and other alternative scenes were the new kings, all drawing inspiration from the bands they were replacing but without any of that old fashioned baggage.Continue reading


Guitarist Marzi Montazeri Has Quit Exhorder


Guitarist Marzi Montazeri has quit Exhorder. Montazeri shared the news of his exit in a social media post, which you can see below. He joined Exhorder in 2017 following stints with Pantera vocalist Philip Anselmo’s projects Superjoint and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals. He wrote and toured behind the Exhorder comeback album Mourn The Southern Skies, in September 2019 via Nuclear Blast Records. Thomas confirmed in an interview with Ghost Cult last fall that the band had begun writing a new album. Continue reading


Exhorder’s “Slaughter In The Vatican” Headline Tour Kicks off Tonight


New Orleans Thrash Legends Exhorder will begin their long-awaited US Headlining Tour tonight in Brooklyn with Take Offense, Extinction A.D., and Plague Years tonight. The band will perform all of their classic 1990 album Slaughter In The Vatican in full along with other hits. The band is working on a new album for relase in 2022 as well!

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Psycho Las Vegas Loses Some Bands Due to Visa and Pandemic Issues


In a story we have been following, Psycho Las Vegas has announced that bands such as Mayhen and Satyricon have dropped off the upcoming metal festival later this month. This is due to ongoing travel/work visa and pandemic related issues. To their credit, the fest has been dealing complaints and addressing on social media, and in emaisl to ticket holders. Other bands still hoping to gain entry into the USA to perform include Efforts are continuing for Emperor, Watain, Crippled Black Phoenix, Cult of Fire, and Psychlona, and we’ll keep tracking this story. Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 107: Hydraform Talks Thrash Metal and Their New EP


Denver Thrashers Hydraform just dropped their new self-titled EP, their first new music since their last full-length album, Dark Adder! The band was just wrapping up a tour with Overkill and Exhorder when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit, sending them home early. We talked to the entire band over zoom all about their formation, new music, opening for legends, scary stories from the road, and a hilarious story involving Bobby Blitz and Dave Linsk. Purchase and stream the new Hydraform EP now!

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Psycho Las Vegas Announces 2021 Fest with Danzig, Mercyful Fate, Katatonia, Ulver, Emperor, WITTR, and More


Psycho Las Vegas has announced their return in the summer of 2021. If you had tickets for this year, you are in luck! Most of the lineup will return next year, except Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ty Segall & The Freedom Band, and Crowbar. This still looks like one of the best festivals in the world next year, in a year overpacked with re-scheduled events and tours. See the full lineup below.Continue reading