Legions of fans gathered under the scorching sun to witness a concert only fit for the gates of hell. On June 1st, the Overtures of Blasphemy tour made its stop in New York City as fans descended to a sold out Gramercy Theatre to witness the brutality of Death Metal legends, Deicide. Supporting the bill were the Disciples of Destruction – Origin, Jungle Rot, and The Absence. They gave a performance that was both unforgiving and unforgettable.
Like many Metalheads, you may have been introduced to Heavy music by listening to movie soundtracks, video games, or watching the WWE. In my opinion, those are very interesting ways to be introduced to music. It is also the way many underground bands find commercial success. Those mediums were my gateway to Heavy Metal. However, it was not how I was introduced to Aphyxion. Hailing all the way from Denmark, Aphyxion entered the industry with quite an impressive start. From being the youngest band to ever perform at the Wacken Open Air Festival to being called “the new saviours of Melodic Death Metal” by Dom Lawson of Metal Hammer Magazine, and even opening up for Metallica on the two years ago at their Copenhagen show, Aphyxion Metallers has managed to become well-decorated in their career thus far and with their new album, Void (Prime Collective), they have the potential to achieve commercial success. Continue reading
What is Viking Metal and what does it consist of? Is it having twenty-eight inches of hair, dressing up in armor and/or a kilt while wielding a sword? Is it dressing in all black while wearing Thor’s hammer pendants around the neck? Or perhaps it consists of including symbolic imagery such as runes and ships in the package art? More importantly, what is the formula to creating good Viking Metal? I ask these burning questions because ever since the Metal world included Norse mythology into its art, a majority of the bands at the forefront playing it are way too gimmicky. There are too many bands gravitating towards Norse mythology and its culture while writing about it because it is the trend rather than having love, appreciation, or genuine interest for it. In my opinion, good Viking Metal is a rarity.
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