Coal Chamber Pulls Out of Aftershock 2024, Due to Dez Fafara’s Ongoing Health Issues


Coal Chamber has announced they have canceled their appearance at Aftershock 2024 next weekend. This is following the postponement of their fall 2024 tour dates until spring 2025 due to ongoing health issues suffered by frontman Dez Fafara. The band has been replaced on the bill by their frequent touring mates Dope. The fest still features Slayer, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Pantera, Judas Priest, FFDP, Disturbed, Biohazard, Shadows Fall, and 130 more of your favorite artists. Continue reading


Aftershock 2024 ft. Slayer, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Pantera, Judas Priest, FFDP, Disturbed, Biohazard, Shadows Fall and More Announces Set Times


Aftershock is right around the corner and we have the set times! The fest features Slayer, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Pantera, Judas Priest, FFDP, Disturbed, Biohazard, Shadows Fall, and 130 more of your favorite artists. Continue reading


ALBUM  REVIEW: The Barbarians of California – And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth


The sound of what was once considered West Coast Hard Core is changing.  The Barbarians of California‘s new album And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth (oneRPM) carries more of a metallic stomp aligned with modern Hardcore. Right from the first song you can hear the band’s more experimental edge. Once into the meat of the album, they bridge hardcore with a Nu-Metal sound, which is not unlike what System of a Down does. They attack with a more spastic jerk. It’s hard not to appreciate the sense of adventure that runs through these songs. The new generation of nu-metal kids who attend festivals like Sick New World will dig it. Hardcore purists might have some questions. Continue reading


Louder Than Life is Forced to Cancel Friday Lineup, Including The Slayer Reunion Due to Hurricane Helene


Sad news as Louder Than Life, America’s biggest destination rock and metal festival had to cancel the Friday lineup including the return of headliners Slayer, Till Lindemann, Anthrax, Evanescence, In This Moment and more due to high winds and rain from Hurricane Helen. The weather system has been battering the southeastern United States, affecting Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and more. Slipknot headlined night 1 which went off without a hitch ahead of the hurricane. Props to the festival who monitored the situation for the days leading up to the fest. Putting fan safety first, they monitored the campers and campground safety, and updated fest goers constantly on social media. No word yet if any of the Friday bands may play on Saturday. Initially., the were only starting late, but ultimately, they called it off. Check out a statement from the fest/ Danny Wimmer presents and we appreciate they taking the utmost care with this situation, considering recent disasters such as Blue Ridge Rock Fest.Continue reading


PODCAST: Glacially Musical 199: Mastodon – “Leviathan” Review and Analysis


Nik sees Mastodon rollin, he hatin! Keefy tries to catch Nik riding dirty!

We start to see the future Mastodon vibes on this modern classic concept album!Continue reading


Watch Fan-Filmed Video of Slayer Playing Their First Show Since 2019 at Riot Fest


Photo credit: Windy Brick Photography, shot at Riot Fest 2024

Thrash Metal legends Slayer made their glorious return last night as the final headline act of Riot Fest 2024! They played a 19-song setlist with the classic track and even some rare deep cuts they haven’t played in many years. The band will play two more shows, next week at Louder than Life (UPDATE: Slayer was rained out along with the rest of Day 2 of LTL due to Hurricane Helene), and Aftershock Festival in October!

Check out our full review of Riot Ffest 2024 here!

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PODCAST: The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show Live 9-13-24


Check out what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal! 

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PODCAST: Slayer – The Reunion Debate Roundtable – Why Did They Unretire?


We are uniting the Illuminati of Rock and Metal experts in another Roundtable forum! Slayer will play their first of three reunion shows soon at Riot Fest, Louder Than Life and Aftershock Festival, and we will discuss the bands’ controversial decision to unretire after five years! 

We also make a lot of jokes about Foreigner! Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air Part 1 – Live at Catton Hall


 

THURSDAY

It”s August and raining, but nobody cares because we’re home again. Yes, for the next few days (and for some early birds, the previous 24hrs), Catton Hall in Derbyshire has become the focal point of the true metal community as fans converge on Bloodstock Open Air for their annual dose of hard drinking and unholy hangovers.Continue reading