Wave Gotik Treffen 2011 - It is all about the looks

Indeed, that is always the case: it is all about the looks at the Wave Gotik Treffen (or as friends call it WGT, Treffen or even just a Meetup). The 20th WGT, organised in a lovely city of Leipzig, Germany, on June 10-13 is full of creative outfits. So… more »

Category: Features

KREATOR TO HEAD BACK INTO THE STUDIO

Following up their previous release 'Hordes of Chaos', German thrashers Kreator will soon get ready to return to the studio for their next record. Speaking on the future release via the band's official FaceBook, frontman Miland "Mille" Petrozza has res… more »

SHAGRATH SPEAKS ABOUT BLACK METAL FESTIVAL APPEARANCE WITH...CHROME DIVISION?

Enigmatic extreme metal icon Shagrath is set to play at Kings Of Black Metal Festival in Giessen, Germany this Saturday.  However, whilst the frontman is famed for his work with symphonic black metallers Dimmu Borgir, he won't be taking to the stage with… more »

Aviv Geffen on inspirations, why he restricts Wilson's solos and his hatred for hip hop

Blackfield are currently touring their incredible third album 'Welcome to My DNA'. I managed to catch up with one half of Blackfield before their gig in Leamington Spa, Aviv Geffen. The interview took place in a rather retro VW Camper Van, the photos tha… more »

On the Road with Ensiferum

It's not long before Ensiferum hit the UK with Amon Amarth and Children Of Bodom, so Wretched Spawnee Ann Sulaiman managed to arrive just in time to get five minutes with bassist Sami Hinkka to talk about venues, hopes for the future and the likelihood o… more »

ENFORCER'S GUITARIST CALLS IT QUITS

Adam Zaars, one of the guitarists of Swedish heavy metal act Enforcer; has decided to leave the band. In a public announcement released via their official MySpace page, Zaars has made the following statement: "After 5 years, 2 albums and almost 200 g… more »

IRON MAIDEN FORCED TO CANCEL JAPANESE SHOWS

Due to the earthquake and tsunami disaster which has recently struck Japan, British metal icons Iron Maiden have had to cancel the Japanese leg of their world tour. From an official press statement on their website, the band have issued out the followi… more »

Convenient for those busy schedules

  Admit it, you were thinking the same.   Part of a limited edition theme for a few weeks on my blog, Me(n)tal-Meltdown. Check out the original post of this cartoon over here!   more »

ANN S. REVIEWS - DALRIADA AND SKYFORGER! FOLK ON!

DALRIADA - 'IGERET', AFM RECORDS; 2011 Much as it does feel disconcerting to see that they’ve adopted a warrior- based image this time around like much of the status quo, it seems safe to say that this has little to no impact on how Dalriada have app… more »

PRIMORDIAL RELEASE COVER ART AND TRACKLISTINGS FOR NEW ALBUM

The upcoming album from Irish Dark Metallers Primordial, 'Redemption At the Puritan's Hand'; shall now feature cover art from Paul McCarroll which offers a summary of the themes that will be found throughout the music. Commenting on the recording proce… more »

You got the dish brush, now watch the show!

...no, really; they sell dish brushes too.   You've downloaded the Slayer pinball app, you've worn Mastodon shoes, you've most likely thought of getting those Manowar condoms - so what will be next in the world of commercial metal and merchandising?… more »

KAT'S BAND OF THE WEEK: HESPER PAYNE

KAT'S BAND OF THE WEEK 23 – HESPER PAYNE (UK)Time for another UK band this week, and I have picked a quite unknown band from my native North East of England called Hesper Payne, who I only came across quite recently and who impressed the hell out of… more »

ANN S. REVIEWS - LIFELOVER AND DARKEST ERA!

DARKEST ERA - 'THE LAST CARESS OF LIGHT, METAL BLADE; 2011 It feels tempting to string up comparisons to the current crop of neo-traditional metal of late with this album; yet at the same time it would be unfair to Irish newcomers Darkest Era. Not o… more »

LIFELOVER FRONTMAN IN NEED OF FEMALE VOCALIST FOR NEW PROJECT

Kim Carlsson, otherwise known as () in Lifelover; is continuing to search around for a female vocalist to audition for a role with his recent musical project Horns Emerging. From an official press statement via their label Prophecy Productions, Kim has… more »

ANN S. REVIEWS - BLUTMOND AND THE NEW DORNENREICH!

DORNENREICH - 'FLAMMENTRIEBE', PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS; 2011 With even the cover art being so different from their previous albums for its use of deep colours and contrasts between fire and water (a fitting metaphor for the record itself), Dornenreich s… more »

BETZEFER POST NEW VIDEO

Israeli grrove-metalcore act Betzefer have recently published a new music video for their song 'Doomsday' online. From the official press release, 'Doomsday' is said to be 'a short zombie-flick with strong Israeli and Jewish motifs, promoting BETZEFER'… more »

Rules of Black Metal, no.265

Art (c) K. Ann Sulaiman, 2011 more »

EX-SODOM "STRAHLI" GUITARIST HAS DIED

Teutonic thrashers Sodom have recently gotten the news that former bandmate Dirk "Strahli" Strahlmeier had passed away in a Düsseldorf hospital, in Janaury 2011. In an update from their official website, the band have stated that they presently "don't… more »

The truth behind the delay on that Wintersun album

  Terrorizer and Dark Arts Ltd would like to issue an apology to the World Paddle Ball Association. As an ethical publication, we do not endorse or condone the repeated misrepsentations of the aforementioned product by any affiliated parties. To voic… more »

RUDRA PRESENT NEW ALBUM TRACKLISTING ONLINE

Singaporean Vedic metal outfit Rudra have recently given fans and admirers a teaser up on Myspace, where they've published the tracklisting for the closer to the Brahmavidya trilogy in their albums. The following songs can be expected on the upcoming '… more »