1349 – Dødskamp


In addition to being one of Norway’s finest and most consistent Black Metal purveyors, we now know that 1349 are also patrons to the fine arts. You see, 1349 was part of a group of artists selected by Innovasjon Norge, Visit Norway and the Munch Museum to musically interpret the work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. I’ve read that Black Metal is Norway’s largest cultural export so it’s only fitting to have one if its most deft practitioners get in on that Munch action. Continue reading


Nightrage – Wolf To Man


Started by a couple of friends nearly two decades ago, Nightrage is a band that has been through a lot of changes over the years. One of the founders, the guitar hero Gus G moved on to other things, but the other creator, Marios Iliopoulos has been faithful in making monumental Metal with this act since the early 2000s. The evolution of this Greek/Swedish hybrid group has sculpted their sound into something uncommon and exceptional. Their eighth full-length album, Wolf To Man (Despotz Records) presents their particular music with severity and soul.Continue reading


Twisted Tower Dire – Wars In The Unknown


Formed nearly a quarter of a century ago, Twisted Tower Dire is one of those bands that never made it big, but has always been likable and consistent in their music. This Virginia-based act has been rather quiet since their last release, Mark It Dark (Cruz del Sur Music) in 2011, but now they’re back with a much-anticipated new record. Their sixth full-length album, Wars In The Unknown (No Remorse Records), boasts about how this quartet can still accomplish solid and entertaining Heavy Metal.Continue reading


The Black Queen – Infinite Games


Supergroup is a term bandied about too much these days, including here at this very website. It’s hard to help it in the streaming music age, which coincidently has also fostered a new openness and freedom for artists to come together as never before. Perhaps we need another terminology to describe these collectives. How about “artistic hive-mind”? That’s one that definitely suits The Black Queen, who is more than a mere musical group, but carry these sensibilities in everything they do from songs and lyrics to album art, videos, t-shirts, and visual performances live. The sum of their recorded output is but one facet of what can be possible when they get together.

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Metallica’s Lars Ulrich And Photographers Herring & Herring To Host Free Event


Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and their erstwhile collaborators, photographers Herring & Herring, a.k.a Dimitri Scheblanov, a 2005 graduate of The Cooper Union’s School Of Art, and Jesper Carlsen will be in conversation with Ulrich to discuss their collaborative work together, the process of creating art, and more. Herring & Herring, famous for creating the album artwork to Metallica’s Hardwired… To Self Destruct album, have worked with Ulrich since 2014. The Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City on Friday, October 19. The event is free and open to the public. General public should reserve a space here. Please note seating is on a first-come basis; an RSVP does not guarantee admission as events are generally overbooked to ensure a full house. The link to register is below. Continue reading


Members Of Mastodon, Gojira, And More Donate Artwork To Charity Auction


Mastodon‘s Troy Sanders, Gojira‘s Mario Duplantier, At The Drive-In‘s Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and others are donating works of art to a charity auction to benefit kids in need via Smile + Wonder. Continue reading


Randy Blythe Performs With Bad Brains At Secret Show In New York City


Last night was the opening of Bad Brains member Darryl Jennifer’s Mind Power art show at Okayplayer’s Okay Space in Williamsburg, and it quickly turned from an art show into a historic night in music. Continue reading


Dave Santia Speed Paints An Amazing Tribute To Lemmy Kilmister


lemmy-tribute-painting

Ever since we lost Lemmy Kilmister back in 2015, we’ve seen numerous tributes to the Motorhead icon from artists of all kinds. Just last week Metallica released their ‘Murder One’ song and video in tribute to the legend, and today we have another one from the art world that will blow your mind. Continue reading


Sepultura Performs I Am The Enemy Live And Details Machine Messiah


sepultura-2016

Sepultura have announced that their new album, Machine Messiah, will arrive in stores on January 13th via Nuclear Blast Records. Continue reading