Archive: OpEds
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The Prince Of Darkness Is Now The King Of Darkness
Like the rest of the heavy metal universe, I feel numb after learning that Ozzy Osbourne passed away just a mere couple of weeks after his Back To The Beginning farewell show. I felt this exact same way when Lemmy passed away. I always believed that both Lemmy and Ozzy were invincible. But it's not rocket science to know that decades of excess paired with a rock n' roll lifestyle will eventually catch up with you someday. I knew deep down inside that this day would eventually arrive, but I never wanted to entertain the idea at all.
Any metalhead will tell you how much they were influenced by The Prince of Darkness, but my personal Ozzy/Black Sabbath story didn't begin until after my long hair was replaced by a career and other boring adulting nonsense.
When I was in jr. high school, the rockers would wear Ozzy and Black Sabbath shirts as their preferred wardrobe choice. I have to admit, the cover of Diary of a Madman is sick, but I didn't really care for Ozzy's solo material and thought Black Sabbath was for old dirty hippies. I was into Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Rush, those bands were my jams. I would soon start worshiping Venom, Slayer, and Metallica during my freshman year of high school. From there on, everything I listened to just got faster, heavier and just more extreme. The irony here is that most of these bands wouldn't even exist if there was no Black Sabbath!
I didn't "get" Black Sabbath until I was in my 30s. I've seen Ozzy's solo shows but only because I went to see the opening bands (Metallica and then Anthrax) and just stayed at the concerts because I was with someone that was there to see Ozzy. It was a blessing in disquise because looking back at it now, I was able to see Cliff Burton play with Metallica and watch one of my favorite guitarists of all time shred live, Jake E. Lee. Ozzy was in his glam mode during that time and I really wasn't a fan. I was fortunate to see Black Sabbath at least once in 2005 at Ozzfest. The only way I could top all of this if I had seen Randy Rhoads in person.
By the time Zakk Wylde joined the fray, big changes were happening in my life and I had moved to live with my brother (I was living in Phoenix, Arizona previously) in New Orleans, Louisiana. I was paying zero attention to Ozzy at the time. That wasn't until my late brother (who absolutely hated heavy metal) asked me if I had ever watched a television show called "The Osbournes." I told him that I didn't even know that show existed and asked him if he knew that Ozzy Osbourne was a heavy metal legend, that he bit the heads off of bats and that he had pissed on The Alamo. He said he didn't but he loved the show. I rolled my eyes and we started watching the show together. He loved show so much that he forced me and his wife to sit down and watch it together with him. It was one of the ways our relationship bonded over this silly yet hilarious show. I miss that time in my life and it saddens me when I recall those moments.
At some point in my 30's, out of nowhere, I started to listen to Electric Wizard and Sleep with reckless abandon. Both of these bands are obviously directly influenced by Black Sabbath. Some might even say they are Sabbath ripoff artists. I disagree, they just borrowed the riffs. Black Sabbath owns them. I had to revisit the source of said riffs and eventually I owned the whole Black Sabbath catalog. I loved it all. It didn't matter if it was Ozzy, Dio or even Ian Gillian and Tony Martin's versions of the most influential band in heavy metal history. Sabbath is one of those bands that has a signature sound that you can pick out from a crowd of wannabees. I love the rawness and the sonic attack of the doom sound. I don't think I'll ever grow out of it, and the thanks goes to the "King of Darkness", Mr. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne.
And so here is where this article comes to an end. Our heroes are slowly disappearing, but their music and memory lives on forever. Cheers and horns up to you Ozzy, you'll be missed immensely. WE LOVE YOU!!! More...
Brutal Assault Is Almost Here!!! Are You Going?
Here are some quotes from past attendees on YouTube:
"You go to Brutal once, you will fall in love instantly!" - @gybarni
"This is the best festival in the whole world! Can't wait for next year! <3" - @eveningwhispers13
"Best festival ever :D See you in BA 28!" - @AnsiSysX86
And the quotes go on and on...need more convincing? Watch the 2024 aftermovie below. More...
Brutal Assault Announced The Daily Running Order!
Brutal Assault just announced their daily running order for this year’s festival recently and it’s officially time to get excited! What’s there to get excited about? Plenty…The sheer number of bands is mind-boggling, but not overwhelming. Most of the more well-known bands play at the main stages which are situated next to each other. You can literally bounce back and forth between these stages exclusively at time and guess what! There’s food and beverage stands (including adult beverages) just meters behind you so it’s super convenient to refresh and refuel without missing too much of what’s happening on stage.
Brutal Assault Daily Running Order
What bands am I most forward to seeing during this edition of Brutal Assault? Well, in no particular order, here’s a short list: Macabre, Warbringer, Static-X, Ministry, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Orange Goblin, Gutalax, Gojira, Zeke, Asphyx, Monolord, Gaerea, Tsjuder, Crypta, and Arthur Brown. This is just a sampling. There's so much variety in the line-up. There's something for everyone! I’ll probably destroy myself trying to get to everyone on my list, but there’s nothing that some sleep won’t cure.
The other thing I love about this festival is just walking around and looking at all the exhibits, merch tents, food stands, beer tents and all the band shirts that everyone is wearing. There’s so much to see and do other than watching bands. For some examples, there’s the Lemmy Shrine to pay tribute to, there’s pool tables, there’s a movie room and there’s a pseudo disco of sorts for EDM, there’s art exhibits. I can go on and on…
Even outside of the festival grounds, in the town that Brutal Assault takes place, Jaromer, turns into a pre and post festival party garden. There are some bars and cafes to mingle in addition to pop up beer booths and food stands that are usually cheaper than inside the festival grounds. Even the walk towards the festival entrance is a site to see! There are literally tents lining the sides of the road and there’s always shenanigans taking place in this makeshift tent city.
For those that are going this year, are you getting excited??? I am for sure! I believe that there are very few whole-festival tickets remaining, so if you’re planning on making the trip to the Czech Republic, you better jump on it now!
Brutal Assault will take place in the Czech Republic at the Josefov Fortress during August 6-9, 2025.
Festival passes are available HERE!
Brutal Assault Is Less Than 100 Days Away!
With less than 100 days left until Brutal Assault 2025, the line-up was finally completed. If you don’t know what a Brutal Assault is, it’s the one of the premier metal festivals in all of Europe that takes place during the summer. It takes place in the town Jaromer within an 18th century fortress on the eastern edge of the Czech Republic. It’s only a two-hour bus ride from the capital city of Prague. Wroclaw, Poland is two and a half hours to the northeast. In other words, all roads lead to Brutal Assault no matter which airport you prefer to fly into.
The festival beckons about 20 thousand attendees every year, but because the grounds are so massive, it seems less than that. The festival has been in existence since 1996, so the festival organizers know how to smoothly run a music festival this size by now. There are two main stages that ping-pong the headliner types all day and night long and there are 3 other smaller stages as well.
Now that I’ve gotten the basics of Brutal Assault out of the way, I’ll get to this years’ bands. There are over 140 of them…
3 INCHES OF BLOOD, ABSU, AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALUK TODOLO, ANGELMAKER, ARTHUR BROWN, ASPHYX, ATTILA, AUGUST BURNS RED, AVULSED, BENIGHTED, BESNA, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, BLOOD FIRE DEATH: A TRIBUTE TO QUORTHON AND THE MUSIC OF BATHORY, BLOOD RED THRONE, BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE, BRUJERIA, BRUTALLY DECEASED, CAR BOMB, CARNIVORE A.D., COUNTERPARTS, CRYPT SERMON, CRYPTA, CRYSTAL LAKE, CULT OF LUNA, CUTTERRED FLESH, DARK ANGEL, DARK FUNERAL, DEFEATED SANITY, DIMMU BORGIR, DOPE, DROWNING POOL, DYING FETUS, ENVY, EXHORDER, FAÜST, FEAR FACTORY, FIT FOR A KING, FIVE THE HIEROPHANT, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, FRAYLE, FULCI, FUNERAL, FURIA, GADGET, GAEREA, GOJIRA, GOST, GRAPHIC NATURE, GRAVE, GREEN LUNG, GUTALAX, GUTSLIT, HÄLLAS, HANABIE, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, HELLBUTCHER, HELLRIPPER, HERIOT, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, HIGH PARASITE, ILL NIÑO, INTER ARMA, KARNIVOOL, KATAKLYSM, KERRY KING, KING WOMAN, KLIDAS, KUBLAI KHAN TX, LANDMVRKS, LEPROUS, MACABRE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MALIGNANCY, MAMMOTH GRINDER, MANTAR, MARKED AS AN ENEMY, MASTODON, MAYHEM, MINISTRY, MNEMIC, MONOLORD, NE OBLIVISCARIS, NILE, OBITUARY, OBSCURE SPHINX, OPETH, ORANGE GOBLIN, ORANSSI PAZUZU, OVERKILL, PAN LYNX, PARADISE LOST, PATRIARCHY, PELICAN, PIG DESTROYER, PRIEST, PRONG, PROTECTOR, PSYCROPTIC, PYREXIA, PYRRHON, REPLICANT, REZN, RIVERS OF NIHIL, ROTTING CHRIST, RUÏM, RYKER’S, SEE YOU IN HELL, SIGH, SKÁLMÖLD, SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM, SLOW CRUSH, STATIC–X, SUFFOCATION, SYLVAINE, THE BROWNING, THE HALO EFFECT, THE KOVENANT, THROWN, TO THE GRAVE, TSJUDER, UNLEASHED, WARBRINGER, WAYFARER, WITHIN DESTRUCTION, XIII. STOLETí, ZEKE, and ZEMIAL. More...
Greekbastard's 2024 Anti-List
Is there anything more annoying these days than someone else’s opinion? Stolen from quotes anonymous, I think the old adage goes… “Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, and they all stink.” And if you’re not opinioned out yet regarding every bloggers 2024 top albums lists, It’s my turn to drop my top 5 albums for 2024 upon your bored and bloodshot corneas.
Before I begin, I need to point something out. I don’t check the release calendar with intense vigor to seek out new albums to listen to. My listening choices for the most part happen haphazardly. Quite often, it’s just a band I’ve always liked and happen to notice that they released some new material. Other times, there’s a buzz about an album and I want to see what the fuss is about. So, without further ado, this is my top five albums list for 2024.
Honorable Mentions:
Testament – The Legacy (Remaster 2024) and The New Order (Remaster 2024)
Testament’s first two albums were instant classics, I’m not going to review them because that’s old news. However, the remasters make them relevant again because they sound sonically superior to the original 1980’s releases. These re-releases reaffirm that Testament is one of the top thrash bands to ever exist and still sound relevant in today’s metal “metalverse.”
Electric Wizard – Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1
Just dropped like free LSD in mid-December, this live album deserves a shout out. When it comes to contemporary doom metal, Electric Wizard is the benchmark and you can take your Black Sabbath comparisons and smoke them. That’s old news. “Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1” is the ultimate Electric Wizard compilation album when it comes down to track selection. In fact, it was actually a live setlist from 2020 when live music was put on pause in order to keep their live chops up to par. The sound of this album is deliciously raw and lo-fi for fans of unpolished Doom and Stoner Metal
The Actual Top 5 List:
5. Necrot – Lifeless Birth
If you ask me, this is the best Death Metal album of 2024, not that trendy Blood Incantation album. Necrot makes THAT band sound like Celtic Frost did during their Cold Lake era. “Lifeless Birth” is guttural, grisly and induces grave digging. That other band makes me want to take a nap. This is TRVE Death Metal!
4. Shining – The Helsinki Tapes
When not popping up in not so favorable click bait headlines on other metal blogs, Shining has consistently put out excellent releases. “The Helsinki Tapes” is another example of this. Shining pushes the boundaries of Black Metal musically and this album is no different. As unstable as Niklas Kvarforth may seem at times, his musical prowess should never be discredited.
3. Cavalera Conspiracy – Schizophrenia
Before you start your insolent complaints that this release was a money grab and was stolen from the original members of Sepultura, let me stop you right there. This release in actuality prolongs their legacy. The original “Schizophrenia” was way ahead of its time. The masses finally took hold of the badassery of Sepultura during “Arise” and the albums leading up to it never inherited the respect they deserved. “Schizophrenia” 2024 gives the original release a much-needed makeover and prolongs the legacy of early Sepultura. More...
Diamond's Mine: The Best Of 2024
2024 is finally pinched off from our collective sphincters and as is becoming a far too familiar gripe by now, the state of the world is akin to a two day old Big Mac; neglected, unappealing and probably infested by vermin. However, we once again have been able to rely on the music we love to get us through this dumpster fire of an existence and were given some treats too, not just in the form of incredible albums but also the Acid Bath reunion we all thought would never happen, as well as the equally surprising comebacks of Nevermore and Nailbomb, not to mention The Sword and Slayer. Of course, we also said goodbye to such bands as UFO, Misery Signals and Twelve Foot Ninja and sadly dealt with the passings of former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'anno, ex Great White singer Jack Russell and Blake Harrison of Pig Destroyer and Hatebeak, to name only three dearly missed comrades. Time and metal marches ever on though and as always, we begin this recap by welcoming some new names into the fold.
Best Newcomer
Though it's becoming ever more difficult for new bands to make a name for themselves, there were quite a few who were able to put themselves on the map this year. One early example would be Hellman, from the Chilean capital city, Santiago, who unleashed their debut full length, "Born, Suffering, Death" at the beginning of the year, a very good example of death n' roll, recommended for those of who miss Entombed. There were quite a few bands who released their first albums this year but for me, there was one clear winner... More...
Greekbastard's 2023 Anti-List For 2023
I get bored of making lists, reading lists, being listed, etc., but here I am at the end of 2023 compiling my thoughts on creating a list that only a handful of people will actually take the time to read. This is not a dig on those that create/read/ingest lists, rather me brainstorming on what to put down in words my most metal memories of 2023. Depending on who reads this, we might even share some of these memories, so without further ado, let’s do this.
I want to give my respects to some of the fallen this year. Some were founding members of their respective bands, but the music will live on in their memory. Rest In Power: Josua Henrik Lander Madsen (Artillery), Jim Durkin (Dark Angel), Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Anthony Meo (Biohazard), Ryan Siew (Polaris), Zach Scott (Beyond Extinction), Mark Adams (Saint Vitus), Kirk Arrington (Metal Church), Jon Kennedy (Hecate Enthroned).
In 2023, there were some headlines in the metal cosmos that stood out. For starters, Sepultura calling it a day. How about Mike Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater? Or, Ozzy canceling his appearance at Power Trip festival, or even better, AC/DC’s triumphant return at that very same festival? More...
Deathbringer's 2023 Highlights
Over the past decade, time has been scarce and the majority of my music purchases have been older releases that I've decided to check out or releases by bands I enjoy, usually a year or two late. As my kids have grown, I've been able to keep up with new releases a little more this year. Not enough to definitively give an opinion on the best releases of the year, but enough to check out a number of new releases in a timely manner. I've undoubtedly missed more new releases than I've heard. With that said, here are the releases that made it onto my radar and made up my highlights of 2023:
Cruachan "The Living and The Dead"
As a fan of folk metal, Cruachan is a band that must be followed. This year's release, "The Living and the Dead," hits the sweet spot of upbeat almost power-metal with heaviness like few others do. Sporting a wide array of instruments, like any good folk metal album should, and raspy vocals, the band steers clear of the full-on power metal vibes most of the time. More...
Diamond's Mine: The Best Of 2023
Another year over and another one that not many will be looking back on with any sense of fondness when it comes to the state of the world, but it was a pretty good one if one only looks at the metal music. We've seen bands break onto the scene and said goodbye to some favourites such as Kiss, The Agonist, Dark Fortress and Terrorizer (before saying "I thought you left?" to that last one when they announced their return seven months later.) Others announced plans to step away, either temporarily such as Nightwish and Cirith Ungol, other permanently such as Sepultura, Issues and Destrage. While it's sad to see bands go, it's always nice to welcome new names, which leads me nicely to...
Best Newcomer
There was plenty to choose from this year. My personal qualification is a band which released their debut full length album, so Cobra Spell, featuring former Burning Witches and Cypta guitarist Sonia Anubis leading the charge was a strong contender with their brand of 80s flavoured sleaze metal. Speaking of familiar names, Atheist frontman Kelly Shaefer, along with other members of the band brought the world Till The Dirt, whose debut album, "Outside The Spiral" subverted expectations, while fans of death metal will want to seek out Denmark's Plaguemace pretty quickly. Stoner and doom metal had a very strong showing with the likes of High Priest and Auralayer. In fact, it's from this genre that we find this year's winner of the award and appropriately for the roots of the style, it's a Birmingham band.
Margarita Witch Cult
With the kind of name which won't be forgotten in a hurry, the Midlands trio marked the release of their debut album in style, opening the Black Heart in Camden at this year's Desertfest. The album itself is everything fans love about classic, riff based heavy metal, providing plenty to sink one's teeth into such as exciting tempos, catchy choruses ("Diabolical Influence" will stay in your head for days) and as mentioned, some seriously tasty riffs. Stoner, doom, psychedelica and even a little thrash makes this self-titled effort an essential addition to any Sabbath worshiper's collection, while the group should definitely be seen live as soon as you get the opportunity. More...
Diamond's Mine: The Best Of 2022
It's been quite a year. A year that saw regular live shows return, bands hit the road once again, festivals re-open and most importantly, some stellar new music! We said goodbye to bands such as Nuclear Assault, Tristania, The Sword and Every Time I Die and welcomed back old favourites like Biohazard, Coal Chamber, God Forbid and most surprisingly, Pantera. But we'll start with something new and hand out the award for...
Best Newcomer
2022 saw quite a few bands emerge with their debut albums. One which really caught the ears of listeners was Philadelphia's, Empress, with their first album, "Fateweaver." Some truly wonderful artwork leads the way into some excellent symphonic power metal and won over plenty of new fans. Other notable debuts came from the East of the globe with such bands as Ou from China, whose progressive debut "One" was an interesting one (oh ho ho,) while to the south of China in India, we find the winners of this year's award.
Bloodywood
Maybe a slightly controversial one as Bloodywood has been around for a little while, but it was in 2022 that they released their first full length album of original material, "Rakshak." Metal has always been open to incorporating new genres and cultures (even if a section of fans that we don't like to talk about aren't so keen on the latter) and in a year which saw the USA hear the sounds of Indian folk metal in a broader sense. Bloodywood has reached a much wider audience by releasing their first album and the metal world were happy to welcome them. Let's hope they're around for a long time to come. More...
Greekbastard's Most Listened To Albums 2022
Because every piece of technology is tracking what we’re doing every second of the day, this article only necessitated a quick glance at my subscribed music streaming service’s stat line. There’s virtually no thought process to it anymore!
Here’s what it revealed…
Meshuggah – Immutable
Not much of a surprise here since it was on constant rotation from the moment I was able to download it.
Favorite Track: The Faultless
Heilung – Drif
This album had to grow on me, but when it hooked me, it was on repeat for a couple of weeks. I’m still listening to it into the new year.
Favorite Track: Tenet
Goatwhore – Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven
It almost has a black metal feel to it. Was on repeat for a week at least.
Favorite Track: Born of Satan’s Flesh
Abbath – Dread Reaver
One of the forgotten albums for me this year. Great album nevertheless.
Favorite Track: Dream Cull
Elder – Innate Passage
I almost forgot about this masterpiece. Everything this band records is amazing.
Favorite Track: Endless Return
Nordjevel – Gnavhòl
One of the most underrated black metal bands out there right now. Gnavhòl follows-up where Necrogenesis left off.
Favorite Track: Within the Eyes
2023’s technology spying could reveal even more about my listening habits, so maybe there this year’s list could reveal which bands I listen too most when I’m on the commode? Let’s just stick with the basics for now.
Favorite Albums Of 2022
The following list isn't a poll or consensus among Metal Underground staff. Rather, it's one guy's opinion--one guy who hasn't even listened to the vast majority of the metal albums that came out in 2022. There are several selections that aren't even metal.
That said, maybe you like a few of these and haven't heard of some. I've found a lot of new (to me) music this way, and maybe you're in the same boat.
If someone (who likes many of the albums listed below) sees that I'm missing something obvious, please note the album in the comments section so I (and others) can check it out.
Here's to new discoveries and a metal 2023!
In no particular order:
Telekinetic Yeti - Primordial
Russian Circles - Gnosis
Slægt - Goddess
Rammstein - Zeit
Orm - Intet • Altet
Built to Spill - When the Wind Forgets Your Name
Behemoth - Opvs Contra Natvram
Abbath - Dread Reaver
Watain - The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain
Black Anvil - Regenesis
Saor - Origins
Voivod - Synchro Anarchy
Devin Townsend - Lightwork
Caamp - Lavender Days
Ufomammut - Fenice
Turbocharged - Alpha Beast, Omega God
The Black Angels - Wilderness of Mirrors
Tankard - Pavlov's Dawgs
Cult of Luna - The Long Road North
Kampfar - Til Klovers Takt
Hulder - The Eternal Fanfare
Heilung - Drif
Diamond Oz Presents: The Best Of 2021
Well... This was another eventful year wasn't it!? In yet another twelve months dominated by political issues, a global pandemic, hatred, division and injustice, all the ingredients were there for metal music to have plenty to tuck into. Musically, 2021 was a solid year with some superb offerings from bands all over the world, including some wonderful debuts and returns. However, before we get to the best of the brutal, it's only right that we acknowledge those who have left us since January.
How I Wish You Were Here
Sadly, 2021 has seen some of metal's most beloved leave us. From teenage favourites to cult heroes and those who weren't on stage but still made an impact, metal was left poorer for such losses. Entombed/Entombed A.D. vocalist Lars Goran Petrov, one of Swedish death metal's most recognisable and favourite voices succumbed to bile duct cancer aged only 49 in March, with three more singers following him into the aether in June in the shapes of Skid Row's Johnny Solinger, Sven Gross of Fleshcrawl and John Lawton of Lucifer's Friend/Uriah Heep. Only a month later, former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, himself an inspiration for so many of today's young drummers, passed away at the age of 46. The COVID-19 virus also claimed a legend in former Trouble singer Eric Wagner, who died at 62, just before a scheduled tour with his band, The Skull.
As sad as death always is, some felt particularly tragic this year, including the suicide of ex Metal Church singer Mike Howe, who initially spent eight years with the band between the eighties and nineties, before returning to the fold in 2015, recording two more studio albums with the seminal group. The metal world was also affected by terrorism, when vocalist Andrea Haugen was killed in the Kongsberg this past October.
Behind the stage, some of our most important figures would also pass on, including Malcolm Dome, the British journalist credited with coining the term "thrash metal," who was a walking encyclopedia of metal knowledge, appearing in numerous documentaries and penning several books on some of metal and rock's greatest icons. Early on in the year, we also said goodbye to Megaforce co-founder Marsha Zazula, who was responsible for signing so many of the most revered names in thrash, as well as Mick Rock, an iconic photographer who captured some of the best shots of such names as Ozzy, Motley Crue and Thin Lizzy to name a few. More...
Building Brand With Your Life!
So one of the things you need to be doing as a band is try to create some sort of brand that operates beyond the music. You need to be tapping into culture as a whole so that people have a more clear way to really integrate with what you’re doing. One of the best ways to do this is to talk about your interests.
I wanted to break down some strategies that allow you to build brand in a logical way. This includes stuff like talking about sports, sharing details about your reading and of course unveiling some of your day to day life. This is how you really start to build brand that goes beyond. More...
DIY Update: 3 Details To Include In A Label Pitch!
Hey so a lot of people ask me about what yo put in their label pitches. Obviously everyone wants to get signed but understanding how to speak to labels is really important and you need to know what stats they are looking for. So I decided to compile some ideas from my years of doing A&R to help you.
See – labels need to make money (Most of the time) so they want to know your past sales, they also want to know what your impact has been like on the road, then of course, if you can round it out with good social and streaming numbers you are much more likely to get some sort of deal. More...
Greekbastard: 2020 Highlights
This beast we call 2020…we all know what happened, especially how it ravaged and destroyed concerts, tours and festivals throughout the year. Bands released albums that we didn’t know about, some that were going to be released have been postponed until 2021 and even worse, some bands have called it quits altogether. It’s been one for the ages… Now that all the negative shit is out of the way, let’s look back at some positives, specifically the ones I took notice of.
We were all blind to what was stirring about at the time, but that’s the whole point of a metal festival in general. Put all the bullshit that ails you aside and enjoy being alive with your metal peers and some of your favorite bands. This year it was no different with acts such as Exodus, Emperor, Venom and Michael Schenker sailing along with thousands of headbangers to Cozumel, Mexico and back.
Finntroll – Vredesvävd
This is one of those casualties that I mentioned in the opening paragraph. This album was released in September to nary a mention in most metal blogs and magazines alike. Without a tour or festival dates to promote albums released this year, “Vredesvävd” has fallen into an abyss of forgotten albums, a shame since it’s some of their best work to date.
Necrophobic – Dawn of the Damned
To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know that Necrophobic even existed anymore. Call me a poseur or what have you, I just haven’t thought about them in a very long time. I was reading a chart of albums that were released in 2020 and was pleasantly surprised to see them listed. After a few spins of “Dawn of the Damned,” it’s become one of my favorite albums of the year. I know that’s not saying much due to the lack of releases we’re used to any “normal” year, but it is what it is.
Azarath – Saint Desecration
This is one album that I knew was going to be released in 2020. I’ve been pushing this band since I became knowledgeable of their existence back in 2017. Again, I’m late to the party with them, but so are many of you readers. This Polish blackened, extreme metal band is a fucking gem and “Saint Desecration” is another brilliant addition to an already stellar discography. Behemoth’s “Inferno” is a recording and founding member, what’s not to love?
In closing, we’re all hoping for a much better 2021, and for the return of live music in grand fashion. Plenty of festivals that are scheduled for the summer have been releasing daily line-ups recently, so I consider this a good omen. To all our readers, take care of yourselves and others and thanks for reading.
Greekbastard
Al Case: Favorites Of 2020
First, a disclaimer… I don’t tend to listen to everything that comes out in order to pick my favorites. My listening, instead, focuses on bands I think I may be seeing in the coming year or bands I’ve seen in the past few years that I was impressed with.
These aren’t in any order, and a fuller list (including several non-metal albums) can be found here.
Also, check out Diamond Oz’s picks here. Our choices include one overlapping album. Of course, my personal favorites shouldn’t be considered concession picks of MetalUnderground.com.
Sodom – Genesis XIX
I always liked Sodom, but I didn’t listen to them much. They were supposed to play at the 2017 Gefle Metal Festival so in the six months prior I really started to get into them. Alas, they were a last minute cancel so I had to wait another year to finally see them live. That happened at 2018 Copenhell (pictured above) at about 2 a.m. I was blown away. That was a magical performance, and I’ve been a super fan ever since. Genesis XIX is their 16th album but called 19. Why? I have no idea. The album doesn’t create a new Sodom sound, and, in fact, some songs could have easily been on earlier albums. Even though there is nothing ground breaking or revolutionary here, Sodom delivers as well as they ever have and fans won’t be disappointed.
Dark Tranquillity – Moment
One of my favorite bands since I first heard them in the late 1990s, Moment is Dark Tranquillity’s 12th album. The only thing puzzling, to me, about Dark Tranquillity is why they aren’t more well known and respected. They always seem to be playing in the afternoon at festivals or opening for a couple other bands that should be opening for them in my opinion. Not to take anything away from bands like In Flames or Opeth, but it is odd to me that Dark Tranquillity has less than a third of the following on social media as them. Moment has only been out for a month so I have only listened to it a few times, but each listening sounds better (and the first run was fantastic on its own)—a good sign.
Redwood Hill – Ender
Blackened post-metallers Redwood Hill were one of the bands I most wanted to see at 2020 Copenhell, a festival which, of course, didn’t happen. Hopefully the 2021 version goes off without a hitch. Even the shorter songs on Ender are epic. If you’ve never heard of Redwood Hill and you enjoy black metal, post metal, or shoegaze then it’s time to experience an underground masterpiece.
Enslaved – Utgard
Enslaved’s 15th album was in my rotation since its release a few months ago, but I hadn’t really noticed how brilliant it was until a week or two ago when I listened to it after an edible I had consumed kicked in. That listening changed everything. Let’s just say it was a The Dark Side of the Moon kind of experience that you all should take part of.
Auðn – Vökudraumsins Fangi
Vökudraumsins Fangi is the third of three perfect, or nearly so, albums from Iceland’s Auðn. The writing is carefully crafted, beautiful, and well executed. The atmosphere created here provides therapy for a troubled soul. Put your headphones on, turn down the lights, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the best 55 minutes of your day.
Diamond Oz: The Best Of 2020
Right off the bat, I know some of you are laughing at the idea that 2020 could offer a best of anything. It's been a year to forget for most of us, thanks largely to the COVID-19 virus, which has had a devastating effect across the globe. Metal is no exception to the impact of the corona virus, and subsequently, we've not been able to attend many shows this year, with tours being cancelled left and right and it being unknown when they'll return. We've also sadly lost some true icons this year, including Eddie Van Halen, Pete Way and Leslie West, as well as the tragic death of Power Trip frontman Riley Gale.
Nevertheless, every situation has a positive and when it comes to the music itself, metal does what it does best and fights against the negative with some stellar new albums, as well as some incredible new bands emerging and the reformation of such bands as Vektor, Genghis Tron and Trail Of Tears. In this article, we'll be recognising some of the year's best releases, best live bands (from the short time we were able to actually see live music) and the best newcomers. Starting with...
Best Live Band
As I may have mentioned once or twice already, live shows were a rarity this year and so much of the bands I saw came from my time on board 70000 Tons Of Metal, where there were some very strong contenders for best live performance. While Toxik, At The Gates, Possessed and The Agonist all put on blistering shows, delighting all who were lucky enough to attend, the two bands who really stood out this time were Mexican deathgrinders Brujeria and Irish folk metal pioneers Cruachan. Brujeria are always a treat live, never failing to combine extreme metal with humour and a decent slice of politics, plus there's nothing quite like boarding a boat to Florida from Mexico, with a crowd singing "La Migra" at the top of their lungs! Cruachan meanwhile fought through some technical difficulties and a very late time slot to thrill those who stayed up to see them, before packing out the bar on the third night for their version of an Irish pub sing along, leading hundreds of metal fans in stirring renditions of such staples as "Seven Drunken Nights", "Come Out Ye Black And Tans" and of course, "Ride On." However my pick for best live band goes to a quartet who are about to unleash their first album in seven years and who weren't on board 70000 Tons this year.
Eyehategod
In what had to be the best package tour to actually happen this year, Napalm Death collected a motley crew of some of metal's best to wreck the ears of European headbangers, storming across Europe with Eyehategod, Misery Index, Rotten Sound and Bat. Each one of these bands were absolutely fantastic and it's always hard to top Napalm Death live, as it is Rotten Sound, but somehow Eyehategod did it. With fearsome energy, Mike IX's "fuck you" attitude and Jimmy Bower's exemplary riffs, the four piece absolutely tore Leeds apart on a cold February night. There were some in the crowd who weren't familiar with the New Orleans icons, but by the end of their set, they were cheered as heroes by all in attendence. One young lady I spoke to before their set that didn't know them was nearly in tears after by how overwhelmed she was by their performance. That new album can't come soon enough. More...
Greekbastard: My Top Five Albums Of 2019
My Top Five (Actually Six…) Albums Of The Year
5. Imperium Dekandenz – When We Are Forgotten
I actually reviewed this album for another blog I write for, The Sludgelord, a stoner/sludge related blog of all things. The band’s PR rep requested an album review, I was really pleasantly surprised because I usually never review bands I’ve never heard of before. While listening to the opening track, I was already preordering a vinyl version for my collection. This two-piece black metal band from Germany fills out their sound to perfection. I stated in my review that I would make sure this album ended up on any end-of-year list of mine, and here it is. Take a chance on this album as I did, you won’t be disappointed.
4. Batushka – Hospodi & Krzysztof Drabikowski - Панихида
Both versions of this band in included in this list by design. I was a fan of Batushka way before the onset of the ridiculously messy, never ending divorce. I’ve read the clickbait articles and watched a bunch of the YouTube videos showcasing the soap opera like drama. I refuse to pick a side because in the end, it’s the music that’s important to me. Krzysztof dropped his album first and I have to say that this sounds closest to the legendary Litourgiya album of the two. However; the production is lacking just a little. Bart’s version was released a short time after Krzysztof’s and had the better overall sound, but fell a little short on the trademark Orthodox feel. In short, both albums garnered a lot of listening time from me and I’m happy I didn’t fall for the drama about which version was the “true” Batushka.
3. Mgla – Age of Excuse
The Force is strong with Poland this year! The follow-up to 2015’s “Exercises in Futility” did not disappoint at all! This band continues to grow and master their unique black metal prowess. If I had to pick my favorite song overall for 2019, Age of Excuse III would be the winner by a mile. It may even be their best song ever, but that’s a subjective argument because of Exercises in Futility V. I foresee Mgla touring extensively during the “Age of Excuse” album cycle and landing on a shit ton of festival bills next summer. A well-deserved accomplishment indeed.
2. Gaahl’s Wyrd – Gastir – Ghosts Invited
I waffled back and forth between my top two picks for the better part of a day, it was really that close of a call. This album was in a constant rotation on my turntable for the greater part of a few months, never getting old. This isn’t black metal, and it’s definitely not Gorgoroth…It’s so much better than that. Gaahl has found his true voice with this album and his gothic ways are the strength of it. Don’t get me wrong, there are black metal passages, but with the Peter Murphy style vocal phrasings on top of them, it takes it to another level. Trust me, it works.
1. Possessed – Revelations of Oblivion
It wasn’t an easy choice to make, but this was the best album of 2019 for me. Possessed is one of my favorite bands of all time by a mile, but there is no favoritism here. This overall number one pick is well deserved. When I initially heard that they were recording a new album after a 20+ years absence, I braced for impact. In my experience these coming out of retirement albums usually don’t go over too well. “Revelations of Oblivion” was unequivocally the exception.
Possessed obviously took note of the sound that made them a favorite among death metal fans in the first place and IMPROVED ON IT! Jeff Becerra’s vocals have never been so brutal, and he never lost the harshness that was a Possessed trademark among the cacophony of death metal vocal styles out there. In my humble opinion, his vocals are even better now! Even the guitars on this album have the Possessed style riffing from yesteryear. Everything is improved and most importantly, the overall sound and clarity of the album is spectacular. Only if “Seven Churches” had this production…
Overall, I thought this was a great year for metal releases, here are a few honorable mentions that I silently debated with myself while coming up with my top five:
Abbath – “Outstrider”
Rotting Christ – “The Heretics”
Sorxe – “The Ark Burner”
Tomb Mold – “Planetary Clairvoyance”
Wormwood – “Nattarvet”
Festivals I Attended in 2019 Ranked:
1. Brutal Assault – First and foremost, the lineup was incredible this year with such heavyweights as Anthrax, Meshuggah, Carcass, Triumph of Death (Hellhammer) and Rotting Christ being a handful of the great bands that played this legendary festival. This was my 2nd Brutal Assault and just like last time, it was incredibly well organized. The organizers really go out of their way to make this a fun time for the attendees and they’ve nailed it both times that I’ve been. Check out some photos of this year’s Brutal Assault within Metalunderground.com’s photo galleries.
2. Metal and Beers (Philadelphia) – This is the most genius idea for a metal festival EVER. A metal festival and a craft beer festival combined? Truly a match made in hell... Both Testament and Enslaved played exclusive sets and that was just part of the allure of this delicious festival on top of all the tasty brews that surround you while the bands destroy your ears. Read my road report about it here!
3. Psycho Las Vegas – After Psycho Las Vegas was unceremoniously booted from what felt like a natural home at The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel, I wondered if it would lose some of its magic at the new digs of Mandalay Bay. Not at all. In fact, this festival will continue to grow in popularity and in lore. Power Trip playing the beach stage this year is probably my favorite set from this festival throughout its entire existence.
Diamond Oz: My Top Five Albums Of 2019
Another year, another welcome barrage of metal albums. After some absolute belters last year from the likes of Judas Priest, Mantar and Primordial, 2019 had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, there were plenty of legends, established artists and fresh faces with new material on offer this year. OK. Obligatory intro out of the way, let's get on with why you'll tell me how wrong I am on Twitter this year...
Best Live Band
Just like last year, I've been a very lucky boy this year in terms of how many bands I've seen. A great live band, in my opinion, is one which can cut it in a large venue as well as a smaller place. Some notable performances this year came from the Graspop Metal Meeting festival in Belgium, where Candlemass, Slayer, Orange Goblin and Discharge, to name but a few, treated fans to unforgettable shows. In fact, I very nearly gave this year's award to Discharge, since they attracted a big number to see them at Graspop, but I've also seen them perform just as sharply in venues the size of bedrooms. However, this year the award goes to...
King Diamond
Anyone who's familiar with the man won't be surprised by this, but finally seeing King Diamond live was a dream come true. Anyone who can get a crowd to go crazy, without playing a note, without saying a word, without even moving, is a born performer. Currently blowing audiences minds in North America, the Danish metal icon opened his set simply by sitting in a chair, before the lights go up and the audiences can be hold the two floor set promoting his new album, "The Institute." The man is sixty three years old and still in phenomenal voice, treating fans to classics and album cuts, King Diamond puts the likes of Alice Cooper and Kiss to shame with his theatrics too. He's still a bucket list artist for many people and I strongly urge everyone to see the King as soon as they can. More...