Essential Heavy Metal Christmas Songs
Over at CFMU, I co-host the metal show – Kill, Eat, Exploit the Weak – and we just finished our annual Christmas special. It’s…
Nightwish
Nightwish at The Fillmore in Charlotte
Nightwish delivers the Greatest Show on Earth 10 March 2018 @ Fillmore Charlotte – Charlotte, NC Floor Jansen, at this point, has arguably established…
ProgPower USA 2012 Recap Day 1
ProgPower USA 2012 had one of its most diverse line ups in the festival’s history. Here is Justin Richardson’s recap of the first day of last September’s festival, which included performances by Sinbreed, Kingcrow, Amaranthe, Serenity, Primordial, Redemption and Epica.
Review recap and all concert photography by Justin Richardson.
Nightwish / Kamelot @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA, September 12 + 13, 2012
Justin Richardson reviews the September 12th and 13th performances by Nightwish and Kamelot at Atlanta’s Center Stage facility, done as a welcome to that weekend’s ProgPower USA festival.
Delain – We Are The Others
To start, some context: it’s rare when an album from within the amorphous power/gothic/symphonic/what-have-you metal category manages to keep my attention these days. I…
Swallow The Sun – Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
Emerald Forest And The Blackbird by Swallow The Sun will satisfy my craving for Finnish quality metal for a long time to come and I wouldn’t be surprised if this record would end up in my year list for 2012.
Delain – Lucidity
As for the bulk of the original album, it’s what you would expect from a former member of Within Temptation (Westerholt): soaring vocals, bombastic guitar solos, pounding drums, lush keyboard and symphonic string arrangements. All played with subtlety and an attention to contrast that it seems only those in power or progressive metal remember any more
Bazillion Points: Publishing Paper On Metal
“I think quality and uniqueness are what makes books into big sellers. Reading books is a subversive and uncommercial action from the start. Books are the last bastion of quality and uniqueness in mass culture.”
An interview with Ian Christe, founder and publisher of the Bazillion Points publishing company.
Delain: April Rain
The vocals are perfect. They always match the music dead on. Unlike most female goth metal, Charlotte Wessels does not sound over dramatic. Her performance grabs the listener and does not let go until the album’s completion. However, this album does not strictly rely on vocals like most female-fronted goth metal acts; it also gives the listener a good dose of instrumental sections as well.
Delain: April Rain
This is huge sounding, well done goth metal in the vein of Within Temptation – which is no wonder as so may ex members occupy the band. I believe this dutch outfit has reached the top tier of this style with this release.