Judas Priest

Just a few more sleeps to the Sabbath gig…

To date, I have never seen Black Sabbath live–Heaven and Hell notwithstanding. Of course, I know that their bassist isn’t the only geezer in the band anymore, and they’ve got some nobody on drums for this tour, but hey, I can’t help but be at least a little excited for the gig at the ACC on Wednesday.

Whoa, talk about a blast from the past…

In case you didn’t know, Moxy had a few hits in the mid-to-late 70’s. Their 1975 self-titled album kinda sounds like Rush’s debut, before the latter got more progressive, and featured guitar virtuoso Tommy Bolin on several solos–he just happened to be recording in the studio next door. These guys were so big down in Texas that AC/DC opened for them on a string of dates in 1977, and were reportedly dubbed the Canadian Zeppelin by Sounds critic Geoff Barton…

Judas Priest – Screaming For Vengeance (30th Anniversary Edition)

In listening to the reissue of Screaming For Vengeance, it suddenly becomes clear that, as “of its time” the production applied to the record was (the effects on “Electric Eye” – all the clanking reverb and robotic imagery – and the glammy metal sheen of “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” are good examples), the record is the “step up” made by a band who knew they had the world’s attention, and continues to command respect thirty years later both for that and for its song craft.

Corrosion of Conformity

In Conversation With…. Mike Dean of Corrosion Of Conformity

“Prior to Corrosion of Conformity embarking on a North American tour, on which the Kingston, Ontario date had just been canceled (re-booked for Barrie), I had the chance to have a conversation with bassist/vocalist Mike Dean. We discussed this year’s self-titled release, influences old and new, touring in Canada, and even the NHL lockout.”

Interview by Matt Hinch

Iron Will paints a picture of strength, on stage and off, for death metal gladiators Kataklysm

“Director Tommy Jones captures the band’s stories of challenges and victories, both drunk and sober. Every. Single. One. You want an in-depth music documentary on a death metal band? This is it.”

Ola Mazzuca reviews Iron Will: 20 Years Determined, the new 2 DVD, 2CD compilation celebrating the first twenty years of Northern Hyperblast from Quebec death metal veterans Kataklysm.

A Metal Blade quartet

Metal Blade celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2012. While the label has already released a plethora of classic and genre-defining albums, and fostered and supported our dearly loved heavy metal community, it remains, to this day, as active and energetic as ever. What the metal realm would have looked like without Metal Blade’s steely presence over the past three decades is a frightening thought indeed.

To help celebrate this, here are four new reviews of new Metal Blade titles by our New Zealand based writer Craig Haze, who tackles the new releases by Angel Witch, Exhumer, Ram and OSI

Talking Blasphemous Baking With Metalcakes’ Kathy Bejma

There’s something evil baking in the kitchen of Kathy Bejma, a Chi-town native who’s creative to the max with her concept of merging metal with cupcakes. Developed in 2008, Metalcakes is a culinary tribute to her favourite bands, baking with supreme passion whilst listening to the most blasphemous of records. From the simple topping of whipped cream to the intricacy of edible flowers, Bejma’s blog includes a detailed account of each process, sharing her recipes with a global following.

Ola Mazzuca in conversation with Kathy Bejma about her blasphemous cupcake creations.