Blog – 4 Columns

TÝR – Battle Ballads Album Review

April 2, 2024

Planted in 2020, TÝR’s collaboration with the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra blooms on “Battle Ballads,” a symphonic metal masterpiece. This album transcends Viking Metal’s boundaries, weaving its raw energy with majestic orchestration. “Hammered” exemplifies this evolution, launching from guitar riffs into vibrant, multi-layered complexity. From anthemic tracks like “Unwandered Ways” to the poignant “Torkils Døtur,” TÝR showcases their storytelling and musicianship, intertwining orchestral arrangements with tales of heroism and emotional depth. Don’t miss TÝR live at San Diego’s Brick By Brick on April 17th to experience the power and beauty of “Battle Ballads”!

Article Featured

San Diego Needs a Heavy Metal Awards Ceremony

March 29, 2024

Raymond Melendez

San Diego’s heavy metal scene is as dynamic and thunderous as the genre itself. Death metal bands with guttural growls and power metal groups with electrifying solos fill the city with the passion of a thousand musicians. Despite the burgeoning scene, however, one element is missing—a celebration of the talented heavy metalheads in San Diego….

News

Witherfall Unveils “When It All Falls Away”

March 27, 2024

Raymond Melendez

In the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, a band called Witherfall is crafting a sound that’s as emotionally stirring as it is sonically profound. Their latest offering, “When It All Falls Away,” from the much-anticipated album “Sounds Of The Forgotten” set to release on May 31st, 2024, isn’t just another single; it’s a journey through…

Featured Show Review

Queensrÿche Returns To Crush San Diego at Intimate Sycuan Show

March 27, 2024

Raymond Melendez

What does Anthrax, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden have in common? They all faced the daunting challenge of losing their frontmen at one time or another. Not until the original vocalist came back that the band was able to flourish once again; yet, Queensrÿche is living proof that within such adversity, the metal flame can…

Article Featured

Power Chords and Power-Ups: Why Metal Music and Gaming Make a Perfect Match

March 22, 2024

Raymond Melendez

This article explores the surprising synergy between metal music and video games. Metal’s visceral energy enhances focus and reaction time during gameplay, while its themes of rebellion, triumph, and overcoming challenges motivate gamers to push through difficult levels. Beyond the soundtrack, metal fosters a strong sense of community for those seeking belonging. Both metal and gaming can also be therapeutic, with metal offering a cathartic release for negative emotions and games providing a safe space to explore identities. The future holds even more possibilities, with metal soundtracks appearing in games and VR technology blurring the lines between the two worlds.

Album Review Featured

Judas Priest – Invincible Shield Album Review. Heavy Metal Royalty Reigns Supreme

March 21, 2024

Raymond Melendez

Invincible Shield, from Judas Priest, is an immense success in a long line of monumental successes for the band; this album, famously, marks its birthplace as from the nineteenth studio. Co-producing once again is Andy Sneap, blessed with the magic touch that helped the group’s last effort, 2018’s acclaimed Firepower, along with co-production on the…

Album ReviewFeatured

Vesperian Sorrow – “Awaken The Greylight” Album Review

March 17, 2024

Raymond Melendez

Artist: Vesperian Sorrow Album: Awaken The Greylight Genre: Symphonic Black Metal Release Date: April 26 2024 On the grand pantheon of symphonic black metal bands, few have carved as distinctive a niche as Austin, Texas’ own Vesperian Sorrow. Delving even further into the cosmic and gothic territories which have defined their very personal niche within…

Album ReviewFeatured

Spit On Your Grave – Arkanum Album Review

March 16, 2024

Raymond Melendez

Coming from the bowels of Monterrey, Mexico, SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE has managed to find its own niche within the death metal scene for their brand of poignant sound and relentless energy. “Arkanum,” due out April 12, 2024, is the next chapter in the band’s glorious celebration of mystical themes woven within the raw intensity of death metal.

Article Featured

How Metal Fuels Creativity in San Diego

March 13, 2024

Raymond Melendez

The San Diego metal scene is more than simply smashing riffs and headbanging mosh pits. It’s a thriving ecology that seeps into other creative fields, affecting everything from visual art and clothes design to the foamy head on your favorite craft beer.