On Wednesday, February 8th Sean Palmerston interviewed Megadeth lead guitarist Chris Broderick at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.The band was in The Hammer making their first ever performance there as part of this year’s Gigantour. Here is their chat in its entirety.

A small, passionate, vocal crowd greeted Neurosis’ Scott Kelly and Baroness’ John Baizley for their show in New Zealand’s capital on their current solo acoustic tour. With able support from an NZ rock icon, Craig Radford, the night was filled with heartfelt, intense performances.

Craig Haze reviews the February 3rd performance by Scott Kelly, John Baizley and more in Wellington, New Zealand. Live photos by Greg Parsons.

“The entire floor of the Phoenix eventually became a pit, the area right on front of the stage was like a maelstrom, with little eddies and whirlpools breaking out all the way to the very back wall. The venue eventually threw the rear doors open to ease the infernal heat, and people’s bodies near the exit gave off visible steam when the cool air hit them. It was exhausting and sweaty and exultant, the most love concentrated into a single performance that I have seen in a long time. ”

Natalie Zed reviews the sold out performance by Lamb Of God at Toronto’s Phoenix on January 27th. Live photos by Adam Wills

Kevin Stewart-Panko plays the word association game with Liberteer’s Matthew Widener on the eve of the release of his new project’s debut album, Better to Die on Your Feet Than Live on Your Knees, set for release on Relapse Records on January 31st.

On Friday, January 20th RIOT played their final warm up show for the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise and Hellbound was there to take it in. Here is Sean Palmerston’s review of the show, with photos by Albert Mansour.

Natalie Zed reviews the January 22nd Toronto performance by occult rockers Ghost, as well as support acts Blood Ceremony and Ancient VVisdom at the Mod Club. All live photos by Adam Wills

Catching up on some of the late 2011 releases that nearly went under the radar, Craig Haze reviews a triptych of death metal albums, including the latest from Horrendous, Ominous Crucifix and Vore.

On Thursday I had a chance to speak to Mike Dean of the recently reunited Corrosion of Conformity about their excellent upcoming self-titled album that will be released on Candlelight Records. We had a nice chat while he walked his dogs, chatting about making the new album, how the band got together again as a trio and about being a metal musician for thirty years.