Steel Assassin: War Of The Eight Saints
Chances are that unless you followed Metal Blade’s Metal Massacre compilations back in the mid-eighties you may have never heard Steel Assassin.
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Astra: The Weirding
Originally forming in San Diego, California during 2001 under the moniker Silver Sunshine, this progressive rock changed their musical style from psychedelic pop to progressive rock in 2008 and also decided a name change was in order too, settling on the new name of Astra. However, Do not be mistake Astra with the Italian progressive metal band that also goes by the same name.
Hellsaw: Cold
Hellsaw’s Cold is an album that starts out much stronger than it ends.
Ted Nugent: Motor City Mayhem
This ain’t no Double Live Gonzo, but America’s weirdest right-wing redneck rocker celebrates his 6000th concert at home in Detroit, Michigan. Ted Nugent, you are a freak.
Birds of Prey: The Hellpreacher
Erik Larson (Alabama Thunderpussy), Bo Leslie (The Last Van Zant), Summer Welch (Baroness), Ben Hogg (Beaten Back To Pure) and Dave Witte (Municipal Waste) come together to create concept album, The Hellpreacher.
The Canadian Invasion: Maryland Death Fest 2009
With the passing of the once-great Milwaukee Metalfest, the Maryland Death Fest has become the premiere heavy metal festival in North America. Spanning 3 days, 2 stages and over 50 bands, there is no shortage of metal to more than fill the needs of any metal heads looking for a weekend of blast beats and head-banging.
Hellhound: Metal Fire From Hell
Metal Fire From Hell is the second album from Japan’s Hellhound. It doesn’t offer anything off the beaten path, but there is no indication that the band has any intention of suggesting otherwise.
Metal Blade Records: 25th Anniversary DVD
Filmed live at the Palladium in Worchester MA in April of 2007, this historic DVD document is a great snapshot of stalwart US indie label Metal Blade’s then-current roster.
Gillan: The Glory Years
This neat retrospective release revisits Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan’s early ’80s solo band at the height of their success.
Sólstafir: Köld
Iceland’s Sólstafir have reemerged this year with Köld, a strong follow-up to 2005’s Master of Bitterness. It’s an eclectic album to say the least, bringing to mind everything from shoegazer black metal to ambient goth with a little alternative rock thrown in for good measure.