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Dream Theater

Dream Theater

I'll be the first to admit my Dream Theater fan-ism. Unfortunately, so so much of their post-2009 works has left me 'less than enthralled'. Mired amid an array of turmoils, the resulting output lacked, for want of a succinct term, the heaviness of their glories. While A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011) and Dream Theater (2013) may have initially placated me, The Astonishing (2016) quickly found me questioning their very future. Now, with the release of their all-new return-to-forms Distance Over Time officially upon us, I once again find myself more than happy to gleefully over-indulge in their auditory exordiums.Read More

Last In Line

Last In Line

Let's just face it; when legendary chorister Ronnie James Dio 'had' released his finis effort Master Of The Moon, most of the group's classic origins had been forgotten. But when axe-master Vivian Campbell, Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice reconvened with vocalist Andrew Freeman, the spark returned. Issuing Heavy Crown in 2016 to near-universal acclaim, the group would tour sporadically prior to the death of Bain. Releasing the aptly-titled--II (2019), the newly-rejuvenated 'Super Group' once again appears destined to carry on with the oft-storied legacy and spirit of their ground-breaking history.Read More

Queensrÿche

Queensrÿche When the iconic, Bellevue-based Queensrÿche at last 'moved onto' the future via an all-new compact with Indie ogres Century Media Records in 2012, very few doubted their choice(s) of direction. Recruiting ex-Crimson Glory frontman Todd LaTorre, they released their self-titled comeback in 2012 and the oft-in-genious gem Condition Hüman in late 2015. Fortunately, with the truly mighty The Verdict (2019), their newest post-Geoff Tate efforts, they'll embark upon the latest chapter in what could only be described as a once unthinkable career re-imagination and--more importantly--its resulting revitalization.Read More

New Interviews

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Damon Johnson

Damon Johnson

As a consummate Hard Rock fan, I've devoted much of my 'down time' to an blend of Classic and current Hard Rock and Heavy Metals. Among my favorites were Brother Cane. Fueled by vocalist Damon Johnson, the quintet released their Virgin Records debut (1993) with the single 'Got No Shame' propelling it to the Billboard Heatseekers. Recently, Johnson, always a man of so many words and interesting stories, was kind enough to speak with us regarding his latest solo offerings Memoirs Of An Uprising (2018).Read More

Kane Roberts

Kane Roberts

When 'Shock Rock' hero Alice Cooper reemerged via Constrictor (1986), the changes to his tonality was immediate. At the epicenter of this was axe-master Kane Roberts. Co-writing nearly every track, Roberts would embark on a solo career, issuing the Desmond Child-led Saints And Sinners (1991). Now, with The New Normal (2019), his first new release in seven (!) years, Roberts has once again returned to remind both die-hard completists and clueless new-comers alike of his lyrical and compositional ingenuity.Read More

off the record

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Urge Overkill

Urge Overkill

Just when it appeared my increasingly-damaged psyche had been graced with every noteworthy variation of the 'tried and true' Vinyl Re-Issue formulation, a release that actually piqués my interest emerges. My lingering obsessions with the singularly ingenious Black Crowes and Krokus deluxe vinyl treatments not fully withstanding, the impacts of such artists have typically fallen well short of their expectation(s). Not surprisingly, you can only imagine our true satisfaction with the long-gestating Porterhouse Records re-issue of the Urge Orverkill epitome Saturation.Read More

Vio-lence

Vio-lence

When Thrash Metal upstarts Vio-lence unleashed Eternal Nightmare in 1990, the 'vocally unorthodox' effort left many a fan truly unsure of how to react to it. Armed with the deftly-executed jewels 'Calling In The Coroner' and 'Kill On Command', it would eventually gain a dedicated cult following. Now, nearly fifteen (!) years after the original Megaforce Records re-release, the group's greatest mosh-inducing moments are finally receiving the bonus track-laden (i.e. 'Torture Tactics'), 2X vinyl treatment is so rightfully deserves via re-issue specialists Wax Maniax. Read More

Geekcasts

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Gruesome

Marty Friedman

Amid the septic bowels of the 'typically tumultuous' realms best known as the Death Metal genre(s), few groups have captured the essence of another artist. Even with the presence of acts such as Incantation spawning a true myriad of followers, few would ever succeed. As a result, you can only imagine our zest for the highly-anticipated release of the mighty Twisted Prayers, the second full-length effort from the Chuck Schulinder (Death Scream Bloody Gore, Spiritual Healing), Matt Harvey-voltaic icons Gruesome.Hear More

Marty Friedman

Marty Friedman

I'll be the the first to admit my life-long love of instrumental guitarists. Although the 'collective catalogs' of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai once left me enthralled, I ultimately found myself searching for a fresher alternative. Accordingly, when I was introduced to Marty Friedman as a solo artist, I became a truly dedicated fan of his uniquely distinctive tonalities. Now, with the release of the mighty One Bad M.F. Live!, he has re-asserted his rightful place in the curiously-overlooked Instrumental Guitar (or 'シュレッド') sub-genre.Hear More

Geektech

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Audio-Technica BPHS1 Headset

Audio-Technica BPHS1 Broadcast Stereo Headset

As a Podcaster who also happens to be a passionate husband and father, interviewing artists sans annoyance is a concern. Once I had discovered the Audio-Technica BPHS1 Headset, so many of my worries were quelled. As you can imagine, we were only more than happy to share our newest auditory realization(s) with our readers as part of our re-vamped GeekTech feature that now focuses entirely on the various hardware, software and, to a larger extent, the latest must-have gear everyone needs to reach their 'ultimate' full Geek potentialities.Read More

Popsky Vintage Bluetooth Turntable

Popsky Vintage Bluetooth Turntable

I'll be the first to admit that I've quickly become a turntable snob. Although I often attempt to justify my behavior by 'falling back' on comparisons of sound quality, my blue collar roots are low-fi. Fortunately, the new Popsky Vintage Bluetooth Turntable, both flexibilities and practicality are delivered via a small, full-featured unit. Putting ours to the test with a series of classic Thrash Metal titles, we found ourselves throwing the horns without limiting anything. Stay tuned (i.e. click here) to fully experience the entirety of our use and abuse and discover why you should or shouldn't spend all your hard-earned cash. Read More

Contests

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Megadeth

Megadeth

Sick and tired of never winning merch from your favorite artists and groups? Click here to enter our exclusive new Megadeth Warheads On Foreheads CD Giveaway! Led by mainman Dave Mustaine, Warheads On Foreheads features thirty-five re-mastered tracks personally selected by the frontman. Available as a three CD or four piece vinyl collection, Warheads On Foreheads is a must-have for die-hard completists and clueless newcomers alike, making it the 'Greatest Hits' collection no genuine and sincere Thrash Metal fiend should be without. Read More

Tesla

Queensrÿche

Sick and tired of never winning merch from your favorite artists and groups? Click here to enter our exclusive new Tesla Shock CD & Vinyl Giveaways! Produced by Def Leppard axemaster Phil Collen, Shock show-cases their trademark penchant for Classic Rock tonalities. Improving upon the agruably lackluster Simplicity (2014), Shock is the improbably long-running group's eighth studio release in a long and storied career. Jam-packed with an array of all new 'instant classics', the highly-anticipated Shock--and thus the quintet itself--effectively represent the finest the Hard Rock genre has to offer us all. Read More

Galleries

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