Justin Norton

Q&A and Track Premiere: Eight Bells – ‘Nadir’

November 29, 2021

Hear a track from Eight Bells‘ album Legacy of Ruin (due on February 25 and available now for preorder), the band’s first record in roughly five years.

Full Album Stream: Teeth’s ‘Finite’

November 19, 2021

Of all the albums that arrived this year Teeth‘s Finite was the most welcome surprise. Not long after I listened to it I wrote the following: “the fact that it’s nearly impossible to describe Finite speaks to how perfect it is for our extraordinarily challenging times — times where the truth itself is under assault. We…

Q&A: Udo Dirkschneider on ‘Game Over,’ Set Lists and Pandemic Touring

November 9, 2021

Metal institution and U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider talks about his record and how it’s a challenge to cobble a set list together from a catalog of classics.

Q&A: Pro Wrestler Malakai Black on Amenra and Growing Up A Metal Fan

October 20, 2021

Tom Büdgen, better known as Malakai Black, is one of the world’s most celebrated professional wrestlers. He tells us about how his visual presentation owes much to his lifelong metal fandom.

Q&A: Matt Harvey and Will Carroll on Resurrecting Scarecrow

October 14, 2021

Bay Area thrashers featuring Matt Harvey (Exhumed), Will Carroll and Damien Sisson (Death Angel) and Bud Burke (ex-Exhumed) Scarecrow reform.

Streaming: Lavaborne’s “Mortal Pride”

September 2, 2021

Hear Indianapolis heavy doom hitters Lavaborne‘s new single in advance of their Wise Blood debut Black Winged Gods, released on October 1st.

Streaming: Dreamwheel’s “Chain Of Fear”

August 17, 2021

Hear Evan Linger (Skeletonwitch bassist) and Julia Gaeta (former Albez Duz guitarist) collaborate on Siouxsie Sioux-meets-Killing Joke-meets-Joy Division project Dreamwheel.

Hall of Fame Extra – Behind The ‘Instinct: Decay’ Artwork

August 2, 2021

Chicago area artist Rebecca Clegg discusses her work on the unforgettable cover art for recent Hall of Fame inductee Instinct: Decay.

Joey Jordison: 1975-2021

July 27, 2021

We remember the fallen former Slipknot drummer and is impact on a generation of extreme metal fans. Rest well, Joey. 

The Artists Behind ‘Black Metal Rainbows’ Book on Their “Love Letter to Black Metal”

July 26, 2021

Decibel speaks with editors Daniel Lukes and Stanimir Panayotov, and designer Jaci Raia, the three people responsible for the new book, Black Metal Rainbows.

Nachtmystium – Instinct: Decay

July 8, 2021

Nachtmystium‘s USBM landmark, Instinct: Decay, gets a Decibel Hall of Fame induction

Video Premiere: Persekutor’s “Chained To the Tundra”

June 23, 2021

Romanian/Los Angeles ice metal heroes Persekutor unveil their latest hedonistic video from last year’s Permanent Winter

Stream the New Cirith Ungol EP & Read an Interview with the Legendary Robert Garven

May 27, 2021

While you listen, read our Q&A with band co-founder/drummer Robert Garven about handling pandemic setbacks, how the EP came together, and what’s next for this legendary band. 

Q&A: Catching Up With Death Angel’s Will Carroll A Year After His COVID Battle

May 18, 2021

Death Angel drummer Will Carroll speaks with us about his journey and what he’s learned during the pandemic. Death Angel will stream a concert on May 29 focusing on rarities from their catalog.

Q&A: Laurie Sue Shanaman (Ails) on a Year of Essential Work During the Pandemic

March 16, 2021

Ails’ vocalist works as a case manager in San Francisco where she assists homeless citizens transitioning to supportive housing. Shanaman discusses putting her health on the line to ensure that the most vulnerable among us continue to have a lifeline.

The Plague Rages So Mike DiSalvo, Friends Rip On This Napalm Death Cover

February 8, 2021

Death metal vocal king Mike DiSalvo and members of Mercurial and Misery Index team up to to record a ripping cover of Napalm Death’s Fear, Emptiness, Despair classic.

Streaming: Kyle Ball (Wake) Covers Earth A.D. Black Metal Style

January 18, 2021

Wake vocalist Kyle Ball and friends reimagine A.D: Earth from a blackened punk aesthetic.

‘Heavy Metal Movies’ Author Mike “McBeardo” McPadden Passes Away

December 17, 2020

Decibel mourns the loss of Mike “McBeardo” McPadden, author of a pair of modern classics for Bazillion Points, Heavy Metal Movies and Teen Movie Hell.

Blowing Their Wad All Over God: An Oral History of GWAR’s ‘Scumdogs of the Universe’

October 27, 2020

Decibel celebrates the 30th anniversary of GWAR‘s landmark Scumdogs of the Universe, and dodges blood and semen to bring you the ULTIMATE oral history of the legendary release.

Q&A: Adam Wakeman on the ‘Jazz Sabbath’ project

September 29, 2020

Wakeman discusses the jazz-styled Black Sabbath covers of Jazz Sabbath and how Ozzy surprised him with his Dad’s keyboard from the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath sessions. 

Party On, Dude: Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher on the ‘Bill and Ted 3’ Soundtrack & Mastodon Rarities

September 16, 2020

Mastodon‘s Bill Kelliher talks, Bill & Ted 3, Brent Hinds’ “Wild Stallyns Bill and Ted Forever” tattoo and the band’s new comp.

Death Angel’s Will Carroll on His Coronavirus Battle: “They Seriously Thought I Was Going To Die”

April 13, 2020

Death Angel drummer Will Carroll shares his story for the first time with Decibel about how the his harrowing battle with COVID-19 changed his life.

Q&A: Joe Wood on Bringing Change Today? Songs Back on the Road

February 14, 2020

We talk to onetime T.S.O.L. frontman Joe Wood about his new band and finally playing his classic mid-80s material again

Q&A: Al Jourgensen on Ministry’s visual history book, Slayer’s goodbye and Trump

January 17, 2020

Uncle Al Jourgensen caught up with Decibel late last month to discuss going through his personal history vault and how self-acceptance comes with aging.

Track Premiere: Wake’s “This Abyssal Plain”

December 18, 2019

Canadian grindcrushers Wake Announce Devouring Ruin; debut records’s first single via Decibel.

Streaming: Bummer’s “Thanks For Nothing” EP

October 31, 2019

Here’s the new Bummer track, “Thanks for Nothing.” You’re welcome.