Justin Norton

Track Premiere: Tight Fright – “Look Out Below”

February 1, 2017

Listen to a track from Tight Fright’s pending debut Hotel Metal

The Mental Tyrant: Snippets From My Life With Mental Illness

January 18, 2017

Read about former Yob drummer Gabe Morley’s struggle with mental illness and homelessness and learn how you can help him secure stable housing. 

Q&A: East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys) on Trump, The Internet And His Revolutionary Guitar Sound

November 21, 2016

Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray sat down for a rare interview with Decibel and discussed Trump, his inimitable guitar style and how the Internet breeds fascism. 

Hellhammer – “Apocalyptic Raids”

November 11, 2016

At the onset of metal’s second decade, kult was not a choice. Kult was the by-product of poverty, desperation and isolation.

Satan’s Little Helpers: An Oral History of The Electric Hellfire Club

October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween! Get in the spirit with an exhaustive Decibel oral history of The Electric Hellfire Club, the innovative 90s band that blended metal, industrial music, and Satanism. Burn, baby, burn!  

Full Album Stream: The Powder Room’s “Lucky”

October 13, 2016

Stream The Powder Room’s second album Lucky here on release day.

Parking Lot Eternal: A Belated Elegy For Dave Donahue

October 3, 2016

A few months after Heavy Metal Parking Lot celebrated its 30th anniversary, we remember the life of Dave Donahue, who made a short appearance in the film but left a lasting impression on his younger brother and friends. 

Metal Muthas Mondays: Richard Hoak (Brutal Truth, TFD)

September 26, 2016

Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Bernice Rakes, mother of Richard Hoak (Brutal Truth/Total Fucking Destruction).

Q&A: Keith Morris (Black Flag/Circle Jerks) on His New Memoir

September 15, 2016

Decibel talked to hardcore legend Keith Morris about his new memoir My Damage.

Metal Muthas Mondays: Elizabeth Schall of Dreaming Dead

September 12, 2016

Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Amanda Schall, mother of Elizabeth Schall (Dreaming Dead/Cretin) in August 2013.

Metal Muthas Mondays: Noisem

August 29, 2016

Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Wendy Phillips, mutha of Sebastian and Harley Phillips of Noisem.

Decibel Premiere: Seputus — “Soft Palates Rasp”

August 22, 2016

Check out the new track “Soft Palates Rasp” from Seputus, off their pending debut Man Does Not Give.

Decibel Q&A: Terence Hannum (Locrian) On His New Novella

August 8, 2016

Terence Hannum of Locrian talked to Decibel about his new novella Beneath The Remains.

Metal Muthas Mondays: Exmortus

August 1, 2016

Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s September 2014 chat with Ana Ramirez and Andrea Gonzalez, muthas of Mario Moreno and Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez of Exmortus.

Smell the ‘Musk’ On A Raw Summer Night

July 26, 2016

Check out a song stream from Oakland garage punkers Musk

Hammers of Misfortune

July 25, 2016

Dead Revolution
Full of life
dB rating: 9/10

The Decibel Interview: Sabbath Assembly (w/ticket contest)

July 18, 2016

We talked to David Nuss and Jamie Myers about Sabbath Assembly’s reinvention and the importance of tribe and tradition. We’re also giving away a set of tickets and shirt to their upcoming tour.

How We Roll #1 with Venom Inc.

July 11, 2016

Welcome to the first installment of an occasional Decibel blog feature called How We Roll. In this series, we’ll look behind the scenes to see what bands bring on the road to make extensive touring more comfortable (or more forgettable). Our first guests: Venom Inc.

Summer Camp For Metalheads: A Q&A With Shadow Woods Metal Fest Promoter MA Spiro

June 27, 2016

Promoter M A Spiro is looking to offer a better festival experience for the discerning fan metal with the curated Shadow Woods Metal Fest. She talked to us about what campers can expect. 

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath: The Story Behind The Artwork

June 23, 2016

In honor of Black Sabbath‘s final trek around the globe, we are running our 2014 print feature on the story behind the cover art of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, which was illustrated four decades ago by a rising Los Angeles artist named Drew Struzan. 

Metal Muthas Mondays: Jamie Myers of Sabbath Assembly

June 20, 2016

Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Becky Myers, mutha of Sabbath Assembly vocalist Jamie Myers.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas For The Deci-Dad

June 17, 2016

Five ideas to make a metal Dad happy this Father’s Day directly from Decibel‘s online store. 

Decibel Q&A: Shane Baker of Alaric

June 6, 2016

Alaric vocalist and lyricist Shane Baker talked to Decibel about death rock, learning to sing and End of Mirrors

Decibel Video Premiere: Alaric’s “Adore”

June 2, 2016

We’re streaming the first video from Alaric‘s new album End of Mirrors

Nick Menza: 1964-2016

May 23, 2016

Nick Menza — best remembered for his time in Megadeth — was one of the drummers that earned fierce love and respect. Menza died after collapsing on stage on Saturday, apparently from heart failure. Menza’s style, approach, and effortless invention were as essential to Megadeth as Bill Ward’s quirks and fills were to Black Sabbath or Dave Lombardo’s ferocity was to Slayer. 

New Dark Art Collectible book Darkadya: Q&A with creator

May 16, 2016

Lariyah Hayes of Khaotika talked to Decibel about what’s planned for her series of Darkadya books and how she was motivated by her brush with death. 

More From The East Bay: Notes From The Box Truck w/Tristin Campbell of Control

April 4, 2016

We continue our periodic look at the East Bay metal scene with Tristin Campbell of Control. Campbell is a needed throwback to the do-it-yourself ethos that made Northern California so rich musically.