Editorial

As we close out the decade, Decibel has an infernal correspondence on the demise of relevant major-label metal

“Progress is born of doubt and inquiry. The Church never doubts, never inquires. To doubt is heresy, to inquire is to admit that you do not know—the Church does neither.” —Robert G. Ingersoll

On the eve of his own U.S. tour, Orange Goblin frontman Ben Ward provides five pro tips that every band who is booking their own tour should practice.

Decibel columnist and Krieg vocalist Neill Jameson encourages you to maybe enjoy something good, like the end of Game of Thrones, for once in your life.

Sizing up a review’s target relates far more to spirit than to ethics.

Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts takes us to metal church.

Forrest Pitts offers a little friendly and philosophical advice for a struggling metalcore band,

Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts continues to ruminate on the inner self.

Analyzing Sepultura through a Buddhist lens.

Taking a deeper look at the process of writing a review.

Great Falls count down the sets they’re most excited to see on their US tour.

Considering the topic of the male gaze in heavy metal.

It’s a long way to the top if you wanna… write about extreme metal?

Eulogy time: The Trocadero, a Philadelphia music institution, to close permanently.

Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts reflects on Opeth‘s farsightedness and ability to manipulate our collective imagination.

Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts considers the lessons he learned from hardcore.

In his new column, Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts presents a capsized field guide for anyone taking life one step at time.

Melotov Records’ Melanie Voltz shares the story of her struggle with prescription narcotics.

The guitarist/vocalist of English metal band Svalbard pens a guest editorial about her experiences as a woman in the underground metal scene.

J. Bennett remembers his friend and former Cave In/Old Man Gloom/Zozobra bassist Caleb Scofield.

Stay vigilant and speak up, especially for those who can’t speak for themselves. We can all do better at this.

Let’s imagine a world where kids can get lost in records and find themselves again. Let’s imagine a world where the bridge to adulthood doesn’t include fearing for your life.

As a small Leviathan-affiliated record store and screenprinter are being forced out of Portland due to rising rent. Jef Whitehead and Stevie Floyd explain the importance of record stores in 2018.

When people tell you they don’t like metal, they might mean they’re not familiar with it. Here’s a way to think about getting people into music that’s new to them.

Krieg’s Neill Jameson recounts another round of instances in which black metal was falsely pronounced dead.

Judas Priest will hit the road without guitarist Glenn Tipton, but the band remains great in his absence.

Krieg’s Neill Jameson recounts various times throughout history when black metal was falsely pronounced dead.

Hot Taake coming through from Krieg’s Neill Jameison.

Every artist eventually faces a bad review of their work. But a very public reaction to that review invites even more negative criticism.

Watain’s upcoming album, “Trident Wolf Eclipse,” is a fantastic explosion of straightforward blackened death metal. This return to form is a good chance to think about why some bands do better experimenting, whereas others should stick to what they’re good at.