Editorial

Slayer’s Debut “Show No Mercy” Turns 40

December 4, 2023

There was once a metal world without Slayer, as hard as that is to imagine. That world changed forever with this album. Show No Mercy is a giant’s first loud footstep.

Motörhead’s “Another Perfect Day” Celebrates 40th With Deluxe Reissues

November 2, 2023

In which we revisit Motörhead’s Another Perfect Day for its killer 40th anniversary reissue.

Mercyful Fate’s “Melissa” Turns 40

October 30, 2023

Melissa’s legacy is legion. Join us as we look back on the 40th anniversary of Mercyful Fate‘s earth-shattering debut full-length album.

Black Sabbath’s “Born Again” Turns 40

September 12, 2023

In which we celebrate the strangest album in Black Sabbath’s career and the product of their strangest era. Happy 40th birthday, Born Again!

Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All” Turns 40

July 25, 2023

Decibel looks back on Metallica‘s Kill ‘Em All, the album that helped birth thrash metal, launched a legendary career, on its 40th anniversary

Reborn in Blasphemy: Revisiting Pavor’s ‘A Pale Debilitating Autumn’ Album Nearly 30 Years Later

February 28, 2023

Deathevokation frontman Götz Vogelsang preforms zombie ritual reviews of lost death metal classics in the latest edition of his semi-regular column Reborn in Blasphemy.

Left To Die’s Gus Rios on ‘Leprosy’ as the Sound of Perseverance

August 24, 2022

Three years on from a suicide attempt, Left To Die drummer Gus Rios discusses living a childhood dream by performing with former Death members.

Neill Jameson on Women’s Rights and America’s Descent Into a Theocratic Nation

July 8, 2022

Krieg frontman and Decibel columnist Neill Jameson discusses the fall of Roe v. Wade and why no one is immune from its impact.

Venomous Concept Vocalist Kevin Sharp on His Own Mental Health Struggles and Continuing the Fight

May 12, 2022

In the wake of Trevor Strnad’s death, former Brutal Truth frontman Kevin Sharp opens up about about his own recent metal health reckoning and steps that saved him.

Op Ed: Neill Jameson Spotlights a New Wave of Darkness in American Black Metal

December 28, 2021

In which Krieg’s frontman focuses on Grinning Death’s Head, Calvary, Pan-Amerikan Native Front and the rising new wave of American Black Metal.

An Open Letter to Glenn Danzig for Halloween

October 18, 2021

The weather is changing, the leaves are turning, but it’s still been 20 years since any proper Samhain reissues. Our Neill Jameson asks Glenn Dazing, what’s up?

Low Fidelity: Vintage Vinyl and The Precarious State of the Indie Record Store

July 29, 2021

Krieg’s Neill Jameson reflects on the closing of New Jersey’s legendary Vintage Vinyl and what it means for your favorite indie record store.

Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber) Offers Empathy & Unity In Uncertain Times

October 5, 2020

Oceans of Slumber frontwoman Cammie Gilbert offers wise words of empathy and unity as a woman of color in a white, male-dominated scene. She is a metalhead like all of us.

Darker Than Darker Than Black: U.S. Black Metal Artist Galdr Rages Against Fascism

August 13, 2020

Draugr, the multi-instrumentalist of the U.S. black metal bands Galdr, Ancalagon and Obscurum, pens an op-ed on his anti-racist political awakening in underground black metal.

Andrew Lee of Ripped to Shreds on Ending Racist Stereotypes Against Asians in Metal

June 29, 2020

Ripped to Shreds frontman Andrew Lee addresses the work that needs to be done in fighting dangerous stereotypes against Asians and Asian-Americans in underground metal.

An Asshole’s Guide to Surviving the Musical Apocalypse

March 16, 2020

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the global economy by the hour. There are few certainties, but Krieg’s Neill Jameson offers some ways to help your favorite artists in the metal scene.

Bullshit on Parade: Why Are You Really Angry About Rage Against the Machine Ticket Prices?

February 19, 2020

Krieg’s Neill Jameson gathers some facts on the recent public backlash against Rage Against the Machine‘s high-priced concert tickets

Mainstream Metal is F*cking Dead

December 27, 2019

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

Fallow Heart: Transmissions From a World of Paine

September 13, 2019

“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

Five Things Every Band Booking Their Own Tour Should Know, by Ben Ward of Orange Goblin

August 14, 2019

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.

Game of Moans: Neill Jameson Defends the Final Season of ‘Game of Thrones’

May 22, 2019

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.

Fallow Heart: The Mechanics and Ethics of Album Reviews

May 17, 2019

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

Fallow Heart: Conquer Divide

May 3, 2019

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

Fallow Heart: Inner Self (Part II)

April 19, 2019

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

Fallow Heart: I Think, Therefore I Ectovoid

April 5, 2019

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