Editorial
Eulogy: The Trocadero – A Philadelphia Music Institution Closes
March 18, 2019 Chris Dick
Eulogy time: The Trocadero, a Philadelphia music institution, to close permanently.
Fallow Heart: Opeth and a Meditation on Hero Worship
March 8, 2019 Forrest Pitts
Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts reflects on Opeth‘s farsightedness and ability to manipulate our collective imagination.
Fallow Heart: Hardcore (Sur)Realities
March 1, 2019 Forrest Pitts
Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts considers the lessons he learned from hardcore.
Fallow Heart: Approaching Metal From an ‘Armchair-Buddhist’ Perspective
February 22, 2019 Forrest Pitts
In his new column, Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts presents a capsized field guide for anyone taking life one step at time.
Phoenix In Flames: Melotov Records Founder on Her Struggle with Prescription Narcotics
August 9, 2018 Justin Norton
Melotov Records’ Melanie Voltz shares the story of her struggle with prescription narcotics.
Svalbard’s Serena Cherry on Underground Metal’s Enduring Gender Bias
May 17, 2018 Serena Cherry
The guitarist/vocalist of English metal band Svalbard pens a guest editorial about her experiences as a woman in the underground metal scene.
Caleb Scofield Will Always Be Here
April 11, 2018 J. Bennett
J. Bennett remembers his friend and former Cave In/Old Man Gloom/Zozobra bassist Caleb Scofield.
Krieg’s Neill Jameson on Inquisition and Doing Better as a Scene
March 27, 2018 Neill Jameson
Stay vigilant and speak up, especially for those who can’t speak for themselves. We can all do better at this.
An Extremely Extreme Voice For Common Sense
March 23, 2018 Justin Norton
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.
The Economics of Art and Culture and Why You Should Help Devout Rcrds
March 19, 2018 Neill Jameson
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.
Led Astray in the Forest Dark: Metal and the Familiarity Principle
March 16, 2018 J. Andrew
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.
A History of When Black Metal was “Over,” Part II
March 5, 2018 Neill Jameson
Krieg’s Neill Jameson recounts another round of instances in which black metal was falsely pronounced dead.
Retirepower: The End of Judas Priest’s Dual Guitar Assault
March 1, 2018 Greg Karlowitsch
Judas Priest will hit the road without guitarist Glenn Tipton, but the band remains great in his absence.
A History of the Times Black Metal was “Over,” Part I
February 26, 2018 Neill Jameson
Krieg’s Neill Jameson recounts various times throughout history when black metal was falsely pronounced dead.
Opinion: Cancelling Taake Shows Isn’t Helping Anyone
February 19, 2018 Neill Jameson
Hot Taake coming through from Krieg’s Neill Jameison.
All in Your Head, Or Why Metal Musicians Shouldn’t Overreact to Negative Reviews
January 2, 2018 Neill Jameson
Every artist eventually faces a bad review of their work. But a very public reaction to that review invites even more negative criticism.
Knowing Your Limits: Consistency vs. Experimentation
December 22, 2017 J. Andrew
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.
Neill Jameson’s 2017 Year-End Clearance Sale
December 14, 2017 Neill Jameson
Krieg’s Neill Jameson recounts the good and the not-so-good that occurred in 2017.
Net Neutrality is in Danger – Here’s How it Could Affect Underground Music
November 28, 2017 Emily Bellino
An open internet is at stake with a new FCC vote. It could cripple the independent music industry. Find out what it means and what you can do.
Prurient’s New Album is Too Long
November 6, 2017 Joseph Schafer
Prurient will release Rainbow Mirror, a 3-hour long record. That record is too long.
Why You Should Give the New Trivium Album a Chance
October 20, 2017 J. Andrew
If the glorious new track, “Betrayer” is any indication, Trivium’s new album should be a chance for metalheads to revisit Florida’s metal heroes.
The Devaluation of Opinion in Metal
September 21, 2017 Neill Jameson
Neill Jameson considers the importance of aesthetic and appearance in black metal in response to a controversial piece of album artwork.
The Art of the Deals: On Promoters and Labels
September 18, 2017 Neill Jameson
Is there an offer that’s too good to be true from a record label in your otherwise empty inbox? Neill Jameson urges you to reconsider.
What is the future of long-form music journalism?
August 1, 2017 J. Andrew
Music journalism’s relationship to economic reality has always been shaky. Here are some ideas of where that relationship might need to go.
Chester Bennington Has Died. Don’t Be Dicks, Underground Metalheads
July 20, 2017 Neill Jameson
Mocking depression seems to still be fair game, even in today’s ultra-sensitive climate. Stop it.
Why Do You Really Care About Not-So-Grim Kim?
July 14, 2017 Neill Jameson
Our Neill Jameson doesn’t care about Kim Kardashian’s Morbid Angel shirt, but he is concerned about the aggressively stupid reactions to it.
Krieg’s Neill Jameson on Confronting Mental Illness
May 19, 2017 Neill Jameson
It shouldn’t take a tragedy like Chris Cornell’s suicide to make us focus on depression and metal illness.
So, Your Record Got a Bad Review…
May 3, 2017 Shane Mehling
You put so much of yourself into the record that of course you’re crushed when someone dismisses it. It’s the most human reaction. If you had a new baby you couldn’t fathom someone typing on Facebook that “Eh, it doesn’t really do anything interesting and that goo goo ga ga junk is derivative of other, much cuter babies.”
Angry About Bandcamp’s ACLU Donation? Then Delete Your Band’s Account
February 2, 2017 Neill Jameson
Neill Jameson provides a protest idea to any musician wounded by Bandcamp’s plans to donate all of this Friday’s earnings to the ACLU.
Foreclosure of a Dream: Abandoning the Cult of the Presidency
January 20, 2017 J. Andrew
Extreme metal has the unique ability to smash our romantic illusions about life and the world. It’s time to apply that same cold stoicism to executive power, no matter who’s President.