Editorial
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 Vince 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.
When is a Band No Longer the Same Band?
December 28, 2016 Shane Mehling
If you know anything about Napalm Death you probably know this bit of trivia: the band contains no original members. While they are known for the revolutionary Scum album, not even their oldest current member played on it. So when it comes to people leaving, dying or being fired, when is a band no longer the same band?
Why do Metal Videos Suck?
December 14, 2016 Shane Mehling
Throughout the decades of arguing over metal, there is one undeniable constant: metal videos are usually pretty dumb bullshit.
Music Criticism Has Not Died. But It Must Transform
November 18, 2016 Joseph Schafer
Music criticism, and the reviewing of musical pieces in general, is not obsolete. You’d be forgiven for thinking so, though.
And Now a Considered Response to Some Considered Comments
November 8, 2016 Neill Jameson
Never one to fart in a crowded elevator and leave, Neill Jameson returns to address some responses to his recent op-ed on crowdfunding in metal.
We Owe Each Other Nothing: Just Break Up
November 3, 2016 Neill Jameson
A metal band has launched a crowdfunding campaign, so fans can donate them a “living wage” in order to continue as band. Our Neill Jameson wonders how the fuck we got to this point.
Halloween Wishes from Neill Jameson
October 31, 2016 Neill Jameson
“No one even eggs houses anymore because they only want to buy cage free organic eggs and that shit’s expensive.”
Krieg’s Neill Jameson on Fan Entitlement and What Bands Really Owe You
August 8, 2016 Neill Jameson
You bought the record. You wear the shirt. But does that mean you deserve an explanation from Nails about why they are on hiatus? Neill Jameson doesn’t think so.
Krieg’s Neill Jameson on the Morbosidad/Conflict Incident and Fascism Disguised as Progressivism
August 3, 2016 Neill Jameson
Are the noble intensions of an old-school punk really helping anyone?