Alice Cooper famously refuses to even broach the idea of maybe someday retiring and if there’s one thing the ridiculously epic mash-up of career-spanning fist-in-the-air anthems and grandiose dark carnival theatrics so exquisitely captured on Raise The Dead — Live From Wacken makes clear it’s that there’s abso-fucking-lutely no reason on earth he should pull…

In early 2013, Thou vocalist Bryan Funck sent us wonderful responses on the writing and recording of Thou’s 2014 album Heathen. The issue: we only had enough space for our customary studio report and had to cherry pick details. As people begin to consider their best-of lists Heathen will doubtless be one of the albums…

As music writers learn when they hit their late 30s and head into their 40s, nostalgia is very powerful, to the point of being irresistible. Whenever a revered artist or band returns from a very long absence with a record that’s been hyped to the nines, you’re going to have certain critics whose attachment to…

The buzz, my friends, is justified. Metalhead, the “dark, intense drama of loss, faith, redemption, and heavy metal” from acclaimed Icelandic director Ragnar Bragason, is a gorgeous, harrowing, touching, and, despite its black metal grim moments, ultimately, uplifting piece of tour de force filmmaking with a soundtrack that previously only existed in the dreams of…

“Oh, watch the lightning strike Feel the powers of the hammer’s pounding on Take it to your heart and understand What must live on from father to son” -“Father to Son” by Quorthon/Bathory One thing my family always jokes about is how my dad was caught crying at the end of The Last Unicorn. It’s…

Fides Inversa play black metal in a Primordial style, and they sure take it seriously. I mean, check out the interview below. I had to read it like three times to understand what they were talking about, and I think it basically comes down to “the devil.” Still, their music is pretty rad, so not…

Shadowy metallic hardcore antiheroes The Banner are set to return this December with Greying, the long-awaited full-length follow-up to 2008 crusher Frailty. In honor of the band’s imminent resurrection and well-known affection for the horrific aesthetic, Decibel requested and received the following Halloween week list of frontman JSS’ Top Five Risings From the Dead… 1….

Forgive But Avenge — the deliciously over-the-top, ultra multidimensional debut EP from father/son extreme metallers Vomit Fist — is out today, and we’ve got the exclusive stream below! “It’s been a very deep and intense experience working with my son Leo (Lurkrot) and his best friend Malcolm (Skrag) in this band and creating this record,”…

Midnight is actually one man. Jamie Walters — a.k.a. Athenar — handles all instruments and vocals. Although the band has been around for more than a decade their profile has risen exponentially since the release of Satanic Royalty. Midnight will likely be lurking around some best of lists for the 2014 follow-up No Mercy For…

** Ne Obliviscaris may have a mouthful of a band name and their music may be at the mad end of progressive, but there’s something alluring about the Aussies’ approach. Every song is a labyrinth, begging to be figured out at every turn. We flew down to Australia via digital highways to catch bassist Brendan…