Motörhead – “Ace of Spades”

May 1, 2010

After 60-plus Hall of Fame inductions, one thing that stands out is that precious few of those albums contain and are best known for a single truly classic song.

Dark Tranquillity – “The Gallery”

April 13, 2010

Contrary to popular belief, the New Wave of Swedish Death Metal—also known by its acronym NWOSDM or synonym “The Gothenburg Sound”—wasn’t a cohesive movement.

Saint Vitus – “Born Too Late”

March 1, 2010

Saint Vitus were a living, breathing anachronism in every possible way.

Enslaved – “Frost”

February 13, 2010

If black metal was defined by a single year, it would have to be 1994.

Watchtower – “Control and Resistance”

January 1, 2010

As the popularity of our Hall of Fame feature grows, so do the chances of us throwing a wild card at you folks.

Trouble – “Psalm 9”

December 1, 2009

It’s strange that the one of the cornerstones of doom is actually one of the most lyrically positive albums in the entire secular metal canon.

Accept – “Restless and Wild”

November 1, 2009

In early 1982, Accept were in dire need of an identity, onstage and especially on record.

Cynic – “Focus”

October 1, 2009

Focus almost never happened. Hurricane Andrew (a Category 5 storm that devastated South Florida in 1992), bassists frequently exiting and three separate visits to Morrisound Studios could’ve cost the world Cynic.

D.R.I. – “Dealing With It”

September 1, 2009

It’s hard to say who was more shocked—punks or metalheads—by hardcore band D.R.I. signing with Metal Blade Records via the label’s new Death Records imprint in 1985.

Judge – “Bringin’ It Down”

August 1, 2009

Upon finding out the next album our vaunted Hall of Fame was going to open its pearly gates to was slated to be Judge’s Bringin’ It Down, an anticipatory buzz broke out amongst the extreme music luminaries hanging around the Decibel table at the most recent Maryland Deathfest.