religion

Crypt Sermon Hands Over the Keys to Solomon’s Gate

July 5, 2019

Among the growing horde of neo-classical heavy metal and doom bands, one name stands out as one of the best: Crypt Sermon.

Fallow Heart: Approaching Metal From an ‘Armchair-Buddhist’ Perspective

February 22, 2019

In his new column, Decibel contributor Forrest Pitts presents a capsized field guide for anyone taking life one step at time.

Season Of The Witch: The Ideas Behind Metal’s Occult Revival

January 12, 2015

Any astute follower of metal in the past five years has likely noticed a huge uptick in the number of bands with a proto-70s sound and occult themes: The Devil’s Blood, Sabbath Assembly, Blood Ceremony and The Oath. A few of these bands have been on Decibel’s cover: In Solitude and Ghost B.C. (twice). While…

Al Jazeera’s Look at Mid-East Metal

September 22, 2011

Dubai-based band Nervecell “The best rock is a religious experience,” says Mark Levine, author of Heavy Metal Islam. Yes, sure, but as history has shown, since man first grew hair on his ass, if you happen to belong to the wrong religion, it’s reason enough for you to die in a hail of bullets. And…