Metallica formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. The duo first met through an ad in a Los Angeles-based music newspaper. At the time, Ulrich had little musical experience and no band but managed to secure a slot on an upcoming compilation record called “Metal Massacre”. Metallica’s contribution, “Hit The Lights”, featured Hetfield, Ulrich and lead guitarist Lloyd Grant…

According to Greek mythology, the Phoenix dies in a fire only to be reborn from the ashes. Many cultures have their own interpretation of this tale that symbolizes resurrection and renewal. This legend of antiquity also has relevance here in 2019. Another Phoenix, the city located in the arid landscapes of Arizona, contains a rebirth of a different sort. Thrash metal veterans Sacred Reich have reemerged in this time of turmoil and uncertainty. Awakening, their first release in over two decades isn’t just a band making a return…

One cannot stop what is cannot be contained, one cannot overcome a hurricane and cease its existence once it spreads. Like a Tank moving forward, destroying everything in its path, the gruesome foursome of SUICIDAL ANGELS, committed themselves to yet another assault in the name of Thrash Metal…

Whiskey in the Jar is the Disc 1 ninth track from 1998's album Garage, Inc. It's a traditional Irish song arranged by Eric Bell, Brian Downey and Phil Lynott, with a length of 5:04…

"The Unforgiven" is a power ballad by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the second single from their eponymous fifth album Metallica (also known as The Black Album). Though one of the slower tracks on the album, its chord progression is distinctly one of the heaviest…

2019 has been a great year for thrash metal fans, with a multitude of releases hitting the virtual and physical shelves recently: Death Angel, Overkill, Flotsam and Jetsam, Exumer, Xentrix, Possessed… the list goes on and on, and August 9th brings another entry on this exclusive group of such high caliber releases: Destruction’s upcoming record Born to Perish…

Twenty-three years after dropping their last full-length, Sacred Reich are returning in force with the towering Awakening, effortlessly demonstrating that they remain a formidable force in metal. Showcasing everything a fan would expect and hope for from the Phoenix, Arizona crew, it is a timeless collection comprised of blistering thrash, crushing grooves, killer solos and socially conscious lyrics that demonstrate a true understanding of everything that matters most in the world today. "Going into it, we had a loose idea as far as knowing that we wanted some fast, heavy songs to honor the old school fans that have supported us and gotten us to this point," states vocalist/bassist Phil Rind. "We wanted everything to happen naturally. We didn't want to force anything and we are super stoked with every song. It is easily the best thing we have ever done."

Master of Puppets was originally released on March 3rd, 1986, on Elektra Records and went on to become the first Metallica album to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album has been certified 6x Platinum in the United States and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. In 2016, the album became the first metal album to be added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, an honor granted to works deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.The Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set will include a 108-page hardcover book including never before seen photos, outtakes and previously unreleased interviews, three LPs, ten CDs, a cassette, two DVDs, a lithograph, a folder with handwritten lyrics, and a set of six buttons…

The genre-bending Australian outfit known as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard return today with their new album, Infest the Rats’ Nest. Infest the Rats’ Nest marks the prolific band’s 15th album to date and arrives just four months after their previous LP, Fishing For Fishies. This go around, a scaled-down three-piece lineup of Stu Mackenzie, Joey Walker, and Michael Cavanagh recorded what’s been billed as King Gizzard’s “hardest and heaviest album to date.” “Drawing on the mid/late 1980s golden period of thrash metal – Metallica and Slayer, certainly, but also lesser-cited bands such as Exodus, Kreator and Overkill – Infest The Rats’ Nest sees a wholly unexpected creative detour into new sonic terrain,” a press release notes.

Metallica formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. The duo first met through an ad in a Los Angeles-based music newspaper. At the time, Ulrich had little musical experience and no band but managed to secure a slot on an upcoming compilation record called “Metal Massacre”. Metallica’s contribution, “Hit The Lights”, featured Hetfield, Ulrich and lead guitarist Lloyd Grant…

Formed in the late '80s out of a common interest in speed and doom metal, Exhorder helped shape the "Louisiana sound," a common sound shared between many metal bands from the state. By crafting chugging, tight riffs with a rigid structure, Exhorder made quite the local impression with 1990's Slaughter in the Vatican…

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION release their 17th studio album, "Born To Perish", on August 9 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded in January and February 2019 with V.O. Pulver (PRO-PAIN, BURNING WITCHES, NERVOSA) at Little Creek Studios in Switzerland and is the first DESTRUCTION album to feature Randy Black on drums and second guitarist Damir Eskic.

Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will release their new album, "Years Of Aggression", on August 9 via NoiseArt Records. The follow-up to 2016's "Division Of Blood" was recorded at Zero Gravity Studios in Athens, Greece and Soundlodge Studios in Papenburg, Germany. The cover artwork was created by acclaimed artist Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE). The band states: "'Years Of Aggression' on this bloody ground, but we are born of hate! Three years after the release of 'Division Of Blood', extensive touring and numerous festivals, the time has come to return with a new album! Stronger than ever, we present you the cover artwork of our seventh studio album called 'Years Of Aggression', created once more from the almighty himself, Mr. Ed Repka.