When long serving drummer Shawn Drover decided to move on from the huge, internationally successful band that is MEGADETH, many were surprised having witnessed numerous cohesive tours and a stable workhorse on a varied but generally heavier bunch of studio albums. Then when equally hard working and virtuoso guitarist Chris Broderick decided to also pull
Returning to Australia but with a better sense of the Australian fanbase, German band Blind Guardian understand that there is a fanbase for their power metal throughout Australia.
Olympic Park, Homebush NSWFebruary 28 – March 1, 2015 Day One: Australian heavy and alternative music festival Soundwave has now evolved into a two day festival. As a result, the layout of stages stripped it back to essential stages compared to prior festivals with less clashes for big acts from stretching out timetables over two
One of the most disciplined drummers in extreme music is Greek born George Kollias of the technically brilliant death metal band Nile.
American rock band Kiss took platinum record sales to new heights by implementing a merchandising revenue stream that ultimately changed the nature of the music industry forever. Their live shows remain huge productions of epic proportions which few have surpassed.
Thrash metal history has been well documented and as many of the luminaries in that genre have fairly recently been releasing books aplenty that cover their careers, it is interesting how approaches in divulging stories vary. No stranger to solid writing skills, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson’s most recent book titled ‘My Life with Deth: Discovering
Sweden’s Marduk remains one of the most intense black metal bands who continue to be a formidable force both musically and lyrically.
Black metal bands are plentiful but those that use the genre as an extension of expressing their own convictions and artistic aspirations without compromise or reliance on shock value are not quite so commonplace. One such band that both develops their sound and maintains a never wavering sense of determination is South American originating two piece band, Inquisition.
Sweden has churned out some exceptional metal bands amongst various genres that in some cases, really did set trends. For those into the traditional heavy metal sound with twin guitars, thematic vocals and thumping drum and bass power, Hammerfall certainly deliver the goods and have done so for around two decades, remaining sonically loyal to their ever growing fan base on each new release.
Guitar virtuosos are not unique however those who can write their own concertos, perform them and also make regular appearances at the top of guitarist polls for over three decades are extremely rare indeed. Swedish neoclassical guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen is one such rarity and may well be guilty of over the top theatrics as well as nearly endless improvisational explorations but his command of the instrument together with his great sense of melody is unquestionable to anyone with a musical ear.