Saturday, January 29, 2011

Metal From Denmark

Throughout our time here running NW MetalHead Productions presents \m/ All Metal All The Time \m/ I have noticed that the majority of the visits have come from the United States, which makes sense as this site is based in the US. However, what we did not expect to see was that the next biggest market was from Denmark. This northern European country was definitely not the targeted demographic that we were aiming for. This is a welcome surprise because it means we are reaching new people all over the world and the word of metal is crossing to different people with different perspectives. So we decided that to welcome our brothers and sisters of metal in Denmark, that we would promote some great bands that come from their great country. One obvious exclusion to this list that you all must be noticing is that of King Diamond and there is one simple reason for that: you all already know about him! He is a legend and I doubt that I need to bring him to anyone else’s attention \m/ So here is my list of great bands dedicated to all you over in Denmark!! And to my friends from across the pond, feel free to list more bands that are kicking your country’s ass as well!


First up is Artillery, a great thrash band with some speed metal tendencies. Originating back in 1982, Artillery has been banging out great thrash metal despite multiple lineup changes and almost 3 decades of hardship, multiple albums, and hard touring. My favorite album is By Inheritance and it thrashes like none other. Check ‘em out!



A very unknown thrash/ death band from Denmark is called Daemon. I honestly don’t know much about the band other than they completely shred. With Gene Hoglan on drums, that alone makes this a must check out band. In addition, they have Anders Lundemark on vocals, the vocalist from another great Denmark death metal band Konkhra. Daemon don’t have much of an online presence but if you get the chance to pick up one of their 3 full lengths, make sure to do so.



A newcomer to the death metal scene, Die have only been around since 2005 and have been kicking ass the whole time. Their only full length album which came out last year called Rise of the Rotten is one killer slab of brutal death metal mayhem. While putting out one of the best albums of the year, the future looks promising for this uncompromising death metal troupe. Make sure to check them out as they will be destroying the senses of the masses for years to come.



Svartsot is modern folk metal to its purest definition. A melodeath band with traditional instruments such as flutes, whistles, mandolins, and accordions, Svartsot has been smashing out great music since2005. They are what Amon Amarth would be if they included extra instruments on top of the standard guitar, bass, and drum set. Incorporating lyrics based on Nordic mythology and Danish Folklore, these guys are so much fun to listen to while drinking mass quantities of beer (or mead if you have the ability to.)



Combining folk metal with power metal is the underground legendary Wuthering Heights, a band that has been around since 1997. With 5 full lengths to their credit, WH has been cranking out Lord Of The Rings metal for years to the enjoyment to fantasy nerds and those who quietly love the same but won’t admit it. When you want to delve into a world of pure fantasy, be sure to pull Rush out of the CD player and crank WH up as high as possible.



So there you have it, 5 great bands from Denmark, a land not always at the forefront of the metal sound wave. Be sure to comment on which bands you like, which ones we may have missed, and anything else that you want to talk about Danish metal. Keep rocking Denmark!

Monday, January 24, 2011

The Big 4 of Thrash US Dates!

According to several posts on Facebook, the Big 4 of thrash will be announcing US tour dates tomorrow January 25! With a couple dates last summer on European festivals, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax reunited for some of the biggest hyped shows in years. These four had never played a show all together and are widely recognized as 4 of the greatest originators of thrash metal. Being that they are all from the United States, most people feel that it is about time they came to the US to tour, it has been a long time coming. Check out the Facebook event located here tp find out more information.

(Update)
Well the announcement came down today of the Big 4 US dates and it was only one day, Saturday April 23 in Indio, CA. Everyone was hoping and praying that a full US tour would be announced and not simply one day but alas that is what has happened. A disappointment to many and pure elation for those in California, the Big 4 did announce a return to the United States, however it was not the huge announcement most people had hoped for.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Metel Revisited - Sanctuary

January 21, 2011 was an amazing day for metal in the Pacific Northwest. Sanctuary, the renowned power/speed metal band from Seattle, reunited for one show only for those people that had been around since the band’s inception back in 1985. The band that went on to become one of the most of the irreplaceable bands ever came back to El Corazon to lay waste to a packed crowd that had been dying to see these legends back where they belong. Being all of 25 years old myself, I was not around to witness their beginning, in fact, they were formed the same year I was born! Starting as a power metal band in Seattle, WA, Sanctuary put out a demo in 1986 with only two songs on it then followed that up one year later with the seminal record Refuge Denied. Containing classics such as “Sanctuary” and “Die For My Sins,” Refuge Denied was the album that put these guys on the map. In 1990 Sanctuary released Into The Mirror Black, and absolute killer of an album that had tracks such as “Future Tense” and “Taste Revenge” which showcased the band’s ability to truly shred. One of the characteristics that makes this band so distinctive is the vocals, Warrel Dane’s ability to hit the highest of notes really separates this band from others. Dane is able to seamlessly croon and shriek all while keeping in tune with each individual track. The original guitarist for the band was Sean Blosl but he eventually gave way to the live guitarist Jeff Loomis, an absolute prodigy at guitar. Along with bassist Jim Sheppard, those three went on to form prog/thrash band Nevermore, one of the best bands in extreme music around today.
While only around for a short period of time and releasing only 2 proper albums, Sanctuary definitely made their mark in the world of heavy metal music. This could be seen at the concert where the crowd’s average age appeared to be around 35 – 40 years old. However, it was not simply those who were around when the band originally were as there were many younger people at the show, even those in their teens were there to witness this spectacle. If by some chance these guys decide to do a full tour or even a couple more shows around the country, make sure you go out and pay your respects. This band is simply not one you want to miss!


Metal DVD Playlist

As I sit on my couch counting down the minutes until I have to leave for work, I decide that there is no better way to get myself ready for another day than to watch my newest DVD from Behemoth. There is just something that I love about live DVDs, it allows you to witness the destruction that a band can unleash in the live setting at any time you wish. There are many bands that people have never seen live or bands that rarely come around to your local town and releasing live DVDs give more people the chance to see those bands. While it is not the same as actually being at a live show, it is a decent substitute if a concert is not viable. So I decided that for my newest playlist I would include some of my favorite clips from live DVDs. Please do not rely on YouTube for live songs though, go out and actually buy the DVDs for the full experience because there are generally a lot of great extras that go along with them!

Behemoth – Christians to the Lions (Evangelia Heretika)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkSvAyV5b4o

Nevermore – Narcosynthesis (The Year of the Voyager)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7TVr_2btPg

Amon Amarth – Death In Fire (Twilight of the Thunder God)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPKQ-2OgyX8

Gojira – The Link (The Link Alive)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJXfcbiPpQ

Opeth – Bleak (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut_W88R1nxc

Cannibal Corpse – Hammer Smashed Face (Centuries of Torment)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIq5N74dakg

Iron Maiden – Run To The Hills (Rock In Rio)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ToNJHgp-w

At The Gates – Blinded By Fear (The Flames of the End)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJBhrch0eM

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Nergal Leaves the Hospital

Behemoth frontman Nergal, who has been receiving treatment for leukemia for more than six months, has left the hematology division of Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne (UCK) in Gdansk on Monday, January 17th. His release comes four weeks after he underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure. He commented:
"Hey! What's up! At last – one could say. After almost half a year of treatment in various hospitals, several cycles of chemotherapy, irradiation and a bone marrow transplant, I have been finally released home in a pretty fuckin' good condition. I'm feeling ok, taking the intensity of treatment under consideration. That was not an easy period of my life, but, as I envisioned, I left the hospital victorious. I never considered any other options, but anyway, there were rough moments too… At this point I must express my thanks to the people who made all of those downs fairly bearable. My parents – thank you. You deserve a monument for all your love and patience. Dorotka, thank you for your heroic attitude, love and support. I can't forget Doda's fans, who made a gigantic effort for me and other ill people. You rule! Absolutely fantastic Behemoth fans from all over the world were organizing various events to make people aware of what leukemia is. To all of you out there - my deepest respect! Thank you – the real heroes - Prof. Hellmann, Dr. Piekarska, Dr. Knopinska, Doc. Giebel, Prof. Holowiecki and all the nurses of the hematology division of the Medical Academy in Gdansk and the Oncology Clinic in Gliwice for all the professionalism and great hearts. My band mates for all the friendship and never-ending support. All my friends for sticking to me throughout the whole period of my illness. The list is too long to mention you all, but remember, you have special place in my heart."
Nergal will now go through a recovery, which will last for several months. During this time he will stay in his flat in one of the Gdansk's districts.
"Although the whole treatment went really good, as well as the bone marrow transplant and the post-transplant period, the next several months is the time when I must really take care of myself. Of course I will have plenty of time to recover, think about the strategy and my return to the stage – which approaches imminently (laughs). First of all however I must rebuild my physical condition… apart from that, I hunger for playing, I haven't been playing the guitar for a half of year now! Really much to catch up, but also a huge motivation and a desire to work again at the same time. This year will be a really important one for me and the band!"
(From http://www.metalunderground.com/)

Monday, January 3, 2011

NW MetalHead YouTube Channel

We have now officially launched our brand new YouTube channel. Occasionally we will post new videos here on the main website that we have posted on the new channel. The channel will be the newest spot for us to upload new videos of great bands that might not be out there on YouTube yet. Stay tuned for some great new music! Here is our first submission, a basic intro into some metal subgenres. It showcases a few bands that create great music in each respective genre. Enjoy!!!






Here is the link to our channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/NWMetalHead