Born from the ashes of Empire Falls and Prayer for Cleansing, with five studio albums under their belt and a sixth due out later this year, I present you with the band of the week: Between the Buried and Me. Enjoy this song from their 2005 album "Alaska", and keep coming back every day for more fun facts and music from BTBAM!

Did you know....Dan Briggs (BTBAM Bass) and members of Fear Before the March of Flames and Abigail Williams are in an experimental band called Orbs? Their debut album is expected soon.

Here is a cover of Mötley Crüe's "Kick Start My Heart" off of BTBAM's cover album "The Anatomy Of..."

The Kris Norris Projekt

Not too long ago, I reviewed Darkest Hour’s newest CD and was left wondering where all the metal went. Well, fear not, I was able to find it. Recently departed, and arguably the metal of the band, Kris Norris, just released a solo album under the name, The Kris Norris Projekt. (Read Kis Norris Projekt)

Here is a brand new song from Scar Symmetry that has leak out to the internet for all of us to hear called The Consciousness Eaters.  This song is part of their new album entitled: Dark Matter Dimensions.  There is a small change to this album, from their past ones,  their old singer Christian Älvestam has parted ways and has been replaced by two singers Roberth Karlsson and Lars Palmqvist. 

Insomnium is a Finnish melodic death metal band, who with their fourth studio album have further proved that they are a band that will not be going anywhere for a while. "Across the Dark" offers the same melancholic, symphony of life and loss fans have come to expect from Insomnuim with enough fresh material and progression for the band to have a truly stand out album. Clocking in at just over 45 minuets , "Across the Dark" is an absolute delight from spacey, ethereal beginning to epically punishing ending.  Recommended for fans of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity. 

 The new Despised Icon album, “Day of Mourning” dropped today, despite reading three times over that “they made a leap towards traditional metal” I really just don't hear it. If a few less pig squealed “breee’s” and a few more riffs means that they are a not a death-core band anymore than sure, I just don't foresee this album winning the band over very many new fans the way Job for a Cowboy’s “Ruination” did them.

Blackguard is just good, I really don’t know what else to say about this Canadian Folk Metal outfit than that. Blackguard is able to blend elements of death, power, and Scandinavian folk metals to deliver a record (Profugus Mortis) that redefines the folk metal genre.  Being their first major label release, I am excited to see what the future holds for this outfit. Here is “This Rounds on Me” from their album Profugus Mortis. Be sure to check out Blackguard on tour this winter with Ensiferum, Ex Deo, and Hypocrisy. Dates here.

Darkest Hour has been around since 1995 and has even release an album earlier this year called The Eternal Return.  jDeathscript posted a Review to the album if you want to check that out - The Eternal Return Review.  But sometimes is good to go back and check their transition to who they are today.  So lets jump back a couple of years to 2005 to an album entitled Undoing Ruin and a song called Convalescence.

Dispatched
From: Sweden

Albums: Motherwar (2001), “Terrorizer” (2003)

Epic melodic death metal that broke up after recording their second album, 2003’s “Terrorizer”. In 2004 the band announced they were getting back together but after a long stint with no recording or tour from the band, it is generally assumed they have since broke up. Members include:

Daniel Lundberg- LeadGuitar/ Backing Vocals/ Keyboard
Fredrik Karlson- Lead Vocals/ Keyboard
Dennis Nilsson- Drums
Mattias Hellman- Bass
Emil Larsson- Rhythm Guitar

Though it seems Dispatched was not around long enough to do so, they left a lasting impression the the melodeath scene . They were an immensely talented and fun to listen to band that that took a well known sound and added their own twist. For fans of the Gothenburg sound, At the Gates.

 Links: http://www.myspace.com/dispatchedband

Archons
From: Rouyn-Noranda, Canada

Discography: “The Consequences of Silence” (2008)   Archons is a melodic-death metal band that formed in 2006. Archons is currently signed to Cryogenic Records. Its members :   Sebastien Audet- Vocals Francis Beaulieu- Guitars Simon Charette- Guitars Simon Descoteaux- Bass Christian Poulin- Drums   are currently working on a follow up album to their 2008 “The Consequences of Silence.”   Archons is just plain good melodic-death metal. The band is enough the same as to keep the spirit of the genre alive while being driven and original enough to be remembered. This is for fans of early Dark Tranquillity, early In Flames and Neuraxis.    Links: www.myspace.com/archons

Viatrophy
From: South Reding, United Kingdom

Discography: “Viatrophy” (2009)   Viatrophy is a death metal/core band that formed in 2005. They are currently signed to Candlelight Records and tour relentlessly. The bands line up is:   Gavin Thane- Bass John Jones- Guitar Gurneet Ahluwalla- Guitar Adam Mayers- Vocals Craig Reynolds- Drums   Viatrophy is a metal band with something to prove, and a welcome change from the norm in the genre. One thing that struck me was the bands ability to stand out with the use of atmospheric elements that helps release you from the otherwise awesome grip of unrelentless music. Check them out if you like The Black Dahlia Murder, Bleed From Within, or The Eyes of a Traitor.   Links: www.myspace.com/viatrophy

Dark Lunacy From: Italy   Discography: “Deviod” (2000), Forget Me Not (2003), “The Diarist” (2006)   Dark Lunacy is a melodic death metal band that often uses a string quartet and choir to round out their sound. The band was formed in 1997 and released their first EP, “Silent Storm”, in 1998. The bands themes draw heavily on darkness, sadness and war. Their most recent album “ The Diarist” was a concept album about living in Italy during World War II. Dark Lunacy’s members are:   Mike Lunacy- Vocals Mary Ann- Guitar Imer- Bass Baijkal- Drums Simon- Guitar.   Dark Lunacy is utterly unforgettable melo-death with classic sensibility. Their ability to make a record haunting and dark yet uplifting with the arrangements of strings and choir is brilliant. Sadly there hasn’t been anything new from the band since 2006, but they appear to still be together. Though their style has yet to be duplicated if you like Eternal Tears of Sorrow, or Noumena you will like DL.

Links: www.myspace.com/darklunacy

Seawolves                               From: Switzerland   Discography: “Dragonships Set Sail” (2009)   Seawolves is a Nordic influenced death metal band. Founded is 2004, Seawolves is currently signed to Heavy Horses Records. There are only two listed members as of now:   Roman Friedrich Sebastian Jehle   Information on Seawolves is pretty scarce at the moment, what we do know is that in 2009 they put out a kick-ass record that sounds like early Amon Amarth with the added depth of a violin. We will bring you more information as we have it.   Links: www.myspace.com/seawolves793  

Be’lakor From: Melbourne, Australia
  Discography: “The Frail Tide” (2007), “Stones Reach” (2009)   Be’lakor is a melodic death metal band with symphonic elements. Be’lakor takes their name from a daemon in the Warhammer Fantasy tabletop game and explores themes such as nature and paganism through their lyrics. After the release of their first album Be’lakor took to the road and toured across Australia. Be’lakor is:   George Kosmas- vocals/ guitar Shaun Sykes- guitar John Richardson-bass Steve Merry- keyboards Jimmy Broeck- drums   On my first listen to Be’lakor I was hooked. Their latest effort “Stones Reach” is a giant undertaking, expertly executed and utterly unforgettable. Far too few bands could pull off an album as inspired and daring as “Stones Reach”. Go get this album immediately. Be’lakor will appeal to fans of Insomnium and Skyfire.  

Norther From: Helsinki, Finland
  Discography: “Dreams of Endless War” (2002), “Mirror of Madness” (2003), “Death Unlimited” (2004), “Till Death Unites Us” (2006), “N” (2008)   Norther is a melodic death metal band with power metal influences. Formed in 1996 under the name Requiem, Norther released a demo (Warlord) and was quickly signed to Spikefarm Records later signing to current label, Century Media. In 2009 Norther announced that they had let go of vocalist Petri Lindroos (Ensiferium) who was replace by Aleksi S (ex-Imperanon).  Norther’s current line up is:   Aleksi Sihvonen- vocals Kristian Ranta- guitar, clean vocals Heikki Saari- drums Jukka Koskinen- bass Tuomas Planman- keyboards, synth   Boasting members from such acts as, Ensiferum, Imperanon, and Wintersun, Norther are legendary. Their power influenced, hate inspired, melodic death blend is the sound so many bands attempt to, but never quite succeed, to imitate. Though various line up changes to the point none of the founding members of the band remain, the spirit is still alive. I don’t know about the rest of you readers but I am really excited to see what new vocalist, Aleksi brings to the table. Norther will surely appeal to fans of, Imperanon, Children of Bodom, and Kalmah.  

Wolfchant From: St. Oswald, Germany   Discography: “Bloody Tales of Disgraced Lands” (2005), “A Pagan Storm” (2007), “Determined Damnation” (2009)   Wolfchant is a pagan/folk metal founded in 2003 exploring themes of Nordic mythology and paganism. Wolfchant is currently signed to Massacre Records through which they released 2009’s “Determined Damnation”. Current line up is:   Lokhi- vocals/mouth harp Skaahi-guitar Dermorh- guitar Bahznar- bass Norgahd- drums/vocals/keyboards/accordian Gvern-keyboards   Sometimes folk metal could do with a dash of Germanic brutality usually reserved for extreme metal bands, where others fail-Wolfchant deliver. Heavier at times than Ensiferum, but not quite as relentless as say, Hypocrisy- Wolfchant ‘s black metal infused folk metal will please fans of Finsterforst and Varg.   Links: www.wolfchant-metal.com

Eluveitie From: Switzerland   Discography: “Spirit” (2006), “Slania” (2008), “Evocation I- The Arcane Dominion” (2009), “Everything Remains As It Never Was” (expected 2010)   Eluveite, which, according to their last.fm page is pronounced “ El-vay-tee”, is a melodic folk metal band that formed in 2002. Eluveitie is currently signed to Nuclear Blast records, through which they will release their fourth full-length.   Eluveitie is: Chrigel G.: vocals, mandola, whistles, bodhran, acoustic guitar, pipes Meri T.: violin, vocals Merlin S.: drums Siméon K.: lead guitar Ivo Henzi: rhythm guitar Anna M.: Hurdy Gurdy, vocals Kay B.: bass Pade K.: bagpipe, whistles   My fist brush with Eluveitie was rather tragic. I have a bad habit of starting with a bands most recent and making any judgments from there. Big mistake. Eluveitie’s latest effort “Evocation I-…” is not a good reflection of the bands sound as it is for all intents and purposes an acoustic album. In that context it is a great album from a vastly talented band, but just not my cup of tea. I have to throw a big thank you out to my buddy Andy for turning me back on to this band and their masterwork “Slania”. In a perfect world, Slania, would be the standard by which I judge all folk-metal albums from henceforth, but given it’s immensity- that probably wouldn’t be fair to the other bands. Eluveitie will suit fans of, Ensiferum and Korpoklanni.   Links: www.myspace.com/eluveitie

Astral Winter From: Australia   Discography: “Illustrations of Death” (2009), “Winter Enthroned” (2010-expected)   Astral Winter is a two man black-metal band formed in 2008 attached to the Immortal Frost Productions label. Astral Winter is:   Josh- all instruments/programming/composition Phil- Vocals   I first stumbled across Astral Winter by way of their myspace page, where they were giving out their EP for free download. This young bands self-described ‘epic black metal’ immediately impressed me, and within the first few moments of listening they hooked a listener for life. Josh, who is responsible for composing and recording all the instruments displays the prowess of a seasoned songwriter, while vocalist Phil hatefully spits over the melodies accompanied only by a choral back track. Astral Winter is a must listen for fans of Gravsorg or Summoning.   Links: www.myspace.com/astralwinter0

Nastrandir

From: Germany Discography: “Zwischen Horizonten” (2007) “Prayer to Earth” (2009)   Formed in 2006 Nastrandir is a six-piece, pagan-metal band currently signed to Twilight Vetrleb.  Nastrandir’s lyrics typically revolve around Norse-mythology and Viking-lore. Nastrandir is:   Grimnir- vocals/bass/guitars Jjoelnir- guitar Nordavind- guitar Vidir- keyboards Grummbuts- bass Ragnar- drums/violin   Raise your heathen fist to the sky, Nastrandir is a pulsing, lo-fi Viking good time. Their use of choir backtracks and violin melodies to accent their blend of epic folk metal is in the same vein as Seawolves, yet original and all their own. 2009’s ‘Prayer To Earth’ saw the band heading in a new direction experimenting more with elements of progressive metal and spiritual themes lyrically. Impressively mature for such a young band, ‘Prayer’ is their best album for me and the first 1000 pressings come as a limited digipack with a Bathory (!) cover bonus track. Nastrandir has good things in their future.   Links: www.myspace.com/nastrandirmetal

When Synestesia’s Feeniks dropped earlier this year I hadn’t so much as heard of this band--let alone have been able to predict how much I would enjoy this album.

Though the lyrics of this album are in Finnish, I am told it is a concept record about a man unhappy with himself who decided to recreate himself from the ashes of his old self.   ...read on

Swallow the Sun From: Finland Discography: “The Morning Never Came” (2003), “Ghosts of Loss” (2005), “Hope” (2009), “New Moon” (2009)   Swallow the Sun is a melodic death/doom metal band currently signed to Spinefarm Records. Swallow the Sun is:   Matti Honkonen- bass Markus Jamsen- guitar Mikko Kotamaki- vocals Aleksi Munter- keyboards Juha Raivio- guitar   Apparently, Swallow the Sun is huge in Finland, with their single “Forgive Her…” peaking out at number 4 on the Finnish Top 20 singles charts. Here stateside, there is significantly less fanfare, which is a crying shame being that Swallow the Sun is a band worthy of much more American appreciation. 2007’s “Hope and 2009’s “New Moon”, are shining examples of simply great records. Impressive production, composition, and musicianship brew strong- and what culminates is a band with longevity and purpose, not to mention a very happy Deathscript. Fans of melodic metal rejoice, Swallow the Sun is here, and has been for sometime.   For fans of: Novembers Doom, Hanging Garden

It’s to be understood that hardship goes hand in hand with being in a band, but I wonder if many bands realize just how lucky they are.  If you ever need a reminder you needn’t look any further than Israel’s Silent Sin, a groove metal band still in high school taking the Israeli metal scene by storm. A scene that up until only a few short weeks ago, I didn’t know existed. In addition to the underwhelming availability of music in Northern Israel, they also have to rent busses and drive many miles just to just play a ‘local’ show. Also take into account the fact that in a few short months, half of the band will start their mandatory term in the military; Silent Sin does all they can to play and record as much as possible. 

  I found Silent Sin’s demo in my inbox one day, but there wasn’t a sad story about the hardships of keeping a band together-- there was just a short note and two songs, one of which we have provided for free download. The rest of the story I learned in the following weeks of corresponding with the band and in the end, I have learned a lot about human resolve, but perhaps more importantly that the ‘great divide’ some would have you believe is present between cultures, really isn’t so great a divide after all.    So with that, I have a question to pose to anyone out there involved in a band locally or otherwise--what trial(s) have you needed to overcome? Where did your drive come from? Silent Sin’s MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/silentsinisr Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SilentsinISR

Solution .45 has released a brand new song available to download for anyone or anywho.  The song is called Gravitational Lensing and will be featured on their 2010 album "For Aeons Past".  The lyrics were written by Mikael Stanne, from Dark Tranquility. The album will also feature Christian Alvestam on vocals, formerly from Scar Symmetry and Jani Stefanovic from Miseration.

Download Solution .45 - Gravitational Lensing

 Most people would not categorize Germany's Neun Welten as a metal band... and they would be right. Still, Neun Welten has appealed to the heavy metal community since their inception in 2005. Perhaps best described as instrumental folk music for metal-heads, by metal-heads, Neun Welten, whilst keeping in tact metal sensibilities offers listeners a break from the day to day sensory overload we sometimes put ourselves through.  Their latest album, "Destrunken", is for the most part exactly what fans  have come to expect from the band, which is not at all a bad thing. If you are suffering from 'beingstuckinarutitis', overloaded with sub par, filler bands you can't tell apart- then Neun Welten is just what the doctor ordered. Similar artists: Kauan, Tenhi.

Metallica is a metal icon.  No duh, so why spotlight them?  First off, because the majority of readers we have are young, we need to clear the air about Metallica (or in recent years, Rocktallica).  You might be too young to have been exposed to 'Ride The Lightening' or 'Master Of Puppets' recorded in their heyday.  I was, but it doesn't stop me from from enjoying their old stuff (and wondering what the hell has happened to them since then). 

Around the time the Black album was released, Metallica took a ride down the slippery slope into a place we call "Mainstreamvilleton".  Mainstreamvilleton is not the kind of place a metal kid wants to find himself after dark--or in broad daylight for that matter. So why the sudden and drastic change in style if the old stuff was so great?  Perhaps Metallica did it for the money, maybe they really were being true to themselves (what's more metal than that?), we really can only speculate.  One fact remains though, their presence from the early days is still felt, influencing bands from all across the world to make that "sweet drug" you and I consume without reservation. Metallica perhaps embodies the true spirt of metal, that is, sometimes silly, sometimes thought provoking, always moving and ever so often... disappointing.

Today has really dragged on for me, maybe it’s anticipation for a night on the town.  The Metal Call-Out crew will invade Salt Lake and see ‘Until The Light Takes Us’. Or maybe it’s the considerable lack of newsworthy developments in the metal sphere that has forced me to spend the day bitching about tours I can’t go to and posting Ex Deo videos. I really don't know. At any rate, after a long day of that, I think a track from the little-known and criminally underrated Hungarian black metal band Sear Bliss will do nicely. You can catch Sear Bliss on tour starting this April- click here for those dates. 

Today has been a good day, especially if you are in the market for some live treats.  You can see Mat’s review of an Orphaned Land show here and a video from PaganFest here.  We also introduced a Shiny Penny and shared some possibly long forgotten artwork from Warlock.  So, after a long day of that I think a track from Limbonic Art’s 2007 record ‘Legacy of Evil’ will hit the spot.  If you are in need of more metal enjoyment this weekend we will be back on Saturday and Sunday with another live review from Mat and your Sunday Stream.  You can also check out this new video from Ex Deo we posted earlier in the week, or take a peek at this website we have been enjoying lately.

   

  Since the past few Sunday Streams have been black metal I'm sure you thought this one would be too, right? Well, you are right. We will be back tomorrow at full strength with some new stuff for you, but until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend and a song from Forest Silence. Forest Silence is the latest project of Winter, whom you may know as the original keyboardist in Sear Bliss. Since his departure from Sear Bliss in 1997, Winter has been heavily involved in the black metal scene with a whole slew of projects and album contributions. It is rumored you can expect a new album from him this year titled 'Winter Ritual' on Candlelight Records.

 After a long day of lusting after festivals I cannot see and new music from a long ago (but not forgotten) band of the week, I'm in the mood for some Primordial.  Probably their most popular album to date, ‘To The Nameless Dead’ boasts some pretty amazing folky black metal tracks, the most well known being ‘Empire Falls’.  I am partial to the track that follows it, ‘Gallows Hymn’, so that is what we’ll leave you with this rainy (at least where we are) Tuesday evening.

 More tour lust today gave way to me listening to a lot of the bands I won't be seeing in the coming months.  So after a long day of that, how about some Opeth?  Also, remember how I promised a review of the black metal documentary, ‘Until The Light Takes Us’?  Well, I have failed thus far at making good on that, so you can expect to see it sometime later this week.  For now, enjoy the track “Heir Apparent” from Opeth while I open some windows in this hot-ass place and watch a movie in the office all by myself.

In case anyone is worried or still not aware, yesterday was April Fool’s Day and yes Virginia, there still is a Metallica and no, Ozzy will not be teaming up for a song with the Jonas Brothers. I should mention that no offense was intended to either Ozzy or Metallica (no disclaimer for the Jonas Brothers).

Today is Friday and we like Fridays around here--we have a new Shiny Penny and some other fun stuff for you so stay tuned. Aaaaand, let's start the day off right with some Warblade. Click play above to hear ‘The Tyger’ from their 2009 release ‘Seize The Fire’.

What a day, eh?  News from the Despised Icon camp came as a bit of a surprise, and despite my earlier diatribe, it really is a bummer when bands break up--more than anyone else though, I hope the drummer finds a new home because that dude is freaking amazing.  Today we had some more Dark Tranquillity tour updates and a new video from Heidevolk, so be sure to check those out.  To top a rather eventful day off, I want to go back.  Not waaay back, but a few years to the days of Bathory’s unapologetic return to viking metal with the album ‘Nordland I’.  Enjoy the tail end of your hump day with the track ‘Nordland’ by clicking play above.

Mat is officially the VIP for our Shiny Pennies segment.  Week after week his recommendations make the grade and become featured content.  Today is no exception with the Australian 6 piece outfit, Ne Obliviscaris.

Ne Oblibiscaris plays a sort of progressive black metal that features the accent of violins and such a wide variety of musical stylings, it’s tough to peg down a genre to place them in.  Since we aren't genre Nazi's here, instead of reading a rant of the plethora of musical comparisons I could shoot off (and I really could), go ahead and just take a listen to the track ‘Forget Not’ from their impressive debut demo ‘The Aurora Veil’ by pressing play above.  Then tell us what you think in the comment section.

Black metal as a Sunday Stream?!  Yes, again and probably forever, the Sunday Stream will be a black metal band.  This week is Skogen.  Skogen is an atmospheric black metal band from southern Sweden, perhaps not the first (they are babies of the genre, formed in 2009) but arguably one of the best.  Skogen’s music will remind most of fellow atmospheric giants, Drudkh.  From their first full-length album 'Vittra', the track ‘Skuggorna Kallar‘ is a solid selling point for what you can expect to hear on this album.  Enjoy!

What a day, what a day.  Ok, not really--it has actually been kind of slow around the compound these last few days and for that I'm sorry.  Other obligations and a serious lack of note-worthy news, you know?
At any rate, today we brought you:

-a new video from The Law
-another new video from Black Sun Aeon
-a streaming track from Cannabis Corpse

And I'm going to top that all off with 'in The Midnight Hour' from In Vain’s album 'The Latter Rain'. Enjoy.

This week's Shiny Penny is an extremely underrated and almost unknown Portuguese doom-death metal band, Thee Orakle.  Guess who recommend the said Shiny Penny? Yup, Mat again, and for the win. 

Thee Orakle was formed in 2004 in the small inland community of Vila Real, Portugal.  Without much fanfare, Thee Orakle released a demo in 2005 and an EP titled ‘Secret’ in 2007.  Finally in 2009, Thee Orakle released their debut full-length ‘Metaphortime’. 

‘Metaphortime’ (the only work from the band I've sampled) is an all together promising debut, blending elements of gothic metal and doom, perhaps un-originally, but in all, quite impressively.  The most surprising element of the band is actually something I usually despise -- clean female vocals.  (You already know how I feel about Epica and similar bands).  Thee Orakle blends the amazing vocal stylings of their female vocalst, Micaela Cardoso with harsh grunts from male vocalist Pedro Silva and rounds them out with the superior musicianship of Almedia (bass), Lopes (drums), Pinheiro (guitar), Ricardo (keyboard), and Dias (guitar), all to my satisfaction. 

Thee Orakle is not for everyone, but fans of the genre will undoubtably be happy with this Shiny Penny.  Press the play button above to hear ‘All Way Down’, the second track from Thee Orakle's ‘Metaphortime’.  You can also view their MySpace page here.

How does everyone feel about Sworn?  I really want to know because I have a sort of love/hate thing going on with them.  With really only two albums and an EP to go off, I still cannot be sure if they can count me as a fan.  Their first album ‘The Alleviation’ was very likable and left me with high hopes for the band.  Their second album, ‘Bastards and Conquers’ was a little generic and more befitting of recent trends and not anything I could call my favorite.  So when the band announced on their MySpace page that they were working on material for their third album, my curiosity piqued.  Perhaps with any luck, the band will abandon the pitfalls they encountered with their sophomore record, return to their roots with added maturity and truly create something they described in their announcement as “enormous, to say the least”.
 
Because of my own interest in watching this album unfold, you can most certainly expect to hear more from us on the subject in the coming months.  According (again) to the band’s Myspace, they are hoping to have the album recorded by the end of 2010 while they juggle touring in support of ‘Bastards and Conquers’ and writing new material.  Above, you can hear the track ‘Heart of Decay’ from Sworn’s debut album ‘The Alleviation’. I almost forgot, Sworn recently parted ways with their bassist and is currently looking for a suitable replacement. In the mean time a session musician will fill in on tour.

Yesterday at 7:45 am, Ronnie James Dio succumbed to his recent battle with stomach cancer and passed away at the age of 67. Just hours after his passing, rumors began to spread across the Internet and while initially Dio’s wife Wendy denied the chatter, shortly after she made the following announcement on his official page:

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.”

Losing Dio is losing a metal institution. His contribution to the genre will last for generations to come, and I agree with the sentiment echoed by many that this is perhaps the most significant loss the metal world has endured. Ronnie was a dear friend to some and a great inspiration to many. He will be missed and the shock of this development will tug on heartstrings for years to come. 

We’re going to try to make today centered on Dio as much as possible, starting with the above track ‘Children of The Sea’ from Dio’s time in Black Sabbath. Later we’ll have the ‘Holy Diver' video and at the end the day we’ll conclude with another track from the man’s prolific career. We hope everyone will join us in leaving Wendy and family our condolences on Ronnie’s facebook page, our hearts go out to you all. You can also share your thoughts on this tragic loss with us in the comment section.

SparksFury Rating: 8.5/10

To kick off summer of 2010, Deftones has released their sixth full-length album entitled 'Diamond Eyes'. It’s been over three years since Deftones’ previous album 'Saturday Night Wrist'. And this album is probably one of the better releases since the early days of 'Adrenaline' or 'White Pony'.

Most people have tied the emotions and feelings that are included in this album on the tragic accident that Chi Cheng and the rest of the band has had to endure. After entering a coma in a car accident in November of 2008, the release was put on hold.   READ ON...

Waldgeflüster is a German one-man black metal band. Ever since Skogen on the Metal Call-Out forum introduced me to them, I have had a hard time pausing their tracks.  Waldgeflüster is the solo musical stylings of Winterherz -- the vocalist/guitarist of Scarcross. With very little information to go off of and just over 700 listeners on last.fm, he's a perfect fit for our Shiny Pennies section. 

Formed in 2005, Waldgeflüster came to fruition when musician Winterherz sought an outlet for his black metal worship he couldn’t find in his current band. He released a demo (one I’m not familiar with) in 2006 and finally a full length in 2009, 'Herbstklagen' from which the above track comes.

'Herbstklagen' is sixty-minutes of pagan black metal utilizing, besides the typical instrumentation, acoustic guitars, wind instruments, the actual wind, the piano and the sounds of birds in the background, all to create a sonic experience rich and full right off the bat and good to the last drop. Every track on the album is dynamic, showcasing Winterherz’s unquestionable understanding to musical composition and his attention to detail as well as knowing listenability for the average listener.

You can check out more of Waldgeflüster on his myspace page.