SPV/Riot

The Original Power Metal Maniac – Michael Weikath of Helloween

It was the odd intervention of the metal gods with technology while talking to Michael Weikath, the founding guitarist and one of the fellow "fathers of power metal," Helloween. Talking from his home in Tenerife, Spain, he sat down for a few cups of coffee and a very long conversation with Metal as Fuck.

Helloween according to many fans, journalists and associated hangers on are the “founders” of power metal as we know it.

UFO – The Best Of A Decade (SPV/Riot)

They might look fucking old but considering this band started in 1969 and you’ve got three, yes three of the original members still rolling it’s no wonder they look a little, shall we say, weathered. Surprisingly though, this compilation of studio and live tracks shows that the old bastards can still get it up!

With Phil Mogg still sounding great on vocals and Pete ‘wayward’ Way (Bass) and Andy Parker (Drums) still holding dow

Sodom announce November album release

The long awaited album from German thrashers Sodom has been announced for release on November 23rd in North America.

German thrash legends Sodom are currently in the studio working on their new studio album entitled In War and Pieces.

Axel Rudi Pell - The Crest (SPV/Riot)

Album no. 19 (depending on whether you count compilations or not) from Axel Rudi Pell offers nothing new, nothing that will make you go WTF? but then again, why change a winning formula?

With Johnny Gioeli once again providing a voice that sits somewhere between Ronnie James Dio circa Rainbow and The Scorpi

Idols Are Dead - Mean (SPV/Riot)

Italian rockers Idols Are Dead are lucky that I tend to ignore the promo stickers on album covers. Mentioning, amongst others, Metallica, Exodus and Megadeth, the band was definitely being set up for a fall; but luckily for them, their brand of metal hits hard and fast. More importantly, it has a real sense of rhythm and pace.

Mean, the debut album for Idols Are Dead, is short and sharp - just nine songs.

Annihilator - Live At Masters Of Rock DVD (SPV/Riot)

Arguably being one of the biggest metal bands from Canada, Annihilator and founding mainman Jeff Waters have had a long, 25+ year career, with 12 studio albums, 2 live albums and a slew of other releases. One item that has been noticeably absent in their back catalogue is the release of a live DVD. Well, wait no longer.

Filmed at the 2008 Masters of Rock Festival in the Czech Republic, whilst Annihilator were on tour promoting their latest release Metal, this DVD shows the band playing to

Annihilator - Live at Masters of Rock CD (SPV/Riot)

Ageing Canuck thrashers welcome you to your death... again.

Canadian thrash metal exponents Annihilator

Dave Wyndorf wants to invite you into his bedroom

To look at his record collection, that is...

It’s July, and Monster Magnet’s Australian tour has just been announced.

Axel Rudi Pell - Best Of (Anniversary Edition) (SPV/Riot)

Released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the current ARP line-up, and the twentieth anniversary of ARP’s first album, this twelve track retrospective covers tracks from 98’s Oceans of Time right up to last year’s Tales Of The Crown, showcasing some sterling and classy classic Euro rock as well as a couple of intriguing cover tunes. Well, okay one good, one shocker: but we’ll get to them.

Opening song Edge Of The World from the 2002 album Shadow Zone showcases perfectly what Axel Rudi Pell is all about.  The European classic metal sound, Axel&

Magnum – Into The Valley Of The Moonking (SPV/Riot)

The cover might look prog rock, the title might have you thinking of Yes, but this is an album that is steeped in 80s stadium rock, lighters waving, girls swaying and a t-shirt purchase on the way out. The latest from this legendary UK rock/AOR band is nothing short of great.

Magnum guitarist Tony Clarkin and vocalist Bob Catley have been together since 1972, so it’s no surprise that they fit so well together.&nbs