Bloody Ears, Grateful Heart - Music of Italian Horror Cinema

I think it is fair to judge a man based on how the react to the subject of Italian horror. If they look at you quizzically, feel free to introduce them to some of the craziest cinema known to man. If they look at you in a disgusted or disinterested fashion, feel free to disembowel them on the spot. Now, should their eyes light up with the crazy, well, you have just made a new friend for life. There is nothing like the look, the flavor, the texture of Italian horror and when you find a like minded soul, it can be a like this bit from Step Brothers:

Music Teaser: Behemoth - "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel"

I am always down for some Behemoth. We not see eye to eye on religion, but the music is damn good, and they are quite good live. The band has released the third teaser for their upcoming single, Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel from the forthcoming Satanist album.

Music Video: Rivers of Nihil - "A Fertile Altar" (lyric video)

Rivers of Nihil have released a lyric video for their latest single, “A Fertile Altar.” I do not know a lot about these guys, but this tune is pretty sick. From the press release: Bassist Adam Biggs elaborates on "A Fertile Altar": "Musically, this song is a bit of a nod to all of our old-school death metal influences. It's kind of a more straight-forward head banger with a bridge part perfect for fist pumping and all-round pit brutality. The lyrics were inspired by the disgusting cult actions of Warren Jeffs and his FLDS church in the early 2000's. Jeffs gained notoriety for controlling the lives of families involved with his sect and preying on their children. However, I always envisioned this song to be spoken from the point of view of a wolf. I really enjoy adding a layer of dualism within these songs." Check it out for yourself:

Music Video: Gwar - "Madness at the Core of Time"

Gwar is one of those bands you just have to love. Well, unless you are easily offended, you don't have to love them, but there is no way you can hate them. The shock group has a new album out, Battle Maximus and a new video. Their new video is for the tune “Madness at the Core of Time.” It is a concert based video and it takes me back to the one time I was able to see them live, what a fun, messy time. Look for yourself:

Vic Rattlehead Appears Onstage with Megadeth

Much like Iron Maiden and Eddie, Megadeth has long been associated with Vic Rattlehead. Both characters are mascots of sorts for their respective bands and not many bands have them. In the case of the former, Eddie has appeared on all of Maiden's album cover and has come to be a much celebrated part of their live set, as a man on stilts in an Eddie suit appears on stage with the band during their perpetual set closer "Iron Maiden." It is a moment that always brings cheers. However, we are not here to hear about Maiden.

I Love Tricky and You Should Too: "Murder Weapon" Video

I first became aware of the artist known as Tricky back in the 1990's. Somewhere I had heard the song "Christiansands" and loved it. I also saw him in a supporting role in the movie The Fifth Element, where he acquitted himself admirably.

King of Asgard Unleash their Debut Video

As I was checking my email I came across a press release from Metal Blade Records heralding the release of the first video from the band King of Asgard. Being the curious sort of fellow, I clicked the link, checked out the video, and fell in love. Well, sort of.

Ever Heard of Shonen Knife? Me Neither

Shonen Knife. I like the name, never heard of the band until now. It turns out they are a pop punk band from Japan that formed way back in 1981. Of course, there is only one original member, but they have consistently released music since their 1982 debut. All told, they have 16 albums out and are poised to release their 17th.

Misguided Aggression - Behind the Scenes of the Kingdom Come video

From the press release: "Our Kingdom Come" comes off Misguided Aggression's debut album "Hatchala", which was recently released by Year of the Sun Records. The album was recorded at Icehouse Studios by producer Thomas Ireland and mixes bone crushing brutality with head-banging grooves to create the soundtrack to a drunken bar brawl between Lamb of God and Meshuggah. Sputnik Music hailed the album as, "One of the neatest records of extreme metal from an upcoming band I've heard in quite a while."

Behemoth - preview of the Evangelion Digipak

Behemoth unleash preview of “Evangelion” DVD bonus footageBehemoth's Evangelion will be released in North America as a digi-pak containing the record as well as a bonus DVD that follows Behemoth throughout the recording process. The footage was shot while the band forged Evangelion between January and May of 2009. Fans can view a sneak preview of this footage right now on TheGauntlet.com! Evangelion was recorded in the band's hometown at Radio Gdansk studio with longtime sound engineer Malta, the Wieslawscy Brothers, and Daniel Bergstrand (drum engineering) in the producers' chairs. Evangelion was mixed in Miloco Studios by Colin Richardson (Machine Head, Slipknot, Carcass, Napalm Death) and will be unleashed in the US on August 11th via Metal Blade Records.

Dead Snow - Viral My Ass Video

What else need be said? it is only tangentially connected to the movie, but te connection is there and that means the video has been making the rounds of movie sites. It features Norwegian model Linni Meister singing (ahem) a lame pop song about her anatomy.

As I Lay Dying - I Never Wanted

I really like these guys. Say them on, I think, Taste of Chaos a few years back and they stole the show. This tune is not as heavy as most of their stuff, but is still really good.

As I Lay Dying - New Music - More Music Videos

Killswitch Engage - Reckoning

Metalcore act Killswitch engage has a new album coming on June 30th. Below is a new cut from that album, called "Reckoning." I like it and cannot wait for the full album.

Mastodon - Oblivion live on Letterman

Not who I would traditionally think of as a band to appear on Letterman, but it was good on them.

As I Lay Dying - I Never Wanted

I really like these guys. Say them on, I think, Taste of Chaos a few years back and they stole the show. This tune is not as heavy as most of their stuff, but is still really good.

As I Lay Dying - New Music - More Music Videos

Chimaira - Destroy and Dominate

Believe it or not, this is my first real listen from the new Chimaira album. I like it!

Chimaira - Destroy And Dominate

Hatebreed - Ghosts of War

Hatebreed's covers album is now on store shelves and I am looking forward to getting my hands on it. Their cover of Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist" is excellent, now they have a video for their take on Slayer's "Ghosts of War," also excellent.

The Berzerker - All The Things She Said

Aussie extreme metallers apparently love courting controversy. Their latest video is a cover of Russian lesbian pop duo T.A.T.u's hit "All the Things She Said." Check out the clip and see if it is worth the controversy:

Misguided Aggression - Widget

I know I have not been as active on this site lately, hopefully I will correct that in the near future. In the meantime, I just came across this act out of Canada and I like what I hear. They are heavy and aggressive, if not wholly original. They are currently offering their album as a digital download for only 1.99. I think I may bite at that price.

Degradead - Wake the Storm

If there is one thing we can always use more of, it's Swedish melodic death metal. Degradead is reminiscent of In Flames, and the song actually sounds pretty good. Nothing revolutionary, mind you, but still solid.

Degradead - Wake The Storm