Heavy Consequence
Metallica’s S&M2 Cleans Up Nicely for Home Release: Review + Stream
The Lowdown: Last September, Metallica reunited with the San Francisco Symphony for the two performances that would become S&M2 — the sequel to their illustrious symphonic metal collaboration from 20 years earlier. To commemorate the event, the band teamed with Trafalgar Releasing to screen the concert film in movie theaters across the world. The S&M2 shows took place on September 6th and 8th, and the film premiered on October 9th. In film production timelines, that’s an impossibly small window for post-production on a concert film and album. Nevertheless, the theatrical film was a box office success, though a trained eye and ear could tell that it might have been rushed to release. The initial edit of director Wayne Isham’s footage, though clean, had an unfinished quality to it. I...
Deftones Serve Up White Pony Beer in Honor of Album’s 20th Anniversary
Deftones fans have been drinking in the sensational sounds of White Pony for 20 years. Now, they can actually consume “White Pony” beer, as the alt-metal act has announced a new IPA named after their 2000 landmark album. In addition to prepping the release of a brand-new album titled Ohms, due September 25th, Deftones have been commemorating the 20th anniversary of White Pony in style. Previously, the band launched a limited-edition merch capsule, and revealed that they are working on a reissue of the LP, complete with a bonus disc of remixes titled “Black Stallion”. Now, add beer to the White Pony celebration. Deftones have teamed up with San Diego brewery Belching Beaver to create the double dry hopped IPA, and the description is nearly as appealing as Chino Moreno’s soaring vocals: “Whi...
Mining Metal: Cobra Spell (Premiere), Atramentus, Humavoid, Krallice, Necrot, Nug, Question, and Terminal Nation
“Mining Metal” is a monthly column from Heavy Consequence writers Joseph Schafer and Langdon Hickman. The focus is on noteworthy new music emerging from the non-mainstream metal scene, highlighting releases from small and independent labels — or even releases from unsigned acts. As I’m writing this, the metal underground is still reeling from the unexpected passing of Riley Gale, vocalist for Texas thrashers Power Trip. Gale was known for his unabashedly political lyrics, charismatic live performances, and interpersonal messages of kindness. The underground will be feeling his loss for some time. I first heard Power Trip a few days after publishing an essay on Invisible Oranges declaring the post-Municipal Waste thrash revival dead. Power Trip’s debut album, Manifest Decimation rendered my...
Tribulation Announce New Album Where the Gloom Becomes Sound, Unveil 2021 European Tour Dates
Tribulation have announced a new album, Where the Gloom Becomes Sound, due out in January 2021. The dark metal act also unveiled European tour dates alongside Bolzer and Molassess set to kick off around the same time. The Swedish band began as a death metal act before making a major artistic pivot toward a more cinematic, gothic style on 2015’s The Children of the Night. Tribulation have never looked back, embracing new sounds and adjusting their stage show accordingly. The group dons vampiric attire as they present their stage show as a heavy metal ballet, with athletically nimble guitarist Adam Zaars traversing the stage while simultaneously shredding. The new album sounds like it could be even more conceptual than recent LPs The Children of the Night and Down Below, the latter of ...
Uniform Share Title Track from Upcoming Album Shame: Stream
New York City trio Uniform have unleashed the title track from their upcoming new album, Shame, out September 11th on Sacred Bones. “Shame” follows on the heels of previous single “Delco”, showcasing the idiosyncratic blend of heavy music Uniform have honed for their latest LP. John Carpenter-style synths build into a crushing blast of electronic and live instrumentation. It’s not quite metal or industrial or hardcore, though there’s subtle elements of each. Vocalist Michael Berdan stated, “‘Shame’ is the song that sets the thematic tone for the rest of the record, which seems appropriate for a title track. It is a portrait of someone riddled with regret in the process of drinking themselves to death. Night after night they sit in dark reflection, pouring alcohol down their throat in order...
99 Metal Artists Team Up to Sing “99 Bottles of Beer” for Charity: Stream
Testament’s Chuck Billy (photo by Antonio Marino Jr.), Philip Anselmo (Amy Harris), Sepultura’s Derrick Green (Philip Cosores) Well, this is one helluva collaboration! Ninety-nine metal artists have banded together to sing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” for charity. Among those providing their voices to the charitable track are members of Pantera, Mastodon, Slayer, Testament, Sepultura, and more. The collaboration was the brainchild of Scour guitarist Derek Engemann and bassist John Jarvis, as well as Gruesome bassist Robin Mazen, all under the moniker The Boozehoundz. They recruited the likes of their Scour bandmate Philip Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down), Bill Kelliher (Mastodon), Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus), Brendon Small (Dethklok, Galaktikon), Derri...
Slayer’s Kerry King Is Working on a New Project: “I’ve Got More Than Two Records’ Worth of Music”
The legendary Slayer bid their farewell at the end of last year, but that doesn’t mean the individual members are done making music. Guitarist Kerry King has revealed that he has two albums’ worth of material for a new project. Slayer played their final show ever on November 30th after an extensive farewell tour, and the members have been relatively quiet since parting ways. However, in a new interview with Dean Guitars, with whom he has signed on as a signature artist, King revealed that he has been quite productive during the pandemic. “I’ve been very, very lucky with riffs in 2020,” said Kerry in a video interview posted on Dean Guitars’ YouTube channel. “Maybe because I can’t go anywhere, I don’t know, but riffs have certainly not been a problem.” He continued, “Looking forward into th...
Fates Warning Announce New Album Long Day Good Night, Unleash Single “Scars”: Stream
Progressive-metal pioneers Fates Warning have announced their 13th studio album, Long Day Good Night, will arrive on November 6th. The band has also shared the lead single, “Scars”. Fates Warnings’ storied career spans over three decades, and they keep delivering albums that push the band in new musical directions. Over the years, the group’s prog leanings have begun to outweigh the metal in its songwriting. But as “Scars” proves, Fates Warning can still lay down something heavy and atmospheric. For Long Day Good Night, the band aimed for diversity between songs rather than hold to any one template, as singer Ray Adler explained in the press announcement for the album. “The styles of music we’ve written distinguish this record from the rest of our catalogue,” Alder stated. “There are some ...
R.I.P. Riley Gale, Power Trip Frontman Dead at 34
Riley Gale, frontman of the acclaimed Texas thrash metal band Power Trip, has tragically died at the age of 34. A statement from Power Trip on Tuesday evening (August 25th) confirmed his passing. The circumstances behind his death were not immediately made available, but it was revealed that he died on Monday night (August 24th). Power Trip’s most recent full-length, Nightmare Logic, ranked among our favorite albums of 2017, and also made our list of the Top 25 Metal Albums of the 2010s. As of March, the band was back in the studio working on new record. In June, they released a surprise live album. The band issued the following statement via Twitter: “Dear Power Trip fans worldwide. It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed...
Rancid’s Tim Armstrong Unveils 10th Anniversary Fender Hellcat Acoustic Guitar
Rancid’s Tim Armstrong has announced a new anniversary edition of his Fender Hellcat electric-acoustic guitar. Originally released 10 years ago, the Hellcat is based on a ’60s concert acoustic that Armstrong has used to write many of Rancid’s songs. The 10th anniversary model is worthy of a veteran musician like Armstrong, as well as a beginner looking for carry the instrument with them for years to come. The original Hellcat came from a collaboration between Armstrong and Fender to create his own signature model, featuring striking double-skull inlays and gold pickguard. The anniversary model retains those visual elements and touts a solid spruce top, gilded hardware, and a stage-ready Fishman Presys III pickup/preamp system with a built-in tuner. The guitar’s “C”-shape neck is made of ma...
Ronnie James Dio’s Holy Diver Album Inspires Upcoming Graphic Novel
The Dio album Holy Diver is one of metal’s most iconic LPs, not just for its music but for its striking album cover. Now, thanks to a new graphic novel from Z2 comics, fans will finally find out why a priest was seemingly hurled into the ocean by the demonic figure Murray. Z2 Comics has tapped horror writer Steve Niles to tell the story leading up to the dramatic illustration on the cover of Holy Diver. Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night, October Faction) is being paired up with artist Scott Hampton (Gotham County Line) for the 120-page graphic novel. Ronnie James Dio’s widow, Wendy Dio, is fully on board with the project, stating, “Steve Niles tells the story behind the album cover Holy Diver, a story about how you can’t judge a picture by the way it appears, which is what Ronnie w...
Eddie Vedder Guests on Lily Cornell’s Mental Health Web Series: Watch
Eddie Vedder was the latest guest on Mind Wide Open, the the weekly mental-health series hosted by Chris Cornell’s daughter Lily Cornell Silver. In the newly premiered episode, the Pearl Jam singer opened up about grief, empathy, and activism, while also reflecting on his fallen peers. “I am thrilled that Ed offered to do Mind Wide Open,” Lily said in a statement announcing the episode. “His and his family’s support around my series means so much to me. He has always been like an uncle to me and is one of the pillars of support in my life. I know how impactful his voice is to people around the world and I deeply appreciate everything he stands for, so I am really excited for others to watch and hear his insights.” One of the more emotional aspects of the interview came when Vedder ope...
