By Aniruddh “Andrew” Bansal

It’s been way too long since Los Angeles-based heavy metal veterans Malice released a studio album, 26 years to be exact. The wait is finally over, as they now prepare to release their third full-length studio album “New Breed Of Godz”, featuring original members Jay Reynolds (guitar), Mick Zane (guitar) and Mark Behn (bass), along with new vocalist James Rivera and drummer Pete Holmes. The album includes four brand new compositions in addition to re-recordings of eight classic tunes, four each from “In The Beginning” and “License To Kill”. Yesterday, on May 14th 2012, I had the pleasure of talking to Jay Reynolds to discuss this new album in detail, among other things. Read the conversation below, and order the album or visit the band online using the links posted at the bottom. Continue reading →

By Aniruddh “Andrew” Bansal

Delhi-based ambient metal outfit Skyharbor have progressed in leaps and bounds since guitarist Keshav Dhar started it as a studio project. Through the music, Skyharbor managed to get noticed not only among music enthusiasts, but also impressed musicians like Marty Friedman, Dan Tompkins and Vishal J. Singh, to the extent that they ended up featuring as guest musicians on the band’s debut album “Blinding White Noise: Illusion & Chaos”, which came out late April 2012 via Basick Records. Besides, they earned praise from Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler, who called Skyharbor one of his current favorite bands. It’s only befitting that Skyharbor has now been confirmed to open for Lamb of God at their upcoming Bangalore show on May 26th, at Clarks Exotica. I caught up with the man himself, Keshav Dhar, to discuss this show, the debut album and lots more. Read the conversation below, and buy tickets for the show or visit Skyharbor online using the links posted at the bottom. Continue reading →

By Aniruddh “Andrew” Bansal

Atlanta-based band Royal Thunder started out in 2007, released a self-titled EP in 2010, and are now ready to release their debut full-length “CVI”, which comes out in the US on May 22nd via Relapse Records. The music on this album is such that it may be hard to describe or categorize, but it’s certainly easy to relate to, and that’s its best quality. An album that takes the listener through a 60-minute journey filled with blues, doom, rock ‘n roll and psychedelia, “CVI” looks set to hit the market strong, and I have a feeling it will sound even better when the band plays some of it on their upcoming tours. Today, on May 13th 2012, at 6 AM in my time zone, I spoke to singer/bassist Mlny Parsonz to talk about the album, how she started out as a singer and what she does to keep her voice in shape, touring plans and lots more. Enjoy reading the conversation below, and order the album or visit the band on the web by using the links posted at the bottom. Continue reading →

By Aniruddh “Andrew” Bansal

Rejuvenated death metal band Six Feet Under will release their ninth studio album “Undead” very soon, an album that has delivered on all fronts, in my opinion, and the material is as good as anything the band has ever done. The new lineup has injected freshness and fervor into the songwriting, and the result is in front of us, on tunes such as “18 Days”, “Formaldehyde”, “Missing Victims”, and the likes. Judging by the kind of performance the band put on during last year’s Summer Slaughter tour, it’s safe to say that the new songs will make them an even better live band. Today, on May 12th 2012, two hours or so ago, I spoke to vocalist Chris Barnes on a variety of topics including the lineup change, lyrical inspirations, Summer Slaughter, and the reason he really wants to visit India. Read this conversation as Chris speaks his mind, and order the album or visit the band online using the links posted at the bottom. Continue reading →

By Aniruddh “Andrew” Bansal

Doom legends Saint Vitus are back with their eighth studio album “Lillie: F-65″, one of the most eagerly awaited and talked-about albums this year. While it’s yet to be officially released in the United States, the initial response to the album has been nothing but great, and it has lived up to its high expectations. The reunion of vocalist Scott “Wino” Weinrich and guitarist Dave Chandler has given it the classic Vitus touch. Today on May 11th 2012, less than two hours ago, I had the pleasure of speaking to Dave in detail about the band’s comeback, the songwriting process for the new album, guitar tone, the return of Wino, and various other topics. Enjoy the conversation, and order the album or visit the band’s social networks using the links posted at the bottom. Continue reading →