published December 2010

Hellbastard - Eco War (Selfmadegod Records)

Despite having been around since 1986, with a decade-plus hiatus in the middle, Hellbastard is still joyfully mired in the maliciously metal muck: halfway between its crust leanings and thrash influences.

The latest EP from relatively recently reformed U.K.

Shrapnel - Hellbound (Self released)

Where’s a big label to release these Aussies?? The world must know the destructive power of Shrapnel!

Hell, Hell, hell grindeeeer! The refrain of the first song of the album Hellbound leaves no doubt! We’re hearing some thrash maniacal metal!

Astriaal - Anatomy of the Infinite (Obsidian)

You have to be in the right mood to listen to Astriaal. And if you are, then this release - especially with close attention and repeat listens - is damn good.

Christian Mistress - Agony & Opium (20 Buck Spin)

What the hell is this? It seems like Geddy Lee encountered some old NWOBHM band and decided to make a jam. What is the result? Fenriz of Darkthrone seems to have loved it!

I confess I’d never heard of Christian Mistress until I came across the album Agony and Opium to write this review and I was in shock to learn that this band was ign

The Workers at the Forge - Be'lakor's Steve Merry

Australian melodic death heavy weights Be'lakor talk to Metal as Fuck about their international success and their headlining of Melbourne, AU's Sonic Forge Festival for Haiti.

If you’re an Australian metalhead and you haven’t heard of Be’lakor, you haven’t been paying attention.