The Metal Forge®

Portland's dark rock trio Hoaxed has released their new album "Death Knocks" through Relapse Records, marking a refined evolution from their previous work, "Two Shadows." The band, now including new bassist/vocalist April Dimmick, has incorporated influences from their tours and Dimmick’s heavy metal background to create a more energetic and textured sound. The album featur...

The debut album from Chariots Overdrive, released by Gates of Hell Records, blends fantasy and heavy metal with an impressive, dynamic sound. Featuring powerful riffs, soaring guitar solos, mystical vocals, and vigorous drumming, the album offers a mix of NWOBHM attitude, USPM epicness, and Metalucifer hints. Mixed and mastered by Greg Hendler, it boasts an authentic 80s vibe. Inspired by ancient...

The Legions of Metal Festival emerged from the conclusion of the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse Festival, with a mission to celebrate the finest in classic 1980s metal while showcasing emerging bands poised to shape the future of the genre. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience performances from some of the most promising new acts during the day, culminating each evening with iconic bands...

Formed by frontman Luc Richards and guitarist Davis Haley, Nashville crossover thrash quintet Waxed is now a full cadre with Will Alley on bass, Noel Richards on guitar, and Ian Sundstrom on drums. Known for the ferocity of their live shows, Waxed concocts a sludgy brew of heavy riffs, cutting leads, and quick turnarounds that make for a truly unique brand of rock n’ roll. Having recently opened u...

WITCH RIPPER's third album, "Through the Hourglass," showcases their ability to blend captivating melodies, catchy riffs, and various metal subgenres, aligning them with bands like MASTODON and BARONESS while also channeling influences like QUEEN and COHEED AND CAMBRIA. The album continues the narrative from their previous work, exploring themes of time and existence. Formed in Seatt...

Purchase here:https://witchripper.bandcamp.com/album/through-the-hourglass  @MagneticEyeRecordsHQ   @WitchRipperOfficial  Passionate about metal? You'll want to tune in to Flamekeeper™, the show that's electrifying the airwaves. As the host, MRJ brings an unparalleled enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the genre, captivating listeners with every episode. With a penchant for spotlighting up-a...

The Legalize Lex Music Festival, now in its third year, has quickly become a staple in the Lexington, Kentucky music scene. This festival was born out of a desire to celebrate not just great music, but also the spirit of community and advocacy for cannabis legalization. Think of it as a musical love letter to the Bluegrass State, wrapped in a message of unity and awareness, where good vibes and go...

The French-speaking region of Canada, Quebec, has a notable technical metal scene, highlighted by bands like Gorguts and Cryptopsy, and significantly, Beyond Creation. Formed in 2005 in Montreal, Beyond Creation debuted with their 2011 album "The Aura," which established them as leading innovators in Quebec's metal scene. After joining the label Season of Mist in 2013, they re-releas...

When I first discovered Nu Metal, I was 13. It was 1996, the world was different. Suddenly the aggressions of the early 1990’s “Peace in the Middle East” campaign where schools would have you recite the pledge of allegiance every morning and then a prideful listen to a song by Lee Greenwood, “Proud to be an American”. What was there to be proud of? In that time there were riots in the streets wher...

Kentucky's doom-heavy sludge band, HIGHGATE, has teamed up with Horror Pain Gore Productions to drop their latest album, "Prophecies Of Eternal Horror." Hailing from the hills of Northern Kentucky, HIGHGATE delivers a powerful mix of sludge and doom that echoes years of struggle and despair. "Prophecies Of Eternal Horror" paints a grim picture with themes of global war atro...

Heavy Temple transcends the label of mere band; they are a plunge into a primal, sonic realm, a journey to the very core of heavy rock. Having materialized on the scene before the subsequent doom and psych resurgence, they stand not as wave-riders, but as its very genesis. Their music resonates not so much as crafted composition, but as an archaeological marvel, unearthed from the vestiges of an a...

The Pacific Northwest pulses with a vibrant musical spirit, and Portland, Oregon, stands as a testament to this creative surge. An almost palpable energy permeates the city, fostering innovation and artistic expression. This week, we eagerly welcome back Bryce VanHoosen, a respected voice within the PNW music community, to delve into his recent experiences and offer valuable insights. His return a...

ICE GIANT is all about crafting music that hits hard and keeps you hooked by blending the best of metal, thrash, and progressive metal. Since dropping our debut album in 2017, we've rocked out 56 times (and counting!) across venues in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and even down to Pennsylvania. When you catch us live, throw on your favorite ICE GIA...

Scorched Earth is a groovy & thrashy death metal band from Indianapolis, for fans of '90s Sepultura and later-era Slayer. It was resurrected from the ashes of Indy groove/thrash metal band Panzer by drummer Alex McCracken and guitarist Brandon Signorino; you may recognize Brandon from Indy power-doom band Lavaborne. The band also features bassist Sara Swick and guitarist Andy Hassing, both...

North of the US border lies some amazing bands, this week I am venturing back to Vancouver, BC to check on Spell and see what magic is brewing. Cam gets down on the anvil with us this week and we are talking about some new music coming along with a Hell's Heroes stop in March and even more. Cam was the first international guest on The Metal Forge back in 2020. They had been on my radar for a y...

Eulogy in Blood, hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, has been carving its name into the metal scene since 2018. This doom/sludge/thrash powerhouse doesn't shy away from the heavy and the dark. Their music is a raw reflection of life's harsh realities, and I respect that. With releases like the "Human Stain" EP and killer singles such as "Oathbreaker" and "While We W...

Helms Deep, a band forged in the fires of 2017 by the guitar-slinging, vocal-cord-abusing Alex Sciortino, had a vision: to resurrect the raw, untamed spirit of 1980s speed/power metal. Think Riot, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, but with a twist of prog and fusion thrown in for good measure. Sciortino's songwriting draws from a vast well of inspiration, from the iconic metal bands of the '8...

Blood Curse began in 2016 with Aaron on vocals and guitar, his wife Olivia Franks on drums, and Micah Young on bass and backing vocals. They briefly had a second guitarist, George Graas, but parted ways due to style and personality clashes. Micah left a month before recording their debut album, "Sorceress," in 2018. Scott Briggs, who produced the album, joined the band in March 2018, sol...

This week Mark is featuring Jason Gardner, Aaron Ossont & Jason Roach in this extravaganza of 2025 releases. Listen and watch in as we round down our picks of the year, talk about some sportsball, video games and so much more. And as we do here in The Metal Forge, we like to kick out the jamz, at the end you wshould hang around as we show some videos that were shot and edited by the Flamekeepe...

The Virgos, known as the heaviest band in Pennsylvania, are revolutionizing heavy metal. Formed by Andy Saba and Danni Crockett with drummer Eli Gerrity, they share a passion for off-roading, firearms, anti-imperialism, and Bathory's music. Frustrated by pretenders in the genre, they aim to revive authentic metal. The band committed to releasing a new studio album every year, starting with &qu...

From the crucible of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's vibrant music milieu, Breakker exploded onto the scene in 2023, a heavy metal force primed to detonate. This band isn't just another act; they're a sonic Molotov cocktail waiting to be unleashed. Breakker's sound is where raw, untamed 80s British heavy metal collides head-on with the decadent spectacle of American glam. The resultin...

Horizon Theory is a 5 piece Heavy Rock/Metal band that is quickly showing that they have what it takes to become a mainstay in the genre. The airtight rhythm section featuring Luen Murr on Bass produces the foundation for what will only prove to be more complex and melodic. Chris Black layers guitars that can mesmerize and enchant just as easily as they can violently blast through whatever is in t...

In 2013, THE OLD DEAD TREE reunited briefly for a mini-European tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album The Nameless Disease. After considering reuniting permanently following the Covid-19 crisis, they decided to write a new song. Their new single, Terrified, became popular, leading to a successful comeback. In early 2024, while working on their first album in 17 years, they recorded...

Graveripper, a black thrash band from Indianapolis, returns with their heaviest album yet, "From Welkin to Tundra." Formed in 2019, they have become renowned for their dark, post-apocalyptic sound, with previous releases including the "Radiated Remains" EP and "Seasons Dreaming Death." This new album expands into darker territories, drawing on influences from both bla...

From the heart of Louisville, KY emerges ENEMY TO ALL, a metal band that embodies the raw intensity and rebellious spirit traditionally cautioned against by concerned mothers. This formidable group channels the fervent energy of their urban home base, crafting an auditory experience that melds visceral guitar riffs with thunderous percussion. Their lyrics dissect societal unrest and personal trial...