Every Friday I turn the blog over to Dan Marsicano for his Retro Recommendation, giving you a chance to learn about underrated and overlooked gems from metal's past.

This week is a very special edition of Retro Recommendation.  It's the Italian band Dark Quarterer's 1987 self-titled debut. The album was recommended by Cormorant frontman Arthur von Nagel, and Dan spoke with von Nagel about the album and how it influenced Cormorant's music.  He was also able to interview Dark Quarterer vocalist/bassist Gianni Nepi, who gives the historical background of the record.

Retro Recommendation: Dark Quarterer - Dark Quarterer

Other Recent Retro Recommendations:

• Confessor - Condemned
• Paradise Lost - Lost Paradise
• Possessed - Beyond The Gates
• Lazarus Sin - Intracranial Mass
• Earth - Extra-Capsular Extraction
• Marduk - Those Of The Unlight

Lacuna Coil's latest CD is Dark Adrenaline. The Italian band drew some criticism on their last CD for moving toward the mainstream with a lot of pop/rock songs. The new CD is still very accessible, but heavier and more bombastic than Shallow Life. I spoke with Lacuna Coil vocalist Andrea Ferro about the new album, working with producer Don Gilmore again, their cover of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" and other topics.

Read the complete Lacuna Coil Interview

(photo courtesy Century Media Records)

They've risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest bands in metal, and every new Lamb Of God release is met with a lot of anticipation and high expectations. Their latest effort is Resolution. It's packed with their trademark New Wave Of American Heavy Metal sound, but also explores some new areas, especially on the final track "King Me."

Read the complete Lamb Of God - Resolution Review

Other Recent Heavy Metal CD Reviews:
Aborted - Global Flatline
Abysmal Dawn - From Ashes
Alcest - Les Voyage De L'Âmes
Astral Doors - Jerusalem
Behold The Monolith - Defender, Redeemist
Confessor - Condemned
Farsot - Insects
Iron Saviour - The Landing
King Giant - Dismal Hollow
Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline Racebannon - Six Sik Sisters
Riotgod - Invisible Empire
Tenhi - Saivo

(CD cover courtesy Epic Records)

After releasing a solo album in 2010, Ralf Scheepers returns with his band Primal Fear for the German power metal group's ninth full-length CD Unbreakable. Scheepers gives us the lowdown on the writing and recording of the new album, the band's touring plans, recent lineup changes and other subjects.

Read the complete Primal Fear Interview

(photo courtesy Frontiers Records)