Top Picks
CD, DVD, artist, magazine and book recommendations from the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
Essential Grindcore Albums - Top Grindcore Albums - Recommend…
List of essential grindcore albums from About.com Heavy Metal.
List of essential grindcore albums from About.com Heavy Metal.
October 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
2009 is winding down, and October was another strong month for quality metal releases. This was probably the toughest month this year to pick the number one CD. It was a close call, but black metal veterans Immortal take the top slot. Here are the About.com Heavy Metal picks for the top CDs released in October, 2009.
2009 is winding down, and October was another strong month for quality metal releases. This was probably the toughest month this year to pick the number one CD. It was a close call, but black metal veterans Immortal take the top slot. Here are the About.com Heavy Metal picks for the top CDs released in October, 2009.
Essential Grindcore CDs
Grindcore is a genre characterized by albums with dozens of songs with a general running time of two minutes, countless splits with other artists and consistently revolving band lineups. So it's often difficult to know where to get started if you are new to the genre. We've done a bit of the legwork for you and picked out …
Grindcore is a genre characterized by albums with dozens of songs with a general running time of two minutes, countless splits with other artists and consistently revolving band lineups. So it's often difficult to know where to get started if you are new to the genre. We've done a bit of the legwork for you and picked out …
September 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
There were a lot of excellent CDs released in September. The choice for number one was pretty clear, but the About.com Heavy Metal team had a more difficult time picking the rest of the top five. It's a nice mix of well-known groups like Hatebreed and more underground artists like Gnaw Their Tongues. Here are the top five metal CDs released in September, 2009.
There were a lot of excellent CDs released in September. The choice for number one was pretty clear, but the About.com Heavy Metal team had a more difficult time picking the rest of the top five. It's a nice mix of well-known groups like Hatebreed and more underground artists like Gnaw Their Tongues. Here are the top five metal CDs released in September, 2009.
Best Megadeth Albums - Top Megadeth Albums
The best Megadeth albums, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
The best Megadeth albums, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
Essential Metalcore Albums - Top Metalcore CDs
Essential metalcore albums.
Essential metalcore albums.
Best Cannibal Corpse CDs - Top Cannibal Corpse Albums - Best CDs by C…
The best Cannibal Corpse CDs, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
The best Cannibal Corpse CDs, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
Top Heavy Metal Blogs - Essential Heavy Metal Blogs
A list of some of the best heavy metal blogs on the 'net.
A list of some of the best heavy metal blogs on the 'net.
Essential Power Metal Albums - Top Power Metal CDs
A list of essential power metal albums, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
A list of essential power metal albums, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
Best Hair Bands - Top Hairspray Metal Bands - Best Glam Metal Bands
The best hair bands.
The best hair bands.
Best Hair Metal Ballads - Favorite Big Hair Ballads - Hair Ba…
The best hair metal ballads.
The best hair metal ballads.
August 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
There are some highly anticipated metal releases in September, which should be a really strong month, but August was no slouch. The artists that made this month's list range from death metal to black metal to metalcore to thrash metal. Topping the list in August, in an upset over Behemoth, are Dutch death metal veterans Asphyx. Here's the list of the month's best heavy metal releases.
There are some highly anticipated metal releases in September, which should be a really strong month, but August was no slouch. The artists that made this month's list range from death metal to black metal to metalcore to thrash metal. Topping the list in August, in an upset over Behemoth, are Dutch death metal veterans Asphyx. Here's the list of the month's best heavy metal releases.
Best Heavy Metal CDs of 2001
2001 was a very strong year for heavy metal. It saw the release of what many think is Opeth's best album along with excellent CDs from artists both new and veteran. Albums that narrowly missed making this list included Kreator - Violent Revolution, Megadeth - The World Needs A Hero, WASP - Unholy Terror and many others. Here are my choices for the best heavy metal CDs rele…
2001 was a very strong year for heavy metal. It saw the release of what many think is Opeth's best album along with excellent CDs from artists both new and veteran. Albums that narrowly missed making this list included Kreator - Violent Revolution, Megadeth - The World Needs A Hero, WASP - Unholy Terror and many others. Here are my choices for the best heavy metal CDs rele…
July 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
This month's list has a good mix of artists and styles. From death metal veterans Suffocation to death metal upstarts Job For A Cowboy, from reformed doomsters YOB to modern metallers DevilDriver, there's something for everyone. Topping the list for July 2009 are Anaal Nathrakh, and potent and underrated band.
This month's list has a good mix of artists and styles. From death metal veterans Suffocation to death metal upstarts Job For A Cowboy, from reformed doomsters YOB to modern metallers DevilDriver, there's something for everyone. Topping the list for July 2009 are Anaal Nathrakh, and potent and underrated band.
Best Norwegian Heavy Metal Bands - Top Norwegian Metal Bands - Best M…
The best Norwegian heavy metal bands, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
The best Norwegian heavy metal bands, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
Essential Power Metal Albums
The power metal genre as a whole really took off in the late 80s with help from bands such as Helloween and Gamma Ray. The '90s continued this momentum, thanks to Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, and Dragonforce. Metal fans became infatuated with the speedy solos and soaring vocals, along with lyrics describing mystical creatures, magic, and vast fantasy worlds. Throughout the years, there…
The power metal genre as a whole really took off in the late 80s with help from bands such as Helloween and Gamma Ray. The '90s continued this momentum, thanks to Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, and Dragonforce. Metal fans became infatuated with the speedy solos and soaring vocals, along with lyrics describing mystical creatures, magic, and vast fantasy worlds. Throughout the years, there…
June 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
With the weather heating up, the metal releases also heated up in June. There's a lot of experience on this month's top five list, which features artists with a lot of past success. They prove their present output is still high quality. Bands on the list include well-known acts like Dream Theater and Killswitch Engage alongside underrated groups like Slough Feg and Coalesce.
With the weather heating up, the metal releases also heated up in June. There's a lot of experience on this month's top five list, which features artists with a lot of past success. They prove their present output is still high quality. Bands on the list include well-known acts like Dream Theater and Killswitch Engage alongside underrated groups like Slough Feg and Coalesce.
May 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
A mix of veterans and newcomers in this month's best new releases. Doom legends Candlemass top the list, and Isis has also been around for a while. Germans Lay Down Rotten have been on the scene for a decade, but aren't as well known. Warbringer's sophomore effort lands on this month's top five, as does Success Will Write Apocalypse Across The Sky's debut.
A mix of veterans and newcomers in this month's best new releases. Doom legends Candlemass top the list, and Isis has also been around for a while. Germans Lay Down Rotten have been on the scene for a decade, but aren't as well known. Warbringer's sophomore effort lands on this month's top five, as does Success Will Write Apocalypse Across The Sky's debut.
Best Swedish Metal Bands - Top Swedish Metal Bands - Best Heavy Metal…
The best Swedish heavy metal bands, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
The best Swedish heavy metal bands, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
April 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
April's top metal releases include a couple of welcome returns. Brutal Truth returns to the scene and lives up to their name, while Heaven And Hell (Dio-era Black Sabbath) show they are still relevant in 2009. Here are my choices for the five best heavy metal CDs released in April 2009.
April's top metal releases include a couple of welcome returns. Brutal Truth returns to the scene and lives up to their name, while Heaven And Hell (Dio-era Black Sabbath) show they are still relevant in 2009. Here are my choices for the five best heavy metal CDs released in April 2009.
Essential Metalcore Albums
The origins of metalcore date back to the mid 1980s, where bands like Agnostic Front and Suicidal Tendencies were mixing thrash, punk, and hardcore together. Metalcore has quickly become one of the most popular metal genres, with bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium, and Avenged Sevenfold topping charts and gaining large fan bases. Here are the essential metalcore albums, ones that fans of…
The origins of metalcore date back to the mid 1980s, where bands like Agnostic Front and Suicidal Tendencies were mixing thrash, punk, and hardcore together. Metalcore has quickly become one of the most popular metal genres, with bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium, and Avenged Sevenfold topping charts and gaining large fan bases. Here are the essential metalcore albums, ones that fans of…
Essential Doom Metal Albums
Doom metal has its origins in the early 70’s, with heavy metal band Black Sabbath playing songs with slow riffing and dark, foreboding lyrics. In the '80s, bands like Saint Vitus, Trouble, and Candlemass took those elements and warped them into what became known as doom metal. The genre spanned out in the early '90s to include other musical genres, including death, thrash, and black metal to fo…
Doom metal has its origins in the early 70’s, with heavy metal band Black Sabbath playing songs with slow riffing and dark, foreboding lyrics. In the '80s, bands like Saint Vitus, Trouble, and Candlemass took those elements and warped them into what became known as doom metal. The genre spanned out in the early '90s to include other musical genres, including death, thrash, and black metal to fo…
Essential Progressive Metal Albums
Progressive metal has its roots in the progressive rock movement of the '70s. In the mid 1980s, bands began to take the basics of progressive rock and add in a heavy metal sound to the equation, forming a new style of progressive music. Progressive metal became huge in the early '90s, with Queensrÿche and Dream Thea…
Progressive metal has its roots in the progressive rock movement of the '70s. In the mid 1980s, bands began to take the basics of progressive rock and add in a heavy metal sound to the equation, forming a new style of progressive music. Progressive metal became huge in the early '90s, with Queensrÿche and Dream Thea…
Best Finnish Heavy Metal Bands
Picking ten bands from Finland was an arduous task, but ranking them was even a more difficult challenge. There will be those who will wonder where a band is, or why their favorite band is ranked in the position they are, but that’s how all lists are. Variety is the name of the game with this list, as all genres are represented, from doom to folk to death, and even a little folk on the si
Picking ten bands from Finland was an arduous task, but ranking them was even a more difficult challenge. There will be those who will wonder where a band is, or why their favorite band is ranked in the position they are, but that’s how all lists are. Variety is the name of the game with this list, as all genres are represented, from doom to folk to death, and even a little folk on the si
March 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
March was another excellent month for metal. Picking number one was easy, but the rest of the top five was a challenge. There were many quality releases this month, and narrowing them down to the best five wasn't easy. Here are my picks for the best metal CDs released in March, 2009.
March was another excellent month for metal. Picking number one was easy, but the rest of the top five was a challenge. There were many quality releases this month, and narrowing them down to the best five wasn't easy. Here are my picks for the best metal CDs released in March, 2009.
Best Death Metal Album Covers
The best death metal album covers, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
The best death metal album covers, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.
February 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
If February is any indication, 2009 will be a great year for metal. Outstanding releases from veterans like Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death along with new bands like Luna Mortis made February a strong month. Topping this month's list is the latest from metal juggernauts Lamb Of God. Several genres are represented in the top five, including death metal, black metal, progressive metal and grind…
If February is any indication, 2009 will be a great year for metal. Outstanding releases from veterans like Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death along with new bands like Luna Mortis made February a strong month. Topping this month's list is the latest from metal juggernauts Lamb Of God. Several genres are represented in the top five, including death metal, black metal, progressive metal and grind…
Top 10 Blues Albums For Heavy Metal Fans
Metal fans will usually say that it all started in Birmingham, England in 1970 with Black Sabbath’s first album. The truth is that the roots of heavy metal stretch back into the Mississippi Delta and Chicago; blues music then found its way into rock 'n roll, particularly through the music of 1960s artists like The Yardbirds, Cream and Led Zeppelin. No metal fan’s musical education is complete…
Metal fans will usually say that it all started in Birmingham, England in 1970 with Black Sabbath’s first album. The truth is that the roots of heavy metal stretch back into the Mississippi Delta and Chicago; blues music then found its way into rock 'n roll, particularly through the music of 1960s artists like The Yardbirds, Cream and Led Zeppelin. No metal fan’s musical education is complete…
Best Heavy Metal CDs Of 2000
With the turn of the new millennium, it's time to change my lists from the best metal albums to the best metal CDs. The artists at the top of my best of 2000 list had been around for a long time. There are also some up and coming bands on the list, along with some like Angel Dust that faded into obscurity. Here's my list of the best heavy metal CDs released in 2000.
With the turn of the new millennium, it's time to change my lists from the best metal albums to the best metal CDs. The artists at the top of my best of 2000 list had been around for a long time. There are also some up and coming bands on the list, along with some like Angel Dust that faded into obscurity. Here's my list of the best heavy metal CDs released in 2000.
January 2009 Best Heavy Metal CDs
The start of a new year also brings several new reviewers to About.com. In addition to my reviews, you'll be reading the perspectives of many other notable metal writers. January gets the year off to a relatively strong start. There was only one CD that received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, but there were a bunch of four star CDs. The month's top five includes death metal, grindcore, Viking me…
The start of a new year also brings several new reviewers to About.com. In addition to my reviews, you'll be reading the perspectives of many other notable metal writers. January gets the year off to a relatively strong start. There was only one CD that received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, but there were a bunch of four star CDs. The month's top five includes death metal, grindcore, Viking me…
Most Anticipated Heavy Metal CDs Of 2009
In looking at last year's list, a record 7 out of 10 of the Most Anticipated Metal CDs Of 2008 were actually released. 2009 looks to be another stellar year for heavy metal, with some of the biggest artists in the genre set to release new material. This isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of 2009 releases, just a b…
In looking at last year's list, a record 7 out of 10 of the Most Anticipated Metal CDs Of 2008 were actually released. 2009 looks to be another stellar year for heavy metal, with some of the biggest artists in the genre set to release new material. This isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of 2009 releases, just a b…
Best Heavy Metal 2008
There have been many top lists on this site in 2008. They are collected here for your convenience. The best heavy metal CDs of 2008, the best heavy metal DVDs of 2008 and my monthly best metal CD lists can all be found below.
There have been many top lists on this site in 2008. They are collected here for your convenience. The best heavy metal CDs of 2008, the best heavy metal DVDs of 2008 and my monthly best metal CD lists can all be found below.
The Top 30 Best Heavy Metal CDs of 2008
Putting together year end lists is always difficult, and for 2008 there were several strong candidates for the best CD. I picked Opeth's Watershed. Here's what Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt had to say about being number one: "Well, on behalf of the band I wanna say thanks a 1000 for giving us the top spot for album of the year with Watershed. Yeah, it's fair to say we're happy wi…
Putting together year end lists is always difficult, and for 2008 there were several strong candidates for the best CD. I picked Opeth's Watershed. Here's what Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt had to say about being number one: "Well, on behalf of the band I wanna say thanks a 1000 for giving us the top spot for album of the year with Watershed. Yeah, it's fair to say we're happy wi…
Heavy Metal Tour Dates
Tour dates for heavy metal bands.
Tour dates for heavy metal bands.
Best Hair Metal Ballads
The '80s and early '90s were the heydey of hair metal. Those bands were on the radio and sold out concerts across the world. Their biggest radio hits tended to be the ballads, the type of songs that would bring out the lighters at shows back before there were cell phones. Here's my list of the best hair metal ballads. I limited it to one song per artist, and since I don't consider Guns 'N Ros…
The '80s and early '90s were the heydey of hair metal. Those bands were on the radio and sold out concerts across the world. Their biggest radio hits tended to be the ballads, the type of songs that would bring out the lighters at shows back before there were cell phones. Here's my list of the best hair metal ballads. I limited it to one song per artist, and since I don't consider Guns 'N Ros…
Most Anticipated Heavy Metal CD Releases Of 2008
In looking at 2007's Most Anticipated Metal CDs, five out of the 10 artists on the list did not release CDs in 2007. Metallica, Judas Priest, Opeth and Anthrax are expected to release those albums this year, and are on the 2008 list. Guns 'N Roses Chinese Democracy almost saw the light of day, but after a release date was …
In looking at 2007's Most Anticipated Metal CDs, five out of the 10 artists on the list did not release CDs in 2007. Metallica, Judas Priest, Opeth and Anthrax are expected to release those albums this year, and are on the 2008 list. Guns 'N Roses Chinese Democracy almost saw the light of day, but after a release date was …
2007 Best Heavy Metal CDs
This is the third year I've compiled the year end list for this site, and it has been by far the most difficult. Some years there are a few CDs that stand far above the rest, but that's not the case this year. There are at least 20 excellent releases that could have been in the top two or three. After much anguish, repeated listens to the top contenders, and many drafts, these are the 50 CDs t…
This is the third year I've compiled the year end list for this site, and it has been by far the most difficult. Some years there are a few CDs that stand far above the rest, but that's not the case this year. There are at least 20 excellent releases that could have been in the top two or three. After much anguish, repeated listens to the top contenders, and many drafts, these are the 50 CDs t…
Heavy Metal Blogs You Don't Want To Miss
The invention of RSS has made browsing much easier. Instead of surfing to dozens of sites, you can aggregate them together in one place. I use bloglines, a web based RSS reader, but there are tons of online and offline ones available. Here are some of my favorite heavy metal sites that have RSS feeds, listed in alphabetical order. They include traditional blogs, general metal sites and news fe…
The invention of RSS has made browsing much easier. Instead of surfing to dozens of sites, you can aggregate them together in one place. I use bloglines, a web based RSS reader, but there are tons of online and offline ones available. Here are some of my favorite heavy metal sites that have RSS feeds, listed in alphabetical order. They include traditional blogs, general metal sites and news fe…
Heavy Metal Gift Guide 2007
When you need to buy the metalhead in your life a gift, what do you get them? CDs are the obvious thing, but there are many other possibilities. No individual CDs are listed here, but you can check out my CD reviews for hundreds of possibilities. Instead, I've put together a list of CD box sets, DVDs, video games, electronic…
When you need to buy the metalhead in your life a gift, what do you get them? CDs are the obvious thing, but there are many other possibilities. No individual CDs are listed here, but you can check out my CD reviews for hundreds of possibilities. Instead, I've put together a list of CD box sets, DVDs, video games, electronic…
Heavy Metal CD Release Dates
Release dates for current and upcoming heavy metal cds.
Release dates for current and upcoming heavy metal cds.
Best Norwegian Heavy Metal Bands
The best Norwegian heavy metal bands, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
The best Norwegian heavy metal bands, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
German Heavy Metal Bands
The top 10 German heavy metal bands, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
The top 10 German heavy metal bands, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
Heavy Metal Fan Clubs
Information about heavy metal fan clubs.
Information about heavy metal fan clubs.
Most Anticipated Heavy Metal CDs Of 2007
The most anticipated heavy metal CDs of 2007, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
The most anticipated heavy metal CDs of 2007, as selected by the About.com guide to heavy metal.
Top 20 Heavy Metal CDs Of 2006
The top 20 best heavy metal CDs of 2006, as selected by the About.com Guide to Heavy Metal.
The top 20 best heavy metal CDs of 2006, as selected by the About.com Guide to Heavy Metal.
Most Disappointing Heavy Metal CDs Of 2006
The most disappointing heavy metal CD releases of 2006.
The most disappointing heavy metal CD releases of 2006.
Essential Heavy Metal Albums by Luca Cerardi from Merendine Atomiche
The Top 5 heavy metal albums, as selected by Merendine Atomiche drummer Luca Cerardi.
The Top 5 heavy metal albums, as selected by Merendine Atomiche drummer Luca Cerardi.
Forgotten Albums From The Late 1990's From Chris "Professor" Black
The top five forgotten albums from the late 1990s from Chris "Professor" Black.
The top five forgotten albums from the late 1990s from Chris "Professor" Black.
Most Underrated Death Metal Albums from Charles Elliott of Abysmal Dawn
The Top 5 most underrated death metal albums, as selected by Charles Elliott from Abysmal Dawn.
The Top 5 most underrated death metal albums, as selected by Charles Elliott from Abysmal Dawn.
Faust's Essential Black Metal Albums
Legendary black metal drummer and ex-Emperor member Bård G. "Faust" Eithun selects his essential black metal albums.
Legendary black metal drummer and ex-Emperor member Bård G. "Faust" Eithun selects his essential black metal albums.
Top 10 Hair Bands
List of the top 10 hair bands, also called glam metal, pop metal and hairspray metal.
List of the top 10 hair bands, also called glam metal, pop metal and hairspray metal.
Top 10 Metal Albums Of 2005
The top ten heavy metal albums of 2005, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
The top ten heavy metal albums of 2005, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
If You Like Metallica, Check Out These 5 Bands
Thrash and speed metal bands recommended for fans of Metallica, including Testament, Metal Church, Nuclear Assault, Flotsam & Jetsam and Exodus.
Thrash and speed metal bands recommended for fans of Metallica, including Testament, Metal Church, Nuclear Assault, Flotsam & Jetsam and Exodus.
Top 10 Heavy Metal Books
The best heavy metal books released in the past several years, as chosen by the About Guide To Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
The best heavy metal books released in the past several years, as chosen by the About Guide To Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
Best Swedish Metal Bands
The top Swedish heavy metal bands, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal.
The top Swedish heavy metal bands, as selected by the About Guide to Heavy Metal.
Best Heavy Metal Magazines
Description and rating of the top heavy metal magazines, including Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, Decibel, Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, Pit, Unrestrained, Metal Maniacs, Revolver and Kerrang.
Description and rating of the top heavy metal magazines, including Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, Decibel, Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, Pit, Unrestrained, Metal Maniacs, Revolver and Kerrang.