Top Picks
CD, DVD, artist, magazine and book recommendations from the About Guide to Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.
April 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
For the second straight month there was only one CD that got a 4.5 out of 5 rating. So far it's been a year with a lot of excellent releases, but only a few outstanding ones. Arsis stood above the masses this month, but a great comeback from Testament and solid new releases from Children Of Bodom, The Sword and Boris also made my top five releases of April, 2008.
For the second straight month there was only one CD that got a 4.5 out of 5 rating. So far it's been a year with a lot of excellent releases, but only a few outstanding ones. Arsis stood above the masses this month, but a great comeback from Testament and solid new releases from Children Of Bodom, The Sword and Boris also made my top five releases of April, 2008.
March 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
March was a bit weaker than February, with only one release having a 4.5/5 rating. There were also fewer 4/5 rated CDs in March than last month. Still, there are several strong CDs that came out this month, including at least a couple you'll probably see on my year end best of list.
March was a bit weaker than February, with only one release having a 4.5/5 rating. There were also fewer 4/5 rated CDs in March than last month. Still, there are several strong CDs that came out this month, including at least a couple you'll probably see on my year end best of list.
February 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
After getting off to a moderate start, February was a really strong month. 3 CDs received 4.5 out of 5 ratings, and picking the number one slot was difficult. There were also several 4 star CDs released this month, making it a month with a lot of depth. That bodes well for the rest of 2008. Here are my choices for the best heavy metal CDs released in February 2008.
After getting off to a moderate start, February was a really strong month. 3 CDs received 4.5 out of 5 ratings, and picking the number one slot was difficult. There were also several 4 star CDs released this month, making it a month with a lot of depth. That bodes well for the rest of 2008. Here are my choices for the best heavy metal CDs released in February 2008.
January 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
In Hollywood, movies released in January aren't usually very good. The studios save the dregs and dump it at the beginning of the year. Not so in metal. Although 2008 is getting off to a slower start than 2007 when it comes to the depth of quality, there are still some good CDs released so far in 2008. Here are my choices for January 2008's best heavy metal CDs.
In Hollywood, movies released in January aren't usually very good. The studios save the dregs and dump it at the beginning of the year. Not so in metal. Although 2008 is getting off to a slower start than 2007 when it comes to the depth of quality, there are still some good CDs released so far in 2008. Here are my choices for January 2008's best heavy metal CDs.
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.
Martin Popoff's Top 5 Dio Albums
The Top 5 Dio albums as chosen by Martin Popoff, author of the book Dio: Light Beyond The Black.
The Top 5 Dio albums as chosen by Martin Popoff, author of the book Dio: Light Beyond The Black.
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.