By: Jay Broderick - The 1980s... inarguably, the Golden Age of Heavy Metal. While the NWOBHM was rooted in the 1970s, it was the 1980s that saw bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden entrench themselves in the hearts of new heavy music fans. Then bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax brought their brand of Speed/Thrash Metal to the masses, and eventually became known as "The Big 4". The heavy music scene was becoming massive during that time, and bands were c

By: Jay Broderick - On January 9, 1984 Van Halen released the top selling album in their catalogue. The aptly titled 1984 was loaded with the hit singles "Jump", "I'll Wait", "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher". Sadly, it was the last album that would feature original vocalist David Lee Roth . Just prior to the split, DLR released his first solo initiative Crazy From The Heat on January 28, 1985. It would only be a couple weeks later that the band officially split. Today, Roth'

By: Michael Drukarsh - By the end of the 80’s Glam or if you prefer, Hair Metal was slowly on the decline. 1985’s tear jerking ballad “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue created a hailstorm of carbon copies that really got old quickly. Thankfully, 1987’s release of Appetite for Destruction , Guns and Roses debut, shocked some life back into the dying body of heavy rock. It would be two years later, in 1989, that another band, despite being on the tail end of the Glam era, app

By: Jay Broderick - Tragically, there are some musicians who dwell in the background, and don't get the same fanfare as the lead vocalist, or the shredder on guitar. But it doesn't diminish their contributions. One of the most skilled keyboardists in Rock and Roll is Don Airey , and today, announced his newest solo album Pushed to the Edge , which is due for a March 28 release via earMUSIC . Don Airey has played with the biggest names in the business including Ozzy Osbourne ,

By: Michael Drukarsh - When you write from the heart, your songs will always ring true. This has never been truer than with the newest single from Toronto’s very own Nicole Haber . With a January 16th release date, “Rock Bottom” takes the listener on a hauntingly beautiful journey full of raw emotion. In Haber’s own words, "This song is very personal to me, as it’s about finding light in the dark moments and supporting mental health and wellness.” Nicole Haber tackles a very

By: Jay Broderick - During my "coming of age" years in grades 6, 7 and 8, my musical tastes changed from listening to the popular music of the 1980s, to music with a harder edge, and then eventually heavy metal. One of the first "heavy metal" songs I remember hearing was a track by a German band called Accept . The song was called "Balls to the Wall", and I heard it on the 1984 compilation Metal for Breakfast . I was a pretty straight kid, so hearing the lyrics "you'll get y

By: Jay Broderick - Well, in reality, it's been eons since the Scumdogs of the Universe were banished to Earth by their master. From a music standpoint however, GWAR released their second album Scumdogs of the Universe 35 years ago today. This was the band's first release on Metal Blade Records , and the worldwide BOHABS (GWAR fans for those not in the know) consider this recording to be their treasured gem. The album's sales would also agree, being the band's best sellin

By: Jay Broderick - 2025 marks the 20th Anniversary for Lancaster, Pennsylvania's August Burns Red 's debut album Thrill Seeker . To celebrate the album's 20th Anniversary, ABR has opted to re-record the album with the current lineup that has been in place since 2006. Released in November 2005, the lineup on Thrill Seeker included guitarists "JB" Brubaker and Brent Rambler, drummer Matt Greiner, bassist Jordan Tuscan and vocalist Josh McManness. Tuscan and McManness ultimat