Articles by Michael Lueders

After returning to Australia for the first time since their reunion in 2019, Static-X was welcomed back with open arms for another heavy industrial experience, This time they had Soil along for the ride plus […]

The Cup Of Pestilence, it spilleth over. So, it’s time to pour it out all over your gig-loving faces. Frenzal Rhomb have released their tenth album, and so it’s time to oil up the guitars, […]

One of Brisbane’s most beloved Prog acts is hitting the road once again to usher in the new era of OSAKA PUNCH. Over the last 10 years, Osaka Punch have forged a reputation as one […]

There is always something exciting and magical about reviewing a brand new band (I hadn’t even seen any of their pre-release video clips before this review). That sense of unspoilt wonder that comes with knowing […]

After one of the single best debuts in Metal history that I had had the chance to listen to, with their impressive “Damned for all Time” (this band’s debut album quickly became one of my […]

The Basement hosted a rocking great gig on Friday night.  The Iron Maidens hit town, after a few reschedules, (thanks COVID) and were ready to rock.  The Basement is in a bit of transition at […]

The Helsinki Vampires have been around for more than 30 years now, yet somehow they manage to sound as youthful as if it was 2001, which is more or less the year I first heard […]

After awakening from their slumber with the mighty The Exuviae of Gods – Part I in 2022, Adelaide’s Mournful Congregation returned with the mighty and unparalleled The Exuviae of Gods – Part II. Call it […]

Extolling the virtues that is pure Norwegian black metal, countryman Kvad unleashes his third account of blasphemy, the ruinous So Old. A literal blizzard of icy cold vitriol, Kvad makes it intent clear from the […]

Returning with their fourth full-length release. The utterly uncompromising German outfit Mavorim unleash Ab Amitia Pulsae (“Struck by Loss”) that traverses the extremity of black metal and ambience. Considering the anger and intent that is […]

This one here is an excellent album. Let’s start by saying that. I had never heard of the Portuguese band Enchantya, not even by name, and I was absolutely surprised by the quality and diversity […]

At this point, it is no secret that Ghost is one of the biggest bands in the world. Playing sold-out venues everywhere, releasing top-notch produced music, and just knowing exactly how to brand and market […]

Spanish exponents of the occult and the individual BALMOG have been terrorizing the underground Since 2003. with countless releases that are highly regarded amongst the black metal elite, Covenants of Salt continues the progression laid […]

Starting the evening at the Zoo with local Andy Martin, singing a blend of ballads & love songs. The strength to be able to hold a stage solo with a guitar is in my books […]

Melbourne, Australia’s Mammon’s Throne realized their potential that began with 2020’s debut  ‘’Forward Unto Flame’’.  ‘’Mammon’s Throne” is an album that takes their style of pure metal doom to its zenith with sheer heaviness and […]

The Germanic trio of hellfire known as Eisenkult (Cult Of Iron) return with their fourth release in as many years, The diverse yet equally extreme Vulgäre, Deutsche Hassmusik. Eisenkult extols the virtues of pure second-wave […]

Since the rise of Amaranthe, the ultimate and quintessential Pop Metal band of the last decade, there has been a somewhat sizeable influx of bands (weirdly, most of them from Italy) that have taken their […]

These guys probably were hatched from dragon eggs in the Northern Rivers, New South Wales, after a wizard cast a spell to generate their existence. “Couch Wizard” have brought out their EP, “Fear” featuring 4 […]

‘On the Earth, under the Sky’’ is a track that defies normal description. The raw production adds to the authenticity of the eighties-inspired speed assault, yet the vocals are that haunting Norge-inspired element with whispered […]

Hailing from Uruguay four piece Thy Dominion release, Cadaver Idolatry, is only their second full-length album in their 27-year career. It perfectly captures their underground essence of deathened Black Metal, also parts speed and thrash. […]

From the grinding and double kicks that unleash ‘’ Blood Trail’’, a mega heavy track that devolves into pure death metal savagery, Hobarts (Tasmania’s) Grim Ripper is continuing the raw aesthetic of the underground with […]

Be prepared to have something behind you for support as you get your head blown off when the might of Enforced comes through. On 28 April, Century Media Records (Havok, EyeHateGod, Arch Enemy) drops Enforced’s […]

Brazil’s Evilcult continues their quest and collaboration with the unholy one on their second release, the aptly titled The Devil is Always Looking for Souls. From the opening moments of ‘Speed Metal Fire’ with its […]

Hailing from Kraków (Poland), Pandemic unleashes their debut offering to the gods of metal, the mighty Crooked Mirror. From the “Let’s Go “that is furious, but all too brief Gamblers Fortune, Pandemic are definitely on […]