Saturday, November 11, 2023

"10 Of The Biggest Metal Album Cover Controversies

 10 Of The Biggest Metal Album Cover Controversies

If you've got any of these albums covers on a t-shirt, chances are you're not wearing it to the airport. Over the 50-year history of heavy metal, numerous controversies have been stirred over violent, sacrilegious or immoral album covers, further adding to the lore of these bands.

From pissing off religious groups, getting investigated by international governments, and getting pulled off shelves (in some cases for years), these are 10 of the biggest album cover controversies in metal.

Monday, September 18, 2023

"The 10 best heavy metal mascots of all time

 The 10 best heavy metal mascots of all time

Nothing says metal like a gnarly mascot staring at you from an album cover, backdrop or whatever merch item the band can cram it on. From the esoteric to the straight-up wacky, these made-up figures have captured the imagination of fans almost for the length of metal’s existence, with the most iconic ones standing the test of time for generations. With that in mind, here are 10 of the very best metal mascots to grace our world, from Iron Maiden’s Eddie to Ghost’s Papa Emeritus.

Eddie The Head (Iron Maiden)

(Image credit: Iron Maiden)

Towering animatronic samurai, skeletal cyborgs with lasers, soldiers – Eddie The Head’s been all of them and evolved with every single Iron Maiden release. As their stage shows have grown more elaborate, he’s joined them onstage for sword fights with Bruce Dickinson – or just stomped around threateningly during iconic songs from The Trooper to Run To The Hills. No matter what he’s up to, though, Eddie’s a metal legend.

Saturday, February 4, 2023

" The definitive history of every Slipknot mask

 The definitive history of every Slipknot mask

Where to buy Slipknot masks

* Etsy (opens in new tab) have a range of fan-created Slipknot masks
* Amazon (opens in new tab) have more options from Slipknot’s past
* Check out Slipknot's official store (opens in new tab) for band-related merch

Slipknot are synonymous with masks in the same way Eddie Van Halen is synonymous with guitars. A fundamental part of their identity since the band's formation in 1995, the masks have served to entice and terrify in equal measure, creating a distinct aesthetic that helped them stand out in the nu metal age and endure long after that genre took a dirt nap. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

"PANTERA Pulled From German Festivals Over Racism Accusations

 PANTERA Pulled From German Festivals Over Racism Accusations

Pantera's appearances have been cancelled for both the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals happening this summer. According to a statement from the Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park organizers, the cancelation comes after conversations with artists and fans, all of who have collectively decided that Pantera should not perform.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

" The history of rock and roll poster art

 The history of rock and roll poster art

A few years ago, award-winning director, Merle Becker (who worked on the MTV series Beavis and Butthead, Daria, Station Zero, and Cartoon Sushi), picked up a book on rock poster art. She became fascinated by the art form and would soon set out on a quest to interview artists in the genre and learn more about what makes rock poster art so special. — Read the rest