MetalSucks Podcast Episode #11

This week Axl spends some time with Mark Hunter as the new Chimaira album is ready to drop, discussing Hunter’s country music upbringing, the metamorphosis of the old lineup of Chimaira into the new lineup, the writing of the new album and more, and we also listen to another new Chimaira song. Chuck covers his Summer Slaughter and Black Sabbath experience in all of their glory, and Godless found “The Varg” to read you some of his poetic blog entries. We also get you a new tune from All Pigs Must Die because it should be on your short list or you’ll really be missing out.

Listen on MS: HERE

Listen and Subscribe on Itunes: HERE

David Drainman to Produce New Trivium Record

You might see some new metal dudes roaming around Austin the next few months. Trivium is in town recording their new album with none other than Disturbed/Device frontman David Drainman at his Austin  studio.

The follow up to In Waves is due out sometime this year, and with this news just made it a little bit more anticipated...I know you are excited, I can tell

Protest the Hero Crowd Source New Album in One Day

Protest the Hero is planning to enter the studio in March or April to begin recording its new album for a tentative summer release. In the first day of taking donations they have met and surpassed their initial goal of $125,000. 

"The material is more challenging than ever before and we know we'll have to work hard to bring it to life." 

To finance the recording of the new CD, Protest the Hero has launched an Indiegogo campaign and has begun accepting donations. The group states: "We have completed all of our obligations to record labels. It's time to go it alone and take control of our careers. It's now or never! 

"We will no longer be accepting monetary advances from labels to fund albums. We now turn to our friends, family, and our fans to help us make this album. Please take a look at our campaign — then decide whether to throw us a couple bucks or a couple of middle fingers!"

As one of my favorite new, whatever bands in the last decade, this Canadian band really got some balls to go it alone. With just under a month to go, they will probably make enough money to promote the record themselves and even book a decent tour to boot...congrats!

Black Sabbath Announce Album Title and Drummer

Black Sabbath have a new album coming and now it has a title: 13. The group's first LP with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978 will be released in June. After the announcement that Bill Ward would not be participating in the reunion, much has been made about who would replace him, and no it appears Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk has been tapped for studio duties.

Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler recorded the album primarily in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin.

Intern Review: The Sword - Apocryphon

If the Mayan’s have it right, we’re all screwed but at least we were able to enjoy Apocryphon, the new album from The Sword. Oh, how sweet it is to have some Texas metal in my eardrums this week.

Let’s get down to business; long time fans of The Sword will be happy to know they have not taken an “artistic journey” and sacrificed their signature sound. The group’s 4th studio album Apocryphon is saturated in groove guitar rifts, guaranteed to have you wailing away on the most epic Gibson Flying V your imagination can create.

Air Guitar is so much cooler with The Sword. As I was listening to the album with my dog, Preston, I can see the envy in his little puppy eyes, wishing he had thumbs to hold imaginary drum sticks and bang away with me. Sorry buddy, you can help with the imaginary groupies.

Ok, back to the review. It is my duty to give you the most in-depth, truthful reviews and to be completely honest Apocryphon kicks ass. If you’re a fan of metal of the past; where it wasn't about how loud you can scream, how fast you can shred or how many tattoos you have but based on how well you can write a killer album, then prepare yourself for an album you’ll have on repeat. Guitar heavy, drum laced and vocally pleasing, Apocryphon is an album most definitely something you want to check out.

The Sword’s critically acclaimed 3rd album, Warped Riders, is a tough act to follow. However they managed to follow up with an album that not only has a lot of hype but delivers the goods in a lustrous box of awesomeness without damaging their credibility or their signature sound.

I can’t help but say good things about Apocryphon but the simple fact is, it’s a great album. I even went back and revisited The Sword's previous three albums; Age of Winters, Gods of the Earth and Warped Riders. Let’s just say I've developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from trying to wail like JD Cronise and Kyle Shutt.

Go check out Apocryphon, you can thank me later.


-Derick Garcia

Derick is an intern from Texas State University where he hosts his own metal show 'On the Grinder' and produces and hosts a Texas State TV program 'La Bella Vida.'