Damian Cousins

3 weeks ago | therockfather.com | Damian Cousins |James Zahn

The Pennsylvania quartet drops a self-titled sonic sledgehammer that’s equal parts crushing, cinematic, and unexpectedly soulful. Man, oh man — y’all aren’t ready for this one. The new self-titled LP from Rivers of Nihil is out now via Metal Blade Records, and believe me when I tell you: it hits like Negan with his bat in The Walking Dead. Only instead of Glenn’s head, it’s your ears taking the beating — and you’ll be thankful for it.

1 month ago | therockfather.com | Damian Cousins |James Zahn

So… Sacrament of the Sick is the debut album from EXECUTIONIST — and believe you me, det’s a guud wonn (read that in your best Ahnold voice). A potent mix of thrash metal and DIY grit, this record demands your attention from the first note to the last. From the outset, the quartet — Brett Ash (vocals/guitar), brother Tristan Ash (drums), Austin Rose (bass), and Mike Kinder (guitar) — wastes zero time.

1 month ago | therockfather.com | Damian Cousins |James Zahn

Damn, yo. I love thrash metal. It’s my favorite, right behind death and black metal, in the canon of what gets my blood pumping and heart racing. And GAME OVER has long been one of my current-day favorites. Their new album, Face the End (out now via Scarlet Records), is a full-on hard charger—and I am absolutely here for it. Kicking off with “Lust for Blood” and rolling into “Neck Breaking Dance,” you’re immediately thrown into a headbanging thrash-fest. And honestly—how is that a bad thing?

1 month ago | therockfather.com | Damian Cousins |James Zahn

Look, I know some of you have had issues with ARCH ENEMY for years. Guess what? No one cares. That said, let’s take a look at the new record, Blood Dynasty (out now via Century Media Records). In a word: hellacious. The guitars are incendiary — think Russell Hammond ripping “Fever Dog” levels of hot — and Alissa White-Gluz’s vocals? They’ll burn houses down faster than the West Canaan Coyotes on a Friday night. Think I’m exaggerating? Go straight to track two, “Illuminate the Path.” I ain’t lying.

1 month ago | therockfather.com | Damian Cousins |James Zahn

Roughly a decade ago, I got an email from a rep at Metal Blade Records (oh hey, Carine!). She asked if I’d be interested in speaking with ALLEGAEON‘s lead singer, the one and only Ezra Haynes. Knowing nothing about the band at the time, I said yes. Why not, right? Fast-forward to now: There’s a new album, The Ossuary Lens (out now via Metal Blade Records), and yeah — I’ve been a fan ever since that first chat. Their sound and lyrics grabbed me instantly.