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1 week ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
(Rata Mutante)Been three years since leader Esteban and his clan of speed metal Colombians have graced us with new music. Album #10 offers eight ripping additions to the Revenge canon. Looks like an upgrade in production and cover art, dispensing with the frequent cartoon characters in favor of a more Victorian horror vibe (Headless Horseman, apparently drawn by the same artist that did the Harder Than Steel artwork).
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2 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
(Doomentia)Fresh on the back of last year’s full-length, comes a new, limited edition (300 pieces) 12″ vinyl, four-song EP from the rough, speed metal Spaniards. All are exclusive to this release. “Heavy Metal Rush” comes tearing out of speakers, with a bit of simple, staccato, punk aggression (“Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Only the guitar break identifies it as a true metal construct. By contrast, the 4:04 mostly instrumental “The Catapult” is fleet fingered, repeated runs up/down the fretboard.
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2 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Most years, the vast majority of the Decibel lineup is a mystery to me, yet invariably, I discover a couple of acts that warrant future investigation and support. However, in 2025, nearly half the bands I’d not only seen, prior to the fest, but deemed most of them enjoyable. Saturday seemed a far cry from the fare. Somebody’s tastes are changing!Speaking of tastes, on Day 2 some breweries rotate their line-up, giving people something different than Day 1.
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2 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
The annual confab in the mag’s Philly hometown (not to be confused with the defunct series in Los Angeles, or the ongoing winter adventure in Colorado) brings together beer drinkers & Hellraisers. The craft beer world is almost as segmented as musical sub-genres. Brewers seek to introduce a “new” theme on a variation, something no one has seen/heard or sampled, previously. As with the bands, there’s always one or two that stand apart from the rest.
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3 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Was sort of surprised to see Jag Panzer main man/guitarist Mark Briody attending both days of this festival, alone, a fair piece from his Colorado home base. Asked what brought him to Tulsa, his response was very eloquent. “How can I expect people to come see my band, if I don’t go to shows?
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3 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
The second, and final, day of this cozy festival was headlined by a rare appearance from Lizzy Borden, complete with masks and costumes. Speaking of masks, that hooded musical menace, Midnight were also in town, playing the first show without Kommander Vanik. Helstar played the city of Tulsa for the first time in their lengthy career. The seemingly always touring Haunt, also made the trip north, from Texas. Hitten were enjoying their last week of shows, before heading back to Spain.
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3 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
If, like me, the idea of visiting Oklahoma never entered your adult life, then reevaluate your thinking, as 2 Minutes To Tulsa is a fun weekend for metalheads, both fans and bands. It was so nice, I’ve now done it twice, on successive calendars. This is not a “local show,” as people from all over the south & midwest (as well as the occasional coastal resident) congregate at the Vanguard, for two days of loud music, by bands also from far away.
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4 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Day 1There’s no easy way for one person to see/hear everything that happens on the grounds of Hell’s Heroes. It’s more an art, than a science, running between stages, to watch & hear what transpires (with concerts abutting one’s start, with another’s end, and sometimes overlapping), as well a hang with bands, fans and friends, shooting photos and taking notes on priority acts. Luckily, 25+ years of experience have streamlined my procedure. Advance apologies to those that feel left out.
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4 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
(Shadow Kingdom)The dominatrix fronted group of purple hooded metal maniacs are back, with album #5, a decidedly more mature effort. Seen these hard working/touring Kentuckians several times, watching the progress, on pretty much an annual basis. They write some damn infectious (and often tongue-in-cheek hilarious) anthems, built for the live stage. Sort of surprising then, that the album kicks off with a 63 seconds guitar instrumental, “Three Red Candles”.
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1 month ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Sadly, all things come to an end and another multi-day Texas extravaganza is now in the history book. Amazing how quickly that the fans and bands that survived, are home, already dreaming of “next year.” The day began with promoter Christian Larson’s Night Cobra entertaining early arrivals. He COULD slot his band anywhere, but props for NOT pulling rank. One of the most chaotic, over-the-top reactions witnessed in recent years was all the young-ins going ape for Hellripper.
