Shaun Mckenna

3 weeks ago | distortedsoundmag.com | Shaun Mckenna

Time to get your biggest, stompiest boots on – ARCH ENEMY are back. With three decades under their belt and having crushed their way through eleven studio releases with various superstar personnel the band return with Blood Dynasty; the melodic death metal batting plate that they have claimed as fiercely as their contemporaries over the years primed for some violence from the home team. The craftmanship is where the bat strikes flush here.

1 month ago | distortedsoundmag.com | Shaun Mckenna

Surprise! Well, as much of a surprise as loudly having the living daylights kicked out of you can be, anyway. An unannounced split EP from two of the most popular hardcore acts in the game right now in PAIN OF TRUTH and SUNAMI is just the tonic for the way things are going; Coast to Coast probably won’t fix the widening cracks in society and politics, but it’ll be the best way to forget about it for around nine minutes.

Nov 16, 2024 | stagewhispers.com.au | Shaun Mckenna |Matthew Warchus |A R Rahman

The size of the cast was impressive for a touring production; I counted 24 Hobbits pre-show, though I was informed there are 25 in total along with up to 5 swings/understudies. As the performance unfolded, I was struck not only by the cast's talent but also by their versatility. Each performer demonstrated the ability to sing, dance, act, and execute fight choreography while playing multiple musical instruments live on stage and from memory.

Sep 9, 2024 | distortedsoundmag.com | Shaun Mckenna

Every plateful of something to get angry about dished up by the world proves that punk remains perennial. Hell, the heaving lungfuls of additives to what’s been served up to the large majority of humankind should be enough to turn the stomach of anyone paying attention. To that end, thankfully, WOLFBRIGADE have been professionally angry for the better part of three decades now.

Aug 4, 2024 | distortedsoundmag.com | Shaun Mckenna

Breaking into any genre, especially in metal, follows certain unspoken rules – generally speaking, the smaller the pool is, the shallower the water. While any attempt to crack the horror metal scene lends itself to inevitable comparisons or denigrations to the big fish of ICE NINE KILLS or MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, MISTER MISERY have done well for themselves in the face of the competition; the Swedish outfit have carved out their own space in the niche handily.