For almost two decades, Zakk Wylde has always been equal parts influence and inspiration in the realm of rock and metal. By the time he was 20, he’d sparked Ozzy Osbourne’s interest and went on to co-write and record several albums with the Prince of Darkness, including the multi-platinum No…

While any time of year is good for giving gifts to those you love, the holiday season provides an excuse to overindulge. With that in mind, the best types of gifts are those that are personalized, and us metalheads are big on that. We don’t really care about the commercialization…

Happy Holidays, metalheads! The season for generosity and head-banging is upon us, and our local metal scene certainly reflects that. We’re closing out 2015 with some great metal shows and holiday festivals — fitting, considering this year has been one for the books with Arizona metal. Out local scene grown…

We’re officially in the season of overindulgence: We can eat as much holiday food as we want, drink the hell out of the spiked eggnog and mulled wine, and aren’t judged when we concoct dishes like “bourbon-glazed turkey with bourbon gravy” and “bourbon pumpkin pie.” We spend more money than…

At one time or another, two worries cross every fan’s mind about their favorite musician: What if the artist gets bored (we’ve all seen that disconnected, smug expression on stage)? Even worse, what if they get burned out? Some of the world’s greatest have met their demise this way, channeling…

Happy Fall, Arizona metalheads! The heat is officially over, people are looking forward to the holidays, and one of the best holidays of the year just passed: Halloween. While I love the holiday, I must say that the Best October metal shows list was a bitch to write; there were…

Suicide Silence is a loud, energetic, positive force to be reckoned with, which some find ironic considering the band’s moniker. But in 13 years of existence, the band has received a 2009 Golden God award for Best New Talent, has helped pioneer the deathcore genre, has produced four diverse yet…

Many truly influential musicians only get better with age — no surprise there. But the key word here is “influence.” It’s not necessarily their own evolving music that makes waves; on the contrary it’s a drive to change what the industry produces, to open ears to new ideas and innovative…

October has to be one of the greatest months of the year in Arizona. Not only is the weather finally, finally cooling down—but metalheads get to embrace the influx of heavy metal concerts that come to town, right in time for Halloween. With so much going on, it can be…

Hey heavy metal, we need to chat… As a musical entity that is no stranger to bad press and debauchery — but rocks its true colors loud and proud — I, the city of Scottsdale, would like to propose a partnership. Look, I know that the words “Scottsdale” and “heavy…

In 2012 I wrote a Phoenix New Times article about the perfect heavy metal soundtrack for football season—but it wasn’t focused on all the cliché songs that you hear over and over again on the field, from Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” to Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.” Sure, heavy…

We’ve gotten through the worst of it, Phoenix metalheads. The VMAs, relentless pop-country touring bands, and, oh, the relentless heat. We’ve still got some triple digits in September, no doubt, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. And since it’s still waaay too hot to figure out…

“We’re not critiquing against God. We’re critiquing against man. That’s one of the most fundamental differences with the critics… when you start going into the mainstream, there’s a lot of talk about God, and that is not exactly what we’re talking about here.”—Nameless Ghoul, interview with New Times, October 23,…

Twenty-five years ago, an album shifted the future of metal. It shed old stigmas and embraced a new musical blueprint and, for many, offered renewed hope for the future of metal. It was named for four groundbreaking musicians — Phil Anselmo, Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott, Vinnie Paul, and Rex Brown —…