A group of Iraqi youths learn English from Metallica and Slayer and form a head-banging band in the middle of a war. Carl F Gauze doesn’t need a translator for the universal language of metal.

Still Drinking (Dead City Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Envoy of Lucifer (Regain Records). Review by Matthew Moyer.

IIIrd Gatekeeper (Crucial Blast). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Christ Illusion (Expanded Edition) (Warner Bros.). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Kibosh (Joyful Noise). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Abyssal (Temporary Residence). Review by Aaron Shaul.

The Final Sign of Evil (SPV). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Matthew Moyer talks with atmospheric metal mastermind Per Gustaffssons, aka Bergraven about creating music in isolation, the genius of Lindsey Buckingham, and what makes metal an ideal form of expression.

Have you ever been listening to Pantera and thought to yourself, “I wish my demon seed could know more about the bands that they will soon worship as I do now?” If you have, then you’re a friggin’ lunatic. If you haven’t, then you’re just a little more sane. Either way, Tim Wardyn explains that this book is either the first step on your journey or just a kick ass good time.

Take Matthew Moyer’s advice - When the singer in a doom metal band is wearing priest’s vestments and rolling his eyes in the back of his head, you know you’re in for a quality concert. Solitude Aeternus brings the celluloid goods.

There’s No 666 in Outer Space (Ipecac). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Mr. Gnome. Review by Carl F Gauze.

Fancy Feast (Fairy Factory). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Curses (Gern Blandsten). Review by Aaron Shaul.

In the Fishtank 14 (Konkurrent). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Educated Horses (Geffen). Review by Joe Frietze.

The Pleasures of Schizophrenia (Rock Garden). Review by Carl F Gauze.

In the Dirt (Wantage USA). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Metal up your… bookshelf? For Linda Tate , the memories come flooding back after immersing herself in the denim n’ leather goodness of this anthology of heavy metal album covers.