Better than nothing! 2026
Besser Als Nix! Festival Exploring and supporting the local scene As last year, I once again thought outside...
Below-The-Radar
Bloodhunter – Sons Of The Abandoned
Welcome to Spanish Extreme Metal, welcome to Bloodhunter’s forthcoming release “Sons of the Abandoned”. Bloodhunter already made its name in the scene, especially vocalist Diva Satanica is well known for her strong und unique growl technics.
Let’s celebrate together – RMD’z 2026
What began on 9 April 2016 as a one-day event in a marquee in the heart of the Motorsportarena, featuring four bands, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with no fewer than 21 bands over three days.
Sunday Of The Dead – Memento Muribuntis
A few months ago, on my way to Denmark on holiday, my co-driver put on some songs that I had never heard before. He explained that these were nearly finished demos of his band’s album, due to be released later that year. These songs caught my interest and more, so here it is: Obscuro's Christmas review of Doom Death Metal from Würzburg.
Fire Rose – Finale Furioso 25 at KIK
After a visit to Basel's Christmas markets we get ready for Fire Rose' Finale Furioso at KIK Sissach, Heavy Metal, Lederhosen, Dirndl and Goasmass will rule the party hosted by Sarah and her great team!
December Newsflash
2025 is coming to an end. Most people count down the days by Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Metalheads are caught in Whamageddon until the bitter end out of the sudden. Nevertheless there are some occasions left over for a good old Headbangers Ball.
Chris Maragoth – With Depths Of Despair (EP)
In an era of AI and lack of individualism it is refreshing to find some handmade, brain written original music. Chris Maragoth is one of a kind who does not only write songs but creates a musical world full of emotions.
Protydiya – Unfathomed Gradients (EP)
I sometimes have the feeling, nowadays everything must be called “progressive” even though it is just average music for the masses. “Unfathomed Gradients” is a nice effort to bring progressive metal to a level which is different to this “mainstream” progressive metal. Give it a chance and check it out, you won’t regret it.
NOAF 2025, Our First Time
Three weeks after the Party.San Open Air, it's time for the second and final encore of my summer festival season. I will be visiting a nearby festival. In fact, it is so close that I had never been before. For 19 years, it was just too close in time to another festival that I had attended regularly for almost a decade. Now, however, the time has come for me to add NOAF in Wörrstadt to my list of local festivals. I will therefore commute between my warm, dry bed at home and the festival.
Fury – Interceptor
When the Birmingham-based band Fury performed at Rock & Metal Day’z in June 2025, they told me that their new album had already been produced and that pre-sales would start soon. The time has now come for the final release of Interceptor on 5th September 2025, and I am delighted to review the album. This is their first album to be released with the support of the Danish label Mighty Music Records, and their fifth album overall.