Are we approaching an era of pure punishment, in which the only fun allowed is sanctioned by media giants, where safe art trumps radical art, and where the audience itself is confused over what “radical” and “interesting” actually means?

Breakout band of SXSW 2016?

Better to have it all planned out in advance, I guess.

Listen in, get sick.

A picture’s worth a thousand death-growls.

Which metal star will you give a pass, no matter what they do?

Featuring the villainous Emperor Nafaryus. I did not make that name up.

Emperor Rhombus argues that if metal were the standard, it would no longer rule.

We are very excited about the new album from the German doom-ish duo.

Compelling black metal from the depths of Portlandia.

Marks within the corn, children missing come the dawn.

It wasn’t one thing, it was a bunch of them.

Emperor Rhombus shares some personal stories about Motorhead and what the band has meant to him.

Metallica’s frontman listed ten “thingz” that made him happy in 2015. What are yours?

It’ll be the Emperor frontman’s fifth solo album.

Choreographed dancing doctors, gore, and a great song — what else do you need?

Great hustle, guys!! Keep playing!

Featuring re-imaginings of classic album covers by Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Faith No More, Emperor, and more.

Read their incredibly sad, brutally honest open letter to Rolling Stone.

You’ve read miles of coverage of 2015’s best metal. What awesome albums are now on your radar?