No other band has become more synonymous with extreme metal than Slayer. While Reign in Blood (1986) is often cited as the group’s definitive release, it’s their previous efforts that are the very definition of blood-soaked satanic imagery. The hellish ...
Read More »Stalaggh/Gulaggh: A Window into Suffering and The Necessity for Transgressive Art
There’s no denying the stigma that mental health carries with it. As someone who’s been fighting an uphill battle with depression for two decades, I’m still dismissed as a pariah by some because of my afflictions. The gap between empathy ...
Read More »Picasso, Goya, and The Imagery of Suffering.
It’s been said many times that art is subjective. After all, interpretation and opinion are both in the eye of the beholder. Art has provided us with beauty, romance, and an escape into the realms of fantasy. It’s also managed ...
Read More »The Trials and Tribulations of …And Justice for All (1988)
Few bands possess a more polarizing reputation than Metallica. To some, they’re the forebearers of thrash and arguably the most influential and successful metal band of all time. The group, who in just over a decade went from an underground ...
Read More »Divine Intervention: Slayer attacks the 90s
There’s no denying the impact that Slayer made during the 1980s. All these years later and we’re still discussing Reign in Blood as if it was just released last week. In an age where heavy metal constantly drew disdain from ...
Read More »Children of Atomic Age Horror: The Misfits
The tagline for American Graffiti (1973) asked its audience “Where were you in ’62?” Depending on who you might ask, George Lucas captured vintage Americana with vivid accuracy. Hot rods and rock and roll are all part of a tapestry ...
Read More »An Expose of Upheaval in a Changing Decade: Faces of Death II (1981).
“Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?” This simple question has been used many times to determine whether or not someone is an optimist or a pessimist. Personally, I feel it’s a very flawed test. A ...
Read More »Diabolique announces the Fellini giveaway!
On February 10th, CultFilms will be releasing an impressive tribute to the greatest storyteller in the history of film–Federico Fellini. Four films, including his magnum opus 8 1/2 (1963) have been wonderfully restored for the very best output of picture ...
Read More »The Sophomore Supremacy of Peace Sells: But Who’s Buying? (1986)
“If there’s a new way, I’ll be the first in line. But it better work this time.” If thrash metal has a definitive year, it’s 1986. In the United States, Slayer and Metallica unleashed Reign in Blood and Master of ...
Read More »Megadeth and the soundtrack for retribution: Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good! (1985)
“That’s it? No warning? No second chance?” And just like that, Dave Mustaine was unceremoniously dismissed as Metallica’s lead guitarist. In less than two hours, he would be on a bus heading to California from New York. On his mind ...
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